“The minister asked for first timers to introduce themselves and he commented when I said International Falls. I told the whole congregation our cold weather was only Florida propaganda.”
“We walked the beaches and shelled. What a profusion of life! I feel smaller and smaller. The Grand Canyon overwhelmed me. Now I feel akin to the tiniest shell.”
“About 20 shrimpers decked out in parade costume, sailed past the Edwards’ porch. We watched them, soberly, as the people next door had a full blown cocktail party. I exchanged glances with George. We both could have stood one small drink.”
“We then went digging for fiddler crabs for bait. It was more fun than fishing.”
“It felt good to be headed home. Our kids mean much more to us than a little warm weather.”
Sanibel and
Captiva Island:
“I had heard of this area for years, particularly after Ding Darling had been on Mando about 1950. It was everything I expected.”
Marco Island:
“We learned that one of the units was for sale at $11,000 and we think we might have given it a lot of thought had it been right on the ocean rather that back a little. We will probably kick ourselves someday, altho so far in life we have done little second guessing regretting.”
Nashville:
“A good motel for $10.00 but a horrible meal for $4.00.”
St. Paul:
“John Peterson, neighbor, invited Jim to go to hockey tournament but Jim had a meeting. I substituted. Great. Saw SW High of Minneapolis beat my old alma mater - Hibbing.”
3/7/70 Despite 3 kids crawling all over the kitchen, we tackled the job of gluing veneer over 2 cabinets for living room. It turned out to be quite a challenge. Material brittle, no tools. We stumbled along and finished one by supper time. It looks good, and what’s more, Sally is pleased.
3/8/70 After lunch, Layna and I took off for Wayzata to visit the Faegres. Old J.B. came over to pay his respects as did Clint Morrison. Everyone had tears of regret when Mando was mentioned. Well, the truth is that they, the Faegres, fumbled the ball and Boise picked it up and ran for a touchdown. No fumble and we would all be enjoying the houseboat.
3/9/70 Sally, Layna and I to see Midnight Cowboy. The raw stuff (nudity, sex, etc.) would never have passed a few years ago altho it is not too offensive to me. I still think that sex, like square dancing should be a participating rather than a spectator sport.
3/10/70 On to Duluth by noon to have lunch with the Jernberg, Srs. They have been doing many odd jobs around their tiny home - proud as punch. I had to compare them and their setup with the Faegres and theirs, and the Jernbergs were way ahead. On to pick up Karen at 2:30. Robin has decided to take up nursing rather than being a M.D. Left Duluth at 5 p.m. and home about 8:00. Out to Buck and Dale’s for a grand reunion. What great people our kids are! Once again we have left our place for a long period to return and find it unmolested. What a relief!
3/11/70 Had a date to go to island with Buck at 4 p.m. but we did not get started until 5:00. Almost put it off, glad we didn’t. Checked at island, no one has bothered it. On to Buck’s island where we saw what he has been doing to his fish house. Good. Saw remains of Dahlberg’s boathouse and barn. The end of an era for sure.
3/13/70 To town at 1 p.m. and made application for driver’s license. On to Sportsman’s Service and had good chat with Shuffs. They had another good vacation in Mexico. I envy them.
3/14/70 We spent practically all day with Harry and Sally. For the past 12 years these books have been splattered with “Harry & Grace.” Well, maybe it is true that life is for the living. Of one thing I am certain. The people who say that immortality consists of the memories (good deeds) that one leaves behind are all wet. It is short lived at best. To Moes in morning to return the stuff we had hauled to Florida. Lou had told us that they had bought in to a condominium in Venice - $30,000. “Don’t tell Cliff I told you!” He made a great production out of letting me in on it and I feigned complete surprise. A fun game.
3/15/70 Karen & Robin & Gene out for dinner (3 p.m.). The kids due to leave for Duluth at 5 p.m. when Lou & Margaret showed up. Kids left but Gene stayed. The conversation went thusly: 80% Margaret, 19% Lou, Layna, Don, Gene 1%. When they got up to leave at 9 p.m. Margaret said “It is great to get into a stimulating discussion once in a while!” We learned later that they dropped Gene off and then went out to Buck & Dales. More talk until midnight!
3/16/70 Layna and I on Scorpion to island, then checked in at Edwardses - nothing disturbed. On to Secrists for a good visit and back home to 3 p.m. Sure is fun to whiz around on our machine. Did some very preliminary work on income tax. I am afraid I will have to get at it in earnest mighty soon.
3/17/70 Wrote to Edwardses and Byrne. Quite a deal for me in that I am completely caught up on my correspondence with friends.
3/18/70 To Judy’s by 8:30. On to NW Bay where we had trouble starting his snowmobile. No hurry, the fishing was rotten. A good day, nevertheless. Temperature in high 30’s. Clear sky, no wind. If we had many days like this there would be few Swedes in Florida. We have not been together for almost 3 months. Much to talk about.
3/19/70 To Supervisors meeting. Jim Freeberg outlined company’s position on pollution. Very interesting. Said Jim, “This is the biggest crowd since either Fred Boeckh’s retirement of Hansberger’s appearance.” Said Eisenach from audience “That was the same time!” Home at 8:30 to find Jim Banks here - Ruth and baby. They stayed until 10 p.m. A good visit - all set for next summer.
3/21/70 Don Eisenach called and asked us to go to Red Gut. We jumped at chance. The Eisnachs, Fred Caswells and Johnsons at Pearson’s Landing by 11 a.m. We have wanted to go on that road ever since Poncho and Artie worked on it a few years ago. Much running around by us and at least another dozen machines. The “Silent Places” aren’t so silent any more.
3/22/70 Worked on toboggan. Had hard time getting draw bar off Scorpion on Friday. Had worse time putting it back this a.m. OK now. On to Kellner’s. Had a drink then Tom, Helen, Layna and I went for ride. We thoroly enjoyed Kellners’ company. We could stand more of those people.
3/23/70 Buck stopped in to tell us he sold what was left of airplane for $800. Not bad. We paid $1200 for it about 5 years ago and it is now wingless. While he was here, Harry Davey dropped in, nervous as a cat. Said he had chance to buy paper in Alexandria - $400,000 - and wanted our advice. He dropped it and ran. I have given it plenty of thot, as has Layna. We agree that he pulled one paper out of fire because he had a helluva lot of help. Help that is now gone. I will tell him so when comes back again.
3/24/70 Terry here for lunch. He and Layna had a good visit with me chiming in from my work. A good kid for our money. Harry out at 4:30. I had chance to talk to him alone. He countered my arguments about Grace helping him by saying he had always made the big decisions alone. He did admit he hated to be alone. More talk when Layna arrived. I don’t think we helped him a great deal - possibly confused him more, which is generally true in giving or taking advice.
3/25/70 At 6:30 I called Len Shannon and learned that his beginners were dancing at Ranier. I went at 8 p.m. intending to watch - and listen. They were short one man to make 4 squares so I got up and danced - and went the full route! Even stayed for lunch. My, oh, my how I miss that activity!
3/27/70 We unloaded 9 sheets of plywood and 25 2” X 4” X 16’ at Atsokan dock. I then went home and hooked toboggan to Scorpion and went for stuff. I put half of it on and it slid good. I then put on the rest and away I went. No problem. A good outfit for that kind of a job. A bit pooped when I got everything carried up to house. I am very, very soft. A good time at Bernice’s. Our family, (Karen & Robin), Dick & Joan, Buck (Dale had toothache), Johnny & Sue. Home by 10 p.m.
