Archives for the ‘Blog Entries.Local’ Category

A Sweltering Evening with Southern Draw and Montenegro

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 16th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
The news and social media are full of reports about the extreme heat affecting much of the country, Virginia included. For my part, I accept that it’s July in Virginia. Temperatures approaching 100° are neither unusual nor unexpected. However, with “feels like” temperatures nearing 110° predicted over the next couple of days, I decided to get an early start on watering the lawn while enjoying a cigar on the screened porch, when the actual temperature was only 92°.

I searched for a light, refreshing digestif and settled on Amaro Montenegro. I’ve been slowly acquiring an assortment of amari. These Italian herbal liqueurs are crafted from a variety of botanicals infused or macerated in alcohol. Although bitterness lies at their core, they offer a wide spectrum of flavors ranging from sweet citrus and floral notes to warming spices and earthy herbs. They are typically served neat as a digestif, though many also shine in cocktails.



Amaro Montenegro is one of the gentlest and most approachable of the amari. With a restrained bitterness, it offers notes of candied orange peel, vanilla, and honey. The floral sweetness balances bitterness without being cloying or syrupy. 

I selected a Southern Draw Evening Primrose for the cigar accompaniment. I've had some in the 5½ x 54 Robusto size in the humidor since June 2025. The cigar features an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado wrapper, an Indonesian Sumatra binder, and fillers from several growing regions of Nicaragua. Though the cigar features a moderate pepper component, it is balanced by a subtle floral sweetness layered with cedar, toasted nuts, citrus, and delicate floral aromas.

It was that underlying floral sweetness that led me to pair the Evening Primrose with the Amaro Montenegro.

The initial draw delivered a substantial burst of pepper and cedar, which briefly gave me pause about the pairing. Almost immediately, however, those bold flavors were tempered by notes of toasted bread and a creamy floral sweetness. I spent several minutes simply enjoying the cigar’s balanced complexity before reaching for the amaro. The combination of gentle pepper, toasted bread, roasted nuts, soft spices, and sweet citrus was thoroughly enjoyable on its own.



Taking my first sip of the amaro confirmed that I had made the right choice. Despite their contrasting flavor profiles, the pairing was remarkably complementary. Montenegro’s orange and honey notes softened the cigar’s early pepper, making the smoke seem creamier. As the cigar developed richer cedar and toasted nut flavors, the amaro contributed hints of vanilla and baking spice that seemed to emerge naturally from the cigar rather than stand apart from it.

The floral interplay between the two was particularly striking. The Evening Primrose’s subtle floral nuances were gently elevated by Montenegro’s delicate botanicals, bringing those notes to the forefront and lending the cigar even greater elegance.

As the hour-long smoke drew to a close, the cigar developed deeper roasted flavors. Amaro Montenegro’s restrained bitterness and honeyed sweetness refreshed the palate between puffs, allowing the cigar’s complexity to continue unfolding. Rather than overwhelming the cigar, the amaro accentuated its more delicate flavors, creating a balanced and sophisticated after-dinner pairing.

Despite the oppressive heat and humidity that pushed the “feels like” temperature close to 100°, the complementary flavors of the Southern Draw Evening Primrose and Amaro Montenegro provided a refreshing counterpoint to the evening. As I settled into the pairing, time passed quickly, and the summer heat seemed almost an afterthought.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Bright Hops, Dark Tobacco

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 13th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
On a recent warm evening, I got a hankering for a nice cold beer — or two — to accompany my cigar. I still had some Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA in the refrigerator left over from a recent gathering with friends, and the thought of that citrusy ale had my mouth watering in anticipation.

First, I needed to decide on a suitable cigar accompaniment. After making several passes through the humidor shelves, I finally settled on the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20, with high expectations for the pairing.



The Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is not a delicate IPA. The beer pours a deep and bright orange color with a big frothy white head — I was relieved I chose a glass of sufficient size. It opens with strong, pithy citrus notes. Resinous, piney hops come through as well. The use of whole-cone hops for dry hopping contributes a fresh, grassy profile. Though a touch of piney resin lingers in the finish, the flavor profile ultimately leans toward bright, fresh citrus. At 7.2% ABV and roughly 65 IBU, it delivers a firm, refreshing citrus bitterness supported by floral hop character and a solid caramel malt backbone.

The Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 had been resting in the humidor for just over two years. The 6 x 54 softly box-pressed stick is a Nicaraguan puro with a glossy maduro wrapper. The filler tobaccos are reportedly aged for more than five years before the cigars are rolled.



