Those Cotton Fields Back Home

Moving to another part of the world comes up from time to time. Years ago, my wife and I thought of moving to New Mexico. In the end we chickened out. We had no money and the thought of being jobless and broke in a new and strange locale was just too scary. Over the years we've continued to dream of "the perfect place". Now as the years rush by, I can't imagine leaving the Memphis area. So many memories are here. Both our families have come from this area for at least our living memory. And I guess I have to admit I love it here. I'm not sure I could be me anywhere else. I can't understand artists who move to New York or Berlin. What would I paint in Berlin? Cotton fields probably. I guess it's taken me years to learn what Dorothy learned in one short adventure- it's all right here in your own backyard. -T 

He's Back!

I just heard the news. Neill Roan has restarted his A Passion for Pipes blog. I know a lot of people have missed Neill's thoughtful articles for several months now. I certainly have and I am very happy to once again be able to add this to my morning ritual of coffee and computer time. Not only is this good for the Pipe World, but I think, for the Universe in general. -T 

Oh Boy!

Mark bought a new table saw a while back and I have been jealous, green w/ envy and covetous ever since. Well, I finally forked over the dough (thanks to several customers!) and bought one. I can't believe the difference it makes. What an improvement over the 12 yr old piece of crap I was using. It's like they aren't even the same breed of tool. I don't know that the pipe racks will be any better, but I can sure make them faster and w/ greater ease. -T

We're Still Working

A rumor that maybe we are no longer making pipe racks has come to our attention. It is NOT true. We are as busy as ever. We haven't updated our website in a long time and that is due in part to the fact that we are busy making racks and cabinets. If anyone is looking for a nice home for their favorite pipes, please send us an email. We will be more than happy to create a perfect place for them. -T

Annual Tishomingo Camping Trip

Towards the end of each October, for the last 3 or 4 years (my memory doesn't seem to go back that far), Mark, his son John and I have been going for a weekend camping trip to Tishomingo State Park in northeast Mississippi. This year our buddy Chuck came with us. We had a great time. We smoked so many pipes and cigars, it looked like fog was rolling into the woods. -T

Spanning the Globe

One of the great things about making pipe racks and selling them on the internet is that you come in contact with people from all over the place. lately we've sent racks to Idaho, California, Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Florida and Illinois. There's one in the works for France. This is pretty cool for two old guys living in the boondocks. -T

Hey! I'm Famous ....

oK- I can still go to the grocery store w/o paparazzi swarming around. In fact the cashier pays no more attention to me than she does an empty bag. But in our small community of pipe smokers I've achieved something I never really even considered achieving - The cover of P& T magazine! Obviously the clever folks at P&T are way too smart to actually put a photo of me on the cover  .... or even include one in the depths of the magazine, but I've got to figure that is good for me as well as them. Anyway- I'm pretty happy w/ the whole experience. Please pick up a copy if you get a chance. I don't want the P&T staff to think they made a terrible mistake. -T