Place and Time

Here I  am (on the right) with my older sister Elaine engaging in another American Catholic tradition of having your children's picture taken with Santa Clause - usually in a department store after waiting in a long line in full winter garb.  I remember these sessions as being somewhat scary as the Santa positions were often filled by otherwise unemployable men (often smelling of cigarettes and alcohol).  

At this age (I am 13 months here) I didn't really know what this was all about and probably just wanted to get back to mother or to exploring the store.

This was taken in mid December and you can see that by this time in Buffalo, you already needed a hat, full coat and leggings. Mittens were normally attached to the coat sleeves with clips but I don't see them here.