Ted Swearingen

Dangerous work today.

A tin of Chelsea Morning by G. L. Pease. (image borrowed from G.L.Pease.com

I took my time escaping from bed this morning later than I do so usually. Thus, I expedited my bath and grooming routine so I could get a quick breakfast of tea and biscuits. Today was a dangerous day. I had made a swift and bold decision and this afternoon I had to follow that instinct to action.

Lives were at stake, and so too were hopes and futures and nest eggs. I was going to ruin something, and it was the right thing to do, however, I felt uneasy about the whole dreary mess, nonetheless. This Spring morning was heavy with burden and so I made an opportunity to be at ease for awhile with a pipe: a walnut-finished Canadian.

I poured over a few tins I have handy. I knew I was in the mood for the spice of latakia, but nothing too heavy, rich or exotic.

Soon I was puffing away on a bowl of Chelsea Morning, by G. L. Pease. Greg was right about what he said of this English blend: it smokes just as well in the afternoon and evening, but it’s something special in the morning and on this morning in particular I could sense that magic coming to life through the smoke. This blend is a bottom structure of ready-rubbed Virginia and perique mixed with some oriental tobacco and a pinch of choice Cyprus latakia. Chelsea Morning endears the morning aroma as the light spice of the sweet Virginia only hints at the rich fragrance of Cypriot tobacco.

As my mind balanced back and forth between the grim activity that lay ahead on this day and the pleasant moment at hand, a man on a bicycle rode by whistling the theme of the Andy Griffith Show. Dangerous work just this morning indeed .

Sweet Cavendish, Virginian and burley started me out this morning. Turned to Pirate Kake this afternoon, then got quick to a bowl of Virginia Cut Plug (Friborg & Treyer) from a small flame-grained bent bulldog. And for tonight? Pembroke by Esoterica, I predict.

If it’s nice outside

Shelly on May 02, 2010

…like it was today, Shelly and I will sit outside where we can talk leisurely about our projects.  We’ll play music softly and drink whiskey or brandy.  Normally, I will like to smoke a pipe.

This evening we sat, chatting about our friends, while I smoked Pirate Kake, by Cornel & Diehl.  Smoking this dark cake tobacco strongly suggests the semi-sweet cocoa and creamy Macadamia one can find in coffee from the Asian-Pacific.  The cake, which looks like a small brownie, breaks down into tiny flakes easily between the forefinger and the thumb. Because this blend is predominantly, latakia, the smoke is buttery rich and cool.

Near the end of the bowl I suddenly found Shelly to be very amusing and so I was inspired to grab the Polaroid 690.  It’s loaded with my last roll of 600 film, which expired in September of last year.  The pictures off this roll have been developing a bit sour, but I like it.  The under processed blue tone leaves the image washed with reds and yellows creating the effect of vintage film.  Bit of oxymora, for you.

I took an opportunity to capture this picture with the last bit of daylight.  I watched the film develop, slowly, aimlessly contemplating the feel of the vulcanite bit between my teeth.

It’s warm today, as it tends to be in new Spring. There’s a strong crosswind that plays against the tepid face of the early evening. There’s no traffic; it’s a peaceful enough for a drive, and that’s exactly what we did, Shelly and I. We cruised down Miracle Mile looking for an early dinner, while listening to Cat Steven’s 1971 album Teaser and The Firecat. It fit well. Also well fit was the bowl of Virginia Cut Plug (Fribourg & Treyer) I smoked out of a Peterson billiard as we kept peeled eyes on strange locals and chance for dinner while we listened to The Wind.

What a stud.

Douglas Macarthur (b. 1880 d. 1964) smoking an XL corn cob pipe, which he did famously

Macarthur was a fierce looking sonofabitch. He looks like the kind of guy who, upon meeting, would demand that you kiss his ring. He would be smiling and the two of you would try to laugh off the uncomfortable situation until he got real scary and serious-like and said “I’m not fucking around, sonny, you’d better goddamn kiss my ring.” Then you’d kiss his vicious looking college football trophy ring and he’d laugh at you and all the navy boys would have someone new to hate.

A lot of Virginia and perique today. The pepper-spice quality of the latter is great for my allergies. This stuff will open up my sinuses.

9am ish: Escudo Navy De Luxe
3pm: Samuel Gawith Kendal XX Black Twist
6pm ish: another bowl of the same
8pm ish: Tobacco Leaf’s 965
9pm or so: Cornel & Diehl Kajun Kake

I’ve just finished a tin of this tobacco and I thought I might share my impressions.

It’s beautiful packaged unwrapped reveals remarkably thin cut coins that are just gorgeous. I love this kind of cut anyway, also being partial to pressed flake tobacco. Both are convenient to carry around and they look sharp.

A Tin of Escudo Navy De Luxe

The mix of perique here is spot on, lending itself a nice color to the coin as well as filling the tin with fig notes and other dried dark fruits.

The coins are easy to rub out and fill up. I didn’t find the tobacco prone to burn too hot or bite, nor did it leave behind much dottle. It’s really a consistent smoke, from top to bottom.

I think the high opinion of Escudo Navy De Luxe can be found in the taste. It’s rich without overreaching itself. It’s sweet enough for those moments that deserve a sweet smoke, but it’s so pleasant and subtle that it can be smoked in every day-part like any sturdy Virginian.

I would recommend this tobacco to any smoker, whether they be novice, amateur or expert. But don’t take my word for it. This is so highly recommended by so many smoker’s; trust your fellows, I say!

A single coin of pressed and cut Virginia and Perique tobaccos

Brand: Peter Stokkebye
Blender: Peter Stokkeby
Tin Description: A combination of full bodied Virginia from North Carolina and Virginia blended with Perique from Louisiana are the cornerstones in Escudo. The blend is pressed and matured before it is spun and cut into coins. This process ensures the unique character of Escudo.
Country of Origin: DK
Curing Group: Air Cured
Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Flake
Packaging: 50g Tin

Matches.

Having gotten that out of the way promptly, I’ll take my opportunity to expound.

I love lighters.  Particularly, I love Zippo lighters.  There are many reasons to cherish these fire-making objects, shared by many different people along the world.  I bought my first Zippo, a knock-off, from a friend of mine for $10, when I was 16.  It had a psychedelic little Alice in Wonderland illustration etched in it’s side, a sign of its cheapness, and it fell apart at the hinge a few months after use.  Nevertheless, I’ve since acquired many Zippos, real ones, and they are a treasure.  Many were presents from others, a few were from myself.

I only make semi-regular use of one, currently, an old copper plated job I went looking for years ago.  Today it’s dirty and oxidizing, as I’d hoped it would.  It lights well and I honestly can’t taste the fuel through more than the first few puffs of a cigar.

I don’t use a Zippo when I’m smoking a pipe.  Moreover, I don’t use any lighters.

My thoughts are this:  If it’s too windy to use a match, likely it’s too windy for a good smoke.  And what are pipe smokers if not those fellows who aim high for the best smoke?

I know those who prefer lighters.  Who could blame them?  Matches are a bitch if you can’t tame that quick flame.

Insisting on a match has kept me patient with my pipes.  I have to pack the bowl more carefully and I have to be mindful about how many matches I have versus how many times I may need to re-light.  Learning these lessons and minding some of the certain rules by  which one will have to play when insisting on matches before lighters should result in more thoughtful care of your pipes and smoking pleasure.