LUCKY DUCKY

Today on my way to work I happened to find $20 dollars lying in the gutter as I waited for the light to change at 5th Ave. and 44th.  What a great way to start the day.  The crazy thing is, it's the second time this week to happen to me.  The first time was on Sunday afternoon at the Chelsea Market.  I was paying for my veggies at the register and just below my feet, I spotted the cold hard cash.  Nice.  Artichokes, tomatoes, lemons and dill on the house.  At this rate I am thinking maybe I should try my odds at the lottery.

When I was a kid I used to find money a lot.  Possibly because I was short, looking down a lot, constantly on a treasure hunt, or a blend of all three. Luck seemed to be on my side as I would often catch a glimpse of a shiny silver quarter or dime and stash it away.  My biggest find happened in 1988.  I was in the 5th grade and desperately wanted a pair of Guess jeans.  White, tapered skinny jeans with zippers down the sides.  They were $40 at Bullock's and I tried desperately to convince my mom that they were well worth the investment.  Unfortunately, she did not agree.  She said if I could pay for half, than I could have those "designer" jeans.  The whole way home for the mall I schemed on how I could save up enough to get the jeans.  Quite possibly the coolest wardrobe item an 11-year-old could own.  Given that I was not of babysitting age yet, the dream of coolness was quickly fading away.

Before heading home we had to make one stop at Clark Drugs to pick up a prescription.  I am sure I sulked in disappointment through the entire store visit, since that is what preteens do and how I eventually earned my knick name of "snit' a mere two years later.  Anyhow, on the walk through the parking lot to the van I caught a glimpse of a crumpled green and white paper discarded between two cars.  It was almost as if ole' Andrew Jackson was winking at me.  He knew I needed those jeans.  Needless to say, I was able to come up with my half of the bargain within an hour of leaving the mall.  Lucky ducky.

I haven't always been lucky though.  I remember having my purse stolen from the Hard Rock Orlando at a work event in 2008.  The thief took off with at least $100 of my cash, even though I eventually got the purse back. Net/net...in the long run I have probably broke even, but it doesn't take away from the down-right, awesome feeling of happening upon some free cash.