June 28, 1974

Arachnophobia

I realize that living out in the country means that there are more "critters" about than you'd find in town.  Most of these, I can live with, but there are those that make me do a flip and scream out loud when I see them. So far, we have found these either in the house or close by:

This one's called a mouse spider-is about 2 inches long and  packs a nasty bite. It's a funnel-type spider.
Fortunately it was dead.

These two I was particulary unhappy to find, especially the top spider which is a brown recluse. They are extremely  venomous and it was found on the stairs. Fortunately it was on it's "last legs"! The black widows are out in the garage and can be pretty easily avoided.

This is a Wolf Spider and can be 3 inches long.  They have a nasty bite, but aren't  terribly venomous.  They are somewhat agressvie, though. I had an argument with one last night trying to come in the back door.
It lost.

These Harvesters or Daddy Long Legs won't hurt you, but are plentiful and will make you hurt yourself.

These scorpions are in the spider family and have a nasty sting. 

Threw this in just for fun as they are all over the property. They are called velvet ants, though they are actually a wingless wasp, complete with stinger.

I have learned to be wary when dear hubby calls out "hey Jan, come look at this".  I'm also learning to have very good aim with a large shoe. (For the bug, not the husband!) :-)

Father's Day

A quick smile and great sense of humor; a loving and patient man in what were often very difficult circumstances. He was our rock.  He's been gone 7 years now-I wish he could have known his great-grandchildren, he would have adored them as he did our son and daughter.

Missing you dad, today and everyday, but I know we'll see each other again.

  

Bleh

I have been hit by another nasty cold-I've had more of them this year than I can remember ever having before. Possibly due to the move to a different part of the state, but most likely due to the hazards of having little ones around to kiss and hug whenever I please! (A "hazard" I am more than willing to live with!)  Little Ryan has a cold right now, but it doesn't seem to be making him feel nearly as bad as mine is making me feel! Surely it's not that I'm getting older?  

Anyway-here are a few pictures I took around our place last week. Just some wildflowers that we have, and only taken with my little point-and-shoot camera, so the quality is doubtful. I'm in the process of getting some before and after pictures of the house to show you when I'm feeling a little better. Have a good week!

30 years ago today...

...a little boy was born. Now he has a little boy of his own!  Happy Birthday my son!

We Have a Walker!

This is our little man today: