Spider Talk

I've changed. Let me explain.

Whether it be born in me or a thing that was learned from my mom who feared spiders greatly, the first thing I used to do when I'd see a spider is find a shoe. ~~ Squishy~~ Squishy ~ uh oh, bye-bye!

That was then. 

I have joined a Facebook group that identifies spiders and their purposes. Many being harmless, some - not so much. One thing is for sure though, these are spider lovers on this group and you best not comment that you used a shoe on one of the precious insects they study and love.

I have become particularly curious and enamored by the jumping spider, one I had been terrified of before now, and probably still would be if it were to jump on me! But listen - do an online search and see for yourself how cute they are. I mean...  some people have them for pets, make mini houses for them along with mini furnishings and everything. Not me. I'm not there yet. Probably never will be. 

However...

I am happy to announce that I now accept that I share space in this world with spiders but I will not accept that I share a house with them. That is why I purchased a catch and release device on TikTok shop that easily traps said bug and then releases it unharmed into its rightful habitat - OUTSIDE!

This guy an 'orb weaver' according to Chat GPT,
made his home on the side of our pool each
night after dark. I'd shine the light on him when
I'd take Bubbles out for her final potty - and 
there he was. The prettiest new web and like he was 
posing for me. I love the shadow showing behind
him. (or her). 

 

Bubbles says: Keep your eye on the ball!

 

~FIRST DAY~

Bubbles fell asleep watching me last night. That in itself is not a surprise. She usually does fall asleep watching me. For some reason, Bubbles thinks she cannot survive without knowing where I am at all times. If I get up and leave the room, she follows. It does not matter that she is in a deep sleep. She 'feels' my every move. 

Last night was different. She was spent from a day of doing her favorite thing. Well, one of her favorite things if not her favorite. 

It was the first day of swimming this season! So when I left the room for a minute, one eye cracked open for just a moment, then it was shut. I guess she figured her exhaustion trumped her need to track my every move.

 

Cemetery

There is something about Memorial Day that takes me back to a simpler time. It might be that the cemetery where we have our service that day is right across the road from where I grew up. I remember the cars lining the road on Memorial Day, and hearing the band playing Star Spangled Banner from my place on the limb of the big oak tree in our back yard where I'd sit and think.

Our Memorial Day service always gives me pause to think more about the sacrifice of all those who gave their life so that we could be free. It is emotional and you can't help but have a heart of gratitude. It is thoughtful and beautiful.

A day or so before I will first visit our local flower shop that the parents of an old high school friend owns, and I will buy flowers for my mom, dad, and grandparents. Then it's off to the cemetery to place them. I can look down over the hill and there's where I used to play tag, hopscotch, horseshoes, and other games with my siblings. 

Generally I forget to take the tags off of the flowers. How rude! Do you think Mom and Dad would care? I don't think so either. But I did remember to take them off this time. Just in case. 

Bubbles, Thoughts?

Yea. Can I take this cone of shame off yet?