Ice Show, in Three Takes

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Chicago, Illinois, December 1961. I don't remember what show we saw here, but it was the beginning of my fascination with figure skating. I recall the headdresses the skaters wore.

It's a little early for the tree, but ...

... it's fine skating weather.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, January 1961. My Toronto Cousin is ready to lace up the skates.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

"Krokodilo Ašaros"

Crocodile tears:

The truth is that crocodiles do not cry because they do not have the lachrymal ducts. The lachrymal ducts are unnecessary for them because they spend most of their time in water. The crocodile’s lachrymal glands produce the secretion that only moisten the eyes when an animal is out of water.

When crocodiles swallow large chunks of meat, their eyes water and it seems that they are crying. Since ancient times, people used to say that crocodiles mourned for their victims in such a way. However, crocodiles are crying because they are swallowing bigger bite than it fits in his mouth from the greed. The crocodiles’ lachrymal glands are close to the throat. Since crocodiles tear off large chunks and swallow it whole, the large chunks push against the lachrymal glands, forcing tears to their eyes in great amount.

It is believed that Roman historian Pliny was the first to explain this idiom in his work Historia Naturalis. Since than, the idiom “crocodile tears” has become the symbol of the insincerity and the fake regret[.]

 (Here's the article in Lithuanian.)

Splitting Image

The blade of Lithuanian Ice Dancer Isabella Tobias's skate sliced open a seam of partner Deividas Stagniunas's pants.

You'll get the hang of it.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, January 1961. My Dad's twin sister, Jonė, gives her daughter—my Toronto Cousin—a skating lesson.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

The "Citizenship Exception"

Lithuania grants citizenship to an American ice dancer. President Dalia Grybauskaitė's decree makes the skater, Isabella Tobias, eligible to compete for Team Lithuania with her partner, Deividas Stagniūnas, at the Sochi Olympic Games.

"Under existing laws, citizenship by exception can be granted by the president to individuals for special merits, given that they have been integrated with the Lithuanian society."

"Citizenship may be granted by exception to foreign citizens who have undisputable merits to the Lithuanian state, have integrated with the Lithuanian society and share constant factual connections with Lithuania."

Ice dancer denied Lithuanian citizenship.

View from the ICU

When my Dad packed for the hospital stay that would follow his heart surgery, he included a favorite camera among his "must-have" items.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, January 1981. Dad captured this view, looking toward Lake Michigan, from his hospital room.

Skating with a (big) puppy.

Husky tow.

Figure Skating

The only sport I ever "followed" was figure skating. For several years, Mr. Irene and I attended the "Stars on Ice" show when it arrived in our town. Back then, we were bona fide "fans," and we secured "ice" seats that were level with the skaters.

In 1996 or 1997, we felt the ice shavings hit our cheeks as we watched Take Five.