Mystic May

[remfan170]

May 27, 2026 (Mystic May Every Other Day)

• Brush: Semogue – 2000 (Boar)
• Razor: Muhle – R41 (Black)
• Blade: Barbero – Platinum
• Soap: Mystic Water – Tea Tree Plus
• Aftershave: Long Rifle – Hivernant Shave Tonic
• Balm: Every Man Jack – Signature Mint Face Lotion and Post-Shave
• Fragrance: Mystic Water – Florida Water

I have only two more days left in Mystic May Every Other Day after this one. What a wonderful month, thus far. Today’s shave soap is new to me: Tea Tree Plus. Michelle notes, “Essential oil lovers will appreciate this blend of tea tree, lavandin, patchouli and lemongrass. It smells fresh and clean, with all the good skin-care qualities of tea tree oil.” I really enjoy this kind of soap, this sort of lavandin essential oil type thing. I have it in Mike’s Natural’s Lavandin & Eucalyptus and Tallow + Steel’s Classic Two (believe it or not).

The combination that Michelle has come up with here is very refreshing and very nice in the summer. It is nice as well to have this soap be a bit more lemony/fresh rather than smelling more medicinal or having any menthol in it. Michelle accomplishes this mainly by leaving eucalyptus out (she does the tea tree and blue gum soap) and by including the lemongrass and lavandin. Sometimes I could use the tea tree for my skin in the warmer months, and this is perfect for that.

Speaking of Eucalyptus essential oil and Blue Gum Essential Oil, Michelle did clear that up for me. She wrote: “The difference between Blue Gum and other eucalyptus oils: I primarily use eucalyptus globulus (also known as blue gum) and eucalyptus radiata. The Eucalyptus & Blue Gum is made with the globulus type. The two oils are very similar, but radiata is said to be a bit sweeter, and better if using for respiratory problems or for children.” So, when Michelle titles a soap something like “Eucalyptus and Spearmint,” she means eucalyptus radiata, and when she specifies blue gum, she means eucalyptus globulus. The more I think about it, “Eucalyptus and Spearmint” sounds like a sweeter Proraso. Might have to get me yet another sample! It never ends, and why should it!

Have an awesome day, friends!

 

[Spider]

One of my new favorite MW scents! Of course, as a beekeeper, you gotta love it, right?


That may be the end of my MW stockpile, well except for the many duplicates I have of some of my favorites. Here’s the aftermath, of the month. I’ll have to dig to see if there’s anything I missed.

 

[8th Night]

Ah, thank you for recommending Orange Dirt. I have never gotten along with Terre D'Hermes, though I am certain that is a quality product given that it is CBL. I suppose I am looking for more of a straight up orange. Something will make sense at some point.

Thank you for noticing the pigeon. That is Cher Ami (“dear friend” in French). He was a major American hero of the First World War. You can read about him here. To be brief, he was a messenger pigeon and was attached to the “Lost Battalion.” This was a group of 600 soldiers who advanced during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, but were not told to retreat when the divisions on their flanks were as their commanders wanted them to clog up the line. They held out for a long time being surrounded by Germans and repelled several counterattacks including ones where flamethrowers were used on them. They were cut off from their supply lines and were even shelled by their own artillery units. Cher Ami managed to carry the message (even after being shot by the Germans) that saved them. Only about 200 made it out alive. There is an excellent movie on YouTube called "The Lost Battalion" which might be, along with Paths of Glory (1957, a very different movie), the greatest WW1 movie ever made.

On a more personal note, I have become very interested in American World War 1 soldiers and have been writing articles about one in particular. It is very different for me as my research interests and previous scholarship had focused on curriculum reform and liberal education from 1930-1960. I lost my fiancé and our dog in the storm of ’21 and can really relate to the “Lost Battalion.” I put all of our possessions in storage back then and kept my Bible and clothes and moved away. I am more reacting these days instead of advancing anywhere. A friend of mine bought me Cher Ami to remind me that even if I feel cut off and alone, I should not forget that I can always send for help. Sorry to "trauma dump."

Im so sorry to hear about your tragedy. May your wife's and dog's memories br a blessing.

 

[Spider]

A friend of mine bought me Cher Ami to remind me that even if I feel cut off and alone, I should not forget that I can always send for help.

Thank you for sharing. Sorry for your loss. Lots of us here are great listeners and some of us even give decent advice, and we're here if you ever need to dump your thoughts on someone. You can start a journal in the Shaving Journal forum. Folks use them for personal stuff as well as shaving logs.