I’m not sure I have mentioned it, but I created a new site not too long ago dealing with the 3 big nos nos of Government: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. It’s called the Puritan Pub. I will sometimes be cross posting between the two (for example, below). Visit the Pub and tell me what ya think.

As you may, or may not know, where I’m from there’s not a lot of good beer on tap. The places in town tout the typical redneck “beers”: Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors, etc. Thus, I don’t have the privilege of partaking of good beer on tap, for the most part.

This past Lord’s Day, however, I did get to enjoy a new beer (new to me, I mean). Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter is a welcome addition to my mental beer repository. For a bit more information, one can visit here. The Taddy Porter (TP) has a very full and rich taste. Although I didn’t get the opportunity to do so, I think this beer would make an excellent drink with a nice, medium-well prepared, New York Strip.

It has similar tastes to several beers I enjoy. If you have ever been to a BJs Brewery, this has shades of their “Nutty Brewnette,” although I think this is much more refined and better tasting. The TP has a mild sweetness interlaced with the familiar “bitterness” found in darker beers. I’m not a “professional” beer taster, so it’s sometimes difficult to adequately express the varios tastes found therein.

So let’s just suffice it to say that this is an incredibly good beer, and I wholeheartedly commend it to your palate.

Well, I have played the part of a sloth, physically speaking, for several months now. Due to various distractions, primarily finishing school, all things having to do with physical fitness have been on the back burner for me. And, trust me, it shows/feels. I am not happy with it, but God is good in that He gives us options to do something about it.

Thus, since I am finished with school, I really have no reason to not step-it-up a few notches and get back into an exercise routine of sorts. The struggle, though, is cutting back on two things I really enjoy: food and beer. Okay, three things: I really like sweet tea also. Since finishing up my college courses a few weeks ago, I have been walking/jogging on and off.

I have begun today a bit stricter regiment which includes a bit of weight training with some small dumbells I have. I have drank primarily water today, and lots of it, along with three portioned meals.I will keep this up for a time, until my stomach (internal) shrinks back down, requiring less to fill me. Then I can be a bit less careful about eating things I actually enjoy, because I’ll be filled up with a lot less.

I walked/ran a few miles today, and will do so again tomorrow, hopefully developing a habit to get back into things. However, I am considering an investment into the sport of Road Biking at the end of June. A friend of mine has been doing this for a few years, so I might try to feed of his wake in getting started. Dr. James White is apparently also an avid Road Biker. My reason for considering this instead of doing what I’ve always done before (run) is because I think it will be a lot easier on my knees.

Until I get started with the Bike, though, I have to stay doing something regularly; so I would appreciate any and all prayers as I try to get this part of my Pilgrim’s Progress back on track to the glory of God. Thanks!

Dyin’ ain’t much a livin’, Boy.

What a joyous evening! It wasn’t too hot outside, so I ventured to the front porch to have a bowl of fine tobacco blend in my pipe this evening. It was truly enjoyable, and as I was about 20 minutes into my smoke, the Lord sent rain. What a perfect mixture! Pipe aromatics, fresh rain, cool air…ahhh.

Lately, I’ve been enjoying, along with my pipe tobacco, some Cojimar Cognac Sugar Tip stogies. I’m not real big on cigars, but of the several I’ve tried I’ve enjoyed the Khalua from Drew Estates and the Cojimar Cognac Sugar Tips…the latter being my most preferred of the two.

I’m thankful to the Almighty for His blessings in the small things such as fresh rains, cool breezes, and tobacco. Blessed be His Name!

On a separate note:

I would most assuredly appreciate each and any of your prayers. I’m not like my daddy is. I wear out quicker. I’m not physically tired, but I am mentally drained and unmotivated, insofar as my “secular” studies go. I should be able to graduate this semester, so long as I pass all my classes. Grades really aren’t an issue, but timing and motivation are issues.

Please pray that I would be motivated to put forward my best work to the glory of His Name. I just don’t “feel” it right now. All I can think is, “One more semester.” I have exerted very little effort, and I ought to be ashamed of my self. I have 12 hrs, and three of my four classes is requiring a substantial amount of reading and writing. I would like to keep my GPA at its 3.5 level, so as to uphold the reputation of a serious Christian student who practices what he professes.

Thanks in advance, Friends.

Let me publicly thank the Lord for blessing me with an almost perfect day today. I got to sleep in (6 am) and work was simply fun today. It’s the time of year during which I have to requalify with the pistol I use at work, The Beretta 9mm 92FS. I did re-qualify successfully with a 47 out of 50. It was fun to be back at the range, as I’ve not had opportunity to go back and shoot for a long time.

At home, I have the Springfield Armory 1911-A1 .45 (Mil-Spec). It looks pretty much like the picture here, but it’s got the military green finish, and wood grain grip. Due to its caliber it has a bit more mmph to it. It was also fun shooting the 12 gauge shot guns. It makes me miss the good ole days when I had more time to hunt.

Ironically, while I was “playing” with my guns today, I wish that there’d been some students and teachers who could’ve been armed yesterday at Virginia Tech to put an end to this guy’s massacre. Please don’t tell me men aren’t born dead in their sin and totally depraved.

My eyes mildly teared up as I read of the 77 yr old VA Tech professor who barricaded himself between the killer and his students by standing at the door, resulting in his sacrificial death. He left behind his wife and two sons. We should keep the students, their families, etc. of VA Tech in our prayers, praying that God would use this as a means to stir geunine revival.

Anyway, as noted, I’ve had a wonderful day. I got to have target practice, then I was able to pick up my daughter from school and go to the park. After playing a bit, we engaged in some father/daughter competition. We agreed that she can both swing higher and run faster than I can. She ran so fast that she scared the ducks away while we were trying to feed them the bread.

Now I’m home and have to start studying…again. Woo hoo!