Gratitude Monday - Locking Down Gratitude Edition

As noted last week, the power door locks on my Ford Focus failed. I am grateful for a variety of reasons including what I wrote about putting money--energy--out to be used.
How things work fascinates me in general, and locks in specific . I learned how power door locks work and got to see inside the door panel before the work to replace the latch and actuator started.
Rainbow Ford gave me a good price on the work of their own volition.  I didn't ask and I don't ask for deals.  Negotiations bother me in the sense that it puts people in opposition with each trying to get the better of the other.
It serves in the short term, but not in the long term. I play the long game myself. It is more satisfying.
But back to my point. When I came in to pay the service manager was on lunch. The other fellow in service wasn't happy with the price as it was considerably higher than he thought it ought to be. I mentioned the price I've been quoted. He worked a bit and got it down to near that price.
The service manager came back, discussed matters with his co-worker, and then left to attend to another customer. The second fellow worked a bit again and I paid less than the original quote.
Good as that is, it is not the main target of my gratitude,
From what I saw in the door panel I was able to determine how a Slim Jim works. I hope I never need to use one, but I can now see in my mind what it does.
But best of all, by extrapolation I figured out how an old style car door lock could get stuck in the unopenable position and be easily fixed.
I refer to the type of handle that opened by pressing down a button in the handle and then pulling the door open. When this style of door is locked one pushes down the the lock and pushes in the button and then closes the door,
If one doesn't hold down the door button the lock inside stays up and looks unlocked, but the door won't open.
If happened once to a car we had ( I am sure I did it)  and stayed that way for about a month. I am sure dad fixed it himself. I always wondered how, but never got around to asking.
While I don't know for a fact how it was done, I can see in my mind how car door locks work now and I can back draft a procedure. It's enough for me, and for it I am grateful

Gratitude Monday -- Spending Energy Edition

The  power locks on the driver's side of my car have messed up. They will not lock. Much as I would love to take a door apart and see if it is a simple fix, I don't have that skill so I will leave it to the professionals.
This means I get to spend money, and yes, I do mean it.
Money is energy. It only serves when it is being used.  While it is important to save money for the future, it is also important to use it.
Send it out to do what money does: pay for goods and services.  Those who are paid can use it to do the same, thus setting up an energy path where things get done.
I like money. Not in and of itself as it is an inert object, but for what it can do: feed me, clothe me, take me on trips.
It can't do any of that if it is hoarded.
It isn't money that makes the world go 'round, it is is energy.
Putting the energy out in money form makes things happen. That is important for a functioning society based on using energy in the form of money.
I will get my locks fixed. In doing so I inject energy into my local world and for it I am grateful.

Gratitude Monday -- I Include Me Edition

Yesterday I decided I wanted beanizza, that is, a bean pizza.  I make them fairly often because we both like them,
I am grateful for a variety of reasons with the biggest reason being I have the skills, materials, time, and ability to make the thing I want to eat.
I've adapted a regular dough recipe for gluten free and I use a commercial flour for it. Robin Hood Gluten Free Flour makes a wonderful dough. It takes a tad more liquid that called for in a regular recipe, but figuring it out is pretty easy.
I'm grateful I put the bean recipe together for the topping, and I am grateful we both like it.
I am grateful that there's a type of fake mozzarella that is awfully good. Yesterday's had really mozzarella, some cheddar, and the fake mozzarella.  They were tasty.
I've figured out how to turn tomato paste into a pretty good sauce, got the spicing sorted out, and learned that the dough can rise and then rest in the fridge until I need it.

While I am not trying to brag, the point must be made that whenever we do something that works out we should take a moment to let ourselves know we've done well.

Few people hesitate to say how badly they've screwed up. They'll go on and on about how awful they are. That's just as much bragging and saying how great you are.

I am not saying I am great or the best, I am saying I figured out a thing and it is a hit and for it I am grateful. And I include me in that expression.

The beanizza in question.

I challenge you to find something about yourself for which you are grateful.

Gratitude Monday - Grateful Beyond Words

 I am grateful for the moments beyond words.