I may be on a brief hiatus from enjoying cigars while I heal from surgery, but there’s still work to be done. A few weeks ago, I noticed the Boveda humidity packs in my humidor were starting to feel grainy. When they start to feel like there’s sand ins…

In the early days of blogging, RSS feeds were a popular way to stay updated on blogs and news sites. I still rely on RSS to follow most of the blogs I read. Even if a site doesn’t advertise it, most publish an RSS feed that can be accessed through a ne…

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 …

This weekend, I’m trying to squeeze in a couple more bourbon and cigar pairings before my post-surgery break, which means embracing the cold.After an early dinner on Friday, with the sun still lingering above the horizon for another hour or so, I poure…

The past year — more precisely, the last 14 months — has been a relentless rollercoaster of pain and the ongoing search for relief. The chronic pain in my back and lower extremities has been constant, sometimes debilitating. Throughout this ordeal, I h…

We were hit by another winter storm last week, and the bitter cold is expected to linger. Getting outside to enjoy a cigar has been a challenge, so I’ve retreated to the local cigar lounge more than once lately. On a recent afternoon, despite the “offi…

Sunday afternoons are our time to relax, reflect on the past week, and prepare for the one ahead. It’s still not quite warm enough outside for Sunday afternoon cocktails on the deck, accompanied by a cigar, but the “apéritif” tradition continues. Since…

Today, February 10, marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint José Sánchez del Río. On this day in 1928, a 14-year-old boy was executed by Mexican government forces for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith during the Cristero War. This period …

Mother nature is teasing with brief interludes of pleasant weather — between reminders that it is still winter. During a recent afternoon that hinted at spring, I reached for a Crowned Heads Le Carême Pastelitos LE 2023 for a quick smoke. Seeking a mil…

My wife had an appointment in Winchester, VA, recently and asked if I’d make the two-hour drive with her. Since there’s a cigar lounge in town that I follow on social media, I had an extra incentive to play chauffeur for the day. (Of course, her asking…