Tag Archives: writing life

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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The Dream Job That Never Quite Leaves You Alone

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

At first glance, this question feels like a repeat of one I answered months ago. But a dream job isn’t just about what you’d do if money disappeared — it’s about the work that keeps calling you, even when time and resources are tight. Some vocations don’t wait patiently for “someday.” They show up anyway, in margins and quiet moments, asking to be taken seriously. Continue reading →

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Living Between Memory and Imagination

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

It’s easy to get stuck replaying past hurts or daydreaming about future success. I’ve done both — and neither one changed a thing. Learning from the past and planning for the future matter, but real growth only happens in the present. That’s where healing begins, goals turn into action, and the gift of today actually gets opened. Continue reading →

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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 →

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What Makes Me Feel Nostalgic: How Small Objects Hold Our Biggest Memories

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

It doesn’t take much to make me nostalgic. A pen. A song. A movie. A scrap of paper left behind. Some people see clutter—but I see proof: of places I’ve been, people I’ve loved, and moments that mattered more than I knew at the time. Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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