Accepting 40

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One of the best memories from my childhood was serving as a bat boy for my dad’s “over 40” baseball team. My brother and I did the job together as we sat in the dugout, sipped Gatorade from the cooler, and retrieved the bats. We loved being around the baseball players and truly made the most of it.

But as I mentioned, it was an “over 40” team. My dad joined the squad shortly after he became eligible and took every chance he could to call it “the old man’s league.”

The moniker truly rubbed off on me as I came to view everyone on the team, even the “younger” guys, as old. Reaching that age almost seemed impossible.

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Today I turn 40.

That was tough to type. Not going to lie, it smarts a bit. I have dreaded reaching this milestone for a long time. In fact, the reflection I wrote when I turned 39 primarily focused entirely on how uncomfortable I was with “40” being right around the corner.

Not since I turned 25 have I felt so much emotional discontent and anxiety about celebrating a birthday. Even with the long grace period I gave myself to prepare for the big “4-0” I still feel mildly distressed about today. Can’t I have my thirties back?! 😢

But now that 40 has arrived and there is no turning back perhaps this feeling of “oldness” will dissipate. In fact, I think it already has (to a degree).

Thanks to family, co-workers, and friends who have reached out to celebrate my milestone, turning 40 is a little easier than I thought. With the page now officially turned from “39” to “40” I think that has helped too. So often in life the dread of an occurrence is always worse than the occurrence itself. I was unsuccessful at stopping time (I guess you really can’t stay in your thirties forever) and now I just need to embrace the “fortiness” of it all.

My University Relations team members helped make turning 40 a little easier today by throwing me a celebration that came complete with my favorite guilty pleasure…Costco muffins!

And that’s what I plan to do. I might be over the hill but everything I valued 24 hours ago still remains. I have a beautiful family, a great job, and a solid faith. Sorry Father Time, you can’t take those things from me!

In preparation for turning 40, I read a book titled The Gift of Years. I found the following passage particularly profound: When we count age as nothing but a series of losses, we lose site of its gains. Instead of counting the tally marks under my age column as defeats, I need to count them as wins. I can bring the lessons from those victories over to this side of the hill and live life really well. I am going to remember that moving forward.

Despite my initial angst of this day, I think 40 is already starting to grow on me. It has been a great birthday. My co-workers threw me a celebration complete with my favorite guilty pleasure—Costco muffins. And then tonight especially hit the mark: an evening spent with my wife and kids chowing down on Papa Murphy’s pizza and cake.

Sidney spoiled me on my 40th birthday. I really do have the best wife.

There is no more time for sulking! When I was pigging out with my kids, they didn’t care that my age was now a double digit number prefaced with a “4”. I think I will take the same approach.

It was really sweet how kind and eager to impress my kids were to me on my 40th birthday.

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So to return to my baseball story I shared at the beginning, I hope my forties are a grand slam. I will spend this year in the leadoff spot attempting to smack a solid base hit.

But perhaps the story might provide more inspiration than just a cheesy metaphor. Despite the “40” label, my dad went out and did something as a middle-aged man that brought him the same joy he experienced as a boy. I need to find that type of happiness in a similar way. Because when you are having fun and doing something you love, what does age matter anyway? Don’t Blink.

Past Birthday Posts
Turning 39
Turning 38
Turning 37
Turning 36
Turning 35
Turning 34
Turning 33
Turning 32
Turning 31
Turning 30

Thankful For My Thirties

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The Storm

The start of my thirties was stormy. On October 8, 2016, Hurricane Matthew made landfall in South Carolina. Power went out, streets were impassable due to debris, and sections of our fence were blown into oblivion. Without access to a supermarket to purchase ingredients for a cake, my wife used a box of brownie mix at my sister-in-law’s house to bake me an alternative birthday treat. Don’t worry, we managed 😉.

A photo of Sid and me on the first day of my thirties. Because of Hurricane Matthew, Sid baked me brownies instead of a cake.

Well, nine years and 364 days later, I can tell you the “stormy conditions” that ushered in my thirties cleared out pretty quickly—both literally and figuratively. Thanks be to God, I spent the past decade of my life enjoying relatively clear skies. Of course clouds moved in at times and a few parades were rained on but for the most part we steered clear of hurricanes.

The first photo was of Sid and me on the first day of my thirties. This photo was taken on the second-to-last day of my thirties (Oct. 6, 2026).

