Winter is approaching as I write this and I find myself reflecting on thoughts about Clarence, the spider who made its home in my car. I'm not too keen on spiders, but Clarence has been a lesson for me. The first day that I noticed him/her Clarence was clinging to the side view mirror as I sped happily down the road. As I came to a stop at a light, Clarence moved in through the window and proceeded to make itself comfortable by nestling into the visor.

      My first reaction was to evict this intrusive spider from my car when I realized that Clarence was just trying to get out of the wind and possibly find a bit of chow. How could I begrudge the little guy that? So I left him to enjoy the visor for whatever delight he might find there. After all, I wasn't using the visor for anything. Days passed and Clarence had made himself quite at home, spinning the occasional web along the back hatch of the car.

      It became my daily ritual to look for Clarence as I climbed in the car and to wish him good morning or afternoon as situation warranted. Clarence never offered a bit of problem and I can say that I even sort-of grew fond of him. It was a treat to see the morning sun sparkle off of a newly spun web or to see the red and amber of a fall sunset through the geometric forms that Clarence crafted. I realize that Clarence was only doing what was natural, but I like to think that the intricate patterns were his way of saying thanks for sharing the car with him.

      For the last few days I haven't seen my tiny passenger and I'm sure that his time here has ended. Our relationship was simple, Clarence got a home out of the elements and I got to see some beautiful patterns delicately woven onto the back window. In an odd sort of way I will miss the little guy. Perhaps in the spring one of Clarence's children will stop by for a visit.

by Tache