October
Tuesday 1 Oct 1968
I didn't go to school again today. I'm still feeling poorly. My stomach is still upset and have a small fever. I didn't even get up until 11;30 a.m. and after I got cleaned up, Mom had me drive down to the bank to make a deposit for her. The rest of the afternoon I didn't do much until at 3:30 I took my Senor Class picture's proofs down to Roberts Studio in downtown Garden Grove and paid my down payment. I'll get them back in four to six weeks. I also drove to downtown Santa Ana to see about my package at the bus station. They still haven't found it, so I came home to rest until in the evening I watched some TV Dad came home late today and mom ordered pizza for dinner. After watching Mod Squad, I went and did my Civics and Geometry homework. 'The weather is a little better but not much. Still cloudy and overcast. 72 Degrees. I got to go to school tomorrow!
• Oct 1, the cult horror movie "Night of the Living Dead" had its world premiere in Pittsburgh.
• The US Senate refused to shut down a filibuster against President Lyndon B. Johnson's nomination of Abe Fortas to be US chief justice. Fortas withdrew the next day.
• The US Congress created the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area in Wyoming.
• Operation Sealord begins the largest combined naval operation of the entire war as over 1200 U.S. Navy and South Vietnamese Navy gunboats and warships target NVA supply lines extending from Cambodia into the Mekong Delta. NVA supply camps in the Delta and along other waterways are also successfully disrupted during the two-year operation.
Wednesday 2 Oct 1968
I went to school today and really didn't do anything but try to get my makeup work done. In Biology we had a lab exercise and at lunch I went to the library. In geometry Mr. Huggett completely blew his cool. Started yelling at this kid and turning red in the face. He really is weird. I got a letter from Judy Husky today. It’s always great to hear from her. After school in the late afternoon, I drove over to Donna and Terry's to fetch the camera but as luck would have it, they weren't home. When I got back home, they were already here! Dumb! I didn't eat much dinner, just a salad. Everybody else had a steak. The rest of the night we watched, "Here come the brides" and a movie, "Cat Ballou". It was so funny. Especially Lee Marvin blowing out the candles at the dead man's wake singing Happy birthday because he was drunk! It was really good. Still cool weather. 75 Degrees. Believe it or not right now we are having a slight lightning storm with showers. That's rare for out here. It makes me homesick for Texas. "HEY JUDE" by the Beatles is the #1 song on KHJ. I really like it. Hey Jude, don't make it sad Take a sad song and make it better.
• Pres. Johnson established Redwood National Park in northern California under Public Law 90-545. Congress created the Redwood National Park in California at a cost of $306 million. Large portions of the Arcata Redwood Corp. lands were detached to form sections of Redwood National Park. The land was initially assembled by Michigan timber baron Arthur Hill. His son, Harry Hill, built the French Renaissance townhouse that is now the Italian consulate. Pres.
• Johnson signed a bill establishing Washington state’s North Cascades National Park. The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, spanning Mexico to Canada, was designated a National Scenic Trail as part of the US National Trails System Act.
• US Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas withdrew his nomination as chief justice. Six months later, he resigned from the court, admitting he'd made a financial deal with the Louis Wolfson Foundation.
• In Mexico soldiers under Pres. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz used automatic weapons and killed students in the Mexico City Tlatelolco massacre prior to the start of the summer Olympics. The government said only 50 students were killed during gunfire that lasted 5 hours.
3 October 1968 Thursday
I didn't go to school again today. I woke up feeling sick to my stomach and got up too late. So, I stayed in bed most of the day reading. I finished Deep Summer. It was really good. Now I'm reading The Handsome Road. I love to read. Sometimes when I was younger, I'd want to read after Dad had told me to go to bed. So not to make him anymore mad at me I'd read under the covers by flash light. No wonder my eyes are so bad! For dinner Mom fried some chicken and mashed potatoes but I didn't eat any of it. Jean Horan came over in the evening to visit with Mom. I like it when she comes over. I watched TV the rest of the night until 10:30 and then I did some of my homework, before going to bed at 11: 30. The weather is cold and damp in the mornings, cool in the afternoons, and very cold at night but not as damp as in the mornings. I know that’s why I hate getting up for school. The weather is so yucky. 74 Degrees. In the news George Wallace picked his running mate for Vice-President. Some retired General I never heard of but then I've never heard of the other running mates either. LeMay is the man's name, and I don't like him. He said we ought to use Atomic Bombs in Viet Nam and George Wallace said that if any demonstrator ever lays down in from of his car to protest, he would run them over! So, they say Wallace and LeMay's platform is "Run 'em down and Blow 'em up!"
• George Wallace ran an independent campaign for the presidency with significant support in the South and the Midwest. He named retired Air Force Chief of Staff Curtis E. LeMay to be his running mate. At the press conference, the general is asked about his position on the use of nuclear weapons, and responds: "I think most military men think it's just another weapon in the arsenal... I think there are many times when it would be most efficient to use nuclear weapons. ... I don't believe the world would end if we exploded a nuclear weapon."
• The Howard Sackler play, "Great White Hope," starring James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander, opened on Broadway.
3 October 1968 Letter from Aunt Pauline
Dear Junior, how is this for speed? My, I am ashamed I haven't wrote and thanked you for the pennies. I do thank you. We plan to check on the package Saturday so guess they will run it down soon. Kay had a six week test this week. She didn't do too well on science. Seventy for her is poor but since only a few passed guess it will do. JW has started cutting feed. He has had some engine trouble so may not get through in time for deer hunting. I told him he should leave it and go anyway but after you have worked all year and a hail could thrash it in five minutes, you think hard about going. Be sure and send us one of your Senior pictures. I hope they are good. Well of course we are still on top in football and the Mighty Denver City has been beaten twice so we may have a chance for State this year. The band looks really good, and Kay enjoys playing in it. We went to the fair last week and the Generation Gap is showing on me. Boy was the music loud and was I tired. Heard this morning: that the Students for a Democratic Society has plans to take over West Texas University and Texas Tech. So, we shall see. Hope all your family are well and thanks again Love J.W. and Pauline
Friday 4 October 1968
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| Larry Jaeger |
• Cambodia admitted that the Viet Cong used their country for sanctuary.
Saturday 5 October 1968
I got up at 11:30 a.m. but didn't feel to swift. We I finally got myself moving I mowed the front Yard and cleaned it up an little by picking up trash and sweeping the driveway. Aunt Bonnie and Bill Fagan came over to invite us over for dinner tomorrow. After they left, I painted on my picture of the California Mission until Mom, Dad, Charline, and I went over to Milton and Marie's house in Walnut. I drove over but I'll never do that again. Brea Canyon scares the hell out of me. It’s so winding and people drive so fast! Aunt Marie fixed Barbeque hamburgers for dinner and Donna and Terry came over after a while. There's something about Terry I don't like. Maybe because he's from New York. He's such a B.S.er like Frank Welte. We came home at 10:45 and everybody went straight to bed. Charline looked really tired. She's really showing now. The weather is cold. 75 Degrees. I heard Dad tell Mom that he is thinking about getting a job in Denver, Colorado working, for a Coors' distributor there. We'd have to move back there but I'm all in favor of it and so is Mom and Charline. I doubt if we really will though Dad is so sedentary. We've lived in the same house for 15 years! I'd like to move away from California and try something new. It would be fun and a new experience.
Sunday 6 October 1968
Today is my cousin Kay Johnson's birthday. She is 15 years old. I got up at 10:30 a. m. feeling very miserable. I got a damn cold from this damn weather! I just hate this damp foggy weather worse than sin! It makes me sick, miserable, depressed, and hard to get along with. Right now, my eyes sting, and my nose is so sore from blowing it, but it runs like a faucet. I painted a little on my picture until we went to Bonnie and Bill's over in Buena Park for dinner at 12:30 p.m. We had chicken which Bonnie had fixed. It was so good. Bonnie is such a good cook. I just love her cooking. Larry and Bill and Dad watched the 3rd game of the World Series between the Tigers and the Cardinals. I sat and listened to Mom and Bonnie gossip. We went home at 3:30 and I painted on my picture and watched TV the rest of the night. It is 10:30 p.m. now and I cleaned up my room. It needed it. I forgot to mention that Friday I got a letter from JW and Pauline Johnson. 75 Degrees. I am so miserable from this cold I could die with pleasure.
Monday 7 October 1968
Same old stuff. I got up at 7:00 to get ready for school. I feel miserable! Runny nose and sore eyes! In School Service Art I turned in my painting that I had painted over the weekend. Mr. Wendt wasn't impressed. In Civics, Mr. Nelson gave a test. I did better on it then I thought I would. At least as well as the rest of the class. Jan Hanshaw sure is pretty but I think I am going to vote for Diane Rutscke for Homecoming Queen because she's not such a "sosh". In PE Mr. Starr has us starting weight training. Get us good and strong for Viet Nam. In Biology Mr. Kerby gave us a lab assignment that my lab partner Jody Oleson couldn't do. Biology makes me feel stupid. I was so depressed I came home for lunch and stayed. I didn't do anything for the rest of the afternoon but feel miserable. At night I watched a movie, "The Rare Breed". It was good. The weather is still damp and miserable. Everything is miserable. 70 degrees. For dinner I had some stew that Mom made. I just ate a little. I don't like the celery and tomatoes in it and Mom always puts too much pepper in everything. In the news some military Coups have been taking place in Latin America, mainly in Peru. In the Polls Nixon is in First Place and Humphrey is in 2nd place. Wallace's Independent Candidacy is trailing third for President.
• The Motion Picture Association of America adopted its film-rating system (G,M,R,X), ranging from "G" for "general" audiences to "X" for adult patrons only. The system was fathered by Jack Valenti (1921-2007), head of the MPAA.
Tuesday 8 October 1968
I didn't go to school today because I am still sick with a cold. I got up at 11:30 a.m. and Aunt Bonnie was over visiting with Charline. Charline got a package in the mail from Gary Clark's mother. It had a lot of baby stuff in it. Aunt Bonnie went home around 1:30 and I gave her the picture I had painted of the Spanish Mission. She really liked it. I went back to bed and slept until 6 O'clock. When Dad got home from work Donna and Terry came over to borrow some money. Mom fixed ham and sweet potatoes for dinner. I read the rest of the night and finally went to bed at 1 a.m. I finished reading "Handsome Road" and "this Side of Glory". They were both really good. The weather is a little better but not much. 75 Degrees. I am taking so many pills that I feel I am floating in water. I don't want to take aspirin like I did two years ago. I use to take 3 to 4 aspirins a night to go to sleep. I couldn't sleep without them. When I finally' realized my dependency on them I went cold turkey and I hate taking any kind of pills now. In the news there with be an Apollo Space flight this Friday. Will we ever really land on the moon?
• US forces in Vietnam launched Operation Sealord, an attack on North Vietnamese supply lines and base areas.
Wednesday 9 October 1968
Still didn't go to school today although I do feel better. I guess I am just sick of school ha! I think I'm over my cold now. I sure hope so. I got up around noon and then didn't do much. I fixed a cake and when Mom got home from work, she made spaghetti. Dad was late getting home from work and all we did today was watch TV until everybody went to bed at 9 except me. I stayed up to watch "Dr. Strangelove". It was excellent! Especially Slim Pickins riding the bomb down waving his hat and yahooing like a cowboy! Peter Sellers was great too! It is 11 O'clock now. The weather is still not good but since I feel better the weather seems better. 75 Degrees. "I'm A Girl Watcher" is #1 on KHJ. I don't like it. I want the Beatles! I haven't written anyone in such a long time. It seems so long ago to be in Texas with Buddy Husky and Philip Boyd. One day passes one after another. I don't have anybody I can really talk to, but it is so good to feel better but with me missing so much school! Oh Boy I'll have an awful lot to make up. I got to go tomorrow because half the quarter will be over! I'm so glad the Admission Lady Carol Bommarito doesn't give me a hard time with my forged notes.
Thursday 10 October 1968
I didn't go to school again. I meant to but didn't anybody get me up in time. That's as good an excuse as any. I'm still a little achy from the flu. When I did get up, Mom and Charline were gone all ready, so I didn't do much all afternoon until they got home. In the late afternoon I went to the store for Mom. Had to buy milk and bread as usual. Mom gives me two dollars and I pocket the change. Jean Horan came over around six O’clock when Dad got home. Tomorrow is trash day, so I brought out the trash barrels and in the front yard I saw Mark Casas, so I went over and talked with him. I also saw some friends from school going around the neighborhood passing out some John Birch Society pamphlets. I gave them a hard time because I hate the John Birch Society. Just because we live in Orange County it doesn't mean that I have to listen to this John Birch junk! They are pro-war and hate everyone who isn't white and right! The rest of the night I watched some TV. Donna and Terry came over for a while to visit with Mom and Dad. We had warmed over Spaghetti for dinner. Weather still as usual & 75 Degrees.
