11/21/71 Jayme, Timmy and I to island in a.m. We picked up the 3 15 hp Johnsons and back to landing (Buck’s) where we pulled out Cadillac, our last boat in water. it was 15o so it was time to get that job done. Harry and Bern for a short visit in p.m. I wasn’t very good company, thinking about my MC job for square dance at Ranier. We got there at 7:50. A total of 7 squares showed up. Many, many of our old dancing friends. It seemed like old times. I had a ball as did Layna.
11/22/71 After lunch we went in to see the Judys. They gave us a full account of their deer hunting trip to Montana. Wayne went on his nerve alone. He can’t see well enough to recognize an elephant in a parade. A rough deal. We went shopping from there and ended up by each one of us buying a coat. What spendthrifts! Buck and Dale home. They had a good weekend in Duluth and Minneapolis. They had it coming. I finished reading Bruce Catton’s The Coming of the Fury. It made me realize as never before, what a terrible mess this country was in 1861.
11/23/71 Our $400 snow blower that we bought last winter (with Buck) has been on bum since last spring, and still is. About 3 inches of snow and I shoveled most of yard and all of driveway. Good exercise. Put on the registration numbers and started our Scorpion. It took off with very little trouble. The law is getting tough on snowmobilers, as well it should, hence the decision to finally put numbers on after 3 years.
11/25/71 Thanksgiving Day. Sally showed how well organized she was by joining us on a hike around Lake Como. Their family, Karen & Robin, Layna and I. Very pleasant. Several hundred mallards on open water and standing on ice. Much fun when Robin threw corn cob out on ice and practically the whole flock took off. A great feast put on by Sally. Good talk. Watched only one football game. A very pleasant day.
11/26/71 Layna, Sally, Jim and I out for some Xmas shopping. I limited myself to a few books but rest did a little splurging. To Marne Monahan’s for cocktails and then she took us to University Club for dinner. We ate on top of Carlton Towers - many floors above street level. A grand view of the well lit Twin Cities. Thrilling. Back to her apartment where we had a real gabfest with Rainy Lake the chief topic. The history of the whole Monahan clan very closely interwoven with the north country. They still love it. Robin and Laird the third generation under its spell. Hope they can settle here.
11/27/71 Sally and I to lumber yard where we bought material to make valances for their bedroom. Home to put it all together. Should look OK when she gets it covered. Karen and Robin came for dinner then the 6 of us to Guthrie Theater to see Diary of a Scoundrel. What an experience. I am mighty happy in my ignorance concerning this type of entertainment. I can find no flaws.
11/28/71 More snow - a couple of inches. I am not sure that we disappointed Sally by not going to church. At any rate she did not show it like Karen did last night when I told her what my intentions were. That should furnish a good subject for conversation when they get ready to bury me. To McGuires at 5:00 for a very delightful dinner and evening. Mary in true form. She had sent Jim out for most of dinner ingredients at 5 p.m.! We played a ping pong game with everyone participating. Much fun. There is a gang that will be mighty welcome if they ever get back to NWI.
11/29/71 Little Jimmy’s hockey team had practice and Jim and I attended. They scrimmaged for ½ hour and it was more fun than watching North Stars. Everyone to bed by 10:00 except Sally and me. We talked until midnight. We covered a number of subjects - child rearing, our family, religion, war. We closed with a cheery note. We agreed that our personal troubles very insignificant in comparison to most people’s.
11/30/71 Said “goodbye” to Sally and Jim at 9:00. We had had a mighty fine visit. The new freeways have brought the Falls very much closer to Minneapolis. Much reading materials accumulated in our absence. Spent rest of day wading thru it. Letter from Etta. First word from Byrne’s tribe since they left in September. She gave a sketchy report of their “commune” living. I didn’t get it. Charity (and religion) should begin at home. I think that a true Christian would give his own parents a little more thought.
12/1/71 The long awaited day for Anderson Furniture to lay the Goddamn linoleum in our kitchen. (See Oct. 26). Two men came out and made pattern. They left with same. In an hour they called back to say the linoleum had been damaged in shipping. Another 2 week delay.
12/2/71 I cut out the pieces for 6 napkin holders. They should be good. To Buck and Dale’s for visit in evening. The subject of Byrne and his family came up. We are all confused. How about them! I have reached a new approach in my thinking concerning the new adventures for the Byrne Johnson family. I no longer say “They must be dumb to go for a gimmick like that.” Now I tell myself “There must be much more to the Ecumenical Institute than meets the eye or a smart guy like Byrne wouldn’t be in it.” It is very comforting - but still baffling.
12/4/71 We had a bad scare this morning. When I awoke at 7:15, Layna called to say she was sick. Had awakened at 4:30 feeling dizzy. Also severe pains on right side which carried up to and across her chest. I called Dr. Walter who told me to bring her to hospital. By the time we got there she was much better. He told her that she had had a gall bladder attack. Prescribed some pills for the vertigo and we came home. She was in bed much of day.
12/5/71 Layna feeling better in morning. We joined Daveys and Kimballs and off for farm on Bigfork. A beautiful day. Good food and drinks, exercise, good talk. Jim and I walked about 2 miles down old logging road. We have much in common. The next door neighbor stopped in for a get acquainted visit. After he left we all made fun of the way he murdered the English language. I would give much to be able to talk Spanish as well as he does English. Layna could feel she had put in a full day so we left without staying for supper. She went to bed early. No severe pains.
12/6/71 Layna to see Dr. Walter. He said she does not need surgery - however should be more careful of her diet and keep on pills. We are both relieved, altho still a bit worried. There has been much written about the problems confronting “Senior Citizens” in an endeavor to find something to do. So far no sweat as far as I am concerned. Today I dragged out some old tape recordings and practically blew the day listening to them. Had Jim DiOnne right back in our house for an hour. Fun. Had a rather harrowing experience when I tried to get down off roof. The ladder moved and I had to call Layna to hold it. My hands sweat just writing about it.
12/7/71 This is Xmas card season and today we did something about it. We made a “master” list. We combined the contents of 3 address books and several sheets of paper. We are really organized. One address book was at least 15 years old. Many names of people who are not in reach of anyone on this earth. We finished about 25 cards. A good start. A note in every one.
12/8/71 At the cards again. Seems that I didn’t do as well today. Found a few other things that seemed as important. Finished up the 5 napkin holders and almost had one of my old time fits (strong urge to throw) when I discovered one was badly off center. Not sure if it was maturity or senility that stayed my hand. Lou Moe out for a drink and to tell her tale of woe concerning customs regulations. It is times like that when I am glad we are retired.
12/9/71 Wayne Judy took off for Duluth by bus this a.m. He hopes he can get some relief from his troubles at the Clinic. Diabetes and blindness old enemies. Now he has a form of arthritis that aches in every joint. We knew Opal would be lonesome so had her out for dinner. Tense Shuff died in meantime. Opal called to tell us and asked if we wanted to call off dinner. No. Not a happy affair. The three of us full of our own sad thoughts. Mabel Biondich and Amber here at 7 p.m. to talk about Mexico. Their enthusiasm helped our mood. Opal stayed after they were gone. I don’t think she wanted to face her empty house. Live is very difficult for some people. Poor Warren, poor Opal, lucky us - so far.
