Wanted: A few good spiders

Where have all the spiders gone? Gee, that could be a song. My house has had a sudden and unsavory influx of flies. And not a spider to be found, and they are so efficient at keeping flies and plant bugs at bay. My plants have never had bugs. When we first moved here we had the most beautiful golden spiders, but they were outside on the two decks. I had never seen spiders of that strange, beige color, and there were many of them in different sizes. I had a favorite one who lived on a (outside) window in the living room. I could watch him while sitting on the couch. But now that it's gotten colder, there's not a spider to be seen; the flies have come instead.

Isn't it only country houses that get flies at certain times of the year? But I have to admit it's been fun to stalk and swat them. I especially like to dim the lights and try to make out their shapes in the semi-darkness. It helps for sneaking up on them too, as they quickly got wise about avoiding anyone with a fly swatter. Do you think a large spider shape (just in time for Halloween!) would scare them off? Something that would work like a scare crow or an owl shape to scare birds from the garden.

Speaking of Halloween, a few days ago I received our shipment of candy. There are gummi-ghosts, oozing eyeballs, sweet-tart bones, mummy lollipops and other shapes. My son's girlfriend wants to help me hand out candy. The trouble is we don't know how many kids come treat-or-treating in this neighborhood. I need to ask one of my neighbors but nobody has been outside much in all the cold rain we have been going lately. I hope some kids come, as it's fun to see the costumes and then they can enjoy an oozing eyeball--which are very tasty.

Are you ready for Halloween yet, do you give out candy and how much do you need to buy?