SOLC17 12/31 Thanks for the March Slice of Life challenge with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Twelve of Thirty-One of the Slice of Life Challenge in March. Thank you, Stacey, Beth, Deb, Betsy, Lanny, Kathleen, Lisa, and Melanie.
from E.B. White
For the angst going on in our world:
Charlotte: "Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print."
For this group of dedicated writers:
Narrator: "Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both.
This is a common house spider, not Araneus cavaticu, the barn spider that Charlotte was. |
I've written about my stance on spiders another time. I am not afraid of them, but wish they would stay outside where there is so much more for them than in my home. If possible, I will catch them in a tissue and gently carry them outside. I see one of these pictured above about once a week. They might crawl across the floor in my kitchen, or appear on a wall. Carrying them outside in winter seems cruel, so. . . The spider does not get to stay.
This morning I was sitting at my desk beginning the day of reading posts and checking email at the computer. A spider like the ones I usually see crawled out from under my printer. I swear it waved one leg at me. Perhaps I've read Charlotte's Web too many times? And then it (she?) ran back under. Of course, I removed all the stuff piled on the printer, then lifted it. No spider! I looked on the floor, the shelves of the desk. No spider! Later I sat at the desk again, and it did not appear.
It was quite an early morning adventure! And many thanks to dear E.B. White!
Wilbur: "A Lifetime. That's what we have.
Charlotte's Web is special to me. My mom read it to me, and I read it to my children. I love the quotes you chose too! I do hope you find that spider though.
ReplyDeleteNot yet! I believe E.B. White gave us something good to hold on to. Glad to hear your connection, too. Thanks!
DeleteI feel bad for spiders as well, and have a conflict every time for whether I should got through the fear of grabbing it in a cup or flattening it. But personifying it as Charlotte definitely makes a difference!
ReplyDelete(as hannanabanana from hannahshappenings.net)
It is a dilemma as you see from my post. Knowing Charlotte probably changed a lot of people's attitude. Thanks, Hannah.
DeleteLove this, "I swear it waved one leg at me." Perhaps the books we read do permeate our subconscious so deeply that the lack of actual evidence leads us to believe...
ReplyDeleteIndeed, and of course it was seconds for me to see the movement, glance, and then move to grab a tissue. But it my mind's eye, it did "seem" to raise that leg! Thanks, Kristi!
DeleteI am sure it went back into hiding, hoping for more words as nourishment. Any reason to bring Charlotte into a post is reason enough.
ReplyDeleteKevin
I have so many "words" hanging out in my office that I'm sure you're right, Kevin. Thanks for the thought!
DeleteA brilliant take on spiders from both you and E.B. White. I'm not sure whether or not to be sorry that you didn't find that waving spider.
ReplyDeleteNo spider appeared yesterday, perhaps today? Thanks, Melanie!
DeleteWell weaved words, my friend. Those who have read "Charlotte's Web" always look at spiders with from a special angle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and yes, E.B. White changed our attitude.
DeleteI think my heart would have stopped with one crawling that close to me. I'm sure it will appear again. I hope you will be able to capture it then.
ReplyDeleteIt must be around here somewhere, Elsie! No appearance yet! Thanks!
DeleteI appreciate your take on spiders. I'm more of a flee-the-room-and-scream-for-my-husband kind of person!
ReplyDeleteAnd your quote for the current angst in our society: truth, sister.
My daughter feels the same way, Lorie, despite having read Charlotte's Web to her. As I was searching for a quote that touched me, that quote stood out too. Glad you like it! Thanks!
DeleteNothing seems to last like a good story.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Ann, true always!
DeleteSpiders like to visit us as well, especially in the bathroom. I can't figure out where they come from. Although I don't mind them too much, I am not a fan when one drops onto my head. It has happened.
ReplyDeleteOh my, now you'll have me looking up! I'm not sure where they come from either, have imaginary visions of a group partying somewhere in my house, then some go adventuring! You may have to write your own spider story, Bob! Thanks!
DeleteI don't share your calm willingness to greet spiders with consideration, Linda - but I do appreciate these E.B. White quotes!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay, everyone has their own tastes, Tara! I'm glad you like the quotes. It was fun reading through many so I could choose.Thanks!
DeleteI don't live too far where EB White did much of his writing. He is my mentor. Taking the ordinary and transforming it into the extraordinary. I go back to him over and over for inspiration. And Charlotte's Web is masterful and charming. One of my favorite things to read to my First Graders.
ReplyDeleteI spent a day with a colleague to visit another colleague's farm, and we sat in the chicken house and read Charlotte's Web together. It's one of my fondest memories. I wonder if you get to visit where White wrote? I would love to go there. Thanks, Barbara.
DeleteLove the E.B. White quotes! I am partial to spiders...know they are good to my plants. I will often move one onto one of my houseplants, if the weather isn't conducive to moving it outside.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, I didn't know about moving them to one of my plants. (I have many!) Perhaps that's where they've been hiding? Thanks!
DeleteYou are a braver woman than I, Linda. I am not a fan of spiders. I've been bitten by one too many in my sleep.
ReplyDeletePerhaps they don't find me tasty, but I haven't been bitten. That's terrible for you. I understand your feelings. Thanks for telling me.
DeleteSuch a coincidence that you should write of Charlotte and Wilbur when I've been working this week with some of EB White's sentences for mentor sentences. I think you'd like my post on Arachnid Lore http://alicenine.net/some-arachnid-lore/
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alice, will take a look! White's writing pleases me and I guess you agree.
DeleteCharlotte's Web is timeless. "Where is Papa going with that axe?" is still the best first line ever written. I enjoyed imagining you on the hunt for that waving spider.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've looked now in the plants as much as I could because of Maureen's comments. No spider yet! Thanks, Margaret.
DeleteYes, this is a tale that has stood the test of time. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteWhen my mother died, a friend gave me the audio book with White reading it. It was such a thoughtful gift. Thanks, Anita.
DeleteOh I'm pulling out Charlotte's Web tonight for Li'l T. Thanks for the inspiration. Clearly when the spider goes missing, you move out?!?!?! I just don't like to be surprised, and spiders always seem to do that for me.
ReplyDeleteYes, with the few I've mentioned, they have just "appeared"! It is rather a surprise, agreed. I hope you have a nice time reading this together. Thanks, Kendra.
DeleteSpiders don't bother me, maybe because of Charlotte. I love that your spider waved to you. Maybe she'll be back tomorrow! Thank you for sharing snippets from Charlotte's Web. I haven't read it in a while. Maybe it's time.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading through all the quotes that have been posted online, Catherine. Maybe it's time for me, too. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a lovely post, Linda! So enjoyed reading the quotes and about your spider!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was a joy to write, really!
Delete