PLAYING THE LOTTERY

If you're a ticket holder in a the multi-state Powerball Lottery, you have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning.

If you win -- wow -- you could transform your home into a palace, buy a car, give money to relatives, take an around-the-world trip dressed in fabulous clothes and bring your friends with you ... hey, if I won, I could run ads on TV for my novels, ads in the Sunday Times!!!

I've gleaned from researching, that it's better NOT to pick numbers between 1- 31 -- your important dates like birthdays and anniversaries aren't as good as higher numbers. And even if you don't win the jackpot biggie, you can still win. Last year $2 billion worth of prizes went unclaimed, including 114 worth $1 million or more.

I've always thought of playing the lottery as a lower class, dumb thing to do. Okay, lots of things are dumber -- like watching six TV ads between every five minutes of a hit TV show. Anyhow, less educated folks spend more on tickets than the rich. Experts have said, "People earning less than $25,000 spend about $583 a year on the lottery; guys who earn $100,000, spend $289 a year; college dropouts spend about $700; people with degrees only $178."

In an article in The Week magazine, Dr. George Lowenstein, head of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University said, "Playing the lottery is a chance to escape the humdrum reality of everyday life. It’s a cheap way to buy a license to fantasize.”

Hey, with lottery news blending in with the daily dose of what President Trump's planning for the country -- I must say fantasizing about a win keeps you chirpy hopeful.

My husband, John Cullum and I are going to buy six lottery tickets. Game wizards say six is better. Also, when you're putting your name in a hat with millions of other folks, BUY 'em the moment the lottery's announced. You get more for your money -- win or lose, you get a few months of lovely daydreams.

Yep, during the next few months John and I will be dreamy dancing.