Things look iffy for my getting to TAPS, foremost because I am having to prep for an appointment with our tax person, and unfortunately we have some other issues with a household appliance and other life occurrences. So it goes. If I get by, it will be a quick turn I fear. If not, my regards to Jerry Perry, the pipe carver; i have seven of his pipes in Mountain Laurel, briar, and Cocobolo, the first purchased in 2002, and all in good smoking order. We usually do a little better with tax prep, but there's more paper shuffling than usual this year. Groan. I was going to look at Jerry's maple wood pipes, but perhaps that will have to wait until the state fair in October. My apologies to jiminks and others who'll be at the show, if I don't show up. It's a fine event, and not to be missed. I'll be smoking my Jerry Perry and Bob Hayes pipes from past shows, whether I make it or not.