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When Stacia Kuceyeski of the Ohio Historical Society reached out regarding Taft 2012 campaign materials, she included photos of her adorable pug-chihuahua mix… President William Howard Taft, or just "Taft" to his friends.

These, of course, had to be posted on the blog immediately.

The photos are of Taft posing at the McKinley Memorial in Canton, Ohio. Please take note of the sassy Taft tag on his collar and the scarlet carnation, which is Ohio's state flower. According to Stacia, McKinley always wore one.

There are a few more photos below after the jump. Take a look. Thanks for sending these in, Stacia! Taft sure is cute.

Amazingly, today is the first of three Friday the 13ths to happen in the next 13 weeks!

Mythology and spirituality aside, this date immediately brings me to the movies. And, I’m not talking about the recent retreads or even the last few movies in the original series. We’re talking the early days when a boy drowned in Crystal Lake because his counselors weren’t paying attention. We’re talking Mrs. Vorhees and her hockey-masked son seeking revenge. We’re talking guts and gore in the wilderness. Ah… good times.

So, in honor of this momentous 13 week stretch, let’s consider what Jason might be listening to while on his murder spree–assuming he had an iPod underneath that hockey mask…

The Winter season is a great time to have friends over for a nice fancy dinner. It’s cold out, you want to stay in and warm up in the glow of friends and family… so I’ve got a recipe that’s perfect for you. Cornish game hens and wild rice.

Don’t be fooled. This roast is easier to cook than it looks. Make sure you plan accordingly though, serving one bird per portion, because they weigh less than a pound each. You can slather on a quick marinade and pop these little birds into the oven while you spruce up your dining room and lay out the plates. Get hold of an instant wild rice side dish, chill the drinks… and enjoy!

Do the books in your local bookshop come alive once the store closes, much like the toys in Toy Story? After watching this video, I sure like to think so.

Watch and enjoy. Thanks for sending the link over, Jane!

If Elvis Presley were alive today, he’d be celebrating his 77th birthday.

He may have been the king of rock and roll, but Elvis Presley had an appetite that was more down-home than aristocratic. A Mississippi boy at heart, Elvis preferred iconic Southern dishes, such as buttermilk corn bread, Memphis-style bbq, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie.

His favorite snack, which he apparently taught the cooks at Graceland to make, was his mama’s grilled peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich. The King allegedly preferred mashed bananas, but slices work just fine. He also liked his peanut butter smooth and creamy and his bacon burnt. Unless you’re a truly dedicated Elvis Presley fan, the burnt bacon is optional.

In honor of the King, I’ll be having an Elvis today. Will you?

The Elvis
Makes 1

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 slices white bread
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 slices cooked bacon
2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread, banana on the other. Add bacon slices and close sandwich.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwich 2 minutes per side, or until golden. Eat it while it’s hot. Keep all the ingredients close at hand — you’ll likely be making another.

One flew kites. The other had a ball with leeches.

Everyone knows Ben Franklin. Americans celebrate his 306th birthday on Jan. 17th. Another Ben—Dr. Benjamin Rush—is lesser known but nevertheless played a pivotal role in American history. His 267th birthday is Jan. 4th.

Quirk’s home city of Philadelphia is gearing up for two celebrations this month that pay tribute to the two men.