Friday 11 October 1968
I go t up at 7:00 to go to school. I didn't have too much trouble getting back into school. Carol the attendant Lady is so nice and never gives me any static as long as I have my forged notes. Mom doesn't care as long as I don't get in to any trouble and I clean the house. I know she likes coming home to a clean home. It was cool and overcast today. 75 Degrees. In school I didn't bother to see any of my friends. I don't plan on going to the game tonight. Sometimes my friends really bug me. I got home from school at 2:3O and I played with our cats George and Jasmine. They sure play up a storm running around crashing in to the wall and attacking each other in fun. In the evening Grandpa Williams came over to borrow Dad's pick-up. Dad volunteered my service to go up to Yucaipa to help Grandpa and my Uncle Wallace shingle the roof of some house he is fixing up. There goes my weekend. I'm still kind of mad at Grandpa from last summer but I'm getting over it. Grandpa drove the red pick-up back over to Woodruff and I drove myself in the Galaxy with Aunt Minnie. Over at Grandma and Grandpa's Minnie and I stayed up and talked some before went to bed at 10:30. I had pizza for dinner. In the news the Apollo Astronauts were launched into space today. Everything went A-OK.
• Apollo 7, The first manned Apollo mission, was launched from Cape Kennedy with astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Fulton Eisele and R. Walter Cunningham aboard. It made 163 orbits in 260 hours. October 11 Apollo 7 is launched from Florida for an eleven-day journey which will orbit the Earth 163 times.
Saturday 12 October 1968
Columbus Day - I woke up at 5:3O when I heard Grandpa up and about. Wallace got over here about that time. Mattie Lee and Gary drove him here. After a bit of breakfast that Grandma Williams fixed of eggs sausage, biscuits and gravy Grandpa, Wad, and I were on our way to Yucaipa about 6:30. It was a long drive through the Canyon to Riverside then up to Yucaipa. It took about an hour and a half to get there. I've never liked Yucaipa. It smells of wet chickens! We worked on the roof of this house until 12:30 when we stopped for lunch. Grandpa did the chalk line with Wad, and I hammered nails into the shingles. We finished around 2:00 and we got back to Norwalk and Grandpa's house at 3:30. Grandpa took Wallace home and I waited for Grandma and Minnie to get back with the car. When they did, we all went back to Garden Grove to wait for Grandpa to get there and drop the truck off. They all left about 6:30. I ate a BBQ beef sandwich and went to bed at 8:30 really tired. Cool day 75 Degrees.
• The Summer Olympic Games open in Mexico City. The games have been boycotted by 32 African nations in protest of South Africa's participation. On the 18th Tommie Smith and John Carlos, US athletes and medalists in the 200-meter dash will further disrupt the games by performing the black power salute during the "Star-Spangled Banner" at their medal ceremony.
Sunday October 13, 1968
Monday 14 October 1968
I got up to go to school at 7. It’s such an effort. Got to iron my shirt and find a clean pair of pants. While getting ready Mom told me that my tomcat, George was hit by a car and had died. Poor old cat. I really was fond of him, and it made me really sad. Now poor Jasmine will be so lonesome. I don't want to think about it right now. Not much happening at school. In 1st period School Service Art is in between projects. Mr. Nelson is still discussing the stock market in Civics. P.E. is the same old weighting. Mr. Starr is pretty cool for a PE teacher. Biology is boring as usual. If Mr. Kerby wasn't from Abilene Texas, I'd hate his class. Being a Texan makes up for him putting me to sleep. Mr. Dale is okay in Individual Reading. Don't think he knows who I am. I'm thinking of dropping my 6th period Geometry. I can't stand Mr. Huggett and I never know what he is talking about. He only talks to the kids that know what they are doing. He hates us that are lost. I hate math anyways. It was a cool dreary day. It drizzled all morning and afternoon long. It was a sad day for me. Even the sky was sad. I'm going to miss George. Came home from school and played with Jasmine some. Donna and Terry came over for dinner this evening. They had steak and potatoes, but I just had a bowl of oatmeal. I wasn't very hungry. I watched TV until 10 o'clock and now I am doing my homework. The weather is cloudy with light showers. 70 Decrees. Bea Benedict of Petticoat Junction died today. I liked her. In the news Apollo had a TV broadcast. No letters from Texas. It’s been two months since I left Texas!
• The Beatles "White Album" was completed at the Abbey Road Studios.
• The first live telecast from a manned US spacecraft was sent from Apollo 7.
Tuesday 15 October 1968
It was cold this morning when I got up at 7 to go to school. I really hate stepping out of a warm bed on to the cold tile floor. I wish I had a rug. The sky was blue today no clouds or overcast and it soon warmed up in the afternoon. In P.E. we are starting Tennis and my partner is Barry Wendall. I've always liked Barry since we were in grade school together. At lunch I talked with Jerry Smith and Steve Hall. Steve Hall is for George Wallace now for President. I finally got him to choose. In the afternoon I didn't do much just laid around the house until Donna and Terry came over to use the car to go to his night school. I worked on my homework the rest of the night but in the evening Dad and I worked on the car when he got home from work. After that I played with Jasmine in the grass in the front yard. Just had rice for dinner. I wrote Grandma Johnson a letter tonight. Larry Jaeger called in the afternoon and wanted to know if I wanted to go to the show, the weather was pretty 80 Degrees.
Wednesday 16 October 1968
Went to school and in Art I was given the assignment to decorate the Girl's Gym with a Bonnie and Clyde theme. It really surprised me that Mr. Wendt gave me this assignment because I thought for sure the "soches" in the class would get the assignment. Steve Borquist was really put out. But all they do the whole period is talk about what parties they are having and where they are going for the weekend and whose making it with who. I'm the only one in the class who can even draw a straight line. I think they got in to the class just because of the prestige of “school service". The theme of' home coming dance is "Those Were the Days" from that song. In biology we had a lab where we all had to bring eggs but after that didn't do much else in school. At home watched TV. For dinner had steak. The weather is a lot better than it has been in a long time. 85 Degrees without any smog. "Those were The Days" is # 1 on KHJ. In the news with the Presidential election is only two weeks away. I have no wish to have McCarthy president anymore but no matter what anybody says, he was a good man, and he was the first person to stand up against President Johnson on the War and really have some influence. He is forgotten now but I remember when not just hippies and yippies liked him. Many mature adults did too, and Bobby Kennedy just barely beat him in the California Primary.
• American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving "black power" salutes during a victory ceremony after they'd won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race.
16 October 1968 Letter from Buddy Husky
Dear Jr. Well, here I've gone and done it again. That is, I waited so long to write you. I am still working at the Sell Barn. I rode a Bronc in P. E. last Thursday. Boy was it rough. I have had a lot of homework lately. I have had research papers in English and History. These teachers sure like to see you work. I think they enjoy seeing people suffer. We finally got our money from those men at Stamford. Boy was I glad. It sure seemed to brighten things up a little. There sure are some good looking girIs going to South Plains. There is one there by the name of Ruth Ann Bird. She is a good looking, nice, Cowgirl Her Dad runs a ranch in Jayton, Texas you know where that is. The only trouble is that she is going steady with a guy in Snyder. That’s enough about me now. How are you? Are you still going with that girl you told me about? How is school coming along with you? I can't wait until you come back out here and go to school with me. I will try to write sooner and more next time. Cowboy Friend Arnold or Rodeo Joe P. S. How is everyone back there? Did you ever Let over that pain in your chest?
Thursday 17 October 1968
I went to school after getting up at 7. In school service art I am still working on homecoming decorations. I've decided to draw life size figures from the Roaring twenties. Mr. Wendt approved it. Since it wasn't the "soches" idea they aren't interested in helping me. In Civics we reviewed for a test tomorrow. In PE played tennis. In Biology just took notes. At lunch sat with Jerry Smith and Steve Hall in the Quad at our usual spot. In Mr. Dale's class I'm now reading Thomas. It’s about Thomas Becket. In geometry I worked on my homework. For dinner had some cooked cereal. I watched TV until 9 then I studied for my Civics Test tomorrow. The weather is warm and pretty 88 Degrees. In the news there are rumors of a bombing halt in Viet Nam and that Jackie Kennedy might get married soon. All the astronauts have colds in Outer Space.
Friday 18 October 1968
Got up at 7 to get ready to go to school. I didn't do much in school except take a test in civics. At lunch I bought my school annual for $6.00 and a pre-sale ticket for the game tonight. After school I came home and rested until 6. Then I got ready to go to the Game. I'm going with Bill Lyons and Duane Clemmons. Dad got home from work at 6:30 so I took the car and went to pick up the guys. Bill Lyons at the last minute decided not to go so I went with Duane Clemmons. At the game sat with Sue, Darlene, and the others. We won our game 14-12 thanks to Mike Wintermute and Dave Jackson. We played Bolsa at their stadium. At the dance afterwards I saw Johnette Bixler and she and I danced most of the dances together and listened to the band. "Blue Steal" played, and they were Real good! Took Duane Clemmons and Johnette Bixler home and I climbed into bed at 1 a.m. I got a parking ticket at the game for not parking in just one space. It wasn't fair because I was parked next to another car, so it was, he who parked crooked not I. Weather was warm today. 88 Degrees. I didn't eat anything for dinner.
• The US Olympic Committee suspended two black athletes, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos, for giving a black power salute as a protest during a victory ceremony in Mexico City. Bob Beamon soared 29 feet, 2 inches, to set a world record in the long jump. In 1976 Dick Schaap authored “The Perfect Jump.”
Saturday 19 October 1968
I got a letter from Buddy Husky yesterday! Dad got me up at 8 a.m. to get ready to start shingling our roof. Dad went over to Bonnie and Bill Fagan and my cousin Larry came back with him to help. Terry also came over to help. We worked until 12:30 then ate lunch of sandwiches. In the afternoon Bonnie and Bill came over and Uncle Milton Williams also came to help. We all worked and got the back half which was the hardest done around 5:30. Mom fixed a big roast beef dinner and Milton went home around 7. Bonnie, Bill, and Larry around 8:00. Mom and Dad went to bed at 9 p.m. and I stayed up and watched The Hallelujah Trail". It was very funny. I went to bed around 1 a.m. In the mail Mom got two snap shots of Grandma and Grandpa Johnson in the mail. They look so natural. The weather was very nice and warm 84 Degrees. In the news Jackie Kennedy plans on marrying Onassis tomorrow. She sure has felled off her pedestal.
Sunday 20 October 1968
Got up at 11:30 a.m. and helped Dad clean up the shingles from the side and backyard. In the afternoon I watched TV some. Around 4:30 I worked on my record surveys for the rest of the day until 9. Then I watched a special about Pat Paulson for President. It was funny. After that I went to my room and wrote Buddy Husky. I also changed the sheets on my bed. When I washed my bedspread, it lost its dye and returned back to gold. For dinner I had waffles and sausages. The weather has been cooling off lately with it being very damp a t night. 81 Degrees. In the news Jackie Kennedy married that guy from Greece. The Apollo astronauts are going to come down without their helmets on.
• Jacqueline Kennedy is married to Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate on the private island of Skorpios.
Monday 21 October 1968
I didn't go to school today. I felt really tired. I got up at 10 and did some house work. It was cold all day, but it did warm up some around noon. The weather is poor again 76 Degrees. In the afternoon I slept some and then did some of my homework. At night I had cooked cereal for dinner. Everyone else had steak. After dinner I watched TV until 11:00. Carol Burnett was very funny tonight. A while ago I heard a joke that went like this- "My Daddy the Colonel says he's going to plant Yeast instead of Cotton on his plantation so the South can Rise again!” I thought it was humorous! The news is that Apollo is to come on down tomorrow. I hope safely. I got a letter from Grandma Johnson today. She sent me some pictures too. I did the dishes for Mom for a dollar.
• The U.S. releases 14 North Vietnamese POWs.
Tuesday 22 October 1968
Today is Grandpa Williams' Birthday, and he is 66 years old. Went to school today. Boy was it foggy in the morning. You can hardly see in front of you. It never did really burn off. It remained hazy and terribly smoggy all day. 75 Degrees. Dad is coming down with a cold and I got a runny nose again. At home I cleaned up my room really good and for dinner I had a fried egg sandwich. I didn't watch any TV because I have a book to finish, Thomas. I got homework to do too. Early this afternoon Mom, Charline and Jean Horan went to an auction at the Queen Mary Ocean liner. Jean Horan bought some cabinets. She is storing them in our garage. In the news Apollo splashed down upside down. They weren't injured though. Yesterday I finished Judy's painting altogether.
• Pres. Johnson signed the Gun Control Act of 1968. It regulated firearms above .50-caliber as destructive devices and required registration and owner’s fingerprints. Enforcement was up to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF). It barred the import of assault weapons even if they were reconfigured if they were not found to have legitimate "sporting purposes." In the wake of the Kennedy and King assassinations the US Congress expanded gun ownership prohibitions to include dishonorably discharged veterans and other groups.
• Apollo 7 returned safely, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.
Wednesday 23 October 1968
I got up at 7 to get ready for school and it was very cold and very foggy this morning. In School Service Art I'm almost done with my homecoming project. In civics we discussed the office of the Vice Presidency. In PE we weight lifted again and I talked mainly with Barry Wendell. In Biology I took more notes and found out my grade on our last test. I got a 93. Couldn't believe it because I never study. At lunch I sat with Barry Wendall and his crowd. After that in Individual Reading, I made an appointment with Mr. Dale for Monday to review my reading. In geometry I took a test which I don't think I did so great on. I hate math. At home I went to the store for Mom and later I made an Apple Pie for dessert. Charline had been wanting something sweet. It wasn't bad at all. We had meatloaf for dinner. I cleaned up the kitchen for a $1 and after that went to my room and wrote a letter to Grandma Johnson. The weather is crazy. Cold, hot, cold, in that order, foggy, smoggy, and humid in that order. 90 Degrees. The smog was bad today. MAGIC CARPET RIDE #1 KHJ . John Adams is a friend of mine that I've known since Hare Intermediate. He's really a nice kid and not a Sosh. We aren't as close as we were as Freshmen but he's still cool. Another friend of mine is Ardene Argo. She and Linda Sparks were friends of mine since the 8th grade, and I always thought they both were cool. Linda is such a giggle box. Almost anything will set her off giggling. Bob Belcher is a friend of Jaeger's more than mine. Jerry Smith just loves Bob's name Belcher and always pronounces it like he's belching. Mike Boudreau is another cool guy. He's so funny and he's always cracking Jerry up at lunch. Jim Carrol and Duane Clemmons are cool too. Jim Carrol is a little dorky with his crew cut but he's a nice guy.
