Sweeny Todd Easter?

I went with the family to visit my wife's brother and his family. It's a two-hour ride to D.C. and it was surprisingly easy, with relatively light traffic, especialy for a holiday in the District. I was grateful for a relatively easy trip down. Dinner was fantastic (ham has always been one of my absolute favorites, and something magical happens to pork products south of the Mason-Dixon line. It was absolutely masterful.

We talked about family, friendships, vacations, and the like. It was a nice, easy conversation.One of the things we ended up discussing was my new interest in writing, particularly with fountain pens, and shaving old school with double edged and, occasionally, straight razors. Shaving like this is kind of a weird hobby, I admit, but it has turned shaving from something I hate doing into something I love doing. From soaking the brush, to loading lather into it, working it into a huge and rich lather with incredible scents. I love the whole ritual, especially shaving that rich lather off my face.

Anyway, my brother in law got up and brought back this leather roll. I actually thought it was a pen roll at first.

I unrolled the pouch....

...and turned it over to reveal the familiar tangs of straight razors!

I carefully took the razors out, one by one, taking a look at each... 

...then opened them to inspect the blades.

There is some restoration work to be done, but I am so excited to get these, and to eventually shave with them! 

Spring is Coming

I got out for a short ride with my buddy, B. We went down aroundd Dillsburg, then into Michaux State Forest to roll through Caledonia. It was not more than a couple of weeks ago we were riding on fully cindered/salted roads with snow still on the ground.

The skies were blue, but it was cold, to be sure. Still, it was great to be out and riding.

Brrrrrr....

What a difference a couple of weeks make! The weather has begun to warm (thought we are supposed to get more snow again toomorrow across Pennsylvania). I am not really sure what it is about this trip, but it always seems to rain when we get down there. This time was no different. It was not a heavy rain, but just enough to take the starch out of confident cornering, so we slowed down and played it safe.

We could actually see that reddish color that signals the first budding trees in the park.

Parting shot..