irritation and serendipity

My front passenger side tire had been looking a little low for a few days. Today when I went out for lunch, I decided I might as well deal with that when I got gas. ($3.65/gallon, not bad) So, I pull up to the air station and walk around to the tire, tire gauge in hand. This is when I notice that things have gone well beyond iffy/low. I don't need to the gauge to tell me that air is needed. Upon taking a closer look at the tire, I see why it's low. The cap thingy is gone. So now I'm really irritated. I assume that some jerk took it for the hell of it. All other caps are at least in their appointed places. I'm thinking through routes to Western Auto and/or NAPA and hoping that they're open on a Sunday afternoon.

I decide that I might as well fill up the tire even if it's a pointless exercise without the cap. I went to all of the trouble of getting the quarters after all. I look down at the base of the air stand and what do I see? A tire cap! Evidently, at some point, someone filled up their tires and neglected to replace one of the caps. I'm sad for them. But, whoever it was, their forgetfulness was my good fortune. Tire is inflated and capped. And all seems to be well for now.

In other news, while I was out I also got my second phone charger within a one-month period. Another item to add to Tom's tab.