spider hunt!!!

I'm always seeing these big, scary spiders in my house... at least once a day. They like to hide under and behind furniture, in closets, and really love to get in my piles of dirty laundry when leave them laying out. I've learned to be very cautious when doing laundry or moving things in a closet.

Today, I decided I would figure out what kinds of spiders we actually have... so I know whether to be afraid. There seem to be two different types, both brown. One is light brown, fat and juicy, probably 3/4 inch body and 2" long overall. The other is darker, skinnier, and a little smaller.

Well, it only took me about 20 minutes to find one! It was the second type, dark and skinny. here are the best pictures I got, they are the same spider, just different lighting:





(click them to see the larger versions)

After about an hour of searching and reading online, it looks very much like a Hobo spider. But according to the online expert at Burke Museum, it is impossible to identify a spider from a picture, and only a trained arachnologist can make a positive id. Then there's the Hobo Spider website (hobospider.org) which has a lot of info and makes me scared!

Who knows what the other type of spider could be. If I ever catch one of those, I'll post the pics.

So what do you think? Should I be scared? I don't think we'd die if we were bitten, but it could be pretty painful!

of the profit of adversity

i picked up a book today that i haven't read for a long time. it's The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a` Kempis. it's one of those great old books that smells like a library and has obviously been thumbed by many hands. the content is also classic and priceless.

here's where i happened to turn and read:

OF THE PROFIT OF ADVERSITY

It is good to us that we have some times grievances and contrarieties: for ofttimes they call a man into himself that he may know himself to be in an exile and that he may put not his trust in any earthly thing.

It is good that some time we suffer gainsaying and that men think of us evil and imperfectly; yea, though we do well and mean well.

Such things help ofttimes to meekness and defend us from vainglory: for then we seek better the inward witness of God, when we be little set by outwardly of men and little credence is given to us.

Therefore a man ought to firm (strengthen) himself in God so that he needeth not to seek any consolations outwardly.

When a man well disposed is troubled and tempted or vexed with evil thoughts then he understandeth God to be more necessary unto him without whom he perceiveth that he may do no good thing; then he mourneth, then he waileth, and then he prayeth because of the miseries that he suffereth. Then also it wearieth him to live any longer: he desireth death that he may be dissolved and be with Christ.

Then also he perceiveth certainly that perfect surety and full peace may not be had in this world.

this struggle to let go of one's reputation really hits home with me lately. there is a certain person i know who tends to live and tell lies, and often begins to believe their own lies. this concerns me that acquaintances or even strangers might be hearing and believing awful and untrue things about me.

i've been reasoning with myself and praying to try to let go of this worry. also to resist the urge to involve myself to try and correct the deception. but like this passage said, it is working for good that i must rely upon and trust God more because of this.

i do also identify with the last part... longing for the day to be free from all of this struggling!