The Black Widow

I hate spiders so much. They are so gross. Really, me and bugs not so much. Especially spiders, anything that can fly and sting, any bugs that get in my house, moths, and once again, spiders. So last weekend when Bart was all excited to show Jake something on the front porch, it intrigued all of us to come outside. Before I could even get to the door, he had come back to look for something to capture the black widow in. I thought he was joking because he knows how much I hate spiders. But, no, he was serious. I tried to be a good Mom for a boy. I tried to seem excited and fascinated all at the same time, but I was horrified. I got to the front step and couldn't bring myself to go any further. I nearly puked looking at it going after it's prey in the web. I couldn't even get close enough to verify the red spot on its back, but my scientist boy was sure enough for all of us. Fortunately, it was discovered when Bart was home and he swiftly took care of it and then informed me it was the second one of the week. The other was in the garage (aka his favorite place in the house). I am so mortified and truly haunted by this discovery. I hate going in the garage at night anyway for fear of what lurks there, but now I am even more disgusted. But, this all led to the conversation of whether or not the Black Widow can kill. I insisted it can. Bart was laughing his head off at me. I turned to my friend, Wikipedia, and found out that they can't kill an adult very often (at least the type that are in North America), but they can make you very sick. Sick enough that there is an anti-venom for it. And they could kill our kids. So there. And this one was found right by where Rachel and I sit nearly every day on the front porch. Gross. I was too mortified to take a picture of it, but it has launched Jacob into complete obsession over them. Despite numerous conversations of their danger, he still thinks they are awesome. It even led to him having one painted on his face at the birthday party next door. Lovely. And so, although the real one was disgusting and horrifying, I think I'll keep this Black Widow around my house!