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We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Sunday, January 13. 2019

How to grow old


Had drinks and dinner with a long-time pal and colleague the other night.  The kind of pal with whom you could happily sip whiskies, maybe enjoy a ceegar, and shoot the breeze on every sort of topic all night, from the philosophical to football.


Now this guy is in his 80s. Works at his career every day. Has more sports that he plays, and more hobbies and volunteer activities than he can handle. And his Mrs. (his age) has begun a second career after retiring. I'm lucky to get him for a supper out every quarter (which is my minimum target for close pals).


I did ask him how he dealt with awareness of his aging. "Whenever it crosses my mind, I push the thought away." 


I want to become like that dude if or when it comes to pass.


Another dude wrote about it:  “How to Grow Old” by Bertrand Russell

Posted by Bird Dog in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 13:45 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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How to grow old? Don't die. Until muuuuuuuuuuuuuch later.
#1 Sam L. on 2019-01-13 15:02 (Reply)
Good for him, can't disagree. My choice is different. I retired at 56 (20 years ago) and travel/camp all over the Southwest. Sure I have a home and spend time there too but the American Southwest is a really big playground and I never get tired of it. We visit many of the same places every year but always look for that something new. A new hike, a new sight or just anything we haven't seen or done before. But we also go to half a dozen new places each year, some for a day or two and some for a week. And we also take one or two longer trips to the East coast or Europe or our favorite Alaska. To each his own. I loved my work right up to the day I stopped loving it. Retired and never looked back.
#2 GoneWithTheWInd on 2019-01-13 15:23 (Reply)
You GO, GWTW!
#2.1 snopercod on 2019-01-13 19:40 (Reply)
I am middle age and will be old all too soon. I am at the age where a lot of my friends are going through midlife crises and endangering their families.

So my goal is aging is to do it in a way that won't destroy the family I have worked to build. I am wise enough to know that I will age regardless of whether I want to or not. So if I try to act young by buying a sports car or growing long hair, I will just come off as a guy who doesn't know when to let go. Yeah, I could do it. But I don't want to embarrass my kids or wife.

My closest friends are under orders to shake me if they see signs of these things in my life, with an option to slap me if I resist.
#3 Dangerous Dean on 2019-01-13 15:37 (Reply)
I think a 60's or earlier sports car would be OK. (Disclosure: I drive a '66 TR4A.)
#3.1 Bruce M Metcalf on 2019-01-15 07:39 (Reply)
As sportscars go, around LA one frequently sees a 70s or 80s Mercedes SL or Porsche or the like, and wonders, "Wow, look at that oldtimer being kept in clean, daily driver shape." A look behind the wheel shows a grey/whitehaired guy (usually) driving it to the office, happy but not flaunting.

I realized by seeing this a few times that these guys bought their prize sports car when they finally "made it", whether that was their first big win in court, making equity partner, or whatever, and they kept the car as a reminder instead of doing what most people do around here, which is to lease one high-end car after another, or buy and trade-in every few years in order to keep up appearances.

That's how to do the middle aged sports car purchase if you ask me: keep it til old age and people will wonder about the story behind it. :-)
#3.2 buzz ricksons on 2019-01-15 08:55 (Reply)
"Whenever it crosses my mind, I push the thought away." I've been doing that a lot lately.
#4 snopercod on 2019-01-13 17:23 (Reply)
Off topic:

Connecticut as it used to be??

November 1940. "The bar in 'Art's Sportsmen's Tavern,' Colchester, Connecticut."

Note the firearms in the background.

http://www.shorpy.com/node/24230
#5 feeblemind on 2019-01-13 20:39 (Reply)

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