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Memories In A Puff Of Smoke  

Paulxx001 66M
8702 posts
11/27/2018 1:47 am

Last Read:
6/10/2020 6:41 pm

Memories In A Puff Of Smoke

I've never been a big cigarette smoker... but... when I was 9 , I gave it a serious go. It wasn't my idea - it was Tony's. He was also 9... but he acted more like... well... more like he was 10 or 11 . He was my best friend... and one lazy summer afternoon - we smoked ourselves silly.

Tony was my neighbour and lived across the street. Every morning, before his dad left for work, he'd give him, to buy a pack of cigarettes. In those days, a pack cost... about or so? With any change left, he was allowed to get gum and candy or firecrackers... or whatever he wanted.

Back then... us were allowed to purchase stuff, like cigarettes or even beer, for our parents. Nobody asked us for a note, or anything like that. Store owners were trusting and rules were lax. We also drank water out of garden hoses and drove in cars without seatbelts. Parents never worried too much about their ... or about water pipes, lined with asbestos - for that matter.

On that July afternoon, Tony walked across the street and rang my doorbell. His question - "Can Paul, come out, to play?" was answered by my mom. She would check - but as she turned around, I'd already squeezed through the door and was running outside.

We walked to the back of my house, where the street ended and the field and the forest began. They'd build homes there... one day. We walked along the dusty path, until we were shaded by a cluster of large birch and maple trees. Tony reached into his pocket...

"Paul. Look what I got ," and he pulled out a brand new pack of cigarettes.

I was impressed. "Where dja' get that ?"

"I bought a pack for my dad, and I bought this pack for us. Oh... and I also got some gum too," and he waved a paper bag.

"Isn't he gonna notice something?"

"Nah... He never counts the change. He doesn't care about the candy I buy either. The only thing is, we've gotta smoke the whole pack, before he comes home from work. If my pop finds cigarettes on me, I'll be dead."

"No kidding," I thought. Tony opened the pack and we each took a cigarette. We spent the next minute, or so, just holding and smelling it. Have you ever noticed, that before you light a cigarette - it actually smells pretty good?

Tony, eventually pulled matches from his pocket... and brought one - to life. I watched, as he puffed on his cigarette... 6...or 7 times... until it was glowing and flaming a fiery red! Smoke billowed everywhere and hovered around his head, like some sort of magical cloud. I was fascinated. He passed me the matches and I did exactly ... what I'd seen him do.

My first few puffs, didn't go too well. I started coughing and choking. Tony then showed me how to inhale. He was pretty good at it, and soon... so was I. Smoke rose into the air and we watched as it floated, up to the sky, while we were under that maple tree, in that dark tinted forest. It felt really cool. We looked at each other and smiled. If only the older , could see us now.

After that first cigarette, we both felt dizzy - so we sat down, under the tree. Tony reached into his paper bag and handed me a piece of Bazooka bubble gum. For those who don't know - Bazooka gum came out in 1945, and was wrapped in wax paper, with a printed cartoon called - Bazooka Joe. We sat there reading and then we exchanged wrappers. I don't know if they still sell Bazooka gum. I haven't seen it. I really don't think it was the best name for a ' bubble gum... was it?

Even before, we'd chewed all the flavor from the gum - Tony had pulled, another 2 cigarettes, out of the pack, and looked at me... with concern.

"Paul... Go get your brother. We're gonna n.eed help. There's another 18 cigarettes in this pack."

I was only 9... but if I'd known how to swear, I would have said something like: "Are you fucking kidding me... 18 cigarettes? We're never going to finish that whole, fucking pack, before your dad gets home."

What I said instead was - " My brother's only 6...he doesn't know how to smoke."

"Neither did you until 5 minutes ago. And he's always bugging us to play with him. Well... now he'll get his chance."

Tony had a point. "Ok... I'll go get him." Before long - Johnny - my little brother, was eagerly running behind me, up to the tree where Tony stood... waiting. Little Johnny was happy to be with us. He was even happier, when Tony gave him a cigarette. He showed him how to hold it. I showed him how to puff it, without choking. What are older brothers for - right?

