More Snakes Than People Quotes

“For 2 years I lived in the hills of east Tennessee. In
place they called Earl's Holler. Nights were quiet. Until I
heard the cows. A frantic lowing echoing through the
hills. They had taken their calves. And hundreds cried
out in the night. Locals said this happened every year.
Just try to get some sleep. It would all end soon. Some
people can get used to anything. No matter how
terrible it might be.”
― Damon Thomas, More Snakes Than People: A Rural Gloom Graphic Novel

“When I was 18 I gifted my 11-year-old step cousin a copy of Rancid's "...And Out Come the Wolves." Because of this her side of the family blamed me for many things. Caught her smoking at 15? Rancid. Disappeared for a long weekend? The Girl's a Time Bomb. Posed nude for a magazine 3 days after turning 18? They just disowned me. I'm a bad influence it seems. I've been a bad influence for a long time.”
― Damon Thomas, More Snakes Than People: A Rural Gloom Graphic Novel

“Once I went to buy a turtle at the Chiefland flea market. They said turtles were only legal to buy for "educational purposes." Before I could buy I was asked to write "For Education" on a piece of paper. With the official paperwork completed we headed behind the booth to get the turtle. There was a capybara snoozing in a kid's wading pool. The capybara was not for sale.”
― Damon Thomas, More Snakes Than People: A Rural Gloom Graphic Novel

“I spent a lot of time on the banks of the Suwannee growing up. Cookouts and swimming at Purvis Landing. There was a rope swing on an old cypress tree. Swing out into the dark brown water. The bank was lined with cypress knees. You learned to let go. We went fishing up near Log Landing Road. A remote area. More snakes than people. One Saturday we were joined by a boat. A new doctor in town. He raced up and down a short stretch of river. Blaring ZZ Top "Legs." The boat's wake crashed against the shore. Scared all the fish away. Changed our dinner plans. It ended with a crash. His boat raced into a log floating slowly downstream. He screamed for help over AC/DC "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution." Not help for himself. Help for his boat. It sank into the Suwannee. And the fishing improved.”
― Damon Thomas, More Snakes Than People: A Rural Gloom Graphic Novel

“There are entire books of family advice. The wisdom of generations in print. My dad only told me that you've got to pay attention. There was no elaboration. No explanation. Just that you've got to pay attention. And I have.”
― Damon Thomas, More Snakes Than People: A Rural Gloom Graphic Novel