Bantengs: ‘the coolest creatures on four hooves’ If you ’ ve ever driven through the zoo, or spent an afternoon at our playground, chances are you’ve seen a couple of unusual-looking cattle grazing in the pasture next to the camels. These are bantengs, a rare species of wild bovine.
My family went through a circle of life moment a couple of weeks ago. A few years ago, my family started traveling back to Avoca, Iowa, once a year to where my parents are buried.
Dear Amy: My son has just started his junior year of college. I never thought he was the neatest person. My view on this changed when he went away to college and shared a two-bedroom suite with others. Compared to his suitemates, my son is neat, clean, and considerate of the shared space. I am appalled by what I have seen: Beds are not made, clothes are strewn everywhere, dirty dishes are left in the sink, plates and cups are left everywhere, the table is not wiped clean, multiple pairs of shoes in the bathroom, and counter space all cluttered with everyone’s personal items, etc. Is this the way people are living? Are parents not teaching their children some basic level of cleanliness and how to share space? I sent my son with cleaning supplies and showed him how to clean a bathroom. He knows how to clean a kitchen because he has been helping me clean up after meals at home.
4-H is getting ready to celebrate a new 4-H year and we invite you to join us to experience all that 4-H has to offer, first hand! The beginning of a new 4-H year on Oct. 1 is your way to find out why 4-H is known for being “from cows to plows to WOW!”. 4-H programs across the country will celebrate year-end and the beginning of the 2022-23 4-H year during National 4-H Week, Oct. 2-8. 4-H’ers will paint their communities green and white, with the 4-leaf 4-H Clover, highlighting their involvement in and appreciation for community support. 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization— empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. and over 74,000 youth in Kansas with the skills to lead for a lifetime. In our communities, West Plains 4-H, based in Finney and Scott Counties, is home to 300 enrolled youth members and 60 enrolled adult volunteers who all work together to “make the best better” in western Kansas.
Dear Amy: About five years ago, I found out through DNA testing that my third child (age 31), is not my biological son. I learned this after divorcing my wife.
Dear Amy: My 18-year-old daughter was kicked out of her friend group for being “too annoying” last fall, at the start of her senior year. Her mental health plummeted as a result of this rejection and isolation, so she finished her senior year online and has been receiving therapy ever since. She has college plans, and we are all trying to move forward after this painful year.
actually a boot. My doctor confirmed what I assumed was causing my left foot pain, a stress fracture.
Dear Amy: My daughter and son-inlaw recently welcomed our first grandchild. Both the other grandma and I have shared part-time babysitting to help the parents with their work schedules. We have also helped on weekends when they have social obligations, etc. Recently, it feels as if we are being pitted against the other grandparents as to how much we are doing for them and vice versa.
BY ALYSSA MECHLER Even when animals aren’t visible within the zoo, we still love to celebrate them! “Bill Elliot”, the Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove, turned eight on Aug. 13.
Dear Amy: “Bart” and I have known each other for several years through our wives, who are colleagues. I’m now rethinking my friendship with him.