What soap/cream did you use today?

Like a skein of loose silk blown against a wall
She walks by the railing of a path in Kensington Gardens

This Ezra Pound poem The Garden came to my mind as a shaved this morning.  I hadn’t thought of it in two decades I am sure but the words came back to me as clear and bright as a high mountain spring morning and I was once again feeling what I felt the first time I read it. In my minds eye I could envision a too-thin woman moving through the garden, blown on the breezes of life of which she felt little control.  Her hair and clothing lending an air of sophistication and old money and.......loneliness.  Perhaps it’s the floral and herbaceous nature of the soap that triggered the memory but whatever the reason I sure enjoyed the trip.

She would like someone to speak to her,
And is almost afraid that I will commit that indiscretion. 

Ezra Pound, Lipripper660! Like you, he was an Idahoan (at least to start off with). Wasn't he born just around the corner from you? And man, he loved his French poetry, especially the old stuff. When it comes to capturing the spirit of this soap, you couldn't have done better than quoting a few lines from "The Garden." What I want to know, though, is how did this poem get into your head? Is it a family favorite, something you read for a class, or just a page that was turned down in an old beat up anthology?

My Dad had an expansive library and he taught me the love of work and literature.  For that I will always love him, but this poem, The Garden, was first found in a college class.  The Professor, Norman Gage, opened my eyes to what poetry could be and although I can’t really appreciate some of the greats, Ezra Pounds poetry soars for me.  Yes, he was born in Hailey ID but was a toddler when his family moved.  His birth place is just minutes away from where the great Ernest Hemingway is interred.  Vardis Fisher was born a literal stones throw from my place.  Potatoes, Cowboys, and fine lit, good job Idaho.

Black Pepper?  Who would have thunk you’d buy this one.

Black Pepper?  Who would have thunk you’d buy this one.

HaHa! 

I'm trying my best not to purchase the new Black Pepper from WSP, but oh man, do i want to try that one!  My saving grace is that I know it can't compare to the most amazing Black Pepper scent ever created 

Black Pepper?  Who would have thunk you’d buy this one.

HaHa! 

I'm trying my best not to purchase the new Black Pepper from WSP, but oh man, do i want to try that one!  My saving grace is that I know it can't compare to the most amazing Black Pepper scent ever created 

Now, you have me curious. Which would that be pray tell.


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Black Pepper?  Who would have thunk you’d buy this one.

Black pepper (any pepper) is amazing. My take is Le Labo Poivre is best of lot. Incredible scent

HoosierShave: you really know how to bring the best out in a soap. I've got a tin of Neroli & Black Pepper too, but I've never managed such a thick and glossy lather as this. It's a sight to behold.

Ethos Lavender

CBL Barbershop

An old leathern cowboy stopped in at the barbershop and took his seat for a haircut and shave.  He told the barber that he could never get his whiskers shaved close because of his furrowed cheeks.  The barber said “no problem.  Put this in your mouth” and handed the old puncher a wooden ball about the size of a hens egg.  The barber then proceeded to perform a most amazing shave on the old waddie.  The cow puncher felt his cheeks and smiled.  “That’s the closest shave I’ve had since I was a lad” he exclaimed, “but what would I have done had I swallered that ball”?  The barber stated “oh, then you would have just brought it back in a couple of days like the others have”!  

My mother told me that joke years ago and it was one of her favorites.  Perhaps it’s fitting that I’d use my favorite Barbershop scent this morning.  The soap smells great off the puck but even better when lathered.  A punch of herb right up front is a bracing note to wake up and there is a splash of vanilla in there to knock off any sharp edged without making it sweet.  So awesome.  So easy.  So predictable.  Can’t understand why Black Tie/Sir Henrys hasn’t become everyone’s mainstay.  (Oh, and five days without any Covid symptoms.  I may just get to move out of guest quarters and into the Masters bedroom tonight.  We shall see.)

Used on 1/18