Size

*Ahem*, I'm well into my triple digits in weight. So, why would something a mere fraction of my size provide such fear? Why would a spider (a really, really big one) drive me to think I couldn't go up the stairs? I thought, "How can I pass such a massive beast and survive?? Would he jump on my ankle as I try to pass?" He was in a tricky spot where I couldn't just step on him, so I had to pass and then find *something* with which I could squish him. I seriously stared at him for about 4 minutes with four bags of groceries in tow. "Move, dammit! But don't move so far that I can't find you after I pass," I thought. So, I put the groceries down and finally decide to dash (well, you know, move as fast as I can, which isn't really very fast) past him. "Please, please don't jump on me!" I made it, grabbed a bottle of Mr Clean and sprayed 'em. He was not happy, so I, of course, had to put him out of his misery by beating him senseless with a broom handle. I had won. David had finally beaten Goliath.

I think I'm onto something BIG here...

I was just babbling tonight to my hubby while we were sitting outside under the trees. The katydids were clicking loudly, the grasshoppers were playing their songs. The crickets were chirping. A lovely night, really.

What came to mind was the fact that the insects and other creatures walking this planet have a distinct way of communicating. They know what they're saying, even if we don't understand it.

Here's the deep thought...if there is an omniscient god who has designed this planet and all living creatures upon it, he/she may have built in a ton of puzzles to figure out. If there is such a God... (funny thing just happened as I wrote this...a boxelder type bug just flew into my ear. Coincidence? I think not!)... he/she may have a clever wit and sense of humor as well as a knack for languages. What if all of the bugs are chirping things that we want or need to know? The meaning of life? The grasshoppers have that covered if you listen carefully enough. The cure for cancer? The mosquitoes know that one...and they're trying to tell you every time they fly by your ear! Listen next, time, will you?!

So, carry this a little further. Every bug or animal that becomes extinct is another riddle that will never be solved.

...Just a hmmm for tonight....

Spiders and the Summer Solstice

Have you ever noticed that spiders and other insects seem more prevalent around the Summer Solstice? Give or take a week. I remember my mum mentioning something to that effect, but didn't really pay much attention to it as a child. Anyway, it's always shown itself to be true. I rarely see spiders around here until about a week before June 21. Then, they're in abundance. Spiders of all varieties come creeping out! So, yeah, you see 'em around all year long, but this time of year they're doing a dance on your forhead. Oh, I should add, that you'll notice an increase around December 21st for the household varieties. Interesting stuff, eh? I don't know of any scientific proof of such, but you know, mum's know best!

Let me set the scene.... a crank out window that won't crank back in, a rainbow out my window on a warm yet windy morning, a dark and ominous cloud bank heading my way, and a kitty who *really* wanted to see what I was doing. I realized last night that my window wouldn't crank back in, (Yes, it's the cheapo lameo crank window on one side and a stationary window on the other side that is so common in these parts of the world in downtown highrises.) but I figured the weather would hold. Yesterday was a gorgeous day for Snoopy hunting (we got 31 more!!!) so I figured today would be the same. Not so. So long about 6:50 this morning, I look out my window and see the aforementioned scene. I take off the screen on the window as there is no way to touch the wayward window without taking the screen off. I start to pull the window in, and realize that the crank mechanism is no longer stuck, in fact it's pretty much just separated from the window itself. Fine, no biggie. While I'm trying to reattach the crank, (crank shaft? I know, sounds too engine-y. hehehe) I look down at the bottom of the casement and see a bunch of dead hornets. "Wow," I thought to myself, "Poor things must have been dead in there quite a while..." Doodly doo, I go about my business of trying to get the crank attached. A blust of wind and suddenly the hornets are ALIVE and DOING QUITE WELL, thank you. "Shit!" <--- actual quote. Screw the crank! Abandon ship, abandon ship! I quickly try to get the screen back on the window. Damn thing wouldn't get back on. I was holding it hoping the hornets wouldn't *see* me as the one disturbing their slumber. *phrew* I got the screen back in after about 5 attempts to get the spring mechanism correctly placed in the casement...and get the screen up and over the crank handle. So, there I sat, watching the hornets on my window. I turned the crank all the way to the 'closed' position, and the window closed with the wind. "Great" Now I had 5 angry hornets on the inside of the window and a screen that has a big enough lesion through which a clever hornet could certainly crawl. I stared at the little beasties quite a while...I'd open the window and let the wind close it again...I was hoping they'd get blown away, you see. My cat decides to taunt them a big by tapping the screen. They didn't seem to like that, but what they *really* didn't like was my Calgon body spray. hehehe. Yes, when the "Cat and hornet game" was getting a bit long in the tooth, I decided to use my weapon of choice (ok, ok, the nearest sprayable substance...). Not only will the alcohol in the spray annoy them, the frangrance will make them smell lovely! *spray* *spray* *spray* They were quite pissed off. I'd open the window...spray one of 'em and they'd BUZZZZZZ and get blown away by the wind. Success!
Have a great day! I'm off to that work thang....