Nps and pas makes difference in rural communities

Hello, dear readers, and (yes, it’s mid-February) happy 2020. We hope the new year is treating you well. You’ve filled our mailbox with some very interesting questions and quandaries, including how to follow through on New Year’s resolutions.

Terminally ill friend still living it up

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my best friends has terminal cancer. He has tried everything to heal himself, which is actually a lot because he has money. He has traveled all over the world trying to find a doctor or therapy that will help him, but nothing is working. Now, it seems like he is slowing down.

Brother’s hair-trigger temper makes get-togethers tense

DEAR ABBY: A year ago, my brother “Leon” had a nervous breakdown at work due to a co-worker constantly harassing him. He’s currently under the care of a therapist through his workplace and has not worked for a year.

Sitting still for too long could cause deep vein thrombosis

Dear Doctor: Is it really that important to walk around during a long flight? I always take a window seat when I fly, and I pretty much stay put because it’s so hard to move around in a plane these days.

Kids annoyed at parent requiring lotion

DEAR HARRIETTE: My children get mad at me because I’m old-school: I don’t care how old they are — I don’t want them leaving home without putting on lotion. I can’t stand looking at ashy skin. It looks bad, but what’s worse is that your skin can crack if you don’t keep it moisturized.

DEAR ABBY

DEAR ABBY: I have never been in love before, and I have just learned the man I’m seeing is a former felon. It was nothing having to do with sexual violence or killing anyone. I’m afraid if my family finds out, they will judge him.

ASK THE DOCTORS

Dear Doctor: I was helping with Thanksgiving dinner when the paring knife slipped and sliced my finger. My aunt said to clean the cut with rubbing alcohol, which we didn’t have. I’ve always heard you’re supposed hold it under running water. How do you fix a cut?

SENSE & SENSITIVITY

DEAR HARRIETTE: My twin teenage daughters won’t go to school without wearing a full face of makeup. They have woken up more than two hours before school to do their hair and makeup and to coordinate their outfits. I feel like I have no control over what they do.

Vote yes, vote no, but please vote

Tuesday is Election Day for the Clinton Public Schools. The outcome of the proposed $29.7-million bond issue to make improvements at Southwest, Nance and Washington elementary schools will be determined by those who participate in the election process.

It was a great week for Republicans

It's been a great week! In Iowa, the party that claims to be devoted to "science" and "technology" demonstrated that it couldn't count to 10.