You couldn't make it up dept no.79: yes he was born - born - born to be alive

After severe health and sight checks, Air Colonel Francesco Volpi (retd.) has had his permit to fly renewed for two more years. At 94.

This World War Two veteran and holder of an Iron Cross gained on the Russian front, and several Italian medals, claims not to have any advice to give. "No such thing as a secret - says he - I did nothin in particular to get to 94, but nothing not to get here, either. I eat and drink little, I have the odd glass of wine - but it has to be good! - and nothing stronger. I do not use medicines, and I only see doctors out of friendship. I read my newspaper everyday; and every now and then I still get mad - but you know, perhaps that can help too."

to all of you (and in particular to tibba)

...except that as of now, I do have a hundred friends. And we are doing something fun more or less every evening. Many thanks to all my online friends.

And no, I still don't have a pony. Or (my version) a Harley Davidson. Ah well.

I've been avoiding this meme for years

I was tagged by eliskimo

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

Here goes:

"But you must," said Vertue.
"The young gentleman is soft, sir, very soft," said Drudge. He is not used to this sort of thing. We'll have to help him along."
CS Lewis, The Pilgrim's Regress, bk6, ch.1.

I tag tibba, lazy_neutrino, soavezeffiretto, cjmr and privatemaladict.