A couple of weeks ago I received a call from my daughter, who was very stressed out.

She was about to go on a trip with her husband and their son, and the person she’d hired to house-sit had canceled at the last minute. Although their house was over an hour’s drive away from mine, she asked if I could possibly fill in, since she had no one else to turn to.

Actually I didn’t really mind the idea, as her husband was quite well off and their house was pretty luxurious, with a small gym, a pool and a state-of-the-art entertainment center. Staying there would practically be a vacation for me. I concealed my enthusiasm, however, simply telling her that I would be glad to do her this favor, and wishing her a pleasant trip.

My first day at the house began uneventfully. I fed their pets,... Read More