One thing that makes Mike absolutely crazy is when he misplaces something. He becomes completely obsessed with finding whatever it is that’s not where he thought he left it. This has gotten worse since our kids grew up and moved away. They’re not around for him to blame because he can’t find his hammer.
When we lived on a six acre plot in Indiana, he might spend several hours of tromping around the place, muttering and cussing, before he’d find that tool that he’d left in the barn, or the book that mysteriously moved from his office to an upstairs bedroom.
It’s not like he doesn’t try to prevent things from going astray. When he was working, he always parked his car in the same spot, so he wouldn’t have to hunt for it at the end of the day. He has a designated spot for his keys and his wallet. And don’t get him started on his computer’s filing system!
But man plans and God laughs. Despite all Mike’s efforts, some things manage to get away. What we’ve found here in Portugal, though, is that they have a delightful way of coming back to us. Here are a few recent examples.
Mike’s Cap Goes Missing
We will never (maybe) complain about the weather in Portugal. Most days are sunny, with skies that define what azul should be. We also know that 15º here is much more comfortable than 15º in the midwestern US. (Mary will teach you how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit.)
However, we do know that mornings here along the Atlantic coast can be breezy and chilly. Since he doesn’t have much insulation upstairs, Mike usually keeps a knit toboggan in his jacket pocket.
One late January morning, after we took Sox to the park for her morning frisbee game, Mike went into the small gift shop in our neighborhood. He wanted to buy a gift bag to carry a bottle of wine to our friend and realtor, Elizabeth. We were taking her to lunch that day to thank her for her help finding us an apartment and especially for helping us sort out the utilities.
When we got ready to leave for lunch, Mike patted his pockets and discovered that his hat was missing. He checked his other jacket (no) and his backpack (not here, either). On our way to catch the train, we retraced the path we’d taken home earlier. No luck. So Mike resigned himself to a chilly head that day and said he would check at the gift shop the next day.
It took two trips into the store, because the first time they were busy. On the second attempt, he spoke to the young woman who had waited on him. Yes, she remembered him. When he explained he was looking for his lost cap, smiled and said “Oh, yes. I thought you might come back for it. I’ve got it right over here.” She reached under a counter and pulled out his hat.
Mike has never been much for gift shops, but he’s a customer for life of this one.
Baby Clothes on The Bus
One recent Sunday afternoon, we took a bus to the CascaiShopping mall, about 20 minutes away. There wasn’t anything special that we needed, other than an excuse to get out of the apartment.
The mall is a pretty good one. Three stories tall with lots of shops. We bought some dog treats at a pet store and looked for English language books in a book shop. Mary was also looking for a gift for our son and daughter-in-law, who are expecting their first child (and our first grandchild!) in September. So when she saw that Chicco’s was having a sale, we had to go in. She picked out some cute baby clothes. After that, we had a coffee in the food court and wandered back out to the bus stop.
The bus let us off at the bottom of a hill, about 200 meters from our building. But in the rush to collect jackets and backpacks to get off the bus, Mary left the Chicco’s bag. Once we got across the street, we realized it was gone. Our pleasant outing suddenly soured.
We thought about just walking away and chalking it up as a €21 lesson. But Mary looked at the route schedule on a nearby pole and saw the bus only made one more stop before it paused at the terminal. Then it turned around. So we waited.
In about 20 minutes, the bus came back. The driver looked surprised to see me get back on. I showed him a message on my phone’s translator app – Deixamos um pequeno pacote aqui há alguns minutos (“We left a small package on here a few minutes ago”) and he waved me to the back of the bus.
There were only a couple other people on the bus at 5pm on Sunday and I found the package on the floor by the seats we had been in. I held it up and walked to the front of the bus. The driver was grinning. “You got lucky”, he said. We did, indeed.
Mary’s Scarf
Recently we were on our way to Cascais, which is about a 10 minute train ride (4 stops). It takes us 10 – 12 minutes to walk to the train station. Despite our best efforts at getting out the door with time to spare, on this day we were hustling to make it to the station on time to catch the train. Just like Mike never leaves home without his toboggan, Mary always wraps a scarf around her neck before we go out. This day was a little warmer than some, and Mary took the scarf off halfway to the train station.
