Saddle up, Kentucky Dudes! Welcome to this week's roundup of Bluegrass living.

In case you missed last week’s round-up; give it a read. Now, pour yourself something smooth, kick back, and let's dive into another edition packed with bourbon wisdom, sports thrills, and pure Kentucky gold.

From Bird Brains to Building Bonds: Dad-Kid Weekend Project

We know time with our kids is precious—and finding activities that are fun, engaging, and teach them something valuable can feel like a win. Here’s an idea to make the most of your weekends: Build a birdhouse and start a backyard wildlife watch.

Why it’s awesome

• Teaches kids tools aren't just for fixing mom's "honey-do" list

• Introduces basic work working skills everyone should know

• Creates natural conversations while working side-by-side

• Turns your backyard into National Geographic (minus the scary parts)

Getting started

• Materials: Pick up a birdhouse kit from a local hardware store, or if you’re feeling ambitious, look up simple DIY plans online. Let the kids choose paint colors or decorations to personalize it.

• Education component: Use a free birdwatching app like Merlin Bird ID to identify species that visit your yard. It’s like a scavenger hunt that you can do all year long.

• Involve the whole family: This activity works well if you have multiple kids or even want to invite neighbors for a friendly competition on whose birdhouse gets the most visitors.

Pro Dad Tip: Make it competitive by tracking different bird species and take before/after photos. But remember that it might take birds some time to find their new home.

Ready to start your own backyard wildlife adventure? Grab those tools and let the memory-making begin.

If you’re a Kentucky Dude without tools or the space, take your kid to Home Depot on the first Saturday of every month for their free In-Store Kids Building Workshop.

🏈 The Quarterback Carousel: Has the Transfer Portal Turned College Football into the Wild West?

College football's landscape has transformed dramatically with the transfer portal, especially for quarterbacks. What was once a commitment to develop within a program has become a fluid marketplace where players can exit if expectations aren't met.

Take Brock Vandagriff at Georgia. Despite being a five-star recruit, the competitive quarterback room means he might seek opportunities elsewhere rather than wait his turn. In Kentucky, promising local talent Cutter Boley represents both hope and uncertainty – will he stay if playing time isn't immediate?

The portal offers players unprecedented freedom, similar to coaches who regularly change programs for better opportunities. However, this mobility creates significant challenges for programs trying to build consistent offensive schemes. When quarterbacks leave, teams lose more than a player – they lose time invested in tailoring systems to specific talents.

Consider Stetson Bennett's Georgia story: a former walk-on who stayed, developed, and led the team to consecutive national championships. Such patience seems increasingly rare in today's landscape. While some argue this hurts college football's traditional character, others see it as equalizing opportunity across programs.

Look at Joe Burrow – his transfer from Ohio State to LSU resulted in a national championship. It's a reminder that the portal can work brilliantly when players find their right fit.

The quarterback carousel isn't slowing down. While it complicates coaches' jobs and tests fan loyalty, it's become an integral part of modern college football's DNA.

🏈 How Kentucky’s Top Teams Fared This Week

🏈 Football High School Football

Kentucky High School Football: State Championship Game Showdowns

The field of state champion hopefuls has been narrowed to 12 teams across Kentucky’s six high school classes. Next weekend at Kroger Field, six teams will be crowned state champions with three games on Friday and three on Saturday.

Sayre and Union County are making their first-ever state championship appearances, while Trinity is making its 33rd. Beechwood will compete for its eighth title since 2015. Raceland, Christian Academy-Louisville, and Bowling Green are all making their third straight championship appearances. Seven of the remaining teams are hoping for their first-ever state title, including Raceland, Sayre, Owensboro Catholic, and Union County. The Class 5A rematch between Cooper and Bowling Green should be one to watch!

Last Night’s Recap: Kentucky vs. Clemson

To me, the CATS never really settled into the game. From the jump, it was clear the Clemson Tigers came in with a game plan and executed it to perfection. Hats off to their coaching staff—this was a well-prepared team. Kentucky, on the other hand, just couldn't find its rhythm.

