Monthly Archives: July 2026

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 47: A Tale of Two Rittenhouse Ryes

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Standard Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye is one of the best values on the whiskey shelf. But can the limited 10-year 250th Anniversary release justify costing four times as much? I tasted them side by side, and this one wasn’t close. Continue reading →

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Why Our Bed Was the Best Purchase We’ve Ever Made

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

For years, I would have named my Honda CR-V Hybrid as my best purchase. Then we bought a lightly used Sleep Number bed for less than $1,000—and started sleeping better almost immediately. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Thursday, July 23, 2026: Drop Your Guard—Let God Examine Your Motives

Posted on July 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Our response to correction can reveal more than we intend. God’s Word reaches beneath our defenses, examines our motives and calls us to honest self-reflection. Continue reading →

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The Funniest Misunderstanding I’ve Ever Been Part Of

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I thought I was being warm and engaging when I introduced myself to Lisa’s daughter. There was just one problem: She wasn’t Lisa’s daughter. She was Lisa’s best friend—and they were the same age. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Wednesday, July 22, 2026: The Shocking Truth About God’s Discipline

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A lineman’s life was saved by a painful tackle from a friend. Sometimes God’s correction works the same way—hurting briefly while protecting us from far greater harm. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Beekeeper vs. Bee’s Knees vs. Green River Honey

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Honey-finished bourbon has become one of whiskey’s hottest—and most expensive—trends. I tasted Seelbach’s Beekeeper, Shortbarrel’s Bee’s Knees and Green River Honey blind to see which offered the better pour and the better value. Continue reading →

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Do I Even Feel Bad About My Screen Time?

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Yes, I probably play too many games on my phone. Some exercise my brain. Others involve a penguin racing downhill on a sled. The real problem may not be my screen time, but the judgment packed into one little word: “even.” Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Tuesday, July 21, 2026: Final Words—Listening to Jesus’ Great Commission

Posted on July 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Final words often reveal what matters most. From a mother’s farewell letter to Sullivan Ballou’s final message home, parting words carry unusual weight. Jesus’ final words after His resurrection gave His followers a mission—and a promise that they would never fulfill it alone. Continue reading →

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Hawaii Five-0 Inspired My Trip—Mostly Through Food

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Movies and books rarely inspire my travel because a teacher’s salary usually keeps me close to home. But when a family trip took us to Hawaii, Hawaii Five-0 helped turn the vacation into a delicious—and deeply historical—adventure. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Monday, July 20, 2026: Conspiracy Theories, Truth and the Christian Response

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Conspiracy theories thrive when suspicion becomes more important than evidence. Christians are called to test what they hear, reject rumors and walk in truth. Continue reading →

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