Cuthbert Barnstable, an establishment type, learns he has only 18 months to live. At first he only tells his friend, Harry. But he's constantly tempted to divulge his secret and always disappointed by the reaction of his loved ones. Then he discovers what life's all about and his family learns to live with an amateur bull fighter/nascent painter/master cook. He becomes a combination free spirit and hippie to the chagrin of his son and daughter in law who's been the resident free spirits. Cuthbert, wishing his son would take over the business, had talked them into becoming more "establishment." Cuthbert even has an extramarital affair. But he's pulled up short when he learns he's perfectly healthy