Chapter 12: A Striped Slingback Chair

I remember the chair well, although with two rambunctious boys, I'm sure it had a brief life.  It certainly wasn't an item on the Mayflower moving van that transferred the Nelson's household furnishings from Great Falls, Montana, to Warren, Pennsylvania, in the summer of 1957.

From the photographic evidence, I'd guess the chair was recent purchase in the early summer of 1954.   The fabric colors have a brand-new brightness, just like you'd see in a (Sears?) catalog.  I wouldn't be surprised if the first picture in this series was taken on the day of Barbara's baptism.   All dressed up, she looks to be sleeping peacefully after the all the excitement.

A different view, which appears to have been taken on the same, though the distance and angle make Barb look almost newborn.

Larry and I share the chair, though he doesn't look too happy about the situation, probably because I'm giving him so little room.  Big brothers can be so mean.  I'm wearing my usual jeans, t-shirt (my left knee obscuring what appears to be an interesting design on the front), and suspenders.  Larry now has his own pair, too.  In the background, you see the very patchy, weed-infested lawn along the east side of First English Lutheran Church.  The  climate (average annual precipitation of less than 15 inches, in particularly) isn't conducive to deep-green manicured lawns.

Chapter 9: Barbara on Her Own (for the most part)

The "old parsonge", the brick house we lived in at 112 8th Street North from November 1952 until mid-October 1956, was located next to First English Lutheran Church on a very small lot.  It had a small front yard and no back yard to speak.  Certainly not enough space for kids to play in.  I seem to recall Dad struggling every year trying to get grass to grow.

Barb looks good in yellow.  She also appears to be a chubby baby.

Barb in her crib in an another overexposed interior shot.

Paul watches over his baby sister.  From the handwringing pose, I must be afraid that she's going to roll off the couch.  Apparently, the suspenders I'm wearing are a fashion statement.  According to the website Historical Boys' Clothing, "[w]e note quite a few younger American boys wearing suspenders in the 1950s".  They definitely look too loose and insubstantial to be holding up the cuffed jeans I'm wearing.  Another fashion touch, I assume.  Stylin' at 4 years old!