Caller-Id: Doesn't everyone have it?

Uh, no.

Surely, you're not surprised we don't. With scattered kith and kin and a father in a nursing home, I figure I have to answer all phone calls, no matter the number. Consider it my little surprise each time the phone rings. Continual excitement.

So it is particularly unsettling when I receive a message I have to return, like from a doctor's office, and there's no verbal number left. I have to look it up. What a pain.

Lesson for the day: Caller-ID is not ubiquitous. Please leave your phone number. I'll return your call.