Technically this shouldn’t fall under the category “Daily Life” since it’s definitely not everyday that a rattlesnake visits our house!!
It was a very very hot summer day. I had the curtains open and thought I saw something moving in the courtyard. I turned to look and there it was in our courtyard! 
I was immediately told by Brian (who was glad that he was not home to witness this) to call animal control. Animal control told me that they’d come right away and asked me to keep an eye on it so that they’d know where to look for it when they get here.
So i watched it circle around the courtyard a couple times. It was relaxing on the floor mat at the front door for a while. 
Thank goodness for the screen door… 
Rattlesnake 101 – 2 easy ways to identify a rattlesnake: (1) Rattle at the end of tail, and (2) Triangular head. And they make a loud buzzing sound with their tail as a warning when approached. Of course I did not know this at that time. Something the animal control person taught me after. 
My research tells me this is Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. Typical size: Adults 30 – 44 inches long, sometimes up to 54 inches. Newborns about 10 inches long. This one is about 24 inches long. 
After about 15 minutes of circling around, it finally rested by the patio seating. 
About 30 minutes after the call, the friendly animal control officer showed up! He came in first to take a look and commented, ‘oh, it’s this little guy’ then went back to his truck to get his tool and the bucket that marked ‘Rattlesnake’ (!) 
Coiling up! And it made a really loud hissing sound as it was being caught. Very interesting…
Off it goes into the “Caution: Rattlesnake” bucket!! 
Thank goodness for animal control!