We’ve had a very expensive week at our house. Last Monday, the starter died on our [late 20th century] car and had to be replaced. Saturday, Neil discovered our water heater was leaking [and had been for some time apparently], so that had to be replaced. To complete this trilogy of unfortunate events, we were forced to replace our TV [after lots of denial, as in ‘maybe it’s the cable’]. Folklorists say the concept that three bad things happen together is an ancient superstition that remains a strong modern belief and is based on the psychological need to believe that a bad cycle will end. I’m not a superstitious person, but right now I’m feeling that psychological need to believe. I'd say wish us luck, but that would be superstitious.
