And I'm not in the mood to reveal specifics. Let's just say that my wretched existence has become a maze of problems, complications, detours, setbacks, dead ends, and impossibilities. Did I mention obstacles?
The weather has been gorgeous - with a long absence of rain. The temperature is perfect. Autumn is my favorite time of year. Yet I'm wallowing in a debilitating mire of misery.
Tonight is the night of the harvest moon (one of my personal favorite nights). It is supposed to rise here in TN at 7:00p.m.
Due to all the trees and hills around here, I probably won't be able to see it until 8:00 or 9:00 or later. Photographing the event will be a near impossibility but I'll give it a try.
Well, hell, I'll undoubtedly howl at the moon, too.
I drove to town last Monday and tried to snap a few pics along the way - which isn't easy. The road is narrow with very few places to pull over.
And if you dare to step out of the car, you'll either get hit by a logging truck...or go over a cliff.
Here's the road which eventually leads to my house (or near it, anyway).
This old barn is one of my visual "markers" on the way to town. Once I see it, I know that there are only about 2,000 more miles to go (very slight exaggeration).
This is a very typical view on my way home.
Scruffy and Bosco are eagerly awaiting the new supply of cat food (and litter) that I bought (that's an old blanket that I tossed on the bed for the cats)
Scratch doesn't really care - she just wants to be petted (who doesn't??)
All right, I've saved the very worst for last. It's not for the faint of heart......
After I regained consciousness, I grabbed the blanket it was on and shook him to the floor.
Then I sprayed him with about half a gallon of bug spray. He refused to die so I put the one gallon (I'm not kidding) spray container on him...and sort of crushed him...and suffocated him....
That's an autopsy photo - but he still looks alive (hey, I'm assuming it was a "him" and not a "her").
Anyway, this scared the living jeeters out of me and I didn't sleep for two nights.
Just when I was finally calming down, I found another spider exactly like this one - on the floor in the hallway.
I THINK they are just grass spiders -
but, then again, they could be deadly predators.
Holy shit - - as if I didn't have enough problems....
I hate spiders. I leave them alone as long as they are outside and not in my way, unless they are black widows, then they die. But I do not abide them in my house, NO, NO and Hell NO!
ReplyDeleteSorry you are having problems, I sure hope it gets better for you.
Love the photos of your area, just gorgeous.
I've had an unwholesome fear of spiders as long as I can remember...and there are a lot of them out here in the wilderness.
DeleteI always seem to have problems, but they increased since I moved here to the boonies.
I've been in Tennessee for three years (this month) and it really is a lovely place - especially at this time of year.
I appreciate your comment.
I happened to glance over my shoulder the other night and saw an immense spider on the wall. I think it was an orb weaver. Anyway, the damn thing made such a splat when my sister hit it with a shoe that I had to get a paper towel to wipe the ick off the wall. There is a product that supposedly keeps bugs out of your house when sprayed around the perimeter. I think I'll try it next spring. It should snow here soon and that will eliminate the bugs. Any that seek refuge in the house shall not survive if seen.
ReplyDeleteMy fear of spiders is profound. I also hate scorpions (thank Gawd there aren't any here). I love the Tennessee wilderness, but it's the buggiest place I've ever seen. I can't wait for winter when they finally all disappear.
DeleteWhen I lived in Texas I tried one of those products that's supposed to keep bugs out, but it didn't work very well. At least I didn't thinks so. It's worth a try, though.
Hi Jon: Hmmm, I live in an old cottage so I'm assuming the spider species, at least, are "grandfathered" in here! If I spot one I'll give it a fighting chance. An hour or so later if it hasn't skadaddled then I'll use a container to catch it and release it outside. Even though, that makes me feel guilty as I read somewhere that they die of hypothermia within minutes in the colder months, if you do. Moths, on the other hand.....well, if they find a way in, it is actually the fluttering/crashing sound of their body against the inside of a lampshade that raises my disgust-reaction. I will zap it without a second thought. I recollect the incident in childhood that originated this reaction. MaggieB
ReplyDeleteMaggie - believe it or not, I have the exact opposite tendencies. I always kill spiders and - if at all possible - I capture the moths and let them go outside. Moths can admittedly be very annoying in the house - especially when you're trying to read and they keep hitting the lamp. My cats love to chase moths (and sometimes kill them).