It's becoming evident that if Kentucky doesn't have Lamont Butler in the game, they're going to struggle. His absence on the floor is like pulling the plug on the team's energy source. And while Butler's contributions can't be overstated, it's also raising some real questions about the point guard position overall.

The good news? The CATS don't have long to dwell on this one. They've got a huge matchup with Gonzaga on Saturday, and that game will tell us everything we need to know about this team. Are they ready to bounce back and show their fight, or will the Zags expose more cracks in the foundation?

In case you missed it, Coach Pope’s press conference after Kentucky’s loss to Clemson

Last Night’s Recap: Louisville loses to Ole Miss 86-63

Louisville faced Ole Miss last night, and much like Pope's Wildcats, the Cards never quite found their stride. There was no big run to spark momentum, and the chemistry we've seen flashes of this season just wasn't there. Ole Miss capitalized on every opportunity, and without Louisville's big man, Kasean Pryor, the Cards were forced to adjust on the fly—a tough ask against a team as disciplined as the Rebels.

The next matchup will be crucial. Both programs are in a similar spot—early-season tests exposing weaknesses but offering invaluable lessons. All eyes are on Kelsey and his squad to see how they respond. If there's one thing we know about this program, it's that resilience is in their DNA. Stay tuned.

In case you missed it, Coach Kelsey’s press conference after Louisville’s loss to Ole Miss

The Blanton’s Effect: How One Bourbon Became a Global Icon

What makes a bourbon go from great to legendary? Blanton's, the world’s first single-barrel bourbon, is as much about craftsmanship as it is about its cult following. From its distinct horse-stopper caps to its near-impossible-to-find status, Blanton’s has a story as rich as its flavor.

Keep reading to uncover how it became a cultural icon—and why fans are willing to pay a premium for every precious drop. (1-minute read, KY Dude Original)

Bald and Buzzworthy: A Kentucky Man’s Guide to Cutting Costs (and Hair)

Feeling the breeze a little more than you used to up top? Don’t sweat it—embrace the shine and save some serious cash while you’re at it. From beard tips to DIY buzz cuts, here’s your no-nonsense (and hilariously relatable) guide to being bald, bold, and Bluegrass-ready.

Keep reading to learn how to take matters into your own hands and save up to $500 each year. (3-minute read, KY Dude Original)

It’s not about doing everything at once—it’s about being intentional with your time and building habits that compound over time.

There’s no overnight fix, no magic course, just daily steps to grow personally and professionally. Whether you’re learning something new, honing your leadership skills, or becoming a better partner or dad, the effort you put in today will show up in your future self. Don’t wait for “someday”—take the first step now.

🦌 Kentucky Deer Season 2024: A Comparative Recap

The 2024 deer season in Kentucky has wrapped up, and it's been another exciting year for hunters across the Bluegrass State.

Preliminary numbers indicate that Kentucky hunters harvested approximately 144,000 deer this season.

While final tallies are still pending, this places 2024 on par with the 2023 season, which saw 144,506 deer harvested. Both seasons demonstrate the strong consistency in Kentucky's deer population and the active participation of the hunting community.

Key weather conditions and abundant acorn production from white and red oak trees contributed significantly to hunter success rates. Trophy-class bucks in western and southeastern Kentucky continued to attract hunters seeking record-breaking whitetails.

Until then, we're signing off on deer hunting coverage.

If you have stories, photos, or unique experiences from the season, we’d love to feature them. Share your tales and keep the hunting community thriving.

(Sources: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Game & Fish Magazine)​

💪🏽 Fitness in Kentucky

I Didn’t Have Time for Fitness—But I Found a Way to Make It Happen

Most men have said it: “I don’t have time for fitness.” But here’s the truth—there’s always time, whether it’s push-ups in the living room or a solid gym routine. In this article, I share my personal story of how tracking my macros, pushing through that first month of muscle soreness, and creating a consistent routine completely transformed my life.

Keep reading to learn why making excuses won’t get you the results you want—and how to take control of your fitness, starting today. (5-minute read, KY Dude Original

Because his quarterbacks all entered the transfer portal, and now he doesn't know which way to go! 👏🏼

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