A song titled “98.6” by Keith in 1967 was a hit in the United States including Great Britain. This numerical song name is related to normal body temperature, with the singer, James Barry Keefer (Keith), referencing this to someone feeling well and good—especially where their love life is concerned.
The average body temperature of 98.6°F originates from a study conducted by German physician Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich in 1860. He measured the temperatures of thousands of patients and established 98.6°F (37°C), as the standard average for a healthy adult.
While later research has shown that “normal” body temperature can vary from person to person and throughout the day, 98.6°F remains a widely recognized benchmark in medical practice. Mine generally averages 97.9, which might explain why I’m always cold when the outside temp is lower than 65.
I now wear a beanie hat most of the time because of Meniere’s Disease, something I was diagnosed with over 25 years ago by Dr. David Beal in Alaska. One of the things he discovered was that cold affects my ears, which causes equilibrium problems.
I’ve had people here in Arizona constantly ask why I wear one in a building. “It’s 113 degrees outside!” they’ll loudly remark. I then point to an air conditioning vent or fan above our seat, partially explaining things. Telling them what Meniere’s Disease is ends the conversation.
I heard on television today that 77.4 is the average life expectancy for a male living in the US. That immediately caught my attention, especially with another year almost gone. I wish that number were also 98.6. While the 77.4 number may be an average, I have male friends born the same year as me, and they’re already gone.
Matthew 24:36, paraphrased, says that only God knows the exact day, hour, and minute we leave this life. If 77.4 was the exact number for me, then I have approximately six years left, with 2032 coming on like a steam locomotive.
I’m not sure even if I started now, I could cram everything I still need and want to do in that period of time. Trying to accomplish such would definitely tax this old body out faster than anything. “Slow and steady” is my motto and has been for a good while.
I’ll undoubtedly leave this life with bills to pay and dishes in the sink, yet one thing was thankfully taken care of 52 years ago—that being where I’m going from here. That’s the most important decision a person should make before it’s too late.
I like to write junk... 