What are two things the old man does to stay healthy? When did he begin talking to himself?

The old man prepared himself for the fishing season by eating turtle eggs through the spring and by a daily cup of shark liver oil.

The old man couldn't remember when he began talking to himself. He recalled singing by himself "in the old days" and and night, but was unsure when he began talking out loud. Most likely he began "when the boy had left," but he couldn't say for sure.