Keys

In my younger days I had a problem with misplacing my keys, in particular my car keys.  Though it has not happened as often there have been a few occasions when I have locked my keys in the car as well.  When it happens in a small town like Del Rio it was no big deal, I could always call my parents and they would show up with a spare.  Now it is different since mother no longer drives (her own decision).

In Houston it was an entirely different matter.  While I could call Triple A (American Automobile Association) I prefer to call them for more important matters...like changing a flat or when I need to be towed.

Carrying a spare set of keys became a habit and saved me more than once from having to call on someone who lived clear across the other side of town.  This past Tuesday it saved me from having to take a cab from Ciudad Acuña to Del Rio and back to Mexico probably about $60.00 or $70.00 USD.

I always carry keys on a wrist bracelet and I carry my spare on a neck thingie (for lack of a better term). Two weeks ago the plastic wrist bracelet with the keys to dad's old car broke as it was old and brittle...but I felt it break.  This past Tuesday it was cold and I had a few layers on as well as my coat when I went in to the last grocery store.  I am thinking it too broke as it was about the same age as the spare one and I just did not feel it.

When I got to my car I could not find it on my wrist but figured it was in between the layers of clothing so used the spare I carry around my neck to open the door and get out of the cold.  It wasn't until I got back home and inspected everything that I realized I lost it.  I am very grateful I carry a spare...you just never know when it will come in handy.

I was very surprised to learn that we do not have another spare set.  I will take that back mother found a spare key to the motor.  That is one thing I hate about dad's old car...there is a key to the door and a different key to the motor.  It would do me no good to have a key to the motor when I can not open the door and vice versa.

In my favorite desert I am famous for loosing my keys but eventually I find them.  My late friend Bear bought me the neck thing on the above picture and wrote on it Terlingua 1999.  Well dear friend, you saved me once more!

Good night.  May you all have Terlingua Dreams.