Last night I heard a girl (my window was open) freaking out because there was a really big spider. I lay in bed wondering how big do spiders get here? I know tarantulas get big; I also know if I saw one I wouldn't be referring to it as a spider. I've seen nothing but bees (just yesterday) and crickets. So, I went to the experts: my students.

According to my sources, the big concerns here are the brown recluse spider and tarantulas. So, whatever that lady was complaining about was for naught.

However, I did learn that to be safe I should check my boots for scorpions. Great. I don't know how I'd feel if I found a scorpion in my apartment. I wonder if I'd have the creeps every night until I moved or if I'd get used to them. Frankly I'm not interested in finding out. It's enough for me to know to watch for lizards and to keep the screen door shut at all times just in case. I suppose it goes for everything -- better safe than sorry.