Little things affect little minds.

-- Benjamin Disraeli

I'm starting to get wrong numbers on my cell phone now.

Somehow it seems more irritating and more intrusive, despite the fact that I don't have to get up and walk over to answer a cell phone.

Last week a woman called about midafternoon and asked me what I wanted.

"Nothing," I told the unfamiliar voice.

"Then why'd you call?"

"I didn't call," I said, trying to mimic her irritated tone.

"Who is this?" she demanded.

"Who is this?" I shot back.

"Why'd you call me?" she asked again.

"I didn't," I said.

"This is the call-back number on my phone," she insisted.

"Get your phone fixed," I suggested. "I didn't call you. Do I sound like anyone who would call you?"

Having reached a point we both agreed on, she hung up, except with a cell phone I don't think you hang anything. You just push a button.

My wife said it could have been worse. She could have called at 3 a.m.

But I say when you get a call at 3 a.m., you're usually glad when it turns out to be a wrong number.

-

DAY IN COURT: Speaking of my longtime bride, she is very proud to have received a notice for jury duty.

Yes, after 15 years at the same address, she finally got noticed.

She's been brushing up by watching Law and Order reruns.

"Why?" I asked. "You think all men are guilty anyway."

-

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY : The trouble with bucket seats is not everybody has the same size bucket.

-

TODAY'S JOKE: Billy Cooper , of North Augusta, shares this one.

Two country boys were looking at a Sears catalog and admiring the models. One said to the other, "Have you seen the girls in this catalog?"

"Sure have," the second one replied. "They're beautiful ... and look at the price!"

"You're right," the first one said. "They aren't very expensive. I think I'll order one."

The second one smiled and said, "Good idea. If she's as beautiful as she is in the catalog, I'll get one, too."

Three weeks later, the youngest fellow ran into his friend at the feed store and asked, "Hey, did you ever receive the girl you ordered from the Sears catalog?"

"No," the second man replied, "but it shouldn't be long now. Her clothes came yesterday!"