Nearly 7 years ago was when I began to seriously discern whether or not I would try out the art of pipe smoking. My initial reservation was mainly one of a spiritual nature and whether this would be a sinful hobby to participate in. One of the first blogs I read about pipe smoking was found on The Catholic Gentleman and that helped me cross that hurdle. I read more articles about pipe smoking written by Catholic writers. Once my heart and mind were settled, I found Muttnchop Piper first on YouTube and I was hooked. The hook ? I call it that because there was mystery and spirituality intertwined and I remember the anticipation of trying a bowl for the first time. I had actually bought a MM corn cob and had it about 2 months before I bought 2 ounces of Cades Cove Cavendish from The Gatlinburlier on our 2018 trip to Gatlinburg. While there I met one of the most fascinating men to me ever, Richard aka. The Dread Tyger. Again, another sort of mystery surrounded his choice of words and the way in which he delivered them to me. The hook was set even deeper by now. That evening I sat on the balcony of our cabin in awe of the beauty of Mt Leconte in the Smoky Mountains. The aroma of the tobacco was magnificent. It was a bit of rough start for me to actually smoke it but before long I "got it". For the next few years I was what is called a "lurker" on pipe smoking channels. Many presenters had that sense of mystery and way of speaking which reeled me in. After awhile I decided I wanted to try my hand at making videos. As I matured as a pipe smoker and in age, my appreciation grew more and more for natural beauty and natural sounds and natural smells. The books on Catholic faith and lives of the saints were taking on even greater meaning in my life. The quiet and stillness in my home library or shop or patio was and still is a paradise on Earth. My well meaning intentions initially (as far as making videos) began to take on a different meaning for me though. Namely it began feeding my ego and I would give so much time to trying to produce content that would just make you jealous. I wanted to be "somebody" and sometimes when I look back now I can see where my motivation was likely corrupted in some ways. As I write this I am still discerning my motivation for any of this...even what I write right here right now. There will be holes in these thoughts that could be picked apart and used to buffoon me if someone wanted to. Which leads me in part as to why I write this. I am noticing more that some people have become very critical and "calling people out" for what they say on their videos and in that calling out, have sometimes become nasty with their own response which in my mind is a contradiction. I have no problem with a man holding fast to religion, politics, social (whatever) thoughts/opinions but the level of intelligence of those conversations seem to be dwindling and that mystery of the art which initially drew me in seems to be fading and I miss the way it was for me beginning in 2018. Not sure how to proceed. Apparently I write as well as I speak which isn't very good and goes in circles. I will continue to watch the channels I enjoy and comment when I feel like doing so. As far as myself making anymore videos...ahhh...not for awhile anyway. I want to give my time back to enjoying quiet solitary pipe smoking and edifying life giving conversations, books, and music. Peace be with all of you. Be of service. Au revoir mes amis
Pilgrim Piper
Nearly 7 years ago was when I began to seriously discern whether or not I would try out the art of pipe smoking. My initial reservation was mainly one of a spiritual nature and whether this would be a sinful hobby to participate in. One of the first blogs I read about pipe smoking was found on The Catholic Gentleman and that helped me cross that hurdle. I read more articles about pipe smoking written by Catholic writers. Once my heart and mind were settled, I found Muttnchop Piper first on YouTube and I was hooked. The hook ? I call it that because there was mystery and spirituality intertwined and I remember the anticipation of trying a bowl for the first time. I had actually bought a MM corn cob and had it about 2 months before I bought 2 ounces of Cades Cove Cavendish from The Gatlinburlier on our 2018 trip to Gatlinburg. While there I met one of the most fascinating men to me ever, Richard aka. The Dread Tyger. Again, another sort of mystery surrounded his choice of words and the way in which he delivered them to me. The hook was set even deeper by now. That evening I sat on the balcony of our cabin in awe of the beauty of Mt Leconte in the Smoky Mountains. The aroma of the tobacco was magnificent. It was a bit of rough start for me to actually smoke it but before long I "got it". For the next few years I was what is called a "lurker" on pipe smoking channels. Many presenters had that sense of mystery and way of speaking which reeled me in. After awhile I decided I wanted to try my hand at making videos. As I matured as a pipe smoker and in age, my appreciation grew more and more for natural beauty and natural sounds and natural smells. The books on Catholic faith and lives of the saints were taking on even greater meaning in my life. The quiet and stillness in my home library or shop or patio was and still is a paradise on Earth. My well meaning intentions initially (as far as making videos) began to take on a different meaning for me though. Namely it began feeding my ego and I would give so much time to trying to produce content that would just make you jealous. I wanted to be "somebody" and sometimes when I look back now I can see where my motivation was likely corrupted in some ways. As I write this I am still discerning my motivation for any of this...even what I write right here right now. There will be holes in these thoughts that could be picked apart and used to buffoon me if someone wanted to. Which leads me in part as to why I write this. I am noticing more that some people have become very critical and "calling people out" for what they say on their videos and in that calling out, have sometimes become nasty with their own response which in my mind is a contradiction. I have no problem with a man holding fast to religion, politics, social (whatever) thoughts/opinions but the level of intelligence of those conversations seem to be dwindling and that mystery of the art which initially drew me in seems to be fading and I miss the way it was for me beginning in 2018. Not sure how to proceed. Apparently I write as well as I speak which isn't very good and goes in circles. I will continue to watch the channels I enjoy and comment when I feel like doing so. As far as myself making anymore videos...ahhh...not for awhile anyway. I want to give my time back to enjoying quiet solitary pipe smoking and edifying life giving conversations, books, and music. Peace be with all of you. Be of service. Au revoir mes amis
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