Category Archives: Health

My Father

I just realized he would have been ninety years old today, if he hadn’t died over a third of a century ago, at 55. He had a terrible lifestyle — he smoked most of his life, was overweight, and had a bad diet, exacerbated by horrible nutritional advice (low-fat, grains) after his first heart attack at age 45. I’ve outlived him now, with no signs of coronary problems, but I’ve never smoked, and never been (much) overweight. I’m hoping that I’ll live to be at least ninety, and if I can make it that far, I suspect I’ll go far beyond, barring accidents or massive social upheaval.

Caffeine Addiction

How it happens to your brain.

I started drinking coffee a few weeks ago, primarily for medicinal purposes (a couple cups in the morning). I don’t really enjoy it, and I’ve never noticed any mental effect from doing so. If I didn’t make a pot for her every morning, I probably wouldn’t bother. When I skip a day, I don’t notice anything, either. So maybe I’m sort of impervious to its effects. Of course, that could also mean that I’m not getting any of the hoped-for health benefits of drinking it.