Tag Archives: family

The Days That Last

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Perfect days don’t follow a script. They’re made from moments—some chaotic, some beautiful—that linger long after the day itself is over. These are the days I’ll always carry with me. Continue reading →

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In Defense of Big Pots of Food (And No-Bean Chili)

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some people collect recipes. I collect reasons to cook a big pot of food—the kind meant to be shared, argued over, and eaten again the next day. Continue reading →

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If I Won the Lottery, I’d Buy Time—Not Things

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Winning the lottery wouldn’t turn my life upside down. It would quiet the background noise—freeing time for family, travel, writing, and the kind of giving that doesn’t need recognition. Less about more, and more about meaning. Continue reading →

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The Traditions That Keep Us Gathered

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Many of my favorite family traditions are tied to holidays, shared meals, and quiet moments of faith—but some grew simply by showing up again and again. These are the rituals that connect past, present, and the seasons still to come. Continue reading →

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The Quiet Joys I Keep Coming Back To

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Leisure isn’t about escape anymore. It’s about presence—time with the people I love, words written without deadlines, and moments of quiet that remind me who I am when the noise fades. Continue reading →

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Five Things I Do for Fun (In the Right Order)

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Fun looks different at different stages of life. For me, it’s less about excitement and more about connection, reflection, and the people who matter most. Continue reading →

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If My Dog Understood One Thing (Or Three), Our Carpet Would Be Grateful

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

If I could make my dog understand one thing, it would actually be several: the guest room doorway is not an emergency bathroom, unattended food is not an invitation, and blankets are a heat trap. Still, beneath all the chaos, Princess already knows the one thing that really matters—she’s safe, and she’s loved. Continue reading →

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What’s in a Name? Apparently, an Unfortunate Headline

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I was never really in love with my name. Doug is fine—solid, unpretentious, and chosen out of love. My middle name, Blaine, on the other hand, sounds like either a country-club snob or the kid drinking paste in kindergarten. Add in the etymology—dark river plus yellow—and suddenly my full name sounds less like a person and more like a true-crime episode. Continue reading →

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What Makes a Good Leader? Watching Two of Them Taught Me More Than Any Book

Posted on January 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Libraries are filled with books trying to answer what makes a good leader—and for good reason. It’s a question too large for a tidy list or a single post. But before theories and biographies, I had two firsthand examples. Watching how my dad and stepdad led—in very different worlds—taught me more about leadership than any definition ever could. Continue reading →

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Where Love Shows Up Quietly

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Love doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it shows up in a phone call, a small voice asking to talk to Papi, a friend who chooses you again, or a memory carried in a mother’s voice. The moments that matter most aren’t loud—they’re faithful. Continue reading →

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