New York state doesn't have that many native snakes, something like 16 or 17. While it doesn't look like a typical garter snake, blackish with green/yellow/or red stripes, the garter snake can be brown too. You can see a faint stripe near the head end of this snake. I have included links for other garters that look like yours. http://www.classicalvalues.com/GarterSnake1.jpg http://www.nyfalls.com/wildlife/gallery/snakes/garter.jpg

Hi K.J. Haven't been at the party for awhile and checked in and saw your b'day came and want to wish you belated b'day greetings. Don't stay away too long. You're a very special lady.

Oh dear. I knew I had a little bit of an interest in growing things and I do get very excited planting seeds and waiting for them to sprout, but after reading this particular post, I am afraid it is more serous than I originally thought.........I guess I don't do too much half way. :) I have just updated my seed list from 2009 and have yet to add the seeds I have coming in this year. I do keep the lists on the computer along with the year purchased and where I got them from but that is as far as it goes. I do have lists of every plant I purchase too and my seed lists are organized in Vegies and Flowers/Ornamental. I am very manual too, Peggy. I like to take my list and my binders/notebooks everywhere.....to bed, to my favorite chair, to my neighbours ect. ect. My husband has learned to just expect me to be attached to a few seed catalogues and my friends know me as the Garden Lady. This year I did something different that I am so far enjoying. Every year I purchase a daily minder and my daughter often buys one for me too. I have been giving them away the past few years but decided to keep the extra one I got for Christmas 2011 and make it a garden journal. It is so easy! Some days I just write the weather in it and some of the changes I notice in the yard or that I updated my seeds or ordered some plants. So far it has worked great and then I can just save the books for reference. I might get the 9 x 11 whole page one next year though. :) BTW, I updated my seeds on January 2nd and 3rd but have to re enter the list since I switched programs.:) I think it amounts to an all day job. :/ Ginny Garden

Hi Sidnee, I have been pretty faithful for the last few months at logging my meals, trying to stay within my calorie allotment. I also wear my fitbit every day and try to get more than 7500 steps. Now that spring is here, I should be able to walk at lunchtime and also partake of a fitness bootcamp twice a week at my church. I try to ride my stationary bike when I can at night. (not very consistent with that) I also work with a personal trainer every Saturday. That, along with my food diary keeps me pretty on track. I have lost 14 pounds since January. I think I will be happy with 10 more pounds as long as I keep getting stronger. I have a bulging disc in my back which has been my main source of inspiration to get fit and lose weight. thanks for asking!