Well, maybe not new, as we're not sure exactly how long she's been here.
In any case, a few days ago we spotted her
Folks, meet Erika:
Erika, perched above a doorway in the front hall where she can more easily launch a surprise attack partake in the warm familial atmosphere.
I admit, we're just guessing on the gender and as for the name itself, it just...kind of occurred to one of us and has stuck. It has no specific significance.
But, just possibly, personalising our new eight-legged friend helps one of us to cope better with an almost paralyzing fear of arachnids (we won't mention which one of us it is, other than to note that he remains convinced that said phobia does not in any way serve to undermine his otherwise virile masculinity).
And it also occurs to me that our practice of naming the critters that wander around (and, far more rarely, into) our house allows us to feel a similar sense of animal companionship enjoyed by actual pet owners without...well, all the hassle of actually being a pet owner.
Perhaps.
Erika, by the way, is no longer in the front hall.
She was seen later hanging around in the corner where the wine lives in the Wohnzimmer.
She has since set off for parts unknown.
"She's probably moved into your coat", said The Wife, helpfully.
I'm not sure, but I think this may explain why I've not been out of the house for three days.
12 comments:
She's a Tegenaria Atrica- we frequently get these in our house, and they're both useful (they do eat flies and such) as well as rather beautiful-if one likes looking at arachnids, that is...
Alexandra "yes I quite like spiders" Velten
"Beautiful"... Yes.
And...um...extremely poisonous?
I mean, my fears tell me yes, but I don't trust them.
Always, that is.
I swear, they're only poisonous if you've recently turned into a fly!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alyxsands/1333047234/ - this is one of ours. He would make a perfect companion to your Erika if he hadn't died years ago...
We used to have a few spiders. The first was called Boris. Then came Horace. Then Morris and finally Doris. Fortunately the four formed what appeared to have been a celibate commune. I have to say it was slightly difficult to tell them apart. They came to answer to their names, though.
Oh dear, Mike - that sounds very much like the overture to a Monty Python skit.
"Spaiders? You wer lukky. Wea only used to 'ave nits."
Or summat laik that.
Hey! I forgot Norris!
No; no Monty Python sketches. Mrsmikeovswinton is a scientist who actually likes spiders and I think she was encouraging them.
I've got that kind of spiders in my bathroom every now and then. They're all called Steve and I miss them when they leave...
And, of course, I talk to them when they're around!
Do you talk to Erika?
A splendid house spider. They're not quite as picturesque as the geckos you get in the south of the USA, but they're just as helpful.
They're not at all poisonous, by the way. I wish I had a nice spider that I could name and talk to. And who would give me long, sensual massages with its fleet pedipalps.
Err, perhaps that's enough commenting for now...
MC: Our conversations have been rather limited so far, but that might change. 'Steve' is an excellent name for spiders.
MJB: I, for one, would find the geckos much cuter.
And if you go on wantonly using words like 'pedipalps', I may have to ban you: We're running a decent blog here.
"Pedipalps", not "Pedipaps"!
Language, dear....
Pas avant les enfants?
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