I would like to preface the following remarks with full disclosure as to the fact that I live in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Our cold climate means we don’t have to fear the likes of all kinds of poisonous creatures lurking in every snowbank or garden bed to get us. There may be a few out there, but, hey, it’s not like I live in Australia. The spiders in this story are, as far as I know, of a non-poisonous variety.
There once was a time when a spider in my bathroom would have elicited an eeek-and-squish response from me. I’m not very proud of that, but that’s how it was. Not anymore, though, as I’m proud to say I’ve finally come to terms with my learned fear of spiders, a fear that was painstakingly taught to me by a teasing brother and an over-fearful (at least of spiders) mother.
Today I view spiders in a whole new light. When it comes to these fascinating eight-legged acrobats, I see myself as their landlord and the spiders as great tenants. There aren’t many of them, just two in the bathroom who have staked out different territories, and, I suppose, a few more than two in our dug-out style basement. They earn their keep by eating other unwanted bugs. As far as I am concerned, the spiders are my own personal team of helpful housecleaners, using all-natural products at that. I make a point of thanking them for the great job they are doing whenever I see them.
If you were to come to visit my bathroom or basement, you’d probably see a spider web or two. While some might might think I was a lazy housekeeper, I know that you won’t. I know you’ll understand that what’s really going on is a truly symbiotic relationship, one involving mutual respect and cooperation. Or, as they say in the business world, a win-win situation.
So, here’s to my spiders, and to this brand new blog, too. I plan to bring you all kinds of news and insights into the wonderful, wild, and, sometimes just plain weird, world of animals and nature over the next weeks and months and, who knows, maybe years. Thanks for your time, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
In peace,
shee
Shee Says 