It's December 1962 and family and friends have gathered for a near-Christmas dinner. I've just gotten my first 35mm camera, a Kodak Retinette, and with the help of my trusty Kodak Master Photoguide, manage to ace this Kodachrome bounce-flash exposure. That's me, age 16, strategically positioned in front of my father, who's still in his supermarket work garb, so it's obviously not Christmas day. Next to me in front are Aunt Grace and Uncle Jack, my mother's oldest brother. At the time I probably thought his shirt/tie combo was corny, but now I love it. Mother's on the left looking pleased, perhaps because the serendipitous arrival of identical cards made for a pleasing symmetry in her card tree on the wall. In back, my brother and our friends Colleen and Bob. Bob had been my brother's Cal Poly college mate, and later lived with us a bit before marrying Colleen. View full size.

1920. "Duplex truck, Culpeper trip." Nat'l Photo glass negative. View full size.

1914. Middleburg, Virginia. "National Beagle Club of America. Kennels and dogs of J.B. Thomas." Our second look at the Piedmont Hunt Club kennels. Before he took on the Red Baron, Snoopy had to chase a few foxes. View full size.

"Volunteers of America, Christmas 1925." Another look at the VOA meeting hall in Washington, now filled with food baskets. National Photo Co. View full size.

"Volunteers of America, Christmas 1925." A festive table, good friends and that venerable yuletide sentiment "Profanity Positively Forbidden -- Shut Up or Get OUT." Merry Christmas! National Photo Co. glass negative. View full size.

1915. "Baker and O'Brien, transcontinental motorcyclists, back of White House." Bud Baker and Dick O'Brien, whom we first met here. In May 1915 they embarked on a five-month, 10,000-mile jaunt to the West Coast via Indian motorcycle to see the California expositions. Harris & Ewing. View full size.

Aspen, winter 1962-63. Boomerang Lodge, designed by owner Charlie Paterson, a Frank Lloyd Wright-trained architect. The vehicle on the right is a Cadillac hearse used as a lodge limo! My 1960 Ford convertible is on the left. View full size.