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I saw this photo in a box the other day and thought I’d post it on my birthday.

That’s me as an eighth-grader, if we’re to believe the date printed in the corner, but I know sometimes cameras with that “feature” were off.

I love the expression on my face, which is a great combination of relaxation and confidence.

Whoever took the picture made sure to squeeze in plenty of the wall, along with that beautiful lamp stand / newspaper depository.

The guy on the left is Hugh Ivis, my mother’s second husband’s father.

In his lap is Coco the Pomeranian. She was a very fluffy dog, but not all that friendly, and you could consider it a success if she would lick your hand once and/or let you pet her head once, at most twice, during any given visit to their home. Of course, this contact was predicated on the agreement that you would have been stretched out on the floor and completely motionless for upwards of 30 minutes.

Grandpa Ivis is deceased, as I’m sure Coco is. There’s no telling what happened to the gnome.