I’m convinced that my wife thinks I have super powers.

I’m not talking about normal stuff like opening jars, changing a flat tire or reading maps.  I’m talking about my superhuman ability to deal with spiders and other insects without fear of attack, injury or death.

“Steve, STEEEEEVE!!!  Come here.  Quick!  See that there… it’s a spider.  GET it!!!”

Seriously.  She’s not just squeamish about the little critters, or just gets the heebie-jeebies when one touches her.    When a spider is anywhere near, my sweetheart’s reaction is one of genuine fear.  She jumps up from where she is, stops what she’s doing, and can focus on nothing else until the beast has been broken and his lifeless corpse is flushed out to sea.

But why would she be soooo afraid, but have no issues whatsoever sending me into the monster’s den armed with nothing but a half sheet of paper towel?  It’s not that she doesn’t love me.  And it’s not that she cares so much for her own safety that she is willing to put mine at risk.  For some reason, she believes… truly believes that the 6 or 8 legged ogre that has set up shop in the corner of the gazebo can bring harm to her, but not me.

So, when the occasional earwig, beetle, or God forbid, bumble bee invades our living space, I swoop in, cool and confident, “Stand back for your own safety, Ma’am.  I’ll take care of this.”