Spring — at least the meteorological version — arrived in force late this week, bringing with it temperatures warm enough to lure me into the yard for needed chores. It was actually refreshing to begin the winter cleanup, which includes pruning a good …

Spring continues to tease us here in Virginia. Winter is far from finished, yet hints of the new season are unmistakable. Bluebirds sing from the trees, daffodils push through the mulch, and cigars are occasionally enjoyed without the need for heavy co…

The weather cooperated nicely for my observance of National Cigar Day last Friday, with daytime temperatures climbing into the low 60s. The thermometer dipped after sunset, but the mild afternoon led to the porch far more welcoming later in the day. Wi…

February 27 is National Cigar Day, a day set aside for cigar lovers to reflect on their passion and celebrate the craftsmanship and culture behind the leaf. Truth be told, we don’t need a special day to do that — but who’s going to turn down another re…

Today, February 27, is the Feast Day of St. Gabriel Possenti, also known as St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.Gabriel Possenti was a Catholic seminarian in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy. According to tradition, in 1860 Gabriel used his marksmanship to s…

As we settle into the early days of Lent, I turned to a cigar created to honor a newly canonized saint for a Friday evening smoke. I wrote about Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati last September on the occasion of his canonization. At that time, I ordered a f…

We continue to enjoy some moderately warmer weather and ever-later sunsets — welcome signs that there’s more time to linger outdoors with an after-dinner cigar. Earlier this week, the El Pulpo from Artesano del Tobacco, paired with some Valentine’s Day…

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. Though I am well past the age when the Church requires such penance, it feels odd not to offer the sacrifice — as long as health allows. So food was minimal on Wednesday as we marked the b…

It’s Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent. It’s good to add some humor to the fasting.An Irishman moves into a tiny hamlet in County Kerry, walks into the pub and promptly orders three beers.The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man thr…

Maybe we’re getting a small break from the deep freeze. Even if only temporary, an evening above freezing made for a relaxing stretch of time on the porch — aided by the propane heater of course. For this evening’s repast, I selected an Arturo Fuente M…