Author Archives: Tough Talk: An Advice Column

Tough Talk, I work with this man who is not totally devoid of decency, but he is pompous, arrogant and regularly condescending.  He treats everybody this way except of course his supervisors and other large fundraisers where he’s all sweet and kind and as my grandmother would say, “Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.” NowContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 10, 2023”

Tough Talk, I’ve been dating this really great guy for almost eight months.  He has a bunch of kids and one of the mothers is, for want of a better expression, a crack ho.  She is always calling for something, a favor, a ride or some other excuse to take advantage of his good andContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 9, 2023”

Tough Talk, I was leaving work after a hard day and was immediately greeted by an awful storm.  It was pouring.  This man who started at my job that week and I barely know, came right up behind me and pulled my umbrella over him.  I got soaked and when he got to his car,Continue reading “Today’s Column: March 8, 2023”

Tough Talk, I recently divorced my wife but on good terms.  We still help each other when we can and get along well.  I thought I got along with her children from her previous marriage but after her oldest got married, I sent her a gift and card which was returned no longer lives here,Continue reading “Today’s Column: March 7, 2023”

Tough Talk, I have a boyfriend and I think it’s getting serious.  After a year, we are talking about  settling down and even children.  We have one problem.  He likes to text me whenever we’re apart and I just don’t want to be tied to the phone with these boring and lovey-dovey messages.  I likeContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 6, 2023”

Tough Talk, I enjoy hosting friends, family and coworkers for delightful and charming candle-light dinners with much witty repartee.  I’ve been using a combination of two services of ceramics and porcelain.  I’m just not sure if it’s necessary to always use both the salad plates as well as the entrée dishes when I have otherContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 3, 2023”

Tough Talk, My wife and I have been married almost six years.  We haven’t spent a night apart since our wedding day.  She is going home to deal with some family and business issues.  She will be bringing back her father who is (I hate to say it) a pompous and arrogant dingbat.  He onceContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 2, 2023”

Tough Talk, I have two children.  When they were teenagers, their father and I were divorced and a couple years later I remarried.  They were never fond of my second husband, and in all fairness, he wasn’t the nicest person on the planet.  This man that I loved for more than twenty-three years passed awayContinue reading “Today’s Column: March 1, 2023”

Tough Talk, My wife and I have been married for years and her great aunt’s boyfriend’s younger step-sister’s cousin’s mother recently moved away.  She offered a lot of support to my wife’s aunt which is now gone.  We have tried to help out where we can, but this woman expects people to only care aboutContinue reading “Today’s Column: February 28, 2023”

TT, My daughter is marrying the love of her life and we are all so happy.  They picked a date and invited all of our family and the groom’s as well which is a big list.  However, a few weeks before the date, they sent out “Disinvites” to several guests, both family and friends dueContinue reading “Today’s Column: February 27, 2023”