Morning Walk

 This morning, The Husband decided to stay home and rest his foot.  The boot is showing some wear on the bottom.  And it felt like he just wasn't ready to get up.  So, off I went. It was a bit later than I used to always get out, but later seems to be the way we roll these days.  I'm just kind of done marching to a rigid schedule like I've done for so much of my life. 

Anyway, since it was a skosh later, it was a skosh lighter and I wasn't afraid of being out in the dark.  First thing:  I heard a coyote.  The morning was fairly still out, no traffic on the road that I saw.  Little wind so no noise from the trees.  And I heard the call of a coyote off in the foothills.  We know they're there, we've even seen some.  It's a very recognizable and distinct sound.  I just know it was welcoming the dawn, just like me.

I took a route we've often taken, but not so much lately as it has some hills and that's not currently optimal for The Husband.  Consequently, there've been a few changes along the way:  paving of the trail in spots, tape strung across the trail, driveways and garage entrances improved.  Lots of stuff that people have been doing. 

That particular path takes me by the horse pasture that spans a couple blocks that are east of our house.  There are two horses we see there regularly, though they're usually off in the distance, meandering through the weeds looking for a tasty green morsel.  But not this morning.  They were nestled right up by the fence.  I could have reached through the barbed wire for a pat or two, though I was afraid of spooking them.  So, I just talked good morning pleasantries to them and walked on.  Stopped and walked back as I recognized a great opportunity for a picture or two.  I took several.  Most of which got deleted.  But couldn't resist sharing this one.  I had just fed him a couple green weedy leaves and I think he wanted more.  They don't apparently care for the sunflowers.  I think my phone camera was only a few inches away, I was holding tightly lest he lunge for it.  Made me smile.  

A lovely walk. A lovely way to begin my morning.