The cigar began with the cedar, espresso, and roasted nut flavors I remembered from earlier smokes. After another two years of rest in the humidor, it offered an exceptionally balanced smoke with all of those notes present but none truly dominating. The white pepper finish noted in the past was diminished but not gone.

The pairing flavors provided an interesting array of contrasts. The Torpedo IPA’s grapefruit and pine notes tended to moderate the darker notes of the rich Nicaraguan cigar. Each sip cleansed the palate, allowing the cigar’s flavors to reintroduce themselves with every draw. Especially during the final third, when the Antaño Gran Reserva GT20 became richer and heavier, the Torpedo IPA seemed to emphasize the cedar and spice, making the cigar feel more vibrant and energetic. At the same time, the coffee and cocoa from the smoke soften Torpedo’s hop bitterness.

When I pulled a second bottle of the IPA from the fridge, the freshly chilled beer provided a sharp change to the pairing balance. The citrus aspect of the beer took even more of the limelight over the malt backbone experienced with the prior warmer sips. The pairing became even more engaging as the colder beer pushed the citrus character to the forefront.



After about 90 minutes, both the cigar and my two glasses of beer were finished. The sun was still nearly two hours from setting, yet the temperature had become pleasantly comfortable. We’ve been enjoying a stretch of lower-than-average humidity despite frequent afternoon showers, making for especially pleasant evenings outdoors.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

My last 5 books – July 2026 edition

Author: From https://chrisod.weblog.lol • Jul 12th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

My last 5 books - July 2026 edition

This is a new feature in which I will copy and paste my recent book reviews from my books page These are the last 5 books I have read. I will update in a month or 2 when I've read 5 more.

I'm Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin
Rating: ****

Uber driver and terminally online gamer Abbot gets offered $200K to drive a woman and her large black box from LA to DC, no questions asked. What results in the book is a madcap odd-couple road trip story crossed with a dark satire on online culture mixed with some very insightful commentary about what the black boxes of doom in all our pockets are doing to us. This is the YTD leader for my book of the year. I enjoyed it that much.

Relegated by Todd Smith
Rating: ****

Todd Smith runs a landscape supply shop in MN. He is also a big soccer fan. So it's poetic that the US equivalent of the "blue-collar soccer fan" took a couple of months off and wrote a book based on his travels through the upper and lower echelons of the English soccer system. From Liverpool to Grimsby, we see what the local soccer club means to their supporters at every level of the soccer tables. From immaculate pitches to barely level meadows, pubs and meat pies to pick up soccer games, it's a whirlwind tour that very effectively captures the special sauce that makes football fandom different.

Note: The author of this website is a Southampton supporter. I am all too familiar with relegtion.

The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey
Rating: ****

In book two of this epic space opera centered on the enslavement of about 4000 humans (all that they spared when they attacked), the story again mostly builds on survival. The Carryx are brutal. Animals that don't prove to be useful will be exterminated. The parallels to slavery in US history are pretty damn obvious here. All the "Why didn't the enslaved rebel" questions have the same answer in US history that they have in this book. Likewise, just because you don't see a rebellion brewing doesn't mean that there isn't one brewing. I'm looking forward to book 3, which I think is supposed to wrap up the series.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
Rating: ****

Haig returns to the somewhat familiar landscape of what happens when you die. In this book, you get on a train that runs you back through the most important moments of your life to allow you the chance to really know yourself before you head off into eternity. You are just an observer. But what if you realized you screwed up badly in life and blew the only love you ever had? What if you decide to ignore the rules and try to change the past, to give yourself the life you should have had? And what if the price of that effort is losing your shot at eternity? Would you trade eternity (whatever that is to you) for another shot at an earthly life with the one you love?

Would you take that trade?

Trailed by Kathryn Miles
Rating: ****

We spent the July 4th weekend camping just two miles off the Appalachian Trail. I did an 8-mile hike mostly on the AT. Back at the campsite, I read this book in less than 24 hours. It's the story of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, a young couple that was brutally murdered while on an AT section hike in 1996. The book is beautifully written, with lots of backstory on the victims and a detailed account of just how badly the FBI and Park Police screwed up the investigation. The book details how the FBI fixated on one guy and ruined his life, a guy they never had any real evidence on, even though they went to great lengths to manufacture something useful to their case. The book ends suggesting a serial pedophile from NC might be the real perpetrator, but he was killed by police in the commission of another crime. In researching updates since the book was published in 2022, I learned that a private lab using newer DNA tech was able to tie yet a third serial killer to the crime, but he died in jail in 2018, so even though the FBI has named him the killer, we will never know for sure.

