Like many ladies, I'm terrified of spiders. When I see one that is too menacing for me to squish with my sh-mop I have been known to call my husband home from work to take care of it. He used to do it cheerfully, but I think this act of valor has lost its charm. If a spider is on the small side I make sure to rescue it, which I hope makes up in some small way for all the spiders I've smooshed over the years.
I won't even tell you about the giant spider hanging out on the ceiling over our bed on our honeymoon in Italy. Oh wait. I just did. What a fiasco. Nothing says romance like a big Tuscan spider staring down at you. Buongiorno!
Penn and I have just started taking a looksie to see what kind of job opportunities might be out there for him. Some of the best options are in places with big spiders. And other pests, which don't bother me so much. Snake? "Shoo!" Beetle? "Ick!" (But not scary.) Rat/Mouse? "We'll get one of those traps and release it in a field somewhere." Armadillo? "Aw, cute." Lizard? "Let's give it a name and keep it as a pet."
I'm the kind of person who feeds the backyard raccoon cat food, sticks up for pigeons and crows, and would be delighted to find a deer or rabbit devouring her garden. I love frogs and turtles. I think slugs are cute. Penn and I once took a field mouse left by a stray cat to our vet, who was kind enough to put it to sleep because it had a broken back. Don't even get me started about the giant fuss and half a day my mother and I once spent to rescue a trapped bird at Macy's. We drove to Home Depot to find a two story ladder! (Luckily someone finally came and freed the bird.) My point is that I just love critters. Even the ugly ones who, after all, can't help it that they aren't cute and fuzzy. So why doesn't this apply to spiders? I guess am just too frightened to be tenderhearted toward them.
My question is for all of you ladies who live in buggy places. I have heard that exterminators can't keep eight-leggers out of a house. Is this true? Please, oh please, someone from someplace with spiders tell me you have a relatively arachnid-free household.
Or maybe you could assure me that a person gets used to Harry Potter-sized spiders dancing across her floor? Kind of like how people in towns with pulp mills supposedly stop noticing the unpleasantness? I would love to think it possible that one day I might spy a large spider in my home and not hyperventilate. I'd calmly capture it in a jar, wish it a good day, and send it on its merry way in the backyard.
I really don't want to let something as silly as my fear and loathing of spiders prevent my husband from taking a wonderful new job!
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9 comments:
this is fun laughter.
Kitty - my kindred sister - I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, which means lots of spiders. And, I hate to tell you this, but my exterminator tells me each and every month when he comes by that spiders can crawl across the sprays he uses. Which I feel is very unfair to all the other creepy crawlies that aren't so lucky. My theory is what works for one should work for all. Anyhoo, my spider problems usually come about in the fall when the weather begins to change. I have my trusty fly-swatter to help me with the problem and a rather large broom to help with the ones to which I refuse to get within fly-swat range. Don't get me wrong, it's not a MAJOR problem but a spider is a spider is a spider. Ya know?? So, as much as I love animals and yes, we have deer, raccoons, groundhogs, moles, mice (which live a short life here also) and other more tolerable creatures - but, the only good spider is a dead one. No exceptions. I'll be praying for God to lead you and Penn to a more spider-free area.
BTW - did you check out my blog lately? There are some pictures of Charleston on there you might enjoy.
Blessings!
I'm not sure the answer to this one, but I share your concern and am curious to see if anyone knows the answer for sure. Have you tried googling it?
We do have a lot of spiders - this year seems particularly bad for them. I don't like them but I'm not afraid of them. They aren't like snakes. Snakes send me over the moon.
What always surprises me is how many men are afraid of spiders. I have two brothers-in-law that totally freak if they see one! My sisters have to do spider control!
You crack me up and I needed it today (thank you for your sweet words of encouragment and I can feel the prayers)
I also live in a spider area (the SE) but truly have not had any issues with the big ones coming inside. I agree with Lisa though on the exterminator stuff. Spiders can hold their breath for up to 15 minmutes and they are fast so they can avoid the poison.
At least you do not have BIG flying roaches. Those things are truly scary!! I had one try to take my head off in HS - LOL!!
Much love,
Kim
We live in an area with a lot of spiders and have not really had a problem in the house. I too am TERRIFIED of them. I in fact do pass out due to fear! YIKES! We have an exterminator come and he knocks down the webs, sprays, all that mess and that has cut down on the spiders around the house because....spiders eat bugs...no bugs...less spiders. :)
I am not found of spiders myself. We get them inside frequently at work,but John (our lab tech) takes care of them. And though I am not found of them, they don't terrify me like snakes do. *chills* The "terminator" comes to our work and wipes this stuff up around all of our doors and sprays stuff to keep the insects/bees away, which also reduces spiders. :o) I live about 25 min from work and we only have trouble with ants about twice a year.
I am so with you on this 100%. I think my fear of spiders is unhealthy. Just like you, I don't fear other critters near as much, it's mainly just spiders. It's like they paralyze me when I see them. I completely lose all logical thinking. What in the world? I also feel the need to somehow get over this ridiculous fear that has such a grip on me. Let me know if you hear any good advice for us spider haters.
I just found your blog today and thought this post too funny! I HATE spiders as well! When I found out that my little family would be moving down south from upstate NY one of my first thoughts/fears was about the spiders! I haven't seen many in the house so far... but outside is a different story! If you check out "everything's bigger in Texas" post you can take a look at what I found in the backyard! Then you can see what you would be up against if you moved here:O Although I think the spider I found stays outside! I hope for my sake it does!
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