Pilgrim

Suburban Chicago, October 1970. I am ready for the party.

They go back.

Suburban Chicago, January 1961. The man sitting next to Dad was one of Dad's high-school classmates. He and his family joined us for a Sunday dinner.

Furnished Reunion

Urbana, Illinois, June 1981. This was the living room of my furnished apartment.

"Luxury Features Galore"

Suburban Chicago, about 1957. The developer of the subdivision in which I grew up lists the modern features of the split-level homes. That Roper wall oven (and those birch cabinets) served our family for 34 years.

Thanks to my friend Mary for making this document available to us.

Cash!

Suburban Chicago, July 1963. Finding an envelope is much better than opening a box from Madigan's.

General Manners: Feign Delight

Suburban Chicago, July 1962. There's a box from Madigan's, so it looks like someone brought a gift of clothing to my birthday party.

Happy Father's Day

Suburban Chicago, February 1962. I return to a favorite.

Testing

Suburban Chicago, April 1964. Dad must have gotten a new camera; the 1964 album has a few "selfies" from the spring season.

Recuperation

Suburban Chicago, 1973. My paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, usually wore housecoats. I wear one because I just returned home from an appendectomy.

Unwinding

Suburban Chicago, February 1962. Mom catches up on some television viewing.

The Life Box (Part 28)

I used to sew many of clothes. It seemed like everyone sewed in the 1970s. It was easy to find fashionable patterns, and there was a fabric store in nearly every shopping mall. Mom and I sewed the ensembles we wore during our European vacation, and I later sewed the garments I packed for my trip to Stuttgart. I think I sewed every bridesmaid gown I wore. Oh golly, I once even sewed a swimsuit.

I saved many of the sewing patterns I used. I was looking today for the pattern for my senior-prom dress, but I could not find it. It was a wraparound halter dress that I made in a silver fabric. I intended to show the pattern to Mom because I wondered if she'd now think the dress was too risqué. It didn't seem daring in 1975 or 1976. (This is not the pattern, but it is very close to it.)

I did find several other patterns from that era, so I wonder if I didn't lend the wraparound halter-dress pattern to someone. I recall I went through a "Cossack phase" during which I sewed many billowy blouses and dresses. I still have those patterns. Here's one:

I made a grey blouse out of the pattern, and I sewed a pink and grey bias-plaid, A-line skirt to match.

I even wore that outfit to a school dance:

Suburban Chicago, January 1975. Dad catches me before the party.

We're taking down the tree.

Suburban Chicago, January 1979. The little tree has served its holiday purpose.

A New Year's Table

December 31, 1971. The New Year's parties got smaller over the years. We still shared a late meal before we headed to the Rec Room to watch Die Fledermaus.

A Lesson about Sharing

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1960. I don't mind sharing the pink bear with my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, because I carry my favorite stuffed dog. It was a good haul.

Overstimulated

December 24, 1960. My Mom remembers Santa bringing only one toy for me each Christmas. I remember more. Here's a post-Kūčios, gift-opening session at which I received at least three gifts. There's a top, and I got a telephone so I could be just like Mom. This also is the year when Santa delivered the skunk.

Ah, look! It's Christmas Eve, and Tatjana has put on a dressier housecoat. Tatjana's habit of wearing housecoats drove Mom batty.

Waiting at the Bay Window

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. Dad spots me again waiting at the window for Santa.

Before the Party

Suburban Chicago, December 1965. My Godmother and her husband pop in for a visit on their way to a ball. I remember the dress vividly; the bodice was ivory and the skirt was gold. The gloves made a big impression.

Inspection

Suburban Chicago, December 1970. Gigi explores the tree. (That unwrapped box from Marshall Field's is probably Dad's gift to Mom.)

Routine

Suburban Chicago, October 1969. Gigi is on guard duty while Mom practices the piano.

Reluctant

Suburban Chicago, Autumn 1965. I probably resisted being photographed that day because of my chapped lips.