Johnson Journals part 235

11/9/70 Kids off for work and school at 6:45. Layna and I on job soon after. What a helluva mess the house was in. Layna a genius at straightening out that kind of a deal and I’ll be darned if she didn’t make even that place livable - and workable. All well and we took off for Rev. Nelson’s for dinner. Fine people for sure - and Christians! They are the best kind of influence on our kids.

11/10/70 The kitchen was nothing but bare walls this a.m. Tonight we have the sink, stove and cupboards in. Robin came home at 10:30 and stayed home. We needed him. What a job to assemble that damned haywire Montgomery Ward sink cupboard! My wall cupboards fit perfectly - and look great. The chopping block the same. I am well pleased. So is everyone else. Heard on news that Dr. Chalice, from Fort Frances, drowned while duck hunting. A tragedy for many people for sure, especially Irene MacKellar who had a couple more operations scheduled. Be careful, Johnson!

11/11/70 Took old piece of copper tubing to Ace Hardware hoping to have extension put on. They wouldn’t touch it. On to plumber who did job - for $13.45! It costs money to remodel an old house, even if some of labor is free. When I went to install pipe, I broke a nut at the sink. I damn near cried. Layna back to town for replacement while I worked on drains. I never did get the damned things completely water tight. We left a note for Robin and took off at 2 p.m. I look back at past 4 days with mixed emotions. Some satisfaction coupled with much frustration. The only compensation lies in fact that I think our kids truly appreciate our efforts.

11/12/70 A productive, interesting day. To island alone about 10:30. Skinned out my big buck - a cold job on the hands. Pulled out last Cadillac, put away last 15 hp. Greased all bottoms, cleaned out deep freeze, pulled out water lines. It did not thaw all day. Icicles forming on dock, but mostly clear skies. David Seegert came along and we sat near stove in shop and had good visit. He is getting along reasonably well. Spirits seemed good. When time came to leave at 3:30 I hated to leave.

11/13/70 Layna, Joan, Bernice and I to dinner at Holiday Inn. We were guests of a development company who were high pressuring local people to buy land in Arizona - sight unseen. We did not go for it.

11/14/70 The great Minnesota two day deer season started today. Altho I refused to pay $7.50 for a license, I left home before daylight and was all set on Allison Island when day broke. Chilly, about 20o. Stayed there until 9 a.m. and said to hell with it. Back to island and cleaned shop, pulled out pulp sticks, split wood and burned brush piles.

11/15/70 Well, we finally did it. We canned 18 quarts of venison. I have talked about this for 18 years or more - ever since we began putting meat in a deep freeze. I cut up the front legs and neck from my big buck. Lots of chewing there. Watched Vikings beat Detroit 24 - 20. A real thriller. That was the game we were supposed to see. Well, it was very comfortable in our living room on TV.

11/16/70 Buck and I took 33 hp Evinrude off Larson and I hauled it to Finstads. A final gesture. It will be almost six months before we go boating on Rainy Lake again. A dim thought. Layna not feeling well so Joan and I to Spanish class without her. Class has shrunk due partly to “flu”, partly to hunting. Much accomplished with small group. I think I am getting a lot out of it.

11/17/70 Layna called Dr. Walter to get results of tests taken yesterday. Everything not in but he says there is a strong indication that she has gall bladder trouble. She got a diet to follow. To Sally & Jim’s by 4:30. They have done much - very much - to their house. All looks good. A good visit in evening. Much about NWI.

11/18/70 Jim, Jimmy, John and I to see Northstars clobbered by Boston 8 - 4. A great experience for me but not for the win conscious 15,000 other spectators. What a helluva complex has been built up in America. No win - no fun.

11/19/70 Little John put up a helluva fight when Sally told him he was to stay at Cunningham while we went down town. We drove to their place and Sally was not sure of the exact house. “Good” cried John, “I hope you never find it!”

11/20/70 The Jernberg stadium, behind the house, handicapped by 4 - 2” clothes pole pipes. They had made a half- hearted attempt to remove same some time ago but gave up. Little John and I home alone so I decided to get at them. I was down on my knees hacking away (the pipe was barely scratched) when John said “Just about time to holla timba”. What a kid! Well, about an hour later and a million strokes of the saw and I “hollad timba” for the fourth time.

11/21/70 We are still having trouble realizing how short the new highways have made it to the Falls. Home by 6:20 with a ½ hour stop in Cloquet. Called Buck. He took last boat out. Now we are done for sure.

11/22/70 Woke up several times during night to hear wind howling and snow beating on windows. Never felt smarter in my life in that we had decided to come home yesterday. Snowed and blew all day. We have two cars stuck in that Ray Stock did not come to plow.

