I really do like spiders, except for when they’re chasing me or dangling
from me. This time of year is the best time for spiders. It seems like they’ve
spent all summer silently preparing and practicing for the day when they can
spin an awesome web near a light source and feast to their little spider
heart’s content.
I’ve been watching this spider gal for awhile now. She first
showed up between two lily stalks in the front yard. Before long, that web had
gotten broken and she disappeared. A few nights later, she showed up with a
nice web underneath one of our outdoor lights.
I would visit her and compliment her on her web. I admit that I approached her a little
warily, as she had spun her web right above the water spigot for the hose.
After a week or so, though, the web stood empty. I wondered if she had chosen a
different house for her home.
She surfaced last week with a new, magnificent web spread in
front of the light closest to our front door. I watched her weave it, and each
evening I watch as her web fills with small bugs attracted to the light. When I come out to walk the dog in the
morning, I see her busily cleaning up her web from the night’s prey and
readying it for the new day. She is
yellow striped with long and graceful legs, a truly lovely creature. I am thankful once again that God has filled
our world with beauty in all sorts of different forms.
I hesitated publishing this post. The kids will all be home next weekend, a
fantastic treat for my birthday. They
are not, however, arachnophiles, and I don’t want them to feel hesitant about
coming home. I can’t wait to welcome
them with open arms, and as for my spider friend. . . does she seem to be
spinning an extra-large web?