We sat there, under that old maple tree; the three of us... smoking our lungs out. In between cigarettes, Tony would hand us each, another Bazooka. After the third... or was it the forth cigarette... we started to loose interest in that whole smoking thing. Our throats were burning and the novelty was wearing off. My little brother, had almost thrown up, at least twice, but the trooper that he was - he never gave up.

Tony eventually, started lighting up his cigarettes... two at a time, and held them in both his hands. I laughed as I watched him take a puff from one, and then from the other. Of course, I did the same thing. My little brother held steady and gently puffed, on his cigarette. He was doing his part. At some point we struggled (in vane), to blow smoke rings. Tony figured it would take at least, another couple of packs, before we'd get good enough to do that. I agreed. My little brother didn't say anything - he was turning greenish.

Many years later... I realized, there was a certain satisfaction I'd get, in blowing that perfect smoke ring. If you've never tried it... I guess you wouldn't know.

After what seemed like forever - we got to the last cigarette and actually tried to savor it. At that moment... Tony's mother started hollering his name, in the distance. It was dinner time. His dad was home. Tony threw me the empty cigarette pack.

"Paul... here... burry this thing somewhere. I've gotta go. Oh, and here ... take some more gum. I'll see you after supper... maybe. Ok ?"

I took the gum and waved to Tony as he ran off. My little brother Johnny, butt out his cigarette - just like a pro - and then... leaned up against the tree. Who knew if he was dizzy... but I was still proud of the little guy! Slowly we chewed our gum, and walked back home.

The next day, the doorbell rang - it was Tony. I heard him speak with my mom as I ran towards the door. "Can Paul, come out, to play?" Tony had his hands in his pockets. I only hoped his fingers weren't holding any cigarettes and... they weren't...

It was about 5 or 6 y.ears later, when I watched, as they bulldozed that maple tree: the one where Tony and my brother and I had stood - smoking. He'd moved away, a few y.ears back, but I thought about him, for a second or so. It's like that when you're a ...right ? Those memories hover for a bit - and then, they're gone... just like that puff of smoke. That's exactly what they were... memories in a puff of smoke.


© November 2018 Paul P.
--------------------------------------------------
So...
Did you ever have a 'best friend' you hung out with...someone you looked forward to seeing every day?

What was your first experience with smoking a cigarette?


Yesterday I saw Tony for the first time in over 45 y.ears. I attended his funeral. He died of cancer on the 19th. It wasn't lung cancer though. He lay there peacefully ,with a smile on his face... as if he was about to share a joke. I guess I'll never know what that joke was... I.m pretty sure I would have laughed though. He always did make me laugh... I can't even say that I was really sad... more wistful than anything... as if I had missed something. You know what I mean?. .
--------------------------------------------------
. .


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 1:53 am

Well... you know about Tony . . But there have been a bunch of friends I've had over the years. . . Like I'm sure all of us have had. I still keep in touch with a few of them, but surprisingly... I seem to have lost touch with many of them. They are spread out all over the place. Different cities and countries. And now - all I have is the memories of good times... That's what it is right ? A bunch of memories strung together. Crazy times. Of course not all of my friends were made when I was a kid. Some of my strongest friendships were ...made as an adult. Those are the ones that seem to have endured. You know . . where you don't have to see someone for years and you just pick up a conversation from where it left off...


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 1:58 am

Silly cigarette stories. . . The time I was caught smoking at school . I was only holding it for someone else... That excuse didn't fly... lol Silly cigarettes...It seemed to be the cool thing to do, back in the day... To smoke that is. I prefer clean lungs and the ability to run more than 50 yards before running out of breath...
I can't believe the non-smoking section of a restaurant would have the smoking section right next to us. Separated . . by nothing lol yep...
I'll blame movies for creating the romance associated with smoking... Back in the day . . . all the stars smoked... Right ?


CampoGirl 57F
43434 posts
11/27/2018 3:13 am

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

I had the big lilac bush in my alley, everyone smoked there! Cigs were 50 cents a pack. Easy to find quarters in the sofa! lol

Now on my Blog: 👄 New Pictures 👓


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 5:49 am

    Quoting  :

Thanks for popping in. Yes Bazooka Joe. . . Wasn't sure if people would remember him. The cartoon guy with one eye patched. How did he loose his eye ? lol ... Sounds like that lumber yard was the place to be. Should I even ask what else went on there ? Eeeeee


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 5:51 am

    Quoting  :

Wow... That's great. . . Over here , I still see a bunch of old friends, but those that I was really close to have drifted over to your neck of the woods. Down the 401 ... Maybe you even know them...lol ?


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 5:52 am

    Quoting  :

You're a lucky person if you still have those friendships after all those years. Isn't it funny how everyone has at least one cigarette horror story ? Hmmm


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 5:55 am

    Quoting CampoGirl:
    Sorry for the loss of your friend.

    I had the big lilac bush in my alley, everyone smoked there! Cigs were 50 cents a pack. Easy to find quarters in the sofa! lol
Thanks for the thoughts, but really ...I hadn't seen him in over 45 years. I was just kinda sad that I couldn't have seen him at least one more time when he was alive.
Yeah go figure $0.50 per pack... That's crazy low right ? What's a pack going for these days. ? Over here it is nuts ... Something like close to $10 per pack ... with all the BS taxes built in !


mc_justmc 63M

11/27/2018 7:08 am

My 1st cigarette was the one my Dad dropped on the sidewalk but didn't step on. I coughed and the smoke burned my eyes. My parents just laughed and laughed. I was about 4 yrs old


Platosgames 102M
3189 posts
11/27/2018 7:12 am

I can't say I had just one friend. It was always more of a group I hung out with.

I started smoking cigs and weed with my brother...when I was in the sixth grade. By the time I got to high school, I was a pack a day smoker, and a pothead.

I quits smoking weed and by that time all drugs, when I was about 25. I quit smoking cigarettes about 4 years ago.

" I refuse to belong to any organization that would accept me as a member" Groucho Marx


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 7:16 am

    Quoting mc_justmc:
    My 1st cigarette was the one my Dad dropped on the sidewalk but didn't step on. I coughed and the smoke burned my eyes. My parents just laughed and laughed. I was about 4 yrs old
Wow... Sounds like a classic. 4 years old. lol... I used to watch my Grandpa smoke...I'd take the twigs off a tree and pretend I was smoking as well...amp;


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 7:22 am

    Quoting Platosgames:
    I can't say I had just one friend. It was always more of a group I hung out with.

    I started smoking cigs and weed with my brother...when I was in the sixth grade. By the time I got to high school, I was a pack a day smoker, and a pothead.

    I quits smoking weed and by that time all drugs, when I was about 25. I quit smoking cigarettes about 4 years ago.
Yeah... the gangs or groups around my neighborhood were all older and they didn't let the younger kids in. We kind of stood by in the wings and watched.
Sounds like you were a player in more ways than one. I know you've mentioned that you don't smoke anymore (weed) . . that's a long tome to be dry... Never thought of giving it another shot ? I used to smoke about 35 years ago and recently tried it again . . I was shocked at how smooth it was compared to 'back in the day' lol ... Not saying I'm going in that direction... just surprised with how gentle it was ...lol
Good for you that you quit cigs... You probably feel much better as well !


pollly_anna 60F  
697 posts
11/27/2018 7:51 am

Never smoked a day in my life. never even tried a single puff.


pocogato12 71F  
37235 posts
11/27/2018 8:21 am

I still remember Mary Virginia "Honey" Hawley, her dad was a corporate oil company attorney. They lived on Montview Blvd in an huge Spanish style adobe mansion with a green wrought iron fence on three sides. Thye entertained a lot and the living rooms ( yep plural) had these cool silver cigarette urns full of sticks for visitors who might have forgotten theirs. My friend would go around to all the urns once a week and take one out of each. When we had amassed about 30 we snuck through the evergreens in the back to the neighbors yard which harbored a perfect stone bench among the bushes where two little girls could pretend to be Vivian Leigh and Greta Garbo. Yep, we turned green, yep I barfed, and yep we got caught - the smell premeated our hair- The urns stayed on the tables but we never did that again

