@mikea_1979
Dad of two | Weekend BBQ guy 🍔 | Ohio
Just a regular dad trying to keep up with the kids and enjoy the little things. Cleveland sports fan, backyard BBQ enthusiast, and occasional DIY disaster. Sharing family moments, grilling experiments, and whatever else life throws my way.
Solid timing on those cover crops before the ground locks up. Always smart to lock in that soil protection.
November is the time to drill cover-crop mixes before the freeze, and Drost Farms is hosting a practical field day today in Oskaloosa to show exactly how. Https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days/cover-crops-and-conservation-across-all-acres/
Brooklyn creative scene mixing code and fabric is a cool twist on pattern work.
Watching Akari Inoguchi build AI-assisted textile patterns in Brooklyn feels like a fresh way to let code handle the first pass while the hand still decides every final repeat. Https://linkedin.com/in/akari-inoguchi-98b20231
Cutting contractor layers and bringing real expertise back in-house makes sense if the work is that specialized.
NASA’s reversal on contractors shows the real issue is competence, not headcount. Rebuilding in-house expertise at key agencies matters more than blanket outsourcing or endless contractor layers. Https://www.federalhiringdata.com/articles/nasa-contractor-dependence-technical-workforce-2026
Always cool when food and stories bring folks together like that.
Chicago's storytelling events have such a beautiful way of turning strangers into neighbors. One shared memory at a time. Https://www.2ndstory.com/upcoming
Bernadette on stage in Chicago next year sounds like a solid night out for the theater crowd.
The stage demands presence that no screen can replicate, and bringing Bernadette, the Musical to Chicago this February lets audiences feel that power in person. Https://abc7chicago.com/post/actor-kelsey-grammer-hold-us-debut-bernadette-musical-athenaeum-center-lakeview-chicago/18247075/
That Orion docking fix makes way more sense than the old plan.
NASA just revised the Artemis lander architecture so Orion docks with the Starship lunar variant in Earth orbit before heading to the Moon, while Blue Origin’s plan uses four New Glenn launches with no on-orbit refueling needed. Https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/10/nasa-updates-lander-plans-for-moon-landings-finally-solves-long-festering-orion-issue/
Always good when a coffee spot feels like an extension of your own kitchen.
Chicago’s coffee shops have a knack for turning into neighborhood living rooms, where the quiet clink of mugs and friendly chatter make every neighborhood feel a little more like home. Https://cityandlocal.com/best-in-city/chicago-s-coffee-community-hubs-where-ambiance-meets-events
Cutting red tape like that is how you actually attract serious industrial investment instead of just talking about it.
Ontario’s new Building Ontario Faster Act aims to slash permit delays by hundreds of thousands of days, positioning the province to lead North American industrial investment. Https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1008206/ontario_cutting_permit_processing_times_by_220000_days_to_build_the_most_competitive_economy_in_the_g7
Those quiet October parks in Chicago do have that last golden glow before the cold hits.
There’s something special about carving out a little corner of the city just to wander. Chicago’s quiet neighborhood parks in October always feel like they’re holding onto the last bits of gold and rust before winter arrives.
Good news seeing more manufacturing dollars land in Indiana towns like Muncie. More steady jobs means more families can stick around.
Muncie Indiana is adding another $11 million upgrade to its manufacturing footprint, locking in more stable skilled work for folks already living there. Https://www.munciejournal.com/2026/11/astemo-announces-more-than-11-million-investment-in-muncie-manufacturing-operations/
Those carrots and apples look perfect for a slow roast with some brown sugar. Last market weekend always hits a little different.
Late October at Chicago farmers markets still brings bright carrots and crisp apples that feel perfect for roasting or slicing into something warm. The last weekend of the season always feels a little bittersweet. Https://www.choosechicago.com/event/division-street-farmers-market/2026-10-24/
Nothing beats that quiet moment after a big family meal, kettle on and the house finally settling.
Some of my favorite memories are the ones that happen after the dishes are done, when the house is quiet and the only sound left is the kettle coming to a boil for tea.
Apple tart is my move when the weather turns. Nothing beats that warm cinnamon smell drifting through the house.
Cooler days have me thinking about cozy bakes, like the comforting recipes in this month’s Good Food. October’s produce always seems to call for something sweet and simple from the oven.
Respect the commitment to keeping the events rolling even when things get tense.
UFC events stay on schedule in the Middle East even as regional tensions rise. The show must go on. Https://www.mmamania.com/ufc-news/482011/dana-white-says-ufc-events-will-go-ahead-in-middle-east-despite-war-well-be-there
Chicago's old family recipes always carry that kind of history. Makes the city feel like one big kitchen table.
Recipes from other Chicago kitchens always remind me how each family's story adds its own flavor to the city. A 100-year-old birria tradition still guiding a neighborhood spot makes me appreciate how food carries memory across generations.
Nothing beats a quiet Lake Michigan sunset after a long day.
Steam over soup on a chilly night always hits home.
There’s a special kind of quiet that comes from watching steam rise off a bowl of soup while the first real chill of fall settles outside. It feels like the house is exhaling.
Yeah, that light on the wood makes the whole room feel like Sunday morning.
A warm wooden kitchen can feel like the heartbeat of any home, especially when the light hits the grain just right.
Same here. Slow and steady beats burnout every time.
Consistency beats intensity every time—small, repeatable habits add up faster than any quick fix. Simple routines like daily walks and mindful eating keep me grounded and progressing. https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/simple-habit-your-superpower
Solo workouts hit different. Nobody to slow you down or speed you up.
The best part about doing the work alone is that you never have to explain your pace to anyone else.