December 1955, Calpella, California. My paternal grandmother, born 1882 in Murialdo, Italy; me, born 1946 in San Rafael, California. Kodachrome slide by my brother. View full size.

A typical kid picture from the 1950's, courtesy of a door-to-door photographer and his pony. In a few weeks he'd come back around with the finished pictures! View full size.

The Hillyard Bakery in Spokane, Washington. My grandfather worked here for a short time. He's the one on the far right. View full size.

The interior of the Volkert grocery store at 24th and W. Warren, Detroit, in 1920. The man with the hat by the "oysters" sign is Conrad Volkert. Names of the two "helpers" are not known.

The family grocery store of Conrad Volkert (1871 - 1935) of Detroit, about 1900. This store was at 24th and W. Warren on Detroit's near west side. None of the buildings shown exist today. View full size.

Another photo from my grandparents' album, early to mid 60's I think. The woman on the far right is the lucky recipient of all the gifts, including the money tree on the left. My grandmother is next to the money tree front row left. I wonder if they celebrated on the clock or during lunch break. View full size.

A Sunday morning circa 1964. I would fetch the Sunday paper so my father could read me the funnies. "Peanuts" and "Dennis the Menace" were my favorites. It is probably winter -- my "footy" pajamas would have been necessary in East Texas only in the coldest months. The house was built in 1957. Note the casement window crank and the Danish Modern headboard. I wish I still had my dad's Eames recliner and some of my mother's "mod" furniture. Polaroid scan. View full size.