10 burning questions about my spider stories

Life has been full of holiday activities, challenges and well just life, so my spider stories have taken the seat way in the back of the station wagon (which frankly I always thought was the best seat in the station wagon).

Today, I am including some answers to questions readers have asked me. I trust that you know some things I wrote are just not true, but there is quite a bit of truth woven into these stories.

1. Are any of these stories true?

• Yes. The first spider log is true. From the spider on my hand to throwing the package outside, everything was true. I had no idea that the story would be so popular or it would launch future versions.

2. Did you have babysitters named Laura and Nellie.

• No, I did have babysitters who killed bugs for me. They are still a part of my life, but I did not use their real names.

3. Did you go on sabbatical from getting the mail?

• I absolutely did. I did not get the mail for several weeks this summer. My family always seemed surprised that I didn’t get the mail, even though I drove right by the mailbox.

4. Were your babysitters involved in a natural disaster in real life?

• No. The man-made disaster of the frogs and snakes was inspired from a Discovery Channel show I watched years ago and had nothing to do with my babysitters. I’ve always been fascinated by man trying to change nature, as if we could solve natures problems. Where I live, they introduced mountain lions into my state to reduce the deer population. The mountain lions decided they liked cattle more than the deer. The ironic thing is years later the deer population was nearly wiped out by a disease. Nature took care of its own problem.

5. Did you write the government a letter?

• No. After the first story, I thought what lengths would I go to if I could get rid of spiders without moving. In real life,  I even tried training my cats to kill spiders. It turned into “get the spider, get the spider.” This order was not as popular as “get the mouse.”

6. Is there a postmaster named Thelma?

• • No. At the time I was writing the story, I thought how difficult it might be for a postmaster to not speak about the mail that comes across their desk. Especially in a small town, but then again, I know very little about how post offices work.

7. What about those stories with your husband? Especially that big spider, were they true?

• Yes. The interactions with my husband were all true. Especially the large spider on the porch. I may have considered locking the door when I ran into the house. Because a locked door will always keep out a spider.

8. Do you know millionaires involved in pest control?

• I know millionaires, but none of them are running a side exterminator business.

9. Did you throw a package in the office, and wait to check it?

• Absolutely. I really dislike brown envelope packages.

10. Do you really hate spiders this much?

• You know the answer.

I pondered what to write when I feel the spider stories had concluded—until spring when the minions crawled out from the depths of hell. It’s January. It’s cold. Our normal high is 34. I should be able to clean closets, sweep out the dark corners, knock webs down in the barn. And yet… the spiders live.

I was feeding my neighbor’s cats while he was on vacation and saw a wolf spider in his garage. Very. Much. Alive. It’s January. It’s winter. Are spiders now immune to the cold? God help us.

Do you have other questions that I haven’t answer above? Add a comment below, and I’ll answer you!

Happy New Year!