Driving on Range Line requires knowing at least two bad words.

Spaghetti red is a combination of spaghetti and chili. And it’s popular at fund-raiser feeds.

Being a “loft lizard” is apparently somehow a bad thing.

Try not to read all the letters to the editor, or you might go bonkers.

There is such a thing as an inland hurricane.

Sometimes you can actually drive through a drive-thru liquor store.

Grand Falls is quaint. And disgusting. All at the same time.

Miami might look like it’s in Florida, but it’s in Oklahoma, and it rhymes with Alabama.

Chat piles are cool, but dangerous.

Most importantly, people in this corner of the nation are probably the friendliest, most kind and helpful in the world. I have found the best doctors, dentist, hair stylist and co-workers one could ask for.

Despite all of the lifelong friends I have made, part of being grown means saying goodbye and knowing when to move on.

Even when you’re not quite ready.

Address correspondence to Anne E. Kettenbrink, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802, or via e-mail, akettenbrink@joplinglobe.com.