Related by Marriage: Sunday Picnic

Suburban Chicago, June 1980. Everyone looks more relaxed in this snapshot.

A Side Excursion, in Three Takes

During one of the annual, Lithuanian-school picnics, my Dad escorted a few of us to the nearby Fabyan estate.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. I do not appear in this photograph because I am taking the picture (you can see the camera strap here).

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"While the Fabyans lived on the estate, they employed more than 60 people in positions and maids, gardeners, chauffuers, scientists and farmers. They even employed a sculptor to create numerous stone and concrete fountains, statues and furniture as well as cages for the various wild animals they brought to the [Fox] Riverbank."

Related by Marriage: Summer Visitor

Suburban Chicago, June 1980. Mr. Irene's paternal Uncle, Ignas, visits the Chicago branch of the family. He's at the head of the table. Mr. Irene's Mom sits on the far left, and Aunt Danutė takes charge of serving (even though she is not the party's hostess). Anthony sits to Ignas's left.

Helping with the bait.

Geneva area, Illinois, June 1965. We're at the Lithuanian-school picnic again.

A Closer Look (Part 53)

Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1938. This is my maternal Grandmother, Jadzė, and my Mom. I hadn't thought about this photo in a while, but Mom today mentioned the picnic at which it was taken. As the group lunched in the forest, a fortune teller approached Mom. The fortune teller read Mom's palm. She stated Mom would live "in another country, across the deep ocean" and correctly predicted how many children Mom would have. Everyone laughed.

The fortune teller then read Jadzė's palm. The woman shook her head and said nothing to Jadzė.

Related by Marriage: Boyhood

Suburban Chicago, 1961. Mr. Irene inspects a new friend.

Picnic Cheer

Suburban Chicago, June 1965. Mom's worn a favorite dress to the outdoor party.

Well Attended

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. The girl in the blue pants is my friend Kris.

Picnic Culture: Patio Storytelling

Suburban Chicago, June 1969. The woman standing, wearing sunglasses, is Godmother. Standing on the left is my Mom; my Mom's best friend, Donna, sits on the left.

Related by Marriage: Church Picnic

Marquette Park, Chicago, Illinois, about 1918. This photo of parishioners picnicking appeared in the 1942 booklet commemorating the 50th Anniversary of St. George's Parish. The photo caption reads, "Do you remember 'way back when?" Mr. Irene's Mom added a few observations as well: "No picnic tables. Long table cloths spread out, had to sit on grass to eat."

This photo reminds me of another snapshot.

The Adults' Table

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. We didn't share our table with the adults.

Lunch Service

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1967. Mom and I are enjoying the annual picnic; Mom, again, has brought her knitting bag. The woman holding the ketchup bottle is Lily (I remember her dress; it was orange with white polka dots.)

Related by Marriage: Remember us this way.

Chicago, Illinois, about 1950. Friends of Mr. Irene's Dad enjoy a picnic at the Forest Preserve.

Weekend Warm Up

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. Enjoy a picnic if the weather still cooperates.

Picnic Fashions

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. The Moms relax while the men and children play.

Weekend Games

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. Team games confuse me.

Sunday Afternoon

Tinley Park, Illinois, June 1967. We're enjoying another picnic.

Picnic Culture: Relax after the meal.

Suburban Chicago, September 1963. It's even okay to take a nap.

Mom and Dad have set my play table on the patio. My abacus toy rests on it.

Picnic Culture: Stretching Things Out

Suburban Chicago, June 1965. The picnic has lasted into the late evening. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, looks like she is about to doze. My Mom probably is thinking about the workday ahead of her.

I see a frustrated Mom.

Near Geneva, Illinois, June 1961. She's not my Mom, so I'll just wander off in my usual, perpetual-motiony way.