arachnophobia

Yes, that's a spider. In England (and presumably in Scotland and Wales), house spiders come only in L and XL. By comparison, American house spiders are pretty small. Of course, what spiders in the US often lack in size, they make up for in venom. Georgia boasts both brown recluse and black widow spiders, and England cannot compete with that. However big and scary, British house spiders are not deadly.

Did I mention that I don't like spiders? I really, really don't like spiders. But I am improving. Six weeks ago, having to kill a spider of that size would have induced nausea. Really. But after dispatching several in the last two weeks, I find it a bit easier. And I know they aren't fast-moving until you strike the first blow (so aim well!), thus I knew I had enough time to snap a photo before bringing the flat-bottomed wooden salad bowl (the really big one) down on this unsuspecting arachnid. Splat!

No, it didn't actually make that noise. The children, fortunately, have not inherited my phobia. Iain often says he's scared of spiders, but he isn't. He and Anna spotted the first one, a few weeks ago. Look, Mommy, it's a spider! Let's just say I wasn't thrilled at the discovery. and it's supposed to be a 'good' year for spiders--that is, if you want lots of them. So said our parish priest last evening, helpfully.

In other news, though, the tadpoles are becoming frogs. Really, really cool. Amphibians are much more my style. I wonder if they like house spiders?