The disappointed pirate sports an attitude of gratitude

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Hi MyLot. I need a hug. And a big drink. Or three. It's been a weird day. Today the plan was - that I was going to go to Minnesota's Renaissance Festival. I love this event. I was going to go with my friend (the bride to be who I've written about a few times). It was going to be an awesome day. My costume was pirate inspired. Well. I got halfway down there and my brake light came on and kept dinging at me. I am a nervous driver in our largest-populated area in this state anyway. I didn't want to risk having no brakes. So I made the disappointing choice to turn around and come home. I made it home, fine. As I examined it - I noticed that my brake fluid was a bit low. So I walked to the local gas station to buy brake fluid. Being the weird day that is - they told me we are under a tornado warning. Well. That accounted for the weird stillness in the air. In the meantime, I got in a bit of a fight with some of my dance friends. It's all settled, now. But still stressful. Well, I came in from putting in my brake fluid. Saw a text from my mom. I need to back up a bit before I write this next part. I only got to meet my mom's favorite cousin, once. He was an "outcast" from her family, as we are, too. He lived in Florida. Dennis and his wife stayed with us for a week some number of years back while they were on vacation here in MN. Dennis was a nice person, honestly. He had a great big smile and a friendly, outgoing nature. He could make even the most shy person feel comfortable around him and had an excellent sense of humor. Dennis loved things like Daytona and working in construction. He built part of Disney amusement park in Florida. Dennis had been on our minds recently due to the hurricane. My parents had called and left a message - to make sure Dennis and wife were alright in the severe weather. Today, Dennis's wife called and returned that message. Dennis passed away today as the result of cancer. Though I didn't know him well - it causes me great pain that this excellent person is no longer with us. My poor parents who enjoyed him so well in spite of the distance. Poor everyone who knew him well. So. Before I got the news about Dennis, I was planning this post. I was going to say how even though my car failed me somewhat today, at least I got home safe, and at least it didn't happen in a really populated area with heavy traffic. At least I own a car. While I am disappointed to not be seeing friends, at least I have friends who love me. And as for the argument today with some people - well at least we solved it. Another bright side - going to the Minnesota Festival would have cost me more money than I would have liked. So, there is that, too. And who knows, maybe something bad would have happened while I was there. I have a roof over my head, I have my health. I have food to eat and clean water to drink and bathe in. I have family and friends who love and care about me, and every once in awhile - I have some extra funds to go have fun with. That is what I was going to say , until I got the news about Dennis. So now, I will add on this note saying that - life is precious and every day is a gift. We will see - hopefully I will not get blown away by the tornado. Photo: Me - similar costume as I was going to wear today