May 29, 2015

Earlier-Spring Reunion


Verona, Wisconsin, May 11, 2105. We sure do miss the crane family.

Recognizable


Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1961. My paternal Grandmother Tatjana's friend wrote, "Do you recognize the fabric?" We sent fabrics to relatives living behind the Iron Curtain.

Second Grade


Suburban Chicago, 1965. That's Sister Margo. She was my favorite grade-school teacher. During one recess period, a group of children persisted in teasing me. Sister Margo walked across the parking lot and hugged me. I remember wiping my tears in her dark-brown habit.

There were 45 children in that classroom.

May 27, 2015

In the Woods


Port des Morts Park, Door County, Wisconsin, August 28, 1994. This is the spot to view Death's Door: the waterway, not the vodka.

Related by Marriage: Passing


Near Panevėžys, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, July 27, 1951. Mr. Irene's paternal Grandmother, Veronica, and Veronica's youngest son Stacey mourn the loss of Mr. Irene's paternal Grandfather.

Read here for more about the tradition of photographing funerals.

May 26, 2015

Skeletal Crochet

"Fabricated nostalgia."

"Architectural Crochet"

Hello, Dolly.

"I'm interesting, too."


Verona, Wisconsin, May 14, 2015. That's what the turkey vulture said.

The Life Box (Part 19)

It's been a while since I did a "Life Box" post.


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Suburban Chicago, 1963. Here's a memento from my Grandmother's French-language lessons.

(We used to sing "Frère Baci" to that lullaby melody when Baci was a puppy.)

Little Graduates


Melrose Park, Illinois, May 1964. I'm fourth from left in the third row (I am the only child wearing glasses). Father Stanley is the taller priest on the left. We've assembled in Marian Hall.

May 25, 2015

Who's visiting the yard now.


Verona, Wisconsin, May 11, 2015. This fellow is the most interesting thing we've seen since the crane family left.

Graduation Day, in Three Takes


New Haven, Connecticut, May 25, 1987. These seats are reserved for the graduates.

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New Haven, Connecticut, May 25, 1987. There's Mr. Irene!

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New Haven, Connecticut, May 25, 1987. Even Aunt Martha had fun at the graduation picnic.

Memorial Day

The older brother of a grade-school classmate died in Vietnam. Our school cancelled classes the day of his funeral, and all the students attended the funeral mass.

Today I remember him.

ADDED:


Springfield, Illinois, 2012. Here's Dwight's Mom visiting the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Thanks to Dwight's sister for making this photo available to me.

May 24, 2015

Thoughtful Reunion


Madison, Wisconsin, September 3, 1994. Pupa contemplates her new surroundings.

The Ashley

My Best Friend grew up in the "Ashley" model of homes in our subdivision.


My Best Friend and I once had a sale in that garage.

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"[G]rease proof asphalt tile." The tile in our kitchenand in my Best Friend's kitchenwas pink.

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Hmm. I thought the upstairs bath had a double sink.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 47)


Probably Schweinfurt, Germany, about 1946. This was one of my Dad's friends.

May 23, 2015

Quiet-Side Reunion


Door County, Wisconsin, August 28, 1994. Door County folk refer to the Lake-Michigan shoreline as the "Quiet Side." The Green-Bay side of the peninsula is where most tourists cluster.

I took this photo at the old town park at Europe Bay. It's one of my favorite spots.

Holiday Weekend


Suburban Chicago, May 1970. I earlier posted photos from this afternoon here and here.

A Closer Look (Part 35)


Mariampolis, Lithuania, 1927. This is my Great-Grandmother Zigmunta. Although she married a clever and curious man, Zigmunta remained unhappy. After the war, Zigmunta lived with her daughter, Dora, in the house my Mom's parents had built.

Here's the original post.

May 22, 2015

May Blooms


University of Wisconsin—Madison, May 2013. The Lilacs bloomed later that year.

"Ticket Nunsense"

The President of my high school encounters a vanity-plate problem.

"But you’re very healthy so it may take longer."

Are believers better at accepting death?

Related by Marriage: Memorial


Near Goodman, Wisconsin, about 1938. Mr. Irene's Mom (left) and his maternal Aunt Martha (second from right) visit Cousin O's burial site.

Class Notes (Part 8)


Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. On this Class Notes page, my Mom's friend wrote:
For Memories!
I'm not a poet, verse I do not write
if you don't like that
then I apologize

Your friend E.

... A Secret
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Kaunas, Lithuania, 1934. The "secret corner" reveals the penalty for peaking:
Whoever looks here
The horns of a devil must wear.

May 21, 2015

Seasonal Reunion


Madison, Wisconsin, May 2013. It's possible to find morels at the Madison Farmer's Market, but sometimes local grocery stores carry them as well.

Capturing Dad


Glacier National Park, Montana, July 1970. I'm a few steps ahead of Mom and Dad.

Summer Cut


Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1937. Kaunas Nina gets clipped.

Thanks to my Kaunas Cousin—Kaunas Nina's daughter—for making this photo available to us.

May 20, 2015

Abundance


Near New Glarus, Wisconsin, May 9, 2015. It's easier when the goodies are in one place.

Chat


Suburban Chicago, January 1966. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, visits a neighbor.

The Artist's Birthday


Suburban Chicago, 1976. This is the artist Bronius Murinas. He lived in our suburb. He was older than my Parents, so we didn't see him often at social occasions. The Lithuanians in our enclave did, however, gather to celebrate Murinas's seventieth birthday; Dad took this photo at that party.

Most families had some of his art in their homes.

May 17, 2015

Potential


Chicago, Illinois, April 2007. It's fun to meet new dogs in the big city.

"Luxury living at its best"

My Parents bought their home in a new development. They had hoped to settle in nearby Elmhurst, but they couldn't afford houses in that suburb. Mom and Dad chose the middle of the three models offered for sale, the "Beverly." The house measured about 1,725 square feet. Most "Beverly" homes housed five- to six-person families.

Here are some images from the promotional brochure created for the development:


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I think the definition of "walk-in closets" was a bit different in the 1950s.

Thanks to my friend Mary for sending this document to me. I'll post more from the piece later.