The announcement was ignored by mainstream media. In December 2023, a tiny spider, lost to the world for almost 100 years and feared extinct, had been found. Acting on historical records, a team of spider experts assembled in northern Portugal and scoured the floor of a forest that had been protected from clear cutting and forest fires for hundreds of years. Their holy grail was Fagilde’s Trapdoor Spider, an unassuming, earth-toned spider that lives underground and tap dances to attract mates. Its rediscovery thrust the sleepy village of Fagilde, population 397, into the conservation limelight. Suddenly, an oft maligned species sparked small-town pride, shining the spotlight on efforts to protect nature.
Usually cast as villains by Hollywood – think Tarantula! and Arachnophobia – spiders have had a bad rap throughout history. Perhaps it’s the fangs, or the four sets of eyes. All those spindly legs don’t help. And who hasn’t popped their cork after finding a spider crawling slowly up their arm? Our web weaving friends have been the fodder of nightmares since the dawn of man. Despite sinister appearances, the stigma is undeserved. They are, in fact, amazing.
Artwork by Mary Thompson
Fifty-one thousand species of spiders have been identified. Found on every continent except Antarctica, they come in an endless variety of wild shapes and designer colors. The tiniest, known only by its scientific moniker, Patu digua, is smaller than the head of a pin and dwells in the rain-drenched forests of central Colombia.
The largest, the Goliath birdeater, would send Little Miss Muffet to the emergency room. It weighs as much as a cup of chocolate chips and prowls the forests of northern South America on eight hairy legs that can straddle a dinner plate. Jumping spiders take the prize for best in show. Australia’s gaudy peacock spider, named for a rainbow of eye dazzling iridescence, could give Elton John a run for the title of “Most Flamboyant.”
Indeed, misconceptions abound. Spiders are not insects. They are arachnids, a group of invertebrates that also includes scorpions, ticks, and mites. Anatomical differences are easily remembered as a function of numbers. Insects have three body segments, spiders have two. Insects have six legs, spiders have eight. And the clincher – insects have two antennae. Spiders live an antennae free existence.
Artwork by Mary Thompson
Their ability to spin silk is signature. Produced by abominable glands, spider silk is a marvel of nature. Webs are architectural wonders. The Darwin’s bark spider, discovered in a Madagascan national park in 2009, builds webs over rivers. One particularly industrious individual spun a masterpiece spanning more than 80 feet, the largest on record. Time to put away the kayak.
Pound for pound, spider silk is stronger than steel. Used by spiders to ensnare prey, inventive scientists have created numerous products from spider silk, including medical bandages, violin strings, and bullet proof clothing.
As predators, spiders are essential for healthy ecosystems. They eat a staggering number of insects annually, many considered pests. By doing so, they help keep things in balance. You can’t have a better helper in your garden.
Across the Atlantic, Fagilde residents are celebrating the rediscovery. Children previously frightened by spiders are now reporting new sightings. A local bakery created Fagilde Trapdoor Spider Cupcakes to honor their smallest, most famous resident. And the entire community, inspired by a humble spider, has rekindled a reverence for nature.
Mary & Craig Thompson
Mary and Craig Thompson live in the bluffs north of La Crosse, WI. Mary is a certified spider whisperer. Craig cannot muster the fortitude to touch a spider. However, he does not charge them rent for living in the basement.
Anni Weilgart was Interviewed by one of her daughters, Lindy Weilgart
Anni Weilgart, 100, grew up in Berlin, Germany, experiencing WWII as a teenager. She lived in Decorah from 1963 to 2010 and taught German at Luther College. My father, W. John Weilgart, was a professor of psychology there. My mother now lives with my sister and brother-in-law, who look after her wonderfully in Washington State. I have always admired my mom for her socialness, adaptability, ability to get along with everyone, practicality (where my dad, the typical brilliant, but absent-minded, chaotic professor, was useless in that regard), her frugality, her physical activity, her respect for education, but above all, for her generosity of spirit and willingness to always be there for her family. She adored us children. I can speak to her for hours on end over Skype, as she is a wonderful listener, always interested and supportive. She is also a phenomenal role model, still walking one mile every day on the treadmill at a fast pace (25 mins.), despite breaking her hip two years ago. Although blind, she has fewer ailments and healthier blood values than all of us. I can’t even contemplate the idea that she won’t always be with us.
