The Cigar Life

 Monday, July 6, 2026 In Arizona to visit Dale's parents. We're staying at John and Dianne's place while we're here.. They grilled us up some hamburgers for lunch and steak for dinner. So delicious! We also watched the World Cup game between Belgium and the USA. Belgium won.  John and I smoked cigars by the pool to wind down the evening. He had a Romeo y Julieta for me and boy it was so much more pleasant than the Asylum I had on the 4th of July. Indulged in some Scotch as well. Very quiet and peaceful out. 

 Sunday, June 28, 2026 Brunch at Northbound with Dale. I got an Old-Fashioned. Would've loved and Old-Fashioned for my cigar this afternoon... but I'm trying to cut back on drinking... and it helps to have NO alcohol in the house to keep from giving into temptation, especially when smoking a cigar. Dale was on a bike ride for most of the time it took to smoke my cigar.  This is supposed to be the last nice day before we're blasted with heat and humidity starting tomorrow and lasting for most of the rest of the week. 

 Thursday, June 18, 2026 Dale and I went to the Y this morning. Afterward we went to Northbound for lunch. We both got salads. I also got their Canadian Old Fashioned. As always it was great. We stopped by Lund's on the way home to pick up dinner. I smoked 3 cigars this afternoon. The first one was a little Macanudo.  The second one I smoked was a Payback. That's a nice cigar.  Before my final  cigar, another Macanudo, I ran in and grabbed a jacket. It was about 70 degrees out and very dry so it felt a little cool when the sun wasn't shining.  Dale grilled up burgers and we had cole slaw and potato salad will them. It was all very delicious.

 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Dianne sent me the above text earlier today. John wanted her to mention a cigar store recommendation he had for me for when we're visiting in Arizona. Dale said it's not too far from where we often clomp around.  Looking forward to checking it out and getting some cigars to smoke by the pool.

 Sunday, May 24, 2026 Sunday before Memorial Day Smoked a La Flor Dominicana, the Digger. Cut it. Lit it.  The draw. Seeing how well it's lit. Try again.  Looks good.  Fun cigar. Strong.  Coming up on a year since I left teaching. I'm loving not working. By the way, first day in shorts this year. And I love sitting out in the backyard with a cigar.  Dale mowed the grass today for the first time this season. It looks great. He used the electric mower of Josh from next door. I think he loves letting us use it. They are so eco-conscious which is fantastic. So are we.  Today we hit 80 degrees for the second or third time this year.  Drank a couple of Old Fashioneds to go with my stogie. Great comination. Dale joined me with some white wine as we got closer to dinner time.  

 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Picked up an Asylum 13 recently at Stogies on Grand.  Decided to smoke it today.  It's been ages since I've had one.  Steve and I used to smoke these a lot.  They're fun to smoke.  Earlier today Dale and I went to lunch at Northbound. I had an Old Fashioned and he had a beer. We both got hamburgers. After lunch we took Mom to the doctor and he gave the go ahead that she can take her neck brace off. She was excited and we were so happy for her. It's been three months and she never really got used to how constricting it felt.  Upper 50's today but windy.  Hard to keep this one burning evenly but it wasn't solely because of the wind. Sometimes these big ones just do that.  Once back inside I had another Old Fashioned. Sushi for dinner and watched Big Bang Theory with Dale.  Great cigar. Really enjoyed it. 

 Saturday, March 21, 2026 Beautiful day. Bought some cigars at Stogies On Grand earlier today. The woman at the register and I were reminiscing about St. Patrick's Day back in 2012 when it got to 80 degrees. Not only did it get to 80 degrees but on top of that it was sunny AND it fell on a Saturday. I remember Dale and I sitting out in the backyard having cocktails.  Well, it didn't hit 80 but it was very pleasant out.  VERY pleasant. Had an Old Fashioned while Dale had some red wine. 

Friday, October 17, 2025 Amazing autumn day. Perfect to sit out back with a cigar.  I lit up a La Flor Dominicana, also known as The Digger.  Dale and I both commented how incredibly beautiful it was out.   It really was.