Life Quotes

 I got more hits yesterday on the topic of a little night romance than i have received on a post for quite awhile.  My wife said it was probably the title that drew people to that post.  I probably lost most when they realized I was writing about a pipe.  

I'm on a kind of philosophical bent on life.  It is often asked in Christian circles as to a person's life quote from the Bible.  I have to admit that I don't have a life quote from the Bible or any place else, for that matter.  My wife and I were at our doctor's office the other day for a check-up.  This was our first time with this new doctor.  She suggested I give up smoking my pipes as they are tobacco use, which for many physicians is a no-no.

I understand this about doctors, but my wife understands why I smoke a pipe.  Our doctor suggested a title of a book to read about quitting smoking.  I then quoted Mark Twain who said quitting smoking is easy.  I know because I've done it a thousand times.  If my blood pressure was high after a morning of smoking a pipe I might be concerned.  But she wouldn't understand why my BP was 95/57.  It's never been that low.  But I understood why it was that low.  Smoking my pipe relaxed me.  It's why I smoke a pipe.

But very few physicians understand aboit smoking a pipe.  Yes, it is tobacco.  But it's not inhaled.  I can go days or weeks without smoking my pipe.  But doing so raises my blood pressure and causes anxiety.  I might be better off smoking a pipe than going without it.  But my wife understood perfectly.  She said to not pay much mind to the doctor.

That quote from Mark Twain about smoking is NOT a life quote.  Mark Twain smoked too many cigars.  My thinking about cigars is that they are as bad as cigarettes.  But not the pipe.  Every pipe smoker will tell you the main reason for the pipe is relaxation.  It's better than alcohol and for some of us, there is a higher risk if we don't smoke a pipe.  I knew why my BP was so low.  It was my morning pipe.  There's no other explanation.  

I can be like most any physician and say why any tobacco use is harmful.  But I consider myself an exception to the rule.  I won't explain anything further than this.  At least a few know why my pipes are important to me and why they have become a part of my Spirituality.  But I am not about to explain this to any physician.  I knew a pipe shop owner who once said the only person that can be his doctor is a physician that smokes cigars.  Sounds like something Mark Twain would have said.

Today it is my Peterson System pipe with some Gambler Burley pipe tobacco until my order arrives later today.  My coffee this morning is a cup of hot Guatamalan black coffee.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave