Some of “brown-bag it” to save money. I can’t imagine there are many out there that don’t know what brown-bagging it means but, just in case, this is the explanation. When in school, some of us ate in the cafeteria. Those that were not able, frequently carried lunch boxes to school. Those who could not afford lunch boxes, carried our lunches in brown bags.

Then there were those of us who could not afford brown paper bags. We carried out lunch in our plastic see through bags. Sometimes, I could buy a carton of milk, but I was always required to take the plastic bag home. It would be washed and reused the next day. I got weeks of use out of my plastic bags.

When my wife and I first moved to Desoto county with our two sons, I didn’t make much so my older son qualified to for cost free lunches. He really liked it because he traded for hamburgers. One day he had five of them, which made him sick. (He still likes hamburgers) After, he was told no more trading.

At any rate, as time went by, I started receiving promotions and, of course a larger paycheck. Then one year, we no longer qualified for free lunches. Strange as it seems, it took us about a week to get them to discontinue them. I suspect that no one would have ever said anything if I said nothing and let my sons receive the lunches. Thing is, unlike many, it does go against my grain to receive the free lunches. Besides, it hurt my ego. I did work hard for the privilege of paying for the lunches myself.

Now, once a day, my wife and I go somewhere to eat. Today, we went to McAlister’s Deli. I had one of their stuffed potatoes, which I could not finish. My wife had a cup of potato soup and a half ham sandwich. I paid for it. Right there at the counter, I pulled out my debit card and waved it over their magic reader. In a while, of course they brought us our dinner. I figure you ought to know. I mean the tax payers did put the money in my checking account. Shouldn’t I explain what I am doing with the money?

On the other hand, there are those who think they need not explain what they are going with the tax money entrusted to them.

By the way, I do want to thank everyone for the lunch.