KEEPING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS – NOT THE SNAKE
Do we keep up with old friends? Do we take time to see them? Do we wait sometimes until it’s too late? Often I’m not good at staying in touch; my husband is. Mayo Clinic states “friendships enrich your life and improve your health.” So, NOW, is the best time to visit old friends.Maryann lost her husband Larry, and my husband’s long-time friend, suddenly last year. She invited us to come see her and provided her community’s guest apartment for our convenience.
So Lynn and I left town to explore more of the Texas Hill Country and visit Maryann for 3 days and nights. We traveled to New Braunfels with Murphy, our Shih Tzu. She lives in an over-55 community with her two Lasa Apsos, Cassidy and Sundance.
LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA
As I walked Murphy when we arrived, I noticed a bird’s nest. In fact, I discovered over the three days a row of seven elm trees, three of which had nesting mourning doves. They must be used to lots of commotion, because they are tending their eggs just feet from the pool and walking path.
Two things I love about this bird: 1) the cooing sound, which is mournful but relaxing to me; and 2) the birds mate for life, devoted to the end. This dove observed me with a black eye hiding behind a leaf. Look for the head and beak at “9:00 to 10:00” in the photo. 
THE ANIMAL WORLD AND SNAKE FARM ZOO
After my online research, I knew what I wanted to experience first. The Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo. Admission fee was $16-$20/person. Extra for the petting zoo feed pellets (goats, lama, free-range chickens and peacocks/peafowl) and another charge for lettuce to feed the camels.
THE PETTING ZOO
I dusted the walking path with pellets. Chicken, peacocks, and birds followed. When I entered the petting zoo and toured the animal selection I counted about 20 goats, a single buck-toothed lama, a miniature cow and horse. A single worker was filing the hoofs of a goat. She offered no warning.
When I scattered pellet the goats surrounded and pinned my knees and shins in place. If I’d been claustrophobic, I would have panicked. Instead I laughed at my predicament and looked at Maryann. “What am I to do?” “Wait,” she said laughing at me. She enjoyed the show so much, she didn’t think to capture my dilemma on camera.
When they mobbed me, I spilled the rest of the pellets, landing on their backs. They had their faces and mouths to the ground. I tried moving forward the force of the goats that held me in place. Ironically, I found I could back up and finally moved out of that herd of feeding goats. This article on the affection of goats may explain some of this behavior.
A mother entered the petting zoon with a 2 or 3 year old. I gave her the warning, I wish someone would have given me. “Your little boy will be engulfed. It’s scary.” She retreated with her son.
THE SNAKE FARM
I’m fascinated by snakes as long as they are behind glass. These snakes were from all over the world, as well as right here in Texas. Snakes are known for their camouflage abilities. That is apparent in these photos, except for the Green Tree Python, but in its original habitat, I’m sure its bright green works well.
The lizard below was quite the entertainer, dancing his way into everyone’s heart.
FEEDING THE CAMELS
NAP TIME
The sun climbed higher and the heat soared. While some animals were retiring for a nap, monkeys cleaned each other, mountain lions paced, pumas – one white, one spotted stood panting, and a male/female pair of magnificent lions napped on a big stone.
An invasive species, cedar trees slurp up too much water from our soil and aquifer, leaving the area drier than ever and so must be cut from ranch land and burned. A burden, cost, and nuisance to land owners.