If you know anything about me at all, you know that spiders freak me out. I mean, to the point of being absolutely terrified of them! One time, when I worked in the nursing home, a tarantula came out from under the snack machine and I was at least 10 feet away but when it headed in my direction, I screamed! Some of the more alert old ladies heard the commotion and wondered what had happened. Spider happened.

The other day, I was ready for my afternoon nap and I got somewhat settled in my power chair, with pillows under my knees. I reached for my blanket hanging over the back of my chair that I hadn’t used in a few days because it’s been so warm. I was flipping it around, trying to get it straightened and I felt something land in my shirt. I thought, what the hell was that? I looked right away and there was a spider! It wasn’t too big but big enough to scare the bejesus out of me. I just about lost my mind. I can’t get up fast so jumping up out of my chair to rid myself of the 8-legged freak was out of the question. I had no choice but to use my shirt to grab it. I didn’t let go. I was trying to figure out what the hell to do and the only thing I could think of was to squish it. I didn’t squish it to beyond recogntion because I wanted to see what kind it was.

I have been bitten by a Brown Recluse before (identified by me, my dad, and a doctor) and it wasn’t pleasant. I didn’t suffer the tissue damage that most people experience. It was red, swollen, and itchy. I used tea tree oil on it until I could get to the doctor. It was more stressful than anything else and my blood pressure showed it. Anyway, this current situation wasn’t anything like the Brown Recluse incident but I sure as hell knew I didn’t want whatever kind of spider it was, to bite me! Upon removing it from my shirt and inspection, I discovered it wasn’t a Brown Recluse. Thank goodness!

It was an awful experience, regardless. I hate spiders. If I could rid this world of one thing it would be spiders….or maybe…well, you guess what the other might be. Snort.