Spidey Update April 8, 2006
I noticed over the last few days that Spidey was gradually moving down the wall, so I decided to leave her and her family to relocate themselves at their own pace. They were going at about a foot a day so I figured it might take a while.
Last night I noticed that she had stopped on the concrete directly in front of the door. A good spot to be stepped on by people or dogs, but I was reasonably confident that she would move on overnight.
When she was still there this morning I decided to give her some help using the long handled brush & pan we use outside. When I put the pan down near her I bumped her a little and expected her to scuttle off with her babies leaping off in all directions. A few babies jumped off, but Spidey just kind of staggered a bit. I suppose carrying all that extra weight is a big effort and she probably also can’t hunt very effectively while carrying them so she may not be feeling well.
In any case I scooped her and as many of the scuttling babies as I could up and deposited them under my Japanese Maple. I can’t see them in amongst the bark chips so I’ll chalk it up as a successful relocation.
While I admire your Buddist-zen-type philosophy, I am trying Very Hard right now not to jump right out of my skin.
It’s times like these when I am very grateful to be on the other side of the planet.