Those Were the Days

I was just thinking the other day that because my life has changed so much that I don't find money anymore. I used to live in the city and would find spare change everywhere; the drive-up, outside the bar, in the parking lot. Find a penny, pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck. Give it to a special friend, and your luck will never end. One time I found a ten dollar bill while walking barefoot in front of a flea market booth. I felt something smooth under the dirt of the parking lot we were set up in, bent over and found cash. One time a friend of mine found a five in the pocket of some jeans she was trying on at a used clothing store. She proceeded to check every jean on the rack but found nothing more. I just stood and watched her. I was trying on leather jackets. While I was laughing at her I stuck my hand in the pockets of the jacket I had on and pulled out a twenty. Man, was she jealous. I used to go to a lot of concerts and the parking lot was always a good source for ground scores, including money. When I was desparate I could go through all my coat pockets in my closet and probably come up with enough for a six-pack. I used to do the same thing looking for weed I forgot about. Not only do I not find myself in those situations anymore but times have been so hard there is no spare money. We count our pennies and use them as needed. We long since used everything in the spare change jar and the kids' piggy banks have IOUs in them. I fantasize about finding a tight roll of 100s on the path by the river. I'd turn them in and no one would claim them. After 30 days they'd be mine. I always keep my eyes peeled even though I know my chances are much slimmer now. Slimmer because I don't find myself at concerts very often and slimmer because people are more careful with their money, that is, the people in my quiet community are more careful with their money. I know I am more careful than I used to be. Maybe if I hung out on campus I'd find more? Even my seldom trips to the mall yield nothing. So it was extra special this morning when I put on my coat to go outside and found a ten dollar bill in the pocket. I hadn't worn the jacket since, oh, April. What a cool surprise. Ironic even, since I had just been lamenting the old days of finding money. That said, I sure miss the days when you could wake up in the morning and find a brand new hybrid in your driveway with your name on the title.