Luckily, I’m not superstitious. So just because there’s that “13” in this  brand-new year, I’m not worried. However, if I did suffer from Triskaidekaphobia, I would have plenty of reasons to think that this would be a strange year.

Here we are, not quite three weeks in and:

– Our five-year old Prius, which up until now I have loved, has been in the shop three times, for a total of six days and finally, the mechanics had to call on Toyota engineers to figure out what the problem was. It’s healed now – fingers crossed. Oh, wait, I can’t cross my fingers if I’m not superstitious. My theory is that the Prius wanted attention. We just hadn’t been showing it the love. Lesson learned. Have you hugged your car today?

-I got locked OUT of my office for the better part of a day – which is very difficult for me because my life is in that office! This was due to the Prius unexpectedly spending the night in the shop – along with one key to my office. AND I’d locked my other key IN the office, thus locking me OUT. Needless to say, we now have a lot of extra keys.

-I got locked IN my office two days later. That’s right, I couldn’t get out because the doorknob was broken. I suffered some mild panic, because my office is wonderful and cozy but it doesn’t have a bathroom! Luckily, the locksmith came quickly and I was relieved – in more than one way. And of course, there were plenty of people suggesting I need a lock-that-doesn’t-lock for my office. My husband is convinced I could have gotten out through the window, but the window is small and high and there are those windowboxes ….

My mother always told us that whatever you do on January 1, you’ll be doing the rest of the year. For all my life, that’s made me be careful about what happens on New Year’s Day. This January 1, I wrote all day. I imagine that is what I’ll be doing the rest of the year – though I have quite a bit of travel coming up. Anyway, I’m not superstitious.

I also didn’t make any resolutions this year, which is a first for me. (My mother also used to make resolutions FOR her husband and children.) It’s still not too late, is it?

And another strange thing: it really was cold here in Southern California, but the warm temps have returned and I am grateful.

I hope 2013 turns out to be a lucky day for one and all. Bring on the strangeness!