Life with Spiders

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I've done this. Showered with spiders. I'm not afraid of them, though admittedly, I will capture and release BIG ones. A friend sent this Orion Magazine article and it reminded me that here in the Pacific Northwest, we are always finding spiders in our bathtubs. Another friend provides them with a toilet paper ladder, and the friend who sent this, leaves a towel draped over the side of the tub.

          Showering with Spiders

Itsy-Bitsy Spider                         

The itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain
And washed the spider out
Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain
And the itsy-bitsy spider
Climbed up the spout again

In spite of this message of determination, spiders drown easily, so pre-shower preparations include checking and removing spiders that aren't ceiling high.

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As frequent readers of this blog know, I'm originally from Florida. We have serious spiders down there. My favorite is the Golden Orb spider. I probably like them best because I made friends with one once. I found and  hand-raised a baby Spotted-breasted Oriole. They are fruit-eaters, but for protein I always had a supply of mealworms for him. A golden orb spider had her web outside our back door. She would hide into a corner whenever the door opened. One morning I let the dog out and flipped a mealworm into her web. She stayed hidden, but when I did the same thing the next morning, she ran down her web, sank her fangs into it and began wrapping it in silk. On the third morning, she sat in the center of her web waiting for me and took the mealworm from my fingers. 

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I want to believe

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I know I haven't done a blog post in months. First my computer hit the skids after 14 years (I was still using XP), then a month of 'last minute' prep for the writers' conference and the conference itself. I also have a much-needed new website in the works. Excuses, excuses. Maybe I just ran out of steam for a while. Then yesterday a friend sent me this video. I, who have loved and been an advocate for animals all my life, would give anything to have this ability. I even took an animal communication class once, and failed. I want to believe it's possible. This video has come pretty close to convincing me. Either way, it's heartwarming.

Abused Leopard Growled At Everyone Who Passed By.