"Like mother Like Daughter..." 'Susana Summers'

Guest blogger Susan'a Summers lives on the stupendous island of Maui. She resides A 'Shackteau'(sic)within a mango forest, bathes in waterfalls and although no 'Oprah is constantly entertained by the drama of the forests inhabitants, seen and unseen...

I LOVE animals and  always have. Love to have them around me. Love to watch stories of Jane Goodall, Saba, Jacques Cousteau et al.

I had the closest to a child for me in a cat named Chiyono who was born in my bed and died in my bed and my constant companion for fifteen years while men came and went. I now have a new cat, a Refugee  from up the hill who saw a sucker and a good spot and moved in and  would not leave. Well I take a little responsibility for that I mean if Angelina Jolie took in all those Kids, Hey I could take care of One  Cat.

I have birds that I feed, Birdikins the Cardinal and White Eye the Thrush and The Finch Family. I have a Gecko that lives in my teapot and a Lizard that eats honey off my spoon. I have not fixed the leak in my outdoor shower because it is a refuge that cools the frogs  during a drought.

For a little short of a year beginning last summer, I had a pet spider named 'Spidey.' 'Spidey' set up shop in my kitchen. I always  wondered the attraction since with screens and doors there was not  much activity in there. Genetically a Jewish Mom , I worried about Spidey. So I decided I would SUBSIDIZE Spideys diet. At first I was  out there in the grass catching grasshoppers that I would throw in her  web. Then I would find insects already at rest which left the Buddhist  in me more at Peace.

As a Child I loved Aesop's fables and as an Adult. I always look for meaning, Spidey was a metaphor. How Success can depend on where you string your Web in Life. Spiders outdoors had an endless supply of grasshoppers, bees and the like. Spidey would not have had it so easy without me. I had no experience having a spider as a pet but I can only assume Spidey was healthy and had a good life  for she stayed in her web for life when others outside would move  constantly. Every night or so I stood fascinated while I watched her rebuild her web. And she had 9 silk sacs of Babies. Eggs were birthed  in the middle of the night and if I happen to be lucky enough to wake  up on one of those nights I stood there in my nightgown for hours with a flash light and magnifying glass watching Spidey Lay eggs that glistened like little pearls. And I was often lucky enough to watch their birth.

It was a peaceful existence for Spidey. There was one event we will  both will never forget. Sometimes my kitchen door swings open in the wind. I went in the kitchen one day to find a big dove in there trying to find its way out. When It was gone I noticed Spidey was also gone.What was that song ? On the Wings of A Dove.....or was it On the Wings  of Love? I envisioned Spidey on to her next home. And the kitchen and  a part of me felt empty. Until, there after a short passage of time  emerged Spidey from behind the refrigerator, and she climbed onto the safety of my welcoming arm, which transported her back to where she  spent the first part of her life, and where she spent the last part of  her life.

Brought to mind once a story of my mother and HER spider. I was on the phone with her and abruptly she said "Hold On Will Ya".....she put the  phone down and as I listened closely trying to figure out what was
going on I heard her exclaim......Get off my bed you Damn Jackass. UHG !!! My NEW Clean SHEETS !!! And  then the fatal FLUSH !!!!

 Like mother Like Daughter ?Not this Time !!!

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