Louisiana: Banana Spiders, The Prequel

Banana spider, aka golden silk orb weaver spider. Lake Fausse Point State Park, Louisiana. September 2015.

When I take pictures of flashy spiders like the golden silk orb weavers, it is always with this thought: Oh my God, look at this spider, it's so cool, but don't let it touch me, oh no, but let me get a picture of it, oh ick, oh cool, eww! 

I took these two pics at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park this past September, but posted these later photos from Chicot State Park first.

I am grimacing as I write this.

Banana spider, aka golden silk orb weaver spider. Lake Fausse Point State Park, Louisiana. September 2015.

It's reminding me of this creepy-crawly affair at Chicot State Park earlier in September. And this inner-shriek-inducing visit to the Arthropod Museum in Las Cruces in 2013. Ewww. Cool! Ewwww!

Louisiana: The Co-Dependent State

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, Louisiana. And Texaco. June 2014.

I took the above photo in Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, bordering a "private canal" owned by Texaco. 

There's a 12-step program for co-dependents.

Signs that your state might be in a codependent relationship:

• Are you unable to find satisfaction in your life outside of a specific industry?
• Do you recognize unhealthy behaviors in your partner but stay with him or her in spite of them?
• Are you giving support to your partner at the cost of your own mental, emotional, and physical health?

Adapted from WebMD.