A very exciting day!

This was what greeted Barry as he started upstairs at about 10 this morning. I was on the phone with Christine when he interrupted my phone call with a seriously crazed look in his eye!Once I made my presence known the viper went into attack mode. He coiled himself, which I will add was his ultimate downfall, and rattled his tail all the while hissing at me with his snaky head and black tongue zipping in and out. It worked for I will admit my heart was just a pounding!
This picture represents victory after about a 20 minute standoff! This is an upside down wastebasket that had been my Grandmother McCuen's. . .had a lovely handpainted flower on the side you can't see! The snake is coiled inside rattling for all he is worth. Barry brought me a piece of plexiglass that we slipped under the wastebasket and then I was able to carry the "package" down the many decks till I could heave the antique wastebasket and snake into the lake. . .if I had had my camera you could have seen him swim off with his head held high. He headed north but I am sure he doubled back once he was out of my sight and is probably back under the cottage by tonight. He just needs to stay outside. We have had no mice this year. . .now I know why!
This picture was supposed to be the first picture. I think the snake came in around the fireplace and was heading upstairs when Barry came upon it. Amazing that neither Barry nor I nor Ebenezer saw him slithering around! Just in case you are wondering. . .I will be sleeping with one eye open tonight.