Well Attended

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. The girl in the blue pants is my friend Kris.

Stay Awake

Tinley Park, Illinois, December 1963. My Paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, begins to doze as she visits with my Godfather's Mother-in-law.

Weekend Warm Up

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. Enjoy a picnic if the weather still cooperates.

Picnic Fashions

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. The Moms relax while the men and children play.

Weekend Games

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. Team games confuse me.

Sunday Afternoon

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. We're enjoying another picnic.

Picnic Wear

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1960. Mom must not have heard that I should have worn a hat.

Picnic Lull

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1966. I think it's time to go home.

Picnic Culture: Spring transitions to summer.

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1960. The sun makes it hard for Mom and my Godfather' mother-in-law to look at the camera.

Backbreaking

We're at another picnic, and my friends and I pile onto my Godfather's back:

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There. Steady, everybody:

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Mom reacts when I take things a step further:

Tinley Park, Illinois, August 1962. It's okay to dance, but my Godfather is not a platform.

Picnic Culture: Group Shot

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1960. I'm perched on my Mom's lap, and my Godfather is behind me, on my right.

Picnic Culture: Spend the afternoon with friends.

Tinley Park, Illinois, July 1960. My Godfather hosts a summer picnic. His wife makes sure everything is on the table. My Mom, on the right, sits next to her best friend, Donna.

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Tinley Park, Illinois, July 1960. Does Mom think this hat will protect me from the sun?

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Tinley Park, Illinois, July 1960. Mr. John, the friend of my Godfather and his wife, introduces me to the backyard. I disliked that sundress. It was white with a red pattern and red piping.

Toast the end of the day.

Tinley Park, Illinois, December 1966. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana—on the right—raises a glass with her friend, the Mother-in-Law of my Godfather. You've seen a photo of the latter here, at my Parents' wedding.

Kill the bee, please.

Tinley Park, Illinois, July 1960. I look on as an adult, "Mr. John," sprays some "Raid" on a flying biter during a picnic at the home of my Godfather.

Why do you post so many photos of yourself when you were dancing?

Because those snapshots make me happy. They bring carefree days back to mind. And I could use a "tira mi sù" now (the real kind; not the dessert).

Tralalalalalalala.

Tinley Park, Illinois, 1962. I spin out during a picnic in my Godfather's backyard. That's him, shirtless and in shorts, sitting behind me.