Not Quite a Spider!

  I figured while there was a break from cold in the weather it would be a grand time to transplant the Bell Pepper plants and a lone volunteer tomato plant.  I have been dutifully covering and wrapping these things since the first cool spell hit weeks ago.  The plants all managed to survive even though several times the night's temperatures dipped into the 20s.  Earlier in the fall, my vision was to have fresh peppers and tomatoes throughout the winter.  Michael built me a wonderful greenhouse that should provide enough warmth and light to allow the plants to survive nicely.  The addition of a couple of heat lamps keeps the nighttime temperatures from dropping below freezing.

  While I was outside digging in the planter boxes, a slight movement to my left caught my eye.  I saw what I assumed was a spider clinging to the side of one of the boxes.  This "spider" must be out enjoying the warm day just like me!  Ahhh, a kindred spirit!  Neither of us could stand being cooped up inside any longer.  That said, I decided to make friends with my visitor.  First move was to don the spectacles as without them, I might mistake the dog for the spider.  (Ok, the eyes are not quite THAT bad but you get the idea.)  Then I leaned over to where I first spied this critter.  Imagine my surprise when it was not a spider at all.  Why!  It was not even a critter at all!  Nope, there flopping in the wind was some sort of wispy seed-like thing with bunches (instead of eight) of thin "legs".

  Ok, so I humbly admitted that my spider was not a spider and decided that the seed was just as interesting and less likely to bite.  I pondered just what plant had sent its seed flying about the hillside on such feathery light wings.  There were several options all ranging from dandelions, jasmine, butterfly weed and willow.  Any one of these could be responsible.  I figured that the plant/tree would have to be somewhat nearby for the seed to be blown into such a small corner.  Meandering about a bit, I found my answer.  The Confederate Jasmine had several spent seed pods flapping in the Bay breeze.  Alrighty then!  I suppose that come springtime, I had better be on the lookout for tiny jasmine seedlings.  (I also had better start wearing my glasses more as some day, I might just think I have found a seed and grab ahold to an actual spider!  Not that I am squeamish at all about them but I definitely do not need another spider bite!  They do hurt!)