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Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:27 am

    Quoting pollly_anna:
    Never smoked a day in my life. never even tried a single puff.
Wow. That is very impressive... How did you manage to do that? I guess you also never got influenced by anyone to try drugs as well...? 😊👍🆗 Do you still see your old friends? 😊


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:41 am

    Quoting pocogato12:
    I still remember Mary Virginia "Honey" Hawley, her dad was a corporate oil company attorney. They lived on Montview Blvd in an huge Spanish style adobe mansion with a green wrought iron fence on three sides. Thye entertained a lot and the living rooms ( yep plural) had these cool silver cigarette urns full of sticks for visitors who might have forgotten theirs. My friend would go around to all the urns once a week and take one out of each. When we had amassed about 30 we snuck through the evergreens in the back to the neighbors yard which harbored a perfect stone bench among the bushes where two little girls could pretend to be Vivian Leigh and Greta Garbo. Yep, we turned green, yep I barfed, and yep we got caught - the smell premeated our hair- The urns stayed on the tables but we never did that again
Is that what the urn looked like? Kool 🤔 It's a good thing that you learned your lesson. Were you that diligent in learning all your life's lesson, or were there occasions when you slipped up on other vices and devil's delights... 😈😨😬😇Somehow I feel that there is another story out there... waiting for the right ears to listen to... 👉🐈👂😊🎶


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:44 am

    Quoting  :

Your older sister right? 😏🤔 My brother was fine lol... He's a bugger... 😇 And thanks for the thoughts about my friend... But I hadn't seen him in years... It was a nostalgia thing... If you know what I mean... So you turned out 🆗 in spite of your sister... 😬😈🚭


pocogato12 71F  
37235 posts
11/27/2018 10:03 am

PS Not only was that the urn{ or one of them as others were really fancy}, but you can still buy BAZOOKA in a tub original recipe 2.7 pounds of it with cartoons. Remember the Stick Bazooka where you broke off chunks??
PPS The alcohol test did not arrive until about age 14 and that was at home courtesy of an uncle

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Tmptrzz 61F  
107039 posts
11/27/2018 10:10 am

What another great story, and can't say I had any friends like Tony to hang around with. Us neighborhood kids would just hang around together all day every day and play games. If we were smoking and got caught "YIKES" didn't want to get a switch from a tree used on us or our asses beat.

It's nice you have such fond memories of your friend Tony and I hope you have a wonderful day..

Seduce the mind and see what a wonderful adventure the body will take you on..


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 10:38 am

    Quoting pocogato12:
    PS Not only was that the urn{ or one of them as others were really fancy}, but you can still buy BAZOOKA in a tub original recipe 2.7 pounds of it with cartoons. Remember the Stick Bazooka where you broke off chunks??
    PPS The alcohol test did not arrive until about age 14 and that was at home courtesy of an uncle
Yeah... I Remeber the Bazooka you'd have to break off. I don't know how many cavities were caused by that gum... 😬 Hmmm Probably y I don't chew gum to this day.
An uncle... Alcohol... 🍸🍹🍺🍻🍷🍾 Eeee... Sounds interesting. I can't believe you were so demure
... U have this streak in you girl... Lol 😁👧🚭 When did the men start messing with you? 😊😄😜


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 10:45 am

    Quoting Tmptrzz:
    What another great story, and can't say I had any friends like Tony to hang around with. Us neighborhood kids would just hang around together all day every day and play games. If we were smoking and got caught "YIKES" didn't want to get a switch from a tree used on us or our asses beat.

    It's nice you have such fond memories of your friend Tony and I hope you have a wonderful day..
Hey... Nice to see you... 😊🙋 Because we had that forest behind us... our parents just figured... what could we do there? 🐑🐓🐙 and they were so wrong. But we all turned out... sort of normal... 😛🤓 Well, we used to patrol that forest and it was on the fringe of a lot of new homes being built... So a lot of places to get into trouble. We would have taken care of you... You would have been fine with us... ❤️🤔 I think.... And look at you... You turned out to be 🆗 too! Right? ❤️😛Beaten with twigs? Eeeee
... Scary... 😨😰


pollly_anna 60F  
697 posts
11/27/2018 11:22 am

That's correct never tried drugs either.........and yes she has been my close friend since we were teenagers. and yes she did smoke .but gave it up about5-6 yrs ago.


