Let's Talk with Lois Winston
September 21, 2023
Bad Things Come in Threes
I, for one, am quite happy to find summer in the review mirror. It’s been a miserable one, both for the planet and me personally. Just as the heat was building to oppressive levels, my husband’s car died. Completely. Totally. DOA right in the middle of an intersection on a very busy thoroughfare as we were returning from a Target run.
I got behind the wheel, and he began to push as angry drivers zipped past us, blaring their horns and shouting obscenities. Did they think we wanted to be there, putting our lives in jeopardy as we tried to maneuver the car around the corner to the curb of a side street? You’d think maybe one compassionate person might stop to help? Don’t make me laugh.
Two hours later the tow truck finally arrived. And that was the end of my husband’s midlife crisis car. I hope he’s gotten it out of his system. We’ve decided to try being a one-car family.
And then one morning a few weeks later, my laptop died. Catastrophic failure of the hard drive and battery without any warning. Mac had given me ten good years, though, and I did have a recent backup. Still, it was an expense I wasn’t planning.
Now, I’ve never been a superstitious person, but I have noticed that for most of my life, bad things have happened in threes. So I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen next. At the height of Covid, my stove, dishwasher, and clothes dryer all died within a few weeks of each other. So what would it be this time? My twelve-year-old car? That’s what I expected.
Well, it wasn’t my car. It was Covid—hitting both me and my husband within days of each other. It never fails. Bad things ALWAYS come in threes, whether you’re superstitious or not.
As bad as Covid has been, I keep telling myself we’re lucky. Thousands of people this summer have had it much worse. Our home wasn’t destroyed by fire, tornado, or hurricane. And maybe—hopefully—sometime soon I’ll start feeling a hundred percent again. Meanwhile, my sleuth is quite happy that I haven’t had the strength to conjure up more murder and mayhem for her. At least one of us is happy!
How was your summer? Post a comment for a chance to win a promo code for a free audiobook download of Scrapbook of Murder, the sixth Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery.
While you’re here, click over to enter our September contest. Hurry because the entry period closes on Sept. 22! One lucky entrant will win Nancy J Cohen’s Trimmed to Death and Debra H Goldstein’s Five Belles Too Many. CLICK HERE
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Posted in Let's Talk, with Lois Winston • Tags: audiobook code, Bad things come in Threes, Lois Winston, Scrapbook of Murder, So long Summer | 20 Comments
First my son told me we can’t stay at his house anymore when we go up north to visit,he doesn’t like people in his house. I’m not people, I’m the woman that gave birth to him, if it wasn’t for me there would be no him but to be able to see my granddaughters I will get a hotel. Second, I kept passing out for no reason and ended up in the hospital, had multiple tests and no one can figure out why it happens and I end up all black and blue and can barely walk afterwards. I always land on the tiled floor, never the carpet. Third, the weather has been crazy here in SW Florida, with tropical storms and lots of thunderstorms, a few areas have had tornadoes. I’ve always been a believer that bad things come in threes. Thank you so much for this chance at you giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com
I am praying for you!
I hope they are able to figure out your medical issue soon, pgenest. I have had fainting problems in the past. One time was due to low blood pressure and getting up and walking too soon. For that I had to learn to stop, take a breath, and then walk. My other fainting episode was related to neuropathy. I don’t know how to stop that altogether, I just don’t stand still in one place for more than 20 minutes and so far that works. Good luck!
pgenest57, you’ve put my problems in perspective. I’m so sorry these things are happening to you and hope the doctors figure out the medical issue soon. If you hit your head when you pass out, get medical attention immediately to rule out a subdural hematoma. And I hope your son comes to his senses soon.
Funny, I never thought about “events” in threes, only deaths. It always seems that I’ll see three deaths in a short period of time of people I know or are acquainted with their names.
Yes, Debra, I think the three deaths phenomenon was the first time I began to associate bad things coming in threes. It’s uncanny, isn’t it?
Count me as ready for Fall, too. Even in chilly Minnesota we’ve had more tropical heat than I like, but hope it doesn’t lead to a deep freeze overnight. Lol. Can relate to your trials with cars. Sorry about health issues, stay well.
Thanks, Mary! I was in Minneapolis in June for a conference years ago and couldn’t believe how hot and humid it was! I guess it’s because of all those lakes. It was worse than NJ in August! I roomed with a friend from Florida. She arrived wearing a fur coat because she expected it to be really cold in Minnesota in June!
I wasn’t going to complain about my summer (so many had it worse, as you said), but for a chance for an Anastasia audio book? So, my 3 tales of “woe”.
My dishwasher didn’t die, it just would not stop washing…..after 15 years it was time for a new one, not repairs. Of course, I love black appliances, so it’s on backorder.
My recent drive (aka “crawl”) to vacation in VA was through All of the nasty storms on their way to New England.
And while on vacation, I received notice from my condo assn. of flooding and water damage to units, so enlisted my brother to go check for me. All was ok, and he did it right away, so only a little angst time.
Guess I’m lucky I was so hard-pressed to come up with three things. I’ll count my blessings.
Definitely could have been worse, Theda. We had to replace all three appliances during Covid, and because of the supply chain issues, the only ones available were really, really expensive models. Then we wound up selling the house and moving a year later!
Hope your luck has improved,
Thanks, Marilyn!
My mother always said things happen in threes. I like to think that applies to good things as well. After all, the universe needs balance. Our summer has gone well, thanks. I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks, Nancy! I’m about 95% back to normal at this point. I’ve never heard that good things also come in threes. It would be nice to think that the universe maintains a balance, but to be honest, I haven’t been seeing that lately. Hopefully, the universe will right itself soon. I think we could all use that course correction! 😉
I have observed the pattern of threes at times and believe in it. Further, I believe it’s human nature to remember the bad stuff! That doesn’t seem fair but bad stuff is often traumatic and disappointing. Those emotional tags are killer at worming right into our memories. Sorry about COVID. You guys got a double dip of it, for sure. That must’ve been either a time of great resting or of unrest because of the things that had to be left undone. When any illness hits so profoundly, I’ve always found that my healing is drawn out much longer than I think it should be. Biofeedback is important, so listen to what your body is telling you. When you should rest, do that, no matter how long it’s been since you got sick. The extra rests should taper off in time.
I think you’re right about it being human nature to remember the bad stuff more than the good stuff, Maggie. It probably has to do with going back to prehistoric times and the need to remain safe from predators and various natural disasters.
After two bad things happen, I always wait for the third shoe to drop, to mix metaphors. I’ve had worse years than this one, but I’m definitely going to celebrate cool weather, if and when it finally arrives. hope you’re all better now, Lois.
I am, Gay. Thanks! Hope it cools off in Texas soon.
I am so sorry all that stuff happened to you. I am a believer in things happening in threes. The weather has been hazy, hot and humid, typical Jersey weather, but with the air conditioner running constantly. I love Fall. Thank you for this chance.
Ah…I remember those hazy, hot, and humid Jersey days, Petuniag! I can tell you the weather is far worse here in Tennessee, and it’s going to take much longer for Autumn weather to arrive. 🙁