Concentration

Door County, Wisconsin, December 1979. The process doesn't interest Gigi.

Stitch Count

Door County, Wisconsin, January 1978. It's good to have a helper.

New Year's Day

Suburban Chicago, January 1965. Dad's fine; he only looks like he's recovering.

Helper

Door County, Wisconsin, December 1979. Gigi helps Mom keep count.

The Upgraded "Play Table"

Suburban Chicago, February 1969. I have little memory of this play table. The one I remember is the painted table on which I learned to draw.

Don't lose count.

Suburban Chicago, June 1963. It's easy to lose count if you work on a two-color project while you watch television.

Counting stitches.

Door County, Wisconsin, October 1979. My Mom's best friend, Donna, knits in the opposite corner.

Tuckered

Door County, Wisconsin, June 1983. Dad must have just returned from mowing; otherwise, he wouldn't be wearing bluejeans.

Sunday Paper: Cottage Edition

Door County, Wisconsin, March 1980. Gigi sits next to Mom, but she focuses her attention on Dad.

Crafty Afternoon

Door County, Wisconsin, August 1983. Mom tackles another needlepoint project while her best friend, Donna, works on her knitting. Meškė spots the camera.

(You might recognize the lamp.)

The Mouse Trap Game

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. My Toronto Cousin helps me assemble one of my Christmas gifts.

Knitting Together, Again

Door County, Wisconsin, October 1979. Mom and her best friend, Donna, share more knitting time. Mom's still working on that fair-isle, yoked sweater.

Halloween Manners: Show the finished product.

Suburban Chicago, October 1966. I've carried the pumpkin downstairs to the Rec Room.

Clear your Monday head.

Suburban Chicago, September 1966. Relax by doing something you love.

Gigi was a good hostess.

Door County, Wisconsin, June 1981. My Mom's best friend, Donna, joined my Parents for the weekend. Donna brought Heidi, one of the Dachshunds. A patient crocheted the ivory, gold, and brown afghan for my Mom. We still use the afghan; Rex sleeps on it every night in his chair.

Counting Stitches

Suburban Chicago, 1966. Mom relaxes after work. My Skipper doll's box is in the background.

Grab a Book: Smile-for-the-Selfie Edition

Door County, Wisconsin, February 1979. Dad sometimes preferred a serious expression.

Craft Corner

Door County, Wisconsin, October 1979. Mom's working on a fair-isle, yoked sweater.

Grab a Book: Fireplace Edition

Door County, Wisconsin, March 1980. Dad wears one of those zippered cardigans. He's placed a cover over his book. The photo on the wall is this one.

Related by Marriage: After Dinner

Suburban Chicago, 1965. Mr. Irene's Dad enjoys a cup of coffee.

UPDATE: Mr. Irene's Dad sits in the kitchen of Mr. Irene's boyhood home. Just behind Dad's right shoulder is a door leading to a small utility area and laundry room. The door was a handmade piece created by Dad's cousin, Anthony. Anthony was a skilled artisan and carpenter, and he crafted many furniture pieces for his own home in the Danish modern style. He made the door as a housewarming gift for Mr. Irene's parents in late 1958. Mr. Irene reports that, even as a child, he understood the door was a work of art.