• In Nicaragua, the Cerro Negro volcano began erupting again and continued to Dec 10. It had first appeared in 1850.
Thursday 24 October 1968
Went to school today and it was very foggy in the morning and cold. The haze lingers for the rest of the day and the smog is very heavy. The worst according to the news in Orange County History. It was 98 Degrees today. My eyes watered and I was short of breath most of the day. In Art worked more on finishing my Roaring Twenties figures for Homecoming and In Civics talked about the Presidency some more. In PE I played Tennis with Barry Wendall and thought I'd croak from the smog. In Biology had a short lab experiment and at lunch talked to Barry Wendall and his crowd. The rest of the school day went fast enough and at home I cleaned up my room and brought out the barrels for trash pick-up. I watched TV the rest of the night until 10:3. For Dinner Mom fixed steak again. In the news Gary Hall from Rancho won a silver medal in Swimming at the Olympics in Mexico. Nothing else in the news other than Politics and Viet Nam. Oh yes, the kids at Berkley University are acting up again.
• At the National Air and Space Administration test pilot Bill Dana was at the controls of the North American X-15 rocket-propelled research aircraft when it made the 199th--and what turned out to be the final--flight of the X-15 program. He was flying the X-15-1, which had been the first of three aircraft to participate in a series of tests that spanned a decade and resulted in major advances for America's space flight program. In the course of that research, the X-15s spent 18 hours flying above Mach 1, 12 hours above Mach 2, nearly 9 hours above Mach 3, almost 6 hours above Mach 4, one hour above Mach 5 and a few short minutes above Mach 6. The X-15 was hailed by the scientific community as the most successful research aircraft of all time.
25 October 1968 Friday
It was very cold and foggy this morning when I got up at 7:1.5. Didn't do much in school today except talk to Jerry Smith at lunch and read the school newspaper. It was very smoggy again today but not as bad as yesterday. It got warm again today 95 Decrees. Although it’s been high in degrees it’s not been exceptionally hot at all. At home I had to bring a check up to Dad at H. & L. Distributors where he works. By the time I got back home at 6, the fog rolled on in and it got pretty thick. For dinner Mom fixed hamburgers. I finished reading Thomas so I can discuss it for credit this Monday with Mr. Dale. Tomorrow Rancho plays Pacifica though I'm not going to go. In the news LBJ's daughter Linda Robbs had a baby girl. I guess Mom and Dad are going to vote for Humphrey for President.
25 October 1968 Letter from my cousin Kay Johnson
Dear Jr. Well guess what? The package finally came in! They sent me a card saying I could pick it up at Littlefield, so we rushed up to get it. Thanks a lot for sending all these books and records. Right now, I'm listening to the records, and I've already started ORDEAL BY HUNGER. I know most of the songs but there’s a few I don't remember.
Sorry I've been so bad about writing. I've been going to write you for a long time, but something always came up.
How are your grades coming along? Mine are pretty good believe it or not. I made the B Honor roll for the first six weeks. Have you heard anything out of Buddy or any of the Huskies? I was gonna write Pam, but I never got her address. What’s happening in California? I think its fixing to be winter out here. It’s so cold. Is your football team still doing good? Ours is. We've won 6 games in a row. I imagine we're gonna get district. Ya’ll had district one year, didn't you?
Grandpa and Grandma went back down to the Lake. They had been up here for a week or so. I guess so Grandpa could help Daddy cut the grain. The cotton is opening up now amid the weeds me and you left. ha! I'd send you one, but we can't spare any. ha! I'm sorry to hear you had the flu. Has your mother still got it? How are Edgar, Charline, Donna, and Terry? I hope everyone’s fine. We are.
John called Sunday. He wants daddy to come down and go deer hunting with him. Alice and Spencer came out last week and spent a couple of days with us. Then they went down to the Lake. I laughed at Spencer until I thought I'd die. Daddy was trying to get them to come to church with us and Spencer said, "No but ya’ll go ahead. Just because I'm going to Hell is no reason you should." I couldn't believe it. I just sat there and laughed.
Thank you for the cutie birthday cards. I really appreciate them. I'm 15 now! Oh Wow! but it sounds good to me. Well, I guess I'd better close and get all that homework of mine done. I just thought I'd let you know I got the package. Too bad. Now you don’t get $25 back. ha! Write soon and next time I'll try to, too! OK? Love from Kay.
Saturday 26 October 1968
I got up at 8 this morning and it wasn't as foggy as yesterday. All morning long Dad and I cleaned out the garage. What a mess. After that was done, I started weeding the evergreens along the driveway. That took me the better part of all day. Donna and Terry came over to show off her new wig. Donna sure has changed. Mini-skirts, knee high boots, short blond hair and now a wig! I got a letter from Kay yesterday. She said she finally got my package at last! In the evening Mom and dad went to a Party for Tom and Jean Horan. Charline and I stayed home and had Pepperoni Pizza for supper and watched a movie, MASQUERADE which was okay. I set all the clocks back one hour now that we go off daylights savings time. The weather is pretty in the daytime with light smog. Cold at nights. 90 degrees.
Sunday 27 October 1968
Boy was it cold last night! I could hardly get any sleep. When I got up at 8:30 Mom had me go to the store and get some milk. In the afternoon I started cleaning up the front yard and mowed it. Around 3 Dad and I went to the dump way out in Irvine. It was a very pleasant day though quite hazy. 85 degrees. In the late afternoon read some and watched TV in the evening. For dinner Mom had me go to Colonel Sander's Chicken. I watched some of Smother Brothers before going to bed at 10:00. Rancho beat Pacifica 27-7. My throat is a little sore from the damp night. I guess I'll have to move my bed a way from under the window. Jerry Smith called just to gab today.
• The 19th Olympic games closed at Mexico City, Mexico. In London there was a massive anti-Vietnam war demonstration.
Monday 28 October 1968
Got up at 7:15 to go to school after a very restless night. I don't feel so great. At school nothing happened much. One boring day after another. I cut class in geometry and went home because I wasn't feeling well. At home Charline had got a letter from her old friend Rick Adams. He's in the hospital recovering from an operation. I guess he has really had it rough this year. That tornado back in April destroyed all his family owned. It seems whenever you think you’re having a hard time you'll always find someone worst off then you. For the rest of the day moved my bed around and fixed the frame for Judy Husky's picture. I had hot cereal for dinner. Weather clearer but nippy. 80 Degrees. Tomorrow McCarthy will support Humphrey at last.
• Pres. Johnson named Robert Komer (d.2000 at 78) as ambassador to Turkey. Komer had served Johnson as head of the "pacification" program in Vietnam, which used information and propaganda to gain political and social control of south Vietnam.
Tuesday 29 October 1968
I slept better finally but it still pretty cold. I cut myself on the side of the face while shaving. It was bad enough to keep bleeding for a while. At school Gary Hall returned from Mexico and at Snack Break there was a rally for him. His silver medal is displayed in the school library. In reading I discussed THOMAS and BECKETT with Mr. Dale. I'm thinking seriously on dropping geometry because while I do good on everything else this is my worst subject. I'm just not mathematical. At home I ran around some for my neighbor next door and for Mom. It is raining right now which is surprising, for I sure didn't expect it to. 75 degrees. I had hot dogs for dinner.
Wednesday 30 October 1968
It rained all last night. Went to school and the rain cleared up around 3rd period. At lunch fought with Steve Manning and Steve Hall over the Civil War. I'm always having to defend the South. Back in Civics our class took a poll and Nixon won with 19 votes, Humphrey only got 4, and Wallace 3. I was one of those who voted for Wallace. At home I made plans to drop geometry. I'm just not good in any kind of Math of any kind. I also went down to Roberts Studio in Garden Grove and picked up my Senior pictures. I'm obliged to do the dishes every night until the 9th of November because of an agreement I made with Mom. Jean Horan was over part of the evening talking with Mom. I watched TV some at night then studied for Civic and biology tests tomorrow. 75 degrees. Cool weather. Had Pot Pie for dinner. MAGIC CARPET RIDE #1 on KHJ
• Ramon Samaniego Navarro (b.1899), the 1st successful Latin star in Hollywood (Ben Hur), was killed by 2 male hustlers.
Thursday 31 October 1968
Wonderful news! President Johnson has stopped the bombing of North Viet Nam. Now maybe we will have peace. This war has been going on for four long years. Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m. the bombing will cease and the Viet Cong, Saigon, Hanoi, and the U.S. governments will get together to work out a solution. Blessed are the Peacemakers. I can’t express what joy this means to me and for that matter everyone else. Maybe the war will be over now, and our troops can come home, and Buddy and Terry won’t have to worry about getting drafted! Also, in the news the Submarine Scorpio was found at the bottom of the ocean off the Azores. What a horrible way to die. Tom and Jean left at 9 p.m. this morning for their trip to Hawaii. I got a letter from Pam Husky and a picture from her. Charline baked two date-nut cakes and some oatmeal cookies to send to Rick Adams. The weather is cool today 75 decrees. I did 8 pull ups in PE which is pretty good for me. While walking in the garage somehow, I got a rusty nail stuck in my ankle and I have to go to the doctors tomorrow for a shot. Had chili for dinner. Today was my Aunt Bonnie's birthday. Didn’t do anything for Hallowe'en this year. I love Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday because I love to get spooked.
• One time in the 8th grade (1965) Jerry Smith and I dressed up as girls and put balloons in for tits. When Dad came home from work and saw me dressed like that, he got really mad and threw a fit. He almost wouldn't let me go out with Jerry trick or treating. Ever since I can remember we went trick or treating around our neighborhood. There were lots of kids back then and everyone let their kids go out and everyone had treats. Jean Horan always had something good for the kids she knew personally like caramel apples or popcorn balls or something good. People would dress their yards up too putting out Jack 0' Lanterns and scary things in the windows. Only one time I remember being mischievous. Jerry Smith and I walked up to the Orange County Plaza and bought some eggs to throw at cars. We were in the 7th grade (1964). The Early Show on Channel Two usually played Abbott and Costello Meets Frankenstein and that really set the mood for Halloween. Frankenstein, Dracula, Werewolves, Vampires, Goblins, Spooks, haunted houses. I love it all. Scare me! Once (1966) Donna, Chris Barber, Jerry Smith, and I went to this old boarded up house off of Brookhurst and Chapman at night. It was in the middle of an orange grove, and we went at night with flashlights hoping not to be caught by the cops. It was supposed to be haunted and it was spooky climbing threw the window into the house. We were almost scared witless anyways and when the first sudden noise we heard we took off like a flash. Probably was other kids coming out to investigate the haunted house too.
• President Johnson announced a halt to all US bombing of North Vietnam, effective the next morning, saying he hoped for fruitful peace negotiations. Operation Rolling Thunder ends as President Johnson announces a complete halt of U.S. bombing of North Vietnam in the hope of restarting the peace talks. Throughout the three and a half year bombing campaign, the U.S. dropped a million tons of bombs on North Vietnam, the equivalent of 800 tons per day, with little actual success in halting the flow of soldiers and supplies into the South or in damaging North Vietnamese morale. In fact, the opposite has occurred as the North Vietnamese have patriotically rallied around their Communist leaders as a result of the onslaught. By now, many towns south of Hanoi have been leveled with a U.S. estimate of 52,000 civilian deaths. During Rolling Thunder, North Vietnam's sophisticated, Soviet-supplied air defense system managed to shoot down 922 U.S. aircraft during 2380 sorties flown by B-52 bombers and over 300,000 sorties by U.S. Navy and Air Force fighter-bombers.
November
1 Nov 1968 Friday
Didn't go got to school because my ankle was swollen, and it was painful to walk on. Watched TV some of the day. At 4 p.m. I went to the doctor's for a tetanus shot but I didn't get out of his office until 6 p.m. Watched some TV. After that mom ordered Pizzas for dinner. I went to my room at 10:00 and wrote Kay, Judy, Pam, and Buddy. I sent them all a picture. The weather is pleasant in the day but terrible at night. 75 degrees. In the news Saigon won't have an thing to do with the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) so what they will do now I don't know. I go to Judy's painting all wrap and Grandma Johnson' s picture of me too ready to mail. My arm is sore from the shot.
• Lyndon B. Johnson's halt to bombing in Vietnam went into effect at 8 AM, Washington time.
• The Motion Picture Association of America unveiled its new voluntary film rating system: G for general audiences, M for mature audiences (later changed to GP, then PG), R for restricted audiences, and X (later changed to NC-17) for adults only.
• William E. Colby replaces Robert Komer as head of CORDS.
