Happy Birthday, Katelyn!

Happy Birthday, Benson!

Mrs. Schultz wants me to wash my hair every week

Lincoln, Nebr.

June 13, 1955

Dear Marie - 

I hope that you received my letters. I have been waiting to hear from you. Why don't you write? Your wrote a nice letter dated May 16, 1955.

I was so glad about Martin. The birthday card you sent him I hope was received. The letters and handkerchief I sent him was not returned to me so he must have received them. I surely hope Martin will help me. I wish he would write to me. I hope that it cane be arranged that I can go out to Seattle if I don't go out to Phoenix where you are. I am waiting to hear from you in answer to my questions. Excuse me for repeating anything in my letters.

When the social worked was here she said she would see me in 2 or 3 weeks. And it was 3 weeks ago yesterday since she was here or 4 weeks next Wednesday.

I have had some nice letters from the case-worker in Omaha. I wish I could talk to her but she wrote "that it was un-likely that she could come to Lincoln to visit me." I think that is the way she worded the sentence.

Marie you know I wrote that I would like for you to put in writing "that I may be released from the State Hospital." I would like for you to come to Lincoln and see about me being release if it is necessary. If you can't come perhaps it can be arranged for Martin to come here.

I can't explain how difficult it is to work here. Mrs. Schultz wants me to wash my hair every week and talks about having my hair cut and curled. My hair is coming out and is so thin now. But Mrs. S. just goes on and on about the different things she wants me to spend money on. Please, please help me. I have been thinking that I would call up Frank's parents in Omaha and ask if they have heard anything from you.

There are several reasons why I don't like it here so it would be the best answer to leave here.

In the letter I had from Lottie dated May 3, 1955 she wrote Quote "How are things going now where you are working? Write again. If you are still unhappy there, I see no reason why we can't write to the social worker to see if she can find another job for you. Sometimes a change is good for a person." Un-Quote.

I cam enclosing a letter I received from my second cousin Anna. You don't need to return her letter.

Hope you like the clippings. And please write soon and answer questions.

Excuse mistakes and any un-neatness. Best wishes.

From, Mother.

To a Wonderful Father

Happy Father's Day!

Men have to be educated

Notes from Ruth...

Friday Photos: Johnson Parkland House (1968)

Thank you very much for paying my electric light bill

Oakland, Nebr.

June 6, 1945

Lars - 

I received the letter post-marked May 7th. I am not sure if I answered it or not. I remember writing before Martin's birthday to you ad to let you know what I thought would be a nice present to give him. I wish you would let me know in the next letter please. I sent him a few things and also the birthday card. I haven't received any letter from Lottie for some time. I didn't even receive any card from her for Mother's day. 

I received the letter post-marked June 3rd to-day. I am glad to know you are all right this rainy weather. be sure and wear your rubbers and enough warm clothing. And please take care of your health. As if I didn't need to keep some of that advice my-self.

Do you go over to Pierce St. to see if there is any-thing down on the porch in the way where the water runs? Please go over and look for me Lars and I will be very thankful to you. You will won't you for old time's sake?

I am glad Marie sent you the bed-lamp. Please try and put it up now. How would next Sunday be?

I received the $3.00 enclosed in letter and many thanks. I needed it very much indeed.

I will tell you about the house when I come to the city. I intend to go to Omaha soon. Thank you very much for paying my electric light bill which I appreciate highly.

Please Lars don't work too hard. 

I feel tired this damp weather.

Thank you Dora for writing. Please write soon and answer questions. Thank you. I am Ruth.

P.S. When I wrote I wish you would let me know in your next letter please, I meant, to write and let me know what you sent Martin for a birthday present.

Well There Is No Turning Back Now

Oakland, Nebr.

June 29th, 1944

Betty dear - 

I received your telegram yesterday. When I opened it I tryed to be brave. Well there is no turning back now. Please write me a long letter and let me know the interesting details. Will you?

What are your plans? I hope you will stop over in Omaha. I want to greet you and the one who will be at your side. If you let me know I could try and be in Omaha at the time.

I also hope you will step over at Lottie's house and also at Elin's house. And may I remind you to have some nice pictures taken together. Bur don't look at the camera.

Betty you didn't answer all my questions in the last letter. You must not have read it over as you wrote to me. Did you destroy the letter?

I suppose Marie wishes you would stay longer with her. It seems such a short time compared with the time you spent in the hospital.

Betty dear please write at once so I will get your letter in time to go to the city.

Please take good care of your-self. Your health is so important.

Oh by the way if you go by the way of Tacoma could you take Lottie's mirrow with you? Think it over. 

Good-by and sweet dreams.

As ever,

I am,

Your Mother.

