Crazy risk

Last night Lucy fell. It was from this ledge of the mezzanine level of my loft about 10 feet up onto the wood floor.

I knew it would happen. She's tempted fate at least once a day over the almost nine months I've lived here. She usually takes a crazier risk by walking along the top of the narrow iron railing about three feet higher. I can't stop her. I've tried.

But Lucy's a cat and doesn't understand risk. People do.

People take crazy risks all the time. Not long before Lucy's fall, I left a couple of friends after having a beer with them at a bar. With the short drive home ahead, they each had a shot and at least two drinks before I left, and they never eat. I suspect the drinking and driving thing will happen with them and way too many people more over these holidays.

People take crazy risks doing other things. Carrying weed on airplanes, buying and selling drugs illegally and skipping out on taxes are just a few I've seen happen. People surprise me with the illegal or unethical schemes they try to get away with at work too. They always involve taking home more money by doing less work. 

Most of them know it's wrong, but the longer they take these crazy risks, the more Teflon they feel.

"I'm still here," they say. "It hasn't caught up with me yet."

Lucy has done this crazy balancing act dozens of times over almost a year. But this time, there was a loud bang, and she did not fall on her feet. Luckily there was no blood and nothing seemed broken. She was just dazed and confused - likely with a killer headache - and hid under the bed for about an hour then had a good night's rest. This morning she seems fine and more lovable than usual. Lucy's just a cat, but I hope she's learned her lesson and won't do it any more.

Remember, it only takes once.

Love to the single girls,
Addison

P.S. It's been four days and she hasn't been back up there.