by Kevin Burton Whether in jazz, blues, pop or country, the late great Ray Charles was not just comfortable but masterful. Somebody asks you, “quick who was Ray Charles?” You’re probably going to say he was a soul singer. You wouldn’t be entirely wrong but he didn’t see himself that way. He …
God’s Grace Toward Us Is Truly Amazing
by Kevin Burton My mom hates the expression “wrap my mind around” usually expressed in the negative as “I can’t wrap my mind around” this or that. I’m going to invoke it here though, because I can’t wrap my mind around God’s amazing grace. Before I go there, I need to back …
Perfect Word List For A Sleepy Saturday
by Kevin Burton If this starts to sound too much like the glass half empty-half full thing, please let me know. But when someone says, “You look like you’re half asleep” doesn’t that also mean you are half awake? And which is preferable, wakefulness or sleep? And in the literal sense of …
Great Kitchen Marriage: Mac And Cheese
by Kevin Burton Today is the national day for what apparently is a regional dish, macaroni and cheese. Macaroni and Cheese is comfort food for many of us. I have seen it as a much-needed point of agreement. So I hate to insert a note of controversy here. But…. But upon just …
Dr. Pepper Is The Choice At My House
by Kevin Burton Finally I am on the right side of the great consumer steamroller. Usually the foods and other products I like exist in the financial fringes. Marginal sales, minimal customer appeal, and a tenuous position in the marketplace; that is usually where my go-to stuff is, always in danger of being …
Lieber & Stoller’s “Kansas City” A Classic
by Kevin Burton The musical catalog of lyricist Jerry Lieber and pianist Mike Stoller has been described as “some of the most authentic rhythm and blues that white Jewish guys ever wrote.” Eight years before Norman Mailer published “The White Negro,” these two transplanted easterners submerged themselves in the LA black culture and began …
Continue reading "Lieber & Stoller’s “Kansas City” A Classic"
Long Live Caffeine, Death To Bugs
by Kevin Burton I am late to the great caffeine-vs-decaf debate. But if we take caffeine from our coffee, let’s certainly not throw it out altogether. Why not? Because caffeine is a natural insecticide, according to the New York Times and others. Yesterday I mentioned that I am considering switching to decaf …
Something New Brewing In The Coffee Pot?
by Kevin Burton Johann Sebastian Bach wrote an ode to coffee, which means I wouldn’t have to. His would surely suffice. By all rights though, I should. Most of us wanted to sample coffee as young teens, exploring the world of grownups. That desire was heightened by the fact that adults tried …
Mom’s Birthday ‘Celebration’ In The Hospital
by Kevin Burton My mother spent her 89th birthday last month in a hospital ER room. Yeah, she really knows how to celebrate. I had a post about her 89th birthday 89 percent finished. That was about a month ago. Had to scrap it. On her birthday she fell. It was her …
Continue reading "Mom’s Birthday ‘Celebration’ In The Hospital"
Why Are Highway Signs Always Green?
by Kevin Burton They guide, they inform, they update and welcome. They ease the monotony. At once neutral and friendly, they are ubiquitous comforting company on the road. And they are green, always green, always the same shade of green. I’m talking about the signs along American highways. I love the …
Page 7 