As many of you know, I have a fear of spiders. A rational, reasonable fear. They are awful, disgusting creatures that I'm almost positive are out to get me and my children. Since Humboldt County is plagued with those GIGANTIC 'halloween spiders' from September through October, I'm nearly confined to my house for two months out of the year. I mean, I go outside, but it's with great fear and trepidation. I throw the front door open and peer my head outside before stepping over the threshold. I will likely be wielding a broom or long stick to conquer any webs that might have otherwise entangled me forever. I run like the wind until I'm safely locked inside the minivan, and I speed away from those mini monsters that might be trying to hunt me down for tearing down their homes.
The backyard? Forget about it. I refuse to even open the back door. So, during the life span of these particular spiders, it becomes Talullah's job to go into the backyard and let out the chickens every morning. We run through feed twelve times faster because I can't monitor how many bowl fulls the girls are dumping out every day. It doesn't even matter because I'm safe behind the window, in my warm, spider free house.
Needless to say, our garden suffers greatly. It has been at least two months since I've gone to water or pull anything from the ground. After a week or two of close observation, I've noted that the spiders have all died (thank the Lord, in heaven), and it is once again safe to play outside. I opened the gate to our raised beds, and what do you know?! Underneath the dead leaves, mud, and overgrown vines, there is still some vegetables growing!
