Hundreds and thousands, commonly yet boringly called “sprinkles” in North America, are enough to make any child smile. Sprinkled over a cookie and sandwiched around creamy ice cream makes for sheer bliss!

At a jam-packed reception Perle Mesta was giving at the Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1956, Jack and I were following Marie down a few stairs and ogling all the celebrities. Suddenly, Marie turned back toward us. This, she announced in her very audible deep voice, is what I call a rat-fuck.

Every house has its skeleton in it somewhere, and it may be a comfort to some unhappy folks to think that the luckier and most wealthy of their neighbours have their miseries and causes of disquiet.

Most of the penguins were friendly and curious.