Family, Career, Faith

That’s not to say the past 10 years were boring. In fact, this last decade was characterized by major life moves and growth. But if you are looking for a definitive word that specifically defines and encapsulates my thirties, that’s easy: family.

The best thing to come out of my thirties was this family.

After marrying my wife in my twenties, we became a family during my thirties. Sloan was born shortly after I turned 30 and then Beau came around when I was 33. The following years were spent raising our children from newborns to toddlers to now the middle childhood stage. There is nothing that remotely comes close to overtaking the crowning achievement of my thirties than becoming a dad.

The first photo take of us as a family of four. So blessed that Sloan and Beau both entered my life during my thirties.

And that includes my professional life. But even though the moves I made in my career pale in comparison to my role as a father, they are worth quickly mentioning. During my thirties I worked for three different universities as I climbed the proverbial ladder. A social media marketing manager role at Coastal Carolina University morphed into a strategist gig at Washington State University that eventually opened the door to a director of marketing appointment at Eastern Washington University. As this progression transpired, my wife’s career evolved too. She went from a school teacher to an insurance underwriter.

Our professional careers have evolved a lot during my thirties. Sid and me are thankful to work for our respective employers, Traveler’s and Eastern Washington University.

These professional jumps don’t usually keep you locked in a specific area and that definitely proved true for us. During my thirties, we made a major decision to move from South Carolina to Washington state. With it came several different addresses. Over the past decade we lived in five different houses before deciding to securely plant roots in the Spokane Valley where we purchased a home in 2023.

We purchased a home in 2023.

But no matter where we lived throughout my thirties, a crucifix followed us, symbolizing our Christian faith. I became much more involved in the Church over the past 10 years. I joined the Knights of Columbus, became deeply involved with a young adult/young family Catholic group, teamed up with Sid to prepare eight engaged couples for God-centered marriages, was discerned (with Sid) as leader of the Spokane Engaged Encounter community, and became spiritually nourished as a parishioner at two incredible parishes—St. Andrew (Myrtle Beach) and St. Mary (Spokane Valley). I witnessed with incredible pride as Sidney converted to Catholicism, my children thrived at St. Mary Catholic School, and sacraments were bestowed on us all.

One of the biggest developments and blessings in my thirties was finding our spiritual home, St. Mary Catholic Church (Spokane Valley).

Highlights

What more can I ask for from a decade that yielded family, professional, and spiritual fulfillment? Not much. But I am grateful for all the additional memories that defined my thirties such as…

– Traveling to places such as the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, and Disney World

– Presenting at national conferences for work in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C.

– Becoming godparents to Noble and Neteyam

– Participating in major community events such as road races and playing/volunteering at Hoopfest

– Watching my kids play sports

– Celebrating extended family events such as my sister-in-law’s wedding, my brother’s wedding, arrival of nieces and nephews, and my parents’ retirements

– Showing my wife and children special places of my past, whether that be attending Mead High School football games or taking them on Missoula weekend trips

– Rocking out at a major country music festival, listening to Magic Johnson speak, and watching Penn & Teller perform magic

– Learning to lose weight in a healthy way and winning a fitness challenge

– Blogging all of my family’s adventures and maintaining a detailed written record of every single day that comprised my thirties

Loss and Hardships

But despite the progress and memories, I did experience loss during my thirties. The passing that devastated me the most was the sudden death of my Aunt Nancy. In fact, during this decade I learned that death can come very quickly and when you least expect it. Although just a short list, over the past decade I mourned the deaths of people such as John Kost, Gary Baskett, Jessica Hughes, James Gibson, Travis Overton, Garth Fritel, JoAnna Dalton, Rob Heacock, Fred Telles, Judy Cannon, Tony Shelley, Christian Layman, Lee Spencer, Charlie Vandermark, Steve Hackney, Nancy Capp, and so many more. May we continue to pray for the repose of their souls.

Losing my Aunt Nancy was devastating.

Then of course there was COVID. My mid-thirties were spent in midst of a historic pandemic that took countless lives, divided society, and changed the world forever. I hope I encounter nothing like it ever again.

Despite my wishful thinking, I know adversity awaits in my forties. Who knows what worldwide events will transpire and impact us in our little corner of Washington. I know one thing: AI needs to be checked and regulated for the safety of all. And, yes, if I thought death of friends and loved ones was rampant in my thirties, I just need to wait for this next decade. Sid and I talk about it all the time and we know as we navigate through life, we will face more and more loss.

