Over the years I have read short articles about spiders. I usually stop in disgust but KNOW I should appreciate them. This article was perfect. The appreciation overcomes the reluctance. I sent this to a few social media sites because who doesn't want to wake up near Halloween and read about Portia?
The Joro spider has invaded Georgia and is on the move throughout the US. Spiders are the constant topic where I live.
Wow, that Lenka sure was one beautiful creature!!! and that in a city!
I grew up in Phoenix, we had daddy long legs and black widow spiders at our house, along with a few scorpions now and then, at the beginning, then we had annual exterminator visits.
Also the business about fried tarantula tasting like chicken reminds me of a line from David Remnick’s “Lenin‘s Tomb” about when he was in Kazakhstan he had to eat shredded horse heart. “They told me it tasted like chicken. it didn’t.”
Totally agree about Gould. I’ve heard other great pianists play Bach, and something seems missing somehow, because I’m used to Gould’s interpretations.
Thank you, Mari. I enjoyed your piece.
When I worked in the prison, some inmates told me they had “pet” spiders in their cells that they fed and talked to. Who could blame them?
Claudy Edwards (Jan)
Thank you for sharing such a touching story about how spiders helped these men manage the loneliness they must have been feeling.
Over the years I have read short articles about spiders. I usually stop in disgust but KNOW I should appreciate them. This article was perfect. The appreciation overcomes the reluctance. I sent this to a few social media sites because who doesn't want to wake up near Halloween and read about Portia?
The Joro spider has invaded Georgia and is on the move throughout the US. Spiders are the constant topic where I live.
https://news.uga.edu/joro-spiders-likely-to-spread-beyond-georgia/
Thank you so much for sharing the article, Kathleen!
Those Joro spiders are magnificent creatures, and what a relief to learn that for once an invasive species isn't harmful. Thanks for the link!
Wow, that Lenka sure was one beautiful creature!!! and that in a city!
I grew up in Phoenix, we had daddy long legs and black widow spiders at our house, along with a few scorpions now and then, at the beginning, then we had annual exterminator visits.
Lenka was indeed just gorgeous--and also very good at killing mosquitos.
Much as I love spiders, I draw the line at black widows (to say nothing of scorpions!). You were smart to bring in the exterminator!
Well Mari -- I finally made it through this substack. Not as sKeErY as I feared.
You sure know how to pick literary allusions. I’m a big Dickinson fan, but I think Whitman is the star here:
“till the ductile anchor hold,”
Holy Patootie!
Also the business about fried tarantula tasting like chicken reminds me of a line from David Remnick’s “Lenin‘s Tomb” about when he was in Kazakhstan he had to eat shredded horse heart. “They told me it tasted like chicken. it didn’t.”
Amazing webs. Also nobody plays like Glenn :)
Totally agree about Gould. I’ve heard other great pianists play Bach, and something seems missing somehow, because I’m used to Gould’s interpretations.
Andras Schiff tho