From a picture of our yard with a stenciled piece of wood to a real logo in 9 months. I started to write this blog post about 3 weeks ago. It was leading up to my 40th birthday and the launch of our hot sauce line. Like a real, legitimate, and might I unabashedly add, … Continue reading Brown Dogs Farm (3)
"The waiting is the hardest part." - Tom Petty "I got no patience, and I hate waiting." - Jay Z If you are anything like me you're anxiously, curmudgeonly, waiting for winter to end. With the groundhog's foolproof shadow forecast and March 1st coming up, we know there is light at the end of the … Continue reading Waiting
This was going to be an ending to the blog. That was the plan. I planned to write about all the exciting stuff coming up for myself, my wife, my family and our company, Brown Dogs Farm. It was loosely the plan from the time I wrote my first post a year ago. I wanted … Continue reading Plans
When I first met Prince, he was anything but sweet toward me. He was Amanda's protector, and he took his role seriously. His growling bark sounded vicious, and his facial expression backed up the idea that this was not a way of saying hello- it was more of a "stay the fuck back, asshole" vibe. He … Continue reading Good Night Sweet Prince
Most of the stories I've told are things I planned to write about. Stories that I thought were entertaining, important, or potentially helpful for someone dealing with addiction, whether that addiction is their own or someone they love's. This is a bit more... spontaneous? I suppose that's the best word for unplanned. I still believe it might … Continue reading You Don’t Have to Eat Cake
If your opinion of your fellow man is based solely off the evening news, you are likely to believe the world is full of evil. Most of what makes headlines is shocking and / or appalling. Sure, they mix in a couple of feel-good human interest stories, but the overwhelming amount of reporting is dedicated … Continue reading John
Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' house. I loved it there. It's an acreage on the southeast side of town, near a big park that we could walk to. I believe it wasn't part of Des Moines until I was maybe 5 years old- I remember it being annexed. It … Continue reading Helen
I've found it a bit harder to write in the summer. I believe there are several reasons for this, the first being that I like to work outside any chance I can, and the "farm" keeps me busy. It's not the kind of work- or maybe I am not in the kind of shape- that … Continue reading The Fort
Maybe I should mention that I am a lifelong Cubs fan. So when Pearl Jam plays Wrigley Field, it's worlds colliding for me. In 2016, for the 2nd show, I had a seat on the field. Walking into Wrigley Field is a surreal experience anytime. The bright green grass, the ivy, the scoreboard... I grew … Continue reading Long Road (2)
My friends, even my sister, are hanging out around Wrigley Field right now. They started showing up yesterday. The merchandise trucks showed up first. The lines for posters, T-shirts, and stickers will be a solid 3 hours for their 5 day existence. The line for the front row also likely started yesterday. Sleeping outside a … Continue reading Long Road (1)