In other news, what's up with all the serial killers hanging out on the AT in the late 90s?


My last 5 books – July 2026 edition

Author: From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Jul 12th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

My last 5 books - July 2026 edition

This is a new feature in which I will copy and paste my recent book reviews from my books page These are the last 5 books I have read. I will update in a month or 2 when I've read 5 more.

I'm Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin
Rating: ****

Uber driver and terminally online gamer Abbot gets offered $200K to drive a woman and her large black box from LA to DC, no questions asked. What results in the book is a madcap odd-couple road trip story crossed with a dark satire on online culture mixed with some very insightful commentary about what the black boxes of doom in all our pockets are doing to us. This is the YTD leader for my book of the year. I enjoyed it that much.

Relegated by Todd Smith
Rating: ****

Todd Smith runs a landscape supply shop in MN. He is also a big soccer fan. So it's poetic that the US equivalent of the "blue-collar soccer fan" took a couple of months off and wrote a book based on his travels through the upper and lower echelons of the English soccer system. From Liverpool to Grimsby, we see what the local soccer club means to their supporters at every level of the soccer tables. From immaculate pitches to barely level meadows, pubs and meat pies to pick up soccer games, it's a whirlwind tour that very effectively captures the special sauce that makes football fandom different.

Note: The author of this website is a Southampton supporter. I am all too familiar with relegtion.

The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey
Rating: ****

In book two of this epic space opera centered on the enslavement of about 4000 humans (all that they spared when they attacked), the story again mostly builds on survival. The Carryx are brutal. Animals that don't prove to be useful will be exterminated. The parallels to slavery in US history are pretty damn obvious here. All the "Why didn't the enslaved rebel" questions have the same answer in US history that they have in this book. Likewise, just because you don't see a rebellion brewing doesn't mean that there isn't one brewing. I'm looking forward to book 3, which I think is supposed to wrap up the series.

The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
Rating: ****

Haig returns to the somewhat familiar landscape of what happens when you die. In this book, you get on a train that runs you back through the most important moments of your life to allow you the chance to really know yourself before you head off into eternity. You are just an observer. But what if you realized you screwed up badly in life and blew the only love you ever had? What if you decide to ignore the rules and try to change the past, to give yourself the life you should have had? And what if the price of that effort is losing your shot at eternity? Would you trade eternity (whatever that is to you) for another shot at an earthly life with the one you love?

Would you take that trade?

Trailed by Kathryn Miles
Rating: ****

We spent the July 4th weekend camping just two miles off the Appalachian Trail. I did an 8-mile hike mostly on the AT. Back at the campsite, I read this book in less than 24 hours. It's the story of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, a young couple that was brutally murdered while on an AT section hike in 1996. The book is beautifully written, with lots of backstory on the victims and a detailed account of just how badly the FBI and Park Police screwed up the investigation. The book details how the FBI fixated on one guy and ruined his life, a guy they never had any real evidence on, even though they went to great lengths to manufacture something useful to their case. The book ends suggesting a serial pedophile from NC might be the real perpetrator, but he was killed by police in the commission of another crime. In researching updates since the book was published in 2022, I learned that a private lab using newer DNA tech was able to tie yet a third serial killer to the crime, but he died in jail in 2018, so even though the FBI has named him the killer, we will never know for sure.

In other news, what's up with all the serial killers hanging out on the AT in the late 90s?


Five O’Clock Friday: Benefits of a Clean Palate

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 10th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
A fresh palate is important.


Just sayin'.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Worth the Wait: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon & L’Atelier LAT56

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 9th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Between a busy — but enjoyable — travel schedule and uncooperative weather, opportunities to sit back with a cigar and whiskey pairing have been few over the past couple of weeks. When I finally had the chance to relax this week, I opted for a long smoke and a bold pour.

For the whiskey, I reached to the back of the shelf for Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon. I picked up this bottle back in December 2024, and it hadn’t seen much attention lately. For the cigar, I selected the 6½ x 56 L’Atelier LAT56. Coincidentally, it had been resting in the humidor for nearly as long as the bourbon had been on the shelf, having been added in August 2024.



Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon is a distinctive release that showcases the craftsmanship behind its production. Even the specific corn seed used in the mash bill was selected for this bottling. With a mash bill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley, it contains significantly more wheat than most wheated bourbons, which typically use around 20% wheat or less. The whiskey is aged for six years and bottled at a robust 121 proof.