2 Nov 1968 Saturday
In the morning I straightened up the back yard and cleaned up my bedroom. In the afternoon went to the store several times for Mom. She is having Milton and Marie over for dinner. Grandma and Grandpa Williams dropped by unexpectedly around 5:30 and stayed for dinner too. Milton and Marie came over at 6. I got so tired of staying at home lately, so I went to the football game with Jaeger, Bob Belcher, Alan Edwards, Bill Lyons, Duane Clemmons, and this new guy a freshman, Don BurIes. Jaeger took us and the game lasted till 10:00. It was fun but we lost to our arch rival Garden Grove 13-14. It’s very disappointing. Everybody it seems went to the dance afterwards, but Jaeger, Belcher, Burls, and I went driving around up to Silverado Canyon. Got home at 1:30 and went to bed. Had some barbeque beef and potato salad for dinner. Cool day. 75 degrees. Cold at night.
3 Nov 1968 Sunday
Got up at 9:30 for I had to help Dad on the truck, but Dad didn't have something he needed so we didn't work on the truck after all. I had a very restless night and very weird dreams. Anyway, I decided to clean up the car and that's what I did the rest of the day. I washed it, then painted some of the interior of the car especially the sun visors. Had egg sandwiches for dinner. Watched TV until 9:30 then I cleaned up the kitchen and my room. It has showered all evening long and it was very cool all afternoon. 70 degrees. A year ago, today Jerry Smith and I went down to Costa Mesa to a George Wallace rally. We sat up on the front row near the TV cameras and after his speech Jerry and I shook hands with him. There is nothing on TV but political commercials which I'm getting sick of. Boo! Bad scene.
• George Wallace (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was a segregationist governor of Alabama who as a Presidential candidate ran on the American Independent ticket. Wallace was shot by Arthur Bremer while campaigning in Laurel, Maryland, on May 15, 1972. One of the bullets lodged in Wallace's spinal column, and Wallace was left paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. He later became a champion of integration.
4 Nov 1968 Monday
Had a hard time getting up to go to school. Had a restless night because of the cold. Nothing much happening at school. Got out of PE for a week. Preparing for quarter exams mainly. I'm reading "House Divided" in Individual Reading. At home straightened up my room and went driving around for Mom over in Garden Grove. At home nothing on TV but those political stuff so I did some of my homework. When cleaned up the kitchen I made a cake for dinner. We had steak. It was ok. The weather is very cool. I wish it would warm up some. 75 degrees. In the news Humphrey 43 % to Nixon 40 % in Harris Poll.
5 Nov 1968 Tuesday
Mom and Dad went over to Grandpa Williams to visit and take Bonnie where she had to go to vote. Mom and Charline and I guess Dad and Mom voted for Humphrey. Nothing happening much at school. Told Mr. Huggett that I was dropping his class. Don't know if he was glad or mad. At home I did some washing and cleaned up the inside of the car some more. At 6:30 I went over to Jaegers. He, Belcher, BurIes, and I went to a Pep Club meeting at school. Afterwards we went and got a coke. I made plans with Jaeger to go camping with the guys this weekend at saddleback. At home in the night, I cleaned up the kitchen and my bedroom. In the news before I went to bed Humphrey and Nixon tied in the popular vote, but Nixon won in the Electoral College. Wallace carried five states. Cool weather 75 degrees. Steak for dinner.
• Richard M. Nixon was elected the 37th US President with Spiro Agnew as vice-president. He defeated Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and third-party candidate George C. Wallace. Election Day. The results of the popular vote are 31,770,000 for Nixon, 43.4 percent of the total; 31,270,000 or 42.7 percent for Humphrey; 9,906,000 or 13.5 percent for Wallace; and 0.4 percent for other candidates.
• Barry Goldwater (1909-1998), former Republican presidential candidate (1964), was re-elected in Arizona to the US Senate.
• Alan Cranston (1914-2000), former California state controller (1959-1967), was elected for his 1st term as US
• Senator. Shirley Chisholm (1924-2004) of Brooklyn, New York, became the first black woman elected to serve in the US House of Representatives.
6 November 1968 Wednesday
Well Nixon won this morning. It was very disappointing. Nixon had 287 electives, Humphreys 166, and Wallace 45 but the popular vote was very close. Only 49,000 votes in the whole nation separated Nixon and Humphreys" So for the first time that I can really remember I'll live under a Republican President. At school not much happening. At home watched TV some and took Charline to the eye doctor. Jaeger and Belcher came over around 6. I talked to Dad, and he said it was all right for me to go camping this weekend. Had spaghetti for dinner and Donna and Terry came over. We are still very scared that Terry might have to go in to the service. Watched TV rest of the night and cleaned up kitchen and did my homework. Weather fair. 76 degrees. "Love Child" by the Supremes is #1 on KHJ
• Love Child" is a 1968 hit single released by the Motown label as a single for Diana Ross & the Supremes, although Diana Ross is the only member of the group present on the recorded release; it is the group's 11th number one song in America. The song is notable for its then controversial subject matter of illegitimacy. It is also notable for knocking The Beatles' massive "Hey Jude" off the top spot in the United States, the last of five Beatles/Supremes replacements at number one on the US pop chart during the 1960s. The Supremes debuted the song Sunday, September 29, 1968 on the CBS hit variety program The Ed Sullivan Show in what was one of the final performances the girl group would make on the show.
• Terry Pierce was 25 years old when he married Donna. Mom always thought he only married her to stay out of the draft. Mom also thought Terry might have been Gay since Donna told her that he liked to dress up in women’s clothing, but he may have been just a transvestite.
• On November 6, 1967, several black students attack James Vaszko, editor of the Gator, the San Francisco State campus newspaper. Mr. Vaszko had stated in an editorial that he had written to the Carnegie Corporation asking them to cease any plans they might have had to grant money to the college's "service programs," which included Black Student Union sponsored programs. On the one-year anniversary of the Gator incident, the Black Students' Union and the Third World Liberation Front issued a list of 10 "nonnegotiable" demands and called for a one-day strike. The strike lasted 167 days.
7 November 1968 Thursday
Went to school today but not much is happening. Took 2 tests for civics and Biology. Told Jaeger I'd go with him to Saddleback. At home Bonnie had spent the afternoon over here and left shortly after I got home. Mom fixed a Pot Roast for dinner, and it was good. I got a half inch thorn stuck in my foot and boy did it hurt getting that thing out. Did the dishes and got thru at 10:30. Wrote Mr. and Mrs. Husky and J. W. and Pauline. The weather is cool and cold at night and in the morning. I'm going to the Home Coming game tomorrow but not to the dance although it will be my drawings from School Service Art that will be decorating the gym. Russia is celebrating the anniversary of their Communist Revolution. I'm reading house Divided and it is excellent. Really.
• I had painted these life size drawings of dancers from the 1920’s in John Held Jr.’s stylized jazz style. The theme of Home Coming was These Were the Days.” Mr. Wendt chose me to design the paintings for the dance and while the popular kids decorated the gym I was not asked to help. There wasn’t anyone I would have wanted to take to homecoming dance anyway except perhaps Don Burles a cute Freshman but in 1968 that was certainly out of the question.
8 Nov 1968 Friday
Went to school today and it’s the end of the 1st quarter of school. It was quite windy and warm. Very dry. 85 degrees. I liked it. A bunch of Senior girls dressed up in servicemen uniforms and marched around the school to protest the war until they were kicked out and sent home to change. In school service art we finished the homecoming project and had a party to celebrate of popcorn, donuts and seven-up. At lunch I went to the assembly with Barry Wendel and met Jaeger and the rest of the idiots. School was fun today and of course the end of the quarter. Belcher has to work tomorrow so we aren't going up to saddleback. Oh yes. I got out of geometry finally. In the early evening picked up the Idiots and went to the Bolsa Stadium to help decorate it for Homecoming. We stayed for the game, and we won it 33-13. Afterwards we went over to Alan Edwards until he left for the dance. The rest of us went out for a coke and I came home at 12. Didn't eat any dinner. Dianne Rutscke was Homecoming queen. I wanted Jan Hanshaw to win.
Letter from Grandma Johnson 8th Nov 1968
Dear Grandson Jr. How are you? We are ok. I'm all by my lonesome. Grandad at the office. J.W. and all the rest ok. I went up yesterday and enjoyed the great grandsons. They are the cutest. Craig is talking when he wants to. They half to talk to me on the telephone every day. Think they get on Kay's nerves when Chris holds his breath especially. Well, I got your picture yesterday and it is good. I've got it on the TV where I can talk to it. When I was staring into it, I was praying all the time, "Oh Let his hair be Cut! and it is pretty. Believe you me, you are a handsome looking boy and are we proud of you. Just stay with your high morals and your high goals and you will be ok. It’s just up to the individual. They can be something or just nothing. Well, the elections are in the past and Wallace didn't get there. Maybe next time. If Ike can hold out now till after the wedding everything will be ok with Nixon. Well, LBJ accomplished more than any other President. Two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. It’s been raining all morning. Dark and Dreary. Glad Donna and Terry are close and can visit you so often. There's not much news. Do write and thanks again for your picture. Love. Your Grandparents.
9 Nov 1968 Saturday
Got up at 6:30 because Dad wanted me to help him work on the truck. The brakes need fixing. We got through about 10 and I didn't do much else the rest of the day except read a little from "House Divided". The weather was nice but cooler then yesterday. 80 degrees. In the afternoon Burles and I went to the Costa Mesa Plaza and looked around some. Came home at 3:3O. Jaeger called and wanted me to go to the show. We did but I didn't like it. Saw "hang 'Em High" and "five Card Stud". It wasn't very good. Jaeger wanted to cruise around some afterwards, so we did but I got home at 12:30. Had sandwich for lunch.
10 Nov 1968 Sunday
Got up at 7 and had some breakfast. Didn't do much all morning but
clean up my room and the kitchen. It was warm and pretty today almost like summer. 88 degrees. Mom bought lunch meat and made potato salad for dinner. Tom and Jean got back from their vacation today. They left early, Jean said because it was raining and storming in New York. We all went over to Tom and Jeans’ and talked to them. Around 4:30 I called Jaeger and asked if they were still going up to Saddleback, but they weren’t, so I called Don Burl's and asked if he wan tad to go to the show. He did so we went and saw "Gone with The Wind" at the Orange Drive-In. I never saw the movie before, but I had read the book. The movie was just fabulous. Excellent. The best I have ever seen. After the show we drove around some until it got really foggy. Got home at 12 and went to bed.
11 Nov 1968 Monday- Veteran's Day
Didn't get up until 12. Slept in late because of last night. Dad was home from work because of Veteran's Day. Also, he hasn't been feeling well lately. He says his legs ache. It’s a lot cooler today then yesterday. Only 75 degrees. Suppose to rain today. Either tonight or tomorrow. I didn't do much all afternoon except run to the store for Mom a few times. For dinner
we had burritos. Donna and Terry came over for just a little while. Frances
Ann called today to see if Charline had her baby yet. She also said my cousin Gary was thinking of dropping out of school! 'Talk about dumb. He's a year younger then I am. Charline went to the doctor's today and he said it was going to be a boy. Our names for the baby finally is James Richard and Robert Jeremy if its twins and if the doctor is wrong its Rebecca June or Claudia Louise if its twins.
12 Nov 1968 Tuesday
Went to school today but it seemed like a Monday. Played tennis in PE with my partner John Morris. He's almost as bad as I am. Ha! That’s about all that happened in school. Got a letter from Grandma Johnson in the mail.
Did some of my homework and cleaned up my bedroom before going to bed. The weather is cool 75 degrees and cloudy. For dinner had spaghetti. Not much in
the news. They're go1nt: to send some astronauts up to orbit the mood at Christmas time. Nixon and Johnson are working together so that Johnson won't be too much of a Lame Duck. South Vietnam still won't go to the Paris Peace conference. Last weekend there was a plot to assassinate Nixon!
Nov 12, The US Supreme Court in Epperson v. Arkansas voided an Arkansas law banning the teaching of evolution in public schools.
1J Nov 1968 Wednesday-
Got up at 7:15 and got ready to go to school. Nothing much happening there. But when I got home, I went to the new Zody's on Beach Blvd and I bought six new records- ''Piece of My Heart" Janis Joplin, "The Snake", ''Lalena'', ''Lets Live for Today", and "All Along the Watch Tower". Watched TV some and did the dishes 0 ''Love Child" still number 1 on KHJ. For dinner had steak. Tomorrow will be three months since I left Texas. Mom asked me today if' I would get a diary for 1969 and I said no A diary is something you can have to keep memories but I it is so much trouble. I've tried to (if nothing else) keep an accurate record
• Zodys was located at 121 N. BEACH BLVD. in Buena Park. OPENED 11/19/1967, Giant 9/3/86
14 Nov 1968 Thursday
Went to school today. Painting in School Service art a picture I started before this Homecoming 13 tufY began. In Ci vies just discussing our national policy. In PE played tennis with Barry Wendel. Biology still on genetics and fruit flies. I talked to Steve Hall and his friends at lunch. In English still reading "House Divided". At home Mom went grocer,)T shopping and I did the dishes for a dollar. Watched TV in the evening and went to bed at 11. Before that though I changed my room around so to get my bed away from the outside wall. The weather is cooler. Very winter like. 75 degrees. Suppose to rain tonight. This afternoon my cat Jasmine got into a big fight with a Siamese, and I had to climb the tree to get her down. Had hamburgers for dinner.
