Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

So I'm up at 4 a.m. this morning and make a pot of coffee and decide to smoke one my favorite cigars. Its a romeo y jullieta maduro reserve. As I'm watching the sun rise the song by louis armstrong, "what a wonderful world" is playing in back of my head. My female dobie (Athena) has accompanied me and is patrolling the back yard and there are geese flying overhead. What a great way to start the day! I only wish everyone could have a zen moment like this. No politics on my mind just me, Athena, flying geese, a great cigar and cup of my favorite coffee (folgers black silk). Ya'll should do yourself a favor and look at the stars once in a while. Watch the sun rise with a friend and do something just for you. God bless the U.S.A and the real freedoms we have.

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Amen

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I unfortunately live out in the city here in Puerto Rico. But the other night me and the wife did just that - brought out a comforter and laid it out on our rooftop terrace and just star gazed. I love going back to my parents house in the Northern Neck in VA and getting out to where theres no lights for lots of stars and the milky way.

I also enjoy waking up early to see the morning fog real low on the ground, the deers eating from the field 100 yds away, his koi pond waterfall in the background and just that crisp morning VA air. God bless VA, because honestly there's no other state as good as it in my humble opinion. Can't wait to get stationed back there.

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Amen and amen! God speed brother and a safe return.

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Such a nice day for that. I though about getting into cigar but decided the last thing I need is another hobbie!

Jakeiscrazy wrote:Such a nice day for that. I though about getting into cigar but decided the last thing I need is another hobbie!

Good choice!

You know davasmith I had a experiance just like that some time ago. I was walking through the woods with my family and I stopped on a bridge and there through a split in the trees was the most gorgeous sunset I have ever beheld. There against the fading blue of evening were reds and golds and purples reflected by the setting sun against the clouds. All through the darkening shadows of the forest floor and the greens of the tree tops. And thought to myelf "what magnificent perfection".

Amen Brother. One night last week I filled up the air mattress, tossed it and the sleeping bag into the bed of the F150 and spent the night star gazing. Pitch dark and a million stars shining down on this little patch of Bedford County. Cool and crisp wIth autumn making an early visit. I watched two meteorites streak across the sky and awoke at dawn to the sight of the deer making their daily visit to the field next to the barn. The fog hung low and the geese would soon come honking to the pond next door. I too had that early morning cup of coffee (a little too early for the cigar) and just listened to the silence. I'll never take for granted the beauty of this part of the world. And I'll never take for granted the freedoms we have in this great nation. Just down the road, high on a hill is the National D Day Memorial. I think I'll drive over there when I finish this and take a long walk around. It's a monument to America at its best. Good for the soul to stop and remember.

Ahh, I do enjoy a good cigar. And that Black Silk coffee is pretty good, too.

Sounds like a great way to start the day.

Back before enclosed cabs became the Standard, any clear night that I caught an after dark call I would check what Constellations were available for viewing on the way to and from. Now, it's when I go out to water the grass after dark.

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What is it about good brandy or single-malt that makes a feller like me that doesn't smoke and has never smoked enjoy the heck out of a good cigar?

Of course, I have a sore throat and a terrible taste and smell in my mouth and lungs for two days afterword; but it sure is nice while I'm doing it.

Its just the "zen" thing to do dorm. As for russel, I hope you enjoyed your walk. I'll be visiting the richmond memorial which I have put off for years due to the fear of seeing my buddy's name. I still fight back tears when I think of him and what we went through as I am now. God bless

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To kinetic,shmiv and wrw ya'll know what I'm talking about. Just slow a step and look up at the wonderment God has created for us. I know I enjoy it when someone admires something I've done. Ya'll guys have a good one. To jake, if you decide to smoke cigars take some friendly advice: start with an expensive cigar that was handmade and imported and of the light color. These tend to be less "spicy or peppery" (which I prefer!). A good starter cigar is a churchill 50ga. (shape and size) romeo y julieta or my most favored- the victor sinclair brazil maduro limited. Just enjoy whatever you do or don't do it. I have a special cigar I'm saving for my son when he turns 18. He's only 8 now so the cigar will be 30+ years by then. Dorm a great bottle of 50 year old single malt and a very expensive 33 year old cigar that's been properly kept in my humidor............hmmm its gonna be a great day!

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I try to find time at least once per day to get down to my basement cigar lounge and enjoy a cigar or two.. Wish I had a deck.. the front porch get's way to much afternoon sun.

davasmith wrote:
To kinetic,shmiv and wrw ya'll know what I'm talking about. Just slow a step and look up at the wonderment God has created for us.

Yessir. You got it.

Incidentally, some evenings call for a pipe, too. It's getting to be pipe season. (And, when I say "pipe", I'm speaking of actual tobacco, not that wacky tobacky the hippie kids smoke)

davasmith wrote:start with an expensive cigar that was handmade and imported and of the light color. These tend to be less "spicy or peppery" (which I prefer!).

Best bet is to always ask your tobacconist if you are unsure. Many people assume that a light colored cigar is mild, but in reality, the wrapper generally is where most of your flavor comes from. I have seen, smoked and even blended many cigars that have a Connecticut shade wrapper on it and appear light in color, yet have as much as 50% ligero inside (ligero is the top priming on the tobacco plant and is where the cigar get's its strength). Likewise you could also have a darker cigar (Oscuro, Maduro, etc) that is very mild.

If anyone who wants to learn about cigars needs some advice either on the topic itself, or even for shops in their area, feel free to message me. I know most of the shops in the area, and many throughout the country. I'll make sure you go someplace where they know what they are doing and not just have a bunch of overrated garbage in stock.

For those of you who do smoke cigars, I'd love to see some of your collections!

Sboyajian, should you find yourself in Williamsburg, there is a cigar shop in New Town; I'd be happy to smoke a cigar and talk guns with ya.

As to a collection, I can't seem to keep them long enough to collect them.

Actually, I'd be happy to smoke a cigar with anyone on this forum, should they find themselves in Williamsburg.

@SHMIV - You got it! I love bringing my family to Williamsburg and like to escape to Havana Connection (I believe that's the one you are talking about) whenever I can. Great store. They carry most of my favorite brands.

Also, if anyone on here every wants to try some out and isn't sure, let me know.. cover shipping and I'll send out some packages, or if you are in Nova, we can get together at some of the local shops.. I have an alarming large number of cigars (somewhere between 5-7k).. I get a lot of unreleased and pre-release stuff from manufacturers too.