The bourbon opens with an inviting nose of brown sugar, toasted oak, and cinnamon. On the palate, it arrives with rich caramel and sweet vanilla before layers of cinnamon and baking spices build across the tongue. I’ve often remarked that it reminds me of a spicy Christmas cookie.



The L’Atelier LAT56, produced by Pete Johnson at Tatuaje, feels even larger in the hand than its dimensions suggest, perhaps because of its substantial weight and firm pack. It features an Ecuadorian Sancti Spiritus wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The cellophane had developed the characteristic golden-yellow tint often associated with a well-aged cigar. The Sancti Spiritus wrapper is a hybrid developed by the Oliva tobacco family from Pelo de Oro and Criollo seed, created specifically for the L’Atelier line. Even after nearly two years in the humidor, the reddish-brown wrapper remained soft, supple, and oily.

The cigar opens with notes of cedar, nutty cocoa, and toasted bread. As the smoke progresses, darker cocoa and espresso emerge, supported by an underlying earthy sweetness that adds balance and complexity throughout the experience.



After a few sips, I added a few drops of water to the bourbon. The slight dilution softened the alcohol and tamed the spice just enough to let the sweetness of the wheat shine through. The LAT56’s refined profile of cedar, cocoa, and subtle sweetness allowed the bourbon’s unique high-wheat character to remain the focal point without overwhelming the palate. In return, the bourbon seemed to accentuate the cigar’s creamy wood and cocoa flavors while gently pushing its pepper and spice into the background.

The pairing continued to evolve over the course of the smoke, gradually taking on an almost dessert-like character. With the L’Atelier LAT56 providing nearly two hours of smoking enjoyment, there was ample time to appreciate the uniquely sweet yet peppery personality of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon. It proved to be exactly the prescription I needed after a hectic couple of weeks.

Cheers!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

Grayson Highlands Camping 2026

Author: From https://chrisod.weblog.lol • Jul 6th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

Grayson Highlands Camping 2026

A heatwave hit the east coast just in time for the July 4 weekend. It was over 100F (38C) in RVA. Luckily we were 240 miles away and 1 mile up camping, where the 80F (27C) temps also constitute a heat wave, but one I can handle.

We arrived on Thursday, July 2, meeting up with friends for the weekend. After our traditional arrival night dinner of WaWa subs, we retired to the campfire with our friends.

On Friday I took everyone out to see the wild ponies that are the star of the show here. There was only 1 mare and her goal in the first half-mile where most people go to see the ponies. My wife and our friends headed back to camp after that, and I continued on towards Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in VA. Ultimately I stopped short of the peak at an AT shelter and turned around there, turning the planned 9-mile hike into an 8-mile hike. I've bagged the Mt. Rogers peak several times, and there is no view from the top, so that final climb seemed pointless on a hot and sunny day.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - ponies and campsite

Mountain view from Grayson Highlands State Park

I've done this hike 5 times in the last 20 years, and it gets more difficult each time. What's up with that? While on the trail, I saw more than enough examples of poor decision-making to fill up a couple of bad hiker bingo cards. I hope there were no rescue calls on Friday, but if there were, I probably saw the victims (of their own bad decisions) earlier in the day.

Once I got back to camp, a shower and nap were my priorities, in that order.

While headed back, my wife saw and heard a Vesper's Sparrow, which would be a lifer for me.

On Saturday we took our time getting up and going, eventually going out birding, searching for another Vesper's Sparrow. We didn't find one. That afternoon we explored more of the park, including the homestead of the farm that was here originally. There are several original buildings still standing.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - AT and park

On Sunday our friends headed back home, so we decided to drive into Damascus for lunch and a beer before they continued on home. There is not much in Damascus, so after lunch and browsing (and buying) at a couple of outfitters, we headed back. The road from the camp to Damascus is 24 miles of switchbacks. It was a fun drive, but I'd had enough by the time we returned. The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging at camp. I mostly read, finishing my book, a true crime novel about an unsolved murder of two young women on the Appalachian Trail. Did I mention that my hike on Friday was mostly on the AT, although the murders occurred over 100 miles north? Maybe not the best choice for reading material, but it is very well written, and the multiple failures by Park Police and the FBI mean that the families will never get real closure.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - AT and Damascus

The new camper that rolled in across from us on Sunday had an Escape, which is made in British Columbia and is on my short list of possible upgrades from the Ascape someday. It's slightly larger and has 1 of the 2 features we lack today that I'd like in our next camper, a bed separate from the dining area. The other feature is a dry shower/bathroom, but that may be a stretch if we want to stick with small campers. He came over to say hi as he had looked at Ascapes when buying, and I got a tour of his camper.

