In a brief account of his earlier life, the author reminisces about growing up in a family with four mischievous brothers while under the domination of a strict father. The remainder of the book is a collection of short stories and poems, some of which are poignant, while others are whimsical.
Don Pardue grew up in a small town in East Tennessee. After completing a tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, he received his education at Tennessee Wesleyan College, Atlanta Art Institute, and The University of Tennessee, where he received a BFA degree and later taught courses in graphic design.
During his career he worked as creative director for a Knoxville design studio. He is now retired and spends his free time painting and writing in Lenoir City, Tennessee, where he and his wife Bobbie reside.
He is the author of five novels: Blossoms of Winter, Tom, Dick, and Harriet, Southern Sanctuary, Maiden Harvest, and Random Reflections.
This book is a combination of things. It is an autobiography followed by a series of observational short essays and poems. The book runs the gamut of human emotion as it paints a picture illustrating American life during the bulk of the 20th century. It's a good read covering an interesting family. There are ups and downs. There are good times and bad, happiness and sadness, triumph and tragedy. It's all there and it's unfiltered.