We usually get more insect "friends" in the winter - centipedes, even scorpions. I usually trap and release, but anything dangerous gets smooshed. When I saw this thing I thought at first it might be a huntsman spider, or whatever some of the other huge doom spiders we have here.

I've never really cultured my own buttermilk. Mainly I would need small amounts for baking, and for that, curdling milk is acceptable. I know that there are vegetable rennets for cheese, so I would not be surprised if there was a non-dairy buttermilk alternative out there.