Grand Finale

Chicago, Illinois, Spring 1962. Fortunately, there's not a clown in sight.

Miniature Reunion

Circus World Museum, Baraboo, Wisconsin, July 9, 2014. There's a lot to unpack here.

Memory Triggers

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. Dad snapped this photo as we waited for Kūčios to begin. Although I smiled, I was annoyed because Mom had just used a barrette to undo the effect of my cool, over-the-eye, side-parted bob. Mom made me wear tights again! And this was long before tights were fashionable. I also was miserable because I suffered from badly chapped lips that winter. Do you recognize the silver bracelet?

This image captures how pink our kitchen was. There's the Roper wall oven that served us for 34 years. The elephant figurine resting below the chandelier presently sits—minus his tusks—on a bookshelf in our current home. The "Swim Little Duck" folk art hangs above Mom's head.

It's Sunday. Let's get dressed up and go to the zoo.

Brookfield Zoo, September 1961. We briefly visit the Polar Bears, and then we head to my favorite spot: the Children's Zoo.

Related by Marriage: He was imagining something.

Addison, Illinois, August 21, 1965. Mr. Irene saddles in for a ride at Adventureland. His Mom wrote the exact date on this photo; I suspect this memento is from an end-of-summer outing.

That Baby Elephant

Brookfield Zoo, August 1958. My Toronto Cousin and her family visit us late in the summer. Here, my Toronto Cousin and her Dad Kadis (on the right) stop at the Children's Zoo.

A Sunday at the Zoo

My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, watches me as our families visit the zoo:

Scenes from a Circus

I have disliked circuses (and parades) since I was a child. My Dad took me to a circus in the early 1960s. I found it overwhelming and frightening.

I don't remember seeing zebras at the circus!

*     *     *     *     *

Chicago, Illinois, Spring 1962. I think this circus took place at the Chicago Stadium. That same year, the Stadium served as the scene for The Manchurian Candidate's depiction of the Republic National Convention. Fourteen years or so later, I saw the Beach Boys and Chicago in concert there.

Related by Marriage: This would never happen today.

Melrose Park, Illinois, 1963. Mr. Irene takes a ride on a baby elephant at Winston Plaza. Winston Plaza is on the other side of North Avenue, across the street from Amling's Flowerland.