About Spike

See the picture? That's Spike. Spike II actually, since she (I am assuming our Spikes are shes as they left egg sacs in several places) is the second such creature to grace our back porch.

The first time I saw a Spike, I freaked out. I was convinced something out of science fiction had popped into reality. I didn't freak out in fear and immediately crush dear Spike with my shoe. I'm an insect person. I owe that to Mr. Robinson, my 6th grade teacher. He had us do collections of shells, insects, rocks, and leaves, and out of all my education (which extends to a Masters degree), all that has stayed with me the most.

We are fairly new to central Florida, and so this creature was very different from anything I found in my insect book while studying with Mr. Robinson. So I checked around, found a book at my local library called Insects of Florida (the whole Florida series is great, excellent photos, info. There's birds, fish, trees, reptiles...). I also checked www.whatsthatbug.com and found Spikes in both. Apparently Spike isn't from science fiction, but a normal, common and fascinating spider of this region. No one is sure about the spikes rising from the spider's back (one theory is to make it difficult for birds to swallow them).

Spike is a type of orb weaver, meaning every day Spike would work on creating the glorious intricate weave of a circular web. Spike's webs were gorgeous and often ruined by wind, the struggles of large prey, by my kids running along the porch. But Spike patiently rebuilt and stayed with us after 4 egg sacs were left in different places (we only caught Spike in the act once). Spike let me touch her and each day I checked on her, my nose just inches from her webbing and curly black legs. Each Spike was with us for several months.

I enjoyed Spike's orange spikes, I enjoyed her steadfastness, routine, patience and endurance. I don't have one on my porch right now, and I gotta say, I miss her. I see an egg sac seems to be opening, but I never catch them in the act of being born and no other generation Spike has decided my porch would be a good place to live.

Even though I am primarily a knitter, I think of Spike and me as kindred spirits. We do things with fiber. Make a home, make items for the home, try and use our talents to provide for the family.

Spike may not know what she left behind, but I do.