Johnson Journals part 401

2/24/82 A good workout in a.m. prepared me for Robin. He came at 4:00 p.m. and off we went for another hot bath at Holiday Inn. Very invigorating.

2/25/82 Bud Levene brought a set of National Geographic. My library runneth over but I appreciated his thoughtfulness. Layna and Olive to meeting in town. Gerald came and we talked the 2 ½ hours away. We always seem to find things we have in common.

2/26/82 Layna handling her nurse job more efficiently each day. She gave me a sponge bath that even Neva would be proud of. Buck and Dale off for Hibbing for a couple of days.

2/27/82 Karen off for Fargo leaving kids in care of Punky Stadum. She brought them here about 2:00 p.m. She looked pooped.

2/28/82 Irene MacKellar here about 2:00 p.m., alone. We had not seen her since my accident and her trip to Hawaii. There was a lot of ground to cover. It was child’s play for Irene. Signe Green had been with her but Irene was cruise director.

3/1/82 The Froehlichs and Ray Anderson for coffee. Interesting people. Ray a fine photographer. As I was going to shut off the TV, I was seized by some kind of a spell, lost my balance and fell heavily to the floor. I spent a restless, painful night, wondering what the damage was. Layna called Dr. Walter and made an appointment.

3/2/82 When we arrived at clinic, there were two husky nurses waiting to unload me. I was on X-ray table soon after. Lord, what a relief when Walter showed me and Layna the results. No further damage. I am a new man. I told the doctor and nurses that I am sure of one thing. I am a coward. They poo-pooed the idea but they don’t know what goes on inside this bald head.

3/3/82 Robin came at 3:30 to take me to hot bath. My left leg sore as a boil. I suffered through the bath but was glad when it was over. Back to 265. I was glad to get into our little shack. Robin is a real man!

3/4/82 I needed something in my bedroom and went after it in the walker. I lost my balance as I went through the door and fell to the floor. I must have broken the fall with the furniture. More scared than hurt.

3/5/82 Les Cleveland came at 2:00 p.m. so Layna could go to town on a few errands. I learned that our ex-neighbors, who had always seemed to have his life under control, has his problems, too. Joyce and Francis Einarson came carrying a bag of fruit. Much good talk from those two.

3/6/82 Karen and Meredith Shifsky here in p.m. It was interesting to hear the young mothers talk about their families. I don’t think Layna ever matched their attitude.

3/7/82 Jim brought paper. I looked it over carefully but could not find a cheerful note. Karen came for a bit. She is exploring possibilities for next year or two of schooling. She has a fertile mind with many alternatives to draw on.

3/8/82. Helen and Bob Trask here for a visit. We have known them since Koochiching days and thought he was deaf & dumb. Today I drew him out and learned he was neither. I enjoyed his company.

3/9/82 Barb Loken came for coffee about 3:00. A highly talented gal. We could stand more of her kind.

3/11/82 George and Ag came about 2:00 p.m. We got on the subject of exotic animals native to this area. Good. The county nurse came to check up on me. Layna to RLWC. Buck came to keep me company.

3/12/82 Robin came for supper. He opened up on his relationship with Karen, for the first time since their marriage. He was very calm outwardly but his emotions showed through. My heart bleeds for him, and for Karen, and for 3 little kids caught in the middle. A year ago today, the Froehlichs and Johnsons walked on slippery ice to island. No snow on ground anywhere. We have about 2 feet now.

3/13/82 Leonard and bride Irene Peterson here about 2:30.. We use the phrase “all man” quite loosely but he is one that it really fits.

3/14/82 It took me all morning to run thru the Sunday paper. Still trying to find a bit of cheerful news.

3/15/82 Our wills were drawn up in 1949 and 1952. We have considered having them reviewed by a lawyer for the last few years. Today Rick Mollin came out at 4:00 and talked for two hours. He answered all questions. When he finished we asked him for his bill and he said “No charge”. A miracle! Dave Austin popped in at 8:30 with a plate full of cupcakes!

3/16/82 Bill MacPherson came in p.m. He leaves on Saturday for a 2 week trip to Europe. The pain pills do the job at night but I wake up with a mouth full of cotton and somewhat depressed. Layna snaps me out of that.

3/17/82 My fertile mind makes me say to myself, “What would happen to me if something happened to Layna?” She got up after a sleepless, painful night. She made an appointment with Dr. Walter. He gave her a shot, some pills and his blessing. Buck stayed with me while she was gone a couple of hours. One of the few pluses to come out of this deal is the time that Buck has “grandpa sat” for me.

3/18/82 Layna responded to Dr. Walter’s treatment and slept right thru last night. What a relief for both of us. Al Glennie stayed with me when Layna went to town. He is good company. A great sense of humor. When Layna came home we were having coffee and subject of losing memory came up. Said Al, “I don’t give a damn if I can’t remember somebody from 40 years ago. The hell with them. I am living for today and tomorrow.” Karen here alone for supper. She is bitter about treatment she is getting from school board. All we do is sympathize.

3/19/82 Yesterday’s progress slipped badly and I fell right back to January 11. I try to present a cheerful front to Layna but it is difficult. When Robin came to take me to the Holiday Inn bath, I was tempted to say no. It worked out well. Soaked for 20 minutes. Felt good.

3/20/82 Lynn Myers stopped in to pick up some stuff about 5:00 p.m. Layna asked her to stay - and she did. She is great company so a pleasant couple of hours followed. She has had some interesting experiences which she described vividly. She has made 2 raft trips down the Colorado River. She made me feel as tho we were right with her.

3/21/82 Bob and Mary Hilke came about 5:00 p.m. and talked about many interesting things. Ober’s name was not mentioned. Are we already forgetting? My hip on its best behavior. The doctor told me it was a slow deal but I didn’t think it would be that long. 10 weeks tomorrow. Karen, Layna and I gave the NWI situation a good going over. We didn’t solve any great problems but did clarify a few points.

3/22/82 It is final! Karen and Robin appeared before Judge Hemstad at 10:00 a.m. and after hearing their testimony, he declared their marriage dissolved. Only time will tell the wisdom of all this. The true results will show up when the kids reach their teens. Robin came at 4:30 and off we went to the hot bath. He talked about his deal with Karen. Said he, “I am no longer your son–in-law. We will have to come up with another name.”

3/23/82 Layna on a short run to town. Buck stayed with me. We never run out of things to talk about. Pat Bartlett has been working on an article about us for the Chronicle. She came today to say that the paper will fold soon so no article. Just as well. We will miss the paper, however.

3/24/82 A year ago there was no snow anywhere. Today the official amount is 22”. It thaws a little each day and snows a little each night. It is hard to make the natives believe that we have seen this - and worse - before.