This morning Hubby and I we were pruning the pink China Doll roses and I saved some of the casualties for the dining room table. I got the start from my mother who got them from one of her sisters...She was never too crazy about them because they have so many sharp little thorns, but we tolerate them because they are such good bloomers even in the Texas August heat and because the deer usually pass them up. (Which explains why I have any blooms at all.)
While we were working, we paused to admire our "pet" spider...if the truth be told, spiders are my "Room 101", but this one type is just so striking that I can't help but spare them my usual spider reaction. I was first introduced to the Golden Orb Weaver Spider when Mother called me out to her patio one morning to watch as she pitched a grasshopper into a giant spider web in the Rose of Sharon bush. I freaked a bit, but the spider was so quick as it wrapped its prey in a cocoon-like web that I couldn't help but watch. I think, even if you're squeamish about the species, you'll admit that this one is really pretty.
OK, I'm a little too scared to get really close or to hold the camera really still..
You can see the zig-zag pattern that is typical of their web. I tried to throw it a small grasshopper I had caught to demonstrate Ms. Spider's weaving ability, but I dropped it short of the web...Hubby says I would scream like a little girl if Ms Spider got very close...probably. After all, they eat their mates... But I do love watching from a safe distance. Guess I had better close this post with something pretty and pink to help settle your nerves. 
There, that's better...for your weekly dose of pink, head over to Beverly's house at How Sweet the Sound http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
She might be sharing roses today, but she usually leaves out the scary stuff. Thanks for dropping by...enjoy the rest of your weekend. Come back next week and I promise no more spiders. LaVerne