If you were born after about 1964, you might not remember “wild hickory nuts.” And even if you remember, you might not care. But I’d like to share a little something about Euell Gibbons.
Euell Gibbons ate some Grape-Nuts and said, “Reminds me of wild hickory nuts.”
And you say, “So what. Don’t know the guy. Never met him.”
But here’s why I bring it up.
Mr. Gibbons wrote books on the art and science of living off the land. And I mean literally living off the land. Apparently he could go into the wild with nothing but a backpack of clothes and some utensils and forage for all the food he needed.
He could find wild greens, mushrooms, and seeds for salads. And he knew where to get edible nuts, honey, and lots of other goodies. Plus, in his books, he shared his recipes for everything from casseroles to salads to muffins and more.
And I read how he had a pretty colorful life before he became an expert forager. Evidently he built boats, sailed, worked as a cowboy, became a surveyor, and was even a professional beachcomber.
Then, he honed his skills at survival in the wild.
And he lived what people today would call a naturalist’s life. But there’s an odd twist to the story.
Mr. Gibbons made that commercial for Grape-Nuts in 1974. And he died, the very next year, of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was only 64.
Of course, you know how people can make up their own rumors. And how lots of people will take a story like Euell’s and stir up some humor. Right? Yeah, that’s what happened. So, the rumor wranglers shared the story that he died of food poisoning while he was living off the land.
Regardless of what the actually cause of death was, one thing is true. A more “natural” lifestyle doesn’t mean you’ll live longer. Or even healthier for all that matters.
And that’s why I encourage readers and listeners to get the right insurance policy. And the right one is the one that’s already been paid for.
But you certainly don’t have to listen to me. After all, I might just be another one of those wild hickory nuts thumping on a book full of mean, judgmental words.
Yeah, that might be true.
I might be scamming on you.
But then again I might not.
And my policy’s bought.
Stay tuned,
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