The Johnson Journals, Chapter 207

• Don writes that astronauts head for the moon

• A flu bug threatens Karen’s wedding

• Karen and Robin Monahan get married

12/9/68 Up at daylight, eager to get going. We had planned this trip since early last fall. Conditions perfect. The bog frozen and not much snow. After traveling 5 miles, almost straight east, we hit a ditch grade as planned. Much to our surprise, there was Willie in his pickup to meet us. He had coffee and sandwiches. What people! Back to trailer, gassed up and out in bog again. Found burn outs with no trouble. We are full of plans for next fall.

12/10/68 On road for home at 8:30. Roads good and here by 11:30. Laird Monahan came to house in p.m. A good visit. He has been on road more than a month from San Francisco, traveling almost 10,000 miles. Some wedding talk. He said there was some talk that Jean and Bill would be unable to come for wedding. Is that not a fine kettle of fish? More of this later.

Layna’s cold not good. She is coughing more than enough. She does not complain, however.

12/11/68 Took time out to haul a load of crap to dump grounds. It should have been 10 times as much. Daveys asked us down for visit after supper and we went. They had been to Joyce Swan’s testimonial dinner and gave us a full account. It must have been a great affair and as Harry said “A great day in the lives of little people.” Nixon on TV for 1/2 hour introducing his new cabinet. A fine looking bunch of men. I wonder what they will look like after the press chews them up for a few years.

12/12/68 Worked on basement until RLWC came at 11:00 for meeting. I cleared out and went to see Cliff who is doing great. Back home by 1:30 and worked in basement until all of women had  left by 3:30. Then Layna came down and we now have it so a couple of hours will take care of it  Should be OK if we can only hide the crap. I put off writing my “Rainy River Reflections” on John Erickson as long as  I possibly could. Was in full swing by 7 p.m. Wrote and rewrote and not satisfied with it until 1:30. Should be OK. A labor of love, it turned out to be.

12/13/68 Up at 6:30 to copy and revise my article on John. It was the way I wanted it when it was finished. To town, almost stuck in driveway, and delivered manuscript to Harry. He read it and gave me a real verbal pat on the back. The blizzard was worse than we realized. Karen called to say they would not be home until tomorrow, expecting better driving conditions Wayne called to compliment me on article as did Gina. They are buying extra copies so I will tell Harry I increased circulation by at least 2.

12/15/68 To RLWC annual Xmas party which I MC’ed again. It went well Karen gave a reading and the Johnson girls sang. Kind of fun! Gerald and Olive here for a drink after program. They really gave us the details of their island adventure. What a bastard that Major Roberts was! Anyone as old as I am must have reason at times to say, “I should have,” or “I could have,” but certainly we never messed our lives up like those people.

12/16/68 Xmas cards rolling in and I made a desperate effort to keep track of same. Also sent out 20 - wrote a note on all of them. Karen getting many gifts via mail - and good ones. A sour note still in air with Jean and Bill. I don’t know all the details but apparently they haven’t given 100% approval of our Karen.

I told her “If anyone says anything to me, I will say that we were able to accept Robin, even tho he did have a minister in the family.”

12/17/68 Wayne, Lardy and I to NW Bay for first ice fishing of season. 10o below zero but no wind.

Fishing poor. A good chance to visit with Lardy. Home at 4 p.m. Karen cooked dinner for Johnsons and Monahans. A very pleasant evening. I feel that this can work out to be a good thing for all concerned. Still a bit worried about interference from folks in east.

12/20/68 Layna hard at wedding and Xmas preparations with my feeble help. At 5:30 we knocked off to pick up Jay and Beryl Nims and off for joint birthday party with Don Eisenach at farm on Bigfork. Henricksons, Ettestads and Kurt the rest of party. Good food, good drinks, good company. A fine evening.

12/21/68 The Monahans have been in contact with the Glaziers for some time and it has seemed to me that the Johnsons are told but little of what goes on.Today we learned that Bill will not be here to perform the ceremony! I can’t even make myself get mad.

I say to myself, “A typical sanctimonious act,” and let it go at that. One can’t help but remember that this whole deal was put off until the worst time of the year solely because Reverend Glazier would be available at that time. NUTS. Karen picked up the ball and ran with it. She called Rev. Dick Nelson in Duluth, her first choice, and it looks like he will do the job. If this fails, I will suggest a JP. At 6:30 this a.m., three Americans started for the moon. I am not sure as to what that proves either.

12/22/68 One of the worst early winter blizzards in years raging south of us. 12 inches in Duluth, 15 inches in St. Paul. About 4 inches here. I’ll bet Jim Jernberg is worried sick thinking about his trip to Duluth for Xmas and then up here. The astronauts are still roaring toward moon. They sent TV pictures back from 140,000 miles. What an age we live in!

