The Eastern Shoreman

John, an 80-year-old Eastern Shoreman, goes to the doctor for his annual check-up.

The doctor is amazed at what good shape he is in and asks, "How do you stay in such great physical condition, John?"

"I stay in the swamp and I hunt and fish every day" says the old Shoreman, and, that's why I'm in such good shape. "I'm up well before daylight and out hunting or fishing all day. I have a beer for breakfast and at lunch and wid my supper. And I have a shot of hooch before bed time. And I say my prayers every night. And all is well wid me."

"Well", says the doctor, "I'm sure the prayers help, but there's got to be more to it. How old was your father when he died?"

"Who said Pop is dead?"

The doctor is amazed. "You mean you're 80 years old and your father's still alive? How old he is?"

"Pop be 100 next month," say John. "In fact, he hunted with me this morning, and then we went to a beer joint for a while and had a few beers and that's why he's still alive. He's a tough old Shoreman and he hunts and fishes every day, too.

"Well, the doctor says, that's great, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. How about your father's father? How old was he when he died?"

"Who said my Paw Paw's dead?"

Stunned, the doctor asks, "You mean you're 80 years old, your father is 100 and your grandfather's still living? Incredible! How old he is?"

"We tink 'bout 118" says the old Shoreman. He likes his beer too, but he won’t touch the hard stuff."

The doctor is getting frustrated at this point. "So, I guess your grandfather went hunting and fishing with you this morning too?"

"No, Paw Paw couldn't go this time. He's getting married today."

At this point the doctor is close to losing it. "Getting married! Why would a 118-year-old man want to get married?"

John looked down at the floor and mumbled "Who said he wanted to?"