It Pays to Walk

I just returned home

from a long leisurely walk through my neighborhood. Got 3.1 miles in. Yay me!!!

Of the many different forms of exercise, walking is my favorite, and there a many neighborhoods that I enjoy walking in, for various reasons.

The streets of View Park are challenging because of the hills, yet I love looking at the homes that are filled with well-off Black folks. I'm always inspired, wondering what they've done and do to live lifestyles such as theirs, so far removed from my own.

I also enjoy strolling through the beach cities for obvious reasons. The greatest being the fact that the ocean is just feet away. The sound soothes me and if I so choose, the water rushing over me feet does as well.

Then there's my own neighborhood. Not many well-off folks to be seen here, nor do I have the soundtrack of the ocean to accompany my steps, but I've got something that I've NEVER seen in View Park or the beach cities.

I've got discarded California Lottery Scratchers! I find at least ONE every time I go walking. Today, I found all the ones that are in the pic -- TWELVE to be exact.

Most folks would say, "Who cares about a LOSING Scratcher?"

And I would answer that with, "I do!"

Each 2nd Chance Scratcher has a code. Once that code is entered that Scratcher is now in the running for a weekly draw.

Depending on how much the card was worth, "There are two weekly winners of $25,000, five weekly winners of $5,000 and twenty-five weekly winners of $1,000 for each Scratchers 2nd Chance drawing."

That's reason enough for ME to care. And the best part is that I'm getting a chance to win without spending a penny. Apparently, the folks who tossed their "losing" cards onto the street or sidewalk either aren't aware of the 2nd Chance drawing, or they just don't want to take the time to enter them.

That's perfectly fine with me. Their loss is my gain, or as I've often heard it said, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." That makes me think of relationships...at least the ones I've been in.

I know without a doubt that I am a TREASURE, yet the men I've been with haven't seen my worth and have discarded me as trash. That's alright though, because just as someone thought these Scratchers were "losers," yet I believe that there is a WINNER among them -- one day the right man will come along and see that I too am a WINNER.

Bet you've never known anyone to compare themselves to a Scratcher before, have you? Now you can say that you have. So "scratch" that off your bucket list. ;-)

Some folks my be creeped out by the fact that I actually pick these things up. After all, there's no telling WHO touched them or how long they've been out in streets. You'd think that would be an issue for me considering what I huge GERMAPHOBE I am. But no...doesn't stop me one bit, and...it's what soap and water are for, so I'm good. For a chance at winning $25,000, $5,000 or $100...having to wash my hands a couple more times a day is a small price to pay.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever won anything from a Scratcher?

Talk to me!

Til next time...