Daily Prompt’s QOTD

I really don’t play the lottery, except for a few dollars of scratch off tickets that I put on the Christmas Tree over the holiday season. So, I doubt I’ll ever win anything huge enough to do anything but buy a couple candy bars or a two liter of pop. Ok, soda for those that prefer.

However, yesterday, I had the opportunity to travel with my friend Jan and our local senior citizens. She’s a trip coordinator and an escort for the group when they travel.

Firekeepers Casino: Battle Creek, Michigan

Being sidelined with both cancer and congestive heart failure, I’m afforded the opportunity to join along with her quite frequently. And Tuesday we headed to Firekeepers Casino and Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan.

I rarely gamble, either, but it was an opportunity to possibly win more than the proverbial candy bar and pop. Especially since the casino offers its seniors twenty dollars in house money to attend. They do this on the last Tuesday of each month.

A Casino Employee and I After I Received My Complimentary House Card

With twenty dollars of house money loaded to our cards, Jan and I headed off to the one-armed bandits. More like button bandits in my book as technology has changed the art of gambling considerably over the years.

Jan(R) and I

After playing for an hour or so, we headed to lunch with a few others.

Jan, middle right, loved her Michigan Salmon Salad and you guessed it, that’s my cheeseburger and fries in the foreground on the left. The burger was delicious. However, the fries were a bit overdone but were still tasty.

Kenny Rogers: The Gambler

A couple hours after lunch, it was time to ‘walk away‘ and head for home. When there was ‘time enough to count them‘, I had only spent four dollars. This hand was definitely a ‘winner‘ as that small amount gave me a full day of enjoyment.

Back to the question at hand. What would I do if I won the lottery? I’d donate it to three entities. The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and my local senior center. Three wonderful causes and I’d hope you’d do something similar.

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Daily writing prompt
What would you do if you won the lottery?


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4 responses to “A Day Trip with the Seniors at Firekeepers Casino”

  1. Lesli Messinger Avatar

    I would be a mysterious fairy godmother. I would secretly do things to make people feel safe, healthy and happy.
    “Who paid the water bill and had it turned back on?” “Where did the groceries come from that was delivered on our front porch?” “Who paid to have new tires put on our car?” “Why did UPS deliver new warm coats and boots for our whole family?” “Why are $50- McDonalds gift cards scattered and hidden around the neighborhood?”
    I would have so much fun!

    1. Rick Ollie Avatar

      Lesli, that’s one of the reasons I love you so. You have the most profound kindness of any living soul! ❤️❤️

  2. Jan Avatar
    Jan

    What a creative way to write about our experience, Rick! Wowza! Imagine my shock when published so quickly the following morning! I found your piece to be concise, easy-to-understand, and persuasive … bringing the reader along by anticipating questions — all while I was doing my own soul searching. What WOULD I do if I won the lottery? Of course, first some for me and secondly gifting my own daughters and extended family funds to ease life’s burdens, but what next? So many worthy causes, and I’d definitely include that, BUT for me, I’d especially love to just have significant “mad money” to gift “on demand” to people on the fly … your friend who needs a new computer, for example; or maybe the server at the local diner tired on her feet, or a young mother comparing prices and obviously struggling at the grocery store. She needs a seasoning of hope along with her food. I would find unbridled joy in doing generous acts anonymously. I’ve thought of Oprah and her “…And you get a car!” show or when she took her audience in vaca to Australia. It make her feel good inside … In return, Oprah received admiration, lifted up the audience, had story lines for her future shows, and experienced copious publicity that money alone couldn’t conjure up. Yet gifting with anonymity and humility can gift others with peace as well as $$$. The forgotten, the working poor, the invisible among us have a true need to be seen as well. Would they not be delighted to be gifted anything and relieved to know someone, somewhere SAW them and is aware of their struggles? Are those forgotten souls equally deserving, or perhaps more so? Even if I don’t win the lottery, do I SEE them, do I offer a smile or kindness when I can? -OR- Do I turn my eyes away because out of sight, out of mind? Rick, what I love most about your blog is that YOU make me THINK!

    1. Rick Ollie Avatar

      Of course, some for ourselves. You’re right, it would be nice to give to the less fortunate. And the joy it brings inside is precious. To be a secret Santa would be awesome for foster children. It’s odd though and maybe you see it in me. I’m like my grandmother was. Need not, want not. I have everything I need. As creepy as my life sounds on paper it’s still been good. Even better now with you in it! Thank you, Jan!

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