Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Tuesday Slice: Fresh air


Fresh air is hard to come by for this librarian during the school year; without effort, my forays outside consist of walks from home to car and car to school.  So yesterday morning I tied on my sneakers and headed outside for a five a.m. walk-and-jog.

The cool air gave me a muggy embrace.  My quiet footsteps were almost drowned out by the sound of traffic on the not-so-distant highway; I was surprised by that dull roar so early in the day.  The darkness seemed to spur me to move faster, as I walked from streetlight to streetlight, shining my cellphone on the pavement when I was leery of my next step.

Turning into the cul-de-sac, my thoughts always go to coyotes.  They haven't been spotted for a while....but what would I do if I encountered one on the road?  This morning gave me no answers; my only visible companion was a lone firefly blinking in a grassy lot, hinting that our summer isn't quite over yet, despite the return to school.

Reaching the end of the loop, I jogged the straightaway path back to my house, my heavy footfalls competing with nightsongs of crickets and frogs.  A lone car passed me, lights shining ahead in this darkening-before-dawn.  I turned at the entrance to the hike-n-bike and retraced my steps.

Four circuits from home to cul-de-sac to home again, almost a mile-and-a-half done.  I took a few deep breaths of the moist air, and winced at the loud creak of my front door.  My day of walls and windows lay ahead.

11 comments:

  1. Hmmm... I getting ready for an early morning meet up with my elliptical
    Digital Bonnie

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    1. I wish I had room for exercise equipment in my house. Sigh.

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  2. I enjoyed how you incorporated so many sensory details in this piece--the muggy embrace of cool air, the distant traffic and the blinking of that solitary firefly. On early morning runs I've always worried about skunks, not coyotes--such thoughts may not be comfortable but they help you to keep the pace up! I know what you mean about spending the day between walls with limited exposure to fresh air. Congrats on making time to get outside in the early morning.

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    1. Thanks for the positive comments, Molly! I'm trying to improve on my Slices; they tend to be more diary-like, so I'm glad the muse struck with this entry. Hope the skunks stay far away from your morning runs!

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  3. I'm not sure I'd run outside if there were coyotes on the loose. You're a brave woman!

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    1. They haven't appeared lately, and from what I've heard, they avoid people...so hoping my fears are unfounded!

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  4. I usually walk early evening, & we too have coyotes in the neighborhood. I've only seen one pass by from my porch, and do wonder. This is written so beautifully, Chris. I enjoyed the way you took us along this early morning.

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  5. You post includes such great descriptions, making me want to start a new early morning running/walking routine.

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  6. A very detailed summary of your early morning activities. Here is a coyote story I shall always remember. The "Desert Rats" had met at the truck stop for a healthy plate of Rancho Eggs, beans, rice, and bacon. Now out to the desert when my bodies urge deserved action. TP in hand, I find a spot with no rattlesnakes close, dig my hole and proceed. The I get the feeling I am being watched.... Yes one coyote on my right and one coyote on my left. My body reacted rapidly finishing the task at hand and when I rose they departed. I furthered my education about the El Paso coyotes. In our 3 years in the desert with many soldiers, there had never been reported an aggressive coyote. On a sad note... The coyotes had an area where they gathered, gave birth, and raised their young ones. A tank battalion from Fort Knox wanted to play in the desert which they did often a danger to the rest of us. For example I'm driving down the dirt road when all of a sudden a tank shoots across the road in front of me. To get back to the story, One morning I got to our unit's location in the desert and when I got out of the truck I heard the coyotes wailing, which they did for at least 24 hours. A tank or more had driven through their area killing many. A kind a sad day. Love Ya, Dad.

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    1. Hope you include this great story in your book, Dad!

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