Creepy Crawlers is another installment of Fall Flowers around my house and this would be part 4 and probably the last since it’s really now the middle part of fall. If you’ve missed the last few posts here they are part 1 / part 2 / part 3

While I was photographing around the gardens, I noticed lots of spiders and little crawling or flying things enjoying that warm but cloudy day. It’s as if they knew it was nearing the end of the season and they would soon be hibernating the winter away or possibly becoming compost. I’m not one to be put off by bugs. In fact, I rather like watching them and their little busy lives. It must be all those years of watching Nova with my dad. Plus, having bugs around pollinating and munching a bit here and there add life to the party. That is as long as no plants are killed during the feasting.

As you would probably guess, these pictures all feature little creepy crawlers hiding and doing their thing. It was fun to find surprise cameos of them in some of the photos after I had already taken them. Most though were taken intentionally while the little critters thought they were hiding or doing their best to do so.

This past Saturday, I had the opening reception to a group show I’m in at 22 Jefferson Art Studios & Gallery. There was a pretty good turnout. I truly appreciate all of you who support me one way or another. Whether it’s attending shows, buying my art, liking my art page on Facebook or even leaving me comments here on my blog.

There’s a special little poem that I just love at the last of this post, make sure to take a look.

The Spider and the Fly

“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the Spider to the Fly,
‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I’ve a many curious things to shew when you are there.”

“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair
-can ne’er come down again.”

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”

“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly,  “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly,  “Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?”

“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly,  “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”

“Sweet creature!” said the Spider,  “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”

“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said,  “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue —
Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing!

     At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlor — but she ne’er came out again!

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

                                                ~By Mary Howitt, 1829

If you’re new to my blog and website have a look at my ‘About’ page in the menu at the top. I’m an artist – a painter mostly. I paint a variety of subjects including cranes, ravens and crows as well as anything having to do with nature especially trees. If you’re interested in my art, I have a newsletter mailed about once a month that gives you special status for invitations, birthday greeting and more. Sign up here for it.

paintings by New Harmony, Indiana artist Jaime Haney

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