What are you Smoking? - April 2023

little later to the chats, be there as soon as "local" team makes their pick. At #27 so far, right now at #23

Ed

Do you feel better after all the political and social comments you make? Life is rough without a sense of common courtesy.

This forum has a no-politics rule. I'd just like everyone to have the common courtesy to adhere to it. It's not difficult. Lots of folks here manage to post every single day without getting into political/social commentary or dropping words and phrases everyone knows are cultural hot-buttons.

And then there's some who can rarely manage it. I don't know why. Truly, I don't. That's partly why it bothers me: I can't figure out what the difficulty is. And when you're trying to avoid getting peppered with politics and culture wars 24/7, and you're in a forum where that stuff is against the rules, yes, it gets bothersome that there's still a daily stream of small and large references to it, reminders about it, and just plain participation in it.

For people who sometimes express concern about the forum membership count and about the dwindling number of pipe smokers in general, it shows an odd lack of self-awareness. After all, the whole point of the no-politics rule is to make sure this place is inviting to pipe smokers of all stripes. If anyone thinks this place isn't inhospitable to all pipe smokers except those within a fairly narrow spectrum of political/social values and viewpoints, they're mistaken.

I rarely say anything about it because on the whole I find you all to be a pretty companionable lot, and, to be honest, because I really don't think there's much point to saying anything. This place is what it is at this point. It has some core members -- and you're one of them, Ron -- who, if very many of them left because they couldn't go on doing what they've gotten used to doing, the Patch probably wouldn't survive. That's just the reality of it. On rare occasions, though, like this one, it flusters me so much I harrumph about it.

This is far and away the most I've ever said on the subject, and the most I'll ever say.

On topic, 2009 Riverboat Gambler in one of my Dublins.

Good Morning! It's a milder 55° here and cloudy with rain on the way. One of the workshop doors is wide open and the heater is turned off. It's my turn this afternoon to go get some things from a grocery store nearby because not all of the supermarkets have what we need. The first pipe of the day is Wessex Brigade Campaign VA Flake in the BBB Two Star Special and there's a travel mugga fresh coffee on the tobacco table.

MM965 is a favorite of mine also enjoy Squadron Leader and Father Dempsey's as I do enjoy my English blends.

I rainy day here also, a much-needed soaking rain. I'm smoking a bowl of odds and ends, from the spill-tray, and watching the grass grow, cold water on the side.

How did the "house blend" turn out - was it mostly one family of tobacco or was it a smorgasbord?

Greets & happy TGIF for those affected. Back from medical visits, Wilke #622 in pressed meer at desk, juice/meds by side. Brunch of some kind soon.

58, to 63, overcast, 100% chance of rain due

Ed-slow moving as now the norm in about everything

Thanks! I'll have to check those out. I've heard good things about Fr. Dempsey's in particular. Been enjoying Sutliff's English as an easygoing smoke, but 965 has more going on. I like that it has Cavendish. Great to meet another English blend fan

2013 Capstan Gold Ready Rubbed for the first smoke of my new Joe Hinkle bamboo shank Apple.

Beautiful sunny day here today.  Mowed the lawn.  Smoking Presbyterian in a Charatan....

I didn't say anything political. There have been whole movies that make fun of Belgians. It's a joke. Get over yourself. Show me a little courtesy.

Friar's Bayou in the Friday cob. Light, persistent rain pretty much all day.

Oriental home blend in a Dr. Grabow Viscount #36 billiard.