Rice

Probably Brooklyn, New York, about 1952. My Dad's friend marries. Check out the bride's shoes.

Summer Joy

Near Penza, Russian Soviet Socialist Republic, Summer 1952. Natasha sent this candid to her older sister—my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana.

Permitted

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Brooklyn, New York, 1949 to 1952. Here's the ID card my paternal Grandmother Tatjana used when she traveled between Toronto and New York.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 60)

Australia, August 12, 1952. A friend of Mr. Irene's Dad sent this memento.

Tracks

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1951 or 1952. Tracks mark the desert field where the tank lessons took place.

"A Lady Physician of Medicine"

Brooklyn, New York, 1952. I described earlier—here and here—how some doubted Mom's medical training. Mom hired a lawyer to expedite receipt of her medical-school paperwork. Here's the transcript the university supplied when Mom applied for an Illinois license.

Autumn Visit

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, about 1952. Kadis has some visitors.

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

A Closer Look (Part 50)

Brooklyn, New York, August 1952. My Mom and my Dad's cousin take a lunch break.

During this time, Mom was an intern at Wyckoff Heights Hospital. In the early 1950s, there were no EMTs. Instead, interns rode the ambulance runs. Mom made many emergency trips throughout New York City. A number of those emergencies were deliveries. It was policy to discourage delivery in the ambulance. Physicians were to determine whether the expectant mother could be transported safely to the hospital. Mom, who still spoke little English, remembers many trips during which she spent most of the ride yelling, "Mama! No Push!!" Mom once decided labor was too far along for the mother to make it to the hospital, so she delivered the baby in an apartment bathroom. A story about that event made it into the newspaper.

Here's the original post.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 50)

Lewiston, Maine, May 26, 1952. A friend of Mr. Irene's Dad wrote, "For memories."

Novelty

New York, New York, 1952. People used to think of Chinese food as exotic.

Related by Marriage: Desert Jacket

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, February 24, 1952. Mr. Irene's Dad chose this photo as a memento for his brother, Ignas.

A Fancy Table

New York, New York, 1952. We don't know what occasion prompted this outing, but it might have been work related. Dad didn't like Chinese food, but he enjoyed the company at this meal.

Related by Marriage: Distance

Australia, August 25, 1952. A friend of Mr. Irene's Dad wrote, "Although the ocean separates us, we remain together in our thoughts."

Newly Tied

Brooklyn, New York, about 1952. My Dad's younger cousin and her husband exit the church.

Related by Marriage: Civilian Wear

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1952. Mr. Irene's Dad must be nearing the end of his Army duty.

Solemn

Brooklyn, New York, about 1952. My Dad's younger cousin exchanges vows with her husband.

Related by Marriage: Army Buddies (Part 29)

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1952. In this "Army Buddies" snapshot, the buddy of Mr. Irene's Dad wrote no inscription.

Related by Marriage: Smoke Break

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1952. This is one of the photos Mr. Irene's Dad sent to his brother, Ignas.

Thanks to Ignas's daughter—Mr. Irene's Los Angeles Cousin—for making this photo available to us.

Related by Marraige: Army Buddies (Part 28)

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1952. In this "Army Buddies" snapshot, Mr. Irene's Dad and his friend stay on the marked path.

Related by Marriage: Army Buddies (Part 27)

Camp Irwin, Barstow, California, 1952. In this "Army Buddies" snapshot, the mess-hall chef great Mr. Irene's Dad outside his barracks.

ADDED: The chef was Mr. Irene's Dad's best friend in the Army. This is the fellow who taught Mr. Irene's Dad the basics of the English language Mr. Irene's Dad brought to the Thanksgiving table.