Happy Mother’s Day to @blondiej1684 . My best friend. My wife. The mother of my beautiful daughter. She’s the foundation that keeps us steady. She truly is my partner in crime and the love of my life. We’ve had a lot of wonderful adventures- here’s to many more. I love you!
Pruning blueberries isn’t just yard work—it’s setting up your harvest months in advance.
Every cut matters. You’re opening up the plant for sunlight, airflow, and stronger growth. Cut out the old, weak, and overcrowded canes so the plant can focus its energy where it counts—new shoots that will actually produce.
Rule of thumb:
✂️ Remove dead or damaged wood
✂️ Thin out older canes (anything 5–6 years old)
✂️ Keep the center open so light can get in
It feels a little ruthless in the moment, but trust me… this is where the magic starts. Bigger berries. Better yield. Healthier plants.
Do the work now, and your future self (and your summer snack game) will thank you 🫐🔥
#BlueberryFarm #FarmLife #PruningSeason #GrowYourOwn #vanmeterfamilyfarms
Some days I just sit here and look out at this wonderful life I’ve created and realize I’m far from finished. On this snow day - plotting some things to make 2026 a huge success.
Link in bio. Friends & Family — I finally get to share something big.
After some time, Joe McBratney and I have decided to bring his life story to the stage in I Plea the Fifth — a one-man show about loss, identity, and what it means to grow up carrying a legacy you never asked for.
Joe was eleven when his father, James “Jimmy” McBratney, was killed in a crime tied to John Gotti’s early rise — a moment that changed everything for him. For fifty years, he’s held onto this story. Now he’s ready to tell it.
We’ve launched a fundraiser to bring this project to life. I know times are tough, and not everyone can give much — but truly, anything helps, even $10. Every bit gets us closer to putting Joe’s story where it belongs: in front of an audience.
And if you can’t give financially, sharing the campaign on your socials helps just as much. Getting the word out means everything right now. Your support means the world to us. Link to our campaign in the bio.
Check out my new blog! After 25 years of producing television — from chaos to craft services — I’ve earned the right to say the quiet parts louder.
This space isn’t about clickbait or corporate pep talks. It’s about what it actually feels like to survive (but always love) an industry that keeps reinventing the word “content” until it means nothing.
Things I Shouldn’t Say Out Loud is where I write what most producers whisper over bad coffee:
— Why experience suddenly has to come with a Housewives credit
— How “development” is just heartbreak with paperwork
— And why, despite everything, I still can’t walk away
It’s part confession, part survival guide, and part love letter to the people who still give a damn.
The first two posts are live now. And I hope to update this weekly. Please stay tuned and follow me - like me - share me. But whatever you do, keep Saying Things Out Loud because we're all in this together, folks! Eventually - someone will listen.
Read it here → /blog
#ThingsIShouldntSayOutLoud #RickVanMeter #FilmLife #ProducersLife #TVProduction #HollywoodTruth #Filmmaking #noegofilms
Still feeling the joy from Jen and Rick’s wedding — what a night. 💍✨
Beyond the celebration, it reminded me how far I’ve come since this time last year. To walk in that room smiling, standing tall, and fully present — that meant more than words. It wasn’t just their new beginning; it was a quiet reminder of mine too.
Here’s to love, growth, and showing up as your best self — one step, one laugh, one dance at a time. 🥂
#Grateful #NewBeginnings #WeddingVibes #GrowthJourney #LoveAndLight
