THROWBACK THURSDAY

In 1963 I was a young, wide-eyed, Marlboro-puffing television reporter in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Early in the morning of September 14th, I was awakened by a telephone call from UPI Movietone in Chicago asking if I had any film of the quints they could buy.

I was then made aware that five new babies had come into the world on that day - the Fischer Quintuplets, the first surviving quintuplets ever born in the United States.

A large part of the national and international news media soon swarmed the small town, many of them coming from only a short distance as they had been in Bismarck, North Dakota, covering a speech by Bobby Kennedy.

The rest of that time is a mystery lost in the shrouds of time. I can only remember a few incidents.

But it did launch me into a new job in Bismarck and many more adventures in a career that lasted some 30 years.

The picture above was taken as we, the media, waited for a news conference to begin in St. Alexius Hospital, where the four girls and a boy were born.

After only a few years of publicity and attention by the Pope and President Kennedy, among others, the quintuplets retreated to a quiet life with their protective parents and the SIX other children in their family.

POLITICAL DECISIONS

Vice-President Joe Biden says "No, I won't try to make this lovely blonde the next First Lady."

Paul Ryan says "Maybe, I'll be your next Speaker of the House but only if you let me have my way on everything."

It's been an interesting week.

TUESDAY TRAVELS

Visiting Chicago in 1971 to see my sons.

Kicking back on the grassy lawn near Lake Michigan outside the Adler Planetarium.

THE END OF THE SEASON?

The day started with fog.

By the time SWMBO fired up the barbecue grill, the sky was gray, the wind brisk and the day crisp.

Was this, then, the end of grilling season?

On this final(?) day the menu featured bone-in chicken breast.

The chef said she sprinkled the raw chicken with smoked paprika, which promptly burned.

I said "Hey, blackened chicken breast . . it's a treat!" (Thank you, Paul Prudhomme.)

And, you know what?

It was great, giving a tasty sharpness to the chicken. We both liked it.

On the side potatoes gratiné made with store-bought shredded potatoes, some French cheese, cream, seasonings.

If it WAS the end of grilling season (for this year), it was a great way to go out.

(If it wasn't . . . what are you gonna do next?)

Thank you, chef.

LATE BLOOMERS

Spotted on my stroll around the neighborhood this evening . . .

A LITTLE OF EACH, PLEASE

Rainy morning.

Sunny afternoon.

FRIDAY FUNNIES

That music!

Do you hear it?

Is that "Hail to the Chief"?

No, no, no.

It's "Hail to the Friday Funnies!"

And to the continuing saga of how cats and dogs stay warm.

The control on the left is set to "Toast the Cat".

These little rascals are risking a slow burn.

The rest of these, cats AND dogs, are looking for warmth in the light.

Then there's artificial light.

And THIS cat even climbed into the lizard's cage to share his warm light.

Before we go, a reminder about the upcoming Special Day.

Still laughing?

Good.

Have a great weekend!