There was a drugstore on the corner two blocks from where I lived growing up and friends Alfie, Bobby and I often went in after school and bought an ice-cream cone or a Coke. They were each a nickel and we had to decide which one to buy. We couldn't afford both.

"Coke" is one of the most-used invented names in our language. I seem to remember that over the years, the Coca-Cola Company has occasionally objected to people using the abbreviated name to identify their drink. I don't think they should have worried. I suppose Pepsi has intruded on Coke's business, but Coca-Cola is still what people are talking about when they ask for "a Coke." "Pepsi" must hate Coke and make Coke mad.

Coca-Cola has done a good job concealing the recipe for their drink. Like most of us, I have no idea what's in it. Under "coke" in my dictionary, it says, "The solid carbonaceous residue obtained from bituminous coal after removal of volatile material by destructive distillation." I knew coke was also something other than a drink -- sort of coal, but not quite. I didn't confuse the coke that went into the furnace with "Coke" the drink.

I drink a lot of mineral water. I keep a bottle in the refrigerator at home and another in the office. When I get thirsty, that's what I drink. I know that's not a very exciting beverage, but that's what I like.

My parents were born near Saratoga, N.Y. The town's real name is "Saratoga Springs" and it was known for its springs long before it was known for its racehorses. The town has 17 great springs spewing water, and many people driving by stop at one of the springs along the road to have a drink and fill a bottle to take with them. When I was a kid, my mother drove us the 70 miles from Albany to our summer cottage on Lake George. We passed Saratoga Springs and always stopped at one of the springs for a good drink. Every long trip should have such a great place to stop.

It's always amazed me that the water just keeps coming out of the ground in Saratoga. Along the road, the spring water splutters out of the faucets in the little buildings they have over the springs. Last summer, I stopped at one of the springs whose water is called "Coesa," and it was as good as ever. I wonder what it will be like in 100 years. (Of course, I wonder what everything will be like in 100 years.)

The best thing about drinking the Saratoga Spring waters is that they contain no sugar. Most soft drinks should be called "hard" because they're sweet. The mineral spring water tastes as if it has some salt. I don't know how in the world spring water got to be called "soft."

We all get hooked on things when we're young, and I got hooked on a carbonated mineral water called Saratoga Vichy. We still keep a bottle of Saratoga Sparkling Spring Water in the refrigerator (which I still call "the icebox"). I very seldom drink plain old water.

ALSO from andy rooney:

Water: The Drink of Choice
Andy Rooney

If I had to limit myself to drinking just one thing for the rest of my life, there's no doubt my choice would be water. A glass of cool, clear water is unquestionably the best drink, although I start every day with a cup of coffee. One of the great things about life on earth is that we've devised ways to bring clear, cool water to the people who live almost anywhere. It's one good sign for our civilization

A href="http://www.ihavenet.com/humor/Andy-Rooney-My-Good-Friend-Walter-Cronkite.html" title="My Good Friend Walter Cronkite | Andy Rooney"> My Good Friend Walter Cronkite
Andy Rooney

I attended Walter Cronkite's memorial service at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, and I thought you'd like to read what I said about my good friend

Could You Name This Place or Person?
Andy Rooney

I don't know how many people are as dumb -- or as smart -- as I am, but when I look at the newspaper every day I seldom recognize many of the people whose pictures are in it. There's usually someone I know, but most of the people are strangers.

I Love Reading the Newspapers
Andy Rooney

I read a lot of newspapers every day -- or at least I look at a lot of newspapers. It would take all day if you read everything in just one newspaper and we get eight newspapers in my office: the New York Times, the New York Daily News, The New York Post, Newsday, The Washington Post, USA Today, The New York Observer and The Wall Street Journal.

(Write to Andy Rooney at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or via email at aarooney5@yahoo.com)

(c) 2009 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

About Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney born January 14th, 1919 is a writer, humorist, radio and television personality.

Rooney became most famous as a humorist and political commentator with his weekly broadcast on the CBS News Program "60 Minutes" since 1978.