[April 4, 2024] My boss, Mr. Amato – also called “Mr. A.” – ran his gasoline service station as if his life depended upon it, and in a way, it did because the livelihood of his wife and seven children stemmed from selling gasoline to customers. I was a new gas jockey at his station in my sophomore… Read More »
[March 30, 2024] As a young child, I was encouraged by my Dad to put money into the collection plate during church services. As a curious kid, I found the courage to ask Pastor John why. He told me something I’d never forget, “Douglas, there are people who need you, and they may not survive without your charity.” … Read More »
[March 27, 2024] In 1967, when I was 15, an American rock band, “The Doors,” released the song Light My Fire. Ah, the nostalgia of it all. I first heard the song on the radio when my friend William and I were at his house, and his mom was out grocery shopping. Somehow, we were drawn to its… Read More »
[March 25, 2024] Alcohol is a clever drug. It gets into the brain and slowly changes what is good and free and beautiful into something evil, enslaved, and ugly. Why, then, do people use alcohol? If you use alcohol, the answer is obvious. Using alcohol is fun, socially encouraged, and exciting, and it makes us feel good. I… Read More »
[March 12, 2024] We know that people who aim high for life goals and are able to make the proper sacrifices will succeed in having a good life. Barring serious tragedies, this is a social norm. Therefore, it is easy to give advice on how to aim high and achieve noble goals, and even the most deluded know… Read More »
“Hey, drink this.” I was freezing cold in Dad’s jon boat as we puttered down the Ouachita River. The bayou Bonne Idee was closer but Dad wanted us to go where he’d heard the fish were biting. Off we went, my brother Philip and I were on another fishing trip with Dad. Dad seemed to have been born… Read More »
[March 2, 2024] The more senior of a leader you become, the more “Yes-Men” you accumulate. Yes-Men are those subordinates, men or women, who work for you and always agree with whatever you say, decide, or do. They are easy to identify, but the more severe problem is having “Silent-Men,” those who will never say a word, even… Read More »
[February 27, 2024] Jesse Lee Peterson is a self-described talk-show host, Christian pastor, counselor, author, and activist. His talks span many contemporary topics such as faith, politics, being a man, the role of women, dating, marriage, and more. He does all this with humor and a positive attitude but is always in command of the facts. He is… Read More »
[February 24, 2024] Growing up, we kids never channel surfed on our television set. There was only one clear channel. Plus, we rarely watched television because our Dad set strict limits. One of those rare times we were permitted to watch, we saw the 1941 movie “Sergeant York” on our old black and white. The young man, Alvin… Read More »
Letters to My Granddaughter, No. 100 (We’re Moving) [November 9, 2024] “We’re moving to Little Rock!” our Dad announced off-handedly as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. But in just a few short weeks, the family was pulling up stakes, packing our suitcases, saying our goodbyes, and leaving behind the lives we’d come to love. The… Read More »