Hello readers, and welcome back to And That’s Some Facts! The holiday season is upon us, and that, of course, means getting together with family. Not to kick off this fact-a-thon on too dire a note, but here’s an alarming tidbit: Nearly 38 percent of people can’t even read about what “family” is because they are illiterate. That certainly is shocking, but fortunately, by the time you’re done with this co...

Here's your weekly preview of some of the hottest new mobile apps—from business to entertainment, practical to just plain fun, these are the latest and greatest smartphone downloads that will keep you up to speed:

When you come of age and finally move away from your home and your family after a lifetime of nurturing and unconditional love, it can be very difficult; the need for familial warmth and understanding is sometimes overwhelming. What do you do when all the people you’re closest to are so very far away? Well, I gradually came to realize that I would have to make my own family. But this is no easy task. Some people s...

Life can be sooooo serious sometimes, can’t it? We here at Thing X know how important it is to take some time each day to lighten up and get a little silly! So dust off those funny bones, stretch out your chuckle muscles, and get ready to Laff A Little, with the funniest jokes from around the web! S o dad’s out making burgers on the grill. His wife calls to him from the kitchen and says, “Make mine ...

Even as the words left my mouth, I knew I’d broken the rules, that I’d brought something ugly and forbidden into the argument with my mother. I’ll never forget the hurt and the shock on her face, and I have never felt so ashamed. Never. This likely won’t be our last argument, but one thing’s for sure: I will never call my mother a fucking bitch again. After this coming weekend, I mean. I’m going to be vi...

Once again, the staff of Thing X has compiled a collection of songs specially designed to keep you click, click, clicking along with our monthly theme. Enjoy our Family playlist!

Growing up on a farm, there wasn’t a lot of spare sentimentality to go around; as kids, my siblings and I were never protected from the harsh realities of life, mostly because there was just too much work to be done. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of love in my family. I’ll never forget the day I had to take my dog out behind the barn and shoot him. I was just 9 years old, and it sure started out as...