"On land, on sea, at home, abroad, I smoke my pipe and worship God"
Johann Sebastian Bach
1685-1750
Well, folks, I'll do the best I can this year, and that's about all I should say. Don't ever become a conscientious elder in the your local church if you want to enjoy a private, carefree life. Fun activities like fly fishing, pipe smoking and witty writing will quickly and permanently take a back seat to obeying God by serving His people. But what's more important, loving one's own life or seeking first the kingdom of God? (Here's a helpful hint for evangelicals and charismatics: The answer is not what you think.)
There really wasn't that much to write about in 2006 anyhow. Maybe 2007 will unfold somewhat differently. Hopefully so. Nevertheless, if readers would like to send me their very own well written articles I'll gladly post them--provided they're not loaded with heretical bovine excrement. By now the theological perspective of The Churchwarden is well known. Keep it in mind. The only exception I'll make--after all, I am the CW's sovereign editor--is for a certain Lutheran pastor located down in Florida. If he can pen a pipe column or two, I'd be deeply appreciative.
Other Stuff
Motorcycles: How many of my readers are Christian bikers? Last year, at age 51, I took up the spiritual discipline of motorcycle riding. Back in April of 2006 I bought a 1981 Honda Silverwing for 500 dollars--one buck per cubic centimeter--to learn upon. And, yes, I most certainly did take the MSF safety course; I'm not as stupid as I look, you know. Anyway, I rode the Honda for approximately five weeks before moving up to a newer 800 cc Kawasaki Vulcan which, in late August, I then traded for a 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic. Power has proven to be highly addictive; I now want the full-dressed Vulcan 2000. Methinks I need a 12-step program: "My name is Perry Fuller and I am a middle-aged biker . . .". Worse yet, my wife Amy supports this whole biker business to the extent of now wanting her own two-wheeled cruiser. What have I done?
Smallmouth bass: Trout fishing in Massachusetts is steadily declining because of almost no law enforcement on our streams and rivers. The bait bubbas of every race, color, and national origin are harvesting the Commonwealth waters verily clean of their state-stocked trout. Consequently the fly-fishing only areas are depressingly overcrowded. Frankly, I don't go angling to wade through hordes of people. Thus, I'm seriously thinking of doing a little slumming in 2007, namely by fishing for smallies and other related species. Any wit and wisdom from my readers on the subject would be welcome. Put your generous advice in an article, if you don't mind.
Pipe and tobaccos: We're currently in a full blown pipe and tobacco boom. As a result the pipe smoking public is getting royally screwed by the industry in general. Expect an article addressing this issue. It certainly won't enhance the CW's popularity with pipe makers and tobacco suppliers, that's for sure, but since when have I ever been concerned about being popular?
Bamboo fly rods: Unless you have an experienced grasp on cane rods, don't buy a custom stick unless you talk to me first. Out of Christian consideration for undeserved reputations I won't say anything bad in print about any of the contemporary rod makers, but contact of me before you commit to an order. I will tell you precisely what questions you absolutely must ask when dealing with bamboo craftsmen, and point out two makers whom you should avoid no matter how good they may sound on their web sites. Bamboo fly rods require a heavy personal commitment and it's remarkably easy to run into disheartening problems really fast. Trust me, I'm talking from experience. I'd be glad to help you avoid all the mistakes I have made. Those mistakes were very few and quite subtle, but extremely costly in terms of time, money and emotional investment. Feel free to email me.
Pipe tobacco again: I designed a pipe tobacco for Watch City Cigar last year called, appropriately enough, The Churchwarden. I receive no royalties on this blend, so I'm not advertising it to acquire wealth and fame (well, maybe fame). But the blend is excellent--perhaps the best full-bodied English on the market today, even if I do say so myself. If you enjoy a high quality English freighted with lots of latakia and seasoned with cigar leaf, try The Churchwarden blend. Ernie Q, the Head Honcho at Watch City took my rather unorthodox recipe, translated it into the right tobaccos and made a masterpiece. Watch City's web site is: http://www.watchcitycigar.com/ Also, Cornell & Diehl's Evening Rise was my idea. Greg Tarler formulated the pipe weed, and then had it approved by me personally. Evening Rise (called the Viagra Blend in-house at C&D) is produced specifically with fly fishermen in mind. More on this blend later.
Sola de Gloria.
Perry
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©copyright 2007, Perry S. Fuller
