Greetings old friends!

[nutcracker]

I am remiss, and a crappy friend. I have excuses. You don’t want to hear them.

But thank you for your patience and good wishes, especially IceHog and Mark for nudging me to stop in. Mark caught me lurking on a pipe forum- and said “hey!, I know that guy!

So here’s what’s gone down in the old nutcracker suite:

1.) Covid caused massive destruction in my work environment and sent Canadian Healthcare into a tailspin that will take years to recover from. I’m now working my poor little tochas off trying to catch up on wait lists.

It then caused worldwide economic turmoil, aggravated by antivax &$#@&$ blockading the border and then some megalomaniac twat thousands of miles away invading a neighbouring country. The net effect was a dumpster fire in my retirement portfolio and the joyous prospect of being sentenced to several years more hard labour before I can retire.

2.) I stepped down as chairman of my group and signed over to a younger bloke.

3.) Both my sons got married, bought houses and all that jazz.

4.) I spent a sabbatical in Spain and walked the Camino de Santiago (Northern Route)

5.)Went on a diet, got fit and lost 43 lbs.

6.) Turned 60 and smoked a boatload of great cigars, including some aged beauties the generous AdamJoshua sent me some years ago.

7.) Bought some nice pipes, sold a few crappy ones

8.) Been back in the arena with a crowd of people, watching the Jets actually win a few games.

So aside from worldwide economic disaster, disease and pestilence, I personally am disgustingly well. Happy Christmas to all of you, I look forward to travelling down south again and hopefully meeting up with some of you.

P.S - the “secret Santa” nutcracker Johnathan sent be is out in its place of pride amongst the Christmas goodies.

Happy a Christmas all! Blessings to you and yours. Enjoy your smokes in good health!

Nutcracker.