Janice Gossman “Learning About Corn Spiders” acrylic and ink on canvas, 10” W x 8”H $250.00

    My colorful towel with the turtle design is hanging over the Grey Farms Neighborhood swimming pool drying. I take it down on my way home towards the field. Pine trees are blocking the entry to the field. These are a special breed of pine, designed to attract a certain corn spider. They call it the corn spider because its body is the size and shape of a kernel of corn, and its coloring is bright yellow. 
   Each opening to the field is blocked by branches holding corn spiders and their thick webs. I am in a hurry to get home because it is cold out here in a wet bathing suit, but I am afraid of getting a corn spider in my face or hair, or on my body. Maybe if I block the way with the towel….I still haven’t attempted to break through.
   An invisible person explains to me that corn spiders can be dried and ground up into a fine powder, which can be ingested as a remedy. I am handed a small white box from the pharmacy. The word PARVE is printed on the side. The corn spider capsules are kosher. I am handed a small metal old-fashioned grinder with a crank and funnel. This is what they use to grind the corn spider.