First time doing a proper low and slow brisket in my offset smoker. Started Friday night at 8pm, didn't wrap until 2am, pulled it at 6pm Saturday. Temp stayed at 225-235 the whole time. The bark came out perfect and that smoke ring was insane. My neighbors probably hate me but their jealousy smelled...

New dad here. Got poop on my face today. FACE. Wife was laughing so hard she couldn't help. Now I understand why experienced dads just accept the chaos. Also why they drink coffee at 6am.

Been trying to be intentional about this. How I treat their mom, how I handle stress, whether I keep my word about small things, how I treat the waiter or the cashier. They're always watching. Trying to live with integrity even when nobody's looking because that's what a man does. It's harder than I...

He's really into competitive gaming and all his friends are upgrading. I want to support his interests but also terrified of him being online 24/7. What's a realistic budget? Any decent parental controls that actually work or do kids just find ways around everything? Also worried about the social st...

Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing this right. My boy is 13 and I'm trying to teach him that respecting people - especially women, elders, people in positions of authority - isn't weak. It's actually the strongest thing a man can do. But I'm also not raising a pushover. There's a line between being a g...

Just got back from a camping trip where I brought my old Lodge cast iron and made literally everything in it - breakfast hash, burgers, cobbler for dessert. There's something about cooking over a fire in cast iron that just hits different. My kids were more interested in the food this time than thei...

Bought one of those wall-mounted pegboard systems and labeled everything. Wife is shocked it actually looks clean now. Probably won't stay this way once I start a new project but I'm living in the moment. Also scored a sweet vintage tool chest at a garage sale last weekend for like thirty bucks. Bei...

Got the call yesterday that they want me to help coach my son's team this spring. I'm stoked and also terrified because I haven't played baseball in like fifteen years. But my kid is so excited and I get to spend the season with him doing something we both love. Going to brush up on some fundamental...

My 8 year old came home saying his friends made fun of him for saying grace before lunch at school. He asked if he should just stop praying out loud at lunch so people wouldn't laugh. My heart broke but I realized this was a teaching moment. We talked about how Jesus was also mocked, that standing f...

Been thinking a lot about how my kids are watching everything I do. I can tell them to be honest but if I lie to get out of stuff they notice. I can tell them Jesus teaches generosity but if I'm stingy with my time and money they see through it. I've been trying to be more intentional about practici...

My neighbor asked me to help him move this weekend but I already committed to helping at church and spending time with my kids. Instead of making excuses, I just told him straight up that I had prior commitments and offered to help him the following weekend. He respected that more than if I'd flaked...

Been working with my 8 year old on a firm handshake and looking people in the eye. His baseball coach noticed and mentioned it to me after practice. That's the kind of thing that sticks with a man for life. It's not about being tough, it's about showing respect and character from day one. My dad tau...

November hit and I just crashed. Feel like I have no energy to do anything, not even stuff I usually enjoy. I know it's seasonal depression but knowing what it is doesn't make it easier to deal with. Started taking vitamin D and going for walks in the morning but some days I just want to stay in bed...

I have a wife, three kids, and a decent job but I feel so isolated sometimes. Most of my friendships faded when we had kids and I don't really talk to my wife about the deeper stuff. Just realized I haven't had a real conversation with anyone in months. Started reconnecting with an old friend this w...

I told him it's a gift. He said no it's a curse. I said well the curse is genetic so he's doomed too. He did not appreciate that.