November 14
National Turn in Your Draft Card Day is observed with rallies and protests on college campuses throughout the country. In the US "National Turn in Your Draft Card Day" featured draft card burning as the Vietnam death toll approached 30,000 and US troop strength in Vietnam reached its peak of 550,000. Yale University announced its plan to
1.5 Nov 1968 Friday
Went to school today and it was cold and wet weather. Rained all last night so everything was wet. Rained some today. 70 degrees. Didn't do much
in school like I said it was cold and miserable. At home I got my report card.
A in biology, A in English, A in Art, B in civics, C in PE, and a D in geometry. Jean came over in the late afternoon and we figured out what to do on Charline's baby certificate so that the baby can have Gary Clark's last name instead of Charline's. Donna and Terry came over at 6 and stayed until 7:30 when lad got home, and he and Mom got into a big fight. I watched TV until 10. Had Pizza
for dinner. Alan .lOO.wards wants me to draw a Santa Claus poster for him. Jerry Smith borrowed a dollar from me Last football game is tomorrow against La Quinta.
16 Nov 1968 Saturday
lad got me up at 7:30 and about 9 we started to shingle the front half of
the house. We stayed up there until 4:300 At 1:30 Bonnie and Bill came over
and Bill helped us the rest of the time. For dinner had roast beef and potato salad. At 7 I went to the football game with Jaeger and his friends. At half time I went and sat with Barry Wendel and his friends because Jaeger's friends were being obnoxious. Our team walked allover La Quinta 20-0. Everybody is saying we'll go to C. I.F'. I sure would like to see us go. After the game we went to the dance
but it was a bomb, so I left. Went driving around some before coming home and
going: to bed at 12.
17 Nov 1968 Sunday
Got up about 8. Dad and I didn't work on the roof anymore today because Dad was sore. Watched some TV in the artemon. Around 4 Bonnie and Bill came back over to get her glasses she had left from yesterday. At 6 Barry Wendel came over and wanted to know if I still was going to the show. We went with Charlie Zeoli, and I saw "Gone with The Wind" again. I didn't care because It’s such a good movie. Barry and Charlie also stole a speaker at the drive-in by clipping the wires. I was embarrassed but it was funny. They wanted it to put in their car. Got home about 11 :30 and I went to bed. Weather slightly warm but foggy at night and in the morning. Didn't eat no dinner. It’s been cold lately. I hope it warms up soon.
18 Nov 1968 Monday
Went to school today. Very foggy in the morning. In fact, in PE when we ran the mile you couldn't see across the track so Barry and I walked it when the coach couldn't see us. In Civics I got an A on my test. In Biology Jody has been absent for about two days. At lunch Barry Wendel and I went to Colonel Sanders and got some chicken. We were both late getting back to school. Jerry Smith told me that I could probably get a job down at this home Silk place so
~~ I think I might apply for it sometime this week. That's where Jerry's been working. Nom fixed soup for dinner. I didn't eat any of it. 70 degrees. At night I watched the first part 01' "EL Cid". It was really good. In the news South Vietnam still won't go to Paris. The French Franc is in trouble again.
Nov 18, Soviets recovered the Zond 6 spacecraft after a flight around the moon.
(HN, 11/18/98)
19 November 1968 Tuesday
Went to school today. It was very foggy this morning and has been cold
a t night. Smoggy and foggy all day. 70 degrees. In school service art worked on the Santa Claus for Alan Edwards. In civics class we had a debate on gun control. In PE because of the fog, we played bombardment in the Gym. In biology we are still on genetics. I think my two fruit flies are two guys. Nothing is happening. At lunch talked to Jerrys Smith and some of his friends. Still reading "house Divided" in Reading. Its 1500 pages long. A t home the car won't start because of the starter. :w.d will fix it tomorrow. Fad hamburgers
for dinner. Rest of the night until 9 worked on the Santa Claus. After that
wa tohed 2nd part of "E! Cid". 110m dressed Jasmine in some baby clothes. Jasmine had a fit. She is awfully feisty today for ~:>me reason.
20 Nov 1968 l'1ednesday
I didn't go to school today. Had no sleep last night because of a cold.
Another tragic incident today. 0ur little cat Jasmine died today of what we
don It know. Died last night in the garage. I forgot to bring her in last night. Charline was so broken up over it for she was really attached to the poor thing. Mom is so upset too. Been crying all morning. We aren It going to have any more animals because we get too attached to them and it hurts us too much when· they die. 1< our pets have died on us this year. Three cats and one dog. Donna and Terry were over for Spaghetti. I got myself a job starting this Saturday at
9:30 at Home Silk Shop on Harbor Blvd. lad went to the doctors today because of his inflamed knee. Gave Alan Edwards his San ta Claus today. I talked to Gary Allen at Ranch today. It/e tiere such good friends back in Jr. High. He got a
girl pregnant in his sophomore year and had to drop out of school to marry her. He works as a janitor and goes to Rancho at nights. It’s really kind of sad.
I sure am so~ poor Jasmine is gone. Was really fond of her. 85 degrees. Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's anniversary.
21 Nov 1968 Thursday
Went to school today. Not much happening. I'm kind of lost on what's going on. Only 40 more days left in the year. I can't believe it, but I won't miss '68 too bad though it’s been a good and strange year. I had a dinner of steak and potatoes. Charline should have her baby this coming Monday according, to the doctor. lad isn't feeling well or Mom. I'm fine except for my itching.
I'm going to have to go to the doctor's sometime to see about it, I guess. Nothing in the news except Nixon. He is looking for people for his cabinet. The Hong Kong 1'lu is going around. Weather foggy 65 degrees.
Letter from Buddy Husky 21 Nov 1968
Dear Cali1'ornia Cowboy. Boy I sure am glad your name isn't any longer because if it was, I would have never got it on the front t of the envelope. By the way how are you doing? I went to Sul Ross a couple of weeks age. saw Judy and Johnny. They said they were doing fine. Do you remember Changa? Boy you wouldn't recognize him. He has changed so much. I am still working at the
sale barn and I sure enjoy it very much and I think Tonka does too. I guess
I will work here all 'Thanksgiving holidays. I think mother and lad are going down to see Uncle Delbert and Marcia. Do you remember Marcia? She bought herself a horse about two months ago. How are you getting along? Is school easy this year? It sure seemed easier my last year. Who are you going with now? Is she good looking? \{ell I have run out of things to say like always. I can think
of things I'd like to ask you when I am at school but when I set down and start writing I forget everything. Well maybe I'll think about it next time. I will write as soon as possible. Take it easy and may God Bless You. Texas Cowboy Arnold. PS. Tell your mother and Dad hi for me.
22 November 1968 Friday
Went to school. In School Service art still painting some. In civics had a test. Did ok. In PE still weight training. I'm getting tired of just weight training and tennis the whole semester. Will be glad when it’s over with. In biology we will be going into genetics more later. Still reading "House Divided" in reading. It’s pretty good. At home didn't do much. Watched TV until going to bed at 11. I'm anticipating work tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about the whole idea but I got to get a Job sometime and now's as
good as ever. Had dinner of hamburgers. The weather is cool but pretty 70 degrees.
Nov 22, Beatles released their "Beatles," (White Album) their only double album.
2) November 1968 Saturday
Got up at 7:)0 to get ready to go to work on my 1st day. I work at the
Home Silk Shop. I had to be there at 9:)0 to start. Some of the guys that
work there are Gordon, Steve, and Jerry Smith who is quitting today. The people there are all so nice except for one of the bosses, Mr. Roman. I stocked shelves, rolled cloth, took inventory, and worked until 10 o'clock. I was glad to get off work. So tired. I went to bed at 1:30 because I was too tired to sleep. I had donuts and a coke for dinner. The weather is cool but milt cold. It’s a bit foggy at nights but not as bad as it used to be last week. 70 degrees.
• Werner Roman (1 April 1920- 7 August 1995) was a German Jew who came to America in 1951 with his wife and daughter as displaced refugees
Nov 23, Five Cubans hijacked a US B-727 jet, from Chicago to Cuba.
Letter from Kay Johnson 23 Nov 1968
Dear Jr. I got your letter today and I sure was glad to hear from you. That 11-page letter was just what I needed. I was just getting in a bad mood thinking about how boring; it is out here. But the way you put it, it is sota funny. I
bet you want to die when you're out here. How did you ever stand it last summer? Mom would let us go to Littlefield but Whoopie! Just where we wanta go. But really the other day I was going to catch a ride with my cousin- a boy- to
Littlefield but first Mom has to give. me this lecture about not doing anything. Boy if she thinks I'm a good girl I've faked her out. You ought to saw her
when she was trying to tell me about the facts of life. She turned as green
as this paper. It sounds so cool out there at that school. You’ve got to be kidding 1f you think Olton had anything like that. If we wear our hair long, we're expelled. I'm just sick of it too. I think I'll move out there. And
the bit about grass and whites??? Most of the guys out here don't even know
what it is. I know you think 11m on the retarded side but at least I know something. We get out of school !'lay 21st. I can’t wait too ~lhy deb you have to go to June 14th? I sure wouldn’t It. Hurrah for you and Jerry Smith. 11m glad you don't do all that stuff, I guess. I'm sorry you're not coming out early, but I don It blame you a bit. Mom says that since June is gonna have an operation that you guys probably won’t come out this summer. But you’d better. 1111 die if
you don't. Can you imagine me sitting around on this farm all summer? Well, I went to see "Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner?" It was pretty good. Have you seen any good shows lately? and do you believe in goin5 to them. That’s about the only thing to do but bowl and get old. I had to go to the dentist today. He said he thinks I might have to wear braces. I said, “I think you might be a fool." I would It wear braces if I was dying. We get out of school some for-Volleyball tournaments. I hate it but at least you can miss a couple of classes. Praise the Lord. I like "Cry Like a Baby" and "Young Girl". Guess what's number one
out here? Some stinking song by the Monkees. I can't remember the name of it. The Monkees aren’t going to be TV next year I don't think. I hate them. I know you won't believe this, but I burnt all those pictures I had of them niggers. Are you gonna get a job this summer? I hope your family is all right. Mom and Dad are mad because Edgar didn't call and tell them June was in the hospital.
Oh well. I've got to close and study for those dumb tests tomorrow. Write me soon. Just like I did you, ok? Love Ya. Kay
PSI I tried to write 11 pages but I'm not so good about writing letters. You probably are getting tired of trying to read this any ways. Bye again.
Jesus Loves Me Yes, He do.
LBJ done told him to.
24 Nov 1968 Sunday
Didn't get up until 10;30. I was 50 tired from yesterday. Charline's
~--... doctor said the baby will come any time now but if it doesn’t! t come next week some time he will induce labor. Got a letter from Buddy yesterday. Donna and Terry were over most of the day. Mom made lasagna for dinner. It was ok. In the evening watched TV most of the night and at 9 I watched a movie "55 Days at Peking" It was about the Boxer rebellion and was a very interesting movie. The day was pretty but windy a little. 75 degrees. The Is that 78 coal miners who were trapped in a mine in West Virginia yesterday are believed dead because of a new explosion. Eldredge Cleaver is in trouble again. The French think they will have to devalue the Franc but De Gaulle refuses to do 50.
Nov 24, Eldridge Cleaver fled the US with his wife rather face assault charges from 1958. He returned to the US in 1975. Three Latins hijacked a US B-707 jet, from New York to Cuba.
25 Nov 1968 Monday
Went to school. In art just looked at some magazines. Reviewed for the test tomorrow in Civics. In biology we just talked about our fruit flies. At lunch talked to Jaeger, Edwards, Belcher, and Joleen Valentine. They are doing charity work for this mental hospital in Costa Mesa.
Reading the same book but am half way thru it now. I go to work at 2 so I leave now almost right after I get home from school. At work I was the only boy until 5 o'clock when Gordon and Steve came in. Steve is usually already in when I start work.
We worked until 10 and I was so tired I just went to bed. Didn't study or anything. Had a coke and donuts for dinner. Weather cool and damp. 70 degrees. Tom and Jean are putting afront porch on their house.
Nov 25, Upton B. Sinclair (b.1878), US novelist and social reformer (Jungle), died at age 90. His work included almost 50 novels, over 20 nonfiction books, plays and countless pieces of journalism. In 1975 Leon A. Harris Jr. (d.2000) authored "Upton Sinclair, American Rebel." In 2006 Anthony Arthur authored “Radical Innocent: Upton Sinclair.”
26 Nov 1968 'Tuesday
Went to school today. In art studied for my civics which when I took the test I didn't do so well. In PE played tennis. My partner is John Morris. We played John Stimpson and Bill Hyland and lost. In biology just reviewed for a test tomorrow. Also had a pop quiz which I did all right on.
At lunch read some of the book I'm reading for English. When I got home went straight to work again. Talked with Betsy and Aldora two of the sales ladies some. Worked until 7. Sure, was glad to come home. Just plain tired.
Ate a sandwich for dinner. Didn't watch much TV. Went to bed at 9. The weather is warmer but still cold. 75 degrees. Not as foggy any more. I'm supposed to work 30 hours a week. Mom says its illegal for a minor to work that many hours.
· November 26 After stalling for months, the South Vietnamese government agrees to join in the Paris peace talks.
27 November 1968 Wednesday
Didn't go to school today because I was tired. In the morning cashed my check at the bank. A little after that I took Judy's picture to Santa Ana and had it shipped back by Greyhound Bus. It cost me $2.95 to have it sent. I was paid $12.38 today.
