Even the lazy neighbors put away their ghosts and bats by now. The pumpkins are quietly moldering, gravity pulling them towards blackened fruit fly puree. Other holidays are on the way.
Looking ahead towards Thanksgiving, I worked with some family recipes today. Soon it was time to pick Eli up from school and I was rumbling up the road when a squat shape in the passenger seat floorboard caught my eye. I felt a little inner jolt when I recognized eight thick, hairy legs. Not only was there a spider in my car, but he was huge. All I could think about was the lady in the news a few days back who found poisonous tropical spiders hatching out of her grocery store bananas. I bought bananas a few days ago!
Now, I do know spiders are good for the planet. When I find them in my house, I take a deep breath and escort them safely out if I can. But if truth be told, any spider over the size of a dime sends an involuntary shiver up my spine. Larger than a quarter and my inner child wants to do a squealy dance complete with hand-flapping. Can't stand 'em.
I calmly kept my eyes on the road, glancing over to make sure the mungy creature wasn't marching my way. He wasn't. He was completely still. I muttered a prayer of thanks while I scanned ahead for a place to safely pull over. I found a quiet neighborhood and turned in, giving the spider another glance. As the shadows changed, I realized he looked a little... well... purple?
I found a spare magazine to roll up into a tight critter-whacking baton, put on my emergency blinkers, walked around the car, and opened the door. There in the floorboard was a rubber spider leftover from Eli's Halloween treat bag. I can only imagine what folks driving by must have thought of the woman leaning against her car and laughing like an idiot.
Happy Friday and Happy Mid-November!
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