The weirdly wonderful world of a blooming hens-and-chicks plant. I started with two, gifts from my daughters after my mother died. Five years later, the offspring are filling the pot, the original succulents sending up shoots crowned with constellations of blooms.

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A Nathan’s Famous hot dog with chips for lunch, with an audience.

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LeeAnn Rimes’s new album, “Spitfire”

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The ice-blue eyes of a new friend