On approaching the age of 80

 I will be 80 in less than week. A close friend who is like a younger brother suggests: “Also, I suggest (with some trepidation) that you should consider devoting some spare time beyond your  mathematics and grandfatherly duties to writing up some more autobiographical material.  Perhaps that could  include how you came to do the work you chose to do, the mathematicians with whom you became involved and the way you feel about doing mathematics or anything else (including farming, as I recall).  By doing something like that, it could encourage many othersto follow their own path [including one of my grandsons when he is a little older]: a sort of much more human-oriented and personal than E.T. Bell's offering.”

Well, there is not much to say. I was silly and a bit stubborn, had some passions and followed my interests. Moreover I was lucky with friends. I am surprised that I am still around.