I thought you were going somewhere else when I read title. :)

I am always finding loose screws, nuts and bolts that have become "unbolted". My house is still standing, but these loose gizmos are worth keeping around because you never know when you'll be able to reuse them in fixing something else.

I find them as well and am confounded each time there is a discovery as to where the heck they came. Some are odd shapes and definitely not screws. I too put them in a small ash tray from 1960's travels or pin dish. The collection keeps growing, although we are not yet to 20 screws and gizmos.

This was the screwiest and nuttiest blog ever written

I know what is happening.

As you all know, from your study of Physics, there are other Dimensions than this one. Occasionally the streams touch. You notice it when you have deja vu. Sometimes there is a portal.

There is another Dimension inhabited by a gentleman named Fernando. I have known about him since 1971. He lives in a fabulous house decorated with Art Deco furniture and art. He is sort of a prankster.

He likes to take things when our Dimensions intersect. He particularly likes to take things you need. For me, he takes pens. He leaves behind small screws. That is his idea of a joke. He is saying "Screw You" -- but nicely.

No explanation is forthcoming regarding small bolts. Perhaps a tiny Frankenstein?

How about the pairs of socks that go into the washing machine and come out as singles? I have a whole bag of single socks for which I'm waiting for the mate to reappear from my washing machine.

Tessa --

I have your pens!

I think we should invite Fernando to Ride the Circuit. Or the name "Fernando" could be added to Gotham's expanding lexicon to mean "anything unexplained":. E.G., it's a Fernando! Thanks Tessa.

Generally I find myself able to locate the source and replace that errant object. I do maintain a rather eclectic collection of nuts and screws and related sundry objects that I suspect will not get passed on. Some once has various roles in parts of my late grandparent's home which a subsequent buyer saw fit to teardown.

Gremlins

Reminds me of the commercial when the guy puts the pol together using only screws and says "I wonder what those nuts were for ?" I don't have that problem but the sock thing is clearly a mystery here too. (I have about a dozen pairs waiting for a mate).

Rona throw away the socks. The list ones are not coming back.