Coaxing a Smile

    Joe Biden smiles naturally. He doesn’t force it as some politicians do. I came to this conclusion on the presidential campaign trail. The photo above was taken during a portrait session.
    For many people, natural smiles can’t be turned on like a switch.
    That condition describes me. When I am asked to smile for a photo, I take a moment to recall a humorous memory. Here’s one that works:
    My friend slept outside during a winter camping trip. A fur hat covered his head. During the night he shouted. I woke up. An owl was attacking his hat. The predator thought the hat was prey. I laughed my butt off.
   Sometimes a natural smile must be coaxed.