Came home and then went and got the car filled with gas and went to South Coast Plaza. There I bought a book "Ordeal by Hunger" about the Donner party for $6.50 and two records, "Don't You Care" and "Angel of the Morning". When I got home it was time to go to work. There I worked until 7: 30. While working I was sent in to Santa Ana to pick up some cloth and I had to take the Freeway. Also asked the bosses for shorter working hours and they said no.
At home watched TV until 1 including a movie "One Million BC." "Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder # 1 on KHJ
• President-elect Nixon asks Harvard professor Henry Kissinger to be his National Security Advisor. Kissinger accepts.
• Stewart, George R. Ordeal by Hunger the Story of The Donner Party, first published 1936.
• For Once in My Life" is a pop song written for Motown Records. The most familiar and successful version of "For Once in My Life" is an up tempo hit version by Stevie Wonder and was a top-three hit in the United States in late 1968 and early 1969.
• One Million BC was 1940 Film starring Victor Mature, Carol Landis, and Lon Cheney Jr as cavemen. One Million B.C. was a popular success and was nominated for two Academy Awards for its special effects and musical score. The film was remade in 1966 as One Million Years B.C. starring John Richardson as Tumak and Raquel Welch as Loana.
• Don't You Care" (1967, #6) recorded by the Buckinghams, an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in 1966 and went on to become one of the top selling acts of 1967.
• Merrilee Rush is an American singer best known for her recording of the song "Angel of the Morning", a Top 10 charting song which earned her a Grammy nomination for Female Vocalist of The Year in 1968.
28 Nov 1968 Thursday- Thanksgiving Day
Got up at 9:30 and cleaned up a little. Emptied the trashes and all. Dad and Charline watched the parades most of the morning until Donna and Terry came over. Donna has a cold.
We ate Thanksgiving Dinner at 1. We had turkey, dressing, candied yams, corn, gravy, rolls, and a bunch of other things. For dessert had pumpkin and mincemeat pies.
In the afternoon took a nap from 2 to 7 O’clock. Everybody was playing cards. I watched TV until 10:30 and then listen to my records. The weather out was no smog, pretty blue skies, but kind of nippy. 75 degrees. Charline is going to have to see her doctor tomorrow. It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving by not going over to Grandma Williams for it.
It don’t feel right. I think I'm coming down with asthma.
29 November 1968 Friday
Didn't do much today. Cleaned up the front yard and my room some. I'm in the middle room again now because my old room was just too cold at night for me. I didn't go anywhere today because Mom doesn't want me to use the car while the baby may come at any time.
I went to work at 5 o'clock and worked until 10. Had to bring a bunch of new material out from the storeroom. I had donuts and a coke for dinner. I'm putting on weight. I'm going to have to lose weight pretty soon. I still have a lot of letters to write but I either don't have time or I'm tired. Cold at night. Overcast in the day 70 degrees.
Letter from Kay Johnson 29 Nov 1968 “Dear Jr. Well better late than never, right? ha! No really, I am sorry I've taken so long about writing. I hope you're not mad. It was good to get your letter and your school picture. Your picture was great. I wish mine would turn out good. They look just like me and that’s the problem. We had our last football game Friday nite. We played Denver City for bi-district and lost 6-0. Are you guys through with football? We've started basketball and boy is it keeping me busy. The freshman team has won all 3 games we’ve played. Yeah! Are you still making the Honor Roll? I'm so glad you made it. This second six weeks I got 69 on my report card in Physical Science. I could have died. Mother and daddy were so mad. So, you can see most of' my time is spent on studying now because if I don't pass it this next six weeks, they are gonna make me quit basketball. We kept Chris and Craig for about three weeks. They were so sweet, but they almost drove me crazy. You remember how Chris was don't you? How are Edgar, June, Donna, Terry, and Charline? How is your foot getting along? It’s probably well by now. It’s been so long ago you wrote and told me that you stepped on a nail. How long did you get out for Thanksgiving? I only got 2 days. For Christmas I get two weeks. I can't wait. I got my hair cut really short like I used to wear it about 2 years ago. Guess what? It snowed here this week. You can imagine how cold it’s been. I'm about ready for summer. No, I take that back. Then I'd have to go home. Heavens forbid. I flat refuse to do that anymore. The number one song out here has been "Love Child" by Dianna Ross and the Supremes for about two weeks. Gary Puckett and the Union Gap came to Lubbock Thursday, but I didn't get to go cause I had a basketball game. I wish I could have seen them. I think they're really good. Well, I guess I better close and start working on my Phy. Science. Write soon when there's time. ok? Love Kay
Letter from Pauline Johnson 29 Nov 1968 “Dear Junior. How is this for a speedy reply to your nice letter. I sure do thank you for the picture. It was really good. Also, the pennies. I am sure the Grandparents told you we kept Chris and Craig for three weeks. We really enjoyed them but was ready for them to go home. JW and John hunted but didn’t get anything. The grandparents had Thanksgiving dinner with us. Kay sure enjoying basketball and we are also. Her team sure is good this year. Junior we were so proud to hear you made the Honor Roll. Keep up the good work. We are looking forward to seeing you this summer. Hope the family are fine. Dianne flipped over your picture so watch out this summer. Kay said to tell you now it is a race between you and Buddy. ha! Thanks again. Our love J. W. and Pauline
30 Nov 1968 Saturday
Went to work today. Boy was it rough. We are at the peak of the season. Gordon quit today and they hired a new boy, Andy. We didn't get a shipment in today, so it wasn't too bad. Talked with Betsy and Aldora some. At lunch I went to McDonald' s and had a fish burger. Got home from work at 7:30. Watched TV until 11 O'clock. Mom was joking because Charline still hasn't had her baby. I went to bed at 11. Mom doesn't feel good lately. She's been staying up late lately. The weather is cool foggy at nights. 75 degrees. Charline's baby is a week late already. Everybody is tired of waiting.
• Nov 28, In London, England, John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared at the Marylebone Magistrates' Court. John pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin and was fined 150 pounds plus 20 guineas costs.
• Montesino Sanchez, a Cuban, hijacked a Boeing 720 from Miami to Cuba.
December 1968
1 Dec 1968 Sunday.
I got up at 8:30 when I heard the phone ringing. I thought it was strange that nobody answered the phone but when I did Boy was I surprised! Charline had her baby this morning while I was sound asleep. A boy! 6 lbs. 14 ounces! I called Tom and Jean and J. W. and Pauline. Mom and Dad came home from the hospital at 10:30 and they tried to get some sleep because they'd been up since 2 last night. I was mad that they didn’t wake me up because they knew I wanted to go to the hospital too, but they said they did wake me and that I sat right up in bed and said “No I didn't want to go” but wanted to stay home and sleep. I swear I don’t remember that at all. I must have talked in my sleep! Anyways at 2:30 this afternoon we went back to the Pioneer Hospital in Artesia to see Charline and the baby. Milton and Marie, and Bonnie and Bill were there to see the baby too. After visiting Charline, we went over to Bonnie and Bill's and they fixed up a good roast dinner, corn, gravy, and everything. We got home at 6 and watched TV and some of the King and before going to bed at 10:30. The weather's cool 65 degrees.
• The King and I is a 1956 musical film based on the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical featuring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr
• PIONEER HOSPITAL 17831 S PIONEER BLVD ARTESIA, CA 90701. Artesia is in Los Angeles County, and it was also the childhood home (1914 until 1931) of former First Lady Pat Nixon, though the house in which she grew up is now part of neighboring Cerritos.
2 Dec 1968 Monday
Got up at 7:00 and got ready to go to school. There I told everybody I knew that I was an uncle and Charline had her baby. In art I finally started another picture. In PE we weight lifted and ran the mile. In biology studying evolution now. At home I didn't get to work until 2:15 because Mom took the car to see Charline and Terry locked his keys in the truck, so Jean Horan took me. Nothing happened much at work. Wasn’t as busy as last week. Got my hours shortened now. Mom picked me up at 10 and she told me that Charline renamed her baby. He's James Edgar Clark now after his great grandpa and his grandpa! Mom said also that there is something wrong with the baby. Yellow Jaundice or something like that. Had donuts for dinner. The weather's cool 67 degrees. Charline first named the baby James Richard Clark born 1 Dec 1968 at 7:41 a.m. in Artesia, California. 20 inches long and 6 lbs. 14 ounces.
• Jaundice is the yellow color seen in the skin of many newborns. It happens when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood. Jaundice can occur in babies of any race or color. Everyone’s blood contains bilirubin, which is removed by the liver. Before birth, the mother’s liver does this for the baby. Most babies develop jaundice in the first few days after birth because it takes a few days for the baby’s liver to get better at removing bilirubin
• James Edgar Clark was named for James Wilburn Johnson and Edgar Hugh Williams
• Pres Nixon named Henry Kissinger (b.1923) security advisor.
3 Dec 1968 Tuesday
Got up at 6:30. Had such a restless night. Itched and scratched all night long. Went to school but came home after second period because I was feeling bad. At home Mom gave me some money and I went and bought some medicine to stop my scratching. At 2, I went to work but not much happening. I got pissed off at the sales girl Susan because of her nasty attitude but other than that work went ok. I didn't get paid today because the payroll didn’t come in. All thru work I was worried about the baby having yellow jaundice. When I got home at 7, Charline was home from the hospital, but the baby won't be home until tomorrow if he is all right. For dinner Mom had fixed roast. I'm sleeping in my oId room now. Weather warmer 75 degrees clear nights and full moon.
• The itching scratching was from crabs that I still could not get rid of and the medicine I bought was A-200,
4 Dec 1968 Wednesday
Got up to go to school but found a bad rash over my shoulder and chest so I didn't go. Mom made an appointment to go see the doctor and when I did, I got a shot. The rest of the morning watched TV. Dad went back to work and Mom went over to Grandma Williams to take her over to see Uncle Ed and Beulah who are out from Texas. Uncle Ed is really bad off and may die. Everybody is real upset. They came out to visit Norman and Betty. Charline, Terry, and I went and got the baby to take home from the hospital. Dad was already at the hospital from work. At home Jean and Carol came over to see the baby. For dinner had McDonald hamburgers. In the evening Mom and Dad went over to see Uncle Ed at the hospital. I didn't go to work today to stay with Charline and the baby while Mom and Dad were gone. Weather 75 degrees warmer. "Lo Mucho que Te Quiero" number 1 on KHJ.
• Lo Mucho Que Te Quiero (The More I Love You)" - Rene & Rene (11/9/1968)
• The US stock market began a 18 month decline of 44%.
5 Dec 1968 Thursday
Didn't go to school today. Didn't do anything most of the day but play with the baby. Went to work at 2 O'clock. Didn't have it to bad but we were busy. I bought some material for Charline so she can make a blanket out of it. Got home from work at 7 and went down to McDonald's for something to eat. Weather foggy at night but pretty most of the day. 70 degrees. Here it is December again and before you know it-Christmas will be here- then it’s only a short time to New Years. 1968 sure has been a peculiar year. Kind of glad and sad to see it go.
• Football star O.J. Simpson won a Heisman Trophy. In 1999 it was auctioned in LA for $230,000 to help cover the $33.5 million judgment against him in the wrongful death of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
• Eduardo Castera, a Latin successfully hijacked a B-727 from Tampa to Cuba.
6 Dec 1968 Friday
Went to school today. Still not much is happening at school. It’s going slow now and will until Christmas Vacation is over. Happy to have the baby home. Still reading "House Divided in English. Didn't have to go to work until 5 O'clock and worked until 10. At home watched TV some before going to bed. Had sandwich for dinner. The weather is starting to cool off again and be gold at night. 69 degrees. I still haven't done any of my Christmas shopping. I'll probably wait to the last minute. Already the traffic is heavy from people shopping. I hate having to fight the crowd. Nixon's daughter and Eisenhower's grandson are getting married sometime this month. They say also that we might send a rocket up around the moon!
7 Dec 1968 Saturday
Got up at 8 O'clock and got ready to go to work at 9:30. It was a cold morning but in the Shop it wasn't bad. Kept busy until 2:30 stocking shelves when then I took my lunch. Went to McDonald's across the street to get something to eat. The Shop wasn't that busy today, though us stock boys got a big shipment of cloth in, so we were. I went home at 7:3O and Bonnie and Bill Larry, Milton and Marie and their kids and Marie's brother Darryl and his wife. We just talked and visited and also pulled names for Christmas. I got Gregory and I think Darryl's wife Mary pulled my name. Anyways Milton and Marie got drunk. Oh, Donna and Terry were over too. They all came to see the baby. Everybody went home at 11:30.
• The first orbiting astronomical observatory, OAO-2, was launched.
8 Dec 1968 Sunday
Got up at 11 O'clock. Cleaned up my bedroom some. Around 1 O'clock I went to the Huntington Beach Plaza and bought me a green pullover sweat her. Drove around some and then went to Zody’s and bought a 5th Dimension Album. Got home at 4:30 and watched TV some. Went to OWL's Drug Store for Charline and watched TV again till 8:00 then I went out and bought some magazines. Went to bed about 10:00. For dinner had tamales and chili. The weather is cool and foggy at night.70 degrees. In the news the Jews and Arabs are fighting again. Also, Nixon said he has picked his cabinet. Mom isn't feeling too well. The baby is fine.
• Dec 8, South Vietnam’s vice president Nguyen Cao Ky arrived in Paris for peace talks.
