Monthly Archives: February 2026

The Phase That Slipped Away

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some goodbyes don’t come with speeches or slammed doors. They arrive quietly — in miles, in distance, in the realization that fatherhood has shifted from daily presence to chosen connection. Gratitude doesn’t erase the grief of what changed, but it steadies it. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Saturday, February 28, 2026: Feasting on Crow and Pie

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Genesis 33 Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted … Continue reading →

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Born a Few Decades Too Late?

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What if the life we think we missed isn’t about a different decade at all—but about choosing a slower rhythm right where we are? Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Don’t Worry … He’s Got This

Posted on February 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Matthew 6:25-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33-34 Reflect Life hadn’t turned out quite the way Kurt had planned. Like so many young men, he had … Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 30: Bonded vs. Single Barrel: When Blind Tasting Picks the Underdog

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

In a blind rye showdown, Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye unexpectedly outpaced its 94-proof Single Barrel sibling. Side by side, the Single Barrel may have a slight edge in refinement—but when you factor in a $20 price gap, the bonded bottle makes one of the strongest value arguments on the shelf. Continue reading →

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Sawdust and Surprises

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve never considered myself particularly handy, but once upon a time I built a multi-level chinchilla cage from scratch—complete with a sliding drawer, custom shelves, and a dark applewood branch that led to a handmade cubby at the top. It may not have been professional-grade carpentry, but it stood, it worked, and for one ambitious season of life, so did I. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, February 26, 2023: Act Like Children (First Sunday in Lent)

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Matthew 18:1-6 Matthew 19:13-15 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 Reflect I love working with children. For a while, I worked as a substitute teacher, and I worked with … Continue reading →

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Ban “6-7” (And While We’re at It, Let’s Redefine “Poop”)

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Slang evolves. I understand that. But when students toss around “6-7” without realizing it traces back to a police code for a reported death, it isn’t edgy—it’s uninformed. Words carry weight. If we’re going to redefine everything because it sounds cool in a lyric or on TikTok, we might as well make “poop” mean delicious and “detention” mean spa day. At least then we’d know we were being ridiculous on purpose. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Missing the Point

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Matthew 17:1-13 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 Reflect George … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Great Rye-Off (17 Bottles. Zero Bracket. Maximum Chaos.)

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Seventeen ryes. No bracket. No head-to-head bias. Just blind rankings, reshuffles, eliminations, and a full Sunday of surprises. A few favorites held strong, one long-forgotten infinity bottle shocked me, and one former top seed crashed early. Rye may live in bourbon’s shadow—but after this experiment, it won’t be sitting on the bench anymore. Continue reading →

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