Reminiscing

Suburban Chicago, June 1961. Mom and her medical-school roommate reconnect.

Uncentered

Suburban Chicago, October 1960. Mom's holding a knitting project.

Sunday Style

Suburban Chicago, Autumn 1960. This is another photo Dad kept in his wallet.

Snacking, in Three Takes

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Verona, Wisconsin, September 2015. The twins are more active in cooler weather.

A Young Visitor

Verona, Wisconsin, August 11, 2015. He didn't stay; he just passed through the yard.

Sunday Willow

Suburban Chicago, June 1962. We're entertaining in the backyard.

Passing-Through Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, July 2015. The Great Blue Heron checks out the pond.

A Memorable House

Suburban Chicago, June 1961. This is my Best Friend's house; she lived in the Ashley model. The open window is in the home's kitchen. A serviceberry tree grew under that window. The berries made a mess on the patio pavement, but they attracted many birds.

The family living next door to this house had older, intimidating, boys. When the boys were teens, they organized a garage band. One June evening my Best Friend and I sat on their driveway and listened to the band play "Hanky Panky." We thought we were so cool: we sang along, "My baby doesn't hang a penny."

Dad took this photo from our yard. The pole on the left is the swingset support; on the right is one of the weeping willows.

Related by Marriage: Settled in the Suburbs

Suburban Chicago, 1958. A friend of Mr. Irene's Mom moves into her first home.

A Quick Spin in the Yard

Suburban Chicago, June 1959. Remember when I mentioned those propane tanks?

Peak Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, October 18, 2014. That Autumn-Purple Ash really looks purple now.

Fishing Reflections

Suburban Chicago, August 1963. There aren't any fish in the shallow water, but it's fun to spend the afternoon under a Weeping Willow.

Walking Lesson

Suburban Chicago, July 1959. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, watches as Dad trains me.

The Velveteen Dress

Suburban Chicago, May 1961. Mom and Dad ensured I wore sunglasses.

We're listening.

Verona, Wisconsin, April 10, 2014. What pretty ears you have!

Let's check out the yard.

Suburban Chicago, June 1959. There's no fence in the backyard yet, but I won't run off if Dad carries me.

Looking Ahead

Suburban Chicago, May 1961. Mom and Dad are in the backyard; they stand next to one of the Weeping Willows.

(Here's a color photo that shows Mom's skirt.)

Scamper

Verona, Wisconsin, November 8, 2013. As gun-deer season nears, explore some hiding places.

We'll stand next to the Weeping Willow.

Suburban Chicago, September 1960. Dad sets up the self-timer again, and he doesn't quite make it to the front of the Weeping Willow branches.

Grab a Book: Second Edition

Suburban Chicago, June 1959. Dad took this photo of Mom on the same day he snapped this shot. That's my crib on the left. The rope in the foreground stabilizes one of the weeping willows.