GARDEN GUEST?

Garden Guest? Garden Pest?

Look closely to see the web.* 

To an arachnophobic, a spider would be a most unwelcome guest.

For a botanist or horticulturist, a spider could be a desired guest. 

I would welcome them, outside, because they eat mosquitos, fleas, cockroaches, flies and even earwigs, whatever they are. My Master Gardener neighbor, Lynda T. would probably love them as the earwigs' reputation of "janitor of the garden" precedes them. I would not know one if I saw it.

There is one spider I would not welcome......a black widow spider. A black widow, the most venomous spider in N. America with venom about 15 times stronger than the venom of a rattlesnake. Its venom attacks one's nerves.

The good news is, a black widow spider is very identifiable.

Note the red hour-glass mark on the abdomen. 

So grateful for the obvious identification that warns us to stay away.

Lately, I've needed clearly marked warnings of things I need to stay clear of to keep safe in today's world. I don't want to be cynical, but often one's naivety has them wandering into trouble. Preying on seniors comes to mind. We had to change our credit card #. Hacking into medical practices records has also happened recently.

But God..... in his love and mercy is always near. So...."when my anxious thoughts multiply within me, His consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19) Then I go next door and sit in my neighbor's garden, a sanctuary in which to observe a spider that does me good, not harm.

*Photo by Lynda Terry. She must have learned the tricks of the trade from her late husband, Art, who was an amazing professional photographer! Think JFK's son, John-John, saluting his father's casket as it passed by him.Yep, that was Art's work!