Getting to the top of the hill: a birthday column

When I was in my 20s I never thought about getting old. When you are young you will never be old.

It’s not that I thought my edgy, action-packed, high-risk life would lead to early death. Although I had some close calls in my youth, I knew I couldn’t be killed. When you are young you will never die.

These days, my life may be a few things, but risky is not one of them. The most perilous thing I can do is trip on the cracked sidewalks of Havre when I run, or choke on one of Dottie’s maple bacon donuts.

I have learned a few things during my many years on this earth. I have probably u...