What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Love is something you can never give away. The more you give it away, the more it comes back to you. One saying we had: If you want to be happy in life, contribute to the happiness of others because the happiness you give will come back into your own heart. I found that to be true. If you give friendliness and help to your friends and neighbors, you’ll get the same back. I think I never had a bad experience that way.
How about the worst?
My mother used to drill into me: children have to be obedient. But she never told me when I was finally allowed to make my own decisions, how old you had to be when you finally get to think for yourself and can decide to obey or not.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I did not have a clear goal. The circumstances of the time maneuvered me into the teaching profession. It was the best decision I ever made. It was a necessity of the time during WWII. Everyone had to do some kind of service to the country before you went into higher education. But teachers were urgently needed so the qualifications were waived. That was appealing to me, so I didn’t have to work on a farm, milk cows, etc. You could start right away.
I got into a smaller village that had only two classrooms: Grades 1-4 & 5-8. I was assigned Grades 1-4 in one classroom. I had different assignments for each grade, always switching between them. I had to plan it so they all had time with me, written assignments, etc. I had a certain knack for talking to children, so they listened and trusted me. I had a good relationship with them. The kids were friendly and eager to learn.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
Books, writing material, companion.
Try to describe yourself in one sentence.
I am interested in many things, have travelled widely, mainly through my kids, and am able to adapt well to many situations.
If you could eat anything every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Soup and fried potatoes and egg with onions.
Name one thing you could not live without.
My children and contact with them.
Tell us more about your first job.
I was worried about my first job because I was assigned to teach at a small, isolated country school in an area in Bavaria that was totally Catholic. Since I wasn’t Catholic, I was worried I wouldn’t be accepted. I also came from Berlin, and in southern Germany, they didn’t like Berliners and northern Germans, because they gave them unasked for advice and talked a lot. My fears turned out to be unfounded because very soon, they were very kind to me and respectful. They gave me a lot of credit and thought I was capable, even though I wasn’t really. They thought as someone from the nation’s capital, I must know a lot. One mother asked for piano lessons for her kids. I didn’t really play but it was assumed I knew everything, so I had to give lessons on the few things I knew. The teenagers or young adults in their early twenties also asked for dance lessons, so I taught them. This was after the war when everything was chaotic. Finally, the minister of education decided that Catholic teachers should teach Catholic kids, and Lutheran teachers should teach Lutheran kids, so I was transferred to another small farming village in Bavaria. It was where I met my husband who, as a psychologist, was studying school children.
As the seasons change, our moods change, too. This time of year can be full of joy and special memories, but it can also be a time where our mental and physical well-being suffers. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) brings on the “winter blues,” affecting millions of people across the world. We are experiencing shorter, colder days that keep us inside more, getting less fresh air and sunshine. Stress tends to be higher with the holidays, end-of-year deadlines, and New Year’s resolutions that can sometimes be more pressure than inspiration.
How do we find the time and energy to create ongoing healthy habits? How do we shake off the stress and shame, and truly love ourselves in the midst of the ups and downs of life? How can we strive to fill our own cups, with the hope that we can overflow and share the care with our community and loved ones?
Even if you’re overwhelmed, stressed-out, and your battery is low – especially then – it is important to remember that You are Worthy. You are worthy of focusing on your needs. You are worthy of feeling joy. You are worthy of finding one moment, one hour, one day, or more in your busy life to devote to your health, happiness, and growth.
This season, we are encouraging you to remember your worthiness, and to take steps – even small ones – toward embracing the rest of your one wild and precious life!
If you have…ONE MOMENT:
Our days can be so busy, juggling so many different things, that we often feel like there simply isn’t any time at all to think about our mental, physical, or emotional care. Try to identify even the smallest moments that become available, and mindfully give yourself some care.
__ Drink some water
__ Moisturize your skin
__ Go outside for fresh air and sunshine
__ Take three deep breaths
__ Stretch or shake-it-out
__ Text a friend or family member
__ Think of one thing you’re grateful for
__ Hug someone you love for 20+ seconds
Research suggests this length of hug reduces stress and helps reset your nervous system. Solo at the moment? A pillow works too!
__ Challenge your negative thoughts by saying a positive affirmation
Do you know what time of day you are most productive or least productive? Perhaps plan for an hour of self-care around that schedule, when you know you will reach a slump and need a natural pick-me-up. Or devote an hour at the beginning or end of the day so it can become part of your regular routine.
