11/22/82 My fall yesterday gave me food for thought. How would I face another broken leg? How about Layna? The past 10 months have been tough on her, maybe as bad or even worse than on me. I tell myself that I am super careful but that apparently isn’t enough. It is quite a struggle to be super, super careful every waking hour.
11/24/82 My leg is tired tonight. I gave it a good workout and did not take a single step with my cane.
11/25/82 A total of 9 people sat down to Layna’s Thanksgiving feast. Robin and 3 kids, Gene, Terry and Sig, Don and Layna. Sig brought a ½ gallon of wine, Gene brought two pies - a great meal for all concerned. The little Monahans on their very best behavior.
11/26/82 It was cold in our house and I could not light the big burner. Called Walt Mahle who came out and got it going. We are thawed out tonight. Walt is badly crippled with MS and arthritis. Pitiful. He is cheerful enough. I can learn something from him.
11/27/82 Robin brought the little ones here about 9:00 a.m. They were perfect kids, especially when they were watching TV.
11/28/82 I suggested that we go out for dinner. We went to the Thunderbird and it was good. We called Daveys, all well there, I complimented him on his fine Thanksgiving column. He thrives on a little praise. Who doesn’t?
11/29/82 Lou Moe for drink and supper. We talked about many things and, as usual, about Mexico. The upshot was that we would drive to Florida next winter. The gals would take a 7 day trip by ferry boat from Tampa to Cancun. I would stay with Cliff. Maybe the whole thing a dream but we have had less to go on previously. We shall see.
12/2/82 I got into the Xmas cards today but not very deep. The Froehlichs called us for coffee. Barit had made a pumpkin pie. Great!
12/3/82 Karen called tonight. She said that she had some important news for us but would keep it until she comes home. Now what?
12/4/82 The Canadians are threatening war. Too complicated to describe here but the bottom line is that they plan to impose a users’ tax, about $5.00 a day, for anyone fishing in their waters. It is all tentative but it will strike fear in the hearts of resort owners and private citizens alike. Buck away on a trip so no chance to get his reaction.
12/6/82 Layna to see Dr. Walter. He gave her a harness to put her neck in traction. He told her that she may have to see a specialist. I really shake when I let my imagination run.
12/7/82 Don Thomas came to look at furnace at 8:30 a.m. He left at 10:30. We have a new motor on the fan and he has an extra $112. Layna spent part of day with a 10# weight pulling on her neck. No complaints. Bill MacPherson visited for about an hour, good company.
12/8/82 Layna to see Dr. Walter. She had an appointment to get two big toenails cut off. “Come back tomorrow.”
12/9/82 Layna back to Dr. Walter. He meant business this time. He pulled both nails off. He agreed when Layna said it hurt worse than giving birth. Her toes hurt and her neck hurts, but very little complaining.
12/10/82 Xmas cards coming and going. My hand writing gets worse every day.
12/11/82 Lou Moe stopped in to say goodbye. She is off for Florida on Monday. They have planned their lives well. There is one fly in the ointment. Who and where are the heirs?
12/12/82 Karen is home! Their whole family here for supper. A stranger would find nothing amiss in their relationship. Robin and kids left about 9:00 p.m. Karen tired and mentioned going to bed. She got off on subject of religion and it was two hours before we turned in. I went to bed thinking about how religion plays a part in the thinking of our kids. Buck is an agnostic, Byrne has thrown his body and soul in a religious organization no one understands, Sally active in the Catholic church and now Karen working on understanding all religions, ancient and contemporary. Layna follow the golden rule, which is the foundation of all of the above.
12/14/82 Gary and father here for dinner. Gary the proud owner of a 5 month old Newfoundland pup. He got him at noon today and already they love each other. Bud and Jane Levene stopped for a visit. The Canadians have them worried.
12/15/82 Les Cleveland here at 1:00 p.m. He told us that for the first time in his life, he was taking in more that he was spending. He is worrying about heirs - well, who isn’t? Buck came later and gave an account of their three week trip. Good.
12/16/82 I have worried for at least a month concerning the Civil Service exam. Thanks to Lillian Rizzo and Bob Fredrickson, it went without a hitch. 91 candidates gave an indication of the hard times. Bob took me home. We had the chance to talk a little - I like him - respect too.
12/17/82 I woke up thinking, “I did not thank Bob for his help.” I called him and showed our appreciation. He was very gracious.
12/18/82 Karen came out for lunch with the 3 kids. She talked about how well adjusted they were, how they had picked up where they had left off. It is certain that it is a unique situation.
12/19/82 Karen and kids and Punky here for supper. No fights. All gone by 7:00 p.m. We watched TV. Oh God II. Great. George Burns, 80 years old. A great performer.
12/22/82 I pulled my shoes on today! It was a real effort. My left leg did not want to cooperate. Wrote Xmas cards.
12/24/82 Christmas Eve and the news media broadcast nothing but trouble. 11% unemployment, lines of people waiting for food and on and on. Not so with the Johnsons branch. All hands working. A goodly bunch sat down to oyster stew, Buck and Dale, Gene Monahan, Karen, Robin, 3 kids. Everyone giving and receiving presents. Timmy had made a book case to hold our Harvard Classics. He sent it to us by Buck. Truly a masterpiece. We have some clever grand-children. Buck and Dale stayed for another hour after rest of party left. Good company.
12/25/82 We went to Gene Monahan’s for a nice dinner. We have been here for 53 years and this was the first time we were away for Xmas feast. Well, a feast it was! Karen, Robin and three kids there and all peaceful.
12/27/82 Layna to see Dr. Walter. He checked her neck, gave her some pills. “Come back in a week.”
12/28/82 Vivian Sutch took us to the Country Kitchen for lunch, then brought us home and visited for a couple of hours. She truly believes that Christ is with her at all times. It would be fun to get her and Karen together. On the other hand, it could raise doubts in her mind. Gerald Wagness came with a bird feeder. It was getting dark when he set it up. No birds.
12/29/82 The Historical Society has a big deal going. They are going to publish family histories in a book to cost $40. The material to be in at a deadline - January 7. The real sticker - a limit of 500 words. I wrote for a couple of hours and got 400 down on paper and we were still at Camp Koochiching! More of this later. Karen was instigator for a meeting concerning the Unitarian religion. 18 people at the David Parmeter home. Karen had charge of the group and did very well. She is at her best when talking with a group of her peers, who obviously were interested.
12/30/82 I worked on our history, trying to shave it down. I counted the words and discovered that my revised paper had 100 words more than the original!
12/31/82 Karen had invited a few people in to see the New Year arrive. We ended up with Lynn Myers and Punky Stadum. Layna and Karen had prepared a feast.
