I've been out to Tacoma, down to Denver, and now back to Wisconsin once again. I saw snow, yuck!!!!, out in Laramie, WY. That really sucks this early in the year. What's worse, I saw it again in CO. Double yuck!!!!!

Once I made it back to the yard I lined up my next load, a snow blower truck going to an airfield in WV, and checked into the hotel. Once I was checked in I headed over to the tobacco shop to pick up some pipe tobacco as I was running low. I picked up some more Irish Aromatic blend, a can of Prince Albert, and a small bag of "Ocen Breeze' just to try it out (don't care for it).

While I was looking around the place I spotted a Dr Grabow Freehand pipe that I kind of liked the looks of. I've always turned up my nose at Dr Grabow pipes but know several people who think they smoke well and like them, so I decided "what the heck?" and bought it.

After smoking the pipe once so far, I am not overly impressed. It seems to smoke too hot to me, but then perhaps I am just too used to better quality pipes. I'll try some different packing methods and smoking techniques and see how it does in the long run. After all, I mostly smoke meers and they do tend to spoil one for other types of pipes. I'll give it a fair shake.

I hadn't smoked any Prince Albert in a while and, while it's a pretty ordinary sort of pipe tobacco, I do kind of like it. It makes a good daily, utilitarian sort of smoke. Not a luxury smoke by any means, but enjoyable just the same. Besides, it was the first pipe tobacco I had ever smoked and so holds a special place in my heart. I really enjoyed smoking a bit of it tonight.

Besides, my PA pouch was feeling neglected of late. I have a few different tobacco pouches. All are roll type pouches which is all I will use. One is for PA or other general tobaccos, one is for aromatics, one is for strong aromatics, and I have one special one which is a very old (19th century) seal skin seaman's tobacco pouch purchased in an antique store that is just for English blends.

I had a very nice evening at Applebee's here. "C" was working and as usual gave me a big hug when I went in. For once I managed to keep my hat on during the hug. She usually manages to knock it off during the hug LOL.

"C"  had asked me to bring in some of my sculpted meerschaum pipes when I stopped in, and so I did. She was fascinated by the artistic nature of those pipes. I have to admit that's one of the things I love about meer pipes. They are literally works of art, all hand carved in Turkey, and every one is a one of a kind piece. No two are ever exactly the same.

While sitting at the bar I discovered they had a new server at Applebee's. I discivered this when I heard a voice coming from behind me saying "Are you KNITTING?!" The people who work there know me and know I knit, so it was either a fellow customer or a new employee. It turned out to be the latter.

Before I could answer her the bartender, Alyssa, told her all about all of "the coolest stuff" I knit. I spent the next several minutes answering all of her questions and assuring her that, yes, some men do knit and no, I don't knit things for people for money.

Somehow I did find myself talked into knitting a pair of mittens at some point in the near future. How did that happen?

Well, ok, she was cute.

I'm going to fill another pipe full of PA, enjoy a quiet smoke, and hit the sack. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow before heading out for WV.