In rehab after my first stroke, one of the therapists asked me
which one of my lost faculties I'd want to be restored if
there could be only one.

“The ability to swallow.” (That really surprised her!)

“Oh! I expected you to say 'the ability to walk!'”

(Fourteen years later, the ability to swallow is still my preference, by the way.)

Since then, several other losses and a few intentional sacrifices —
and their costs or penalties — have come-in for thoughtful appraisal.

For example — ever since 1948, one favorite ambition has been to hunt
in Africa and India. Several professional hunters and booking agents have
offered me complimentary safaris in Africa, and friends in India (and Australia
too!) have invited me over as their honored guest. But I couldn't afford the air
fare — had to forgo all those opportunities in favor of feeding, clothing, and
educating two daughters and a son — priorities, you know.

And I'd do the same today! Yes, I envy friends who've been able to do what I've
wanted so badly to do, but there's not even a smidge of a tendency to begrudge
them or to criticize their choices. And in keeping with the classic principles of
"different strokes for different folks” and "your mileage may vary," I don't feel
any compulsion to justify or to defend my stance against homo selachii opposition.

I'm just a poor white kid from New Hampshire, naive in the way of The World, so I have no idea what "homo selachii" is or why you would oppose it.

Please enlighten me.

Selachiids are sharks.

Capiche?

Gay sharks

From Italy.

Sì

No, I don't Capiche. I'm a slow learner, took me 18 months to earn my MBA, and I don't read tea leaves.

Wife and I decided without a second thought that kids were a far better investment of out time and money that the fancier things in life. I father one child but raised six plus a bunch of strays.

Now that we are old and still without the fancier things in life we would never change anything.

For those who get to take the far off trips and hunt the world I am happy for them and enjoy listening to and reading of their adventures. It does not bother me in the slightest I will never go.

Kath and I prefer the simple things as well.

When I'm a 107 years old, I'd rather sit around and moan about something I had regretted doing vs something I regretted not doing.

You are a tough old bird Ken.

Well we know she sure does.

Ken speaks of choices that almost all sensible/caring folks must make in one way or another - and it's good to reflect at times. With 4 energetic and talented kids, we dealt with many choices, and sometimes wondered if we were choosing best. It may take some of us a lifetime to find out. A very recent series of difficulties has been gratifying in at least one way - the 5 ladies in my life have been fabulous. Some of those choices were GOOD. I am gratified.

And some of us are GRATEFUL you made those choices.

Ed

I kind of have to laugh, in that i had to look up the expression, man shark. Then putting it into context, which i think is still going over people's heads. Or at least to me as I see it.

Glad that you "got" my little private pun
on homo sapiens. Wondered whether
anybody here would.