Optimistic Outlook

However, even with death, the pandemic, and other non-mentioned obstacles, I loved my thirties. As I mentioned above, building a family with Sidney was the absolute best thing to happen and luckily all of that is transferable to the next decade of life 😊.

I checked the forecast for tomorrow and it definitely won’t be stormy. In fact, the weather report calls for sunshine and blue skies. Not a bad start to my forties, right? Hopefully the extended outlook will trend in a similar way for the next 10 years. We shall see. Don’t Blink.

Nancy Capp: Leaving An Iron Legacy

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When I became a dad in 2017, I needed a new gym. Going to the campus where I was employed for an early morning workout and then transitioning straight to work was no longer an option. I now had a baby to take care of.

I needed a gym close by with early morning hours. This would allow me to slip out of the house while my wife and daughter were still sleeping, get my exercise in, and then return home so Sid could leave for work. I would then get Sloan ready for the day, spend time with her, and take her to daycare.

The local Myrtle Beach Gold’s Gym fit my needs perfectly. It had accommodating hours, fair membership fees, and all the necessary equipment. The 1980s vibe and gimmick-free environment also attracted me. Additionally, I would quickly learn that this gym also offered something that I had never sought nor knew (from a gym) before: community.

You see, Gold’s Gym had courteous members, a celebrated tradition, and a sense of support that radiated through the place.

And there was no mistaking that this special sense of community was fostered because of an obvious reason: the owners.

Thanks to Ted and Nancy Capp, many lives have been positively transformed.

Ted and Nancy Capp were the absolute best people. Humble, helpful, and fitness specimens themselves, the gym could not have been in better hands. They made me feel comfortable from the first day I walked in as I never once felt awkward even as giants worked out around me.

I got to know Nancy especially well. As the early bird I am, most mornings I would arrive at the gym right at opening, often walking in with Nancy as her dog trailed behind. We got to the point where she would text me if she might be a couple minutes late or if the gym was shifting to special hours on any certain day.

I really admired and fed off the energy Nancy would bring through the doors each day. The way she trained her clients was always so positive and the way she taught her classes was inspiring. No, I never actually joined one of Nancy’s classes but she graciously allowed me to perform my stretching/calisthenics routine in the studio when she was teaching them. Nancy’s dedication to her business went beyond body transformation as she focused on things that other gym owners overlook. For example, I can’t tell you how many times I observed Nancy meticulously cleaning the facility during those early mornings. 

Nancy Capp was a very special and kind human being.

To understand the type of person Nancy was, let me offer a quick story. After one workout in 2019, I realized my wedding ring was missing when I jumped into my car. Convinced that I had lost it in the gym, I went back inside and started re-tracing my steps. Nancy helped me turn the whole place over trying to locate it. After coming to terms that I wasn’t going to find it, Nancy assured me that it would turn up as I dejectedly walked out the doors. When I arrived home, I found my wedding ring on the floorboard of my car next to the seatbelt. Ecstatic but also mortified that Nancy spent so much energy trying to find a ring that wasn’t even in her gym to begin with, I called to tell her the news.

When she answered the phone and I told her I found it, she didn’t care that I wasted her time. Rather, she celebrated with me.

I was still a member when the transition from Gold’s Gym to Iron Legacy Gym transpired. The name changed but the heart and soul of the place didn’t. Eventually, my family moved out west in early 2020 and I had to say goodbye to the Capps. I let them know how much I appreciated their hospitality and that I would miss them.

When the Capps changed the name from Gold’s Gym to Iron Legacy Gym, the heart and soul of the place remained untouched. And of course, Nancy was still Nancy 🙂.

Over the past six years, we have made a handful of trips back to Myrtle Beach to visit my wife’s family. My priority list on those trips was always the same…

1. Spend time with Sid’s family
2. Attend mass at St. Andrew
3. Train at Iron Legacy 💪🏻
4. Everything else

Walking through the door and semi-surprising Nancy was always a joy. Catching up with her was even better. Just like with the gym itself, Nancy never seemed to change.

When I was a member at Iron Legacy in the late 2010s, Nancy would always text me if she was running late or hours were changing. After my family moved out west, she would still reply to my text messages when we came back to visit.

