Johnson Journals part 399

12/3/81 Started to read Women’s Room. Got far enough in it to know that all men are chauvinist pigs and women are long suffering at their hands.

12/4/81 The Boise woodlands division had their annual Christmas party at Holiday Inn. We were included, for the 3rd time. Don’t know how my name got on the list. Must have been because of the Mando Houseboat. Never mind that Johnson, we had a good time. We sat with Sonny and Marion Patten. A good visit with them. Like Cinderella, when the clock struck 9:00 p.m., they headed for home. Their dog’s bladder only good for 4 hours. We have made our share of mistakes over a period of years but escaped being tied down by a pet.

12/5/81 I struggled with power saw a good share of morning. I am amazed with my patience. I should not be. I no longer throw tools or even swear. It must be due to a gradual numbing of the senses.

12/6/81 Robin came at noon and we worked on Sarah’s doll house. It is taking shape. To K and R for supper. Kids noisy!

12/8/81 I made a half-hearted attempt to write some Xmas cards but it went poorly. My stiff fingers could not relay the message sent down from my stiff brain. Gary Alexander said that he was reading The Long Ships to his boys. It is my book - hope they enjoy it half as much as I have.

12/9/81 To Buck and Dale’s in p.m. We got a good account of their 2 week trip to see their kids. They must have had a great time. Our TV on the bum. I read out loud to Layna for a couple of hours, just like the olden days up the lake. We enjoyed it.

12/10/81 Layna home at 4:00 p.m. She had seen Karen who told her that she (Karen) was suing Robin for divorce. Not unexpected but a helluva shock nevertheless. They each had a counselor and the 4 of them had concluded that K & R were damned fine people but not made for each other. Poor K and R. Poor little kids. Poor grandparents. Layna is at RLWC meeting and I am alone writing this. I feel like bawling.

12/11/81 Buck picked me up at 9:00 a.m. and off we went to Grand Rapids to pick up his new VW Vanagon. I never thought I’d see a $12,000 VW much less have one of our kids buy one. I can remember dealing for cars in years past, right up to our present Citation and the tortures of hell I went thru before finalizing the deal. It was a good day for me. The 4 hours’ drive with very few lulls in the conversation.

12/12/81 Dinner at Dyker’s. Lou Moe leaves for Florida tomorrow and this was a farewell gesture. Good people, even Margaret couldn’t spoil it.

12/13/81 To Lou Bruggemans for dinner. Ketolas, and Keenans the other guests. A good time had by all.

12/14/81 Cards coming in by the handful. We have many, many friends.

12/15/81 When I mail a Xmas card I say to myself, “There it goes to a 20 cent friend.” There are about 75 of them. Only half done.

12/16/81 We drove down to inspect the Lynches remodeling job. Spectacular.

12/17/81 About 5 years ago I made a deal with Buck to furnish them with a Xmas tree every year from now on in. We delivered one today. $8.00 please. Bought one for us too. Same price.

12/18/81 Neither one of us left the house today. Layna wrapping presents. Me writing cards. I have said repeatedly in the past few years that it takes more time to do anything. The Xmas cards no exception. I have to really work on them to get 10 done in a day.

12/19/81 Robin and I were working on doll house in basement. He was called away to go after Chris. Shortly after Bobby fell off a stool and banged his head on coffee table. I haven’t seen that much blood since I gutted my last deer. The cut was in his forehead just at the hairline. We laid him on the bar and put a cold rag on his head which slowed the bloodstream- all the while the poor little guy kept whimpering, “Don’t kill me!” When Robin came he wiped off the dry blood, gave Bobby some supper and took him to the hospital where he got a few stitches.

12/20/81 Robin here to watch game, then we put in a couple of hours on the doll house. It has possibilities. Tara came from Mpls with Karen. We stayed at K and R for supper then brought her home with us. What a kid. She “makes a cloudy day sunny”.

12/22/81 I finished Xmas cards! About 75 of them. If I live and have my health I’ll start earlier next year. To Irene MacKellar. Betty home for a few days and Irene wanted us to see her. Full of good talk, she and Tara had much in common. A very pleasant visit.

12/23/81 Worked on doll house for an hour or so and gave up in disgust. The whole thing is too flimsy. I visualized one of the kids sitting down on the roof and the whole thing becomes a pile of toothpicks. Delivered duck decoy to Seegerts, poinsettia to Bern and package to B and Dale. As we finished supper we decided to go see Raiders of the Lost Ark. A way far out fantasy. I enjoyed it.

12/24/81 To Gene Monahans for eggnog in evening. A good bunch. A full day. Both Karen and Robin with “flu”. We are enjoying Tara’s visit. What a kid!

12/25/81 Christmas Day, but we have to work at it to feel merry. The K and R relationship a sad one for us to accept. To their house by 9:00 a.m. to watch kids open presents. The living room floor knee deep in beautiful wrappings. Very little wrangling. Well, there was enough for everyone. Back home by 10:30 where Layna prepared a feast. Kids played with new toys, Robin and I worked on doll house. A few small jobs left. It looks good, far beyond my imagination. They left early. It was hard to hold back the tears.

12/26/81 Layna and Tara to inspect Karen’s new home, came back with comment that it was adequate. Layna even went so far as to say it was better than the one on Home Lane- which she hated. Johnny and Sue for a visit. They give every indication of being a well-adjusted pair. What are they hiding? I am getting cynical. I am sure that many people will be amazed when they get the news about K and R. Layna, Tara and I watched movies of the Dahlberg Days. Fun!

12/27/81 To Bill Martins at 2:00 p.m. The same crowd of former years there. Much duck hunting talk. My boys, Bill and Gerry had some fabulous shooting, but it didn’t get me excited. I have shot my last duck- or partridge- or deer. No tears. We left Martins about 5:30 and out to Wagnesses for supper just the 4 of us. We had a great visit. We talk about our days on the lake. Some of it is repeat subjects but still funny.

12/28/81 Layna to town. Tara and I took care of 3 little Monahans. No major problems. Tara and I shoveled snow off roof. Every time I’ve done that in the past 5 years I wondered how many trips I had in me- to climb ladder that is. I have been drafted by Karen (and Layna) to build beds in kids room of new dwelling. I’m worried (or maybe just plain scared).

12/29/81 In keeping with agreement yesterday (to build 3 beds) Layna and I to lumberyard and bought $65 worth of material.

12/30/81 Tara, Layna and I in long winded, and sometimes tearful, discussion about K and R. The undercurrent of Tara’s argument was that the rest of the family had not been in on the deal sooner. The gals did most of the talking. In conclusion I said- to Tara- from what I hear, you are more concerned about how this affects you personally, not how it affects Karen and Robin.

12/31/81 Karen moved her stuff from Home Lane to French Addition. I had had a hope for a reconciliation but this must be the final step. We, the old folks, celebrated New Year’s Eve alone.