What Are You Smoking, October 2022?

[HawkeyeLinus]

Tilling, raking, moving rock done for today (this project may be done by Thanksgiving). Darn it, I’m going to read! Got a subscription to these cool publications and have not made time to read them. Original Peterson Sherlock Holmes Original and We Three Kings.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Hamborger Veermaster in a SRV.

 

[JimInks]

Close to finishing this bowl of year 2014 Dan Tobacco Hamborger Veermaster in a smooth straight brown 1950 Dunhill 48 bulldog group 4 root briar with a black vulcanite fish tail saddle stem. Have enough left on the bag for a bowl or so. Watching the Padres-Phillies game.

 

[cigrmaster]

2013 Brigham Klondike Gold in a Jack Howell Rhodesian.

 

[dunnyboy]

Solani 660 Silver Flake in a Castello 75th Anniversary Canadian.

 

[dunnyboy]

OHM Red, burley and Turkish bag tobacco, which has mellowed with some years, in a MM diplomat with one of the earlier versions of a "table leg" Forever stem. This smoke accompanies my studying the Medicare & You 2023 official U.S. gov't Medicare handbook.

I'm trying to figure out if there is any benefit in opting for the new Medicare Advantage plans through private insurance companies versus original Medicare with a supplemental (private corporate) Medigap plan I already have, which strikes me as possibly better -- more freedom to select providers, and no required approval from the plans prior to treatment, plus we seem to be doing okay with a lot of prescription prices, so far so good. Learning the vocabulary is just the ticket for a Saturday night. Not. Puff-puff.

If you too are having to make this decision, beware of all the insurance companies out trolling for customers. I'm afraid the dental, eye care, and hearing aid options may be bait for reduced coverage for specialists, hospitals, and prescriptions. Now I've got to call my current supplemental provider and the state insurance info people. It's a jungle out there.

Every day brings private Medicare "Advantage" plan offers, some dressed up like govt documents (they aren't) and even some without corporate addresses, all with vague promises aimed at confused old folks, with TV ads and phone calls to apply pressure. Insurance companies have one motive: get your money. I think the companies lobbied the hell out of Congress to set up this system as a banquet for their executives and stock holders.

Excellent assessment on all counts. I have been happy with regular Medicare and AARP supplemental—and this in a city where the best doctors don't always take Medicare (which I totally understand given the reimbursement rates).

 

[dunnyboy]

Marlin Flake in a Castello great line.

 

[LotusEater]

It was a fun night. The UFC card earlier in the day was great fun, and Susan made yummy food throughout the day. Last night, our neighbour stopped by and we hung out on the porch with the puppy with tunes, had beers and cigars, and many laughs.

The Bourbon Barrel Aged is smokier than the original, but, has less of a barbecue note. The Special Reserve is more refined and melded than the regular and BBA, and the Special Reserve Flake maybe even a little smoother than that—they’re all different, but, I’d need to compare the Special Reserve and Special Reserve Flake side by side again—I think my taste buds could’ve been a bit blown out from all the smoking and drinking (and eating) that started the night before on Friday—we turned in late and got up early for UFC, so I only got maybe three hours of sleep, plus a short nap after UFC Saturday evening. I almost prefer the bold, in your face notes of the original blend, but, I’d need to revisit the two Special Reserves again (which seem more alike than not at this time). The regular, BBA, and SR are different enough that I wouldn’t say there was a clear “winner”—they’re different enough that having all three around is a good thing. I would need to spend more time with the SR and SRF to get a better sense of them, especially because yesterday was the first time I popped the tins on the two.

Thanks for the breakdown
I’ve smoked a bunch of the OG but haven’t bothered to try the others. I think I’m going to get some SRF. I’m a sucker for flake tobacco.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

After some more reading it will be some KBV Mr. Christian’s Fallen Cherry in a Paul Menard chimney. Always good company!

 

[mso489]

D&R Two Timer, twice toasted burley, in a MM Dagner collaboration nose warmer. This is one of those bag tobaccos that keeps dry indefinitely and burns like a champ with few relights, and burns to ash without diminishing taste. Put it in a 50 g tin and call it a limited edition, and name it something chi-chi, and people would scramble to pay two or three times as much. Such is marketing. Know a good thing when you smoke it.

 

[Streeper541]

Enjoying a fall afternoon out front with my youngest.

Peterson Irish Flake in an Irish themed bent Dublin made by Abb's Artisan Pipes.

 

[FurCoat]

Dark Birdseye

 

[craig61a]

My VaBurPer pressed experiment…

Penn Valley Clay Gouda.

An excellent blend. Nice flavors. The Perique steps way forward in the second half, but not overpowering. About 2 weeks pressed, holds together well. Crumbles pretty easily though.

This was the first puck I made.

 

[JimInks]

Not far from finishing this bowl of first release Watch City Rouxgaroux in a smooth medium bend 2021 Peterson POTY Natural 4AB No. 6/500 military mount with a silver cap and a tapered black vulcanite AB stem. Watching the West Coast Pipe Show via a buddy of mine.

 

[Tbaggins]

It’s a rare treat the girlfriend wants to smoke with me. She always goes for the 2x mini, (likes em small) we’re smoking some odyssey.

 

[Scottmi]

I dream about either one! In the former case, can't because the wife doesn't want me stinking up the house or certain things in it. Our current house doesn't have any rooms that lend themselves to being sealed off and vented to the outside as well as my office in the old house.

In the latter case, I'm also very lazy. I've considered the garage, but there are also a lot of gas cans and solvents around. Perhaps with some better organization...

Sorry if my occasional kvetching about the topic gets on anyone's nerves!

in the screen porch last night asked my wife what the room note was like, she said “smells like fresh cold breeze.”

 

[JimInks]

Now smoking Seattle Pipe Club Hogshead plug in a medium bend, smooth brown undated pre-Republic Peterson 999 Dublin chubby Rhodesian with a tapered black vulcanite p-lip stem. Back to the ball game now.

 

[warren99]

Peterson Old Dublin in a Poul Winslow "C" bent Calabash.

 

[onestrangeone]

Dunhill Royal Yacht in a Radice cross cut billiard

 

[Ahi Ka]

EGR in a comoys