__ Do a yoga flow and meditation
__ Go for a walk or do a workout
__ Make yourself a warm beverage
__ Journal or write a letter to a loved one (and mail it!)
__ Create a gratitude list
Have a dedicated journal so you can reference it often.
__ Take a nap or relax reading a book
__ Take a bath (add some bubbles or a bath bomb)
__ Take care of your houseplants
__ Make an easy herbal remedy, like the Elderberry Oxymel recipe below!
ELDERBERRY OXYMEL
• 1 cup of dried or fresh elderberries
• ½ to 1 cup of raw local honey
• ½ to 1 cup of raw apple cider vinegar
• Pint-sized (16-ounce) mason jar with lid
Fill a clean glass jar roughly half full with elderberries. Pour honey and vinegar over elderberries (you can choose to have more honey, more vinegar, or equal parts of each — just make sure the elderberries are completely covered). Stir all together, shake often, and let sit for a few days (or weeks). Strain out the berries (compost or cook into a syrup) – save the liquid. Take spoonfuls of the elderberry oxymel to support your immune system!
Planning a day for self-care takes a little more…planning! This year, try putting one full day on the calendar – monthly, quarterly, or even annually – and follow through on YOU. Choose the date and block off any other events or responsibilities.
Once you’re finding time for self-care moments, hours, or days, try turning them into ongoing healthy habits! In this section, we’ve listed some mindful self-care ideas you could try to incorporate into your life regularly. But remember: The goal here isn’t to add another thing to stress about. Self-care looks different from one day to the next. Sometimes it is simply taking a deep breath when you’re feeling overwhelmed, calling a loved-one to catch up, or binging a TV show while eating your favorite snack.
Celebrate the fact that you are taking the time, whether it’s a moment or more, to take care of yourself. You are worthy of nourishing your body, uplifting your soul, and being kind to your mind. Your future self will thank you!
__ Get out of your house and spend time with friends and/or family
__ Learn to also embrace and appreciate your alone time
__ Unplug! Turn off your TV + cell phone
and have a screen-free evening!
__ Get a good night’s sleep
__ Spend time in nature
__ Move and stretch your body
Try to find movement that brings you joy!
__ Meal plan and prep – choose nourishing and whole foods
__ Support your gut! Incorporate more fermented foods
(i.e. yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, etc.)
See recipe below for Fermented Honey Garlic!
Fermented Honey Garlic
• 1 cup of peeled and slightly crushed garlic cloves
• 1 cup of raw local honey
(or more, enough to completely cover the garlic)
• Pint-sized (16-ounce) mason jar with lid
Fill a clean glass jar with garlic and cover in honey. Store in a cool, dark place. Flip the jar often to keep garlic submerged (make sure you have a lid that doesn’t leak when upside down – place a plate underneath in case of any leaks). Leave the lid slightly loose when upright (so the fermentation bubbles can escape – they will start to form in a few days to a week). Let it sit and ferment for a few weeks… it will store for many months, or even a year or longer! Eat a spoonful of honey and/or garlic to help support your health and gut!
* NOTE: Never give honey to babies under 1 year old. Botulism is not a concern in this type of ferment due to the level of acidity in the honey. If you have any concerns, use a pH test strip (the honey should have a pH of less than 4.6) or add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar to the recipe to add even more acidity.*
More details online at growforagecookferment.com/fermented-honey-garlic/
__ Do a “weekly reset” – do some cleaning and get tedious tasks out of the way.
Try our Citrus Peel All-Purpose Cleaner recipe!
Citrus Peel All-Purpose Cleaner
1. Save the peels from your citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, limes, etc.)
2. Submerge peels completely in white vinegar (5% acidity) in a glass jar
3. Soak the citrus peels in vinegar in a jar in your fridge for 2 weeks
4. Strain out and compost the peels
5. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts water and your citrus vinegar
6. Use to clean any and all surfaces around your home
* NOTE: always use white vinegar with 5% acidity or less.*
Lynsey (Christensen) Moritz is a Decorah native who is based in rural Southwest Wisconsin. She is a freelance writer, graphic designer, and budding herbalist. Lynsey enjoys learning new skills, traveling with her husband, and being a part of this incredible Driftless community!
