The Whittaker Saga

With the new year starting, so does university studies and Susan and Ken need to work hard to keep up with the workload. Amid a national conversation on the fall out of Watergate and the oil and energy crisis Ken and Susan is wrapped up in coursework. Luckily they have chefs students in the building, so food is never hard to come by. The fact that Beth has taken up violin is a bit more of a hassle to deal with. Long hours are spent in the commons library, or at the typewriters to work on the term papers. But Susan also takes the time to listen to the debates from the debate team. Hearing others argue for the benefit of the planet is invigorating, and pushes her to study harder. Ken on his end, make sure to find time to spend with Beth. Not so much by listening to debates or doing homework, but having fun together. His time and effort pays off when he's finally allowed that kiss he's been dying for. While Susan and Ken are busy with their studies, Carl is trying to figure out wh...

Having spent her life being strong, Anna is devastated by the loss of Johnny so close to the death of Alice. On the day of the funeral, this time planned and arranged by Anna alone, Carl tries to offer his support. For once, Anna is willing to accept the help she's spent her life giving others. The service is held in Chestnut Ridge church, and once more Anna stands in front of her family sharing her memories of someone who is no longer there. At times, it almost gets too much and she has to interrupt herself to catch her breath, but she pulls through. When she's finished Thomas goes up, sharing the memories of a man who was like an extra father at times. After the ceremony, they gather outdoors to bury him. He's buried close to, but not next to, Alice, leaving room for Anna to lay between them when that day comes. With Johnny gone, Anna ages faster. Her gait looses it's stride, she becomes more tired and her always so straight back starts sinking in. The ranch starts fe...