middleblog-a suburban babble brook book

Wolf Spiders and New Chives

  Yesterday, I wandered into my back kitchen to spot a gigantic spider scootling along the floor.  I mean gargantuan, monstrous, horror-movie scary gigantic.  When I tried to put a bowl over him and he jumped, I shrieked and called in a specialist, that being the sweets.  After the usual fun filled teasing, my sweets left our hapless visitor beneath his bowl for a few hours before transferring him to a clear glass tumbler with an antique glass Ball jar lid atop it.  Oh joy! Yes, let's peer at the horrid little fellow, and then...we'll leave him on the kitchen windowsill until we identify him!  After successfully defending the little octoped's right to life (squishing bugs makes me want to vomit...just thinking about it gives me the screaming heebies...),  I got to release him today.  As I picked up his cell, I sang 'Let My People Go!', and as I walked him to the far edge of the driveway, he perked up from a semi-coma - he knew he was about to be free!  A little mayfly landed on my finger and came along to witness the release, a tiny blessing from Nature. 
    My herb garden boasts oregano, lemon thyme, lavender, and parsley from last year!  My perpetual pot of chives has also made its dependable return.  My beloved grandmother gave me this pot of chives easily ten years ago; I think it's among my most treasured possessions.  Spring fresh chives have the most delicate flavor; I munch them raw off the plant (I don't have a lot of company! ;)) 
    Chopped fresh herbs are steeping in olive oil to marinate steaks in.  Life isn't too bad.