Snakes,strawberries and more...

Today I am feeling a bit frustrated, Ian is due to leave again, so I decided to get in the yard before the heat wave hits this weekend,and get some work done. An hour or more into my weeding,raking etc, I encountered yet another garter snake.At first I felt a little intimidated,then I realized the it was so small,and possibly more scared than I was. I got brave,and knowing Cassie would have loved a picture, I picked it up. Obviously I did what most people would do right?Talk to it. I was extremely annoyed at it and walked around as it stuck it's tongue out at me, almost in spite, trying to find a place for it. My yard is full of slugs,and We haven't treated it for them yet,so I might have told the "thing" to get to work. After freaking out a few times as it moved, I put it at the very top of the yard. Not sure if it was more brave or crazy,but oh well,meanwhile 3/4's of the yard waste can is full of weeds and dead leaves! Here are pics of the before and after so far.I will keep trying to remove those blackberry vines,but for now my body is aching.Also I'm adding pics of my strawberries.