unexplained good ...

 The past week or so has had some actually good things happen.  Can't complain.  

Not true, I can always find something to complain about.  It's my nature.  But, nevertheless, this has been an okay week.  I hope you have had a good adventure also.

First of all, my wife has a brother (only 1) who lives in New Hampshire.  That is a fur piece from Texas. We've visited up there a couple of times.  It was nice.  And we met them in Florida one year for a week. That is a complete Stone in itself.  Good and Bad.  After that trip, his wife deteriorated and eventually died after multiple problems.  That is another story in itself.  Let's skip it for now.  Glad you agree.

So it's been several years since we've seen her brother.  A long time.  He's old too - 80.  After much prodding, he flew down here for a week's visit.  It was a great visit.  All my children spent at least 2 days with us visiting.  Ernie - his name - is getting old with the rest of us.  He was real upbeat and a pleasure to be around.  He has been a vegetarian for 30-40-50 years.  I don't know how long.  So we learned some things about that too.

He flew in and out of the Austin airport connecting to Boston where a limo took him and picked him up at that airport for a drive to his house in New Hampshire.  A lot of money passed through Ernie's fingers over the past couple weeks.  He is like us - far from wealthy - but comfortable.

I won't go into the details of the visit.  It was a good week.

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2nd thing:  Driving into and outta the Austin Airport was relatively okay.  I know airports can be a pain.  But, it all worked out really well and nobody yelled at us.

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3rd:  You might not think this is a big deal.  For me, it was.  I pushed the button on my car door lock thing - and nothing happened.  I got in the car and the computer didn't recognize the key.  Nothing happened.  Luckily, we had a 2nd key that was working just fine.  What to do?  What to do?  When a keyfob dies, there must be a plan.

We  all sat and stared at the keyfob.  I found a futton on the back that slid over and the top pulled off.  THERE WAS AN EXTRA KEY IN THE KEYFOB for opening the door.  My car is a push button start - no place to put a key except the door lock.  I was starting to invision a trip to the Ford House where they would charge me $200,000 for a new one.  The daughter suggested a trip to a local key making company.  Great Idea.

Then, in a flash of genius - I do have them at times - I got the car's instruction book out of the glove box.  You do know that we have no gloves in our glove box.  Do You?  By actually reading the book, I learned how to open the keyfob.  And there it was.  A battery just waiting to be replaced = one of those flat batteries - it seems like it was a #2023 or something like that.  Who keeps this battery at home?  Well folksy readers, we had one.  I don't know where it came from or when....all wrapped  up in its packaging - probably from Walmart.   

Installed, my key fob works.  And it was under $200,000.  Now, don't you think that should be registered as a good thing happening?  I do.  I did. I'm putting another 2023 on the grocery list.  Never leave home without one.

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4th thing:  I''ll combine 4 and 5.  Every 3 months or so, a guy comes by and measures the crud in our septic tank.  If it is measured as an #8, then, it must be pumped out by a big truck.  That would call for a few hundred dollars.  We measured a #1 out of 8.  Good thing.  Then, the local water guy dropped by and checked my sprinkler system to make sure the "backflow" valve was working.  IT WAS.  We won't have to replace that valve.  He's a nice man.  Made my day, today!!!

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There have been other terrific things this past couple of weeks:  seeing all my children, sharing a few really great meals with them (ate out a few times too), Ernie reuniting with his sister, all bills are paid with a few dollars left in the bank, Son Roger/Penney celebrated their 28th anniversary while they were here  -  and, perhaps, the most important -------

My wife celebrated her 84th birthday while everyone was here (less 2 granddaughters that we sorely missed).  She had a great birthday - ate at Olive Garden - opened cards and presents - she even shed a tear during all that - happiness tear.

I'll quit now before I get mushy.  Y'all take care.  Remember, if you behave and act good, eventually Karma will turn around and good things will occur.  They did for me.  Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.  mtz, smiley face,  😇😍😏😙😜