Biting off more than I can chew

I am careful.  I always “look before I leap.”  In fact, I look, double check, assess and then maybe, just maybe, I will leap.  (Okay, okay, hop)  I can still clearly recall my complete mortification when my younger brother bounded off the end of the diving board at the local pool into my dad’s arms.  Not two minutes before I had been on the same board.  To me, it seemed like my father was treading water about ten stories below me.  I wrapped my arms around my shivering ribs muttering, “No, no, no, no” as I skittered back the . . .