“You’re kidding, right?”

Previously: One of our oldest characters—one I almost forgot about—is Karen Thayer. Y’see, Karen is the wife of Doctor Odessa DeWitt McLean—and the owner of “Karen’s Kozy Kabins” (formerly located next door to “PawZ” on the South Bluff, now located on the North Bluff—again next door to PawZ). She was created by my Twitter friend, @Judith12,

Karen Thayer’s story (26 June 2009): From Judith (@Judith12 on Twitter): Karen Thayer, a striking woman, athletic body; 5 ft 9 in, 168 lbs, more salt than pepper hair, dark brown eyes, in her late fifties, former teacher (English & theatre) in the New York City school system, recently widowed, took early retirement. Visited Minnesota on vacation with husband (Harold, recently deceased) years ago, they often dreamed / spoke of going back to open a B&B when they retired. Now she has! […]

Sadly, my friend @Judith12 unexpectedly died in 2011.

Season 13—Adventure 7—Back to Normal?—Episode 5—Scene 1… Linda Louise Johnson was working the desk when they came in. They were nine—and they appeared as though ready for battle—NOT for fishing.

Linda Johnson was working the desk

Linda is the daughter of Charlie Johnson and she grew up learning her way around his junk (and collectibles). She was not afraid of work, and like her dad and late mother, Silvia, she was very bright.

After graduating from high school (with honors) the junk-yard girl, as she was known by some, went on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Even though Charlie would have paid her tuition, she refused his help—preferring to work for her education. She did, however, accept his gift of a pristine old pick-up truck—the apple really didn’t fall far from the tree.

That hurt her GPA—she graduated with a 3.5 instead of 4.0. Her dad was ecstatic—a pretty damn high GPA for one who INSISTED on self-financing her education.

Charlie wasn’t disappointed—well, okay, a little disappointed—when she took an employment opportunity at Karen’s Kozy Kabins. Y’see—Karen Thayer had recently married Odessa DeWitt McLean and no longer wanted to live at the B&B, but live with the doctor.

Linda was hired as the Manager-in-Charge of the B & B with a staff of eight professionals.

“We need accommodations for nine,” the leader of the group announced as she approached the desk, “You don’t rent to Indians, do you?”

“We follow the law.”

“Too bad you have to—the law needs to be changed.”

“Good luck with that,” Linda laughed, “You do know Moosehead County is the Eagle Point Ojibwe Reservation—right?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope.

To be Continued…