The Johnson Journals - Part 224

4/7/70 First I hauled Scorpion to Atsokan Island, then returned for toboggan and tile. No trouble traveling on frost. Work went well on floor. So far I know what I am doing. Layna in great working mood. Hooked up phone and it worked! It is great to be back to our island. 

4/8/70 Snow flurries so at times we could not see Keyes Island. By dark it was 20o. I kept right at the floor despite all, thankful that I had an inside job. The floor, tonight, is about ready for the tile. I have been trying to read Coovers Origin of the Brunists. At times it is absolutely brilliant. Then it gets so far out that I can’t follow. Mixed in with this there are many 4 letter words, many which add nothing to anything.

4/9/70 Wind down to about 10 mph but 20o made it rather chilly. Cold in main house - and no furnace - Damn! It was reasonably warm from cook stove when Layna got up at 8:00. I went to Anchor Gas and they gave me parts for stove. I went back to island and discovered they were wrong ones. Damn again. Harry came out to say that he and Sally could not make Van Cliburn concert. We called Buck and Dale - no go there. It seems to us that a little “Culture” would not hurt them but they lead different lives. Well, it is their choice - and they usually make good ones.

4/10/70 Off for Duluth by 2 p.m. Robin had to work late so it was a grand rush to meet our reservations at “Chinese Lantern” at 6:00. A tremendous feed - too much - and on to concert. A thrilling experience altho Robin, who had been up since 4 a.m. had a hard time keeping awake. Me too at time - belly too full. A sellout crowd, very enthusiastic. When it was all over, they gave a standing ovation and altho Van Cliburn took many, many curtain calls, he refused to play another note. Disappointing!

4/11/70 We drove out to Park Point and took a look - from outside of Karen and Robin’s prospective new home. There is much work to be done but they seem willing. Me, more conservative, think that Karen should have a contract before they commit themselves. The good roads have sure shortened the distance to Duluth.

4/12/70  A lazy day. Took in the Totem Pole’s grand opening. One thing led to another and we ended up buying an 18’ Cadillac for $250.00. Should be a good boat for buoy job. I read from Origin of Brunists off and on much of day and finally finished it. A very, very unusual book - and all in all I liked it - altho I thot Mr. Coover must have been hopped up when he wrote some of it.

4/13/70 The Anchor gas boys had fixed furnace. Sure felt good. I made good progress on floor. I am ready for the tile. Traveling great on lake for snowmobile. It would be for a car too. I am tempted to try it, and would, but know what a damned fool I would be to go out and get stuck. 

4/14/70 An explosion in oxygen tanks of lunar module made our astronauts abort their moon flight. They are headed for home, short on oxygen and water, and not sure how badly damaged. What a helluva predicament. 

4/15/70 Harry entertained investment club tonight and I was asked to pour drinks and listen in. Layna and Sally to do the hostess work. It was a great experience for me. They have about $30,000 worth of stock and there was strong sentiment among some members to sell the works and buy bonds. They settled by selling $13,000 worth of Boise Cascade at motion of Jim Crump - local manager. That did not look good.

4/16/70 I finished my column for Harry and had satisfaction of having him call and say it was great. What a nice man! To Supervisors meeting with Owen. Bill Kirk there. I haven’t seen him for a year. What a damned pity. He too has many happy memories of the old Mando. Many of mine are tied up with Bill Kirk. In my old age, when I go thru these books, I will find his name many, many times - and always good. It would have been a real tough job without him.

4/17/70 Jim Banks called to say he was home so we agreed to pick him up at 1 p.m. Not before we saw our astronauts, Lovell, Haise and Sweitzer safe on the carrier, Iwo Jima. The whole world has been tense on this drama since their space ship got crippled. It was a great feat to return them home - maybe greater than if they had landed on moon. Picked up Jim and had a drink of wine with him. We came back to Falls with him and I know he is impressed with the boats. 

4/18/70 To island, planning to put tile on dining room floor. I stayed right with job until I finished at 7 p.m. A bit pooped - but very satisfied. It looks good. Stayed all night at island. 

4/20/70 It must have snowed much of night because about 8” on ground in morning. No snow tires on car and it would not move. I put chains on - can’t remember when that happened last. Spent much of day going over old Mando pictures. What fond memories! Nixon announced further withdrawal of 150,000 troops from Vietnam by this time next year. Hope he can stay with it.

4/21/70 Layna to see Dr. Walter who gave her a clean bill of health. Great. We are getting a little “down” from this weather so went to see La Dolce Vita. What a goddamn farce. I vowed that those damned Dagos wouldn’t suck me in on another deal like that.