Keep reminding yourself that someday, you will be old too and people will have no idea what you're doing or saying most of the time. Think of it as revenge.

Carla, is she leaving the phone off the hook on purpose or on accident?

Terry, by accident.

Very seriously Carla, why don't you get her another line and phone? Whatever type of contract you or she has, I don't think a second phone is that expensive. Then call her to tell her to hang up the first phone and stay on the line until she does it.

If that doesn't work, call the phone company or AARP and find out what you can do. There should be a sensible back up system you could use.

So she doesn't have a cell phone, then? I think Sammy's right; she needs another phone that she can stick in her pocket and carry around. There's a cell phone for seniors called the Jitter Bug with big numbers that I've seen advertised at the local hearing aide store; might work for her.

Can you call a neighbor of Moms and ask them to run over and alert to your calling and the busy line?