Things that go bump in the night

I just went out to return some (probably overdue) library books tonight at around 10 pm, and ran the gamut of nocturnal animal and insect adventures.

First off, I saw a beautifully constructed spiderweb in the light of my porch with a proud little spider sitting at its heart, smack in the middle of the arch over the path to the gate. Fortunately, the little guy seems to have constructed it well, with no anchors down, and it is just high enough to pass under.

Then as I was about to reach my gate (this is all of 3 steps, mind you) I saw a HUGE spider suspended in mid air. Fortunately, he was not over the path, so again I could pass unmolested.

When I got to the library, I think I saw my first flash of Aussie possum moving out of sight. They are furrier than the US version and therefore more appealing. I was so excited about the possum that I ran smack into a big spider web with a big spider in it. Full forehead full of silk. Fortunately, the spider stayed out of my hair.

I walked very carefully home.

Gotcha!

Sydney is, unfortunately, famous for its roaches as well....

Science experiment

I'm starting a new sourdough, growing my own yeasts, and when I added the newest round of flour and water last night, the mix was sort of a yucky grey slurry that filled less than an inch of the container. When I woke up, this is what it looked like.

So much for the puritan work ethic

It is 10:12 am on Wednesday and I am still in my pajamas. Typical for me these days. Not good!

Creepy Crawly update

I've decided that the really scary-gross flat black things that showed up in my bathroom are leeches. This is based on no evidence at all. But it has rained a lot recently, so I am totally paranoid every time I go to the bathroom....

Another recurring fear came true last week: I stepped on a slug in my sun room. When I was a little kid, I stepped on a slug and it squished between my toes. Ever since, I have had a real phobia of slugs. I am proud to report that I did NOT scream this time. I did NOT have a heart attack. I did get grossed out...

Strangely, if you give a slug a shell, it becomes cool in my book. There are some fabulous snails here. I saw one the other day (again, lots of rain) that was out of its shell and in its full glory. Pretty fabulous, 3 inch long translucent beast with an inch high shell.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I finally feel like I've had a proper Thanksgiving: my one American colleague had me over this evening for a Thanksgiving meal. Very nice time had and it was even rainy and cold the last few days to help with the mood. We bonded over the lack of Libby's pumpkin. The hostess had bought a pumpkin in the fall (read: June) and boiled it down and froze it in anticipation of the holiday, but I'm not sure that is the right approach. I'm rather pleased with my sweet potato pies, particularly now that I have a food processor. And apparently, there is a store in Melbourne that sells Libby's and has a website, if I get desperate...

A small point

A spelling curiosity: the act of working is spelled labour but the political party is spelled labor. Make up your minds!