The day this column runs in print I will turn 86. That’s not a significant birthday, but it offers an excuse to reflect — at this point back — on what was and what might have been.

I’ve got to say that I have had a wonderfully good time of it all.

I realize that there are things that I will never now do. Such as climb Mount Everest. Not that I have ever wanted to climb Mount Everest, but I have a friend who did. I’ve always admired her for that. Mind you, I have driven up Mount Washington in a car.

I will never learn to knit (I failed my knitting badge in Brownies), sew properly, crochet, or quilt. The latter I leave to my sister, who is a superb quilter. So far as knitting, sewing, and crocheting are concerned, Miss Magnus (Anna B.) gave me a B........

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