Accomplishments and Failures

At my age one begins to wonder about what you did well and where you went wrong in a long life.

Accomplishments:

I have never been to Atlantic City, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, or Las Vegas. I have had to endure Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle only once. On the downside, I have been to New York and Washington way too many times, though always at the call of duty.

And I have seen a good deal of England, Scotland, France, Spain, and Italy - the last in the company of the lovely and gifted webmistress of Reckonin.

I have never been to a “professional” (i.e., commercial) sporting event.

I have never been to a rock concert. However, I did get to see Brother Dave Gardner and Hank Williams Jr. live. On the latter occasion I was so naïve that somebody had to explain to me what that funny scent in the air was. And I’ll add Joan Baez, for whatever it’s worth.

I have been privileged to know some outstanding people who have enriched me immeasurably. I mention only those who are no longer with us: Mel Bradford, Tom Landess, Russell Kirk, Murray Rothbard, Joel Williamson, Eugene Genovese, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Matt Bruccolli, Jim Meriwether. I can’t claim any friendship, but at least I have had in-person conversation with George Garrett, Cleanth Brooks, and Pat Buchanan.

I have been very fortunate indeed. Let’s not discuss where I went wrong.