Author Archives: Douglas Blaine

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About Douglas Blaine

Capnpen is a writer who was a newspaper and magazine journalist in a previous life. A college journalism major, he now works as an English teacher, but gets his writing fix by blogging about a variety of topics, including politics, religion, movies and television. When he's not working or blogging, Capnpen spends time with his family, plays a little golf (badly) and loves to learn about virtually anything.

The Sunday Pour: The Shared Recipe

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The best recipes are more than instructions. They are love, memory, tradition, and sacrifice passed from one generation to the next — often learned by watching the people who loved us enough to keep making them. Continue reading →

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A Friendly Little Question, and Other Ways to Start a Bar Fight

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Sunday’s WordPress prompt asks which public figure I disagree with the most. That sounds thoughtful until you realize it’s less a writing prompt than a folding chair being slid across the floor at a town hall meeting. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother’s Day): Thank God for Mothers

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Moses’s mother gave up her son to save his life, trusting God with what she could no longer hold. Her sacrifice reminds us of the countless ways good mothers set aside pieces of themselves so their children can grow, thrive, and follow the Lord. Continue reading →

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Career Plan? I’m Still Waiting for the Final Draft

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve had four or five career plans by now, depending on how generously we define “plan.” Teaching is the current one, writing is the dream one, and a few letters from former students reminded me this week that the work still matters. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Saturday, May 9, 2026: Trust in the Midst of Trials

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Job lost nearly everything, yet he still trusted that God’s purposes could not be thwarted. When our own trials come, we can remember that God still loves us, still has a plan, and can still be trusted. Continue reading →

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The Best Concert? I’m Going to Need a Bigger Category

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve seen some unforgettable concerts — the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, Sting and Toto. Picking the best one isn’t easy, because sometimes the best concert is less about the ranking and more about the night. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Friday, May 8, 2026: Don’t Just Hear — Listen!

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

At the Transfiguration, Peter wanted to preserve the moment, but God redirected him to the mission. Jesus is not merely one voice among many. He is the beloved Son, and our task is to listen — and obey. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 36: The Triple Oak Mason Jar Project

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Can a $19 bourbon get even better with a week in a mason jar and a couple of oak sticks? I put Member’s Mark Single Barrel through a homemade “triple oak” experiment and tasted it against the original. Continue reading →

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The Best Thing to Do in Jacksonville Is Often Not in Jacksonville

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Jacksonville has its charms, but the best thing to do here is not always technically here. Sometimes Jacksonville works best as a launching pad. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Thursday, May 7, 2026: What a Friend We Have…

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

One man had friends who carried him to Jesus. Another man had no one to help him at all. But both men had the same true friend — Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

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