17 Months

Yesterday marked my completion of 17 months without smoking a pipe.  I still feel quite indifferent about the "accomplishment".  I wish I was enthused or excited,  or "proud" of this accomplishment like I do feel about my running and my exercise efforts.  Each time I hit a new goal in running I feel motivated.  That has not happened yet with the pipe refraining.  I *did* feel happy about refraining when it was a part of my Lent effort, but after Lent concluded.... indifference. 

But, at the same time, it is not particularly difficult or challenging to refrain anymore.  Sure, there are times that I really think a pipe would be wonderful and mentally rewarding and pleasant.  And, I *do* very much miss smoking a pipe with my various deceased pipe smoking "buddies" (especially my father and father-in-law). 

I do not know what will transpire now in regards to my pipe smoking.  To go back would be wonderful for its innate pleasures.... but filled with melancholy as I would be alone in the endeavor.  To continue to refrain would be best in terms of health and in terms of society... but is also immersed in a bit of melancholy.... because I can remember how it once was. 

For some reason, this sort of "no-man's-land" I find myself in has me hearing two songs playing in my mind "Nowhere Man" by the Beatles, and  "Horse With No Name" by America both seem to reverberate in my thoughts when I think of where I am at today:

Nowhere Man

Horse With No Name

That is about it for me today, I guess.

PipeTobacco