Platosgames 102M
3189 posts
11/27/2018 11:42 am

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    Yeah... the gangs or groups around my neighborhood were all older and they didn't let the younger kids in. We kind of stood by in the wings and watched.
    Sounds like you were a player in more ways than one. I know you've mentioned that you don't smoke anymore (weed) . . that's a long tome to be dry... Never thought of giving it another shot ? I used to smoke about 35 years ago and recently tried it again . . I was shocked at how smooth it was compared to 'back in the day' lol ... Not saying I'm going in that direction... just surprised with how gentle it was ...lol
    Good for you that you quit cigs... You probably feel much better as well !
I hear that from my kids, and I'm sure there's some truth to it being stronger and better now days. But we had access to really good weed back in my teens. Hawaiian, Thai Sticks, real Lebanese hash. Haha. One hit kind of stuff.

I have tried it twice since I've been divorced. All it did was make me hungry, tired and I felt like my IQ dropped by 50 points. One of the times I was at home, trying to watch a football game. Thank god it was recorded. I kept having to rewind, with the whole.."what just happened there? ".

" I refuse to belong to any organization that would accept me as a member" Groucho Marx


superbjversion2 68F  
24388 posts
11/27/2018 12:17 pm

My dad bribed us kids not to smoke. $100 if we didn't smoke until 21yo. He figured if you didn't smoke by then you never would. I was 12 and won that bet. In my mind, smoking pot was still smoking so I didn't do that either. I'm peer pressure resistant.

Have I told you lately how much I enjoy your story telling skills? No? Well, I really enjoy your story telling skills.

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation bangs on the door forever!


sweet_VM 65F
81699 posts
11/27/2018 3:32 pm

Sorry for the loss of your friend. I have never smoked nor done drugs hugs V

Become a blog watcher sweet_vm


SeaGirlFL 60F
9220 posts
11/27/2018 8:21 pm

I tried a couple of puff from a cigarette when I was about 11. We were on vacation with a bunch of family friends, and there were three of us girls, all about the same age. Their mom smoked so they pinched a cigarette from her, and we shared it. I hated it and never did it again.

I'm so sorry your friend is gone.

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:22 pm

    Quoting pollly_anna:
    That's correct never tried drugs either.........and yes she has been my close friend since we were teenagers. and yes she did smoke .but gave it up about5-6 yrs ago.
You are very responsible and were very mature when you were younger, not to submit to peer pressure when it came to cigarettes and drugs. Ahh... but I have a question... When was your first kiss ? lol


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:25 pm

    Quoting Platosgames:
    I hear that from my kids, and I'm sure there's some truth to it being stronger and better now days. But we had access to really good weed back in my teens. Hawaiian, Thai Sticks, real Lebanese hash. Haha. One hit kind of stuff.

    I have tried it twice since I've been divorced. All it did was make me hungry, tired and I felt like my IQ dropped by 50 points. One of the times I was at home, trying to watch a football game. Thank god it was recorded. I kept having to rewind, with the whole.."what just happened there? ".
Hawaiian... Us easterners would only hear about the 'Hawaiian '... We thought it was a myth..
Rewinding the game... I hear ya... Definitely don't want to play with the IQ... In my case any loss of IQ puts me dangerously close to riding in the short bus. lol Take care....


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:29 pm

    Quoting superbjversion2:
    My dad bribed us kids not to smoke. $100 if we didn't smoke until 21yo. He figured if you didn't smoke by then you never would. I was 12 and won that bet. In my mind, smoking pot was still smoking so I didn't do that either. I'm peer pressure resistant.

