Saturday, August 8, 2026

The Heck with 'Good Living' I'd Rather Enjoy Myself

Editor's Note: While I take a brief blog break, I've trotted out a decade old post that you may find entertaining.

Do you ever get tired of viewing stories like Centenarians Reveal the Secrets to Living A Long Life, or 31 Superfood Secrets for a Long and Healthy Life?

You know, the kind of articles that are packed with wisdom from near saints who have survived the decades through “good living.”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve yet to meet anyone who is perfect because they eat the right food and spend their lifetime training for the Olympics. 

Therefore, be wary of advice from centenarians – their memories aren’t really all that sharp after 100 years - and health nuts because they’ll eat nearly anything –regardless of how icky - to live longer (or be skinny).

I like to point out people like George Burns. He smoked cigars like a chimney and lived to a 100. Now that’s my kind of guy.

You’ve heard stories about amazing centenarians who remain spry well beyond their years. What’s their secret? Their daily constitutionals? Their teetotaling disdain for a drink or a smoke?

Well, a recent study indicates, surprisingly, that people who live into their 90s and longer have habits just as lousy as the rest of us. I feel so vindicated.

Nir Barzilai of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and colleagues interviewed 477 Ashkenazi Jews who were living independently even though they were at least 95 years old. Some were as old as 112.

They all joined the Longevity Genes Project, which is investigating why centenarians live so long.

The bottom line, I figure my chances of reaching an advanced age (I’m 75 now) are about as good as anyone’s. And I can tell you, without hesitation, that I haven’t been (nor will I ever be) a saint.

As it Stands, I may be a cranky old man who cracks bad jokes and ignores proper diets, but by golly I Yam who I'm Yam! (Apologies to Popeye).  

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The Heck with 'Good Living' I'd Rather Enjoy Myself

Editor's Note: While I take a brief blog break, I've trotted out a decade old post that you may find entertaining. D o you ever ge...