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If you're like me, more often than not in the evening, or the weekend mornings, you've got some downtime to enjoy a pipe in relative peace. While I enjoy a good observation of the world, sometimes you have an itch to do something while you smoke. The obvious answers are something along the lines of read, write, watch TV or a movie, or just ponder this mortal coil. Those activities can get rather stale, so today I've listed five things to do while smoking a pipe for a nice change of pace.
1. Make Art
Pipe smoking is often linked to introspection and art tends to be a reflection of one's state of being, so I'm of the personal opinion that the two pair rather nicely. You don't have to be good, and it doesn't need to be shown to anyone else, but giving yourself a chance to just doodle away while enjoying a pipe is certainly relaxing.
2. Truly Listen to an Album
Listening to music and listening to music are two different states of mind. While listening to something while you drive or work is enjoyable, sitting down for a smoke and listening to an album from start to finish uninterrupted can be a completely different experience. When you idly listen, you're probably going to miss details or mishear lyrics but when there is nothing but you, a pair of quality headphones/speakers, the album, and a pipe, you can dissect what makes an album truly great. The number of times I've listened to a familiar album while doing nothing but enjoy a bowl of Peterson Nightcap and ended up hearing something new is remarkably high.
3. Call someone
Texting is the preferred method of communication for many nowadays but nothing beats a phone call from a loved one. Given that pipe smokers tend to have a relatively quiet and solitary smoking space to retreat to, these spaces also provide a good time to call an old friend or loved one and check-in. It sounds simple, and it is, but it's certainly refreshing to catch up while unwinding with a familiar favorite tobacco.
4. Plan a Trip
Even with fast smoking, it can take a while to finish a bowl of tobacco, which is why it's the perfect time to plan a getaway. It doesn't have to be Japan — it could be the next county over — but pipe smoking allows plenty of time to do some research into where you want to go next. It's also nice to have some time to mull over those first-class tickets rather than impulse buying.
5. Do the Chores You've Been Putting Off
They can't all be fun. Sometimes you gotta do the things you avoid. Chores are the bane of many's existence, and while they can be tedious, doing the dishes or weeding the garden goes much faster when you've got your favorite tobacco to smoke through.
These are just five things I like to do while smoking a pipe, but I would love to hear what you do when enjoying the briar. Leave a comment below and happy smokes!
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Comments
How can I shop for hundreds of pipes but to narrow my search to curved , long, smooth finish, and appealing… No straight pipes esp. with rough Bowles?
Im a tobacco pipe smoker 6th generation for 32 years 1996 to 2025
Regarding #2 above... If you're into "Classic Rock," check out Chicago II, particularly "Make Me Smile through "Now More Than Ever." These cuts are known as ""Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" (aka the Make Me Smile Suite). Even better if you set inter-track gaps to zero.
Standard Mixture with the morning coffee.........Heavy English in a meerschaum while reading a great book
I would add yard work. The smoke from a pipe keeps the bugs away.
I enjoy my pipe while golfing
我喜欢边抽烟边看恐怖电影，宁静与刺激的双重体验。
I’ve never combined a horror movie and a smoke—it sounds like such a contrast, but the experience you describe seems really interesting.
Over the years I have found that:
I cannot walk and smoke at the same time; I tend to walk fast and end up keeping tempo with my pipe and burn through a bowl of tabac in 5 minutes.
I cannot do chores or projects while smoking a pipe; I get so involved in what I am doing and forget to smoke so, the pipe keeps going out.
My art is photography; holding a camera to my eye takes two hands and knocks the pipe from my mouth.
In pre-married days I loved to put on classical CD, turn off all of the lights, smoke a bowl and listen. Rose is spot-on, one can hear so much more while just listening. Unfortunately in my current married life, indoor pipe smoking is verboten.
So…. my favorite activity while smoking a bowl is sitting outdoors and enjoying what nature brings my way. Birds at the feeders, a winter-white ermine in the woodpile, a coyote crossing the field, or the distant train whistle along the river. Early afternoon in the winter sun, late afternoon in the summer shade, or anytime in between.
Thank you Rose, another wonderful column.
If only steam trains were still common! I don't think I'd want to watch much else while having a pipe.
I smoke while I walk my dogs. It is the perfect accompaniment. My eyes and ears are full of the sights and sounds of nature. My feet feel the ground and my skin feels the air. My mouth is full of flavor and my nose full of aroma. Perfect!
A leisurely stroll in nature with a pipe does wonders.
Watching birds in my backyard is an excellent pastime while smoking a pipe full of Stokkebyes Proper English. Very enjoyable and relaxing. 😁
I'm an old cliche. Nothing beats reading while smoking a great tobacco in a great pipe. Oh, I almost forgot: My wife and I dedicate Saturday nights to playing a game of Scrabble and I simply must have a pipe to help with my concentration.
I'm an all day pipe smoker. Must have a pipe when enjoying my main hobby of Ham Radio, or when walking my two Dachshunds or at the end of the day when everyone's sleeping and I sit down and read. In between those activities the pipe is my constant companion. Thanks for a great article.
I enjoy a pipe on my front porch with my wife in the evenings. We live halfway down a dead end road so inevitably a friend or a neighbor drives by and stops to chat. With the busy pace life seems to move at it’s really nice to take the time to catch up with good people who you don’t otherwise get the chance to speak to. I am more of a face to face person (you can’t keep me on the phone) so this works well for me. Chatting with my wife, good book or just watching the bird feeders is also a great way to enjoy a pipe if no one happens by and stops to chat.
I'm an Artist and writer, I enjoy my pipe outdoors on nice days or evenings...I usually find some chore to do. As I'm not one to sit still outside.
Smoking a pipe is such a vibe, perfect time to slow down, journal, or just sit with your thoughts. It’s not just about the smoke, it’s about the whole experience. Cheers to mindful puffing!
Agree with pretty well all of these! I'm a fisherman myself so I love to wet a line while enjoying some strong Burley flakes! Anything outdoors really goes hand in hand imo. We just had our 1st grandson so I'm really loving watching him just be him and he's all about some outdoors! Thanks for sharing folks...happy piping✌️
My best time is sitting on the back porch talking to my dogs and watching the cows and deer while trying a new tobacco.
I am one of the few people who I know that likes to lunt. Taking the dog for a walk with a lit pipe is a great way to end the evening. I also like to read and watch a good show on my iPad outdoors.
A pipe in a hot bath is the best!
I’m not sure my wife would be happy if I did this, but it sounds like heaven to me.
Loved this list—it's such a vibe change from the typical "light up and zone out" routine. For me personally, I tend to find that combining a pipe with journaling or sketching allows me to unwind and tune in more to what I'm thinking. Also wholeheartedly agree on the music one—pipe in hand every album feels more profound.
If I'm smoking by myself, I'll usually end up just sitting on the patio and watching the dogs and the cat hang out in the yard. Sometimes my wife will join me and we'll have a conversation and share the pipe. Those are my favorite times.
I really like your point about listening to an album from start to finish. If I'm smoking inside, this is usually what I'm doing. Like you, I always find something new I hadn't noticed before in the songs. I love when that happens!