As I've probably mentioned before, our house backs up to Reservoir Park, which while home to a small park known for its seclusion and a location for closeted gay men to meet is really just several acres of woods surrounding the Little Rock reservoir.
From our back deck, you'd think we lived in rural Arkansas. It was one of the reasons I loved this house. It's literally in the middle of the city, surrounded by woods. The best of both rural and urban worlds. So I thought until I met our neighbor, J.
J. is a middle-aged, I suppose single, woman. I met her Monday as she was picking up sticks in her front yard, which adjoins our front yard. She was extremely nice mentioning that she was sorry she hadn't come over to introduce herself. I also apologized for not saying hello earlier and we eased into a quick conversation about the neighborhood.
J.: Do you like it here?
Me: Yes, we really do. We love the privacy, but also the accessibility to the rest of the city. And we've found that the neighbors are extremely nice.
J.: Yes, we're lucky to have a nice neighborhood here. Have you seen much wildlife?
Me: Oh, yes. I've seen some raccoons, rabbits, an opossum, and Dave saw a big black snake last week.
J.: And there are deer that walk the fence behind all our houses. You'll see them in the fall. But you know there are also coyotes.
Me: Um...What? Coyotes?
J.: Yes, for a while I was hearing some howling in the woods, and I just thought it was neighboring dogs, but a friend of mine--a big hunter--was over late one night and he heard them, too. He jumped up, walked out on the deck and said, "J. those are coyotes, and it's a pack of them." Since then, I've seen one in my front yard. They look like big German Shepherds.
Me: Really? So, I should keep the pets inside? Good to know.
So, here's the thing. Now every time I hear a sound of a large animal in the woods, I'm convinced it's a coyote coming to get us. If I actually see one up close, I'll surely have a heart attack. I have an affinity for nature, but Steve Erwin I am not.
L.
2 comments:
Linsley, I don't think I've told you this yet, but I lived the first 7 years of my life at the bottom of Reservoir Court, a Cul-De-Sac that borders the opposite side of the Reservoir where you live. Although I don't remember any coyotes, there were always deer and rabbits eating my mom's vegetable garden, snacks slithering up on our porch, and raccoons trying to sneak in our fireplace. I love playing in the woods...such a great place to start out as a kid!
Also, thanks for your latest comments...I took your DC apartment hunting advice and put the word out to Megan, etc., so we'll see what I end up finding. Thanks for your advice!
snakes that is, not snacks...damn spell check changes the wrong words
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