Just this past August, my family visited Myrtle Beach for a week at the beginning of the month. I had the blessing (and I truly mean that) to train at Iron Legacy on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7. When I pulled up bright and early that Thursday morning, Nancy was getting out of her car—just like old times. We walked in together and she got me set up with a visitor’s pass at a highly discounted rate. As we caught up, she told me about an appointment she was going to later that day.

The next morning I followed up with Nancy at the end of my workout. I asked her how yesterday went. She told me the news. We talked for a long time. I told her I would pray.

When I walked out those welcoming Iron Legacy doors that morning, I knew it might be the last time I saw Nancy. Sadly, that possibility proved correct. I learned about her passing reading the beautiful tributes of gym members I had met while training at Iron Legacy back in the late 2010s. Although not surprised by the news, I was very saddened.

Nancy Capp was a humble servant who I will always remember for how she treated me and for that smile (photo courtesy of Iron Legacy Gym).

In my mortal mind, Nancy was taken too soon. It is tough to see such a kind, purpose-driven person who epitomized a beacon of health pass at a relatively young age. But inspired by Nancy’s own rock-solid Christian faith, I trust in God regarding the timing.

Nancy Capp will be remembered as a humble servant who put others before her self. Personally, I will remember her as a positive and gentle influence who treated me the exact same way she treated the bodybuilders, celebrities, and fitness models who frequented her incredible gym. Perhaps the Capp family might consider one final name change for the business at 951 Jason Blvd: Iron Legacy Gym ➡️ Nancy Legacy Gym.

Please pray for the repose of Nancy’s soul. I consider myself extremely blessed that I knew her. Don’t Blink.

Big Brother 28: “Iconic”

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Sidney and I wrapped up our 16th season of watching “Big Brother” last night and oh how sweet it was! Although I know “Big Brother 28” ruffled the feathers of some purists, I found the season to be quite entertaining.

I enjoyed the 28th season of Big Brother.

So let me start with the point of contention for people who prefer to keep their CBS reality TV shows separate. This summer’s season included “The Icons”, a trio of individuals who competed in past realty shows. One of these people, Angela, was part of the Big Brother 26 cast. Okay, not that big of a deal—past houseguests return quite frequently to take another shot at alluding eviction. But the other two “Icons” came from “that other” CBS reality TV franchise…”Survivor.”

For some fans, this was an insult and even an ego-deflater once it became obvious that Devens and Dee were running the game. Why would show producers give house keys to past “Survivor” contestants and how on earth were they actually sticking around week after week? But that sentiment felt by bitter viewers and past “Big Brother” houseguests didn’t resonate with me. Even as someone who only watches “Big Brother” and who has never watched an entire episode of “Survivor” before, the crossover didn’t bother me. In fact, I loved their addition to the cast, applauded their gameplay, and cheered enthusiastically for them to make it all the way to the end.

Sidney and I snuggle on our chair as we watch the season finale of “Big Brother 28.” It marked the 16th season that we have watched together.

“Big Brother” seasons are always more engaging when you have someone to root for and this season I was in the corner of “The Icons.” Thus, I was ecstatic when Devens won…perhaps even over the moon. Out of the three icons he was my favorite and this season marked the first time someone I wanted to win from the beginning actually pulled it off. Devens was simply superb. He won competitions, played a flawless social game, provided perfect answers under jury questioning, and was just so damn likeable. 

There was absolutely no doubt about it. Devens deserved to win Big Brother 28.

Speaking of likeable, he took home “America’s Favorite Houseguest” as he cemented his legacy for playing perhaps the most complete Big Brother season ever. Although I hated it that he didn’t take Drew to Final Two, his entire body of work allowed me to look past that act of betrayal. Even though I can’t say for sure that he would have beat Drew by the same margin that he beat Taylor (6-1), there is no question in my mind that he still would have comfortably won.

I literally jumped around when the jury voted Devens as “Big Brother 28” winner.

As per usual, I always take the chance to touch on some lighter topics I like to assess at the end of each season…

– After two years of lame and clunky themes, I could live with this season’s time travel storyline. It set up some interesting competitions and the house wasn’t an eyesore to look at. Although the special effects used to simulate the houseguests moving through time were hokey (as per usual), I could deal with it given that everything else related to the theme was mostly decent.

– The time travel theme spinoff that missed the mark was the “BB Time Capsule.” It was an example of the show just trying too hard. A lot of the rewards/punishments were inconsequential and pretty annoying. When it came to the one reward that actually factored into gameplay, I thought Dee was stretching so hard to use it. The “BB bribe” did end up having an impact but it seemed like the houseguests had to get really creative and “cute” to use it—not good in my humble opinion.

