Summer Visitor--Not by Alicia Street

Ah, the joys of summer. The trees and flowers are in bloom, the days are longer and sunnier—and Mr. Spider is back.

This is the third year in a row this hefty, black, eight-legged critter has opted to set up his office right outside the window by my desk. Right where I have to look at him. Eeek.

I try reminding myself that he’s just part of nature. That every creature is necessary for a healthy environment. I love bumblebees and ladybugs and who doesn’t love butterflies? But I confess­—I hate spiders!!!

While friends have suggested I simply put the hit on him, I can’t quite bring myself to do it. We’re not talking a Sydney Funnel or Brazilian Wandering spider—he (she?) is merely your regular old northeastern U.S. garden spider. Harmless and probably a nice guy—as spiders go. Unless of course you’re a moth.

I thought maybe giving the dude a name (aside Mr. Spider) might make him seem—how shall I put it?—like family? But no matter how many heartwarming, down-home humorous monikers my husband and I come up with, nothing seems to cozy me up to the leggy little sucker with the minute venomous fangs.

Lately I’ve decided I’ll just let Mother Nature handle the deal. Maybe a good thunderstorm will blow our way along with some nasty hail balls to convince the stubborn little arachnid to relocate somewhere less

exposed to the elements.

Then again, that might make him realize how much better off he’d be if he moved inside my house.

Let’s see, the first frost is how many months from now?

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Alicia Street is a USA Today bestselling author and a Daphne du Maurier award-winner. A compulsive reader of every genre, she writes both sweet and steamy romance. She spent many years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. You can connect with Alicia at her website or visit her on Facebook or Twitter.

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