12/23/68 Christmas cards rolling in, all welcome but some much more than others. Day by day we get closer to the wedding. The license bought today. Dick Nelson agreed for sure to come do the ceremony. Grandma Ritchie arrived. Karen says she still has two great concerns, the weather and the “flu.” I said that the worst thing that could happen would be for the sewer to freeze up. Debbie McLinn here at 9:30 to stay all night. She chattered constantly until I gave up and to bed at 11:00. I wonder who listens when she is with her mother.

12/24/68 I was alone when Robin came out so had chance to talk to him. He has his feet on the ground but like the rest of us has certain qualms concerning the future. If he has any about Karen, he did not voice them. We agreed that they were making a serious step but one that could work out well for all concerned. There was nothing said about the folks back east. To Buck and Dale’s in evening. Bernice and Johnny there. A pleasant time. Our astronauts sending back pictures of the earth. They hit for home early tomorrow morning.

12/25/68 To Buck and Dales for Christmas dinner. Layna furnished the turkey. It was a community dinner with Bernice and Johnny, and the Williams bringing their share. It sure did my heart good to see Buck and family in such happy surroundings as their new home afforded. Karen had dinner with Robin and family but they came out to join us after. Our astronauts headed back for earth at 12:05 this a.m. They have been in constant touch with crew in Houston, sending back many pictures of their travels. This stuff defies my imagination.

12/26/68 Sally, Jim and kids left their car in Duluth and arrived via bus. Sure glad to see them. Sally’s steady head and hand always good to have around when there is work to do. Jim has volunteered to be bartender. Leila & Cherie here too. We have a house full. “Flu” bug hitting people all over the country and our area no exception. Karen worried stiff it will hit wedding party, and well she might. Robin not 100% but not complaining.

12/27/68 Our three astronauts, Borman, Lovell and Anders, landed right on target this a.m. We watched the whole deal on TV. “What has man wrought?” Jim and I ran errands most of morning, thus keeping out of the way of what was going on in the main tent. To rehearsal at 4 p.m. Rev. Dick Nelson in complete charge and we have every reason to be happy that he is here. We are not missing the Glaziers - (damn ‘em!). To R.L. Lodge for “groom’s dinner”. Twenty five in attendance. I met Grandma Ritchie for the first time and we hit it off fine. A good party. Buck did not make it because of “flu”. We sure missed him. Karen, and the rest of us, holding our breath for fear of more casualties. We should make it now.

12/28/68 The great day broke clear and temperate. A comfortable zero. (God - just think what it could have been!) A normal amount of running around but no panic. Everyone “to church on time.” The first bridesmaid down the aisle at 2:00 sharp. Karen absolutely radiant, Robin all smiles. Dick Nelson performed a fine ceremony, brief and to the point. Very impressive in his long, graying beard. Karen’s choir added a fine touch. About 125 people at reception later and Layna had baked enough for all.We passed the word around and about 45 found our house between 5 p.m. and midnight. Much to eat and drink. No one out of line. Mr. And Mrs. Monahan left about 8 p.m. - with our blessings. You are off to a good start, kids, make it last!

12/29/68 Layna’s first words on awakening, “I’m sure glad that today isn’t yesterday!” A relaxing day, and by evening we were completely back to normal.

Sally and Jim to church and then all out to Bernice’s for short visit. Back so Jim and I could watch Baltimore wallop Cleveland 34 - 0 for NFL title. They were on bus for Duluth soon after. We know now more than ever that our Sally is one in a million - more ways than one. Layna and I to McLinn’s for a short session and home by 7 p.m. Buck feeling better. We sure missed him the last few days.

12/30/68 Another lazy day. In evening the Burrocks, Moes, Irv Andersons and Vi Seegert came over. A few drinks, good lunch, good conversation. It was much about people - not malicious altho we were not too kind to our erstwhile square dance instructor, Mae LaValley. Norman in bed with “flu” - and on vacation at that!

12/31/68 A cold, windy day. 20 degrees below zero and a 20 mph wind. Good thing we didn’t have this one for a wedding. The old folks didn’t stir far from the fireside.We called Karen to learn that she had the flu but was not complaining but mighty happy she had survived the wedding. We had planned to go square dancing in Fort Frances but decided against it. Too cold! Watched Eric Severiad moderate a news program with 6 top notch newsmen. They seemed to agree on only one thing. 1968 was a helluva poor year - more ways than one. Well, it was one of the better ones for the Don Johnsons. The high water gave us some bad moments but otherwise a very, very fine year. MacKellar! John Erickson!