Attack of the Angry Arachnids

I have been away for months it seems like.

I have a great excuse.

I have been bitten seven times by brown recluse spiders while swimming in the pool.

See all the lantana and clematis between the patio and the pool?

I enjoy the jungle look while swimming laps in my private lagoon.

Chucks found several drowned spiders in the skimmer.

Spiders become very angry when drowning.

As I backstroked down the pool, I pulled the nasty arachnids down my body where they found a spot and bit the ever-loving heck out of me.

On five different occasions.

You can go here to see what a bite looks like.

Three rounds of powerful antibiotics, daily careful debriding of the crater-like wounds, and Polysporin and finally I am well.

I have not been in the pool in weeks.

I am very lucky not to have lost any chunks of skin tissue.

I did know NOT to puncture the head on the bite.  It will release the venom into your blood stream.

My faithful sidekick Willie was playing in the garden bed while I painted this toolbox.

A loud yelp and a tremendous leap and frothing at the mouth.

Yes, poor Willie was bitten by something poisonous.

After several shots, antibiotics, and pain meds, he is on the mend.

Both of us have made a decision NOT to stroll about outside.

Started with this unfinished project of someone's.

Sprayed painted it Aqua Rust-Oleum.

Sanded and added a Minwax Golden Oak stain to age it.

Added a black handle.

Filled it with small buckets and took it over to the booth.



 

I was finally able to sit down, put my arms to my sides, and turn my neck after recovering from the angry spiders.

Then along came Irma tearing leaves and pine straw and small branches off the trees.

While out raking, I stepped into a fire ant bed.

I am currently NOT a fan of the insect world.

AND in February I will be radically cutting back the jungle! 

Willie insists.

See y'all!