    Have I told you lately how much I enjoy your story telling skills? No? Well, I really enjoy your story telling skills.
Peer pressure is certainly a factor when it comes to trying those 'youth' inspired vices. Good for you that you held back... Did you invest the money and put it towards something of value ?
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. It's always a challenge to come up with something that appeals to me while entertaining the people who come here to be entertained. Thanks for dropping by and sharing a few minutes with me.


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:42 pm

    Quoting sweet_VM:
    Sorry for the loss of your friend. I have never smoked nor done drugs hugs V
Thank you for the thoughts.No drugs and no cigarettes . . . Good for you! You didn't succumb to peer pressure.... Ahhh ... but when was your first kiss ? lol


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/27/2018 9:45 pm

    Quoting SeaGirlFL:
    I tried a couple of puff from a cigarette when I was about 11. We were on vacation with a bunch of family friends, and there were three of us girls, all about the same age. Their mom smoked so they pinched a cigarette from her, and we shared it. I hated it and never did it again.

    I'm so sorry your friend is gone.
Thanks for the thoughts...
So you only tried it once at the age of 11? That's a strong will. I'll ask you the that other question that interests me... lol When was your first kiss ? Thanks for popping in and sharing a few minutes with me.


pollly_anna 60F  
697 posts
11/28/2018 12:06 pm

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    You are very responsible and were very mature when you were younger, not to submit to peer pressure when it came to cigarettes and drugs. Ahh... but I have a question... When was your first kiss ? lol
First Kiss....14 yrs old.


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/28/2018 2:21 pm

Well. . . That's kool !!! Nice of you to stop in . ..
Hey what happened to our snowstorm yesterday . . . lol Weather people . . Right ?


SeaGirlFL 60F
9220 posts
11/28/2018 3:18 pm

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    Thanks for the thoughts...
    So you only tried it once at the age of 11? That's a strong will. I'll ask you the that other question that interests me... lol When was your first kiss ? Thanks for popping in and sharing a few minutes with me.
Yep, only once. My closest friends all through middle and high school were athletes, so none of them smoked. It was easy to not be tempted.

First kiss...not counting those drive-by pecks on the playground in elementary school, lol...I was 16. Interestingly, at the same vacation location, with the same families. He was a great kisser...well, at least I thought so at the time, lol. I definitely enjoyed that week.

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax." – Mark Black


2trythis 60F
5109 posts
11/28/2018 4:01 pm

First time I was probably 6. A neighbor rolled his own and he gave me a drag off one of his. Yuck and double yuck. I was dumbfounded as to why he liked it. Your post brought back lots of good memories though, thanks for that.


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/28/2018 4:55 pm

    Quoting SeaGirlFL:
    Yep, only once. My closest friends all through middle and high school were athletes, so none of them smoked. It was easy to not be tempted.

    First kiss...not counting those drive-by pecks on the playground in elementary school, lol...I was 16. Interestingly, at the same vacation location, with the same families. He was a great kisser...well, at least I thought so at the time, lol. I definitely enjoyed that week.
Drive by pecs...? Lol 😁 Kool...
Well... He probably was a good kisser... if you thought so! Thanks for sharing... 🙋😊


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/28/2018 4:59 pm

    Quoting 2trythis:
    First time I was probably 6. A neighbor rolled his own and he gave me a drag off one of his. Yuck and double yuck. I was dumbfounded as to why he liked it. Your post brought back lots of good memories though, thanks for that.
Yuck... Is bad... 😊🤔
Glad to be of service... It's always a challenge to pick a theme that appeals to all readers. Thanks for visiting... 😘


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
11/29/2018 4:22 am

I was much older when I tried smoking the first time.
I had made friends with one of the 'tough' girls and we were hanging out at the local plaza. She smoked, pulled out her pack and offered me one. Not wanting to look like a wuss, I tried it. Didn't really enjoyed it and barely got through it. Unbeknownst to be, my Dad had driven by and seen me. Was an interesting conversation that night at the dinner table when I got caught lying about it.