9 Dec 1968 Monday
Got up at 7 and got ready to go to school. In Art painted some more on the picture I’m doing. I didn't take my Civics test because I wasn't prepared to. Did Physical fitness exercises in PE. I did 10 pull ups and 69" in the standing broad jump which is my height. I also ran the mile with Barry Wendell in 12 minutes. In Biology working on Lab Exercise IV about evolution. Still reading "House Divided''. Only 350 pages more to go. At home got a letter from Grandma Johnson saying they are coming out the 19th of this month. Went to work at 2 and I had to go to a factory in Santa Ana to get some material for Home Silk Shop. Had to take my own car and drive on the Freeway. For dinner ate at McDonald's and at work talked with Betsy this saleslady and got to know her better. The two other kids I work with Andy and Steve came in at 5. Andy really hates Mr. Roman, and I don't like him either. Got off work at 9:30. At 10 I watched Carol Burnett Show. Cold at night and in the morning. 75 degrees.
• Doug Engelbart and researchers at Stanford Research Institute first demonstrated in SF the computer mouse along with a graphical user interface (gui), display editing, integrated text and graphics, hyper documents and 2-way videoconferencing with shared work spaces.
10 December 1968 Tuesday
Didn't go to school today because nothing was happening, and I don't feel too good. Tried to rest most of the day but didn't much because Mom had me run around for her. Went to work at 2 and was kind of busy thought the business is tapering off. Heard we get a new boy this Saturday. I sure hope so. We need more help though we might not later if business keeps tapering off. Got off work at 6:30 and came home and ate some sandwiches. The weather is nippy with sprinkles in the morning. 70 degrees. I guess Grandma and Grandpa Johnson are really coming out this year. Gonna fly out on the 19th.
11 Dec 1968 Wednesday
Went to school today. Still painting in School Service Art. Studying in Civics. In PE did more Physical Fitness tests. I did 52 set ups in a minute and ran the 50-yard dash in 7.1 seconds. In biology doing evolution, which is interesting if you believe in it. Came back home for lunch and stayed the rest of the time before going into work. Had a Mexican TV dinner for lunch. Went to work at 2 and got home at 7. Watched some TV rest of the night. Went to bed at 10 O'clock. Weather is blue skies with billowy clouds. Pretty outside. 70 degrees. I'm so mixed up in school now I don't know what I'm doing. I'll be glad for Christmas Vacation so I can get straighten out.
• The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was founded by Dr. George Habash, founder of the pan-Arab nationalist movement.
• Two blacks successfully hijacked a DC-8 from St. Louis to Cuba.
• The unemployment rate, at 3.3 percent, is the lowest it has been in fifteen years.
12 Dec 1968 Thursday
Went to School. Not much is happening. In art still painting. Got a Civics test tomorrow. In PE John Morris and I are through playing as a team for the year. In biology studying viruses. At lunch came home and stayed because the car got a flat tire and I had to fix it before I could go to work. Had a Mexican TV dinner for lunch. At work it wasn't too bad. Gordon came back and asked to work Saturdays. I got off work at 6:30 and home by 7. Watched TV rest of the night until 9:30 and went to bed tired. I sure hope I don't come down with the Hong Kong Flu. Milton and Marie, both have it. The baby still has his cold. Breaks my heart to see him sick.
• Tallulah Bankhead American actress died: "The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner." Tallulah Bankhead died in St. Luke's Hospital in New York City of double pneumonia arising from influenza, complicated by emphysema, on December 12, 1968, aged 66, and is buried in Saint Paul's Churchyard, Chestertown, Maryland. Her last coherent words reportedly were "Codeine... bourbon." Tallulah Bankhead is today remembered mostly as an irreverent wit and volcanic life force rather than as an actress. She was, however, a significant artist, originating two of twentieth-century American drama's most substantial female characters: Regina Giddens in Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes (1939) and Sabrina in Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth (1943). Tallulah said, "My daddy warned me about men and booze, but he didn't say a word about women and cocaine!"
• Robert and Ethel Kennedy's daughter, Rory, their eleventh child is born.
13 Dec 1968 Friday
Got up at 6:30 to get ready to take Dad to work since the truck doesn't work. When I got home, I didn't go to school but with Mom to Santa Ana. I went to the Health Department there to see how to get rid of my crabs all together. I was so embarrassed because I had to go to the V. D. clinic, and I had to have a blood test for syphilis just to even ask a question. Boy did the blood test hurt because the dumb nurse went off and left the needle in my arm just hanging there. The doctor said to use what I was using A200 and wash all my sheets in it. In the afternoon drove Charline and James over to Artesia for the baby's check-Up. Ate McDonald's hamburger for dinner. Went to work at 5 and worked until 9:30. I didn't have the car, so I walked over to Donna and Terry's Apartment just up Harbor Blvd from Home Silk Shop and used their phone to call home. When I got home, I went to bed at 11 O'clock. Weather warmer than usual in the day though there was ice on the car and grass this morning. 75 degrees. Heard Tallulah Bankhead died of the Hong Kong flu today.
14 Dec 1968 Saturday
Got up at 8 O'clock to get ready to go to work. Mom took me because the pick-up isn't running, and they needed the car. At work Carol brought in a cake for the other owner Mr. Beauclay for his birthday. It was nice and I like Mr. Beauclay, its Mr. Roman who is always yelling and hollering at us. Andy says he's just a bugged eyed old Jew. I hate even to see him in the store. We got another stock boy, and his name is Dean. We also got a new sales girl Patty. Andy wasn't at work the first half of the day and the second half Steve left because of family problems so it was like being short all day. I went to Belisle’s restaurant next door for lunch. Had a coke and onion rings. I worked until 7 O'clock which wasn't bad. I went over to Donna's and Terry's afterwards and Mom and Dad were there. At home at 9, I went with Jaeger and his brother and his friends up to Black star Canyon and Holy Jim's Canyon in their Scout Jeep just to be doing something. Saw a lot of deer out there in the dark. Got home at 12 and went to bed at 12:30. 60 degrees.
• Black Star Canyon is a remote mountain canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains, located in eastern Orange County, California.
• Holy Jim’s Canyon is near Santiago Canyon Road. Make a right on Live Oak (Cooks Corner) and follow that 4.5 miles.
15 Dec 1968 Sunday
Got up at 7 O'clock bone tired but ate some breakfast of scrambled eggs. Early in the morning took a load of junk to the dump out in Irvine. Dad made me drive the pick-up and I was a nervous wreck trying to shift it with dad yelling at me the whole time. Got back home about 10 a.m. and Dad and I stringed the Christmas lights out on the trim of the roof. After that we had lunch of ham and cornbread. In the afternoon Charline, Mom and Dad and the baby went over to Norman and Betty's to see Uncle Ed and Aunt Beulah before they leave Tuesday to go back to Texas. I wasn't feeling well. That' s why I didn't go over. Got the lawn mowed this morning. The weather is cool and overcast. Suppose to rain. Doubt it. Marie got a new dishwasher. I finished reading the "House Divided finally. Over 1500 pages. 65 degrees.
• House Divided, a novel of the Civil War by Ben Ames Williams Houghton Mifflin, 1947 1514 pages #7 on 1947 bestseller list. The novel’s message that “most of us, in the end, stand with our own people,” is worth remembering as we send American soldiers into foreign combat.
16 Dec 1968 Monday
Didn't go to school today. Wasn't feeling to good. Stayed home and helped clean up the kitchen and front room. Didn't have to go to work until 5. Before that watched TV and read mostly. Had candy and junk for dinner. Work is slow. Just mainly getting the shop in shape because the Big Bosses are coming for an inspection Thursday. Got home from work at 10 O’clock. I think I have the intestinal flu. The baby is getting over his cold thank goodness. He weighs 7 Ibs. and 14 ounces now. Growing like a regular weed. The weather is damp. 66 degrees.
17 December 1968 Tuesday
Got up at 7 to get ready for school. Nothing much happening. Friday we'll get out for Christmas vacation. Didn't go to 5th period because tired and wanted to rest some before going to work. I worked from 2 until 6:30. It really has slowed down there but now we have time to clean up more. Got paid today and after work went to the Huntington Beach Plaza and bought Christmas gifts, Mom perfume, Dad a wallet, Grandma Johnson some knickknacks, Grandpa Johnson a shirt, Donna, and Terry a set of glasses, Grandma and Grandpa Williams a big cooking pot, and Kay an album. Hadn't anything to eat but some caramel popcorn. Cold but clear 78 degrees. I'm getting anxious to see Grandma and Grandpa.
18 Dec 1968 Wednesday
Didn't go to school today but stayed home to help straighten up the yard and house for tomorrow. Went into work at 2. Had a pleasant day at work. Business is really slow there. I got a bloody nose at the end of work for some reason though it cleared up a little. Got off work at 6:30 and came home and watched "Here Come the Brides". Bonnie and Bill and Larry came over too for a little while about nine. I showed them the picture I painted for her. It’s a Spanish Mission. I guess they liked it. Had meat loaf for dinner. Weather cold and cloudy 70 degrees. "Heard It Thru the Grapevine-I is number 1 on KHJ.
• I Heard It Through the Grapevine recorded by soul musician Marvin Gaye. The album and its title track are considered both as Gaye's commercial breakthrough.
19 Dec 1968 Thursday
Got up at 1 to go to school but there was a double assembly which was stupid, so I just went home after 2nd period to get ready to go get Grandma and Grandpa Johnson from the airport. Donna, Terry, and I got at the airport at 3 and because of a mix up their plane didn't get in until 5:15 so Donna and Terry and I just sat around until they got in. Was so happy to see them. We got home off the Freeway at 7:30. Sat up and talked until 9:30. When everybody went to bed. At dinner we had a surprise birthday cake for Terry and a fried chicken dinner. Weather rainy, windy, and cold. Snow down to 2000 feet. It snowed in Downey and Artesia! 54 degrees.
• Norman Thomas (b.1884), founder of the ACLU and Socialist Party leader (1926-55), died.
20 Dec 1968 Friday
 |
| Christmas 1968 |
Got up at 7 to get ready to go to school. I studied in School Service Art for my civics test. I did terrible on it. In PE took a tennis test and played bombardment in the gym. In biology took a test which I think I did all right. Went home at lunch and I stayed. Grandpa Johnson and I walked up to the Stanton Plaza in the afternoon. Later we went to the Buena Park Plaza with Charline and Grandpa bought James a little red suit. I bought a wallet for Mom for Christmas. Grandma Johnson gave me 15 dollars to buy clothes with, but I bought other stuff with it instead. Had to go to work at 5 and got off at 10. Steve and Andy are acting dumb and are going to get fired if they don't quit. I bought a pizza when I got off work. Weather all cleared up. Still awfully cold at night 60 degrees. I got the intestinal flu or Hong Kong Flu, I think. Today is Terry Pierce's Birthday.
• Bombardment is a dodgeball game played with two teams and five balls on an inside gymnasium divided into three roughly equal zones.
• Terry John Pierce born 20 December 1942 Dolgeville, NY.
• The first known murder by the Zodiac killer took place. Two teenagers, David Faraday, and Betty Lou Jensen, were shot to death in a parked car on Lake Herman Road outside Vallejo, Ca. The California Zodiac killer later identified himself with a letter to the Times-Harold in Vallejo. After that he claimed to have killed 37 people, but the police connected him to only five deaths.
• John Steinbeck (b.1902), California-born author, died from a bad heart in New York City at age 66. He won the Nobel Prize in 1940.
21 Dee 1968 Saturday
Went to work at 9130. Cold in the morning. The shop looks pretty clean. I worked most of the morning with Pattie cleaning shelves. Mr. Beauclay came up to me about 11 and said I could go home at 1:30 because of my new schedule. After work I called home, but nobody was there, so I had to hitch-hike. I walked most of the way, although I did get picked up by these two hippies who offered me some pot. I refused of course. I got home at 3 and Charline was home from Linda’s, and we went over to Milton and Marie's. There we stayed until we got home at 6. I then called up Jerry Smith and we went to the show and saw One Million B.C and "The Bible". I had hamburgers for dinner. Heard John Steinbeck the writer died today, and a space ship is on its way around the moon! Winter begins today. 70 degrees cold and windy.
• The launch of Apollo 8 begins the first US mission to orbit the Moon. Apollo 8 with astronauts Borman, Lovell & Anders was launched on the 1st mission to orbit the moon.
• One Million Years B.C. is a 1967 adventure fantasy in the time of cavemen and was a remake of the 1940 film. The publicity shot of Raquel Welch from the movie became more famous than the movie itself, becoming a best-selling poster and something of a cultural phenomenon. The image can be recognized by people around the world, even among those who are not familiar with the film.
• The Bible was a 1966 elaborate Hollywood retelling of the Bible stories narrated by the film's director John Huston with an all-star cast. It was nominated for several Oscars.
22 Dec 1968 Sunday
Got up at 8 very tired. Ate breakfast and got ready to take Grandma and Grandpa Johnson to Church. We went to Brea and Bro. Mickey spoke. After church, Mom fixed roast and a big dinner for supper. After that I went shopping and I bought Norma at work her gift. I drew her name. At home then again Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Charline, and I went down to Long Beach to see the Navy Ships and to Pier Point landing. Got home at 4:30. Grandma Johnson just loves the ocean. For dinner we had barbeque beef from the left-over roast. At night I went to the show with Donna and Terry and saw the same thing I saw yesterday at the LA Mirada Drive-In. Warm in the day. 75 degrees. But cold at night. 36 degrees. In the news the crew of the Pueblo is coming home finally from being captured by the North Koreans. The space ship is half to the moon. It’s very exciting.
