Nature reserves the right to inflict upon her children the most terrifying jests.

~Thornton Wilder

 

It was such a crazy, busy weekend that yesterday morning I decided to focus on the simple gifts I had been given…a chance to walk with Belle, legs and lungs that could run (at least a little ways), the recent rain, the birds singing…

…and just as that thought entered my head, I suddenly had a mouthful of spider web.

I immediately screamed, threw down my umbrella and my hat, and ran forward several feet, swirling my hands all around my head, before turning around to see this poor little…well, not so little…orb spider curled up in fright in the center of his broken web. 

Orb weaver may 2015-1179

 

I'm sure he was at least as scared as I was! 

He was really pretty amazing to look at – from a safe distance, anyway – such intricate designs, and two little horns on its back.

I cropped the photo so you could get a closer look…

 

Orb weaver may 2015 close up-1179

 

After my heart stopped racing, I snapped a few photos (sort of blurry because the now unsecure web was bouncing in the breeze) and warned him/her that I walk that way every day and it wasn't a good place to weave a web.

Then I scooped up my hat and umbrella and continued on my way down our driveway, remembering to look up as well as down at the rocky terrain under my feet, and full of gratitude that I didn't end up with that huge spider somewhere on my body!

That is definitely something to be grateful for, as well as the rain that has lured these beautiful spiders and the insects they feed on back to our neighborhood. 

I've had other, less creepy sweet!s this week, but I'll share them tomorrow. I hope you're still keeping track!

Because I like you, I won't leave you with that an image of a spider, even one who has an intricate, interesting pattern on his/her back.  Here's a little wildflower bouquet to make up for it…

 

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14 responses to “Remembering to look up….”

  1. Ms. A Avatar

    We have sago palms on either side of our walkway to the front door. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked face first into their webs! I HATE THAT!

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  2. Lady Fi Avatar

    Aww – poor spider. And i love that last shot – so gorgeous!

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  3. TexWisGirl Avatar

    i don’t mind the spiders – unless i walk into their webs, too. 🙂 pretty thing, though!

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  4. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    Classic Haiku: That’s all right, spiders. I keep house casually.

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Hey now, this was outside, not in my house! (But it's true that I keep house casually. hehehe)
     

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  6. Pauline Avatar

    Spiders give me the willies. Thanks for the flowers, though 🙂

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  7. Otto von Münchow Avatar

    I don’t mind spiders, they do much good in nature, but a mouthful full of spider web is still not anything I would very much appreciate. All the more impressing that you made the encounter into a “sweet” memory. The photo of the wildflowers is gorgeous.

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I was in the middle of mentally listing my 'sweets' so I had to come up with something for this! 
     

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  9. lisleman Avatar

    A spider web in the face is never welcomed. There are a few critters I dislike more than spiders. Now a scorpion would have me running and jumping.

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh my gosh, I am so glad scorpions don't build nests! 
     

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  11. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    Spider encounters:/ Ugh.
    I wear their webs quite often, too.
    Glad for your little trail runs to keep your head
    clear and easy in the busyness of it all.
    I’m in busy season too and craving a gentler pace.
    Trying to find one inside myself.
    Love to you in all your doing and being,
    Jennifer
    (like the ch ch ch changes!)

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Jennifer, I hope you find that gentle place to help you through another busy season! Take care of you, you sweet lady!
     

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  13. Suldog Avatar

    We don’t have those sorts of spiders here in the northeast and I’ve got to say I’m rather pleased with that.
    (At least, I’ve never seen one. If we do have them, I don’t want to know. Ignorance is most assuredly bliss in this case.)
    I love that you told the spider something. I’m glad to find out I’m not the only one who sometimes talks to bugs.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    The funny thing is, I think the spider listened to me! With all of our recent rain, there are webs popping up everywhere, but I haven't seen another one across our road!
     

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