Girl friend makes jokes at mom’s expense

DEAR HARRIETTE: My brother and I were jokingly poking fun at our mom the other day. My brother's girlfriend kind of laughed with us, but now she thinks that she can join in as well. The jokes that we make at my mother's expense are funny only when we, her kids, make them.

Reliving the home made box of cures

When I was 8 or 9, I played a game that I invented with my friends.On index cards, alphabetized in a recipe box, were written descriptions of fictional ailments, each with a ridiculous name and an equally ridiculous cure.

The boy from the Bronx

Many people are sharing their favorite Colin Powell stories, and here's mine: As the child of immigrants from Jamaica, he grew up in a workingclass neighborhood of the South Bronx.

Working together during the storm

Eleven days ago, when storms containing tornadoes were headed toward – and then eventually hit Clinton – it was comforting to know how many agencies had people out doing their part to protect us.The CDN has the privilege of being able to monitor the radio communications of the Clinton Police...

Former British spy has no remorse

The disgraced former British spy Christopher Steele has kept a low profile in recent years.

Republicans chances seem slim

Driving home from the dog park, I was surprised to hear the (Dixie) Chicks' terrific song "Wide Open Spaces" on the country oldies station.

Answering questions on booster shots

Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to our ongoing coronavirus conversation. We're finally able to answer one of your most-asked questions, which is about the availability of booster shots.

Making friends with former bully

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend became good friends with a girl who used to pick on me in high school. I feel a bit betrayed, even though it was so many years ago.

Will Trump try to be 47th president?

Here is where the Old Contrarian (me) seeks to diminish the importance of what Old Yeller (not the 1956 children's book, but the 45th president of the United States) did the other day by traveling to Iowa and proclaiming that the 2020 election was "rigged" and that Washington Democrats are taking...

What’s really killing this country

Iowa is represented in the U.S. House by three Republicans and one Democrat.