I stumbled on a workaround I think.
In Logseq Settings > Editor > toggle “Journals” to off
… in addition …
In Logseq Settings > Plugins > Marketplace > install “Journals calendar”
Once you have changed the settings and installed the Journals calendar plugin, a journal entry is made only when you type in a journal entry. The added bonus is that you can view dates when journal entries were made by viewing the icon for the Journals calendar plugin.
Note: Blank journal pages created before these changes still appear. Hats off to the developer of the Journals calendar for this plugin. Thank you! 