The Next Best Thing To Taking It With You?

by Dictionary Scoop    Thinking about one’s own demise is not a pleasant task. Still, it’s wise to make preparations for that day, to ensure your material possessions are handled according to your wishes.    The same goes for any plans you might have for your funeral. Last wills are fairly common, but in some …

“You’re No Good” Singer Linda Ronstadt Is 79

by Kevin Burton    Gilbert Ronstadt was the owner of Ronstadt’s Hardware Store in Tucson, Arizona. He loved to play his guitar for this three children, two girls and a boy.    The kids formed a group called “The Three Ronstadts” and played at functions in the area.    One of the girls, you will …

Happy Birthday To The Great Art Garfunkel

by Kevin Burton    OK, so this is what I get for digging into my favorite songs.    First, Happy birthday to singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel, born on this day in 1941. I do not have a present for him today, but I have been pondering within his great gift to us.    It was the …

Happy Birthday Little Sister, I Love You

by Kevin Burton    There was a day in the 70s when my younger sister Patricia asked me a question. I knew the correct answer to the question, but I lied to her.    We were in the basement of our father’s house in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Nobody else was around.    “When am I …

Happy Birthday To Sir Paul McCartney, 82

by Kevin Burton    When Paul McCartney was 14 he wrote a whimsical song called “When I’m Sixty-Four.” As of today he’s 82.    Can you believe that?    On that pivotal night, Feb. 9, 1964, when the Fab Four Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show, their collective age was 86.    A …

Embrace Your Mother While You Still Can

by Kevin Burton    Hug your mom.    Hug her today if you can. Hug her tomorrow because tomorrow is Mother’s Day, but don’t wait for a prompt from the greeting card companies. Hug her any time.    Hug your mom.    You see this on Facebook all the time. Hug your mom because you will …

What’s Going On? New Marvin Gaye Music?

by Kevin Burton    There might be some court wrangling first, but there is a chance the world will get to hear some new Marvin Gaye music.    According to multiple reports, a collection of  tapes of previously unheard Gaye songs has been discovered in Belgium. The troubled genius moved there in 1981 to get …

Leap For Joy Leaplings, Today Is Your Big Day

by Kevin Burton    Steve Mingori was an excellent left-handed relief pitcher for Cleveland and Kansas City in the American League.  He finished a 10-year career with an ERA of 3.03.    I always thought of him as a “minus” pitcher. That means in my baseball board games, if a certain number came up and …

Valentines Dirty Dancing With The Burtons

by Kevin Burton    This will teach me, always have a plan, a good plan.    For my wife’s birthday, which also happens to be Valentine’s Day (Are those wedding bells in my head or a cash register?), I wanted to do something special. I want to do two somethings special, every year.     My …

God Knew You Even Before Your Birthday

by Kevin Burton   My birthday is coming up soon, maybe yours is too. I have some worries just now and it’s not shaping up as the best birthday ever.    Maybe you are in the same straits. A message today then, for the both of us. The one sneaked up on me.    Recently …