The Squish That Got Away

07 Oct, 2026

This afternoon, I went to Auntie M’s house while the Furnace Guy serviced the furnace, making sure everything looked good for winter.

I escorted the Furnace Guy to the basement stairs and watched him head down… swatting cobwebs out of his face with every step.

Auntie M has always been known for catching wayward spiders with her bare hands and tossing them into her basement - rather than squishing them.

It looks like her spider collection grew and decorated for Halloween 🕸️🎃

As the Furnace Guy was leaving, Auntie M asked if he hurt any of her pet spiders. He said “No, ma'am. Your spiders are safe.”

Later in the van…

I look up and there sits a good-sized, black jumping spider… staring right at me!

Did he hitch a ride from Auntie M’s?

Did he come in after the farmer harvested the soybeans yesterday? (The campground is surrounded by soybean fields.)

How long has he been lurking inside my van?!?

Auntie M may not be a squisher, but my squishing preference depends on my mood.

Today was a squishy day. So I grabbed a paper towel and went for the squish… just as he jumped.

I was hopeful the paper towel contained evidence of my spidey-crime… but it was empty.

Now I have a jumping spider roaming around the van… possibly seeking revenge.

The pressing question is, do I burn down the van or do I just go to bed and risk it? 🤔

Connie 🌼

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