ADDICTION
by PSF
I bailed out of work early today, left at one o'clock and went fishing. Most days on the job range from 10 to 12 hours long, so when the opportunity arose to hit the road after eight, I took it. I rushed home, inhaled some bread and peanut butter, grabbed a fly rod and hurried to Hampden. No need to make sure the pipe and some "pipe weed"were in the car; they always are.
The Scantic proved uncharacteristically void of early season meat fisherman, a blessing worthy of the highest praise to heaven. Solitude after the spring stocking is the rarest of gifts. Whether any rubber rainbows were left in the river didn't really matter much. A couple of hours by myself, wading the water, is what counted the most.
The trout took my philosophical attitude towards fly fishing way too seriously. Nothing responded to the deep drifts of a bead-head nymph except one small native brookie who made an impressive display of himself despite his size. No other fish even took a half-hearted hit at my fly.
While casting, clouds continually obscured the sky and the cool air chilled my hands. A pipe full of Cornell & Diehl's Bow-Legged Bear would have been the perfect comfort while moving from pool to pool, but I never struck a match. I didn't want to.
Folks, addiction is having no control over your appetites--deliberately giving in to desire--regardless of the common sense which says, "Back off!" If you have to smoke---must smoke--need to smoke--don't. It's become a habit that will ultimately kill you. Pick up the pipe only when you can put the thing down for days at a time. Then, by God's grace, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of briar for many years to come.
Several medical studies have shown that puffing a pipe in moderation (maybe a bowl or two per day) is actually beneficial. Statistically such smokers experience longevity equal to non-smokers. But abuse is undeniably deadly. Worse yet, it's wickedly idolatrous.
Don't be a damned fool for a tin of tobacco.
©copyright 2002, Perry S. Fuller
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