Oasis Reunion

Belvidere, Illinois, September 2016. The Howard Johnson's is gone; it isn't what it used to be.

In-the-Woods Reunion

Thatcher Woods, Cook County Forest Preserve, September 24, 2016. Mr. Irene headed back last weekend to the Chicago area for a high-school reunion. He stopped at Thatcher Woods to revisit some memories, and he was happy to find the place in great shape.

A Visit

Urbana, Illinois, June 1981. Mom and Dad drive down to see me, and Gigi travels with them.

Furnished Reunion

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

Cattails Reunion

Lake Nipissing, Ontario, Canada, July 1964. I remember seeing cattails for the first time.

Vacation Memories?

Ontario, Canada, July 1960. The earliest vacation I remember took place when I was four. Photos from earlier trips occasionally trigger a few memories. But there's little from those first vacations that stirs any nostalgia.

In-Flight Entertainment

Romanticism

Between Naples and Rome, May 1984. People have visions of what European train travel looks like. This is how I remember it.

Route 66

Part, by rail.

Interlude

Brookfield Zoo, Summer 1982. We take a break on Ibex Island.

Paint the Rock.

Evanston, Illinois, 1978. Mr. Irene and his friends visit the Rock.

I used to pass the Rock on my way to class; the Rock stood outside Harris Hall.

Related by Marriage: Wall Art

Evanston, Illinois, about 1977. Mr. Irene and his dorm hallmates celebrate their paint job.

Related by Marriage: Clown Car

Evanston, Illinois, about 1977. Mr. Irene and his roommate take Sylvester for a spin.

Related by Marriage: Close Quarters

Evanston, Illinois, October 1976. Things get tight in the hallway of Mr. Irene's dorm.

I return after the first day of classes.

 

Urbana, Illinois, September 1980. I did my most productive studying in this room. The book on the "sliding bed/couchy thing" is for a course about twentieth-century Russian history. (Russian history was one of my four fields in graduate school.) An engaging professor taught that class. I was sorry to learn he recently died.

Related by Marriage: College Boys

Evanston, Illinois, about 1978. Mr. Irene plays the guitar.

A Treat

Madison, Wisconsin, June 10, 2015. I don't have much of a sweet tooth—I'd much rather eat some cheese instead of dessert—but this is my favorite candy. It's not sold in the United States (yes, the manufacturer did export it for a while, but I never saw it here). My love of "Coffee Crisp" probably is nostalgic. My Mom used to enjoy the chocolates during the summers we vacationed in Canada. Ah! I remember Mom eating a "Coffee Crisp" as we walked back from this shopping trip. Back then, "Coffee Crisp" wrappers were a dense foil, and it was difficult to open the packages.

Some time ago, a student from Calgary occasionally brought me a bag after she returned from a visit. She graduated (and went on to skate with two gold-medal winning Canadian women's hockey teams). Later, my Toronto Cousin started bringing a bag of "Coffee Crisp" when she drove down to see us in the States. It's hard, however, to go a year between tastes of "Coffee Crisp."

Today another friend surprised me with a bag of the treats. So thanks, Toronto Michelle, for brightening our day.

Our Christmas Cards: Ornamental Edition

Madison, Wisconsin, December 2000. This is the image of the first "granddogs"—Žulė and Pupa—that Mom still carries in her wallet.

Happy Thanksgiving

We're grateful for many things. Although I'm thankful for every day, sometimes a holiday creates a special memory.

Verona, Wisconsin, November 2012. Everyone eats, and Baci mooches. Later, he'll be tuckered.

An Imposter

Brookfield Zoo, 1961. It's likely I cajoled Dad into photographing this horse because it looked like Mr. Ed.