Cars & Runners

With my work & family schedule I usually don't get out the door for my run until after dusk. I run in the dark. I live in a suburban type neighborhood so, my routes consist mainly of loops through the blocks. Some of my running requires me to run along a busy road. I wear a reflective vest; I always run against traffic; I'm always watching for cars. But, every once in awhile a driver will take me by surprise. Some cars will beep as they drive past. Do I know you? Are they just being friendly or dickheads? Do they hate runners? Are they jealous fat people filled with hate & Twinkies?

DD sometimes goes running by herself. She's a petite,pretty girl. She's got common sense & her route is pretty much just running around the block or down the street to some neighborhood kids' hangout but, I worry sometimes. Woman have to deal with a whole different level of harassment than men. Part of me just wants to keep her in the house where it's safe. Part of me think the fundamentalist Muslims have the right idea; cover your women up from head to toe in veils & burkhas & don't let them be seen by other men. That's not an option. Parenting is a scary prospect sometimes. You can't ignore the fact that the best you can do is teach your children well; to be aware of the dark & scary places and the dark & scary people. You have to let them out of the nest sometimes. If you let yourself dwell on the random, violent, senseless acts that some people fall prey to than your life is filled with nothing but, dread.