About 100 years ago when I was in 1st grade is when the fear began. We lived close to our school and so my brother(s) and I would walk home for lunch most days. This particular afternoon as I approached our house I looked out into the huge wide open field and hills that were adjacent to our home to find a 'dog' jumping on its hind legs trying to catch a bird that was teasing it overhead. I was so terrified of this ugly 'dog' and I didn't think I could make it up the driveway and through the courtyard fast enough before it spotted me. So I got down on all fours and crawled up the driveway as fast as I could so it wouldn't come try to catch me. It was such a freaky moment for me that I still remember exactly what I was wearing. That was my first experience with coyotes. Aside from 'coyote' being my high school mascot, I've never been a fan.
Today I had this glorious idea. I wasn't able to make it to the gym with sick Vivie in tow, but I felt the need to still get some cardio in. I had to grab a few things from the grocery store for tomorrow's Halloween parties, so why not walk? That's just what we did. And cardio...I most definitely got. Double Bob Stroller, three girls. Lexie had to walk. So she chose to ride the scooter instead. Only pretty much the walk to Alberstons consists of more hills than flats. Of course I know this, my brain just wasn't working. When Lexie's legs were just too tired, she found herself a little spot in front of Vivie's feet and lucky me, I got to push 125 ish pounds of groceries, girls, plus a scooter up and down the hills of San Elijo...more than I bargained for.
We're walking down the hill, not 6 houses from ours and out from the brush and across the street strolls a coyote. Memories from that 1st grade moment flooded my brain. Izzie's apparently made from a different mold. She was delighted--"oh, look at the dog--can I pet the dog?" Luckily Izzie was in the stroller otherwise she would have been chasing the 'dog' to pet it. I gave the girls an education on coyotes and why we don't want to pet them...I turn around and here comes another one across the street, broad daylight in our little suburban neighborhood. It's been HOT here...and those coyotes wanted water and food...or an Izzie. We hear them at night and see them at dusk, but they're getting bold and brave strolling through the neighborhoods that were built on their dens.
I think I have the 'bait' I need to subtly motivate my girls to get their room clean, jobs done, etc. They are generally great, but we all need 'bait!' Mean mommie. It's either sitting in time-out on the balcony with spiders (not really spiders out there, but it's good for effect) or now sitting out on the balcony to listen to the howling coyotes...and now they know exactly what they look like. Hopefully no nightmares will plague them because then I'd just feel like a lousy, rotten mommie. Good thing they don't need this too often!
