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Verona, Wisconsin, February 18, 2016. The youngster doesn't linger at the roadside.
February 19, 2016
She Bolts, in Three Takes
Verona, Wisconsin, February 18, 2016. The youngster doesn't linger at the roadside.
A Closer Look (Part 61)
February 18, 2016
After the Ceremony
St. George's Parish, Bridgeport, Chicago, May 1953. My friend Nijole's Mom (standing, wearing the fur stole) attends a wedding.
Thanks to Nijole for making this photo available to us.
February 17, 2016
February 16, 2016
An Independence Day "Minejimas"
Today, February 16, is Lithuanian Independence Day. The holiday celebrates Lithuania's independence, in 1918, from the Russian Empire. Now, of course, there is a second Independence Day—a restoration day—marking the day Lithuania broke from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Lithuanians recognize both days. Traditionally, groups host a "Minejimas," or commemoration, filled with speeches, poetry recitations, music, and dancing.
Here in Madison, Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. organized a similar reception. We gathered at the Central Madison Public Library. We ate some goodies (I baked a Trupininis Pyragas), and then Nijole shared a presentation about the history of the Žaibas Dance Group. Žaibas this year celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.
Madison, Wisconsin, February 14, 2016. The library offered a beautiful room for the gathering.
Nijole created a display featuring items from Žaibas's history (yes, the group danced at a festival in Japan. And in Argentina).
Ah, "[w]e were so much younger then."
We chatted before the program.
We stood for the Lithuanian National Anthem. No one had an excuse for not knowing the lyrics.
Nijole began her presentation.
Current and former Žaibas dancers rose to applause.
Nijole spoke about the history of folk dancing, especially among the Displaced Persons living in postwar camps. You may have seen this photo earlier.
And this one, too.
We have a great group!
Lithuanians recognize both days. Traditionally, groups host a "Minejimas," or commemoration, filled with speeches, poetry recitations, music, and dancing.
Here in Madison, Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. organized a similar reception. We gathered at the Central Madison Public Library. We ate some goodies (I baked a Trupininis Pyragas), and then Nijole shared a presentation about the history of the Žaibas Dance Group. Žaibas this year celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.
Madison, Wisconsin, February 14, 2016. The library offered a beautiful room for the gathering.
* * * * *
Nijole created a display featuring items from Žaibas's history (yes, the group danced at a festival in Japan. And in Argentina).
* * * * *
Ah, "[w]e were so much younger then."
* * * * *
We chatted before the program.
* * * * *
We stood for the Lithuanian National Anthem. No one had an excuse for not knowing the lyrics.
* * * * *
Nijole began her presentation.
* * * * *
Current and former Žaibas dancers rose to applause.
* * * * *
Nijole spoke about the history of folk dancing, especially among the Displaced Persons living in postwar camps. You may have seen this photo earlier.
* * * * *
And this one, too.
* * * * *
We have a great group!
February 15, 2016
Performance
Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, July 1992. Members of Žaibas perform at the Ninth Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival (you may recognize my striped skirt).
The dance is "Blezdingėlė." Also here:
Hat Dance
Chicago, Illinois, probably mid-1950s. The seated woman wearing the striped hat is the mother of my friend Nijole.
Thanks to Nijole for making this photo available to us.
February 14, 2016
Sunday Snow
Suburban Chicago, February 1972. Dad's beloved Volvo stands in the driveway, and Gigi is in the window waiting for Dad to come back inside.
February 13, 2016
February 12, 2016
Adorable
Indiana, about 1967. This is my friend V and her Mom. The embroidery on V's blouse and apron is exquisite. (You also may recall this photo.)
Thanks to my friend V for making this photo available to us.
February 11, 2016
February 10, 2016
Thoughts of Spring
Suburban Chicago, June 1962. When I see this photo, I recall the scent of Chanel No. 5.
February 9, 2016
"Sonata on Independence"
Today is the 25th anniversary of the day Lithuanians voted to secede from the Soviet Union.
Shrove Tuesday
February 8, 2016
February 7, 2016
It's "World Cepelinas Day"
Are you cooking Cepelinai today? We're not, but it's a nice day to revisit the recipe:
The last time Mr. Irene and I had Cepelinai was when we visited Grand Duke's Restaurant:
The last time Mr. Irene and I had Cepelinai was when we visited Grand Duke's Restaurant:
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February 6, 2016
A Winter Knit
February 5, 2016
The Bay Window, from the Outside
Suburban Chicago, June 1962. The bay window stirs up many memories.
My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, was 65 years old in 1962.
February 4, 2016
Related by Marriage: Flowers for the Guest
Vilnius, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, July 1983. Relatives greet Mr. Irene's Dad upon his arrival in Lithuania. Dad's brother, Stacey, stands on the left.
February 3, 2016
Related by Marriage: In-Laws
Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, June 27, 1959. Mr. Irene's Dad and Wally's brother relax before attending Martha and Wally's wedding.
February 2, 2016
It's not a day to be outside.
Door County, Wisconsin, August 1979. Stay close to the woodpile and keep your predictions to yourself.
"The Ex-Husband Sweater"
Oh, gee whiz. It's a twist on the sweater curse (namely, the "rescue mission mechanism "):
The rational explanation of the sweater curse is that a handmade sweater is typically thick, elastic, and clingy: it suggests that the woman who is making it wants to surround its recipient and enclose him. To be presented with such a garment is a signal to a man that its maker has serious plans for him. If he is not ready for this, the gift will embarrass him and may frighten him away. (The same phenomenon, according to one of my informants, has been observed in relationships between two women.) It has been claimed that knitting a deliberate mistake into the sweater will break the curse, but according to one of my friends this doesn’t usually work. Knitters would therefore be well advised to wait until after the wedding to start any such project—especially since it is also believed by some that a sweater made for a husband both warns off other women and keeps him safe at home.
February 1, 2016
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