116. Irish Stocking Stuffers for the Holidaze
Shape 28 Lovat (no longer made), London & Dublin (1937-50) -Secondhandsmokes Yes, this is cyber-Monday. Yet beneath the ash of consumer exploitation there lies a rich ember worth preserving—the practice of silence, solitude and a pipe, a discipline worth pursuing as the winter solstice approaches, no matter one’s religious disinclinations or spiritual dysfunctionality. Shape 9B Natural DeLuxe System - Floppypipes Next Sunday begins the dark season known as “Advent,” a time of watching and waiting I’ve come to appreciate on many levels as a corrective to the buzz of the holidaze. I like it not least because it’s become an underground celebration unknown to most, pushing back the season of Christmas to its historical boundaries from midnight of December 24th through Epiphany on January 6th. Shape 69 Antique Horn Spigot - Bollitopipe Every year I look out the window at twilight on Christmas day and usually see at least one or two homes with bags of wrapping paper and a dead tree at the curb. In doors, I’m still looking at what has become a tradition for me, a Christmas pipe, which I unwrapped that morning and have been thinking about all day in anticipation of a first bowl that evening. Having tried to take care those who fall into my care, I try also to take a little care of myself. Shape 313 AB Sterling Army Mount -Novelli In my Advent preparations, I invariably take a virtual stroll around the world, stopping at all my favorite tobacconists and pipe shops—nearly all of whom are listed on the Blogroll. This year I lingered a little longer than usual, since with the passing of Peterson’s Dublin Era (1991-2018), Peterson's character as seen through its shapes and lines will doubtless change more than a little. I think the time is indeed propitious to see if there might not be something to aid in the unavoidable pressures of the holidays. Shape B49 Ashford - Bolittopipe If you’ve ever been a fan of the B shapes, now is an especially auspicious time to give some thought to your Peterson collection. The 2016 Derry Rustic line was designed in large part to issue the remaining B shape bowls, but if you look carefully, there are still some beautiful Bs to be found, especially from Italian dealers. Shape B35 Unmounted Aran -Pipe-Republic If you’re in the US and have never shopped overseas, you might want to let your credit card company know where you’re going. I’ve had payment denied a few times simply because my credit card folk were trying to protect the card. If you’ve done that once, and they know what you’re doing, you shouldn’t have any more problems. Shape 230 w/ Irish Free State Nickel Cap - Sansonne Smoke Shop Language isn’t usually a problem, as most overseas sellers speak enough English to get you through. Most of their websites have an English language option as well. Shipping is usually almost as fast as here in the States, although prices will vary from…