CALL ME SNAKE

Yesterday turned out to be a costly night, which is a shame because I’ve really tried to do some belt-tightening lately. First I gave in to all the begging for money from WBUR, the local NPR station. Then the phone rang; it was MASSPIRG asking for my annual contribution (plus to support some exciting new initiative!). The kids who ask are young, and how could I say no? A minute later, the phone rang again. This time it was Environment Massachusetts, asking for me to renew my membership (plus to support some exciting new initiative!). The kids who ask are young (were they the same kids?), and how could I say no?

The next time the phone rang, I was smart. I didn’t pick it up. But my daughter did. This time it was just a recorded message from her school, reminding me of something important that I should not forget. I’d tell  you what it was if I could remember. The phone didn’t ring again that night, which was just as well, since I’d already locked up my checkbook and thrown away the key.