So I'm sitting in Russ's Restaurant in Seattle's University District drinking coffee and reading when a friend of mine drops in and joins me. He happens to be colored, of color, Negro, African American, take your choice of what you consider the least offensive, because everybody seems to have a different take on the matter.

It's been pretty cold all week, and he's bundled up in a warm looking coat, gloves, and a fur hat. One of these jobbies:   CLICKY.

"Hey!" sez I, "Cool hat! No, let me correct that. Looks like a pretty warm hat, actually."

"Yeah," he sez. Then adds, "You've heard of a Black Russian, haven't you?"

(1¾ oz. vodka, ¾ oz. coffee liqueur. Fill with ice, stir.)

Don Firth