Floating spider webs, horny toads,

It happened last Monday afternoon when we saw lots of long strings of spider cobwebs floating over our backyard. Many were from 10-20 feet long. My husband and I saw this strange phenomenon around the same time last year. It was very curious then, and it's very curious now. I'm wondering where these delicate strings that shimmer in the sunlight are coming from, and where are they going?

I Googled it to try and find some information about flying spider cobwebs, but had no luck. Then I saw something. There were hundreds of tiny black spiders gathered on a bench out in our flower garden. The itsy-bitsy spiders were about the size of a sharpened tip of pencil lead. They appeared to be spinning some long, thread-like strings of silk that were being picked up by the wind and carried away and along for the ride was a little black spider.

I don't know where they came from but perhaps they are heading south for a warmer winter. Go little spiders - follow the butterflies and fly away like the hummingbirds. What kind of spider can you be?

Horny toad

Another interesting little animal that's been around Fish Springs is the horned toad, aka horny toad. Back around 1998 on Memorial Day weekend a group of our relatives from California took a hike over the BLM hill that's directly behind our house. When they got to the top of the hill they came upon a most unusual sight: The ground appeared to be moving and it was rolling right toward them.

That's when they saw it. A whole big army of horned toads, reported as "tens of thousands," were on the move. Where do they migrate to and why? I guess they were looking for greener pastures and they do feed chiefly on insects. The horny toad is really a lizard with sharp spines that stick out from its head and body. These protect it from hungry animals that might attack it. Another survival technique is how they can change their colors to resemble the same colors that are in their surrounding environment which makes them difficult to find. They say horny toads make great pets and, besides their beauty, they can also spurt blood from their eyes. Want to hold one?

"Steel Magnolias"

Fish Springs residents Marcia and Bill Kaster have joined the Carson Valley Community Theatre as host managers for the play, "Steel Magnolias," performed 7 p.m. Oct. 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. today and Oct. 28 at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Tickets are available at The Record-Courier. For more information, call Marcia at 783-7620.

A most memorable birthday

Last weekend about 150 family members and friends of Chuck Jones celebrated his 90th birthday with a wonderful party. His wife Dorothy along with Rosemary and Gary Johnson hosted the event and went all out to make this a most special and memorable day for Fish Springs' last homesteader. Thanks to everyone there, it certainly was that.

-- Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.