7/3/72 I went out rowing at 4:00 and stopped at Les Cleveland’s. He was really put out with his mother. To me, after listening to him, there was only one answer. She is acting like a typical 82 year old. I told him so but he was not completely satisfied. I can’t help but wonder if I will live to become a problem with our kids.
7/4/72 Layna and I to town to say goodbye to Karen and Robin. Layna a little under weather so I went fishing alone. Stopped at Clarks and frittered away an hour trying to get his pump working. On to Buck’s where I picked up Timmy. We went to end of Angling Island and caught 5 good WE and a jack. Surprise!
7/5/72 Our neighbor, Keith Heilman, built his A-frame house on Stop Island in 1963. We have never paid them a visit altho much waving every time we go by. Today he stopped in our place, first time, and chewed rag for an hour. Interesting. We shall repay the call soon. (1985?) The Jernbergs called from town and I met them at landing about 5:00. We had boat partly loaded when the rains came. We kept at it and took off in a real downpour. All soaked when we arrived at island - all in good spirits, however. A change of clothes and all well. A good visit followed. I can plainly see how I could thoroly enjoy a month alone with them. I am a little dismayed at their guest list for the next 3 weeks, however.
7/6/72 Dick Dougherty stopped for about an hour’s visit. Much reminiscing of old days at NWI. Sally, Jim & Layna to town leaving me to take care of kids. It went well, no casualties. Almost forgot to mention that this a red letter day on NWI. The Jernbergs launched their sail boat. Much fun as everyone on island got in on the job of rigging it. Jim did well enough handling the beautiful little craft in the light west wind.
7/8/72 Layna and I to town to meet Jim Donnelley, who wanted to rent our house. He took one look and said “I would like to buy this for my folks.” When we told him it was not for sale, he gave us a check for $250 for two months’ rent. We had agreed between ourselves that $100 would be about right. Met the Thorkee’s at dock. Our family has increased by 6. A good looking lot.
7/9/72 At 4:45 off to Island View where I picked up Fred and June Bailey. Had picked up Jernbergs, Sr. at 2:00. Our guest list up to 18 by now. A big buffet supper. A community effort. Took Baileys back at 9:00. They must have been impressed. Jim and Dick sailed for couple of hours. They did well.
7/10/72 Sally has baked 18 loaves of bread since coming to NWI. It goes like angel food. The men folk carried down a bunch of balsam and cut up. During the activity, we missed John. All hands out searching. Sally finally found him at north end of island. It reminded Layna and I of other days when we lived at Camp. What mixed emotions come out at a time like that. You don’t dare get angry for fear something dreadful has happened. When the lost is found the relief makes anger impossible.
7/11/72 We did it. To Falls in a.m. and saw Dennis Nelson who filled out Layna’s application for Social Security. The exact amount not known but it will top $100 per month. Not bad! Back to island by 3:00. A small crisis at table when Sally asked John to help clear table. No great scene, however. Wallace at convention. “We must take the Democratic party away from the pseudo-intellectuals and give it back to the common people.” I said to Jim, “He means you.” No comment from Jim.
7/12/72 Early morning rain delayed our takeoff but by 8:30 we were off for north arm. Jim, Dick & I. Stopped at Grassy narrows and I got a 4# jack on first cast. We stayed there about 2 hours and got many, many fish, 8 over 4#, one a 7 pounder. Finally kept 10 fish for a total of about 55 pounds. Not bad. I am sure Dick was truly thrilled by it all. Jim didn’t do too well but still very appreciative. A great day for me. Democrats nominated George McGovern - Now what?
7/13/72 No fishing. We caught up on our chores. I filleted the 10 northerns - quite a job in itself. We cut down three dead Norway pines and cut up same. Layna broiled 3 slabs of jackfish on Weber grill. We cleaned up every smidgen. In a weak moment I agreed to take boys out fishing tomorrow. Sunset good, weather report good, I felt fairly safe.
7/14/72 Raining hard at 6:30 when I got up. It quit raining about 8:00 but wind increased. Kids looked, and sounded so dejected and disappointed that I decided to go, despite better judgment. A rather pleasant day followed. We tried several places out of wind, skunked. Finally went to east end of Goose Island and some fast fishing followed. Perch, jax, one 2# WE and several smaller ones. It rained off and on. Home at 3:00. Kids happy.
7/15/72 Gerald and Olive came about 3:30. Gerald off for Bemidji tomorrow to take a 5 week course at U. They have not been together on this island for at least 10 years. A very, very interesting couple of hours followed. Because of his outspoken, critical nature, Gerald has alienated almost everyone who knows him. Not so me. I like him, and have stood up for him over a period of years that dates back to the Dahlberg - Roberts years and thru our working together at the pulp landing. Even Olive didn’t bother me today.
7/16/72 I rowed over to landing for paper again. Should do it every day. The Jernbergs (Sr.) left today after a week on NWI. They can come anytime as far as I am concerned. Jim off for Columbus, Ohio, to give a talk tomorrow. He will be home tomorrow night. The world has shrunk. About 5:00 p.m. Vern Reuter came over to invite us to their place for a drink. We all went. He was given Don Eisenach’s job and realizes fully that he has his work cut out for him.
7/17/72 The depth map (chart) shows a reef far out from the north end of our island. I have been aware of it for years. Today I took the depth finder and made a search. It took some doing but it was worthwhile. I caught a 1 ½# bass and 3 walleyes before noon. Sally took kids in to meet Jim and Layna and I alone on island for first time for quite a while. We celebrated by Layna raking steadily around place and I dug up flat rocks off west side of island. We are in a goddamn rut!
7/18/72 Newharts and Clevelands here for dinner. It was a jackfish special. Pickled for hors d’oeuvres and broiled (in grill) for main course. The loved it. Much good talk, with Sally & Jim contributing their share. I am proud of our kids - and their kids. Everyone gone by 9:30. I dug out my 1945 diary and read aloud about Newharts stay at NWI in October of that year. Good.
7/19/72 We decided to picnic, swim, pick blueberries at Edwards’ place. A great decision. We picked berries for 40 minutes, got a Texas gallon full, but thunder rumbling told us to beat it for home. Did - just in time. We had picnic in living room of big cabin and the rains came at 12:30. Never have I seen it come down harder. It rained almost steadily until 10:00 p.m. Radio said 2.67 inches in town. I am sure we had over 3. Jim and I put in some strenuous time bailing boats. The boys had a ball. At one time they played out in the downpour for about an hour with no raingear on. A full day.
7/20/72 Jim and I to town and picked up 33 hp motor. Saw George Finstad, one of the most talented mechanics of all time, bailing out Bell’s boat with a bucket. Sure seemed to me that some 12 year old kid would have done it for a quarter. George Amidon, Elsie and DeMarchi here for a short visit. It was long enough to make me late for first meeting of Lakeside Action Council. I was elected as a member at Ranier last week. Looks like an interesting group.
7/22/72 Heavy rain after noon so Layna and I to Ranier. It let up some when we returned. After dinner we decided to run to Black Bay to visit Moes. Discovered that the Rays, and Billy, were at their place. We got no further. A very good visit with people we really care for.
