Spider, Spider

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“Incy wincy spider crawled across the wall
Incy wincy spider doesn’t care at all
As incy wincy spider know I won’t squash him
Or squish him with a tissue and throw him in the bin.”

Despite being terrified of spiders as a child — and for good reason, living abroad meant we were in contact with monsters that grew to a seemingly unnatural size — as an adult, I have become more tolerant and even, dare I say it, almost best friends with one particular variety of spider. 

The dashing and rather well named Zebra Spider. This tiny little fellow is a voracious hunter whose territory is large and all encompassing. They patrol day and night all over the floor, walls, and yes, ceiling, looking for pray and, I am reliably informed, will eat just about anything that moves. Thankfully, that doesn’t include me or mine, otherwise … well, it would be all out war.

I got over my fear of spiders years ago, no thanks to two older brothers who did their best to terrify me almost constantly by capturing and letting lose the biggest spiders they could find, into my bedroom. Usually at night, when I was sleeping. 

Why? Well, other than terrifying me and the thrill, I guess the fact I could literally scream the house down for several minutes in a crazed hysteria, till all the offending culprits were squished, or captured and released. And, no matter what punishment was doled out to my brothers, they continued for a number of years. 

I got my own revenge when I found out that both were equally terrified of snakes. Over a several month period I captured the odd snake, here and there, and put them in their beds. (Yes, I did make sure they were not poisonous. Of course I did, I didn’t want to kill myself over revenge!)

It was an epic battle of wits between siblings! 

Détente eventually followed, I’m not sure why or when. But I’m sure my parents were happy when it did.

Funny thing is, these days I actively encourage Zebra spiders to roam the apartment as champions feasting on all the unwanted insects prone to bringing nasty diseases into our lives. 

All hail the Zebra!

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Camera in Hand

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More and more, I’ve found myself abandoning taking one or other of my cameras out with me this last year, when going anywhere. Especially if there’s a photo op involved. Why? Because of the annoying battery situation and the weight.

While I can cope with the battery situation, when I remember to charge the damn Olympus ahead of time, it’s annoying when I’ve forgotten and, when out, the camera gives up the ghost after a couple of dozen clicks. It’s frustrating to say the least. At least with the Pentax ist, not only is it one of the lightest cameras I’ve ever owned, but the company went with good old fashioned AA batteries instead of rechargeable lithium batteries that need charging every five minutes!

But even so, it still means I have to carry at least two lenses with me if I take the Pentax out, one wide angle the other the telephoto. Which means a bag. Usually a heavy bag.

So that, at the end of the day, I’ll be opting to just take my Merrill messenger bag (which is comfortable and light) and my iPhone 16 pro. And relying on a steady hand, apps, and good weather to take the shot.

That is, unless someone can recommend a very, and I mean, very light, handy digital camera that doesn’t need rechargeable batteries?

Suggestions on a postcard to …

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Life with a Kakapo

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It’s a fact! I’m living with a Kakapo. 

And while it’s true this Kakapo is (for the most part) a quiet, unassuming person during the day and prone to freezing when startled—I have come to dread it turning up every night in my bed. It usually slips in beside me quite late, and then? 

And then it starts. 

The cacophony of little noises. 

At first I strain to hear the low frequency hum but just as quickly, it erupts into a sudden loud boom. There’s no sleeping through it, I’m awake. And if it’s not the infrasound, it’s the grunts, crackles, snorts and metallic ‘ching’ sounds that do their best to keep me awake!

I could, of course, turn over and evict the Kakapo from the bed but for the fact, it’s ‘our’ bed. We share it. 

So what’s a person to do, smother it? Go sleep on the couch? Try and train it to go against its own natural instincts? And believe me, I’ve tried … for twenty plus years I’ve tried.

Putting it out on the balcony is out of the question. They are, after all, an endangered species. Only 126 left alive. And how would that look if it froze to death one long winter’s night? Not good, I suspect. And gift it to a Zoo? Oh dear, how do you gift such a sweet, cuddly, loving creature who, well, quite frankly, smells nice. 

I would be remiss on my part, as someone living in this alien world to take exception, but even this Keeper of the Kakapo needs their beauty sleep.

I suppose becoming nocturnal would to be the answer! 

And you, good people, what do you suggest?

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

Blog Challenge – Music Edition

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I was originally challenged to do this by Annie, last year, but have moved my blog to Pika since then so, I’m reposting it here. Enjoy!

What are five of your favourite albums?

  1. Folklore, Taylor Swift (2020)

  2. Abraxas, Santana (1970)

  3. Madman Across the Water, Elton John (1971)

  4. The Dreaming, Kate Bush (1982)

  5. Hunky Dory, David Bowie, (1971)

Honourable Mentions

  1. Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield (1973)

  2. Close to the Edge, Yes (1972)

  3. Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)

  4. Days of Future Passed, Moody Blues (1967)

  5. The Kick Inside, Kate Bush (1978)

  6. Hounds of Love, Kate Bush (1985)

What are five of your favourite songs?

  1. Running up that Hill, Kate Bush

  2. The Man Who Sold The World, David Bowie

  3. Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word, Elton John

  4. Exile, Taylor Swift

  5. Sanctuary, Serena Ryder

Favourite instrument(s)?

Violin and Piano

What song or album are you currently listening to?

Pvris by Pvris

Do you listen to the radio? If so, how often?

Three or 4 times a week depending on my mood.

How often do you listen to music?

Every day!

How often do you discover music? And how do you discover music?

Weekly, I would say. Online, through people I know on Social Media, and through partaking in challenges like this one.

What’s a song or album have you enjoy that you wish had more recognition? 

Probably loads but, right now, off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single one.

What’s your favourite song of all time? 

This has to be the dumbest question anyone has ever asked me and impossible to answer.

Has your taste in music evolved over the years? 

Yes, of course it has. But I still have a preference for female singers and vocals and big belting ballads. But I’ll pretty much listen to anything, and give it a go. Point in fact, I just discovered Anthony Vincent doing a cover of Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus in the style of Linkin Park. It’s brilliant!

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