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…
After nearly two weeks of resorting to the cigar lounge for a smoke — mostly due to bitter cold temperatures — I was finally able to spend some time enjoying a cigar and drink on the porch this past week. As enjoyable as the lounge is, I prefer selecti…
A repost.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. Thi…
The Bitter Giuseppe is a comparatively low-ABV cocktail that’s well suited to afternoon sipping. Although I generally prefer a bourbon- or rye-based drink, I’ve been turning to this one often lately, especially as a Sunday afternoon aperitif.The Bitter…
During a visit to Winchester, VA, I dropped into the John B. Hayes Tobacconist to enjoy a morning smoke. Lately, when I’ve visited this lounge, I’ve found myself lingering over the La Flor Dominicana section of the humidor cabinets. Despite the early h…
Today, February 1, is the Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland — a saint whose legacy is inseparable from both faith and tradition, and whose name is uniquely entwined with beer.Our family has long held a particular affection for this great saint. In fac…
Those of a certain age will remember the Nestlé Quik commercial from the 1970s that gave us the line, “That’s the saddest sound I know.” That small lament comes to mind whenever I realize I’ve reached the final cigar in a favorite box.The Oliva Serie V…
As so often happens, the weather turned unseasonably warm in the days before an “historic” storm was predicted. That brief tease of warmth provided the inspiration for a warm-ish sip and smoke on the porch. Looking over the Cigar of the Month drawer in…
