Green. Everything is green. The leaves on the trees, the grass, the bushes, the weeds. They're all green. Even the bench I am sitting on. Why green?
They're all different shades of green, granted. And, though I said everything is green, I guess it really isn't. There is the occasional flower and even the splash of color from a passing t-shirt or Frisbee. Oh, and the spider in the bush next to me. He's black with hints of brown and yellow markings on his back.
This little spider is actually quite fascinating. Firstly, he's huge, I'd say he is actually about the size of my palm when I include his legs. Without them, he's more the size of a quarter. He's hanging from the bush, almost as if he were grasping a rope. I haven't seen him move once since I have been here.
He has the oddest yellow markings down his belly. It almost looks like a design a bored teenager might draw in the margins of a notebook. It stands out in great contrast to the dark black of the rest of his body. Six of his long, slender legs reach behind him and hold him firmly in place on his little web-rope. The remaining two are thrown wide above his head, which happens to be below the rest of him. He reminds me of a photograph I once saw of a high diver caught mid-dive.
His web is gorgeous. The strands of silky-smooth webbing combining here and there to create a wonderfully intricate design. The web is nearly invisible against the bush, yet it is strong enough to resist the struggles of the insects it ensnares.
"Are you okay, ma'am?"
"Oh yes."
"You were sitting here this morning when I came through with my dogs. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"I'm just fine, young lady. I like to sit here on Sundays. Time just flew today. Have a seat if you like." The young woman hesitates for a moment before sitting next to me. She's wearing green. I figure I have had enough green for today. "Have you ever marveled at modern architecture?"
"Yes, on occasion. Why do you ask?" She looks around trying to spy a building that might have caught my attention.
"I was just admiring this little guy's constructive abilities. Hard to imagine something seemingly so fragile can withstand such brutal destruction." I gesture at my spider companion and the young woman jumps off the bench faster than she was running when she first saw me. She gives me a funny look before leaving without another word.
I can't help it; I laugh out loud. That was worth it. She probably thinks I'm just some crazy old lady in need of assisted living from here on out. I guess it is time to go now. I say my goodbyes to the spider and start heading home myself
Image © Stephanie Tiner
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