The drive home on Monday was uneventful, just the way I like my drives.


Grayson Highlands Camping 2026

Author: From https://blog.odonnellweb.com • Jul 6th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local

Grayson Highlands Camping 2026

Trip: 59 Nights: 194-197

A heatwave hit the east coast just in time for the July 4 weekend. It was over 100F (38C) in RVA. Luckily we were 240 miles away and 1 mile up camping, where the 80F (27C) temps also constitute a heat wave, but one I can handle.

We arrived on Thursday, July 2, meeting up with friends for the weekend. After our traditional arrival night dinner of WaWa subs, we retired to the campfire with our friends.

On Friday I took everyone out to see the wild ponies that are the star of the show here. There was only 1 mare and her goal in the first half-mile where most people go to see the ponies. My wife and our friends headed back to camp after that, and I continued on towards Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in VA. Ultimately I stopped short of the peak at an AT shelter and turned around there, turning the planned 9-mile hike into an 8-mile hike. I've bagged the Mt. Rogers peak several times, and there is no view from the top, so that final climb seemed pointless on a hot and sunny day.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - ponies and campsite

Mountain view from Grayson Highlands State Park

I've done this hike 5 times in the last 20 years, and it gets more difficult each time. What's up with that? While on the trail, I saw more than enough examples of poor decision-making to fill up a couple of bad hiker bingo cards. I hope there were no rescue calls on Friday, but if there were, I probably saw the victims (of their own bad decisions) earlier in the day.

Once I got back to camp, a shower and nap were my priorities, in that order.

While headed back, my wife saw and heard a Vesper's Sparrow, which would be a lifer for me.

On Saturday we took our time getting up and going, eventually going out birding, searching for another Vesper's Sparrow. We didn't find one. That afternoon we explored more of the park, including the homestead of the farm that was here originally. There are several original buildings still standing.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - AT and park

On Sunday our friends headed back home, so we decided to drive into Damascus for lunch and a beer before they continued on home. There is not much in Damascus, so after lunch and browsing (and buying) at a couple of outfitters, we headed back. The road from the camp to Damascus is 24 miles of switchbacks. It was a fun drive, but I'd had enough by the time we returned. The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging at camp. I mostly read, finishing my book, a true crime novel about an unsolved murder of two young women on the Appalachian Trail. Did I mention that my hike on Friday was mostly on the AT, although the murders occurred over 100 miles north? Maybe not the best choice for reading material, but it is very well written, and the multiple failures by Park Police and the FBI mean that the families will never get real closure.

Photo collage from Grayson Highlands - AT and Damascus

The new camper that rolled in across from us on Sunday had an Escape, which is made in British Columbia and is on my short list of possible upgrades from the Ascape someday. It's slightly larger and has 1 of the 2 features we lack today that I'd like in our next camper, a bed separate from the dining area. The other feature is a dry shower/bathroom, but that may be a stretch if we want to stick with small campers. He came over to say hi as he had looked at Ascapes when buying, and I got a tour of his camper.

The drive home on Monday was uneventful, just the way I like my drives.


The Saint with Cigars in His Pocket

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 5th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Yesterday, July 4, marked the first celebration of the feast of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati following his canonization by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025.

Known simply as Pier Giorgio among his friends, he was born into an affluent family on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy. An avid outdoorsman, he was athletic, adventurous, and rarely seen without a smile. Tragically, he contracted polio and died on July 4, 1925, at just 24 years of age.

During his brief life, he became known for his quiet generosity, frequently giving away money, possessions, and even his own clothing to those in need. The full extent of his charity became apparent only after his death, when thousands of the poor and marginalized whom he had helped lined the streets of Turin for his funeral.

His life of joyful charity earned him the title “Man of the Beatitudes,” a description given by Saint John Paul II, who saw in Pier Giorgio a remarkable embodiment of Christ’s love for the poor and those in need.




Though often depicted with climbing gear and a pipe, Saint Pier Giorgio’s enjoyment of cigars is also well documented. FrassatiUSA, a website devoted to his life and legacy, preserves several delightful anecdotes that reveal another facet of his warm and engaging personality.

