Carol and I visited Austin recently, a chance to catch up with old friends while we still have them—and while we’re still able to do so.

That meant lots of meals with lots of different people at lots of different places. And, if you can believe it, no barbecue.

We met retired AP photographer and photo editor Harry Cabluck for lunch at a Mexican restaurant of his choosing in South Austin. It wasn’t his usual haunt, but this place was special: it had an amazing bakery.

My friend Ken Herman joined Carol and me. We talked about how much downtown Austin had changed and got a glimpse of the future as Waymo and Tesla taxis made their way around town.

After lunch, while we were still talking at the table, we decided we needed a photo of the three former AP staffers. We enlisted Carol.

She pulled out her phone, pointed it at us and made two frames.

Harry was scowling in both of them.

We asked what he was angry about.

Without saying a word, he pulled out his phone, made a few adjustments, handed it to Carol and instructed her to move to the side of the table so the three of us were lined up to his liking.

Clearly, he was much happier with this composition.

I’m pretty sure Harry would have described Carol’s first version as “three birds on a picket fence.”

Old habits die hard.

Anyway, it was good to see old friends.