I’ve always been a risk-adverse kind of person, some might say fearful. Afraid of making a mistake, of being wrong. Afraid of falling. Afraid of the dark, of getting lost, of being left behind. Some of that changed when I experimented with drugs in the late 70s, early 80s. I found my inner extrovert and risk-taker, and, frankly, she almost killed me.
For over three decades now I live with someone is who somewhat risk-adverse. He was enough of a risk-taker when he was young(er) to join the Navy and fly on planes searching for Russian submarines, to join the Peace Corps and work with an Amazonian people that had once been known as headhunters. But when it came to work, housing, and finances, he always chose the long, slow steady path of reasonable choices. Frankly, he saved my life.
For his birthday last week, we went on a hike. A slow, ambling kind of hike where he would pause to sweep for insects that he would later photograph, and I would pause to get on my knees and take photographs.
It was a chilly, green day. Lots and lots of green with few red and yellow leaves here and there.
My reward for this long ambling walk (besides the simple joy of being on a long ambling walk) was several fully bloomed yellow lupine just waiting for me to come along.
One part of our walk took us to an open windy field. Looking up at the sky, I remarked to my husband that if I didn’t know I was in Florida, I would have thought I was in the central part of New York state.
It was one of those walks that you really enjoy while you’re walking but enjoy even more once you’re home, warm and cozy with your four-legged furry friends. Especially this little guy.
It’s not the best picture of him. Actually it’s a still from a video I took of him playing. Raji is in training for the Kitty Olympics. He’s a leaper and he loves running into things.
At this time, Raji and our indoor fickle felines have not formally met. A couple of times I kept the door to the garage open long enough for a few furtive glances, but nothing more than that. Baby steps. We don’t expect any of them to become fast friends. Tolerance and safe passage from one room to another is all we ask.
Perhaps if we try to integrate them on a warm, sunny day, Junior will be too blissed out to care.
Thank you for reading! Stay safe and well and please enjoy this petite green bouquet.

Marie A Bailey
Writer, blogger, knitter, cat lover, and introvert.
Your photos are absolutely stunning, Marie! You have a gift! And how lovely to see Raji coming along nicely in his integration into the family. ๐
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Thank you, Linda!
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I agree with L. Marie, Marie. Your photographs are really beautiful. I don’t think Raji needs any additional training…he’s ready! So sweet.
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Ah, thanks, Jill! Raji is coming along very well. I’m so eager to introduce him to the household, but we’ll still take it easy. I think he’ll be fine, it’s the other cats who might be a little put off ๐
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Lovely tribute to your hubby with sweet personal reveals. Very brave, too.
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Your play with Raji is adding to his socialization skills. Before you know it the other kitties will just ignore him as the youngster with lots of energy – a normal cat household!
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Thank you, Laura ๐ Our other cats will be lucky if they can ignore Raji. Ha ha. He has crazy energy ๐
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Your cats are so cute. Thanks for sharing! x
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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I love that shot of the sky–dramatic! But the bouquet: That’s not poison oak (the three-leafed one), is it?! Look but don’t pick … ๐
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Ha ha, no, I don’t think it was poison oak, but now I’m glad I only took photos ๐
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Such a lovely post, Marie. It’s sounds like you and your man were fortunate to find each other.
Your photos are beautiful!
Raj is adorable!
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Thank you, Merril ๐
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You’re very welcome. ๐
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Beautiful lupine. Your post really made me think about risks and security, which Iโve been doing a bit lately. I used to be adventures and take a lot of risks (nothing too dangerous). Now, I feel like Iโm playing it too safe. Thereโs got to be a balance. Both are necessary, I think. My husband is very risk-adverse.
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Oh, that balance seems so elusive. I’ve taken plenty of risks, but, I hate to admit, most of them without proper planning (and some of them were just downright dangerous). I think Greg and I do wish we had been willing to take bigger risks when we were younger. I’m hoping my retirement will open some opportunities for us, but, first, we have to get rid of COVID ๐
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Your post caused me to think of my risk tolerance. I have to say I went balls to the wall my whole life. I won a lot and lost a lot but in the end have no regrets. I never asked anyone concerned about my high-risk nature to expose themselves to the point of being uncomfortable. So, in the end, my third wife and I met somewhere in the middle. I still kept my fiscal daring-do until the time I turned 75. I then turned all my stuff over to a professional who incidentally was shocked at my risk tolerance score of ten out of ten. So now I live out the days as a former high-risk individual. Still able to sell everything and move to different locations but at least don’t crave excitement. I loved your retrospective, Marie. Thanks for reading mine.
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You know, John, I’m not surprised that you have a high tolerance for risk. The important thing is you have no regrets and you’ve been willing to compromise for the right person ๐ Besides, you probably enjoy a lot of excitement now through your writing ๐ I’m also glad you mention your willingness to up and move. As much as I love Florida’s landscapes, I really don’t want to die here, but we’ll see. I’m hoping we both have enough desire for change to make at least one more major change in our lives.
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We left the coast and are still happy. It can be done.
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Thank you for sharing your story!
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Sarah!
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Youโre very welcome!
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