One comes from a story titled Pier Giorgio’s Last Christmas, recounted by his friend and teacher, Gian Pietro Ravera:
Christmas 1924 was celebrated according to the Club’s tradition, and in fact about fifteen members gathered that night in a private chapel at 9 Via Ormea where Canon Bues celebrated Mass. I was among those who were invited by Pier Giorgio, who went on and on about how beautiful the Mass would be, as well as the gastronomic delights that would follow. Pier Giorgio and Carlo Pol served the Mass, and I remember how it was difficult to move in the chapel because it was standing room only.

Pier Giorgio had some cigars in his suit coat pocket, and they started to fall out when he was making a genuflection. He blushed deeply as he stuffed them back into his pocket. Then, turning toward my side of the chapel and seeing that I had seen everything that had happened, he made a face as if to excuse himself and he suppressed a smile, returning to his prayers with greater intensity than before.

I continued to watch him, and the longer the Mass went on, and the more intense and spiritually delightful it became, the more I was moved to see that group of university students follow the liturgy of the Mass with such devotion. 

Another story recounts the last gift Pier Giorgio received from his sister on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, his name day:
... we know that the last gift he received from his sister was a cigar case that he chose for himself that day while they shopped together.  Later, he joked with a maid, “Two cigars.  Today you have to give me two cigars: one for St. Peter and one for St. Paul; it's a double feast today!”




In honor of his canonization, Regina Cigars released the PGF ST-090725, a cigar bearing Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati’s likeness on its band. I had the opportunity to review the cigar earlier this year.

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati lived only 24 years, yet he left an extraordinary mark on the Church and the world. He loved the mountains, cherished his friends, appreciated the simple pleasures of life, and possessed a joyful sense of humor. Above all, he devoted himself to Christ by serving the poor with humility and generosity. These small stories about cigars remind us that holiness does not erase our humanity, but perhaps even enhance it.


Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Ora Pro Nobis!



[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

An Undiminished Devotion: Reflections on America’s 250th Anniversary

Author: From http://www.musingsoverabarrel.com/ • Jul 4th, 2026
   Category: Blog Entries.Local
Today, and indeed this entire year, patriotic Americans celebrate the foresight, wisdom, and courage of our Founding Fathers in declaring independence from an oppressive government. As our nation marks the 250th anniversary of its founding — the American Semiquincentennial — Independence Day carries an even deeper significance. It is both a celebration of freedom and a solemn reminder that liberty must be vigilantly protected.

Our forefathers were explicit in their intent: our rights are granted by our Creator, not by government. Political power is legitimate only when it derives from the consent of the governed. These timeless truths laid the foundation of a nation built on freedom. Yet today, those principles face challenges — not only from foreign adversaries, but also from those within our own society who misunderstand, disregard, or seek to redefine them.



Enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and secured through the Constitution is the conviction that all people are endowed with unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These founding principles remain as relevant today as they were in 1776. But freedom is not self-sustaining. It depends upon citizens who possess the character, courage, and resolve to uphold it.

Celebrating this great gift of liberty does not require ignoring the threats against it. Some, under a distorted understanding of “freedom” or in pursuit of ideological causes, seek to silence dissent, erase history, redefine language, and shame those who hold differing views. Such attitudes reveal not confidence in their ideas, but hostility toward the principles of open debate and individual liberty that have long defined our republic.

Yet hope abounds. Millions of Americans are growing weary of division, hostility, and caricatures that portray their beliefs as dangerous or extreme. They continue to stand by the values enshrined in our founding documents: freedom, faith, personal responsibility, and equal rights under the law.

Even amid uncertainty and division, the light of liberty has not been extinguished. Many Americans seek a renewed commitment to the principles of 1776 and the constitutional order that followed. Their efforts are driven not by hatred, but by love — love of country, love of liberty, and love for future generations who deserve to inherit a free and united nation.

Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Roger C. Weightman on June 24, 1826, reflected on the significance of this day:
“For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”
I, for one, am proud of my country. I will not quietly accept efforts to restrict religious liberty, diminish the right of self-defense, or replace the principles of a free society with ideologies that history has repeatedly shown to be destructive.

As America marks its Semiquincentennial year, may we renew our appreciation for the principles that gave birth to this nation and recommit ourselves to preserving them. Celebrate America. Celebrate freedom. And above all, prepare to defend and preserve these blessings for those who will inherit the nation we leave behind.

Happy Independence Day!


[ This content originated at Musings Over a Barrel ]

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