Tag Archives: joy

What I Choose to Think About: Finding Joy After Loss

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I will never be happy that my mother died. But I can choose to see more than what cancer took. Her love still bears fruit through my daughter, my grandchildren and the generations that follow. Continue reading →

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

When Fun Shows Up Where You’re Not Looking

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I planned the Chattanooga part of our vacation pretty well, but one of the best moments was the one I never scheduled. Sometimes fun shows up where you’re not looking. Continue reading →

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

The Sunday Pour: The Open Bottle

Posted on June 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A forgotten bottle in the back of the pantry became a quiet warning: what we neglect can slowly lose what once made it rich. Faith, joy, love and peace don’t usually disappear all at once. Sometimes they simply evaporate. Continue reading →

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

Quick Thought – Friday, May 15, 2026: Count It All Joy

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A last-second basketball shot may have kept thousands of fans inside the Georgia Dome when a tornado tore through downtown Atlanta. Sometimes the delay, the detour or the interruption may be mercy in disguise. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Quick Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quick Thought – Sunday, April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday): The Empty Tomb Changes Everything

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Jesus was laid in a tomb like every other dead man in history. But on the third day, that tomb became the greatest evidence of who He truly is: the Son of God, risen in victory over death. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Time to Make a Few Calls

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When truly great news arrives, my first instinct isn’t to celebrate alone—it’s to reach for the phone. The people we call first say a lot about who grounds us, who understands us, and who makes joy even better when it’s shared. Continue reading →

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

Playtime, Now With Fewer Bruises

Posted on January 2, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Play doesn’t disappear as we get older — it just gets quieter, more intentional, and a lot easier on the knees. At 59, playtime looks less like recess and more like curiosity, laughter, and moments enjoyed purely for their own sake. Continue reading →

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

Christmas Countdown, TV Schedule and Quick Thought – Thursday, December 18, 2025

Posted on December 18, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

7 Days Until Christmas! Song: “Joy to the World,” by Whitney Houston Christmas Album: “Elvis’ Christmas Album,” by Elvis Presley Christmas DVD: “Scrooge,” (AKA “A Christmas Carol”) Netflix Movie: “The Christmas Chronicles” and “The Christmas Chronicles 2” Amazon Prime Movie: … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Movies, Sports, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick Thought – Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Lessons From Mom: Take Time to Play

Posted on November 15, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

This is the 20th of 25 special reflections based on lessons I learned from my mother. These will run from my birthday on October 27 until her birthday on November 20. Read Philippians 4:1-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

That Tear, Small and Sacred

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

There’s a moment in the classroom that hits me like nothing else. It’s not loud or flashy. It’s quiet—the kind of moment when a kid finally gets it, turns in something they’re proud of for the first time, or smiles … Continue reading →

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