[muawiyah]

I grew up in an area overrun with four species of rattlesnakes, and we had water mocassins in some places, and copperheads everywhere.

I didn't grow up with any chil'hood friends who doubted the warnings on snakes!

That's 'cause the doubters jus' didn't grow up.

[Christie at the beach]

I went with my brothers. I loved being with them.

Just glad we were not hurt from being kids.

GrandMa said they drained the pond different times and told us the stories to keep us out of there in case one of us were to drown. We did see snakes though not for long. It got to be a place to where everyone in the family came there to swim. My aunt had old tobacco barns and old cabins on the property that she allowed later to be used by the locals to sell fruits/fresh vegetables. But you had to know the family before you got access onto their private road.