The 9th Life

Disclaimer: Sometimes bad things happen to good people, or in this instance, bad things happen to good animals. I realize this post contains sensitive information to animal lovers and I don’t mean to downplay any of the events. I’m just reporting the facts.

It’s a rare occasion to have anyone in my car, let alone 3 family members. This Sunday, I was driving Mama Mia, Johnny Cherie, and Little Boy Blue home from a church dinner. It was after 7, the sun was setting, and my light was green. As I passed through to the other side of the intersection, a dark cat jetted from the left before I had time to respond.

Enter slow motion

I could brake but the car behind me was too close. On the left was oncoming traffic; the right had several parallel parked vehicles. My only option was to continue driving.

The unexpected speed bump smacked me back into real time.

I gasped and clutched my gaping mouth. I was horrified and stunned. I felt a lump form in my stomach. The seconds seemed, once again, to tick backwards.

I was glad to have Mama Mia with me. There are times when only a mother’s voice can comfort. She calmly assured me that everything would be okay and after a few deep breaths, I began to feel better.

Then Johnny-Cherie chirped from the back. “Hey Charlotte, why did the cat cross the road?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“It didn’t.”

Her comment didn’t help quite like Mama Mia’s.

I'm sorry cat...

Biking 101

Essential items for an afternoon of biking with friends:

Gloves

Helmet

Sunglasses

Why are these items crucial? If, hypothetically speaking of course, you turn your head to hear what the biker behind you is saying and if you steer off the road and if there happens to be a 4 inch drop from the pavement to the grass and if your front tire drops and if* you lose control of the bike, although you will fly over your bike and skid across the road, you will only have a few bruises to show for it due to protective gear.

* That's a lot of "if's" but I'm sure it could happen.