I heart nature.

It was approaching dusk last night when Mr. Gabe and I made our way down to the beach for shells. (B and TM were out in the boat fishing and I’m way far gone into my little personal world of arts and crafts and the theme this year is Shells We’ve Discovered in 2010. It's probably as bad as you would imagine it to be).

When we turned a bend in the road, I spied a black fox jumping swiftly into the roadside flora. I stopped and stared at the spot where it had disappeared, hoping it would peek out to see if we had already passed. While I was stopped, I spotted another fox---a red mama---atop a sandpile on the property next to our home. TWO FOXES in fewer than thirty seconds, and the second one and I had a total stare down before it retreated into the woods ( I could still see it’s big ol’ ears in the semi-darkness, hidden, but not really!). All of this missed Mr., who is the Only Dog In The World Not To Spot Foxes On An Evening Walk.

I took TM back (in the stroller) and we saw them again in the same spot. Stroller for two reasons: 1) She’s quieter that way and 2) I didn’t want the foxes to steal her, which I know doesn’t make a lot of sense to you but remember when that woman was attacked by coyotes last year? You never know. You'd have thought I was taking her to Cinderella's husband's castle and that she was preparing to live happily ever after!

I was all, "Sweetie, we've got to be super quiet and not even speak in our whispery voices. We have to be silent so they can't hear us! Shhhh." She was all, "Mom, are mama foxes bigger than daddy foxes? And, We don't want them to think we're their food mom, and they'll think that if we're too quiet. I'ma talk."

Then I made B go look at them. Mama was there. He determined that they had built their den in the sandpile, which is odd considering it could just cave in. Maybe there’s some sort of modern fox family home in there, complete with bubble room and foot shower outside for washing debris. I don’t know.

Then I went back and stood in front of the mama fox, about 15 feet separating us, and she didn’t move. Is it because I communicated to her in some way that I came in peace? Right.

Then I made B go back with me one last time to confirm that they would stay put at least until tonight, when TM and I could make our way back down to see them.

When I pulled out of the driveway to get to work this morning, I almost turned in the direction of the foxes because I imagined they were getting ready to go down for the day and I wanted to see that, too.

B's with his dad for the next couple of days while he's at the hospital for knee surgery. He had a nasty fall last week on the rocks here in our yard and the orthopedic surgeon has indicated that surgery is the only option. I'm here and happy in the wilderness with my dog and my girl (and a very shitaceous internet connection, should you be concerned).

This is my Maine.