There are Times

One day I'll sit down to write something to post here and then when I'm finished I'll put it away, then I'll go back to it, and absolutely hate how it is written.  In that case I'll delete it and just start over again.  This is one of those days.  This is not the place for me to do my own therapy.  I tell myself this over and over.  I've been more theologian lately than I have been a philosopher.  And really, none of you need the theologian in me.  

But philosophy is different.  I have a philosophy about stress.  I don't want it and you don't either.  None of you need more stress in your lives.  Stress nearly killed me twice and I simply decided that stress is my mortal enemy.  I've simply decided not to stress about life and living.  Stress for me can be described in two simple words:  It's ugly.  I mean it is very ugly.  My wife doesn't need me stressed.  My kids don't need it.  And perhaps looking outside myself, you don't need it.

I'd rather write about Blue Birds and Rainbows.  I'd rather others see Blue Birds and Rainbows than the ugliness of stress.  My task as I see it, is to reduce your stress than add to it.  This is true for everyone.  A smile is always the best.  Everyone loves a smile.  My wife often says of photos I'm in that I'm not smiling.  I often think I am.  But I'm thinking now all my smiles have to be over exaggerated.  Everyone loves a person with a sense of humor.  Too often though dad jokes go unnoticed unless they're just stupid, which I'll admit, mine can be.  

No dad jokes here.  Just a smile.  I could post a photo above of myself smiling, but that would be too vain, in my thinking.  Although there might be a few of you that wouldn't mind seeing it.  But really, if I had but one wish for the holidays, it would be stress reduction for each of you.  What you don't need is any sign of stress from me.  Writing here is fun for me.  Otherwise I wouldn't do it, even if I knew the world were reading.  I could say I just write for myself, even if no one saw what I did here.  I could just write for one person and I'd still be happy, if I brought joy to that person.  

So, numbers don't matter to me.  I don't write for numbers.  I write for a relative few.  But I don't care.  You don't need stress from me.  I write about Blue Birds and Rainbows, or try to.  So, what's with the photo above?  It's the absolute cheapest item I could find on Smoking Pipes website.  It is a two dollar Czech pipe tool.  I think I have my first one somewhere.  I got mine at a pipe shop that a had a big jar of them for fifty cents each.  A cob pipe can be had for ten bucks.  One needs some pipe cleaners.  Then there is the tobacco.  The tobacco can be the most expensive part of smoking a pipe.

I was going to post a photo of a pipe tamper costing several hundred dollars, but I thought that was stupid.  Maybe the aquarium table top lighter is stupid.  My wife thought it cool.  So, there it is--the cheapest practical item on Smoking Pipes for a measly two bucks.  Enjoy.  I'm smoking my Favola Churchwarden pipe this morning with some Tropical Export by Villager.  Nothing fancy but a good pipe, good tobacco, and a relatively inexpensive pipe tool and ashtray.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.  Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave