Life has many milestones. We make quite a fuss over "turning 16" or 21, or 30, etc.

I'm about to hit a personal VIM (very important milestone). Mine's a little unusual and vague, perhaps obscure.

You see, I plan to live to reach the magical age of 100 years. In nine days (Nov. 24, 2009), I will celebrate my sixty sixth and two-thirds years of life on planet earth. That date marks the beginning of my final one-third destination toward my 100 goal.

Looking back, I have contrasting feelings about the element of time. In many respects, "it seemed just like yesterday" that certain events happened. Yet, some things occurred "years ago" and are distant memories. Time has gone by so quickly--or was it slow? I can't decide.

If I do manage to live to be 100 years old, I will still have another 33 years plus 4 months to enjoy a most wonderful life. I have big plans--not exactly "bucket list" plans (although I'm unofficially working on it, i.e., Hawaii)-- but plans that will give me a fruitful and rewarding "rest of my life".

I don't imagine I'll change my life's regular routines and habits. I still hope to golf, work in the garden, cut wood, jog (all the things I did this past week). I'll still do the Wilderness Volunteer service trips, read, and listen to jazz and classical music. Not much will change.

I will get to see my new grandson grow up, as I have seen my own children reach adulthood. Perhaps I'll even see my kids reach retirement age. My father saw me (he's 91&2/3).

I think I have several things going for me in order to reach 100. Genetics, for one. My father's mother lived to that age, another great grandmother to 92. My lifestyle, for another: I eat as "properly" as I can. I exercise. I don't smoke. I floss. I sleep. I work puzzles and play piano (brain exercise). I socialize. I'm very healthy (BP under control).

Most people will say, "I don't feel blank years old". Well, I don't and mean it! I feel and look great, if I don't mind saying so myself. The plan is to keep on living the good life (sans religion, of course), and truck on down the road to 100. Here's looking at you, kid.