The Johnson Journals, Chapter 191

•  Don goes duck and partridge hunting

•  Layna goes home from hospital

•  Karen quits school

10/14/67 During the night I awoke thinking about the two mallards I had lost, even tho I felt sure they were dead. I decided to get an early start and go after them. I was in Rice Bay just at daybreak - about 7 a.m. I shot one mallard then began search for yesterday's birds. I found them both! A rare feeling of accomplishment. Soon after, I made a grand sneak on about 30 mallards. As I lay well hidden in the high grass, in range, I seriously considered taking the plug from my gun. I was afraid that the noise might spook my quarry. When they took off I banged a big green head — and my gun jammed! There were ducks flying frantically in all directions and all I could do was watch. When it was all over, all I could do was laugh - like a fool. I fixed my gun and shot one more mallard and took off for home. Back to #265 by 2:30 - bushed. I wallowed thru bog for at least 2 hours - enough for an old man. Karen called to say Layna getting along fine. What a relief! Fried myself a hamburger, had one drink, took nap and woke up raring to go. I cleaned 9 ducks and took two to Fred Boeckh. A good stroke of business.

10/15/67 At Daveys’ place at 1 p.m. and off for partridge hunt. What a farce! We drove about 100 miles and our total bag was one bird, and that one flew into the car about 1/2 mile from Big Falls.

10/17/67 Buck picked me up at 7 a.m. and took me to bus. An easy trip to Duluth. Karen to meet me. We walked 15 blocks, me carrying my suitcase, but very enjoyable. She has a new lease on life, and talked constantly. To see Layna - and what a warm feeling it was! We are still “going together” after all these years. She is doing fine, and due out tomorrow.

10/18/67 Up at 8 a.m. Short visit (and breakfast) with Karen and took her to school. After my time spent with her yesterday and today, I have the feeling that at the moment, she is as well adjusted as she ever was. However, can it last? To hospital at 10:00 a.m. and picked up Layna. A pleasant day and a pleasant trip home. The patient stood it well. Now that she is safe and sound in our own little home, we realize that if there is anyway to handle a deal like this properly, we did it right from the start.

10/19/67 I was very domestic today. Worked around house on odd jobs. Layna gaining strength! The Daveys out for a short visit. Harry has been writing some powerful editorials on the Park.

10/20/67 Nursemaid for Layna most of day. She is getting along well enough but complains of being tired. A normal thing, I am sure. Fred in hospital in Winnipeg. I sent a long letter. Hope it can cheer him some.

10/21/67 Took Terry and Timmy for partridge. A big deal when I got off on point of Deer Island and boys drove flock of mallards toward me. I got two dandies. We ended up with 3 partridge, the last shot on NWI after a great barrage of .22 fire. Said Timmy, “There is something wrong with this gun!”

10/22/67 To give Layna a change of scenery we drove out on Gold Shores road. Johnny Bartkowski has built a road completely around the perimeter of my old hunting grounds. “I never thought I would live to see the day.”

10/23/67 George Finstad called me at 11:30, saying we should take advantage of weather to get the ADM houseboat down. It was on the ways at 2:30. Layna did not feel up to it so I went to Spanish class alone. We are learning - but oh, so slow. It is very interesting, however, and there is little to lose but time, of which we have plenty.

10/24/67 Buck here at 8 a.m. and we got at the job of putting houseboat away. Many points to drain, and we won't know for sure if we missed any until we put it in operation next spring. George Finstad with is all morning. I can't believe that he would pass up anything.

10/25/67 Picked bouquet of marigolds at island. Lou and Gerald Wagness for a drink about 4:30. I told them all sick talk taboo, and they abided by it. Much laughter. I think it did Layna some good. This started as a bad day for her, she said I had a new girl friend, Spanish, and we damned near had a quarrel. It took some restraint on both sides to avoid it. Tonight she looks and sounds the best yet.

10/27/67 Buck and I on first serious deer hunt of season. On one point of Sandpoint Island I chased out three but they got by Buck in heavy cover. He got glimpses of all, as did I, so it was fun. There is more to deer hunting than just shooting a deer. A good day with Buck.

10/30/67 I walked out to see new gravel pit on Deer Island where Ivan Keeny dug out several hundred yards of dirt to enlarge ball field. I never thot I'd live to see the day. Karen called. She very calmly told us that she was about to quit school! What a shock. Maybe it should not have been because we knew full well that she has been in a helluva turmoil for some time, particularly since last spring. Neither Layna nor I showed the least surprise, or displeasure. She will be home Saturday - and then what?

10/31/67 Off for buoy job at 10:30. It went well despite SW wind that accelerated as day went on and gusted up to 20 - 25 mph by the time we pulled into Christianson's for the night. We were unable to pull the three buoys east of Dutchy's. A helluva rough ride across mouth of Saginaw Bay. What a great area for a National Park! We ate and chewed rag until dropping off to sleep at 9 p.m. My last thots were “What a helluva great guy we raised in Buck Johnson!”

11/1/67 Up at 6:30, ate breakfast and onto Kettle River. The wind which howled out of SW most of night, even shaking the house, turned to the NW and lost its intensity. It did not bother us all day. The 12 buoys in Kettle River out by 11:30. Back to Rabbit Island for lunch, repaired our catamaran, which had taken on awful beating yesterday, and off for home. Another satisfying day with Buck.

11/2/67 To island at 11 a.m. Took catamaran apart, pulled the two Cadillacs out (alone), put all our gear away, loaded 3 motors in Larson and off for home by 2:30. Hauled motors to Finstad's. Buck and Dale to Camp Kooch-i-ching so we had Timmy and two girls for supper. Good kids, and fun to have around.

11/3/67 I don't recall when I last attended a Masonic meeting. It is at least two years, maybe three. I went tonight and I am afraid it will be another long spell before I go again. I don't know what it takes to make a good Mason, a good Catholic, a good Lutheran. I do know that whatever it is I don't have it. The meat of the movement is so buried in gobbledygook that I can't imagine myself digging it out. No doubt the motivation to join the Masons is the same one that prompted me to join the Seller Street Gang in Hibbing in 1916. The ritual was not as involved, but just as secretive. It seems that grown men should rise above something like that.

11/4/67 Karen has quit school, bringing a car load of baggage home. That is rather final. Sure we are disappointed, but this is no tragedy - yet. She has been famous for her recuperative powers and we have confidence she will pull out of this one. We are trying to show her, that altho we are not exactly elated over her decision, she is still our baby and we are for her. As far as I am concerned there is nothing to hang our heads over. If we did, who would care? I am not too worried over this deal - yet. She plans to go to New Hampshire as a governess for 4 kids at a ski resort.

11/5/67 Met Judy at 6:30 and off for NW Bay. We hunted south shore without getting a bird. Wayne seems to be feeling as good as he has in years. His eyesight is horrible but I am much more tolerant than Opal. I don't bawl him out when he doesn't see a duck! It must be a happy switch for him to go with someone who can do some “shagging” without the nagging. A good day.