Formula for the Fountain of Youth?

Henry Allingham, who was the world's oldest man when he died recently at 113, attributed his remarkable longevity to "cigarettes, whisky and wild, wild women."


Although it's likely the British veteran of The Great War was exaggerating, it's also likely there's some truth to his formula. Certainly it worked for him. It might not work for someone else. He shouldn't force his formula on them nor should they deny him his formula. Sometimes it's a matter of exactly what is asked for.


Tithonus was a mortal lover of the Titan Goddess Eos. Much beloved, Eos asked Zeus for Tithonus to become immortal. Zeus agreed, and Tithonus indeed lived forever - aging more and more every eternal day. Alas, Eos neglected to ask for eternal youth for her Tithonus.


Allingham might very well have been favored by the Goddess of Dawn, and if not immortal, the fellow seems to have enjoyed every moment of his longer-than-most time on Earth.


A toast to the late Henry!