French and I went to see his grandfather this week. I haven't seen him for at least a decade or so, but he looks pretty much the same. I guessed that he was 80, but he is actually in his nineties.
I introduced myself, but he said: "Ah hell I know who yah are." He told me to call him Smitty. He'd slept in, so he was running a bit late. Smitty told us: "To shoot a bit a shit. While I do my exercises." French told him a couple of funny stories from out on the road. Smitty chuckled along and completed the same routine that he'd done for over 60 years:
1. Stretches and Lunges...just a few. Limber up.
2. 50 push ups
3. 25 sit ups
4. 100 squats
5. 10-15 minute headstand
I asked him if this regiment was the key to his longevity? Smitty laughed and said: "Ask me again in a few years."
He went over to his kitchen sink. It was full of ice cubes. Smitty reached down to the bottom and pulled out three beers, and said: "Ok I'm all warmed up time to get the day started."
