So it goes.

[eldritchhobbit]

While reading Christopher Morley’s Book of Days for 1931 last year, I came across this quote.

Between thirty and forty, one is distracted by the Five Lusts;
Between seventy and eighty, one is a prey to a hundred diseases.
But from fifty to sixty, one is free from all ills;
Calm and still – the heart enjoys rest.
I have put behind me Love and Greed; I have done with Profit and Fame;
Strength of limb I still possess to seek the rivers and hills;
Still my heart has spirit enough to listen to flutes and strings.
At leisure I open new wine and taste several cups;
Drunken I recall old poems and sing a whole volume.

- Po Chu-i (A.D. 772-846), translated by Arthur Whaley

Po Chu-i conveniently doesn’t mention the forties.

I most certainly have not put behind me Love, although I recognize Profit is a lost cause.

Wine, old poems, and song? I can get behind those with enthusiasm.

So here goes nothing. I’m grateful to all of you, my friends, for
enriching my life. Here’s to another year! And to all of you who have
wished me happy birthday: thank you!

Comments

[febobe]

<3

Happy happy to you, dear one. :)

[eldritchhobbit]

Thank you so much! :) :) :)

[litlover12]

That was a lovely post! Happy birthday!

[eldritchhobbit]

Thank you so much! :) :) :)

[ankh_hpl]

Belated but heartfelt wishes for another wonderful year of enlightening us all . . . .from one who can tell you that Po-Chu-i had it all wrong about the fifties.

[eldritchhobbit]

Thank you so much! :) :) :)

>from one who can tell you that Po-Chu-i had it all wrong about the fifties.

Ha!

[i_llbedammned]

I hope you did something interesting for your birthday!

Also I am pretty sure everyone should be able to get behind Wine, old poems, and song.

[eldritchhobbit]

Thanks so much! After a very busy week I kicked back and relaxed with my sweetheart, a movie, and nachos. It was perfect!

I am pretty sure everyone should be able to get behind Wine, old poems, and song.

I second that! :D