Cigarettes

There is a quote from that most famous of cyclists, Eddy Merckx where he says, "I was never afraid to have a cigarette or a few beers." While as my son points out, "Pops, you are no Eddy Merckx.", still I like the sentiment in this quote. It's best to not fear the small pleasures in life, even if they are rightly considered vices when taken to excess. For me I limit my smoking to harvest time. I abandon the bike this time of year as I don't have the time or energy to spare for it. And once I stop being athletic the main reason for not smoking is gone. I keep it to a few a day - usually not more than three or four. Yesterday morning, Sunday, I was sitting out on the crush pad. The air was humid and still and so absolutely silent that I could hear the tobacco burning as I enhaled the smoke. Some birds flew by chattering and broke the spell of silence so I stood up feeling that wonderful momentary lift that a cigarette gives and got on with my day.