Hello and welcome. My name is Jerry and I’m a long-time blogger and short-time, but returning pipe smoker. My first experience with pipe smoking most likely was as a child from a plastic bubble pipe (as pictured). I grew up in a time when bubble pipes, candy cigarettes and dressing up like Cowboys & Indians was the accepted norm. In other words, I grew up before the “PC”crowd took over. For the sake of transparency, I’ll turn 53 this October.
From my earliest memories, I’ve always been interested in history and especially history during the American Civil War. I grew up hearing about my brave ancestors who both fought and died for the Confederacy. In my late teens and very early 20’s, I took my interest a step further and began civil war reenacting. I joined up with a group of like-minded enthusiasts in Central Texas and conducted many living history demonstrations including battles and encampments. I even had the opportunity to serve as an extra in the popular 1980’s Civil War mini-series “North and South” starring Patrick Swayze, Parker Stevenson, Lloyd Bridges, Johnny Cash and Jimmie Stewart.
During the living history encampments, I graduated from the above mentioned bubble pipe to a more 19th century version of either the clay pipe and/or corncob style tobacco pipe. We were fairly hard-core in our representation/presentation of the Confederate soldier’s life and authenticity was certainly key. This even included the tobacco we used. During the 19th century and especially the American Civil War, tobacco use was very common. While I wasn’t much into chewing tobacco, I did enjoy sitting around the camp fire and smoking a pipe. There’s an interesting thread regarding a book titled “Tobacco and Smoking among the Blue and Gray” over on PipesMagazine.com.
As my life became busier with starting a career and a few other setbacks in life, I had to stop the reenacting hobby. As I typically only smoked my pipe during encampments, I also found myself no longer smoking a pipe. Some 25 years later, I really am not sure why I stopped…but nonetheless I did.
A few years ago, my wife and I were watching a British TV series starting Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) called Maigret. Atkinson’s character (Inspector Maigret) is a detective in Paris during the mid-20th Century. His character smokes a pipe quite often during the show and it brought back many memories of pipe smoking. So much so that I went and purchased an inexpensive pipe and some tobacco and was instantly carried back to those wonderful Civil War encampments. The only thing missing was the smell of the camp fire and the itch of wool against my skin.
It didn’t take long for me to put that inexpensive pipe and tobacco aside and graduate to a much more refined style which I very much enjoy today. Today I very much enjoy the time I spend with my favorite Savinelli Roma 673 and what ever blend of tobacco I happen to be in the mood for. Pipe smoking (as others will truly know) is a time for relaxation and reflection. I often drift back to those evenings back in the 1980’s when I was dressed in 1860’s Confederate Soldier attire, sitting around the campfire with my fellow soldiers/friends.
Over time, I plan to share more of my pipe smoking experiences here on this blog. Until then, please consider bookmarking and subscribing. My wife and I will be leaving for London in just over 24 hours and yes, a few of my pipes (including the Roma 673) will come along.
Until next time…
Happy Piping
Jerry
