I save up all year to go gambling in Jackpot, Nevada. It’s an annual weekend side trip of my Idaho serenity retreat—some bright blinking lights and whirling cherries to juxtaposition with the quiet solitude and meditation of my week.

This year Cactus Pete’s sent me coupons for three complimentary nights at their hotel. Obviously, they kept tabs on how much I spent there last year! But three free nights with an outdoor heated pool, complete with fountains and nearby hot tub, is a truly wonderful thing, and I shall enjoy every minute of my stay.

That is, if I can manage to tear myself away from the bright blinking lights and whirling cherries…