But then, I read Val's post. And I smelled something fishy. Or closer to the truth, I smelled something eight-legged and hairy.
Tuesday evening I killed two spiders. The only thing I had handy was an empty QT (Quik Trip) cup (plastic), and since the bottom is hollowed out a bit, I really had to work to get the dirty deed done. But I did.
Wednesday evening, I saw another spider. I was prepared this time, with a shoe. But apparently, this spider had been witness to the arachnicide the night before--it was prepared as well--because as I headed toward the spider, it wheeled around so that it faced me, and charged at me.
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| photo by C.J. Newberry |
Sadly (for the spider), it did not end well. But it made me wonder what other odd encounters people have had with animals.
And what would happen if we were all like that spider? What would happen if when we were attacked, we immediately armed ourselves for our own self-defense? To defend our
Certainly, most of the feedback we get as writers is constructive. Helpful. Nothing offensive. So thankfully, we don't often have to do what that brazen spider did.
Tomorrow I'm going to Chicago for a National Writing Project workshop. I'll be off the blogosphere and the submissionsphere for three solid days. And for those clamoring for another story from the "Sioux's shirt" vault, I am bringing my "Will Write for Food" shirt, but since I will be trapped in work sessions most of the time, it's unlikely anyone will be lured by my siren-song of a shirt.
But, you never know...
OMG I had a similar experience with a spider on the ceiling yesterday. I took the broom to it and that sucker went on attack, then disappeared (well maybe I did). Bill got him in the morning when he pulled more shenanigans (the spider, not Bill). Have fun in Chicago.Will miss you Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure Bill pulled some shenanigans that day as well...
DeleteI'll miss you guys too.
Is it just me, or does it look a little different around here??:-)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have been whacked upside the head by many a manuscript. And commas, occasionally. :-)
(Have fun at the workshop! Wheee!)
Cathy--I had to goose things up a bit. ;)
DeletePerhaps you should wear a helmet?
Thanks. I'm looking forward to it.
Can't give up my fragments. I will fight back with a vengeance. QT cups? Brooms? That all ya got?
ReplyDeleteWell...it's not exactly Cathy-on-a-Stick, but Sioux-in-a-Shirt is good enough for me. Make sure to record all encounters. You know, for your writing T-shirt book about writing T-shirts.
You keep bringing up the T-shirt book I'm working on. I get the impression you want a cut from my royalties.
DeleteSilly you. Don't you know what Billy Preston sang?
For some reason, the spiders like my shower and nothing is worse than being cornered in the shower by a spider while you are buck nekkid! Your spider who defended himself reminded me of my many students who become aggressive when they are frustrated with their work (and see it as an attack on them). Just like your spider, it doesn't usually end well when this happens. I hope you have fun in Chicago!
ReplyDeletePat--You are so right. It hardly EVER ends well...
DeleteI just got back from Chicago. It was a full three days of working, but it was good work, so it was enjoyable.
Give up ellipses? Never!
ReplyDeleteMZ--I know. Those ellipses are way too enticing...
DeleteHave a great time at your workshop, we WWWPs will miss you!
ReplyDeleteLynn--It WAS a productive three days. And, I DID miss tonight.
DeleteWhat is with all these charging spiders??! Is this a trend?! Hope you're having fun, and be sure to wear your shirt in the wild so that you bring back fascinating tales for the WWWPs.
ReplyDeleteTammy--I really missed you guys. You'll all have to fill me in.
DeleteCranky spiders. Must be the heat. Or menopause. I hadn't thought about how the heat affects other creatures until it actually rained the other day, the only rain in weeks, and the birds went crazy hunting worms. I guess worms are hard to come by in a drought.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey - You're supposed to be wearing a Saturday Writers shirt and hat while world travelling - even if it is just Chicago. There's a photo contest going on, remember?
Marcia--I have a lucky writing shirt that really lures in the...well, the characters.
DeleteTwo nights ago, I captured the spider in my bath tub and took him to the wild outdoors. His conveyance was a plastic cup.
ReplyDeletePS--did I mention that, rather than riding sedately in the bottom of the cup, he immediately webbed himself across the top of it, making me nervous that he would launch himself upon my fingers or my arm? But we made it to the door and out.
ReplyDeletePlease don't tell my daughter about a charging spider. I thought she was going to have to be sedated because she was so distraught when a spider touched her face.
ReplyDeleteShe kept saying "what if it happens again?" I wanted to tell her it would never happen again, but do I lie or just hope that I'm telling the truth? Said spider was about the size of a flea!