Spider in A Roll

Perhaps I should have made this a Halloween post,

illustrating the dangers of stacking three mega rolls of toilet paper in a tall open work metal dispenser and working downward to use one and then another over the course of a few weeks, or however long it takes a spider to build a web in the bottom roll.

Maybe I should work on inventing a spider proof dispenser, but maybe this hasn't happened to anyone else, ever, so I would be the only customer.

Do you hate spiders?

Do you like them?

Are you indifferent?

Snakes Alive! New Year's Resolutions

Does one of your New Year's Resolutions happen to be experiencing more adventure in your life?

Did you write down that you're determined to be brave, bold, and daring in 2020?

Well, here's your chance!

It seems that not a lot of people like snakes much.

I'm not one of them.

Neither is Aspen Mahan, who has caught and kept snakes since he was 12 years old. He's even done educational programs for schools and other interested groups.

He's careful to pick the right reptile for the right person. Here's my little sister Carolyn, delighted to hold a little hog nosed snake.

She and I joined forces to experience the feeling of smooth python muscles running through our hands.

Some of Aspen's snakes are for viewing only.

But if you have the skill or desire, you could try communicating with them.

Aspen is very accommodating, even to showing us other interesting critters he has, such as this tarantula spider.

This is a different tarantula spider.

He even has a scorpion, one of several species, and if I remember right, one of the most poisonous. (There's some adventure for you!)

This is not a real spider. It's a fascinating spider skin that one of his spiders crawled out of when it got too big for its britches. Aspen told us that young spiders can shed their skin several times a year because they grow so fast.

If you want an unforgettable experience, then contact Aspen (he lives in southwest Utah) to schedule a time to see all the interesting critters he has to show you, and listen to all the fascinating facts you can learn.

You'll never know unless you go!

Contact Aspen at aspenhmahan@gmail.com, and he'll be happy to give you a tour, just for the joy of learning.

It looks like his snake is ready to go off the picture and learn something new, too!

Do you like to try new things that seem initially difficult, or are you happy with the comfortable status quo of daily life?

Eat More Veg's Before the Spiders Do

I  promise that this squash wasn't on the counter very long...maybe a couple of days...before I noticed that a spider had laid claim to it.

(The only reason I found out was because I spilled some protein powder on the web.)

Who knew that if I didn't eat my vegetables, the spiders would?

Unwanted Walking Companion

My sister Carolyn and I met someone on our walk last week.

Well, we met someTHING.

 The funny thing is, when dogs rush at us with barking throats and slathering tongues, Carolyn stands her ground, puts her hands on her hips, and tells them to leave.

When we ran across this little fellow small enough to step on (if you don't mind the crunch!) she nearly climbed up onto my shoulders. 

I sent a picture to Bob, and he said it was, indeed, a tarantula. (I have my shoe in the picture for size reference. Don't quibble if it doesn't look like a shoe to you. The only time I completely cover my foot is when I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO, such as in 12 inches of snow or places that don't accept open footwear. Believe it or not, there are such places!)

Also keep in mind that my footwear is a glorious size 11, so that makes the tarantula even bigger than you first thought on seeing it.

Perhaps we should have used one of Carolyn's shoes... but I'm not sure she would have survived the trauma of having her footwear in such close proximity.

From what Bob told me, and what I read online, tarantulas rarely bite people. If they do, it may feel like a bee sting.

Worse than a bite, if threatened, tarantulas can scrape stinging hairs off their abdomens and flick them at intruders, which can cause a painful rash. (And a bald tarantula belly!)

Tarantulas may sometimes eat their own legs.

I prefer to keep my legs intact so I can keep on walking!

Do you like to go on walks?

Attack of the Giant Spider!

I was startled to find a giant spider ready to jump on my car as I entered the roundabout in St. George's Main Street/Tabernacle Street intersection!

I don't know who made it or what it commemorates, but there it is.

I don't hate spiders. My husband, Bob, is wary of them. He was bitten on the elbow by a black widow about 30 years ago. Not only did his elbow swell up to the size of a tomato, but half his face was paralyzed by Bell's Palsy. The doctor said it may be permanent, or it may gradually heal.

With half his mouth paralyzed, Bob couldn't whistle, and he dribbled when he drank. His smile was a crazy sight to see, and he even kissed crooked.

We were both relieved when he regained full feeling in his face after about six months.

Are you a spider hater?

A spider lover?

Or you'll live your life, and they'll live theirs?

Parade of Homes... and Bugs!

The Parade of Homes had some beautiful fixtures in their houses... wait, what's that? Did someone miss cleaning the sink?

Ahhh! It's a SPIDER! 

But it's not scrambling up the slippery sink sides in a vain attempt to escape the deadly faucet waterfall sure to swirl it down the drain at any moment! 

Oh. It's rubber. Fancy that. New, improved rubber arachnids for home decor that won't really spin webs in your pantry or bite you in your sleep.

How innovative!

My sister, Carolyn (Purple Girl) and I both liked the Be Happy sign, because we were happy to be together doing fun things on a rainy day in "sunny" St. George, Utah!

Do you like to look at new homes? Or are you perfectly satisfied just looking at the walls of your own home? (Or cave...)