Head cold has got me down

Head cold has got me down

By DAVID THEUS

This week has been a week of allergies and my sinuses driving me crazy. I’m not exactly sure how or what happens for that matter, but when ever a low pressure system settles in on top of us here in north Florida, my head feels like it is in a vice with the drain left open. Needless to say, no cigars for me this week.

For the first time, several weeks ago I found myself actually craving a cigar. Unlike cigarettes, cigars are not filled with unknown substances and the copious amounts of nicotine that cigarettes are. Cigars are typically natural of those additives except for the possible artificial and or natural flavors sometimes added to flavor a particular cigar.

I may sneak off and enjoy two cigars during the week, but for the most part, I only smoke one a week. Most of my cigar smoking was centered around my article, but now I find the exercise to be incredibly relaxing. Just the nature of the cigar drives you to be relaxed when smoking one. I am never in a rush when partaking of my favorite Toro. In fact, I usually take the additional time to set up my chair, secure a beverage, and most of all, make sure I’m not going to be disturbed during my smoke.

My favorite time is just after I have ensured my cigar is properly lit and I lean back in my chair for my third or fourth draw and let the smoke just flow from my lips. I love the way the smoke surrounds me at first, and then it chooses its own path, just as the gentle breeze begins to waft it away and down the street.

That’s relaxation. I’ve never been the type that smokes a cigar for the perception of power, but quite the opposite. If not careful, I think I could almost find myself asleep sometime during the ritual. I like that word, ritual. My cigar smoking has become just that, from the time I cut it a certain way, to the ceremonial lighting - using only wooden matches, and to the way it carefully rests securely between my fingers and thumb.

However it works for you is a good thing. I like mine the way I do it, and that’s okay. I’m not here to judge anyone on how they partake of theirs, I just want to encourage you to develop your own ritual and enjoy. Sometimes in life, each of us needs a place where we can go and be by ourselves or with a close friend or two and just relax with a beautiful, hand crafted masterpiece of a great cigar.

Looking forward to getting over my cold, please enjoy one for me.