We made it to the platform with time to spare, and only a little bit winded. But Mary’s scarf was gone. It was new, but hadn’t cost us anything. It had been a bonus gift from a store in Porto where we bought some sheets. Still… it was lost.
Our trip to Cascais was successful. We bought some groceries and had lunch at Soya Noodle Bar, our favorite Thai restaurant. Then we caught the train home. On our walk back from the station, we saw Mary’s scarf – tied to a post alongside the walkway where it would be easily seen.
Somebody’s Earbuds
Having had several serendipitous experiences, we were predisposed to return the favor. One day as we walked back from the park, we saw a pair of earbuds lying on the ground.
We didn’t think much about it until we saw them there the next day. Mike said, “Somebody is missing these”. He picked them up and hung them from a branch of a nearby tree, where they were at eye level.
When we passed by the next day, they were gone. Whether they ended up with their original owner or with someone who thought “Finders keepers…”, we were happy to have made a down payment on our karmic debt.
But Sometimes…
On a weekday morning last week, we were walking home from the park. (Yes, our days have a definite routine. Sox demands a frisbee game every morning at 10:30 sharp. Her internal clock is incredibly precise.) The sun was out and what had started out as a chilly walk down the hill became a warm trek back. We made a slight detour to walk past the home of Olivia, an older French Bulldog we like to speak to. From there, it was uphill all the way back to our building. Mike unzipped his jacket and took off his scarf.
When we arrived back at our apartment, Mike realized his scarf was missing. He went back out and walked down the hill to Olivia’s house. No joy.
It was another inexpensive scarf, so no great loss, but we look for it every day as we go to and from the park.
Maybe one day we’ll find it tied to a post.
What lost thing – or person – has found its way back to you lately? Share your success story in the comments below or with a note via the Contact Us form.
Have a wonderful week / Tenha uma semana maravilhosa
Mary and Mike
The Cook and The Writer
Hi Mike & Mary!!
First and foremost, congratulations on the upcoming new grandchild! I’m thrilled for Will and his wife! You two will be such fantastic grand-parents!!! (Our Alli and her husband, Isaac, are expecting as well. Their baby boy is due May 29 and we are just elated)!!
As far as finding a lost item, the most recent occurrence of this for me was an earring I lost while walking on the people trail. After weeks of it being lost, low and behold one day a shiny glint caught my eye while walking and there it was right on the people trail waiting for me….and amazingly, it was in perfect condition after being exposed to the elements! I truly didn’t expect to find that lost earring – given the small size and the vast area it could have been lost in. Years ago a lost item would literally drive me nuts, but I somehow have taken the attitude of “if you’re meant to have it, it will somehow return to you” and it’s amazing how often this rule applies.
Glad you’ve had mostly good luck in locating your lost items! Keep the great blogs up – I so enjoy reading them!
Hi Sheryl,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations to Alli and Isaac. Your story about the earring was so interesting. What these experiences have taught me is how transitory physical possessions can be. My realization is similar to yours – I just have to relax and say, “Oh well, it was a nice thing to have while I had it. Don’t get too wound up now that it’s gone.” It’s taken a while for that to become a comfortable thought, but I’m getting there.
All the best to you and Bill,
Mike
What great stories. I have one, but an expensive one. I lost my car key fob. I drove the car home from the store, locked the car, but didn’t need the key to get in our condo in Florida. SOMEWHERE, the key fob got lost. Didn’t notice it until the next day. We looked and looked for 2weeks and finally had to order another one (thank goodness Earl had his). It took 3 more weeks and $385 to finally get a new one. Wonder if it will show up some day. I’m sure spring is coming soon to Portugal and you won’t be needing hats and scarves. Lol
Hi Alice,
Thanks for your comment. We almost lost a fob to a new car in the US. Found it a few days later, otherwise we’d have had a $400+ bill for a new one. I remember my grandfathers ’55 Chevy that didn’t even need a key to start! Progress?
