Tag Archives: gratitude

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 →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What I Try Not to Complain About (And Why It Matters)

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I try my best not to complain—not because nothing bothers me, but because complaining rarely fixes anything. Scripture reminds us that grumbling reshapes our hearts in ways we don’t always notice, and I’m still learning to be faithful with what I’ve been given. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why I’m Not in a Hurry to Leave This Life

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

There was a time when living a very long life didn’t matter much to me. That’s changed. Love, family, teaching, and writing have given my days weight and purpose. I’m not afraid of living long—I just hope that when my time comes, I can leave with dignity intact. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Gifts Turn Into Time

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some of the best gifts I’ve received were wrapped or handmade. These days, the ones that matter most arrive as time—shared, unhurried, and deeply personal. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Relationships That Add to My Life (and the Ones That Should Come With a Warning Label)

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Some relationships recharge your life; others quietly drain the battery while smiling at you. I’m grateful for the people who bring peace, laughter, and perspective—and I’ve learned, the hard way, that not every relationship deserves shelf space. This is a friendly, slightly sarcastic inventory of both. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 21: Christmas Edition—The Day the Cheapskate Takes the Cork Out

Posted on December 25, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Every other week, I write about finding bourbon that feels extravagant without the extravagant price tag. But Christmas isn’t the day for restraint. It’s the day to open the bottle you’ve been saving, to pour generously, and to share it with the people who matter most. Bourbon can always be replaced. Friends and family can’t. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Bourbon Cheapskate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The People Who Shaped the Journey

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

The biggest influences in my life weren’t loud or famous. They were faithful—my mom, a teacher who believed in my words, a stepfather who grounded my faith, and the family and quiet moments that continue to shape who I’m becoming. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Quiet Moments Are Where I’m Most Happy

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Happiness doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it shows up after the final bell, in time spent with the people I love, in the rhythm of writing, or in a quiet evening with music and a good pour. I’ve learned that the moments that fill me most are often the ones that ask the least. Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Prompt, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: The Empty Chair (Thanksgiving)

Posted on November 30, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Thanksgiving always brings its share of empty chairs—loved ones we miss and memories we carry forward. This year added another twist: after helping cook the whole feast, my chair ended up empty too. Between grief, gratitude, and an untimely stomach rebellion, this Thanksgiving reminded me how loss and love sit side by side at the table. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Faith, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment