Blind Woman To Wed After Triple Transplant

By Ernie Mundell HealthDay News    Stricken with cancer in infancy, Jessica Lopez endured tumor-fighting treatments that saved her young life but also left her with lasting heart damage.    By the time she reached her early 30s, Lopez, who was left blind by her cancer, also found herself in triple-organ failure — her heart, …

OK Then, Let’s Get This Word Party Started!

by Kevin Burton    I believe it was the great Marty Brennaman, on the Cincinnati Reds radio network, who used to call the first game of a three-game series the “lid-lifter.”     Let’s tack that one on, at the very beginning mind you, like the first pitch in the top of the first inning, to …

Judge Orders City To Install Audible Signals

by Robert McCoppinChicago Tribune CHICAGO — A federal judge has ordered Chicago to install audible crossing signals at intersections with traffic lights to help people who are blind or have problems seeing to cross public streets.    The order would require the city to install at least 75 accessible pedestrian signals this year and more …

Ferris Wheels Also Make The World Go Round

by Kevin Burton    In response to one of my Valentine’s Day posts, a reader let me know that Feb. 14 is also National Ferris Wheel Day in the United States.    Now that’s news I can use! What an apt metaphor for the “love” of love songs that is wrapped in feelings, or perhaps …

Action, Progress, Habit In A Walk With God

by Kevin Burton    There is a song I love by the band Chicago called “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.” Did you ever notice, it starts with walking?    The song’s philosophical statement is about the rat race. It’s about living up to the world’s standards and being in a big, ever-increasing …

Feeding Body, Mind And Spirit On The Road

by Kevin Burton    Got an unexpected comfort on the road last week that filled the stomach and the heart.    There isn’t much I don’t like about being on the road. I can see why so many people have written so many love songs to the road and the road life.    I’ve spent …

Our Democracy Could Use Another Truman

by Kevin Burton    Not sure what I expected in advance from the Harry S. Truman Museum in Independence, Missouri, but I ended up in tears.    Truman was the Vice President thrust into the presidency just 82 days into his term, following the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945.  By then the tide …

Seeking An SOS From Beepball And ABBA

by Kevin Burton    Eureka I say, eureka! I have my beep baseball problems figured out.    In athletics they say, father time is undefeated, and that’s true. But all I need is a great idea, and an SOS, from ABBA.    This is truly exciting!    You’ve probably heard about ABBA Voyage, a virtual …

Happy Birthday Dear Kansas, And Many More

by Kevin Burton    Today is Kansas Day kids, so just for today, the rules will be a little different.    Most notably, do not even talk to me about The Wizard of Oz today.  I’m not going to have it. I am a mild-mannered sort, but I will fight you today if you start …

“Best Of My Love,” Pure Joy In 1977

by Kevin Burton     Their gospel wailing and harmonies brought out the emotion from listeners in their native Chicago. People confided as much to their mentor/father Joe.    That’s why when the singing Hutchinson sisters needed a new name for the group, they called themselves The Emotions.    Forty-five years ago, their “Best Of My …