Notes:
pass away 亡くなる；
gospel　福音；
———————————-
A great American singer died last week. Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76. I remember hearing my first Aretha Franklin song in the 1960s when I was a high school student. That was a great time for American music because black musicians like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder were bringing new sounds into pop. Aretha started as a gospel singer in her father’s church, but she decided to become a professional singer. During her career, she won 18 Grammy Awards and had many hits, but I still think her best song is “Respect,” the song I first remember hearing. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
———————————-

Notes
shaved ice かき氷;
————————————
It’s summer, and it’s hot. This is the season for Japan’s coolest dessert: shaved ice. In my neighborhood, there is a store that used to sell ice. The husband delivered ice all year round, and the wife sold shaved ice in the summer. Now the store is run by the daughter, and it is only open in summer. They no longer sell ice. Instead, they put tables and stools outside and sell shaved ice to the customers. I like the place because there is no air conditioning. We can sit by the side of the street and watch the cars go by as we eat. I want to be hot when I eat shaved ice. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
————————————