I looked it up. On the average, we get 5.5 telemarketing calls each week.  Until recently, I had been receiving three times that number.

What did I do?

I re-signed-up for the National Do Not Call Registry.  It should help, although it won’t protect me from charities, political groups and companies with which I have done business in the last 18 months.  According to what I read on the internet, many telemarketer calls, and other unwanted contacts, get through the system.

Then I purchased a Panasonic phone set that allows me to block 30 numbers. That was great – until I soon reached 30 numbers.

Three days ago, I decided to search on Amazon for a call blocker.  I found a good one, CPR Callblocker v.202.  It will block 1,000 calls, plus it has a block on 200 of the most offending telemarketing numbers already installed. Pressing a button on the device in my kitchen, I can block the incoming calls I choose with ease.  Or, if I am on an extension phone, I can hit No. 2 and do the same thing.  I can also add calls that I missed to the blocked list.

Today I spent a few minutes transferring blocked calls from my Panasonic phone to the new Callblocker machine.  That way I will have the option of adding blocked calls to my Panasonic phone system.

When I first tried to input blocked numbers into my Callblocker, I received a busy signal after five seconds, making it difficult to input a 10-digit number.  I decided to input only seven-digit numbers – without the area code.  It worked fine.  I was curious about the possibility that I would inadvertently block a “welcomed caller” with the same seven-digit phone number. I Googled it and discovered that the chances are one in 10 million anyone would have the same seven-digit number.  Fantastic.  Problem solved.

I consider myself a rather serene sort of fellow.  But when it comes to pushing that “Block Now” button, I am a fighter. With that button-push I have just knocked out another invader to my serenity.

What would I like to see next?  A way to press a button and preclude the delivery of all junk mail.  Bring it on! What a great feeling.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com