It's only been a year, but I feel like we've always been here. Home is where the heart is.
Thanks to the Team of 11 and to all the members here as well for making this place so enjoyable.
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thanks for the memories and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to all and a special thanks to the ToE for giving us all a place to call home (even me)
and I finally got to chance to meet in person some great people I've got to know by calling here home:-)
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Well said Dave. Thank you to the TOE and everyone who has come here to make this the place that it is.
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Dave, that was a great summary of the Asylum! :-)

This is one of the most addictive places that I have ever been involved in! I hope it will continue on! :-)

Especially when I count the many friends I have made both online and in person, because of CA! And the many good things that have come from here, like our Troop support programs!

Thanks to the TOE and to all the members here!

:-)


:-)
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CIGAR by Jude Forese

It was that time of year again

The phantom aroma of spice, chocolate and mild earthy tones
Permeated his memory
As he sat next to a humidor stacked with Cohiba, Monte Crisco, CAO,
And Partagas 150: quite a rare cigar,
Ripened at least 25 years

Together they formed a living mass of binders, fillers
And sun aged wrappers
Coiled around remembrances of warmer days
When his father would sit in front of the fireplace
Or out by the lake
Rolling a puro around his fingers
Puffing out a cloud of smoke
Forming a variety of archetypal shapes,
As he spoke of matters fathers usually dismiss;
Evoking mystery and wonder
In even the most simple things

It was that time of year again
When memories placed a smile on the saddest face
And transformed it into an expression of joy

Even as it yearned for a connection
To renew a heart forever broken

It was that time of year again
To rotate his father’s “babies”
And to touch his fingertips again

Rearranging each one
Admiring their supple veins
Maturing to a luxurious golden patina

It was that time again,
His father’s birthday

A celebration of existence
A reaffirmation that nothing really dies,
That everything is constantly reborn
Even in the bouquet of a fine smoke

He would commemorate
His father's fleeting moment in time
With a Partagas 150, his favorite

He recalled how he said he would smoke
These only on his birthday
Since they were so opulent and scarce

So he torched up
Inhaling its fine eloquence and subtle aroma

Surrounded by a smoky miasma
And a vision of his father’s enduring presence

And a son’s touch with class
-----------------------------

This is a great place! Thanks to those who started and those who continue to make this home away from home.
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Happy Birthday CA.
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Thanks to everyone for being here.
It's our people that make this place remarkable. :-)
...and Tom that makes up our stats. :-)
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Obviously were all right where were supposed to be :-)
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eloquently put as usual, Dave.

Happy Bday CA!!!!
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One Year Ago... I was not on this board


I haven't been on this board as long as most of you guys here, but CA by far is the most warming of all the boards I've been on. When I posted my introduction, I didn't know I was going to get 3 pages of welcomes. Within the first month I was invited to herf with the some of the BABOTL! That's when I knew this place was not like any other boards I've been on. I have never seen people beef with one another on the threads and if so, it was resolved rather quickly and maturely. I have met some amazing people here on CA, some I can call my very good friends. Most importantly, I realized that this is more then a community, this is a family. Thanks you to Team of Eleven and everyone else who has made CA a great ride for me. To many more years. :-)
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one year ago I would never have thought that I would go to the US for a vacation just to meet a lot of inmates. The US was never high on my "to visit" list, but now I know that I will return to that part of the world (hopefully) many many times to smoke cigars and share stories with all the friends that I made.
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:-):-):-):-):-)
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That pretty well sums it up for me. :-)

Thanks to all here for making this the place it is.
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Happy Anniversary Everyone:-) (Or Birthday)

:-)
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This place is as much a part of me as my physical home. And by extension, you are all like family with all the metaphorical references that implies.

Happy anniversary, CA!
Posted via Mobile Device
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When I think about where we were a year plus week ago and compare it to where we are now, I can only calmly shake my head and mutter "wow". (old age will do that to you. :-))


Seriously, The TOE started out on this journey with enthusiasm and optimism. Little did we know how fast the Asylum would grow and how comfortable this place would become. Even today, as I reflect on the past year, I am in awe of my fellow admins and each and every member - including you, Al. :-)

Thanks to everyone for making CA a home.

I look forward to what the next year will bring.
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As usual, Dave hit the nail on the head.

I feel privileged to have been involved in what I think is a very special thing.

And I can't wait until there's a thread titled "It was twenty years ago today..."

Image
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Happy Birthday CA...I love this place
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Truly honored to be a part of the Eleven and just as honored to be in the company of all the great members of Cigar Asylum. A special thanks to the nuts that fill the wards of this institution. I'd say we've had a pretty decent first year. I was onboard with what James said about 20 years until I realized how old I'd be then. If its all the same to yens I hope that 20 takes a while. :-)

Well said Dave.
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Honestly, thanks to all the members here and the Team of Eleven. What a great place to come and share a common passion for cigars:-)
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