Taking up Residence

Photo: September 4, 2016

This spider has been living on our balcony for at least a week. Our neighbours told us it was on their window and they named it Stanley. Stanley seems to like our flowers and despite the fact that its web has been destroyed a few times, it always starts over. The first time I accidentally brushed one of the threads when I went to water the flowers. Stanley scurried up to the balcony above. I got rid of the rest of the web and thought we were done with him. The next day he had spun a web on our door. Opening the door once again destroyed the web, but Stanley was determined. I may try to catch him and bring him to the park across the street, but he is very fast and I have come to admire his persistence. So for now, we have a truce; we each give each other space to enjoy the balcony.

June 4/10: Maman

June 4/10: Maman, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This enormous spider stands outside the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. In reading an article about the death of its sculptor, Louise Bourgeois, I discovered that Maman has twin in a number of cities around the world. The original work stands at the Tate Modern in London and is made of steel and marble. The siblings are bronze casts.

At 9 metres, she towers over anyone walking near her. According to the artist:

The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.

(See the press release from the Tate Modern)

I initially did not like this mammoth piece, but she has grown on me. And now, I smile when I pass by her.

Day 244: Weaving a Web

Day 244: Weaving a Web, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This seems to be a very busy time of year for spiders. Some days I open my front door and am confronted with a freshly woven web. The creator is not happy when I brush its masterpiece aside. This spider wisely chose a bush in which to weave its gossamer threads. I'm hoping it will catch a few of the wasps, who live in the next bush.

I appreciate spiders as they keep the insect population down. But I prefer to appreciate them from afar. They can get nasty when disturbed, though, fortunately we are not in an area with venomous spiders.