11/23/70 Layna to see Dr. Walter. He told her that she definitely had gall stones. She has taken it very calmly saying that that is a lot better than having a heart condition. To Spanish class (Layna too) and came home feeling that we are making progress.

11/24/70 Buck here in a.m. and we discussed snow blower. Sure hate to buy one when Ray used to charge $3.00 to do job. Started on last of three cabinets for Karen. It went good altho I made a blooper that made cabinet 1 ½” too long. I’ll make the next that much narrower and hope God takes care of result. To see Irene MacKellar despite heavy snow and terrific wind. She had rounded up all the albums from the houseboat and gave them to me. What a gal!

11/26/70 An unusual day for Layna. No Thanksgiving dinner to cook! Karen and Robin here from Duluth at noon and we were off for Gene Monahan’s soon after. She had gone all out and it was good. Turkey and all the trimmings. Too much. Robin and I walked home from Ranier but it was not enough to compensate for my stuffed gut. I keep thinking of Merrill Meigs who told us “Even a dog would not punish his stomach like that!”

11/27/70 Kids to Gene’s for dinner and we had Harry Davey here. He had picked up the balance of the Mando books in Fort Frances. We had fun looking at them altho we only scratched the surface.

11/28/70 George Esslinger and wife dropped in for visit. I felt a sense of urgency there. He asked me if I had decided to retire and I juggled the ball without a positive answer. He then as much as said he was in line for the job if I did. I told him that I had had Buck in mind for years but of course realized that I was in no position to name a successor. Goddamn but I was burned up with the whole damned outfit after he left. At least my fears of Oct. 26 were well founded. I am not giving up completely yet.

11/29/70 Altho there is almost a steady stream of snowmobiles roaring up and down before our house, I have not touched ours until today. The trouble I anticipated in starting it did not materialize. I tightened up the track, gave the primer a few strokes, and it took off on about the 5th pull. Buck and boys stopped in for a good visit. We will buy a snow blower together.

11/30/70 To Spanish class in evening. We are making progress. I asked one of the students if she was learning anything. She said “No, but it sure is fun!” Well, we are having fun too, but learning too. Never will get it - however - nor will anyone else without moving to Mexico. Milt Kochaniuk died of a heart attack in Duluth. Sally and four boys left. A real shocker - and thought provoker. Much like Grace Davey deal.

12/1/70 Dug out our Christmas card list and made a little progress. About 3 p.m. we both showed signs of being shack happy so took off for Island View. Stopped at Seegerts. David home - no work. No talk about their move to resort. Buck to Thief River Falls to get Arctic Cats for Gene Rasmussen and broke down at Warroad. After the Milt Kochaniuk deal I know that Dale is plenty worried.

12/2/70 The next door neighbors, Froehlichs, have done much for us and no return. Tonight we baby sat while they went to show. A new experience. Tommy about 3 and baby a few months. Fun!

12/3/70 Harry Davey here in a.m. He had received a letter from Jim Kimball telling of his great efforts to pair Harry up with his ex-hunting pal’s widow. Harry excited as a school girl. He is rather juvenile at times. To Maude Will’s with Harry to play cards. Fun! Can’t understand why Harry is looking beyond that gal. Maybe she is unattainable.

12/4/70 Left at 11:00, the car loaded with stuff, mostly cupboards. Many, many cars in ditch along road. The terrific wind of yesterday had plastered the houses on Park Point with snow so that they appeared to have a fresh coat of white stucco. Karen and Robin gave us a full account of the storm - and their part in it. They had been fortunate in that both made it home which was better than many did. Much work ahead of us and we went at it with a will. The cupboards look great.

12/5/70 Nice inside. I am impressed with the heating system in this old house of our kids’. I never left it all day. Layna and Karen down town for a few hours but otherwise all hands busy working on house. There is so much to do, and jobs so diversified that all talents put into play. I finished putting trim around doors and windows. Uncle Olaf would not approve of my methods but Emil Johnson would. A helluva lot of improvising done on that job. Turned radio on for news at 6:00 p.m. to learn that Vikings had cinched their division title by beating Green Bay 16 - 13. We had missed the game! Damnation, we thot it was to be played tomorrow.

12/6/70 The Shifskys dropped in at 9:00, the first outsiders to see our job. They were duly impressed! I got out of house today - about 10 minutes to give Robin’s car a push.

