11/23/79 The Jernbergs took us to airport and we were off for Memphis by 3:20. Brad, by sheer coincidence on same plane. We were airborne only 1 ½ hours but had chance to talk to Brad about future. He has many options open. Hope he can pick right one. Etta met us at Memphis. She is glowing - as a bride should. Byrne, Carole, Jane, Sheila, Tara, all at Etta’s house. We were joined later by Grandma Jean, then Phil and Mary Ruth. We met Richard - and he stood up well. Much yakking until 9:30 when Richard’s folks picked us, and Byrne and Carole - and to their house for the night. Bill Jenkinson a wood carver and we got a chance to view and admire his work. Very talented.
11/24/79 Sunny skies for wedding. All relatives to church by 1:00 p.m. for rehearsal. A bit of a panic when groom did not show until about 5 minutes before service. A young minister gave good sermon. Mary played and sang, little Erin and 2 other 5 year olds (cousins) were flower girls - all in all a fine deal all around. Back to Etta and Richard’s house for reception. They were off on honeymoon by 7:30. Good luck, kids! Had long talk with Brad about his future. Only conclusion I got was that he is looking for affirmation of his views. Jean, Mary and Phil off for Dallas about 8 p.m. All very churchy. Don’t understand how we get along so well.
11/25/79 We had hopes of taking off for home today but had no luck in changing reservations. Spent day with Brad, Sheila, Erin, Jane and Tara. Most of it was before TV but took time out to talk more to Brad. We walked about a mile down street to buy paper. Erin & Jane along. Erin chattered constantly in her heavy southern drawl. What a kid. Jane and Tara flew back to Pittsburgh in evening.
11/26/79 Off for the busy airport. Plane packed. A little late getting into Mpls. George Rayman to meet us. Had to wait a full hour for luggage. On to Raymans’ where a couple of Manhattans and no one worried about colds.
11/27/79 Out shopping. I got a vest sweater, paid for by George - also a pair of slacks. Layna bought some yard goods. I also bought a tackle box for $20.00 - the first one bought in my life. Koochiching, Dahlbergs, M&O and ADM furnished the others. Not bad. Sally and Jim had bought me a coat sweater for Xmas. A beauty. I will need it in San Miguel - also at K & R at Xmas.
11/28/79 An uncomfortable feeling when we drove into two gas stations with NO GAS signs on pumps. The third a self-service. We filled up. Left St. Paul at 10:45. House warm and orderly when we arrived. A bundle of mail - mostly papers. We kept at it until midnight. Carter gave press conference on Iranian issue. We thought he did well, despite the Goddamn reporters. We are in one helluva mess and the news media didn’t have a kind word to say to a beleaguered president.
11/29/79 Mexico has denied the Shah of Iran asylum in Mexico. What a helluva turn of events. The war clouds are gathering. Carter is leading the country in prayer. I try not to be cynical.
11/30/79 Had Froehlichs over for a pie and coffee in p.m. A good visit. Tommy came later carrying a package containing a rabbit. Skinned and cut up. Good neighbors.
12/1/79 Tommy Froelich caught the hunting bug last fall and likes to come over and swap yarns. I can imagine him talking when he gets older and I am gone, saying “When I was a kid we lived next door to an old man - - - - - .”
12/2/79 Layna and I sat at bar in a.m. and talked over our situation from every angle, health mostly. We finally agreed that all things considered on a scale of 1 to 10, we would be an 8 or higher. I felt good enough in evening to row my machine for ½ hour. First exercise in some time.
12/3/79 Started on Xmas cards. Decided to do 10 a day till finished. I write a personal note in each one. Very time consuming. A real blow to my organization when we could not find the record book which contained all the information concerning cards for past several years. That will slow me down considerably.
12/5/79 I have remarked in these pages many times that it takes longer and longer to perform regular tasks. I am finding it true with the Christmas cards. I find that it has taken the best part of three days to do 30 cards. Hope to be finished in time before Christmas.
12/6/79 To see Dr. Walter concerning our checkups last month. He gave us a run down on the tests and said we were in good shape for people our age. He even went so far as to say that the stiffening in my hand was a form of arthritis, and not hardening of the arteries.
12/7/79 To Woodlands Division party at Holiday Inn. Mostly new faces but enough old-timers to have a good time talking. This has been an annual affair for years and I am not sure how I got invitation. No use “looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
12/8/79 To Dr. Walter’s at 5:00 p.m. for annual party. What a “do”. Certainly more than a hundred people had all they could eat and drink. Many old friends and more young people. A bit flattering to be included.
12/9/79 To Shuppens’ for brunch at 11:00 a.m. About 10 couples from Birch Point area there. Shuppens, Niemi, Allen, Hogan, Phillips, Johnsons (us), Nellie Bolstad, Mrs. Wagner. Jim Banks here at 2:00. He brought us a feed of moose meat! The Froehlichs here for coffee at 4:00 - after he had plowed yard. As they left, Sheila and friend Penny drove in. They stayed for supper, then off for Duluth at 8:00. Sheila back to Pittsburgh before Xmas. She still is a straw in the wind, not knowing what she wants to do. Well, who does in these turbulent times?
12/10/79 Made a good dent in Xmas cards. Sonny and Maxine Patten here at 8:00 p.m. to look at Mexican pictures. I have known Sonny for many years and have every reason to like and admire him. They plan on driving to Mexico in February.
12/11/79 We took our car to Sheridan’s for a tune up. It runs good but we are taking precautions. We invited Buck and Dale for moose meat feed but Dale begged off. Buck came as did Lou Moe. Meat tough - but good, as was conversation.
