Along Came A Spider

I had such a HUGE surprise in the garden when I was watering this past week. It was the first time that I have ever seen a Black Widow Spider. I could hardly believe my eyes! But, there was no mistaking that it was a black widow spider. His body was quite large and very shiny. And, as he tried to scamper away, I could see the red on the belly.

This sighting made me think of the Little Miss Muffet rhyme.

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet

Eating her curds and whey,

Along came a spider,

Who sat down beside her

And frightened Miss Muffett away

This is one of many stories about the Little Miss Muffet rhyme:

"Little Miss Muffet was a small girl whose name was Patience Muffet. Her stepfather, Dr. Muffet (1553-1604) was a famous entomologist who wrote the first scientific catalogue of British Insects. Whilst eating her breakfast of curds and whey Little Miss Muffet was frightened by one of his spiders and ran away! This particular Nursery Rhyme of Little Miss Muffet reputedly dates back to the 16th century as indicated by the birth date of Dr. Muffet!"

In my quest to find a little information about this rhyme, I came upon this artist's rendering by Scott Gustafson of Little Miss Muffet. I think the picture is especially fetching because there is a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog, just like my Lily, sitting next to Miss Muffet! I love it.

PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR SPIDERS,
ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A GARDENER.