Can you believe we are already two weeks into August?  August is the last actual month of summer.  July is now in our rearview mirror as many continue to wrap up vacations and return to school.

It’s also when we prepare to see many school buses back on the road and impatient drivers.  This is a reality with school already in session earlier this month.

The question today is, are you a risk taker?

Interestingly enough, I noticed two full-size tractor Lawnmowers in action this week.

As I watched, a lead truck sprayed some chemicals on the curbs.

Directly behind the lead truck, the two full-size tractor Lawnmowers were in action lowering their blades and cutting the edges of the road.

As I glanced, I read the sign on the back of each tractor which read, “Pass at your own risk.”

I knew this meant trouble because I had replaced several windshields on my cars due to flying rocks.

Maybe you’ve been hit by some flying rocks from dump trucks before or perhaps you too have replaced multiple windshields from unexpected debris flying?

Nonetheless, my brain quickly reminded me that this is not a good idea, or do I pass at my own risk having read the two warnings I was given?

Maybe if I gun it and pass them anyway, I’ll beat the odds?

Before I tell you what I did, I want you to know that we are past the halfway point of the 100 days of summer, which began on Memorial Day weekend and ends after Labor Day.

During my time in and out of uniform for the Government each year, there were specific campaigns concerning summer activities and safety tips to make your vacation journey safe.

We hear about soldiers drowning and doing risky things taking chances.

Summer Safety

In case you haven’t heard about summer safety, President Barack Obama’s personal chef, Tafari Campbell, recently drowned last month from paddleboarding.  (Tafari Campbell, a professional chef, was found dead in a Martha’s Vineyard Pond after he went out paddleboarding on July 23, 2023.)

Although it may be old news, it’s a life that is not here to tell their side of the story.

Tafari Campbell: 5 Things About Barack Obama’s Personal Chef Who Drowned In Martha’s Vineyard (msn.com)

Obamas’ personal chef drowns near family’s home on Martha’s Vineyard – ABC News (go.com)

I’m sure that we are all a bit of a risk-takers.

I’m included in this group of people jumping out of perfectly-good Airplanes for the Army and running Marathons early in my career.

It’s something about putting yourself to the test.

We test our limits each time, building more character than yesterday.

This past week was no different seeing the signs on the back of the two riding lawnmowers “pass at your own” and risk watching cars go around the moving objects.

Without any suspense, I passed as far away from the two full-size tractor Lawnmowers in action.

I digress; the 100 days of summer heat can make you do strange things.

Summer Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Tips to Help (webmd.com)

For some, they become depressed.

For others short tempered because they’re too hot.

I’ve had multiple experiences and opportunities to see both in action, so I rely on being always resilient.

Resilience involves many factors, including the environmental factors that change daily in our lives.

One day you’re riding down the road rolling with traffic, and suddenly you are caught in a 30-minute delay.  Has that ever happened to you?  You didn’t know or couldn’t predict that someone had had an accident five miles ahead, causing you to be stuck in traffic. You also didn’t realize that the delay was all lanes being merged into one lane.

Each of us gets a glimpse at life challenges through different lenses.

I saw the sign “Pass at your own risk this week.”

Maybe it was a reminder to slow down or pay better attention.

As each of us continues to enjoy our sweltering summer days and warm summer nights; I’d ask you to consider what risks you took this week or even this month and whether they were worth it.

Let’s also pray for those that have lost a loved one, which I spoke about earlier.  Tafari Campbell is only one of many who didn’t notice the warning signs.

Pass at your own risk and enjoy the best and rest of your summer safely!