Welcome to the June 2011 edition of 'Notes from the Pete Bog'.
As the glorious month of June is 'busting' out all over here in Scotland. I bid you welcome to the latest edition of my 'Notes from the Pete Bog'. I hope you enjoy the experience and continue to return regularly for more of the same.
These brief quarterly notes are my personal ramblings and musings, a primarily light-hearted look at all things Peterson and other Celtic (Scots/Irish) pipe/tobacco related topics. They may be of general interest to all of you Pete Nuts. Health warning, not to be taken too seriously!
Favourite Peterson pipe shapes.- I always think that the number of Peterson pipe series which have and still are being issued can be somewhat overwhelming for those enthusiasts who have just started their obsession with the Peterson brand. Naturally we all, as individuals, have our favourites.
As my collection grows, I find that the choice available to me creates an ebb and flow of what are my current favourites. Just now those include the marvellous B series such as the B10,B11 and B42.
Bog link of interest.- The official website of Michael Londra a modern Irish tenor, recording Classical Crossover and Celtic - Irish music. http://www.michaellondra.com/ Irish tenor, recording Classical Crossover and Celtic - Irish music and classics like Danny
Bog factoid (a note or article of general interest to Pete Nuts).-
The late Thin Lizzy singer,Phil Lynott's statue and Dublin exhibition.
At any given time, die-hard Phil Lynott fans can find good reason to visit Dublin, Ireland -- but recently the incentive to visit the late great Thin Lizzy singer's home town has increased greatly due to the ongoing life exhibition. An impressive, large scale and reverential expo dedicated to the iconic Irish rock figure.
Since his premature death 25 years ago Lizzy fanatics (and there are many) have been making pilgrimages to Lynott's grave in Saint Fintan’s Cemetery in Sutton (8 miles north of Dublin City centre on the Howth Peninsula) and placing flowers and sundry Thin Lizzy memorabilia by the singer's headstone which, fittingly, is designed by a local Irish artist.
Another major attraction in Dublin for Lynott/Lizzy fans is the life size bronze statue (above) of Lynott leaning on his guitar outside
a pub on Harry Street just off Grafton Street -- a high foot traffic Dublin city centre thoroughfare. Since it was erected six years ago the statue's draw has matched that of monuments and statues dedicated to other key Irish historical figures.
Since his premature death 25 years ago Lizzy fanatics (and there are many) have been making pilgrimages to Lynott's grave in Saint Fintan’s Cemetery in Sutton (8 miles north of Dublin City centre on the Howth Peninsula) and placing flowers and sundry Thin Lizzy memorabilia by the singer's headstone which, fittingly, is designed by a local Irish artist.
Another major attraction in Dublin for Lynott/Lizzy fans is the life size bronze statue (above) of Lynott leaning on his guitar outside
a pub on Harry Street just off Grafton Street -- a high foot traffic Dublin city centre thoroughfare. Since it was erected six years ago the statue's draw has matched that of monuments and statues dedicated to other key Irish historical figures.Favourite Pipe Film –“The Maggie” Another great old Ealing comedy about a nefarious crew of sailors on an old Scottish Clyde Puffer boat in the 1950's. Even the introductory Film title had a Peterson system pipe resting on a map! http://www.ftmovie.com/the-maggie-movie.html
Pipe Poem - “Edifying Thoughts of a Tobacco Smoker.”
Whene'er I take my pipe and stuff it
And smoke to pass the time away,
My thoughts, as I sit there and puff it,
Dwell on a picture sad and gray:
It teaches me that very like
Am I myself unto my pipe.
Like me, this pipe so fragrant burning
Is made of naught but earth and clay;
To earth I too shall be returning.
It falls and, ere I'd think to say,
It breaks in two before my eyes;
In store for me a like fate lies.
No stain the pipe's hue yet doth darken;
It remains white. Thus do I know
That when to death's call I must harken
My body, too, all pale will grow.
To black beneath the sod 'twil turn,
Likewise the pipe, if oft it burn.
Or when the pipe is fairly glowing,
Behold then, instantaneously,
The smoke off into thin air going,
Till naught but ash is left to see.
Man's fame likewise away will burn
And unto dust his body turn.
How oft it happens when one's smoking:
The stopper's missing from its shelf,
And one goes with one's finger poking
Into the bowl and burns oneself.
If in the pipe such pain doth dwell,
How hot must be the pains of Hell.
Thus o'er my pipe, in contemplation
Of such things, I can constantly
Indulge in fruitful meditation,
And so, puffing contentedly,
On land, on sea, at home, abroad,
I smoke my pipe and worship God.
And smoke to pass the time away,
My thoughts, as I sit there and puff it,
Dwell on a picture sad and gray:
It teaches me that very like
Am I myself unto my pipe.
Like me, this pipe so fragrant burning
Is made of naught but earth and clay;
To earth I too shall be returning.
It falls and, ere I'd think to say,
It breaks in two before my eyes;
In store for me a like fate lies.
No stain the pipe's hue yet doth darken;
It remains white. Thus do I know
That when to death's call I must harken
My body, too, all pale will grow.
To black beneath the sod 'twil turn,
Likewise the pipe, if oft it burn.
Or when the pipe is fairly glowing,
Behold then, instantaneously,
The smoke off into thin air going,
Till naught but ash is left to see.
Man's fame likewise away will burn
And unto dust his body turn.
How oft it happens when one's smoking:
The stopper's missing from its shelf,
And one goes with one's finger poking
Into the bowl and burns oneself.
If in the pipe such pain doth dwell,
How hot must be the pains of Hell.
Thus o'er my pipe, in contemplation
Of such things, I can constantly
Indulge in fruitful meditation,
And so, puffing contentedly,
On land, on sea, at home, abroad,
I smoke my pipe and worship God.
Johann Sebastian Bach.
Useful things.- I am a great fan of Dave Walker of Walkerbriarworks stem repair kit. http://www.walkerbriarworks.com/html/stem_restore_kit.html
I have been using this kit for years now and swear by it for major refurb jobs.
Please look out for the next edition of 'Notes from The Pete Bog' and
“Lang may yer Lum reek”.This was an old Scot's farewell greeting, which hoped that the person receiving the greeting, always had smoke coming from their house fire chimney.
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