• In 1948 Pierpont Landing opens on Pier F in Long Beach and grew to become the world's largest sportfishing operation attracting two million anglers annually. A Long Beach Fixture Pierpont Landing was also a great place for families to stroll and shop and eat, as well as being the center of Sportfishing in Southern California. Every week many thousands of fishermen went out from Pierpont in all kinds of boats. We had been going down to the Pierpont Landing since the 1950’s usually when Grandma and Grandpa Johnson would come out at Christmas. They use to have a tank of seals there that I loved to watch, and the place always smelled of seawater and fish.
• For most of the 20th century, the U.S. Navy had a compelling presence in Long Beach beginning in 1919 when the city was named homeport for the Navy's very first Pacific Fleet. As a welcoming gesture, the city built a servicemen's club and in 1926 added the first Navy landing piers at the foot of Pico Ave in the harbor. By 1928, the fleet included the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and the USS Saratoga. In 1940, the Navy upgraded Long Beach to a full-scale Naval base including a shipyard and such facilities as the Naval Hospital, the Navy Air Station, and ammunition Depot. For so many years, the focal point in Long Beach was the Navy, and at its core were the Naval shipyard and Naval Station. When these institutions closed in 1997, a void was created that was felt by so many in Long Beach.
23 Dec 1968 Monday
Got up at 8 and got ready to go to work. Mom took me down. I was there by myself until 2 when Andy came in. He said Steve was fired last Saturday. That was too bad, I guess. I got off work at 2.00 and Donna took me home. There I didn't do much. I'm tired. I hope I'm not coming down with anything. Grandpa Johnson is coming down with something and Dad is sick with the flu. I had pork chops and com bread for dinner. I watched TV some until 9 when I then went to bed. Warm and hazy today. 78 degrees. In the news the men from Pueblo are coming home to San Diego and will be in tomorrow. Also, tomorrow Apollo 8 will circle the moon just 60 miles from its surface.
• Dec 23, the 82 crew members of the US intelligence ship Pueblo were released by North Korea, 11 months after they had been captured.
24 Dec 1968 Tuesday
Got up at 7 and got ready to go down to Home Silk Shop for the Employee's breakfast at Belisle’s. I got cologne for my exchange gift. Also got a gift from Claud Beauclay and Mr. Roman. Also, Betsy gave me a little gift on her own that was nice of her. At home Charline made me some chocolate chip cookies and I brought them down to work for my friends. I got my pay check today $29.05 and I went down to the Huntington Beach Plaza and bought 2 pair of' pants and 2 shirts. At home in the evening ate sandwiches for dinner and opened our Christmas presents. I got some cologne from J.W. and Pauline. Grandma Johnson gave me $15. Around 6:.30 Donna., Terry, and I went over to Grandma Williams and exchanged gifts. I got $5 in money from Grandma Williams and a shirt from Mary Buelhman. It was lonesome over at Grandma's because everyone is down with the flu-Milton, Larry, Dad, Grandpa Williams, Grandpa Johnson, and Stephanie, all have it. Rained tonight. 65 degrees. Aunt Minnie's birthday, born in 1929.
• Dec 24, the 3 Apollo 8 astronauts (James A. Lovell, William Anders, and Frank Borman), orbiting the moon, read passages from the Old Testament Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve television broadcast. The first pictures of an Earthrise over the Moon are seen as the crew of Apollo 8 orbits the moon.
• Belisle's Restaurant was on the Corner of Harbor Blvd. and Chapman Ave. in Garden Grove 1 mile South of Disneyland. It opened as Belisle's in 1955 same year as Disneyland. Walt and his imaginers used to eat in there when Disneyland was being built. It was a small family restaurant with GIANT food. The restaurant closed in the late 90's and now a Outback sits in its place as well as 2 or 3 tall hotels. Belisle's made you notice their wide array of sweet options - you practically got accosted by the rotating pie case making your way to your table! The pies and cakes were immense, Chocolate Cream Pie, Apple Pie a la Mode, Carrot Cake, Pecan Pie, Pecan Sticky Buns.
25 Dec 1968 Wednesday Christmas Day
Dad got me up at 6 this morning. Was I tired. Ate breakfast and got dressed. Going over to Donna and Terry's for Christmas Dinner. It’s been raining all night and all day. All the streets are flooded. Heavy rainfall. 55 degrees. 36 at night. The car wouldn't start so we had Terry come and get us. We had turkey, ham and all the trimmings. R.L. and Jerry are down and over at Grandma. Williams. I haven't felt good all day. Bad. sore throat. Went to bed at 3:30 and slept until 7:30. Got up and watched TV some and listen to the radio. Went to bed at 10 0' clock. In the news Apollo 8 is almost home now. Yesterday it circled the moon and looked for sites to land this coming Summer. "Soulful Strut" is number One on KHJ.
• Donna and Terry lived at 11782 Sage Street Apt 2, Garden Grove, California.
• Young-Holt Unlimited were a soul and jazz instrumental musical ensemble from Chicago, Illinois who recorded "Soulful Strut,” which sold a million copies with the gold record awarded by the R.I.A.A. in January 1969.
26 Dec 1968 Thursday
Dad got me up at 7 and took me to work at 9:30. There everybody is catching something or other. I have a real bad sore throat. Hard to talk. Mr. Roman my boss was in an automobile accident yesterday. I was the only boy in today. At lunch I went next door to Belisle’s' and had a hamburger and onion rings. At 2:30 I had to take Mr. Roman to his doctor's and then to his home. I really don't like him. Got back to the shop at 4:30. Came home at 6:30. At home took a shower and went to bed. Listen to records and the radio. Weather is clearing up but still cool. It had rained all night 65 degrees. The astronauts are almost home now. They will splash down tomorrow. Yesterday, Grandma. Johnson gave me a real Confederate 20-dollar bill.
• It was a replica Confederate Bill.
27 Dec 1968 Friday
Weather cool but warm in the midday. 66 degrees. Well, it’s getting near the end of my little slice of life. Only 4 more days to go and my story will be finished. I didn't get up until 9:30 today. Had a sore throat and I carried it with me all thru the day. Dad took me to work at 12:30. Andy was in, but Dean is out with the flu. I think I'm going to come down with it. I'm achy and throat’s sore and I’ve lost my voice. First part of my day I had to go to Westminster with Mr. Roman then over to Santa Ana to see about getting his adding machine fixed. I guess he thinks I'm his chauffeur now. I had a hamburger and onion rings for dinner next door. Got off work at 10 and went to McDonald's. At home watched "Judd for the Defense" until I went to bed. In the news the astronauts splashed down 5000 yards from the pick up at sea.
• Judd, for the Defense was a legal drama originally broadcast on the ABC network on Friday nights from September 8, 1967 to September 19, 1969. The show starred Carl Betz, who had previously spent eight years in the role of Dr. Alex Stone, husband of Donna Reed in ABC's The Donna Reed Show.
• The US agreed to sell fifty F-4 Phantom jets to Israel.
• Apollo 8, the 1st manned mission to the moon, and its three astronauts made a safe, nighttime splashdown in the Pacific.
28 Dec 1968 Saturday
Didn’t go to work today. My throat is so sore, and I ache and cough. I got the Asian Flu and not the Hong Kong. There are both going around. I feel awful Donna is sick with a flu too. I didn't get out of bed until 4:30 pm and then I ate a little and watched TV rest of the night. I was tired and achy but couldn't sleep so I watched "Pocket Full of Miracles" and "Anastasia" Both were good. I went back to bed at 1:30 a.m. Charline took the baby to the doctors for a checkup. 9 lbs. and 5 ounces. The doctor has put him on fruits now. Grandpa Johnson still feels pretty bad. We never got to go anywhere this year with Grandma and Grandpa because everybody was sick. The Christmas tree is down now, and the old rocker is back in the front room. Christmas sure didn't last long this year. Weather 69 degrees.
• Actually, the Asian Flu was the Hong Kong Flu. The first case of Hong Kong flu was detected in September 1968, just 11 years after the last flu pandemic. The outbreak developed rather slowly, becoming widespread in early December, and with the mortality rate peaking in December and January 1969. Similar to the previous pandemic, schoolchildren suffered the highest attack rate. By the time the pandemic waned it had caused about 700,000 deaths worldwide, including about 34,000 deaths in the U.S. Like most strains of influenza, the Hong Kong flu is frequently confused with the common cold until the symptoms worsen or last longer than a week. The most common symptoms are high fever, joint pain, runny nose, severe cough, lack of energy, and eye irritation. The symptoms usually reach a level of severity that will cause you to become bed ridden for up to two weeks.
• A Pocketful of Miracles is a 1961 Frank Capra classic film starring Bette Davis, Glen Ford, Ann-Margret, Peter Falk, Thomas Mitchell, and Edward Everett Horton.
• Anastasia is a 1956 historical drama film of the Romanov Princess starring Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner, and Helen Hayes. Ingrid Bergman received an Oscar for her role.
• The Beatles' "White Album," went #1 in the US, beginning this week, and stayed at the top for 9 weeks.
• Israel attacked the Beirut Int’l. Airport, destroying 13 civilian planes. This was in response to an attack on an Israeli airliner in Athens by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
29 Dec 1968 Sunday
Got up at 8:30. I was tired of staying in bed. My throat is better, but my cough keeps me weak. Grandpa. Johnson is feeling a lot better now and Donna says she is too. Dad's going to work tomorrow, I guess. In the afternoon Grandpa and Grandma Williams came over to see Grandma and Grandpa Johnson before they leave tomorrow. Everybody played dominoes most of the day until Grandma and Grandpa Williams left at 5. Terry spent most of the day working on a cabinet he is buildings for his TV set. Mom had Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. Watched Walt Disney and a movie called "CAN CAN" until I went to bed at 11:30. We didn't go to church today because nobody feels good. Dad fixed the car today. The weather is warming up though everything is still damp from last week
• Can Can was a 1960 film starring Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Maurice Chevalier
30 Dec 1968 Monday
Didn't get up until 11 O'clock. Still feeling weak. Nose bled in the night. I didn't go in to work today but I think I will tomorrow. Donna and Terry were over here this morning and Jean Horan came over to see Grandma and Grandpa Johnson again before they left. Had steak and gravy for lunch and then got ready to go to the L.A. Airport. Donna and Terry didn't go with us. Left here at 2:30 and got up there at 3:30. Had to wait until 4:45 for their plane to come in. I sure hated the waiting. Even sitting in the airport, it seems like Grandpa and Grandma had never been here at all. We never went anywhere during their stay because of sickness and bad weather. They left at 4:45 on schedule and we got back home at 6. I ordered Chinese Food from this take out place for dinner and I spent the rest of the day recording the top 93 records of 1968 according to KHJ. "HEY JUDE" is number one for the year. The weather was hazy but warm and pretty day for a change. 75 degrees.
31 December 1968 Tuesday
1:30 a.m. 1969. Well time has come today! The end of another year. It will feel strange not writing in this book each night before going to bed. It's become a habit. This book has become a trusted friend that lived day by day with me and it feels strange now that it is finished. Got up at 9:30 and helped Mom and Charline clean up the house. I still feel bad but not nearly so much as yesterday. It was a beautiful day today. A warm breezy day just like in June. It really was nice out today. 80 degrees. Had pizza. for dinner. Donna and Terry came over this evening and played dominoes with Mom and Dad. I listen to the radio most of the day. U.N. denounced Israel for attacking an airport.
• By year's end, U.S. troop levels reached 495,000 with 30,000 American deaths to date. In 1968, over a thousand a month were killed. An estimated 150,000 soldiers from North Vietnam infiltrated the South via the Ho Chi Minh trail in 1968. Although the U.S. conducted 200 air strikes each day against the trail in late 1968, up to 10,000 NVA supply trucks are enroute at any given time.
Memo For Next Year
I can sum up this year by saying that it was a year of many firsts for me. First marriage in our family, first brother-in-law, first baby in the family, first wedding reception, first time I ever 1~lew alone, and many more •• I t was a good year in all I guess though some would disagree with me there. If this new year holds as many surprises as this old one-Heaven help us! A! This new year does hold many big events for me though because I'll graduate and register for the draft and hopefully go on to college. I hope back in Texas. I tried to keep an accurate account of the weather in this diary. What for I
don 't know but I think I have succeeded. The weather played a very important part in my life this year and I recorded when the weather depressed me or lifted my spirits. I didn’t really try to keep a detailed account of daily living but mainly brief suggestions and thoughts that were the general outline of the day. Neither is this diary grammatical and neither did I intend it to be. I'm a Southerner and so much of my writing is reflected by that. I hope this stupid thing has some historical sigl1liificant because that is the main reason, I started this in the first place.
CASH ACCOUNTS
JANUARY-
For Lunch and Airport for Lunch for the week for L.A. Museum Notebooks
Mad Magazine
Magazine and Coke
Lunch Money £or the week Cleaning up the kitchen
February Lunch and Work Bought a. Record Lunch
Some junk
Lunch
Lunch
Doing Dishes
Card for Rick Adams Playboy Jokebook Ga.ve to Charline
MARCH Allowance Doing dishes Bought a record Lunch
Lunch
Bought school supplies Bought a record
APRIL
Bought a book $2.00
Gave to Mom $2.00
Received for Birthday $2.00
Paid for haircut $2.00
Receive for birthday $5.00 from Donna and Terry
Gave to Monica Muniz $1.00
Loan to Mom $2.00
Did Dishes $1.00
Paid Charline for Disneyland $3.35
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