[Flycatcher]

Great story!

I'm not a big fan of spiders either. Don't know why. Just not. But like snakes, I never kill them (unless I can positively identify one as a black widow or brown recluse. If one of those two species is in or by the house, I will kill it.)

I'm from the desert, and have encountered many tarantulas. I LOVE THEM! They're actually quite docile. This may sound shocking, but I've placed an open palm underneath them and allowed them to crawl up my hand and arm. Yes, you have to mentally psych up to to something like this, but it's amazing fun. They're not aggressive at all, and I guarantee it will amaze and impress your friends.

Or not. They may think I'm a nut but are too polite to tell me. Ha!

[rlmorel]

I do find spiders interesting as long as I can look at them on my terms. I saw this one in the road in front of my house, and God help me, all I could think of when I saw it was not the majesty of creation or anything, but what a green and yellow gooey mess it would make if a car came down the street: