Legendary jazz tap dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was born on May 25, 1878, in Richmond, Virginia. His given name was Luther, but he despised it and appropriated that of his younger
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Rice Pudding from Leftover Rice
When I cook too much rice (my husband doesn’t like brown rice so it is usually long-grain plain or long-grain jasmine) or have leftover rice from ordering Chinese, I usually mak
The Cross and the Lynching Tree
From James Cone’s The Cross and the Lynching Tree comes…
Esperanza Spalding
Introducing Esperanza Spalding Portland, Oregon-born jazz singer, bassist, and cellist Esperanza Spalding displayed prodigious talents from an early age playing violin with the Chamb
Aaron Diehl
Getting to Know Aaron Diehl Pianist Aaron Diehl is a jazz musician with a mission; he seeks to traverse the generational boundaries of the genre, and with compliments such as the New York Time
Ways to Lower Blood Sugar
exercise drink enough water avoid alcohol and other empty calories (hello, soda!) manage stress get enough sleep ( 6-8 hours every night) eat smaller portions lose weight avoid eating my favorite d
Need Some New Words?
Want to improve your vocabulary painlessly? Subscribe to Word of the Day or Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day. Or get the Word of the Day app at the Google Play Store or the A
My Favorite Food
I love Mexican food. Not “spanish” food. Not Tex-Mex food. Mexican food. As in food like people eat in their homes in Mexico. One of my favorite memories comes from when I lived in California a
Bats and COVID-19
Are Bats Really to Blame for the COVID-19 Pandemic? Around the world, bats are blamed for disease. Bat scientist and conservationist Merlin Tuttle counters these fears and explains w
Do You Like to Shop?
Over the past few weeks (and months) a number of retailers – including some of my favorites – have filed for bankruptcy. I suspect that some who closed because of coronavirus may fail t
Peace on Fifth
World Fair Trade Day May 9 is World Fair Trade Day. Support businesses that sell Fair Trade goods. Peace on Fifth is one such store and belongs to my daughter London. She sells on line and has a va
Gregory Porter
Do You Know Gregory Porter? Hailed by NPR Music as “the next great male jazz singer,” California-born singer and songwriter Gregory Porter’s music career began over
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Presenting Cécile McLorin Salvant Born to a French mother and a Haitian father in Miami, Florida, Cécile McLorin Salvant was singing and playing classical piano before she reached the a
Today in History – May 17
Popular rider Oliver Lewis rode H. P. McGrath’s thoroughbred Aristides to victory in the first Kentucky Derby on May 17, 1875, at the Louisville Jockey Club. Continue readin
Do you know how to cook rice?
Of course you do, right? Here are 4 different ways to cook rice. I usually use a rice cooker, but mine is not in quarantine with me, so I use the pasta method.