Oh, The Tangled Web We Weave

Like most people, I have my own phobia - arachnophobia! I get chills even thinking about spiders. To tell the truth, I'm really not fond of any kind of insect, but a spider just freaks me out in a big way. I hate them. I despise them. But I can't kill them. I don't know why. I just can't make myself do it...maybe it's the "squish", the mess, the pop...I don't know, but ask anyone who knows me and they will attest to the fact that I will call someone to come kill a spider before I will do it myself.

Isn't it funny though, that the same thing that freaks us out or frightens us, also fascinates us as well? This is true of my spider phobia. I am very intrigued by them. I even like to get close enough to look at them and study their intricate designs, but if they happen to move...well, I would win the $10,000.00 on America's Funniest Home Videos!

Living out on a ranch, in the middle of rural country is not exactly the place to avoid encounters with spiders. This is the honest truth - when we built the house out here, I told the builders that I wanted every hole, every crevice, every crack filled with something to keep spiders out. They said they would do it and they were true to their word! I personally watched them toward the end of the project, go around with spray foam, and fill every hole, crack and crevice. Can't you picture them walking around with these spray cans with me following them saying, "What about right here? Oh! Here's a place!" They were truly kind about it, but I know they thought I was a total wacko. Hey, whatever it takes. We've lived here 3 1/2 years and I've seen 1 spider inside the house. Which takes me to the point of this post.

Do you have any idea how many spiders are lurking outside? You really don't want to know. I had no idea. But, the reason I know this is because one foggy morning, I took Buddy, our Yorkie, out for his morning business. I was astounded at the "evidence" I found. As I walked all over the yard, I wasn't freaked out, I was amazed at the sight of tangled webs everywhere! I marvelled at the true beauty and complexity of what I saw. It was like being in some foggy wonderland.

Before I share some of what I saw, let me give you a link that has some incredible facts about spiders and webs. I hope you take the time to check it out...it truly is amazing.

http://www.pestproducts.com/spider-webs.htm#Tangled

These photos don't even begin to capture the true beauty of the "foggy webby wonderland" I was in. They were everywhere. They were every shape, size, mangled, tangled, perfectly woven....different in all ways, yet all amazingly beautiful and mystifying in their unique form.

Creepy, but very, very cool.