The Daily Chronicle 2020

Another 6+ inches of snow. I have not measured it yet.

Morning temp in mid 20s so I guess this will start melting this afternoon. 

25 degrees and foggy this morning. We’re supposed to get another snow storm rolling in here tomorrow. We’ve got plenty of hay for the horses, Shweetie went and bought groceries yesterday...so let it snow. I may pull a saddle out today and oil it. Or I may not. I may just go take another nap.

I've noticed lately that my tobaccos are not tasting as flavorful as usual. It's been that way for a couple months, at least.

But last night I smoked Hobbit's Weed and Spiced Rum - and they tasted amazing.
The cherry in the Hobbit's Weed was strong, and the Spiced Rum was so flavorful I almost checked the jar to see if I had grabbed the wrong tobacco. 
This seems to happen every now and then. Back in November the Sutiff Chocolate Mousse actually tasted like chocolate mousse! Unfortunately, today it doesn't.

Then I got to thinking.....
My father-in-law, who lives in Wichita, has remarked in the past that when he comes back to central Illinois it affects his sinuses badly.
I've noticed it myself.

And I had just arrived back home last night from a quick trip to Wichita!
So maybe I'm on to something here.
My sinuses are affecting my taste.

My sinuses always seem to act up the worst in the fall/winter. I was looking at the humidity in my house last week. Bought a hygrometer to track it - and found that the furnace serviceman had put my humidifier into service without telling me. I turned it off since humidity is too high.

I'm hoping I can find a fix, stop the sinus discomfort - and enjoy my pipe more.

Anyone have this problem?

The doggo brigade got its field maneuvers this afternoon but much truncated. The snow was too deep and the wind too sharp (at a mere 32°) for me to make the whole course. But they expended tons of energy and seemed to enjoy it while being not too hard to convince to go back to the house. Both sound asleep now, one on the couch and one on the bed. I always feel better when they, and I, have had our daily dose. Tons of deer and other critter sign all over. Fresh snow is always good for that. One of the best reasons to be out in it. Saw deer, porky, rabbit, mouse, coyote, and pheasant tracks. No Sasquatch. Yet, anyway...

I sometimes have the same problem too. I sometimes refer to my body as a human weather vane: when the temperature goes up I can feel it in my ears, sometimes I’ll get a wicked headache. When the temperature drops, I can feel it in my fingers and joints. Guess some people are more susceptible then others.

Had a beautiful drive to the doctor today. Took the back roads. Rolling hills and ranches, country homes and woods, swamps and meadows. Very relaxing. Except for the 10 minutes on I 30.

Slow day today.
Cleaned some empty wine bottles for re-use.
Reloaded 100 rounds of 9mm.
Went over to the daughter's for dinner.
Maybe load another 100 rounds of 9mm later.

After loading about 500 9mm, I need to switch to 45cal.
Need 600 rounds for Pistol League when it starts up in the middle of January.

No. I use a 4 hole turret press by Lee.

For the first 2 or 3 years I used a Lee hand press.

For the 2 rifle rounds I reload, I use a single stage press. I bought a Hornady Auto scale that helps  speed that up.

Then this:


A bit later, she asks me; Is that lighter any better than those knock-offs you were bragging about?
I assured her that the Old Boy is, in fact, much higher in quality; which it is, according to my brief analysis.
The long and short of it is, I am extremely fortunate to have this fine lighter for two reasons: 1. My wife, even though she complains some about my pipe smoking habit, supports me in my pursuit of pipe nirvana. 2. She had already ordered the lighter when I was shooting my mouth off about how good the knock-off Old Boys are.
Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good!

You might be on to something, buddy. Taste comes from our sense of smell too, in some way, so if your sinuses are affected, that would, in theory (at least in MY theory) affect your taste. It's like when you have a cold you can't taste much - same thing, methinks. 

Might also explain why I can't taste my pipe smoke much, because my sinuses are always kinda bunged...but I DO taste other things, so maybe that's not the case. Still, worth me checking out. I might take some decongestants some day before smoking my pipe to see if it makes a difference. I might need to start cellaring those too.

That's amazing, good on you (kxg) Kelly!

I woke up to snow this morning, with the forecast calling for it to continue all day and through the night, delivering several inches. I have no where I need to be, and no desire to get there. Looks like another lazy day

 Congratulations Kelly on your anniversary! All the best to you and your bride! 😁🥂

The snow past here. So, now it is the cold trough which follows. High today about 22 with wind chill abut 12 degrees. Tonight's forecast is for air temps down to -5 degrees (F). 

I am wearing a wool blend union suit with two lambs wool sweaters on top and sweat pants abajo. A wool balaclava upon my head. That is the inside dress.