I visited some friends who are putting their money where their mouth is, that is, they believe utterly in organic products: they avoid GMO products; they buy their remedies from the naturopath and health food stores. They are very healthy and look it. They are doing everything they can to stay healthy and live longer. Well, if cleanliness is next to godliness, is healthy living next to immortality? They spend about 1200 dollars a month on that assumption. I admire them for it, although I don't - can't - do what they do. I don't have the money, the time, or the car to shop as carefully. Still, I think I eat pretty well and wisely.

I keep reading nutritional advice that starts by telling you, eat these three things and you'll add three years to your life. Or, don't eat this and you'll live to be eighty. This is advice to the Boomers, the 40-to 60-year-olds who are being promised to Iive longer if they behave. So what? I mean, that's not an incentive to me because I'm already 83 and counting. I already have lived longer.

I've been saying no to so many things all my life that I no longer twitch at dessert, other than fruit. I do eat chocolate (dark). I gave up smoking 40 years ago. I still drink wine (plus an occasional dirty martini). I agree with St. Augustine who said, "We do not leave our sins; our sins leave us." That's kind of sad, really. My line is, if I live long enough, I'll be perfect.

But not immortal.