Penny For Your Thoughts, Feline Daughters

by Kevin Burton    They have ways of expressing themselves, but my cats don’t speak any English or Spanish, so I don’t always know what they are thinking.    Do I really want to know what they are thinking?  Well, we can’t know, which is probably for the best.    But I did stumble upon …

Happy Names For Our Feathered Friends

by Kevin Burton    I recall in certain mornings at the Ohio State School for the Blind, listening to birds singing, in the moments before I had to get up and get the day started.    I would think that if I could endure a few easy classes, I would then have the rest of …

Quibbles And Bits: Cats, Beatles, Fantasy

by Kevin Burton    Our younger cat Lakin is a great leaper, has a good set of lungs and is eager to communicate.    And she’s wild about exercise. I should be so wild about exercise.    You share your living space with two cats, you find out a few things.    Like on a …

Why, Exactly, Is A Goose Called Silly?

by Dictionary Scoop    Sure, sheep are obedient, and geese are loud. But when did we decide to start calling each other by animal names?    Since Biblical times, we’ve been dragging innocent animals into our human drama to describe each other’s worst behavior.    Is that fair? Read on to see some of the animal …

Some Nursery Rhymes Not Exactly Kid Stuff

by Dictionary Scoop    We all have nursery rhymes etched in our memory, verses that take us straight back to our childhood.    But behind some of those catchy, cheerful tunes lie surprisingly dark and mysterious origins rooted in real-life history.     Join us to discover the hidden stories behind the most popular nursery rhymes. 1-The …

Life-Saving Drugs Made From Corn Husks

by Kevin Burton    We just bought a big box of corn from our favorite buy-local small farm. That makes us a candidate to help the young man from our first good-news story today.    But as you will see, he’s doing OK!    Hope you are having a good Saturday and have room for …

Putting Sharks And Problems In Their Place

by Kevin Burton     My good friend Tracy sends out riddles and brain-teasers that challenge the mind, thoughts that make me ponder.    This one made me laugh out loud.    It was a trick question, under the heading “Drowning”:    “Imagine you are in a sinking rowboat surrounded by sharks. How would you survive?” …

Robotic, AI Guide Dog Under Development

by Financial Review    Guide dogs are a great help to vision-impaired and blind people, assisting them to navigate their surroundings and get to where they need to go.    But they’re not for everyone. Some people have allergies that make dogs unsuitable; others might not want to take on the responsibility of looking after …

All Honor To The Keeper Of The Seven Bowls

by Kevin Burton Dear Cat Sitter,    The worker is worthy of her hire. But you are no ordinary worker.  You are most worthy.    You are chosen. You are select among mortals. Yours is no ordinary task. This is a venerated trust. Be you ever so steadfast in your appointed rounds. For you, are …

Getaway Day, Glorious Beyond (These) Words

by Kevin Burton    It takes a little work to make a vacation happen doesn’t it? You don’t just up and go.    You have to make sure everything is taken care of. Animals, if you have them. The homestead. Plus you have to arrange for accommodations on the road.    But there comes a …