Foxy Lady

I started running regularly again about 2 weeks ago (although I didn't get much done during Thanksgiving week). And don't bother to ask: it's beyond me why I waited until the onset of winter and temps in the 20's to start an exercise regimen. Guess the masochist in me loves running in the freezing rain. Luckily, I've had my own personal cheerleader to urge me on most nights. She usually meets me at the halfway mark on my way back from the Willows. She's gorgeous, a red-head, a little shy, and is only ever dressed in a fancy fur coat. I only know her as Miss Elisabeth.

I swear, I don't think I've seen an actual, real-life fox in person but a couple of times in my life. Honestly, two or three times at most. They are one of the most elusive, people-wary creatures I've ever known of. But this lovely lady is out there for me almost every night. I don't know if she lives on Salem Neck permanently or is just temporarily hanging 'round but I've definitely loved heading out every night in anticipation of seeing her. Sometimes she'll run out of the brush and trot across the road ahead of me or I'll catch her lurking on the edge of somebody's front yard, dancing in and out of the glow of the streetlamps. One time she ran out not ten yards in front of me, jumped up on the chest-high stone wall outside of the Marine Biology center, and glanced back to make eye-contact for just the briefest of instants before the grey-white tip of tail disappeared over the other side. It's definitely nice to have that extra little motivation to get out and log a couple of miles every night. Just hope she sticks around for awhile.