It’s been a depressing few days. I’ve had a cold, and chest infection and sinus trouble. I’ve also been taking the problems of the world too seriously (let’s face it, I’m not going to change anything), feeling guilty about bringing children into this world, dwelling on past failures and thinking about how I’ve wasted my life.
It’s possible that a late Spring has had something to do with this lack of cheerfulness. There’s something rather forlorn about barbecue supplies replacing Easter eggs in the shops while freezing rain falls outside.
The fact I’m less than a month away from turning 60 may also have something to do with it. I know it’s only a number…
In fact it’s probably a good thing to turn 60, as one school of thought claims that ages ending in 9 aren’t good for you. You’re more likely to have an affair at one of those ages and more likely to commit suicide.
I am also, it seems, more likely to post a fast time in a marathon.
I allowed myself a slight smile at that thought.
Julia, on the other hand, had a good laugh.
Too lazy to kill myself, too ugly for an affair and too fat to run. Is this what my future holds?
Last night, whilst feeling ill, I drove to Leeds to pick up Number One son. I am such a good father. He’s lived in a number of places in Leeds and the last one was easy to find and convenient for parking.
Leeds – convenient parking
It’s a shame that he moved away from there and took up residence in a glitzy block of flats in the centre of town. They have many good features, but being easy to find and in possession of convenient parking aren’t amongst them.
That was how I came to be parked between the flats and a shopping centre loading bay, and how I was able to experiment with low light photography.
Leeds – low light photography
You young fellows do go on a lot. If you think that time is going quickly now, just you wait.
That’s what I’m afraid of. Though your days seem to include a lot more than mine. 🙂
They are Scottish days of course and being a poor country, we try to make things stretch a bit further.
I must take this lesson on board. At the moment I seem to be squandering my days in working and snoozing.
This is all very interesting. I must have a fascination with you guys and your ages.
🙂
I am also approaching 60 this year. Sigh.
It’s better than the alternative…
Oh yes!
No point in feeling guilty about bringing children into the world. It’s not such a bad place!
As for parking in Leeds, it’s certainly not the best. Unless of course you don’t mind spending for it…
The first time I paid for parking in Leeds I took all week to recover from the shock.
I can believe it!
I do hope you perk up soon. You are all chickens 🙂
In this case a chicken that’s feeling creaky… 🙂
🙂
You should tell your son that you will continue to pick him up from the place with all the parking. If he really wants a lift, he’ll be there!
Good point. All those years of teaching have made you very sneaky. 🙂
Hey, youngster! I turned 60 last year, and what a good time I had. Onward, ho, Quercus. You spent time with your children, you still pick them up even when they live in inconvenient places, you read a lot, you write a lot, and man do you know a lot about old coins. Who could ask for anything more?
Yes, I suppose I’m quite lucky. I seem to recall that your birthday included around a month of eating out and ice cream. I may try that! 🙂
LOL- Yes – Laurie knows how to celebrate.
I remember the ice cream bit. 🙂
Oh, please do! Celebrate, celebrate. And write about it on your blog!
The Curry is already organised. 🙂
Yay!!!
So you see, something good came of it. Though I have to confess to laughing heartily at your sentence on killing yourself, having an affair and … running. I am already 60 and will turn 61 in June. Oy! What startles me is where the time has gone as I still feel, I don’t know, 28? Well I know more and of course, it’s increasingly less unlikely that some physical ailment will just go away. Still. I do think that the knowledge of less time makes one think about how one lives one’s life and whether full advantage is being taken…But I think you took full advantage of the low light. It’s a lovely picture.
What worries me is that the last 25 years have flashed by, and if the next 25 go as quickly
Sorry, pressed the button before finishing, but you can probably fill in the missing words. 🙂
Yes, I think the same. I view this as a liminal time–what is it I want to do, what is possible, how do I start this whole new period? It really is a doorway, and what we know now, we had no idea of in the beginning or middle… so yes, that next 25, maybe 30 years…how to seize it…Looked at the right way it’s downright exciting….
Yes, it’s certainly adding focus to my life. 🙂