THE GAMBLIN' GENE

Ya know, it only just now occurred to me that "gene" (referring to genetic characteristics/transference) is spelled the same as "Gene" (my dad)?

As a indisputable fact, I have inherited a number of "genes" from "Gene". In my humble opinion, I inherited at the least:

1. A warped sensed of humor
2. An undying, all encompassing, down to my toenails, love of my family
3. A love of anything with an internal combustion motor on it
4. A love of gambling

Dad absolutely LOVED to gamble. He never had enough money to do it with any flair, and the truth be known, he had enough sense to not be stupid with it, but he loved it just the same. He would play "nickel ante" poker at his kitchen table for hours on end and then do it again any time anyone would participate. If nobody had money (common among Wright City folk) he would lay out his wooden kitchen matches and use that as negotiable tender.

In later years, Dad would on rare occasion go to the "boats" (Bossier City, Lousiana has gambling boats docked on the banks of the Red River with casinos inside). Dad played the quarter slot machines.

Now Dad had any number of eccentricities. One was: he always saved his quarters in a Folgers coffee can and he only took that can of quarter to the "boats" to gamble. Never mind that the "boats" had more quarters than "Carter has liver pills", Dad would only use his own quarters.

Dad had two rules:

1. When his Wright City quarters were gone, he went home. Didn't matter how long/short he was there, he went home.

2. If he won a big "pot" (by his definition), he went home. Didn't matter how long/short he was there, he went home.

Lula Belle told the story that she drove him there one time (about an hour and a few gallons of gas - important to them) and on the first "pull" on a slot machine Dad hit about $50. Yep, Dad made her take him home right then?

Anyway, a long lead-in to my "confession": I enjoy gambling.

OK, admitted I am like Dad. I don't go higher than quarters. Unlike Dad, I don't do slots, I love the video poker machines. Like Dad, the best I ever do is to break even. Whatever, it is a relaxing, stress reducing thing, that hurts no one (including me) and I enjoy the fact that one day I may actually get a bit ahead (or not).

While the "confession" lamp is on, I might as well tell the world wide web that I spend a dollar every time the Texas Lotto has a drawing and I get at least a $1.25 fun out of it (but never any money)

Yeah, Dad and Lou played the Lotto also. Two stories on that:

1. One time Dad looked at the winning numbers for the Lotto early one morn and went to the local store and bought those numbers on a ticket and "casually" left them on the table. At some point, Lou checked the numbers against the winner and dang near had a heart attack, thinking they won. Dad "hoorahed" over that one for several days.

2. Dad and Lou would get in a fuss. One or the other would have bought a Lotto ticket and would say that if they won, the other would not share the winnings. The "loser" would then go to the store and buy a ticket with the same numbers so that the other would have to share the "win" anyway. (Possibly you have to be from W.C. to appreciate the humor in that?)

Anyway, confession over, and now ya'll all know that the ole fat boy inherited his Daddy' gamblin' "gene" with a passion.