CampoGirl 57F
43434 posts
11/29/2018 5:32 am

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    Thanks for the thoughts, but really ...I hadn't seen him in over 45 years. I was just kinda sad that I couldn't have seen him at least one more time when he was alive.
    Yeah go figure $0.50 per pack... That's crazy low right ? What's a pack going for these days. ? Over here it is nuts ... Something like close to $10 per pack ... with all the BS taxes built in !
In Oklahoma, I can go to Indian smoke shops nearby and get then for $4... but everywhere else.... quick shops...is about 5.25 or so...

Now on my Blog: 👄 New Pictures 👓


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/29/2018 10:58 am

    Quoting sexyldy1000:
    I was much older when I tried smoking the first time.
    I had made friends with one of the 'tough' girls and we were hanging out at the local plaza. She smoked, pulled out her pack and offered me one. Not wanting to look like a wuss, I tried it. Didn't really enjoyed it and barely got through it. Unbeknownst to be, my Dad had driven by and seen me. Was an interesting conversation that night at the dinner table when I got caught lying about it.
Well... It sounds like a scary conversation with your Father later. But at least you didn't start smoking... So I guess you learned your lesson? 🤔👍


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
11/29/2018 6:40 pm

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    Well... It sounds like a scary conversation with your Father later. But at least you didn't start smoking... So I guess you learned your lesson? 🤔👍
My Dad just had to give 'the look' and we knew we had crossed the line. I did try smoking for awhile, didn't really get anything out of it and realized it was a waste of money. It was especially difficulat since both my parents smoked. Eventually my Dad developed Emphysema and then Lung Cancer. Needless to say, my perspective on smoking is coloured by this personal experience.


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
11/29/2018 7:07 pm

    Quoting sexyldy1000:
    My Dad just had to give 'the look' and we knew we had crossed the line. I did try smoking for awhile, didn't really get anything out of it and realized it was a waste of money. It was especially difficulat since both my parents smoked. Eventually my Dad developed Emphysema and then Lung Cancer. Needless to say, my perspective on smoking is coloured by this personal experience.
Hmmm... Yes. I can imagine how family members affected by smoking would influence your perspective on the subject. But then again... there is nothing positive to say about smoking, regardless of how it might affect us personaly. There's just nothing good about it. Right? Except people in movies look Kool... Unfortunately.. Mn😕😶


FMAOPLS 70F
27112 posts
12/5/2018 1:03 am

I was probably about 9 when I smoked my 1st cigarette, too.

My Mom made her own cigarettes. The tubes had filters on the end, and she had an "injector" that was hinged to open up and fill it with the loose tobacco. Then you inserted it into the paper cigarette tube and injected the tobacco.

My sister, a friend and I borrowed the tobacco, a couple of filtered tubes and the injector and made 3 cigarettes, out at the side of the house, under the hollyhocks. We felt as sick as dogs after a few puffs. Fortunately, none of us finished the cigarettes, or we probably would have puked our guts out.

My Mom quit many years later, just about the time I was starting to smoke. Now, many years later, I am trying to quit.

PS: Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

Check out my profile or and become a "watcher" of my blog FMAOPLS,to learn more about me, and for intelligent, lively, smartassy and fun discussion, with a little irreverence thrown in. "Like" or comment on my photos, and I promise I'll add more. Thanks.


Paulxx001 66M
22642 posts
12/5/2018 12:34 pm

    Quoting FMAOPLS:
    I was probably about 9 when I smoked my 1st cigarette, too.

    My Mom made her own cigarettes. The tubes had filters on the end, and she had an "injector" that was hinged to open up and fill it with the loose tobacco. Then you inserted it into the paper cigarette tube and injected the tobacco.

    My sister, a friend and I borrowed the tobacco, a couple of filtered tubes and the injector and made 3 cigarettes, out at the side of the house, under the hollyhocks. We felt as sick as dogs after a few puffs. Fortunately, none of us finished the cigarettes, or we probably would have puked our guts out.

    My Mom quit many years later, just about the time I was starting to smoke. Now, many years later, I am trying to quit.

    PS: Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.
Sounds like quite the adventure, to manufacture a cig. I recall those contraptions... Thanks for the kind words... Since I hadn't seen my friend in so long, his passing was more about nostalgia than any loss per ce. But you know what I mean... 🤔🎄


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