– Zingbot redeemed himself last year after some unfunny routines in Season 25 and Season 26. Unfortunately, his slate of jokes this year didn’t pack the same humor and cleverness from Season 27. In fact, this season’s stand up set kind of repulsed me. But perhaps my expectations were just too high.

– On the other side of the coin, my expectations were low with “Unlocked.” I was annoyed and uninterested with the show last year and my opinion didn’t change for Season 28.  The producers once again did a slimy thing by inserting an episode of “Unlocked” into a traditional Sunday airing of Big Brother. When this gimmick is crammed down our throats, it not only wastes my time but it makes me hate “Unlocked” even more.

– But enough of the negativity, let me express something that I appreciated: The houseguests conducted themselves in a manner that didn’t require the premature removal of anyone or major controversy to erupt.

– Congratulations to Big Brother for airing its 1000th episode this season. It was a lot of fun to watch as awards were bestowed on past houseguests and iconic moments relived. Although I usually despise “look back” episodes (such as the second-to-last episode in each Big Brother season), the approach of the 1000th show was warranted and tastefully done.

– Finally, I have a confession to make: While seemingly fellow houseguests and much of America scorned her, I was a fan of Haley. The way she was evicted bummed me out because she wasn’t granted an interview with Julie.

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Ha! I went a little long on my comments this year. Let me turn it over to my readers now. Did you watch #BB28? If so, what did you think? In closing, thanks to my wife (and daughter) for watching yet another season with me. We certainly enjoyed it but I am not sad to see it end…feeling compelled to watch a show three times per week can be pressure-inducing 😉. Don’t Blink.

October Mania Thursday Rundown

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I don’t think I could be more pumped up! October is here and I love this month. In fact, my love for this month even extends to this day (October 1) exclusively. So riding my enthusiasm of the tenth month of the year, let’s jump into my latest Thursday Rundown…

HallowGivingMas – I realize I might be overdoing it with how much I love October, but part of what makes this month so glorious is what it kicks off. I always fondly tell the story of how my former boss wished me a “Happy HallowGivingMas” on Oct. 1, 2019. Ever since that greeting, I have cognizantly observed and celebrated this best three-month stretch of the year that includes Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. My friends, let me ask you a question: Are you ready to celebrate, eat, and spend time with family? Leggggoooo!

The best three-month stretch of the year begins today.

Throwback 10 Years – Look at those two lovebirds! This photo was taken on Oct. 1, 2016. Sidney and I traveled to Clemson with her family to watch the Tigers host Louisville in a major ACC clash. I had the audacity to wear a Louisville polo in support of my friend, Kenny, whose uncle was the head coach of the Cardinals at the time. In a thrilling game, Clemson held off Lamar Jackson’s Louisville squad, 42-36.

Sidney and I pose for a photo at the Clemson vs. Louisville game on Oct. 1, 2016.

Pumpkin Spice – Today is Pumpkin Spice Day and I think Oct. 1 is a great time to observe it. October should be synonymous with pumpkin but not September…and definitely not August. Sadly, the pumpkin spice craze has been waaay oversaturated the past several years and has caused me serious pumpkin fatigue. With that said, I still enjoy pumpkin-inspired beer, frozen yogurt, and soup. However, nothing beats pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin pie is the best pumpkin dish!

Dogs and Tots – On Monday evening, I took Beau with me up north to watch some soccer. The daughter of a co-worker plays for Cheney High School and I wanted to show my support (even though they faced my alma mater, Mead High School). About midway through the second half we left the game and headed across the street for dinner at Zip’s. We each had a corn dog and shared a tub of tater tots. Does it get much better?

Beau ready to eat at the Zip’s located at 3212 N. Market St.

Big Brother 28 Finale – I will have much more to say tomorrow about “Big Brother 28” but until then I have the season finale to watch tonight. Once again, Sid and I have watched the entire season together shoulder-to-shoulder and I definitely have a favorite that I want to see emerge victorious. Make sure to tune in to CBS at 8 p.m. for the conclusion of a pretty great (and somewhat controversial) season.

I am ready for tonight’s season finale!

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As I mentioned, I have a season finale I need to prepare for! If you aren’t a Big Brother fan you might not read my post tomorrow and if that is the case I will catch up with you on Monday. I hope everyone has a fabulous October. Don’t Blink.

