March 17 I was in the middle of making a meal and reached down to get some olive oil from a big bottle I keep under the sink I keep a small one on a shelf I refill. I paused the cabinet floor looked odd. It was no longer a brownish wooden color but blackish moist color and buckling.
I began to empty out the contents of the cabinet. It was all wet and bent and no obvious signs of leakage as I looked. But it was incredibly moist. It even was affecting the next cabinet over. In the end I had to call a bunch of people and things are going to be worked on but, my life which is normally complicated just went up another level.
At one point I was explaining to the contractor I need to know exactly what the plan was, I have a medically involved child and I only had 24 hours to get what I need before he demolishes my kitchen. Even if he wanted to start in a 3 days or so. Just to get the kitchen ready I had a small window of time to get groceries and containers for emptying the kitchen. Don’t get me started on the actually emptying of it.
In the midst of this I found out the contractor was a cigar smoker. I found myself leaning into the conversation. He went into a whole process on how to do it and which alcohol to buy. Which brandy was the one he enjoyed with his cigars. He told me it was a bourbon. I told him I will need to ask him later for more notes on that.
I knew at that moment I had bought the three brands of cigars I wanted to try but still needed a lighter and cutter. The alcohol was a bonus since he mentioned a Oregonian brewer. I liked the idea. One of the themes in my books is about this concept Oregonians own which is go for local. My characters being staunch Oregonians were mention that idea a lot.
So a few days later I wander into the liquor store and start looking for a bourbon by Rogue brewery called Dead Guy Bourbon.
But, I couldn’t find it.
My eyes scanned the shelves. I listened to a man and woman flirt discussing whiskey and another talking to a clerk about a vodka. I paused and headed to the front and asked at the register. I explained I am doing research and that possibly I got the name of the alcohol wrong. They mentioned they did have a Dead Guy Whiskey by Rogue Brewery.
I paused pulled up the internet and realized that must be what he was talking about it would be confusing to name a bourbon and whiskey the same name. So I picked it up.
The bottle is a piece of art. Clear thick glass with a metal figurine sculpture in its stopper. The alcohol inside glows. I am not ready to try the cigars yet. But I tried a drop of the whiskey last night. There is a butterscotch and licorice sweetness to it. Trying to decide if I will stick with it or look for a Scotch or Bourbon. I get they are close and Scotch is whiskey but made in Scotland with peaty notes. I don’t think I want to try a cognac. I didn’t mind this one and I really do like the idea of the character making a modern decision to go with a new distillery in the new age.
The cutter and butane lighter arrived a few days ago. It took me several conversations with friends and a google search to figure out how to fill the lighter and then several time to get it to light. It had been lighting the whole time. But it was out in the sun and that flame burns to hot to be seen in the sun.
Next step. Review notes with cigar professionals on how to light a cigar. How to puff and the whole procedure for smoking one with one’s choice of alcohol. Trying to figure out how I will cleanse my palette between them. Holding on to a story a friend told me about how stinky they are.
No, I do not plan to do it in the house.
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