My 10 year old has discovered cards! Unfortunately they are Pokémon cards. I told this to my therapist the other day… “I wanted a child like me, so I could be the Dad I wanted.” Life doesn’t work that way.

There’s a sheep in The Swamp.

It doesn’t look all that appetizing, but I grew 100% of my lunch.

I’m having a rough mental health day, but I’ll say this… If you are elected to a public office, the First Amendment should not protect your lies. Lying as a public official should open you and your government to civil liability, and even criminal liability if your lies lead to public harm/death.

It has taken 20 plus months of running 18 to 20 5Ks a month, but I’m finally comfortable walking around my farm and family with my shirt off. #PTSD

LORD STANLEY is doing well and now shares a flat with Hank the Teeswater ram.

I’ve learned that Serrano peppers from my garden are excellent in my beer. Try it!

MAMA MIA

Is it October yet? #Canes

My 10 year old shells peanuts on the back porch like he’s in left field bleachers at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Looking for more thoughts from the evening crowd on how to manage and minimize my baseball card collection. #CardSky

I need to figure out how to reduce my baseball card collection. It is unsustainable and gives me anxiety. Do you have any thoughts? #CardSky

I guarantee the USMNT didn’t expect a morals and ethics test before arguably their most important match ever. Surprise me and do the moral/ethical thing.

Pork is done. GOTDAYUM!!!!!

Smoking meats all day has reminded me of my Cousin Andy. He got me into this hobby and he was important to me. He hid his pain from me and died from it. So, if you have someone important in your life, please tell them what they mean to you. I couldn’t say goodbye, but maybe you can.

Cut the beef and LORD HAMMERCY. Pork is on to hour two wrapped in parchment paper to trap the moisture.

It is so hot in The Swamp that my phone will not charge.

Beef roasts are resting in the oven. ROUND TWO - PORK LOINS WITH UNCLE DOC’S SMOKED CHIPOTLE BROWN SUGAR RUB.

It is so hot my beer is warm before I can finish it.

Smoker just hit 250F and the first round of meats is on. Tri-Tip roast with SPGC rub. Sirloin roast with The Real Deal. I’m leaving them in the parchment paper to capture the juices and keep the meat moist.

It is so hot. My body is making audible moisture noises.

Let’s get this party started!

I have a pretty good cigar smoking spot when it’s 100 degrees. Long live The Swamp.

How do you expect me to mow, smoke meats, and drink beer when it’s 98 degrees and feels like it’s 117 degrees?

Tri-tip roast is prepped with SPGC and ready to marinate in the Swamp Fridge until Saturday morning.

Trying to not make a bad decision and just go to bed. It’s been a great day and I shouldn’t make it a worse day. Just go to bed Doc.

Happy New Fiscal Year’s Eve to all who celebrate.

I know it’s a Monday night and not the typical night for this, but I had my six month diabetes check-up today. My A1C dropped to 6.1, into the pre-diabetes range, thanks to all my running. My BP was also 120/73. So, I shall enjoy some 18-year old scotch and a fine cigar.

The garden is in full bloom. Time to feast!

Christmas came early today!

My cousin’s widow has been sending me my cousin’s recipes this week. Twenty-seven so far. I ordered a meat grinder for my KitchenAid today so I can start making my own sausage with his recipes. He was a master barbecue chef. I’m so excited to carry on his legacy.

This jabroni is an impossibly stupid moron. US passports are for leaving the United States to visit other countries. Let me tell you, we aren’t Great and we never really have been. My God I wish Lincoln was never assassinated and that he properly oversaw Reconstruction.

Little Dude has survived 10 days and is thriving. He is off the pasture and being bottle fed. I am comfortable naming him now. May I introduce… LORD STANLEY Born the day my #Canes won the Stanley Cup. #SoundtheSiren

I’M RICH BIATCH.

Who among us hasn’t dug up a septic tank lid at 11:00 pm to clear a blockage at your inlet pipe so the water in your black lines would drain? Just me? Oh.

I feel this trip with my youngest son to my cousin’s memorial and my Dad’s grave is will change my view on life for the better. Life is short and unpredictable, but beautiful. Live it. Drink from it. This one moment of my son with my Dad’s grave reshaped me forever.

My 10 year old son and I are back from our 1,500 mile round trip marathon to my Cousin’s memorial in northern Indiana. This sunset picture of my son at my Dad’s grave in eastern Indiana sums up the entire trip.

It’s been a long, emotional, and difficult day. We spent the afternoon at my Cousin Andy’s memorial and then drove 3.5 hours to visit my Dad’s grave at sunset. Below is a picture of my Cousin’s smoking place called “The Pit”, the inspiration for my “Swamp.” Lastly, my Dad at sunset.

My 10 year old and I (he wanted to keep my company) are on our way to my Cousin Andy’s memorial today in Northern Indiana. We have an extra hour or two, so we are stopping at the antique mall my parents always took me to. I’m hoping to find some things for The Swamp.

Good morning from “beautiful”… *checks notes* Ohio.

Live by the GACTAC, die by the GACTAC. #GACTAC4LIFE @every-topps-card.bsky.social

I am making a 1,530 mile, 25 hour round trip drive tomorrow so I can go to my Cousin Andy’s memorial for 3 hours on Saturday. I need to be home for Father’s Day on Sunday. It’s going to be a hell of a ride.

CALF UPDATE The bull calf has made it through today and was seen by a large animal vet. Vet gave him 50/50 odds and said he likely has low blood sugar, hence the confusion and eyesight issues. He’s been pulled off the pasture and now has his own studio apartment down at The Swamp.

Believe it or not, I missed most of the game because I was tending to a critically ill calf that was born today. I don’t think the calf will survive. A bittersweet day. Regardless, I am proud of my #Canes. WE DID IT!

Something seriously wrong with today’s calf. The Stanley Cup will have to wait. Go #Canes!

Little Dude not doing well.

Sunday Surprise!

My body is ready for tomorrow night. As much as I’d want to see us win the Stanley Cup at home, let’s hoist it tomorrow night. It’s been 20 years since the last, and the #Canes are the only team I was not born into. I chose them and they chose me back. #SoundtheSiren

“Love feels like blasphemy when you worship power” - James Talarico Damn. That is the truth.