Been out of town, and out of the loop for the last week or so...so I apologize for not saying this sooner. :(

All my best to you, to Kev, and to the family. Seeing someone you love struggle is far more painful than actually having happen to yourself -- something I've learned this year as my mother fights cancer and undergoes chemo. We're more fortunate than many, as most of the news is as good or better than we could hope, but it's still *so* tough to watch, and to know that all you can do is try to make her smile as often as possible.

Again, all my best to you and Kev, and to the whole Fox family. In this weird, wired world that we're all living in, there are a fair number of folks out here in the void of the 'net that are thinking of you. Take care, and hang in there. :)

SHPIDAAA! (he is our hero!)

Bix - thanks for the good wishes, they are much appreciated.

Ali: :b to you!! The spiders are mean. Not did one join me in my shower today, having hidden behind a body wash bottle and only showing itself when I thought I was safe, but the last morning in Brown Island I woke up with what looks to be one or several spider bites on my hand. Three puffy red clusters of bumps that itch and burn and are in general irritating! Spiders Suck!! There were never this many spiders invading houses back east. Except maybe daddy long legs.. but they don't count.

Spiders get blamed for everything mysterious. Are you sure that's not poison oak on your hand?

There's a wonderful spider on our front door guarding her nest. She's been there for days. I'll have to take pictures for you. :)

I think spiders are wonderful, necessary and beautiful - as long as they are outside! Not in my bathroom, not in my shower, not in bags, not on my bedroom wall and not in bed with me. I take pictures of them outside and even though they still creep me out a bit, I like them there (unlike snakes which I believe don't really belong anywhere), I just don't want them in my house and near me. Stay Outside Please Spiders!!

As for the bite, I'm pretty sure that its a spider. I'm doing this based on where I was when. The last time that I was in a place where I could have been exposed to poison oak, ivy or any other such plant would have been Tuesday afternoon; the bumps appeared Wednesday morning. I'm pretty sure they should have showed up before that if I had touched something. Also every time I was in forest, field or whatever, I took pretty good care not to touch anything. The only thing I can think of touching was the lavender that I was cutting in the field. That leaves me with spiders crawling on me while I sleep. *shivers*

Spiders are tough to get rid of. I have tried diatomaceous earth and it does the trick. You can buy it at Home Depot or Lowe's in a huge bag (usually for pools). The diatomaceous earth kills the spiders by sticking to their body and scratching their exoskeleton and poking holes. Sprinkle the stuff around the spider entrances to your house. Good luck!