Mrs. Astronaut has a strange fascination with Snake Handlers and the whole Appalachian Christian Revivalist subculture. I think it has something to do with the Pagan elements in their otherworldly rituals. Plus, she really likes bluegrass music and likes to walk around the yard barefoot, so I guess it makes sense. For my part, I find the whole business kind of spooky (not my wife, the stuff with the snakes), but spooky in a good way.

Next month, during their Big Rock Candy Mountain show, Seattle’s own Roq La Rue Gallery will be showing Gary Monroe’s charcoal drawings of our southern, snake-handling brethren. Damn his work looks cool. Something tells me this might be a must-see for me and the missus.

Boing Boing - Serpent handler art