12/14/2025
This is gonna be kinda long, much longer than originally planned
Had to make a decision recently... lay down a bunch of money on another year of licenses, packaging needs, labeling etc right at the beginning of slow season or cut bait. Add some adjusted terms for the kitchen and honestly, it was getting old. I'm a very good smoked cheese maker but sales isn't my thing. I'm ok at it but i really don't like doing it. With that said, it was a fun summer, I got to meet a ton of great people, especially grateful to have met many of the small business owners in Naples. It got me out of the most boring job I could ever imagine, I honestly think it was making me a little off. The day I left (after 2 weeks notice, didn't do them dirty) it was like someone switched the lights back on. Literally immediately when left for the last time, it happened the second i walked out the door. Going from 10 hour days that felt like 20 hour days to summertime in Maine on a new adventure... Best thing I've ever done to take care of my own mental health. I felt like Andy Duphraine bursting out of the sewer pipe outside of Shawshank. I s**t you not, it wasn't uncommon to go in at 6, look at your watch 2 hours later and it was only 640... for real, it was that bad. I had fun at Smokin' J's Wicked BBQ, especially out front chatting with everyone, met a bunch of good folks there. Speaking of which, if you want to a block of the last ever batch from Id Smoke That, swing by Js and get it while it's still there. Try the wings while you're there, they put them on the menu a couple weeks ago and they are out of this world. (Will Ferrell impression of Harry Carey's voice for this next line) and wash it down with an ice cold Budweiser! You get the point though, go spend some money at Js, they helped me out a lot and the least i can do is pimp them out. So from here I accepted an offer as the Stihl tech at Aubuchon. Managed to make my commute even shorter. Maybe I'll learn how the hell you start Dana Carpenter 's saw now. And thanks to the before mentioned job with a really sweet clothing program, a 2"×4" Stihl patch fits perfect right over the old logo. So i won't be throwing that Carhart jacket away just yet, or the Eddie Bauer, LL Bean, about 25 sweatshirts, you get the picture...that patch with fix em all. Anyway, I'll be bringing my smoker home so maybe once the weather is a little more conducive to being outside I'll crank out a batch. I'll give it away for donations to community outreach... so keep following me, I'll let you know when and where.
- I'd Smoke That... out!