12/7/70 To see Banen at Coast Guard in a.m. He is still talking about getting me a retroactive raise in pay. I don’t believe it. Talked to Cleveland office and they answered some important questions concerning insurance and retirement for me. Back to Karen’s. Layna had the whole house cleaned. Left about 11:45. Layna and I to Spanish class. It is coming good - for Layna too. Much to go! In talking to Banen, he told me that Esslinger would by my successor if I quit. I told him that he was boss, but I had hoped for Buck taking the job - and the boys after that! He said “We will take care of our own. George has the equipment, etc., etc.” No more was said. He left the room and I saw a letter on his desk with a big, flamboyant letter head GEORGE ESSLINGER. Without getting up, I could read something about Don Johnson retiring. The pieces are falling in place.

12/8/70 Lt. Banen called about 9:00 a.m. He said he had been thinking over our conversation of yesterday and was considering Buck for lamplighter job. He said “I am thinking strictly from the standpoint of what will be best for Coast Guard. I think Buck will get a lot more cooperation out of the old man than Esslinger will!” Glory be! About an hour later he called back to say that he had talked to Mr. Torrence (personnel in Cleveland) and it looked like Buck is in. “Guarded optimism” describes my emotion at this moment. Buck stopped in at 4:30 and we talked over whole deal. I don’t know how many times I have said it in these pages but I am sure not enough, “What a great guy we raised in Buck!”

12/9/70 Buck and I on our first trip on lake over ice. Temperature about zero and 20 mph NW wind. Lots of clothes . We took off from his place on Scorpion, crossed highway and on ice at Pappy's Bay. We tested ice near Atsokan. About 12”. Stopped at Clarks and closed shutter & window that had blown open. Crossed Dahlbergs at barn and on to Curtice. We walked out south of building and tested new ice. About 2 ½” thick. Buck picked up a few things and back to our island. We sat on our dock, out of wind and in sun and talked of future of NWI. He understands our problem.

12/10/70 I am holding my own on the Christmas cards. I send out more than we receive! President Nixon on TV at press conference - live. He got some heat for not having one soon - last one 4 months ago. I don’t know why he should ever talk to those bastards who obviously are not there to learn anything but rather to tie him in verbal knots. He did OK.

12/11/70 After lunch I cranked up Scorpion and hit for island. Ice glare practically the whole way. Burned big brush pile, loaded few things on toboggan, and came on home. We were getting ready for the 10 o’clock news when Harry pulled into yard with Mr. & Mrs. Jim Kimball and Mrs. Carlson. She is the gal that Jim thinks would make a perfect mate for Harry and apparently is going all out to make sure it takes place. There is no doubt that she is a beauty and “much Woman” but on first impression, I think she is too much for our Harry. They were here for about an hour. Much, much excellent conversation, Mexico, the park, fishing, wolves. We could stand a lot more of that. Maybe we will get it tomorrow.

12/12/70 To Harry’s at 1 p.m. The Kimballs, Mrs. Carlson, Harry and us off for Bears Pass soon after. Jim in back seat with Layna and I. Had a good chance to talk to him. Very stimulating. He probably has more answers in the conservation field than anyone I ever met, still is not the least dogmatic. Back to Harry’s for one drink. They were due to printers’ dinner at 5:30 so we left. We are anxious to hear what Harry thinks about Mrs. Carlson.

12/13/70 The annual RLWC Christmas party and Layna right into it. A big success. About 100 people including Lisa & Jill, who sang and Timmy & Jayme who ate. When party broke up at 7:30 we asked Wagnesses to stop in for a drink. They did - for 3. I am happy to report that I thoroly enjoyed the couple of hours they were here. Much of conversation was reminiscing about lake days but some good serious thoughts, too. As a teacher, Gerald concerned about youth. Who isn’t?

12/14/70 Harry called to say that “Bernie” had stayed over when the Kimballs left and wanted us to have lunch with them. We arrived at 11:30, the plan being to go out to eat. We had a drink and decided to stay right there. A fun 1 ½ hours followed. They, Harry & Bernie, are going to be “pen pals.” What do you know! Well, we are all for Harry getting what he can out of life but I think he should have pursued Maude Will a little harder. Who in hell asked you, Johnson? To see Irene MacKellar in hospital. I am sure that we got in just before the deadline. She was about to cross us off her list of friends, and I don’t blame her. All well now.

12/16/70 Decided to relive some old times by cutting a Christmas tree. A book could be written on the subject and I could contribute a chapter or two. So could Buck. At any rate, I went by Scorpion to Keyes Island and tramped around for a full hour, surrounded by evergreens and came out with a table model for us. None for Buck. We will buy that! Gene Monahan has been asking me to “sit” for a portrait for several years and today I broke down and went. It should be an interesting experience. It seemed to me that she did a lot of time talking but I am not paying her by the hour so shouldn’t squawk.