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Tuesday, October 04, 2011

L for ABC Wednesday





Lottery

Some time back I read The Tontine, a two-volume novel by Thomas Bertram Costain. Certain parts of it stayed with me and I recently searched for more information. I plan to read this again.

A tontine begins with a number of people investing their funds in a manner which allows the survivor to be rewarded with the full sum.

Another type of lottery is the tombola in which each entrant wins a prize. I'd be in favor of this one.

Our lottery claims to use the money for funding schools which I've always found a little strange.

And, yes, I play the lottery even though winning is unlikely as being lit by lightning. Do you?


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22 comments:

Scriptor Senex said...

Yes, I'm definitely a lottery player. I leave one unchecked ticket lying around for weeks in the hopwe that it may be the one.

Jane and Chris said...

No, but I used to be.
Jane x

photowannabe said...

Haven't played the lottery for a while. I just never seem to win. I do think its odd that it "helps" the schools. Sometimes I don't really believe the kids reap the benefits of our gambling.

Hildred said...

I'm for the Tombola, although I don't ever play the lottery.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

I'm always tempted to play the lottery and on days I feel "lucky" I try - never won, though.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Hubby plays once in a while.

Lessons at Home is one of my entries.

Leslie: said...

I don't buy lottery tickets as I figure I might as well flush the money down the toilet...much like the slots in a casino! lol But I do contribute to worthy fundraising. Great post,

Leslie
abcw team

Joy said...

Yes I have the occasional flutter, to no avail. Better than a tontine which I seem to remember often featured in Gothic novels, never with a good end. Not familiar with Costain, two volumes sounds like a wide raging story.

VioletSky said...

You know, I have never played or even bought a lottery ticket. I have a friend who gives me one every now and then but I have no idea what to do with it.

Kay L. Davies said...

I won $50 on my 39th birthday, and I hate to think how long ago that was.
I used to buy three or four tickets a year, but I can't remember when I bought the last one. I was like Scriptor Senex, though, in a way. If I had one, I'd keep it a while, so I could dream about it for a while.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Roger Owen Green said...

The first time I ever heard the word tontine was in an episode of the US TV show MASH. Colonel Potter and his WWI buddies bought some fancy wine or booze, and the last one alive got the bottle. Potter shared his bottle with his Korean War colleagues.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

kaykuala said...

Winning a lottery is like 'winning a lottery' so remote that it puts you off from buying. A gain without efforts pinning on luck is fun as long as not habitual.
(That was said by an elder a long time ago!)

Hank

Anonymous said...

I always wish to play the lottery but keep changing my mind...

Pheno, ABCW Team

Nanka said...

No buying of Lottery tickets for me as there are so many other ways to help out in charity work!!
I think it is a waste and a drain on resources where success or outcome is governed by chance!! When one gives it has to be without expectation of gains and not just to make that quick buck or get rich quickly lure!!
You always raise a good question and much food for thought!!
Cheers!!

magiceye said...

No though have tried it a couple of times :)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I would be if I could only remember to play! Interesting info on lotteries.

Reader Wil said...

I don't play a lottery. I'd rather give the money to a good cause. I do buy some tickets from the scouts, but forget to check them and throw them away after a while. I will never win. Anyway it's a good " L" word!

Carver said...

I haven't ever played the lottery. I agree it's a little odd that it's used for funding schools. I know when my state was considering having a lottery a big deal was made out of how it would be used for schools to shut up critics of gambling. I find it odd to make the argument that it's ok if it's for a good purpose. I have no interest in gambling myself but I don't consider it a moral issue and there's no way to stop it any way.

nonizamboni said...

yes, verrryyy carefully but to no avail

great choice

I remember when the sales tax in Idaho was supposed to take care of things :O)

Lisa said...

No, I never have. BUT! My grandmother loved it.

Chronicles of Illusions said...

intersting :)

Geraldine said...

I've played the same numbers for years. Once, when I had taken a break for six months, I woke up on the sofa to see all 6 numbers chosen, on the late news!!!! How bad is that. Yes, I'm still playing those numbers again. Who says lightening can't strike twice LOL.

That sounds like an interesting book Sue.