Lunch with a Jumping Spider

Frieda (Phidippus johnsoni). Betsy Mason

I think about jumping spiders a lot. If you have had a conversation with me in the last several years that lasted more than 5 minutes, you already know this. A friend once bought me a mug with a spider on it that reads “Sometimes I wonder if jumping spiders are thinking about me too.” The spider has a little thought bubble that says “Betsy.” 

I literally wonder this very thing, nearly every day. I may never know for sure, but I recently got a little closer to the answer...