The New Watchdog at the House

Found this little lady right by the doorknob at the front of the house in the early morning.  Certainly got my attention.  My next thought was perhaps this is one of those invasive arachnids from the East, called the Joro spider, as big as a hand.  This one in above photo has a span of only a silver dollar, so nothing to yelp about.  But it does remind me of Mom.

Mom's Fear of Spiders

I had written before about maybe the fear of snakes from Western films.  Mom had no phobia of snakes whatsoever, but spiders were a different matter.  Regardless of size, her response to Dad was something like "Spider in the tub.  Please come kill it."

Maybe fear is too strong a word.  More like a clear dislike.

The Monster at the Barbeque

Wow, just over a year ago.  The family had a backyard barbeque after Mom's graveside memorial.  My nephew's wife and their daughters were sitting on the grass when suddenly she sprang to her feet with an exclamation, lifting up one girl.  Nearly everyone was on their feet as those nearest looked to the ground.  There was a grey wolf spider, the biggest I have ever seen.  She was the size of my hand.

We determined the best course was to catch it within two Solo cups and release her outside the yard into the wild.  One niece considered doing it until she realized she wore no sleeves.  If it crawled out it would be on her arm.

My son stepped up to the task.  With absolutely no fear and wearing a suit coat, he coaxed the eight-legged freak into the cups, then casually transported her to the fence and let her go.  He and a couple second cousins watched the arthropod scurry away.

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So I will feel for any of the political canvassers who stop by the house and see this new greeter at the door.  Oh, I hear a scream now.

Have you encountered a big spider and what did you do?  Let me know.  I'll try not to shudder.