I might as well re-introduce myself

Good to see you again and glad to know that things are going well, even if they were not in the recent past. I hope you recover from the pipe blahs soon. I think not forcing it is the best route you can take.

You guys continue to make me laugh - and I hope as well the pipe blah's end soon.

My darn favorite pipe (Pete Aran Bulldog) has been missing since just after I got sick (probably buried in the sandbox) and the other pipes aren't doing it, but I really believe I miss my good buddy Pete. I may just have to get another and see if it rekindles the flame- so to speak.

There was someone else who had the same problem recently...for him it turned out to be a pipe maintenance issues...but there are a lot of reasons why pipes can lose allure from time to time...go with it and give it a break for a bit...pick it back up in a few weeks...with clean pipes and fresh taste buds...I am sure it will pass...anyway...it is good to see you back here and I am glad some of the other problems going on have turned themselves around.

Cheers,

Josh

The pipes have not been tasting fresh. I had to go without for some time Drs orders...;0( and when I fired em up again, they tasted like an ashtray.

I'm willing to try anything. I know we have good posts in the past on maintenance and I'm gonna go digging.

Take care.

I normally lose interest with the summer heat. This summer I decided to take it easier than usual...so far, it's working. Best Wishes.

If I could make but one suggestion, take off the damn fur coat it is friggin' summer!! Who the hell would be smoking a pipe in 90 degree weather in a fur, no wonder you are not enjoying it.

.... Good to here from you and glad you are up and about.

Clean those pipes my friend! You know, every once in a while they do need a cleaning afterall. You'll need some high % alcohol (Everclear or some such 150 Proof or higher is ok) and a bunch of pipe cleaners. No big mystery of what to do - just disassemble the pipe and moisten the end of the pipe cleaner and swab out the shank air passage (multiple pipe cleaners) until they start coming out white. Then do the same with the plastic stem. Put the pipe aside and its good to go tomorrow. Should make a huge difference fo ya.

... and it REALLY is good to have you back. I wish you well in your health issues pal.

It IS good to be back - I still haven't found a site like this. To be quite honest, I'm not looking - comfy right here.

I had a real bad scare with blood clots that were working their way towards the ole ticker and spent too much quality time with Midlands finest doctors.

I now have a clean bill of health, blood thinners and some fancy compression socks that look too much like pantyhose...

Anyhew, enough of that garbage and moving on!

Pantyhose ... if you change your avatar to a pic of you wearing pantyhose and a tutu I'm leaving! Ah, I don't care if you do ... I'm just glad to have ya back pal.

Hope the health continues to improve. And that your pipe tastes as sweet as sugar.

BOB!!!!! For the love of everything with sugar on top! Good to have you back, you sonofagun, you rascal you!

Thanks, I needed to get that out.

Pantyhose DOES make me feel like a rascal at times... Nice to hear from ya Lars

It's great to see you're back in tip-top shape and ready for more senseless banter.

Welcome back Bob! We were wondering where you disappeared to...

I went through a similar experience earlier in the summer, everything just seemed to be Meh... Nothing really did it for me, even blends that were my old favorites were just kind of lack luster. Here's how I beat it:

1. Sounds like you've already done this one, just don't smoke for a couple days.

2. Do a heavy cleaning on all your pipes. Probably no big revalation that a couple pounds of yuck in the shank of your pipes will put a damper on a great smoking experience. I used the bristley pipe cleaners and the green alcohol stuff and it really did clean them up quite a bit.

3. Don't obsess over natural fluctuations in your smoking pattern. Maybe the correct answer in the summer time is 3 bowls a day instead of 6. So what, your body will let you know when it's ready to get back on track and smoke heavier. I still have days where 2 or 3 bowls is plenty but I enjoy those bowls. If I forced myself to smoke 6 or 8 a day, I may just burn out again.

who responded not to this thread, but to your double post?

Oh well, it's just a couple of mouse clicks away...

Sounds like you were missed and I'm looking forward to your company. In my experience and IMHO, if the pipe is left idle for a time, it doesn't necessarily hurt it at all unless it needs cleaning. Instead, it is your body having no nicotine and no recent tobacco acclimation that creates the bad taste. You will get over it. Just keep smokin the good stuff!

I like to think I contributed to the offbeat charm of this site. The degree of offbeat, however, is debatable. Thanks for the input!

I never lose my taste for the pipe. But, I never smoke between pipefuls(?). Nice Blog, by the way.

Here's to many bowls in good health.