1/1/81 Watched entire Rose Bowl parade. Had a real thrill when Hibbing High School marching band was introduced. While watching the lavish display of wealth spent on the spectacle I tried to see it thru foreign eyes- mostly Iran. No wonder they think we can afford 2+ billion dollars for the hostages. As in former years I consider discontinuing these little books. I do get a certain amount of satisfaction out of checking up on people, places and things, however. What the hell, Johnson, this is one of the few self-disciplined acts that I do. Why stop?
1/2/81 Karen brought the 3 little ones at 8:30. She was off for speech meet in Hibbing. Grandpa and Grandma in full charge until Robin comes at 2:00 pm. We had a minimum amount of trouble until mealtime (which followed a pattern). Kids unruly at table and it broke out badly when the time arrived to go home. Good Lord how I can sympathize with their father.
1/3/81 Robin and kids here much of day. Well behaved. Jayme and Maggie for an hour or so. She is about 8 months pregnant- and shows it.
1/4/81 -39 when we got up at 8:00. No wind however. One burner going on furnace. Kept fireplace going all day. Not much activity on highway. I braved the elements to run out and get paper in mailbox. Didn’t freeze so filled woodbox. A lazy day.
1/5/81 -25. After much studying of maps and weighing all the angles we decided to go to Florida via Texas. We called Sam White and he seemed to be agreeable to our plans.
1/6/81 -20 strong wind -48 W.C. We took the car to Sheridan’s for a check-up- 3000 miles. It should take us south-and home again. Allan Sheridan took us to Bridgeman’s for coffee while waiting for car. He is a super salesman, an interesting talker. He must feel a little obligated to buy us coffee after the thousands of dollars worth of automobiles we have bought from him. I am not cynical, just realistic.
1/8/81 Karen called at supper time- in a stew. They are due to take debate team to St. Paul at 5:00 am tomorrow. No baby sitter. Layna a good friend too. She volunteered to take care of the kids until they come back on Saturday. Bobby went into a tantrum when Karen was putting his pajamas on. We will see much more in next couple of days.
1/9/81 -20. The Parmeters picked up the 3 kids at 8:00 am. Sure quiet around here. We went to town at noon, did some business then picked up kids at 4:00 pm. Cold! A few arguments before bedtime but not too bad.
1/10/81 A full day of baby-sitting and it went well. No blood spilled. Layna set the tone when she bit Sarah who had bit Bobby. She really showed her authority when she pulled Sarah off Bobby by the hair. Chris the easiest of all. If he can get settled down before the TV he is OK
1/11/81 Karen and Robin came for the kids at 9:00 am. They were here only a few minutes when Chris and Bobby tangled by the TV resulting into a free flowing nose bleed for Bobby. Robin took him into bathroom and stopped the flow of blood in a few minutes. They left about 10:00 am. Layna packing everything in sight- well not really. She is an expert at it after all these years. Buck and Dale had us over for dinner. Bern there. Much to eat and drink. A nice gesture.
1/12/81 Our plans called for leaving home at 1:00 pm. We (mostly Layna) made it but not before attending to many details. Froehlich came over for last moment’s instructions. Between Buck, Robin and Jim (& the sheriff) our place should be well taken care of. We gassed up and on our way at 1:00. Road clear of snow. Layna held cruise control at 55 most of way and we made the 200 miles in 4 hours. Much hugging and kissing with Bern and Harry. Drinks, food and talk until 10:30 pm.
1/13/81 A good morning of visiting, bean soup lunch, and off for St. Paul by 2:00 pm.. Sally and Jimmy home to greet us. Much to talk about. Jim home at 5:15. He mixed up a couple of Manhattans and the talk flowed freely. We were about to go to bed about 10:15 when in walks John, his thumb in a cast. He thinks it is broken. X-ray tomorrow.
1/14/81 Light snow during night. Beautiful without causing any harm. Layna and Sally went shopping. I took a long walk. The 3 of us to Chinese restaurant for lunch. Off for Raymans at 3:00 pm. Velna greeted us warmly. George home at 5:00 pm., more of same. Velna had prepared a feast. Much talk about Mexico. They aren’t going either.
1/15/81 We were off for Winona at 10:00 am. Stopped at Rochester to see thousands of geese (25,000 according to newspaper). On to Winona, called Bill White who came in to lead us to their fantastic home. An hours nap and then we gathered by fireplace (one of many) chewed the rag over a few drinks. A good dinner, more talk and to bed by 9:30. An eventful day.
1/16/81 Up at 8:00. Breakfast on closed-in porch at 9:00. The Whites were not about to let us go without more talk. Great people. They give us credit for introducing them to Rainy Lake in 1955- and they are grateful.
Much talk about hostage release but I doubt if anyone is optimistic at the moment. They have Uncle Sam by the testicles and won’t let go as long as he doesn’t threaten to fight back. Poor Reagan, he will inherit a hot potato there.
The news all day has been about the hostages in Iran. They seem to think the release in a day or two. Called K and R and learned that Buck had fallen off ladder and hurt his back. What next?
All day the radio told about the development in the hostage crisis and everyone very optimistic. When we heard 6:00 news it said the Iranians needed further clarification from us on a few minor points.
San Antonio.
Visit Dick and Eleanor Burrock
Reagan inaugurated. God help him!
Eleanor, Layna and I to Progresso. I can just imagine what was going thru that fat Mexican’s head as he played a tune on his cash register,-“Sucker Yankee, Sucker Yankee!”
The hostage drama to an end. The 52 “returnees” landed safely in Germany. The Iranians held them for 14 months. The terms of the release a bit hazy.
Bill Barretts there from Falls
2 hours talking, mostly about square dancing.
watched square-dance caller put his 7 squares of dancers thru their paces. I only cried a little bit.
Reynosa.
We picked out a lampshade for our living room at #265.
Dickenson
Ray and Winnie gave us a great welcome
Our Lisa came about 2:00 pm. What a kid!
I haven’t mentioned my shakes for some time, and for good reason. They don’t bother me. I am tempted to cut out the pills but common sense tells me to leave well enough alone.
Houston
visit Jill and Saeid.
dinner at Chinese West. The food was good, but best part of evening was the Chinese waiters trying to get a high chair for a 10 months old baby.
We stayed sleeping, on a mattress on the floor.
Jill seems to be very happy. She is 3 months pregnant and as Dr. Hvoslef used to say about pregnant women,- “they never look better”.
Dickenson
Joe Benoist picked me up and off for the gulf fishing grounds. I have never enjoyed anyone’s company more.
Today was visiting day at the Palmers. About 20 relatives and their spouses come to say “hello” to the Johnsons.
I made a dozen or more stupid plays, much to the merriment of all the rest- including Layna. I laughed with the rest but there were tears of frustration at the time. I am having trouble. No pain but my pills may be responsible for that. BUT- are they the reason for my dumb performance?
Galveston
saw a field at least a mile long and a quarter mile wide completely covered with snows. It looked like snow!
It is hard to believe the depression news when you drive 300 miles and see thousands of gas & diesel fuel vehicles roaring by at 65 mph.
Perry, FL.
It was the poorest feed on the road for us.
We got a room reserved for non-smokers!
Venice, Florida
No major problems finding the Moes.
No wonder they prefer this to the snow and cold of Minnesota.
a horse show (Royal Lippizaner Stallions) by 9:30 am.
stopped at Margaret Clines place, a good visit.
We have hoped to go fishing for several days, and today we made it.
To see Claire Boyd in a.m. She told about life alone in Bungalow court. She misses Bill, and talked a lot about him.
