Johnson Journals part 402

3/27/82 George McIntyre came and sat with me. Talk, talk, talk - all good. Bob Phillips dropped in to tell us that Tony Rizzo had died. Another worry for Johnson. What is future of Civil Service?

3/28/82 Buck reported about a foot of water on ice in places.

3/29/82 We were up at 6:00 a.m. and in a couple of hours had organized the data for H & R Block’s Onni Koski. He did not get here until 3:00. He worked in a straight line and by 5:30 he had the main framework done.

3/30/82 Les Cleveland came out and “sat” with me when Layna went to town. He is a good companion, full of traveling experiences. He has some serious money problems, however. The one most worrisome is on the island. Times are tough altho I imagine he has enough cash in his sock to survive a depression. Sump pump acting up. Layna called Buck who fixed same. Almost fell. Scared hell out of me.

3/31/82 Jim F. came about 10:00 and drank coffee and talked. The big item was that Republic Air told their employees that they were getting enough financing to keep operating. Good news for the Johnsons, too. We would cry if they left.

4/1/82 Both of us have questions to ask Dr. Walter concerning our health. Layna called his office but no results. Very frustrating. A real hen party at dinner table tonight. Karen, Jean Eberle, Ruth Teeter, Maude Will. Layna in her glory, making a “sumptuous repast”, to quote Harry Davey. Dinner conversation sparkling. Jean says she is going to run for school board. She is a smart cookie, hope she makes it. Karen is campaign manager. How can she lose?

4/2/82 I went down the steps into pool without help, stepping full weight on crippled foot (leg). Also got in and out of car without any trouble. I am gaining - but oh, how slowly. Clara Finstad came for supper. She never stopped talking and we did not interrupt. We both noticed that Clara repeated herself a lot - a characteristic of older people. Let it be a warning to you, Johnson.

4/3/82 My nights troubled with problems. Should I renew drivers license? What to do with my “shakes” that seem to be getting worse? How about my knee? How about Civil Service Commission? How about the pains in Layna’s legs? When will we get Dr. Walter’s attention? As I said to Layna, “We did not plan it this way.”

4/4/82 Trees with diamonds hanging from every branch. Ted and Rody here for a late breakfast. We sat and talked for about 2 hours. She is a good listener, ready with a question concerning the “olden days” whenever the conversation lags. I called Swede Sundberg of the County Commissioners. No action on a replacement for Tony. It will be difficult to find another like him. Byrne called for a happy birthday.

4/5/82 Layna woke up feeling dizzy. She called Buck who took her to clinic. Dr. Walter absent but Dr. Crowe gave her some tests, then some medicine and sent her home. We both had to think about the complications if she had to go to hospital. She grew stronger as day wore on.

4/6/82 And another birthday. I am slowly approaching 100. God forbid. A furniture truck drove in yard and brought in a reclining chair. I can get in and out of it without help. What a present from my darling. Carol and Ted called. Niece Carol told us that cousin Eleanor, 80 years old, was getting set to marry an 81 year oldster. They are moving to his condominium in Hawaii. Not bad for a Buck Lake Norwegian. Brad, Byrne & Carole, George & Velna called.

4/7/82 Layna to town. She showed no worry about leaving me alone, which tells something about my progress. Lynn Myers stopped in with bottle of wine and bouquet of flowers. A combination gift for my birthday and Easter.

4/8/82 Layna to RLWC meeting. It must be a relief to get out of house. She must get tired of waiting on this old cripple.

4/10/82 I am losing plenty of sleep over the Civil Service Commission deal. I pick a course of action then shortly I blow it full of holes. No matter what I’ll finally do, I will feel like a heel when it is over.

4/11/82 Another Easter Sunday with no religious connection from the Don Johnsons. Karen and 3 kids plus Lynn Myers at table. A big meal, good talk and everyone gone by 7:30.

4/12/82 The Froehlichs here to show slides. The first ½ hour about Alaska and they were better than average. The next 1 ½ hours a jumbled up mess. He hasn’t learned to toss the bum ones away, a lesson I learned years ago.

4/13/82 To avoid a couple cases of cabin fever, we drove out to Herman Lumker’s old farm. Not too exciting but we were cheered mightily as the two of us had no problems getting me in and out of car. Layna rigged up a ramp that helped do the trick. I finally got enough nerve to call Sonny Nesbitt and he told me I was free to leave the CS commission.

4/14/82 Buck here at 6:30 and the 3 of us to see movie On Golden Pond. Byrne told us to be sure to see it even if we had to hire an ambulance to get there. Well, we did not have to. I got in and out of car going and returning. Also walked ½ the length of the theater. It was worth it. Katherine Hepburn and the father and daughter Fondas, put out a great performance. I said to Layna, “Who do they remind you of?” “Us,” she said.

4/15/82 Norman and Vi came and visited for couple of hours. I was going to tell them that my hip trouble cost near $10,000. They said that Vi’s mother’s bill was $37,000. That shut me up!

4/16/82 Layna to town for couple of hours and I hobbled around the house. I still think I am progressing damned slowly even if Layna does tell everyone how good I was.

4/17/82 I finally read a book - cover to cover. The Owl Called my Name Again. It was only a couple hundred pages. Jim Banks and Jackie came at 8:00 p.m. Jim through logging and will go trapping. He is still on the wagon.

4/18/82 It freezes at night and barely thaws in the daytime. A slow breakup in sight. The natives are complaining. We drove out to Gold Shores, admired the beautiful homes. Lynn Myers one of them. Stopped at Buck and Dale’s. Buck with a tale of woe. No power at island. Trouble under ice. Tough. He can still laugh, but it must take considerable effort.

4/19/82 Lillian Rizzo agreed to take Tony’s job as secretary of Commission. I decided to stay with it.

4/20/82 Bud and Jane Levene here for dinner. Good talk at table. They have had some interesting experiences since coming to this area. We got into a cribbage game which would have been more fun had my butt felt better on the hard chair. Dave and Jill Austin stopped in with some goodies. Thoughtful kids.

4/21/82 Moine Schwankl here at 2:00 p.m. She wanted to interview us on tape for Historical Society records. It is old stuff for us. We can remember a dozen different occasions. We think they must be short of material. We gave Moine the one that Mary Lou Pearson did and she can pick the interesting parts for her own.

4/23/82 We accepted a dinner invitation from Karen. I was concerned about getting up and down the 3 steps. No need. With Layna’s help, I did it in a breeze. Dave and Punky Stadum there. He is worried about his teaching job at Indus - for good reason. Terry and Sig home from their winter’s wandering. Terry to work for Buck and Sig to Island View. Not a bad life.

4/24/82 Buck made a “lift” for the heel of my bum leg. We drove up and got it. It is an improvement.