Our best to you and Earl.
Mike
Lovely story. Last lost item was AirPods which were a hand me down from son to another son to me. (Love these tech discards. That’s how I upgrade my iPhones now.). Anyway, I digress. I knew exactly where and when but can’t explain how they jumped out of my satchel. I realized I didn’t want to go without so next Amazon sale rectified my loss. I’m now more intentional about where they are allowed to be in my physical universe.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for commenting. We know all about having things disappear. “I had it in my hand a minute ago. Where the heck is it now?!” The good news for us is that we have a whole drawer of scarves. How that happened is a mystery. We gave away tons of stuff, but still came to Portugal with a half dozen scarves. Go figure.
Have a great week!
Mike
I read the sentence about Mike” not having much upstairs and needing a knit toboggan “.. about 10 times and still had no idea what that meant. Did he keep an actual knitted toboggan with him on the 2nd floor of apt? Why would that fix not having things upstairs? And for warmth?
😂 Finally gave up and read on- and understood with additional context. Language is so regional! Even as native speakers from the same country there is always confusion:-))
Thanks for another wonderful post!!
Hi Darci,
Thanks for your note. We both got a laugh out of it. I had thought about putting a picture of my hat in the blog, but didn’t get it done before press time. You’re right – language is tricky. “Toboggan” is not even a word that we would have used in eastern Kentucky where I grew up. I’m looking forward to a day when I can understand (or be confused by) regional phrases in Portuguese.
Mike
Great story, I found the Japanese to be much like that. They don’t pick up things that don’t belong to them and they will place it in an obvious place for recovery.
Hi Pat,
Thanks for commenting. We have Japan on our bucket list. The more we read and learn, the more we want to go there.
All the best,
Mike
I love this post!!
Bonnie, Thanks for your comment!
I loved your post today….as always very interesting and shows the true kindness of the people in Portugal. I found this to be true in a lot of European countries too about the lost and found items displayed in the public parks and sidewalks for people to find their lost items. I’m also like Mike in my frustration. When I lose or misplace something I don’t stop until I find it. But I have no kids (or dogs) to blame anymore, so tag it’s Eddie. Ha Ha!! Wishing you many more fun adventures along your way this week! Love & hugs, Sue & Eddie.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your note. Sorry that Eddie gets the brunt of your frustration, but I figure that by now he’s learned to deal with it.
Cut him a break this week, OK?
Mikw
OMG, what a great and funny post. Hope you guys have a great week and weekend. I’m exploring myself. I’m staying over the weekend from a work trip in Baton Rouge/New Orleans. I’m reliving my childhood, visiting my home town I moved from 30 years ago.
Wow, how things change…….but the food doesn’t. Still great seafood here in Houma. I’m getting fatter every day I stay here.
Cheers
Hey John,
Visiting home after many years away is a strange and sometimes disconcerting experience. We’re glad you can reconnect with your roots in Louisiana. Enjoy the food! We had great meals in NOLA a few years ago. Looking forward to a return visit sometime in the future.
All the best,
Mike
Such a fun and entertaining post. You are so kind to share your amazing life with the stateside folks.
Take good care!
Nan
Hi Nan,
We are happy that you enjoyed the post. It makes our efforts worthwhile.
Mike
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It seems so appropriate as I prepare my sermon for Sunday on the Prodigal Son. Sometimes we do have to sit back and see if something lost will return.
Even more funny, I send the title and scripture for the worship Sunday to my staff on Monday so they can prepare music, bulletins, slides, etc. The title for this week is “Lost and Found.”
Miss you but enjoying the posts of your adventures. Thank you for taking all of us along for the ride.
Teresa
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for your note. It’s so good to hear from you. We hope you and Greg are doing well in your new spot in Seymour (right?). My father was a Presbyterian minister. I have fond memories of Fridays and Saturdays when his sermon for the week was coming together. Wish we could be there to hear your take on the Prodigal Son story.
Our best to you and Greg,
Mike
We’ll be sure to be on the look out during our walks for missing items from the Johnston family! Loved the article!
Thanks, neighbors!