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.
Painted buntings! I haven't seen those in years. They're beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteI've always been terrible at math, which frustrated my parents, who were both college math instructors! I always tell people the genes must have canceled each other out. I'm a word person.
The painted buntings were so exciting for us. As for math, I just wasn't interested in it back then.
DeleteLove the Painted Buntings!
ReplyDeleteSynchronicity! Was just thinking a similar thing about math while reading about German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz who was also a quirky optimistic philosopher. I didn't do well in math except in grade school but did well again when I was in my late 20s and learned at my own pace in a "math lab" at the local community college, going back to the point where I had begun to get lost in junior high school. I was all ready try calculus at that time but was inexplicably dissuaded by my math genius boyfriend from taking calculus. My mind is in some ways clearer than ever and in some ways not! Still I might be more open to math these days, just as I am slowly but actively learning Spanish now -- something that I struggled with in high school.
https://doodles.google/doodle/gottfried-wilhelm-leibnizs-372nd-birthday/
I appreciate the link on Leibniz! Can you imagine living in a world where major mathematical fields of study had not been discovered yet? Wow.
DeleteMath has always been beyond me. Calculating expenses, adding and substracting etc, no problem. There is an Institute for Discrete Mathematics here as part of the university. I have been tempted to discretely linger outside just to have a look at their staff.
ReplyDeleteThey are probably quite happy. Having managed the administrative aspects of a university's Mathematics Dept. for 9 years, I can tell you there was only one faculty member who caused me (or the other staff) trouble. Most are down to earth, hardworking, quirky, and loveably awkward sorts.
DeleteI had excellent maths teachers and I'm still very good at mental arithmetic. I know I can use a calculator but I prefer to retain my mental skills.
ReplyDeleteI like the painted buntings. I hope they enjoyed their feed!
I just can't hold numbers in my head - I have to use a calculator (or pencil and paper).
DeleteHi Colette,
ReplyDeleteI have never wished I studied more maths! I struggled through high school maths and then laboratory maths. I am glad I managed to learn the bits I did. It has been handy at times.
The birds are just delightful!
I'm glad you like the birds. We were quite excited to see them at the feeder.
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