Category Archives: Random

The Story Between the Lines: A Father, a Son and an Unlikely Connection

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Charley was a gambler, a killer and an absent father. His son built a very different life, but years later, their stories crossed in a way no one could have predicted. Continue reading →

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The Promise I Kept to Myself: Finishing My Novel Before My Dad Died

Posted on July 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

WordPress sounded surprised that I had “actually” kept a promise. But I did—and the promise to finish Tumbleweeds mattered more than any other. Continue reading →

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A Christmas Story Over Dinner

Posted on July 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Atticus Finch and George Bailey might offer wisdom, but dinner with adult Ralphie Parker would offer something just as valuable: laughter, memories and stories worth retelling. 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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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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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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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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How Social Media Took Control of Our Lives

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Social media began as a tool for connection, but it gradually became our newspaper, marketplace, town square, stage and source of approval. If I could erase one trend from history, I would erase the moment we stopped controlling social media and allowed it to control us. Continue reading →

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The Story Between the Lines: The Boy Who Became Everyone

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Before the stages, cameras and applause, there was a shy and lonely boy who learned to fill empty rooms with imaginary lives. Continue reading →

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The Outdated Technology I Miss Most

Posted on July 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I miss answering machines and phone booths, but I miss the printed newspaper most. It gave us more than information. It gave us a broader, shared picture of the world. Continue reading →

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