Greetings, I have learned so much here, and wanted to say, thank you. To the scent brothers and gals, to the watch wearers, and to everyone that had an opinion on garments, I thank you. We are all here for a reason; otherwise, we would not be reading the reflections and observations of others. Whether the aim is to refine how we dress, elevate our standards of conduct, or become better individuals than we were yesterday, learning is a common thread that unites us here. Many people share genuinely valuable insights. On, style, sents, grooming, and just being a better person. At times, however, they also express ideas with which we may disagree. This is not unique to any one space, it is a reflection of life itself. In our professions, in social settings, or in public leadership, we inevitably encounter individuals whose views conflict with our moral framework. Perhaps the majority of what they say feels incompatible with our values, yet within that disagreement there may exist a small fragment, a single idea or observation, that carries truth or utility. That fragment matters. The same principle applies to professionalism and personal presentation. One may not admire every aspect of another person’s character, yet still recognize the discipline in their work ethic, the precision in their craftsmanship, or the care they apply to their appearance. To dismiss the whole is to forfeit the lesson contained within the part. Style, when approached thoughtfully, is no different. Dressing well is not merely an exercise in vanity; it is an expression of respect, toward oneself, toward others, and ultimately toward the traditions that shaped the garments we wear. Understanding why certain elements exist deepens this respect. A pair of well-made boots teaches us about stitching, durability, utility, and form following function. The trench coat as an example, the weight of its fabric, the inner open pockets, or the slit at the back, often mistaken as ventilation, exists because the garment was originally designed for riding horses. Such details are not decorative accidents; they are echoes of history.

"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first and the lessons afterwards." Vernon Sanders Law Have a great day brothers.

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." Roy L. Smith Have a greatcday brothers.

So, as mentioned in a post I made a few weeks ago, I was hell bent on spending my 2025 Yuletide season (November 30th - December 25th) reading as many books as possible and I'm pleased to report that the total amount of books I read was 6. 1. Savile Row - James Sherwood (10/10: Read in April this year) 2. In Our Time and other Stories - Ernest Hemingway (9/10) 3. Killer in the Rain and other Stories - Raymond Chandler (10/10) 4. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (11/10) 5. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway (12/10) 6. A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway (12/10) 7. Bushido: The Soul of Japan - Inazō Nitobe (12/10) Ernest Hemingway has become my favourite author of all time and Raymond Chandler my second favourite author of all time respectively. It feels good to be back reading on a regular basis. I have about 5-6 Hemingway books, 1 Raymond Chandler book and possibly 1-2 philosophy books lined up ready to read in 2026.

Good morning gentlemen and a Merry Christmas Eve to all of you. I want to take this time to share one thing that I am grateful for, and that is all of you in these communities. Your friendships over the past year has truly been a blessing both physically and mentally. Physically because you all have encouraged me on this journey with your thoughts , ideas, and your advice on styles, clothing, and being a gentleman. Mentally because knowing that I am not on this journey alone, and to see the fruits of all the hard work that I see all of you putting into this community and the individual growths that I have had the pleasure to witness. Having said this, this is also a time of year when depression, anxiety, and unfortunately suicide are very prevalent. Many are alone this time of year, many are remembering those that they lost this year, some are experiencing anxiety of the year ending and what is going to happen in the coming year. In any case we need to address the elephant in the room. Mental health especially this time of year is very real and very serious. I want to encourage all of you to check on each other and people that you know that suffer from these issues and also on those that you know will be alone this holiday season. Whether is an old military buddy, co worker, neighbor, relatives, anyone you feel might feel alone. Give them a call and check on them, and if possible and even better stop by in person. Point being no one should feel alone this holiday season. Let them know they are not alone and that someone cares. And when you sit down to eat or give thanks , please remember them in your words of gratitude and thanksgiving to whomever you have faith in. Please gentlemen, do not let no one feel alone this holiday season. The best gift you can give is to let people know they are not alone and that they are important.