What a marvelous day today, 100% at home! I had saved up several major projects to do, and actually completed them. First, I got out the crock pot and made Salmon Chowder, knowing I wouldn't feel like cooking if I worked all day. Then I spent an hour and a half in the front yard yanking out bothersome weeds and trimming shaggy trees.
Sorry, Another Spider Article
The next article in the August, 1933, issue of National Geographic Magazine, California Trapdoor Spider Performs Engineering Marvels, Lee Passmore, sounds promising, so let's check it out. The author was walking one day in the southern California foothills when he encountered a young man digging in the adobe dirt. The young man pulled out a strange cylindrical-shaped object and said it was "exceedingly fragile." He explained that it was a Trapdoor Spider's nest.
A flap like a door covered one end. The author worked very hard, trying to open the door. "I had difficulty in raising the door; the owner of the nest strenuously objected! . . Even after my superior strength had overcome hers, she allowed herself to be lifted partly out of her nest before she let go and dropped back into the dark interior." (p. 194). My, oh, my! Can you see yourself trying this?
This chance meeting resulted in the author's friendship with a man who had been studying these Trapdoor Spiders for 13 years. What Mr. Passmore found in Francis' Beck's yard was a very large 'collection:' "Here, in boxes of adobe soil, I saw big spiders, little spiders, young and old, in dozens of transplanted nests. There were several hundred young ones, which had been hatched during their parents' captivity from eggs contained in the nests at the time of their removal. . .
A trapdoor spider is careful not to let the door close behind her when she is making a capture (of insects), for the cover is difficult to reopen, once it is shut. . . to forestall being locked out of her own home, the spider always leaves her hind legs and a part of her abdomen under the open door," (p. 195).
The author was hooked and patiently waited many nights with the collector, trying to photograph the spiders in action capturing their prey. The pair succeeded and captured the split-second capture of a large bug and the spider bringing it into its nest.
FYI: the Trapdoor Spider is one of the species that can grow a new leg if one is lost. In a photograph with the author's thumbnail, the adult spider appear to have a body at least two inches long. The door to the nest is so tightly fitted it makes the nest waterproof.
Mr. Passmore and Mr. Beck had maintained their friendship and study of the trapdoor spiders for 10 years at the time of the article. In that time, they had seen only one male spider. It was much smaller than the female and built a less elaborate underground nest with no trapdoor.
The author gives us good reasons not to fear spiders. "With few exceptions, however, spiders are harmless and will not bite if undisturbed. . . Since they are all carnivorous creatures and maintain themselves by preying upon insects which are real pests, the spider is far more beneficial than harmful to man, " (p. 210). I found this article interesting although a bit 'creepy!' Mr. Passmore concludes, "Our study of these solitary creatures continues, and we hope to solve in time many of the problems which as yet remain mysteries to us," (p. 211).
A New, Refreshed Garage Door
After living in my house for seven years, the metal garage door was obviously faded and I decided to tackle the project. Yesterday I washed the large door and found it to be BIG! I've never painted a garage door. It moves! The problem: how to not paint it shut. I thought I'd try to paint a vertical section, raise the door, paint the lower part, then lower the door. I did this across the whole door so nothing in the cracks might dry and glue the door shut. It appears to have worked. And I won't have to repaint it for a very long time, I hope!
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| Garage door, 9/27/14. I'm quite pleased with the results of this project! An Unexpected Treat |
I happened to be looking out my kitchen window and noticed a small bird in the birdbath. This was the first time I've seen a bird flapping in the water. It jumped in, splashed around for a half-minute, jumped out and sat on the side, then repeated this several times. Oh, my gosh! Can I run, get the camera, and snap a photo? I had to try! It was still there when I returned.
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| Contemplation. . . |
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| Ah, adventure! |
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| This is the life! |
And then, just as quickly as it had come, it perched on the birdbath rim, then flitted off into the bushes.
Salmon Chowder Recipe
This makes a big crockpot full! If you were here, I'd invite you for dinner. If you like salmon, you'll love this!
Place in a crockpot: two 14-ounce cans of chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels, three medium carrots, thinly sliced, 1 1/2 cups water, 1 medium chopped onion, one 4.9 ounce package Dry Scalloped Potatoes with the dried sauce packet contents. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high high for 3 to 4 hours.
Then turn the heat to high. Whisk together 1/2 cup flour with two cups half & half or light cream; add to chowder. Gently stir in 12 to 15 ounces boneless, skinless salmon. I like the 'pouch' salmon - just tear it open & dump it into the pot! Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your choice of crackers. Yummmmmmm!
By the way, I encountered plenty of small and medium-sized spiders today during my weeding and painting. I left them alone and they didn't bother me! I think I have a new respect (I didn't say 'like') for them!
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