DeleteMe again: couldn't fit any more in there, blasted iPad. I just wanted to say re: your depression. Seems you craved solitude to move where you did, but perhaps it is now too much alone-time and it wouldn't appear to be helping the depression. Are you seeing anybody, a counsellor or somebody to talk over with? MaggieB
ReplyDeleteI do have relatives here in Tennessee and I also keep in touch with several very close friends. Solitude can be a strange companion at times, but I generally love it - along with nature and the woodland creatures.
DeleteMy blog complaints can (usually) be taken with a proverbial grain of salt - although I do have health issues. And living in the wilderness does cause many inconveniences and unexpected problems.
As i say....full of piss and vinegar. But the pussy shots are nice, but the spider made me jump. The one shot of the road trip with the rock roadside is stunning. Looks like a calming ride.........
ReplyDeletePiss and vinegar? That sounds like a perfect description of me! The drive into town is actually quite soothing (except for the narrow, winding road)....but I prefer to have someone else driving, so I can enjoy looking at the scenery.
DeleteSpiders! Big spiders! AWKKKK!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, I am scrolling back up to look at the cats, thank you very much. Annie and Bosco could be siblings. :)
Too bad cats don't kill spiders. (They know better than to mess with them.)
I sure hope things start perking up for you. Look at the gorgeous scenery you get to pass on the windy roads--well, quickly glance at the gorgeous scenery.
Hugs from Fargo. :)
That's the worst aspect of driving - - I can only quickly glance at the scenery. But it's beautiful, nevertheless.
DeleteAnnie and Bosco could definitely be siblings. That was my initial thought when I first saw photos of Annie.
Bosco and Scruffy had the same father but different mothers. Bosco really takes after their father - he was a HUGE black cat (even bigger than Bosco).
I was hesitant to post that ugly spider photo. I won't post another one. Scout's honor.
Hi Jon - I'm sorry to read you're feeling bummed. The scenery looks absolutely stunning in your area - especially the first pic with that tree lined road with Autumnal colors beginning to show. Looks as if it would be a lovely drive in any season. As much as I'm not leery of spiders, can't say I'd wish one on my bed either.
ReplyDeleteYour kitties have a good home. They certainly look well cared for. Take it easy and well wishes sent.
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Helga. Living in the wilderness isn't as simple and carefree as I initially thought - but I still like it here. And the scenery on the drive to town is beautiful. My paltry photos don't do it justice. The trees will be spectacular when they change colors. It's a glorious time of year.
DeleteI hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods.
Drat. Having experienced some of the same emotions you mention, I won't offer any platitudes ... except, I care. Hopefully your fur darlings will do something silly to reignite your funny bone.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I've heard peppermint oil is a great spider repellent.
That first image (road) hardly seems legal!
Garlic works for vampires. I should probably immerse my bed with peppermint oil. Actually, I've heard that peppermint oil also repels mice. I can kill two birds with one stone...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if that road IS legal.....
Well, I hope you were able to get outside and howl real good at the moon. Might be just what you need to get out of your funk. I'm really sorry you're feeling so low.
ReplyDeleteThat is one spiffy-looking spider. I like looking at them and admiring their webs, but I draw the line at having them in my bed. That's a definite no-no. Your description of your reaction to it made me chuckle.
Have a super weekend, cowboy.
I did some moon-watching late on Thursday night and it lifted my spirits. I didn't howl - - mainly because I didn't want to scare the coyotes.
DeleteI've had some unsavory bed-companions in my time, but never a spider.......
Time flies, didn't realize you've been there that long. Your ride to town is beautiful. Hope you're feeling better by now.
ReplyDeleteTime truly does fly - it doesn't seem like three years. I came to Tennessee in October, but didn't move into this house until late November. This is such a lovely time of year.
DeleteI hope you got to see your Harvest moon. You are lucky that spider was a him not a pregnant her. When you smashed it ten million more baby spiders would have emerged. I like the blanket. Very colorful, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI finally did see the Harvest Moon at around midnight. It was beautiful, but I couldn't take any photos. I tried to take some pics just before dawn, when the moon was setting, but they all came out blurry.
Deleteps. i know you complain, because it's narrow, but thats a lovely road you drive on. very scenic.
ReplyDeleteIt is an extremely scenic drive - my photos don't really do it justice.
DeleteI love old barns!
ReplyDelete