Happy Call

Suburban Chicago, January 1977. Mom does not seem to be engaged here in a work-related call. The throw pillow features Lithuanian motifs; the mother of my friend Ron made it for Mom (Ron's Mom also made the best Cepelinai I've tasted). The watercolor is by Murinas.

Here's the pillow today:

If you don't like it, then consider a Russian proverb: "In taste and colors, there are no friends." That's what I tell a friend each time I start (another) beige sweater.

Everyone admires Gigi.

Suburban Chicago, January 1979. It's Sunday, so we relax in the Rec Room.

New Year's Day

Suburban Chicago, January 1965. Dad's fine; he only looks like he's recovering.

A Seasonal Event

Suburban Chicago, October 1971. I'm hosting a costume party; we're in the Rec Room.

A Chuckle at Dinner

Suburban Chicago, November 1972. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, shares a joke with Mr. John at the party celebrating Tatjana's seventy-fifth birthday.

The Life Box (Part 20)

Suburban Chicago, about 1964. It looks like I was trying to imitate a still life by the artist Murinas.

The Artist's Birthday

Suburban Chicago, 1976. This is the artist Bronius Murinas. He lived in our suburb. He was older than my Parents, so we didn't see him often at social occasions. The Lithuanians in our enclave did, however, gather to celebrate Murinas's seventieth birthday; Dad took this photo at that party.

Most families had some of his art in their homes.

The Rabbit

I mentioned once that for a short time, we kept a wild rabbit as a house pet. Someone assumed the rabbit's mother had abandoned it in nearby lawn nest. The mother probably was away from the nest, getting food.

At first, the rabbit was adorable. But the rabbit was undomesticated, and once it grew, we no longer could keep it safely in the house. It would not be housebroken, and it bit people. At my Mom's urging, my Dad eventually took the rabbit to the Hal Tyrell Trailside Museum. At that time, the museum accepted baby animals.

Food for thought, as spring approaches.

Suburban Chicago, June 1964. The little thumper was quite cute when he arrived in our Rec Room.

*     *     *     *     *

Suburban Chicago, June 1964. We assumed the rabbit and the hamster would cohabit in harmony.

*     *     *     *     *

Suburban Chicago, June 1964. The hamster did not like the rabbit's presence in its territory.

*     *     *     *     *

Suburban Chicago, June 1964. The rabbit brought out my Mom's gentle side.

*     *     *     *     *

Suburban Chicago, June 1964. I was sorry to see the little guy go.