H is for Heebie Jeebie

When we first moved into our house we discovered that living in the country had some distinct advantages and some creepy disadvantages. I grew up in the country so bugs and creepy-crawlies in the house was nothing to me. But after spending so many years living in homes that had monthly pest service, I found that I had forgotten my country roots.

One night shortly after we moved in, I was curled up next to Scott, softly snoring* when I felt a tickle scuttle across my forehead and down my cheek. I reached up to scratch at the offending tickle and came away with a large spider (I am trying to curb my tendency for hyperbole otherwise I’d say something like “ginormous” or “monstrous”). I flung it and myself out of bed screeching with all the power of 100 banshees.

Scott rolled to his feet and clicked the light on in one smooth motion (proving that at least in an emergency his dexterity isn’t all that bad) and looked around wild-eyed for the serial killer that was clearly invading the house.

“Spider!!” I screamed pointing at the floor my body convulsed into a fit of shakes. “It crawled. Across. My. Face. Kill it!”

Now let me be clear, Friends, I am no more afraid of spiders than I am of cats. That is to say, I’m not at all afraid of them. However, I certainly do not want them crawling across me while I sleep. I’m more than happy to provide shelter to a spider; they eat mosquitoes and flies and therefore will typically leave them alone. And it isn’t like I live in Australia where every creepy crawly is out to get you. My spiders, usually, aren’t venomous – just big, hairy common brown crevice spiders (Mom: don’t click that link).

I had major Heebie-Jeebies that night trying to fall back asleep.

Heebie-Jeebie is noun used in the from the 1920s used to indicate nervousness although today I think we tend to mean it more as a case of the creeps or getting skived out.

Example: Heather had the heebie-jeebies when she heard a horrendous hungry howl and hurried home to hide.

*ha! Softly snoring! Does anyone actually snore softly?

This post has been brought to you by the Letter H and the fine folks at Blogging A to Z. And by the number 965. Check out more A to Z blogs here!

Land of Pollen

I like spring. It isn't my favorite season (autumn holds that honor) but I like the whole blooming and growing that happens. Or at least I did until I moved to Florida. My daughter's pediatrician told me shortly after both girls were diagnosed with seasonal allergies that people come to Florida with no allergies but it never stays that way. Instead of picking up some little trinket in a souvenir shop we all got allergies!

And spring is the worst. All of those plants all wanting to procreate pay no heed to the sneezing, wheezing, and watery eyes. I'm pretty sure that Florida chose to eliminate winter this year. It got cold for about two days in December before deciding to just skip right into spring.

Today, for instance, it is 80 degrees outside. In the shade. I'm ready for AC and January isn't even over yet! Now 80 degrees sounds nice I bet, especially to you northerners (how many feet of snow do you have on your back 40, Ken?) but the amount of pollen in the air and on everything is making it darn hard to appreciate the warmth!

That coat of apparent grime on my car? Pollen

That "dirt" on whatever plant this is on my patio? HA! Pollen!

There are little rivers of thick, yellow pollen running along the driveway, the pond has a near glossy sheen of pollen floating on top. The irony would be, of course, if all the trees and plants listening to Barry White CDs and spreading their love get hit with a frost come February.

Mail Box Hazards

So, I had a letter to pop in the mail box today. No problems. Looks like I forgot to check the mail yesterday. No problems.

Then this happens. Two feet from my head. Thank goodness I have an awesome DEX score and made my Perception check!

Why yes! That is a 20+ foot long branch from a mass murdering pine tree!

Apparently it no longer wished to be committed to the tree.

I couldn't quite get my hands around it.

I am never checking the mail again. Plus now I need to add pine trees to my ever growing list of fears!