P.S. Please go and visit my cousins and Marie has their address. Greet them from me. Perhaps Marie could go also as she knows which way to go. Thank you.

Why Wed?

Well she didn't want to be a June bride...

I Have Been Thinking About Hope

Oct. 25, 1986

The Regency on Laurie Lane

Dear L and Bob - 

Hi! And how is at Johnson farms? Here at The Regency it one of those lovely October days - blue skies - mild mays - cool nights. The mums are beginning to bloom, the brave rose bush has some beautiful evidence of life, and the oranges are beginning to ripen.

Marie is resting after a busy day of post-Greer paper work - or maybe two days - or maybe... Anyways we have a stack of letters, bills & correspondence to go out today or tomorrow. Unusually, she is watching a chilling psycho thriller - a little contrast to the Boston Pops earlier. The World Series doesn't seem to interest either one of us.

And I have been doing a lot of those little things that have to be done - the yard, helping with all the paper work, adjusting the water softener, filing paper on my final campaign costs - $80 (But I'm asking for an exemption because I had no campaign committee nor political contribution). Now let's see what happens on Nov. 4. 

What is happening with the families out there? Had a surprise sweet little note from Katie. Since she inquired about Sonya I answered the note and then sent it on to Sonya - hoping Sonya will write Katie.

Our families are all busy. You know their schedules. Ruthie and Becky joined their mother to outfit big brother (well, he's younger but he's the biggest brother they have) in a whopping new birthday-xmas wardrobe: sport coats, slacks, belts, shoes (3 pr), a suit, shirts, ties, a sweater vest, an outerwear jacket, etc. Steve took the day off (a Saturday) and enjoyed the shipping spree and being with his mother and sisters - and me? I was there, too, and had as much fun as the rest of them.

Becky is now in "our" league (not my little bebe Sunshine!) as a mother, grandmother, and 2/3rds of her children (by number that is) married. While working, she is able through a special program to get CC credits and by December will have acquired 30-33 semester hours! Last Saturday, while over here advising on Steve's wardrobe, she was also studying for a mid-term Humanities exam she had to take Saturday afternoon.

Steve is working hard to set some new priorities. He reached a point of almost total exhaustion that has had the whole family very concerned. Stevie was very pleased with his Dad's dry-goods loot: "He deserves it", Stevie commented. Stevie has signed a SADD contract (Students Against Drunk Driving). Before the State Fair opened SADD kids got in to the Fair and got free rids - there were 100,000 there!

John & Susie continue their whirlwind activity schedule. John joins Jeffrey in his sports activities - like T-Ball and soccer. In fact John purchased the team's uniforms and a banner: "Sponsored by the Wichita Falls Clinic Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Center"! We have been kidding John about giving those 6 year olds a lesson in advanced reading.

And so it goes down here. The cabin is closer for the season, we experienced our first snow in Greer (5 1/2 inches) & finished our campaigning. Now we await Nov. 4.  letter of endoresemtn arrived today. The White Mtn. Independent News profile (on candidates) comes our October 30.

Your sister is doing quite well. Did well at Greer - and has quite a normal flow of energy. A week after Greer was slower - but we're thinking to tackling the garage. Yikes!

And a special content section? Oh, yes - indeed!

I have been thinking about "hope". As you know I believe that every day is the birth of a new hope. Certainly it is evident with us. We celebrated our 40th new moon lately. There are good hopes & evil hopes; selfish hopes and unselfish hopes. But as I have observed the good hopes start first with hopes for the family, then for the self and then for society. The signs of the time indicate a change. There is a quickening among religious people in learning more about what may be terms the inner life. 

I see much happening in the churches: transitions within the Catholic church; the growth of membership in pentecostal churches; the charismatic movement in the mainline churches; the awakening of braver expression and activity on social issues; the struggle within the So. Baptist over the inerrancy of the Bible. I doubt if the latter can ever agree since too many feel they have the true interpretation. I have been tempted at times to draw a cartoon of these people standing around the foot of the cross hitting each other over the heads with their Bibles. And there are those who will be angry with God that he didn't "save" the right people - and those who they wish never seem to appear in the camp of those not worth saving. Strange!

And how is industrious, practical L doing. Have you had all the worldly success you want. I bet you could et even more. And how's King Roberto enjoying his castle, his Tacoma estate and dominion?

I struggle with my faith occasionally - and then I get some guidance - mysteriously, intriguing - and I saw - "my journey will be safe because of the reliability of my Guide (I call "him" my Good Friend). Maybe he's the one who once declared himself to be "the Way, the Truth, and Life," I hope that's who it is...Well, some time with my Marie before Bed. Bye.

LOVE Frank

Little House in the Big Woods

Jacque Johnson Burkhalter, 1950s