December 31, 1971. The New Year's parties got smaller over the years. We still shared a late meal before we headed to the Rec Room to watch Die Fledermaus.
December 31, 2015
A New Year's Table
December 31, 1971. The New Year's parties got smaller over the years. We still shared a late meal before we headed to the Rec Room to watch Die Fledermaus.
"The Year, in Pictures"
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December 30, 2015
Decorating the Tree
Suburban Chicago, December 1961. My Dad, my Toronto Cousin, Kadis, and I decorate the tree. I dance when I get excited, and I recover from spills easily.
"War and Peace" returns.
Parts of the new movie were filmed in Lithuania.
My Mom and I watched the 1972 version in the weeks after my Dad died. We rented the VHS tapes of the production and did a 1980s-version of binge watching. We played the tapes on the small television in Mom and Dad's bedroom. I don't remember why, but we started watching the series installments late each night. Sometimes we didn't finish an episode until after 1:00 am.
My Mom and I watched the 1972 version in the weeks after my Dad died. We rented the VHS tapes of the production and did a 1980s-version of binge watching. We played the tapes on the small television in Mom and Dad's bedroom. I don't remember why, but we started watching the series installments late each night. Sometimes we didn't finish an episode until after 1:00 am.
December 29, 2015
A Last Christmas Spin
Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1967. The sooner we finish, the sooner we'll get to the refreshments.
December 28, 2015
A Lesson about Sharing
Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1960. I don't mind sharing the pink bear with my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, because I carry my favorite stuffed dog. It was a good haul.
December 27, 2015
First-Christmas Reunion
Madison, Wisconsin, December 1989. Mr. Irene and I decorated the apartment for the holidays. This is the piece hanging above the fireplace. You may recognize the coffee table.
People used to get dressed up to travel.
Columbia, South Carolina, May 1990. Mr. Irene lands in Columbia for the last commuter trip. He arrived moments after Air Force One landed.
I moved from South Carolina the next day, and Mr. Irene accompanied me on the drive back to the Midwest.
December 26, 2015
Kremlin Christmas
Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, December 1972. My Mom's maternal Aunt Dora sends a
Christmas Manners: It's not too late the thank Santa.
Bulger Park, Veteran's Park District, Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1966. He appreciates the effort.
December 25, 2015
December 24, 2015
We are ready for Kūčios
Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. We're about to share the Kūčios meal. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, holds a plotkelė wafer. I'm trying to imitate my cool Toronto Cousin's hairstyle; Mom didn't like it.
December 23, 2015
Not-Seasonal Reunion
Verona, Wisconsin, December 23, 2015. The weather is making the Cardinal crabby.
December 22, 2015
Overstimulated
December 24, 1960. My Mom remembers Santa bringing only one toy for me each Christmas. I remember more. Here's a post-Kūčios, gift-opening session at which I received at least three gifts. There's a top, and I got a telephone so I could be just like Mom. This also is the year when Santa delivered the skunk.
Ah, look! It's Christmas Eve, and Tatjana has put on a dressier housecoat. Tatjana's habit of wearing housecoats drove Mom batty.
December 21, 2015
The Life Box (Part 27)
Suburban Chicago, December 1963. The grade school encouraged us to craft greetings with religious themes.
December 20, 2015
Paddling Santas
In Vilnius, Lithuania.
ADDED: In Venice, the Santas row.
More here from the hometown of Mr. Irene's Dad.
ADDED: In Venice, the Santas row.
More here from the hometown of Mr. Irene's Dad.
Christmas Manners: Show the tree to your best friend.
Indiana, about 1963. My friend V enjoys the season with her compliant kitty.
Thanks to V for making this photo available to us.
December 19, 2015
Related by Marriage: Gifts
Madison, Wisconsin, December 24, 1991. Mr. Irene watches as Aunt Martha opens a gift.
December 18, 2015
December 17, 2015
Before the Party
Suburban Chicago, December 1965. My Godmother and her husband pop in for a visit on their way to a ball. I remember the dress vividly; the bodice was ivory and the skirt was gold. The gloves made a big impression.
December 16, 2015
At the Opera
Kaunas, Lithuania, March 22, 1927. The American Consul to Lithuania attends the opera. The Consul wrote:
This evening we heard Carmen at the opera with Kovno's best singer, Petrauskas. At one time, he sang with the St. Petersburg opera, but somehow drifted to Kovno after the war [see here and here]. He is an excellent singer and actor. ... The orchestra did well considering its small size. ... The scenery was good, it having been painted by a Kovno artist who went to Spain to find appropriate scenes. We were in the diplomatic box with Mr. and Mrs. Balodis (the Latvian minister), Mr. Oiderman (the Estonian representative, and Mr. Balutis, who is about to be appointed Under Secretary in the Foreign Office which will give him almost the rank of a cabinet minister. ... President and Mrs. Smetona were in the box next to us. ... The theater was completely filled and the audience was most enthusiastic, calling Petrauskas and others before the curtain many times after each act.Thanks to the Consul's Granddaughter for making this photo available to us.
December 15, 2015
December Mild
Verona, Wisconsin, December 2015. The heating bill arrived yesterday; the total was one half the amount of last year's December bill.
December 14, 2015
Finished
Verona, Wisconsin, December 2015. Here's a new cardigan. The motif, based on a Latvian mitten, is the same one I used in another sweater. Janine Bajus kindly made her interpretation of the motif available to me. I designed the colors based on cowl and tam I knitted earlier.
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