And a good day to you all! I am Ken, a resident of Northern Indiana/Michiana, where I work at an institution of higher learning of some repute. I am a communications specialist, a newspaper columnist, an erstwhile syndicated radio host, and a podcaster both professionally and as a hobbyist.
I've been smoking pipes (and cigars) off and on for more than 30 years, since college, but really got back into my pipes in the past six months as I dusted off my old clays and the few jars of tobacco that I had boxed away during our move to Indiana from the Pacific Northwest. Back in Portland, I used to frequent Rich's, Cascade Cigar & Tobacco, and Paul's, and I lament having no reputable B&M shops or clubs anywhere near me in South Bend, Indiana.
I have a small collection of cobs, clays, and briars, nothing too fancy. I've bought a few estate pipes via eBay, and have been getting into stocking the cellar via cigarbid.com, but that is a dangerous site for a fellow with TAD, as I've discovered I have a bad case of.
I prefer English blends (EMP, MM965, Nightcap, Father Dempsey, etc.), and have been getting in to Balkans lately, trying to taste my way through the widely-available bulk blends. A few favorite aromatics also have their place on my shelf, like Country Squire's Parson's Blend, Sutliff Aromatic English 504, and a new one to me, Sweet Galenas from The Storyteller's Pipe. I've dabbled in home blending and cake pressing lately, trying to recreate some of the delicious plum notes of my absolutely favorite blend, Royal Yacht, in a cheaper bulk option (though winning a few tins for cheap on cigarbid has lessened the pressure!).
Anyway, that's me. I look forward to interacting with you all!
I've been smoking pipes (and cigars) off and on for more than 30 years, since college, but really got back into my pipes in the past six months as I dusted off my old clays and the few jars of tobacco that I had boxed away during our move to Indiana from the Pacific Northwest. Back in Portland, I used to frequent Rich's, Cascade Cigar & Tobacco, and Paul's, and I lament having no reputable B&M shops or clubs anywhere near me in South Bend, Indiana.
I have a small collection of cobs, clays, and briars, nothing too fancy. I've bought a few estate pipes via eBay, and have been getting into stocking the cellar via cigarbid.com, but that is a dangerous site for a fellow with TAD, as I've discovered I have a bad case of.
I prefer English blends (EMP, MM965, Nightcap, Father Dempsey, etc.), and have been getting in to Balkans lately, trying to taste my way through the widely-available bulk blends. A few favorite aromatics also have their place on my shelf, like Country Squire's Parson's Blend, Sutliff Aromatic English 504, and a new one to me, Sweet Galenas from The Storyteller's Pipe. I've dabbled in home blending and cake pressing lately, trying to recreate some of the delicious plum notes of my absolutely favorite blend, Royal Yacht, in a cheaper bulk option (though winning a few tins for cheap on cigarbid has lessened the pressure!).
Anyway, that's me. I look forward to interacting with you all!
