She’s A Tattoo Artist, And She’s Legally Blind

by Kevin Burton    I should probably just be quiet. Been sitting on this story for a while. Should I do it?    For a while there I made a career out of advocating for the blind. I’ve made a lot of speeches, tried to talk sense into sighted hiring managers to give us blind …

When Self-Confidence Is Not A Good Thing

by Kevin Burton    I look at the world. I look at my life and all the things undone, that need to be done. I look at my strengths and weaknesses – and see nothing but weakness.    Yes, the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. But be honest, too often even the spirit …

Examining The Desires, Behaviors Of Cats

by Kevin Burton     “How well do you really know your cat?” asks writer Alesandra Dubin in a Good Housekeeping piece, under the headline “20 Surprising Cat facts You’ve Never Heard.”    Good question.    Everyone knows cats are mysterious, hard to define or explain.  I could go all Joni Mitchell on you and say “I’ve looked …

Good News! Taking Action, Saving Lives

by Kevin Burton    The Good News Network is a good place to hang out. It’s a place to find stories Paul Harvey would have liked.    Good news above the fold for a change, and why not?    “Above the fold” refers to the part of a newspaper that shows in a newspaper box. …

Talking Turkey And Thanksgiving Terms

by Dictionary Scoop     Thanksgiving is more than just turkey, family gatherings, and football games; it’s a time stuffed with unique words that make perfect sense in the spirit of the season.    The holiday’s vocabulary is as rich as the meal itself. Join us as we explore ten Thanksgiving-related words that carry meanings, histories, and fun trivia. 1-Bounty: …

The Characters Behind 12 Famous Songs

by Dictionary Scoop    There’s a mixture of fiction and real life behind the people made famous by the hit songs on our list today.  From classic rock ballads to catchy pop tunes, here are 12 famous songs that feature people’s names—and the stories behind them. 1-Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry    We’ll start …

Bags Of Glory, Crumbs Of Memories, Change

by Kevin Burton    There are many ways to illustrate how a person can change and change profoundly over the years, but I can sum it up in two words.    Stale Doritos.    I was amazed recently to have to admit the truth. The spicy nacho Doritos in our pantry had expired…on my watch! …

Canadian Boycott Of US Travel Going Strong

by Madeline Halpert BBC    Kristy Gammon used to travel to the US from Canada at least once every other year, taking ski trips at Lake Placid in New York and traveling to Baltimore, Maryland, for her husband’s favorite Orioles baseball games.    But those trips are now over, she said. This year, the Nova …

Hidden Superpowers Of “Man’s Best Friend”

by Dictionary Scoop    Dogs have walked alongside humans for thousands of years, earning them the title of “man’s best friend.” But loyalty and love aren’t the whole story.    Behind every wagging tail lies a bundle of quirks and special skills that most people never notice. Some of these traits are downright funny, others …

The Weird And Wonderful Words Of Winter

by Kevin Burton     Winter has some words for you, even as you perhaps, have some muttered, unkind words for winter.    Merriam-Webster dictionary is just a collector of words, and I a mere humble blogger. So we’re not worthy of blame, though we have conspired today to bring you words you would rather not …