Roger Angell on growing (really) old [from The New Yorker]
January 23, 2019 by 7 Comments
After reading the recent Almanac pieces which have touched on the human condition – from Rick Kane, Jan Courtin, Andrew Starkie among others – I went searching for this piece by Roger Angell, the great baseball writer and The New Yorker fiction editor and columnist for decades. He is still alive at 98!
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/02/17/old-man-3
Read more about Roger Angell HERE.
Read Roger Angell’s wiki profile HERE
Wonderful article, Peter. Thanks for sending it to me.
All the best
Jan
Great piece.
I see his connection to E.B. White. One of my favourites.
As I near 70, and family,friends,colleagues, and acquaintances die around me, become unwell or are diagnosed with a condition or complaint, one cannot help but become aware of one’s own mortality. It is something we try to put off for as long as possible, ignoring what is happening around us, and refusing to acknowledge, undoubtably, that it will happen to all of us eventually. I’ve been in that boat but now I’m beginning to make an effort to take more notice of the issue through interactions with fellow mortals whether by conversation or reading, I’m more accepting of the fact that one day I will die. The mutual feelings expressed in those interactions is helping me to become more accepting of this fact, and, the article by Roger Angell certainly provides an insight into growing old, being old, and mortality. Excellent read.
Thanks Peter and others.Must remind myself to keep working on that book and going to so many sporting events that I have on my bucket list, catching up with people such as yourselves and making the most of each day.
Have to go for another hearing test today, and tomorrow one for my eyes. Remind me that I need to make a doctor’s appointment to get some more prescriptions.
Our beautiful dog Freddie Flintoff left this world a fortnight ago and I still cannot get around to writing his obituary. I still see him wandering around each day. The thought of writing it makes me feel sad.
Thanks Peter B, for sharing that wonderful story, remembrance, letter. Reminding me of the detritus of a life; the plans and the rest; the idle (majority) moments.
Long may we make it up.
I love this. Love it,
As a friend texted me last night, having just read R Angell’s article: “more venery.”