This was my old menu. Breakfast: Two flour tortillas, bacon, sausage and egg tacos, with cheese hot sauce, salt and pepper, vitamin water and coffee, and a muffin. Lunch: Soup and/or sandwich, chips or fries, beer and/or soda. Ice cream. Supper: Steak, avocado, tortillas, beer and/or soda. Dessert. In between snacks: Candy bars, jerky, nuts, twinkies, etc.

If this is like your menu, you are over 50, smoke tobacco, drink like you’re 25, deal with stress daily, and the most exercise you get is watching an action movie twice a day, please listen to this friendly advice. You should always wear loose inexpensive clothing. Something that will be easier for the medics to scissor off of you while they are trying to resuscitate you. And just in case they do, you should have a gym bag with some necessities handy. Things like a toothbrush and phone charger. T-shirts and pajamas are a good thing, as those hospital gowns are quite drafty, if you know what I mean. I’ll stop with the list here in an effort not to alienate, even though there is plenty more we can add.

I know how this sounds to you, and you don’t want to hear it. I didn’t. DON’T BE LIKE ME!!!

One minute I’m sitting there watching Die Hard, next thing you know, I’m doing just that. The be prepared list can be extensive, but it’s easier just to go to the doctor and get yourself checked out. Good health could be as simple as a change in diet ( I know, simple does not mean easy). Quit smoking and get some good exercise. And if you think you can do this on your own, welcome to senility. Congrats, you’ve made it. The finish line is in sight. I did not have to go through this ordeal. Well maybe I had to, but it was not necessary. We all know what it takes to live a better life. Do it for those you love and care for. START TODAY!

Post Script: My book “The Express” will be available starting this week at the Orcas Book Exchange for a donation. To order a copy directly, call or text 360-298-0819. This is a limited friends and family edition.

Miguel Villareal

Orcas