Johnson Journals part 261

9/2/72 Back to fair at 10 a.m. This time Layna and I and Jill and Lisa. Walk, walk, walk. We made it to Mexican Village which developed into high spot of entire fair. Yesterday’s 100,000 attendance was doubled today. Back to Sally’s, off to a family eating place with whole gang (our treat) and home in time to take off for Guthrie Theater and Of Mice and Men. What a performance that was! We are living it up.

9/3/72 Sunday. I know that Sally and Jim were both concerned about hanging sail boat up in garage. I was too, for that matter. While they were at church, I got everything set up. It took only about ½ hour to put it in place after they came home. Relief all around. Jim and I to see Twins play Cleveland. A first for me. They did very poorly. Made more errors (6) that hits (4). Lost 4 - 1 and deserved it. Rains came just as game ended.

9/4/72 There was some talk yesterday that we would drive Jernberg family to airport. Jim McGuire volunteered much to relief of both Layna and myself - altho we knew we could do it. Off for home after a very, very pleasant few days with our kids. They know how to entertain the old folks. Jill and Lisa perfect travelers.

9/5/72 Learned on TV and radio that Arab commandos had invaded the Israeli compound at Olympics games and at 10:00 learned that all 11 hostages had been killed. What a tragedy.

9/6/72 We got concerned about tomorrow’s Big Fork River trip with Kimballs. To see Dr. Walter who said my report on ear growth non malignant. To Daveys’ at 5:30, joined by Kimballs soon after. Good cocktail hour, good dinner. Much talk about Big Fork trip. Sounds great - if weather permits.

9/7/72 Layna and Bern dropped us (Kimballs & Harry & I) off at Henricksons landing at 10:15. Not a cloud in sky, temperature about 60o. We paddled, floated, fished until noon, then climbed bank a Keufuer’s Landing for lunch. Much good talk. All of us thoroly enjoying this experience. A rather rough time pulling 2 canoes up river bank at Harry’s farm. On to Holiday Isle for dinner. Layna’s treat. She will soon get 1st SS check!

9/9/72 At 4:30 I met Wayne Judys and Myrl Brooks at landing. A pleasant time followed. Layna prepared 7# roast on Weber grill, also all the trimmings. Great. Sat at table until 9:00 p.m. Much good talk from interesting & stimulating people. An unusually fine day.

9/11/72 Made all preparations and off for North Arm at 8:30. I boated 4 good jax. Layna caught 3 small ones, using same bait. DAMN! I still spend some of my time “wishing” a fish on somebody’s hook. Well, it was my chief occupation for many years.

9/12/72 To Judy’s where we made plans for opening duck season on Thursday. I am sure we all three felt that 1972 will be our last fall of hunting together. On to Dr. Whitman where he checked my eyes for new glasses. My distance sight still sharp. Not so for reading. How lucky can I get?

9/13/72 My prayers were answered this morning. It rained on Gov. Anderson’s Voyageurs Park party of about 40 people. My medicine not strong enough to keep it raining all day, however.

9/14/72 To town at 1 p.m. and off for Fort soon after. Stopped long enough to buy license and then bought watch for Layna. Don’t know if we can afford either. Got a real glow when I picked out watch I thought fit Layna perfectly.

9/15/72 Up at 4:00 a.m. and out on lake before daylight. We ended up with 10 ducks, a mixed bag, 8 shot by me. Wayne’s eyes really bad but he complains very little. Opal a bit intolerant at times - but not as bad as she can be. Saw 2 mink, 3 otters and a spotted fawn.

9/16/72 Rain, rain, rain and no ducks. I finally clobbered two bluebills sitting on water with one shot, and that was extent of hunting. A nap, packed up and off for town. Had planned on taking Layna & Buck and Dale out for dinner. We were invited to Curtice Island for drink and learned that they had prepared a feast! Timmy did fillets on grill. Quite a kid. A very, very fine affair. Layna happy, even tho we couldn’t start her new watch.

9/17/72 Sunday Tribune carried Kimballs article about our trip down Big Fork. Much about Don Johnson. To Daveys after lunch and on down to Harry’s cutting on Big Fork for partridge. Saw nothing. Prize remark by Layna “What kind of wine are you supposed to serve with wieners?”

9/18/72 Bob Monahan stopped to say he had bought a sizable chunk of Dahlberg’s Island. Full of big plans. Called Brockie (jeweler in Fort) and he told me how to start watch. All well.

9/19/72 To Dahlbergs in p.m. in search of a partridge. Saw none. I walked about 40 minutes and my legs ached worse that when I used to walk home from Olsons’, 10 miles. When I complained to Layna she said “Don’t forget you are getting old.” How true!

9/20/72 Met Clarks at our dock at 6:30. They were feuding. Eileen had had a drink or two - maybe one too many. We got Dan back in sociable mood in short order. On to Island View for dinner. Eileen had had big ideas of finding a piano bar but gave up when her belly got full of food - and drink. Took them home (to their island) after making plans for fishing tomorrow. They are marooned. Hope they can get along. I never appreciate Layna more than I do after a session with someone like Eileen.

9/21/72 Wind began howling at 2:00 a.m. At 7 a.m. the radio said velocity was 18 - 24 with gusts up to 35. It was gusting most of the time. I was worried about Clarks so at 9:00 took off for their island in Larson. Got almost there when I could see that there was a good chance of not getting back. I went home thru 4 foot waves. Wind down somewhat after supper so we took off for Clarks. Eileen in a helluva stew. I sensed that she was peed off at me and shut her up by saying “If you think I should have been here sooner, you are crazy as hell.” Took Dan to Kulevar for their boat and then back with him to help move their stuff. They are breaking camp. Couldn’t stand one another for one more day on island. Not so with the Johnsons. Home in moonlight, wind howling, just downright happy to be together - anywhere!

9/22/72 Stopped at Fran Hilfers on way home. We have met these people off and on very casually over a period of years. We had a very pleasant short visit. Could stand much more of them. On to see George and Ardys. They are glad to be back in God’s country. We are glad to have them. What a contrast to the Clarks. Kimball sent note saying Jim Borman of WCCO had said weather perfect for Governor’s tour of Peninsula. I lay awake thinking of answer. Think I have one.

9/23/72 Eager to get up at 6:30 and write my answer to Jim Kimball. It went well and I was pretty well satisfied with my work. Maybe I should do more of this type of thing. At 9:00 I met Dorlyn Desin who came out and fixed our gas appliances. When Layna asked him how much we owed him, he very hesitantly said “$5.00.” I told him “To hell with that,” and gave him $10. It was sure worth that to us. Home in time to go to dinner at Bob Monahans. Mary there. Great people all. I am very happy with Karen’s in-laws.