Ambitions

[poliphilo]

I've been looking for a line (I think it's from the Ingoldsby Legends- but deuced if I can find it) which declares that a man has fulfilled his duty to the ages if he has

1. Produced a child
2. Written a book
3. Planted a tree.

I've done all three- the first in triplicate. So, please sir, can I be excused, now?

When I was a very small child I wanted to be a farmer. Well, having just spent an hour mucking out the rabbit and the guinea pigs, I reckon I've fulfilled that ambition too. P.S. There's a reason why guinea pigs are called "pigs" and it's not just because they squeak.

Do I have any ambitions left? More pertinently, is it proper for a person in their mid 50s to still have ambitions?

Except to grow old with dignity and grace- and not to hang about too long.

Comments

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

is it proper for a person in their mid 50s to still have ambitions?

God, I sure hope so. I'm 55, busy planning my emigration from Sweden to the UK next year, finding a new job, all kinds of neat stuff. I haven't seen India yet or learned to scuba dive either.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen India either- and I suppose there was a time when I wanted to- but these days- naah.....

I'm world-weary.