Thinking about mathematics

I have so much time to think in my dotage. The thoughts I have delight me because one thing leads to another. Old memories are more fresh in my mind than what I had for dinner last night. Surely remembering is the best aspect of aging?  

Here's a thought: I wish I had taken more math in school.  I spent most of my work life using math for accounting and budgeting.  Not because that work was my heart's desire, but because it came my way and I was good at it.  Plus, it was fun. Consequently, I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  However, I never quite learned to think mathematically.  If I could go back in time, I would have paid more attention to those math story problems that seemed so boring.  I think I was just lazy.  

Here are two pictures of a pair of painted buntings visiting our feeder.