Can’t Get Enough of Dateline

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Quite a bit of fanfare was made this past week about the season premiere of a long-running television show. On Friday night the 35th season of a pretty iconic news-magazine-turned-true-crime program hit the airwaves on NBC.

With that last sentence, I don’t think anyone is in suspense anymore. I am talking about Dateline.

“Dateline” has been with Sid and me our entire marriage and even before! It doesn’t get much better.

Because of its twisty and turny mysteries combined with its engaging/quirky correspondents, Dateline has enjoyed unparalleled success in a true crime-obsessed society.

That success has trickled all the way down to the Reser family living room.

Dateline has joined the ranks of “Jeopardy,” “Big Brother,” and “This Is Us” when it comes to shows that have drawn Sidney and me closer together throughout our marriage. Heck, I even awarded it a Don’t Blink Emmy in 2017.

The storytelling is just so well-done and the crimes so shocking that Sid and I keep coming back. We watch all the episodes on Peacock and make Dateline references all the time such as…

This should be a Dateline episode.
Didn’t we see this on Dateline?
I learned about this from Dateline.

A reason for the show’s success is the correspondents. And let me start with the one who is synonymous with Dateline and the fan favorite in our house: the legend, Keith Morrison. He is our hero. Not only is Keith easy to like because he is just so good at his job, he is also easy to poke fun at. Speaking of Dateline-specific phrases we utter constantly, you will hear Sid and me say “Oh, Keith” when we are watching one of his episodes. It is reserved for whenever he opens with a flowery introduction, places a particular emphasis on a word, or even takes a criminal to task with his questioning.

Josh Mankiewicz and Dennis Murphy are solid as well. Both are hardened Dateline veterans who know how to tell a story. But if I am watching a non-Keith Morrison episode, the correspondent I want to see on my screen is Andrea Canning. A complete pro who will put you at ease one moment but take someone to task the second, she adds so much to each episode. I could listen to her talk true crime all day!

But for a show to truly be special, it must transcend those who host it. For example, Jeopardy is still great even though Ken Jennings took over for Alex Trebek when he passed away. On the other hand, a show like “Family Feud” is only as good as its host which explains why it was a revolving door until Steve Harvey got there. Dateline is akin to Jeopardy. Although a certain correspondent might add a special element, the show has lasted for so long because it decided to focus on an in-demand genre in an engaging way.

That’s why ratings are high whether it is Keith Morrison or Blayne Alexander telling the story.

And it is also why Sid and I will keep watching whether we are eating takeout on the couch, laying in bed, or listening to a podcast episode on a long road trip. Don’t Blink.

Nourish Your Marriage

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This past weekend, Sid and I found ourselves at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center serving as a presenting couple at an Engaged Encounter retreat. It marked the sixth time that we have presided over such a retreat in the past few years.

The couples we ministered to at the Engaged Encounter retreat this past weekend hold their completion certificates.

It also marked the third that time we presented with Ric and Cindy Gaunt—the other presenting couple and our good friends.

We presented with Ric and Cindy Gaunt for the third time at an Engaged Encounter retreat. This was us at the 2026 Engaged Encounter National Convention last month in Atlanta.

But while the Gaunts and Resers might be veterans when it comes to Engaged Encounter retreats, a special person made his EE debut this past weekend. Joining the four of us as the final piece of our presenting team, Fr. Kevin Oiland served as the retreat priest.

Fr. Kevin Oiland joined us and Ric & Cindy Gaunt at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center for an Engaged Encounter retreat.

Fr. Kevin joined our Engaged Encounter community this summer as our chaplain after Fr. Jeff Lewis was assigned as pastor of two parishes in Walla Walla. Although it was sad to lose Fr. Jeff, his self-appointed replacement made me happy—Fr. Kevin is a good friend of the Reser family.

A photo of my family with Fr. Kevin Oiland at a going-away party our young adult group hosted for him back in 2024. He would serve in Walla Walla for one year and then return to Spokane to become the pastor at St. Peter on the South Hill.

So this past weekend was definitely a treat for us. Fr. Kevin was the fourth priest that Sid and I have served with on a retreat and each one always brings something different to the table. In Fr. Kevin’s true nature, he brought his humble and down-to-earth demeanor mixed with a dry sense of humor and the ability to infuse any discussion with applicable quotes and bible verses.

