Author Archives: Tough Talk: An Advice Column

My wife and I work really hard, often doing over-time.  On the weekends, I would prefer to chill out and relax – not all the time, but at least one weekend a month.  My wife however wants to go out, party, see friends and do things out doors.  I try to explain that I’d likeContinue reading “Today’s Column: May 4, 2021”

Tough Talk, I need your advice on how to negotiate my new in-laws.  They are very formal and even like to dress up for dinner.  Presents and parties come with expensive stationary and they expect proper responses and even use the “Respondez vous si vous plait,” just to show how hoity-toity they are.  I amContinue reading “Today’s Column: May 3, 2021”

Tough Talk, I’ve been in the military for twenty years where I have risked my life for this county numerous times.  Several people have told me over the years that I am the toughest man they have ever seen, actually performing service in very dangerous situations as opposed to running my big fat mouth throughContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 30, 2021”

Tough Talk, I have seen the light and joined a church that has a new and independent way of interpreting and serving scripture.  We celebrate holidays on their correct dates and not the immoral scheduling of the modern churches that have perverted the faith and the truth.  My family is ignorant and refuses to acknowledgeContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 29, 2021”

Tough Talk, I’m eight years old and I have an older brother (almost 11) who is a total jerk and loser.  He stinks and talks like a moron.  He’s so annoying I want to launch him by catapult into Kansas.  I know that’s bad and I don’t have the money for a catapult, but heContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 28, 2021”

Tough Talk, My Mom and I are like best friends. We do so much together.  For awhile, however, she kept pushing me to have her grandkids.  Finally, I told her that I would not be having kids and she took it well and everything was fine . . . until last week when she gotContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 27, 2021”

Dear Tough Talk, My good friend Coakie and I have been friends for years.  She had a death in the family and I sent her a card, made her food and followed up with offers of help.  Then I had a death in my family and she hasn’t said one word, showed any interest inContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 26, 2021”

Tough Talk, I was in the grocery the other day and a man who looked like he had seen better days was in front of me and got kind of snotty and made rude remarks.  At first I felt sorry for him as he is probably homeless, but when he opened his big fat mouth,Continue reading “Today’s Column: April 23, 2021”

Tough Talk, My husband and are recently married, deeply in love and looking forward to children.  He was raised Catholic and I was raised Protestant, but we are not into organized religion and have real questions about numerous teachings.  My in-laws are very austere and very religious and insisting that all our children get baptizedContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 22, 2021”

Tough Talk, My sister has lived on the other side of the country for several years now. She plans on moving back to reconnect with friends and family. The problem is that her children and grandchildren are thugs and scoundrels who use drugs and most have spent time in jail. I love my sister; sheContinue reading “Today’s Column: April 15, 2021”