I have noticed that an unusually large number of employees at my mom's nursing home smoke. I've been shaking my head wondering why people who are in the health profession smoke. I think I found the answer the other day.

I was talking to a nurse and saying how I'm too young (okay, I'm 47) to know so much about what happens when you get old. It scares me. I said, "I don't know how you guys who work here can deal with everything you see and know about old age."

The nurses reply was, "That's why we smoke, drink, and eat all the foods that clog your arteries. We don't want to live past 70."

What does everyone else think. Is it better to eat, drink and be merry and hopefully, not live too long? Or is better to deny yourself some of the things you enjoy and do some things you don't like (like exercise) so you stay healthy as long as possible?