Fr. Kevin Oiland makes a point during this past weekend’s Engaged Encounter retreat at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center. His EE retreat debut was a success.

The 10 engaged couples who signed up for the retreat loved him. From his presentation talks to the way he presided over mass in such a holy way to the personal approach he carried on conversations with the retreatants, he was a hit!

Fr. Kevin Oiland poses with all the engaged couples who went on the September 2026 Spokane Engaged Encounter retreat.

I could pull so many nuggets from the guidance that Fr. Kevin provided over the weekend but I will keep it short with one universal tip he gave…

A Catholic is called to nourish his/her soul by doing a few things consistently: At the minimum, as Fr. Kevin advised, we should partake in daily prayer, receive weekly Eucharist, and go to monthly confession.

He also said that we can nourish and re-fuel our marriages according to a similar cadence. Saying “I love you,” giving kisses, going on date nights, and taking an occasional couple vacation are all things that need to be consistently worked into a marriage.

Sid, Ric Gaunt, Cindy Gaunt, and Fr. Kevin Oiland pose for a photo in-between presentations at the Sept. 2026 Spokane Engaged Encounter retreat hosted at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center.

So perhaps I will suggest this: mentally say “I do” to your spouse when you get up each day, give a kiss before leaving the house each morning, say “I love you” each night, go on a date night each month, and try to sneak away for a weekend vacation each year.

At every Engaged Encounter retreat, we always show the original Gary Chapman “Five Love Languages” lecture. Even though it is presented in a secular way, what he proposes is applicable to any marriage that is God-centered. He stresses that everyone has a love tank that needs to be filled. By doing seemingly small things on a consistent basis in a way that matches the love language of our spouses, we can keep the love tank full.

Thanks for serving at this retreat, Fr. Kevin, and thanks for your vocation. Don’t Blink.

Splint Thursday Rundown

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Friday Eve has arrived once again and that means I need to write about five random topics. So excuse me while I flex my finger muscles so I can pound out my latest Thursday Rundown. Here we go…

Fair Food – The Reser family made its traditional visit to the Spokane Interstate Fair this past weekend. We browsed the booths, jumped on the rides, mingled with friends, and of course ate some food! This year it was a little disappointing for yours truly because the fair didn’t offer the deep fried pizza I scarfed down the past several years. I made do and opted for the grande burrito. However, I think my wife and children “out ordered” me with their corn dogs and curly fries.

Some photos from our time at the 2026 Spokane Interstate Fair, including the food we ate.

Slight Scare – On Sunday night at our Young Families Catholic group, Beau accidentally ran over his hand while riding a floor scooter. He was in pain the rest of the evening but thankfully he had a regularly scheduled doctor appointment the next morning. When the doctor saw his hand, she put it in a splint and sent Beau to the radiologist for x-rays. There was a fear that he had fractured it. Much to the relief of us all, we received confirmation the next day that no bones were fractured during the incident. We are all thankful!

Fortunately, Beau’s hand isn’t broken and he can resume his soccer activities even though he still must wear his splint.

First Day of Academic Year – Yesterday marked the start of my third academic year at Eastern Washington University with the kickoff of the Fall 2026 quarter. Prior to yesterday’s first day, EWU’s Pass Through the Pillars tradition commenced on Tuesday. All first-year students walked though the landmark pillars at the entrance to our university as they entered our beautiful campus. As they did this, the EWU community (me included) formed a walkway to properly welcome our new students. When these Eags graduate, they will ceremoniously walk through the pillars once again, this time exiting campus by going through the opposite way.

A photo I snapped on Tuesday during the Pass Through the Pillars tradition at EWU.

Best Fast Food Burger – The recent article from Delish about the top fast food burgers resonated with me for a specific reason: only plain cheeseburgers at each location were evaluated. My whole life I have eaten burgers with only the meat, cheese, and bun so I loved the approach. I didn’t find the results too surprising (#1 = Shake Shack | #2 – Five Guys | #3 – Burger King | #4 – Sonic | #5 – Wendy’s | #6 – McDonald’s). For the bottom half, McDonald’s is McDonald’s and I probably had the worst burger of my life at Wendy’s this past summer. I really enjoy the charbroiled taste of Burger King cheeseburgers and no one can argue with a Five Guys cheeseburger. However, even though I had the chance a couple times recently at airports, I have not had a Shake Shack burger. Obviously I need to try one.

Burger King makes a pretty good hamburger these days and deserved placement in the top half of the list.

