Singing and Howling

I went out by myself after nine pm.  I could have run pre-dinner, but it cuts into the amount of time I get to see Rick.  Besides, it's dark then too, so what's the difference.  Getting out is more than half the battle.  I told Rick not to let me get too "nesty" on the couch.

So, I started out doing pretty well.  It was a beautiful night.  But it didn't take too long for the little hairs on the back of my neck to be standing up.  Alone, things lurk in the dark.  I resorted to my normal tactic, loud, not-in-tune singing.  I pretty much know that the animal life wants to avoid me, even more so if I'm singing.  I smiled as I started some of the songs both Mindy and I knew (though from different areas) as childhood songs.  Oh, it was ugly out there!

I was about to start my third and last lap, heading for the hill across the street when I heard the coyotes.  I stopped for a few moments.  It wasn't like the night when Rick and I heard them where the one group was answered by groups from all around.  There was only the sound of a clan from across the street - gulp - where I was headed.  They did sound fairly distant.  I shamed myself into sticking to what I know to be true; I am safe running at night around here.  I was good heading across the road.  I was good heading towards the hill.  Hmmm, was my headlamp getting dim.  I was looking for glowing eyes in the surrounding fields.  My beam was not illuminating very much.  I got creeped and creepeder.  I don't think I made it half way up the hill before I needed to turn back.  There were no more coyote howls or yips.  It didn't matter.  My irrational brain had taken over.  I ran to our side of the street and did a lap on the motocross track.  I finished with almost 5 miles.