Mom on the Run
Ahhh. I’ve got a few minutes, and I take the opportunity to sit on the couch for a minute. The TV’s not on, but I don’t have time for that anyway. I just want to sit.
And as I sit, I look down at the coffee table; something bright orange has caught my eye. I lean forward, and … darn it! Another scratch-off lottery ticket!
My son, my youngest, turned 18 about a month ago, and the first thing he wanted to do was buy a lottery ticket. He told his father and me about it in advance: “On my birthday. The day I turn 18. I hope they card me!”
I had asked, of course. “You know lottery tickets are a complete waste of money,” I had chided. “The odds are ridiculous. That’s why they’re called a tax on stupid people.” My son had looked at me blankly. “Because only stupid people buy them, so the money is a tax ….”
“I know that,” he had pshawed right back at me. “I know I’m going to lose the money. But I don’t care! I’m 18! I can buy them now! I just want to be carded.” OK, ha ha, I got it, 18 is a big deal but there’s not much tangible about it, so buying a lottery ticket specifically to get carded … that was pretty funny.
The night of his birthday, I remembered, and asked: “Hey, did you buy your lottery ticket?” He nodded. “Did they card you?”
“No,” he said, sounding disgusted. “I can’t believe it.”
“Well, you are tall,” I had soothed. “So you had the experience, anyway. Finally lost some money on a lottery ticket.”
“Ha, no!” my son had said, grinning. “I won! Ten bucks! On a five-dollar ticket!”
“You’re kidding!” I was frankly floored. I’ve bought probably a dozen lottery tickets over as many years, and lost just about every time. “OK, well, that’s not normal, you know.”
“Yeah, I know,” he had said. “But I won ten bucks, so I’ll get another one. I’ll get them until I stop winning, anyway.”
And I figured that was that. He’d get another ticket, and lose that $5, and be done with it.
Or not. In the past four weeks, my son has won the lottery three times. First he won the $10, then he won $50, and then he won $5. Every time he gets a ticket, he wins. He’s 100%. Every time, I tell him, “Don’t think this happens normally. The lottery is a profit-making venture, so they have to take in more than they give out.” And every time, “Yeah, yeah, I know,” he tells me, waving his hand in irritation.
So. Another lottery ticket. On the coffee table. Is this finally the one that teaches my kid about gambling, and wasting hard-earned money, and odds? Let’s see. “10X the money,” it says across the top. “Match any of your numbers to any of the winning numbers; win prize shown for that number.” OK, that seems simple enough. And my son has scratched off a bunch of rows of numbers.
The winning numbers are across the top: 34, 06, 36, 31. So they need to match up. I start scanning. The first line: 01, 02, 33, 25, 32. Well, of course, not a winner. The second line: 13, 06 … wait, 06? I look, and no way! My son won, again! I peer down at the little gray numbers: $5.00. And in the upper-left hand corner, the price tag for the scratch-off ticket” $5.
I do the math. For four tickets, my son has spent $20. With that $20, he has won $70. Not, darn it, the lesson I was hoping he would learn! Unbelievable! Though … well … maybe I should give Mr. Lucky five bucks of my own for the next time he goes ….
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This year’s milestone celebration will take place on Thursday, March 6th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fairgrounds.
The first Oyster Roast began as a fundraiser in 1985, led by White Oak Equipment founder Frank McCarty, to raise donations for an employee battling cancer. This turned into a time-honored tradition for individuals facing hardship.
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A Night on the Riviera
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Indulge in an exquisite selection of French wines and champagne, paired with the finest French cuisine prepared by the talented Chef of the Embassy of France. Additionally, Chef Hugh Cossard will be carving ham live, ensuring freshness and exceptional flavor. Don’t miss out on the authentic French crêpes, made to order and sure to transport you straight to the streets of Nice.
For those seeking an extra touch of exclusivity, the VIP experience includes unlimited champagne, adding an extra layer of sophistication to this festive celebration.
(Webinar) Diet & Dementia: Brain-Healthy Tips to Reduce Your Risk…
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Kick off National Nutrition Month with an educational discussion on Wednesday, March 5 at 12 PM EST with Sunday Health dementia neurologist Dr. Sara Doyle and