Happy Punctuation Day – Supposedly today is Punctuation Day so it is super important to adhere to one of the most prominent components of grammar…so remember to properly use your periods and commas, folks. Speaking of grammar, about 11 years ago I wrote about how I am held accountable when it comes to my blog. The moment either my brother or sister spots a grammatical error in Don’t Blink they will text the family text thread and put me on notice! Their “service” continues to this day. I hope they are properly celebrating Punctuation Day.

My sister will point out my spelling errors. Most of them come when I type too quickly and make a basic typo and overlook it. This conversation was from 2o15 but 11 years later she still points out any errors I might make.

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Please pray for Sidney and me this weekend. We will be delivering another Engaged Encounter retreat. Hopefully we can effectively convey to the engaged couples who will be attending how crucial it is to have a God-centered marriage. Don’t Blink.

Distraction

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We do allow Sloan to keep a tablet that allows her to play some games and watch curated videos on YouTube. We set it so she can only access content at certain times during the day.

With that said, when the tablet is “open for business” she definitely takes advantage of it…perhaps too much so.

Over the course of this past year, I have observed her walking with it like the device is her best friend. Whether she is making macaroni and cheese, taking a bath, or (gasp) even doing homework she will have it with her. Many times, her eyes and mind will be more fixated on the tablet than the primary task she is doing.

This “Non-Sequitur” comic strip from 9/16/2026 perfectly describes our society’s addiction to screens.

I have even caught her watching the tablet as she brushes her teeth, walks down the stairs, and searches for a snack in the pantry.

This behavior furiously irritates me and I let her know about it.

“You don’t need your tablet to brush your teeth, Sloan,” I will scold.

But if I am honest, Sloan’s focus on the tablet isn’t a condition she developed and created herself. The comic strip I shared a few paragraphs ago epitomizes society’s dependence on devices. It doesn’t matter what is going on around us, we allow screens to distract us to the point of catastrophe. It is a total lack of prioritization and consideration for others.

And when it comes to “society” I am absolutely counted in the ranks. Sadly, I haven’t done much to steer us away from hyper-device fixation or even pull my head away from my own device. I wonder where Sloan gets it from. Don’t Blink.

Stephen King: Beyond Horror

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Stephen King turns 79 today. Maybe I should wait until next year to write this post for his milestone birthday. But I can’t guarantee I will read any of the legendary author’s works over the next 365 days (although I want to) so I am writing it today.

Stephen King celebrates his 79th birthday today. I have read a few of his non-horror books over the past couple years.

An icon. How else can I describe Stephen King? Well, some people might put a modifier before the word “icon” with the word “horror” but that would be selling him immensely short. Although King is the king of the horror (pun intended), he is also an overall master of literature.

Stephen King established himself in the horror genre but over the past couple decades he has written novel after novel about plots and topics that aren’t scary. Although I really enjoy a good spooky book, I am a big fan of King’s recent work as well. His contemporary stuff is detailed, engaging, and super funny.

Over the past couple years, I have read three Stephen King books that were all terrific. In case you need a good reading recommendation, here are the ones I picked up off the library shelf…

Billy Summers – The story of a former Marine sniper who continues his work as an assassin in the civilian world. Only taking jobs that target the most evil humans and that pay lucratively, Billy accepts an offer he can’t refuse…only to wish that he refused it. This was a serious page-turner and I was impressed with the character development of Billy—definitely someone you don’t want to mess with.

Before I returned “Billy Summers” to the library, I had to snap a quick photo in my car.

Mr. Mercedes – A retired cop who is deeply depressed is brought back into the game when he starts receiving letters from a serial killer. This detective novel includes a love story as well but what really stood out to me was how sadistic Stephen King can get with his villains.

Me clutching my library copy of “Mr. Mercedes.”

Later – Cue the “Sixth Sense” references but this book is about a boy who can see dead people. Only in this story, the dead people can not just talk but they can only tell the truth. When the boy becomes the favorite resource of a corrupt cop, things get very interesting. Although this seemingly has elements of King’s signature horror storytelling, it is more a crime novel…and it is also a relatively quick read by King standards.

Sorry, I didn’t snap a photo of my hand holding the actual book. But “Later” was a mix of crime and creepy.

Happy birthday, Stephen King! Anyone out there read a King novel recently? Or is there a certain work that I must read? Please let me know. Don’t Blink.