ArcaMax

It may be time to bring back the "cuss box" parents sometimes kept on kitchen tables or countertops. Kids had to deposit a coin every time they said a bad or ugly word. The present crop of candidates running for president and vice president could fine themselves and fund their own campaigns.

Coarse language among politicians is nothing new. ...Read more

I always find it fascinating to learn about the lives that others live. This is why I love reading memoirs — because you get to experience another person’s life right along with them. Sometimes the journey ends up in a good place and other times not. And just like in life, you don’t know until you get there. All of this is true while ...Read more

If you are lucky enough as an adult to still have parents in your life, chances are very good that you will eventually be providing some level of care for them as they age. Between the rising costs of skilled nursing and the inadequate coverage provided by most insurance, many Americans are discovering that they must take charge of caregiving ...Read more

When William Faulkner was asked about the meaning of the title of his book "Light in August," he said, “in August … there’s a few days somewhere about the middle of the month when suddenly there’s a foretaste of fall, it’s cool, there’s a lambence, a soft, a luminous quality to the light, as though it came not from just today but ...Read more

A supermarket can be a tough place to be in sync with the seasons. We're not talking about how Halloween decorations arrive in August, either: It's because in the produce section, many fruits and vegetables are available year-round, and those that aren't can probably be found in the frozen foods aisle.

Such abundance is hardly a problem. But ...Read more

'BLINK TWICE'

Rated R for strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references.

What it’s about: A young woman and her friend go to an island with a group of wealthy men and find themselves in a dangerous and mysterious situation.

The kid attractor factor: Not much, this is a horror/thriller

...Read more

Q. My brother is angry with me because I am best friends with his now ex-wife, Samantha. He expects me to abandon a 12-year friendship because they broke up. I haven’t taken sides. I see both of their points of view! And, I’m not so sure they won’t get back together. So here I sit, trying to figure out what to do. I’m just not willing to...Read more

In these days when grocery budgets are stretched thin, we somehow find ourselves flush with cash. It's embarrassing.

A friend stopped by and had to clear a pile of 100s on the sofa before she could sit down.

We are rolling in the dough. Literally. This morning, I found a $500 bill in the dryer. I didn't even know they made 500s.

Bills of ...Read more

CHICAGO — A few blocks from the Democratic National Convention, Planned Parenthood is offering free medication abortions and vasectomies at its mobile health clinic to demonstrate “what is possible when policies truly support accessible reproductive health care,” according to the agency.

Physicians were providing abortions and vasectomies...Read more

There’s a beautiful quote from Norman Maclean in his book, "A River Runs Through It," that says:

“We can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don’t know what part of ourselves to give or the part we have to give is not wanted. And so, it is those that we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them — we can ...Read more

As a toddler, Konner Hall showed a knack for hitting milestones early.

At 9 months old, he started walking. By 14 months, he was potty trained.

He also had a tendency to get ear infections. So when he was 18 months old and woke up one morning with a low-grade fever, his parents – Stephanie and Justin Hall of Cottonwood, Alabama – figured ...Read more

Around the time a cardiologist diagnosed Keri Mathew with a heart problem at age 4, her dad once again failed the physical required to increase his life insurance policy.

So Gary Peterson went to see that cardiologist, too.

Mathew, who grew up in southwest Iowa, had been born with a heart murmur that might eventually correct itself. When it ...Read more

Dear Mr. Dad: I'm a super-involved at-home dad of a 1-year-old daughter. We spend a lot of time together and it’s usually pretty fun. But sometimes I have a feeling that she’s bored, which isn’t surprising, because, honestly, sometimes I’m pretty bored myself. Got any ideas of how I can keep her entertained?

A: Wow, this question takes ...Read more

'ALIEN: ROMULUS'

Rated R for bloody violent content and language.

What it’s about: This seventh "Alien" movie, taking place after the events of "Alien," follows a crew of youths who come upon the xenomorphs while scavenging for equipment on the ship.

The kid attractor factor: This is more of an adult-oriented horror/sci-fi thriller

Good ...Read more

Q. My son’s fiancee left 18 months ago, taking their two young children with her. The relationship had a number of struggles including immaturity, mental health and his drinking issues. He is told "no" when he asks for visits and sees his kids infrequently. He doesn’t send notes, call or video-chat with the kids. He refuses to consult a ...Read more

My small charge brought her rain boots with her today, per my request. A heavy rain fell last night. Humidity is sliding down the windowpanes and the morning grass is so wet it squishes.

I pull on my rain boots, the ones with unicorns that she and her sisters gave me for my birthday last year. She pulls on her Pepto-Bismol pink boots and we ...Read more