11/9/72 Rain mixed with snow falling at daylight. It would have been easy to call off my hunting with Jayme. He came to pick me up at 9:00 a.m.(Dale with him) and I could see he would be pretty disappointed if we didn’t go. We went. Snowing hard when we left dock. Jayme hunted east end of Dahlbergs while I stood in cedars freezing. No deer. We then walked to narrow place and I drove point. A 1 ½ year old doe came out and he got her. A very happy boy and a very satisfied old man. Dale elated when we got home. Deer hunting has been a sore subject in their family this fall.
11/10/72 Stopped for short visit with Harry Oveson. He has his trailer packed and ready for a quick getaway when and if the spirit moves him. It was the same last fall. Even money he stays right here. Called Jim Jernberg to wish him a Happy Birthday. Good!
11/11/72 Layna busy all day preparing stuff for me while she is in hospital. Salad, soup, liver loaf, meat loaf, cookies. I’ll be well fed. In addition she has changed the beds and washed every scrap of dirty clothes. What a gal! Buck not home from hunting trip on Cloquet River with Duncans.
11/12/72 To Buck and Dale’s at 11 a.m. Bernice there too. We soon found out why Buck didn’t get home from hunting trip. Scott Duncan got lost. Quite a story. Off for hospital with Layna arriving at 2:30. She was duly checked in. Her roommate a Mrs. Jim Griffin, about 25 years old, recovering from an operation. Had supper with Harry & Bern and back to hospital for an hour. Byrne called about 9:00 p.m. a very satisfying conversation. All well with them. He is concerned about Layna - who isn’t?
11/13/72 At 9:00 I called Dr. Walter’s office saying I would appreciate a word from him when he came in. He called at 10:30 to say all had proceeded according to plan. What a relief! To hospital at 4:30. Layna asleep but I sat by her until 5:15 when she awoke. She was remarkably coherent. We talked for about 15 minutes and she began to doze off. I left, feeling much relieved.
11/14/72 A few years ago when Buck and Byrne helped be on buoy job, I wrote that I was happy to have my 2 “girt” sons. Today I felt the same about my grandsons. Jayme and Timmy helped me put 18 foot Larson away. They are a couple of horses. Took motor to Finstads and stayed for coffee. Jan Watson there. A good visit. Much talk about deer hunting. I didn’t tell about the time I hunted with that jerk, Lee. On to see Layna. Not too chipper but definitely making progress. All I can do is feel pity. Maybe it helps. I am sure she senses it. Off for Sheriffs Civil Service meeting. Interesting but I think I want out of that deal.
11/15/72 To see Layna at 11:00. She was on her feet! A short walk and she was happy to get back in bed. Progress ‘tho. On to Rotary lunch with Harry. Dr. Walter there. I asked him, “Is Layna getting along as well as it seems to me?”. He answered, “Better, and what’s more, she is great people!” “Thank you,” said I, “I have known it for many years!” Rotarians made trip to inspect Rick Weller’s tackle manufacturing plant. Very interesting. I had never met Rick before but after seeing his layout, told him I was proud of him. To see Layna at 7:45. She has had much company but bearing up well. Lake skimmed over with ice when Buck and Jayme came back at noon from island. A buck deer fell thru ice ahead of them and they made a "mercy killing" Now they have enough venison.
11/16/72 To see Layna at 11:00. No setbacks there. They took off intravenous tube today and she had a few bites of solid food. Her color improved. I am happy. To Salaried Employee’s meeting at 5:30. Many old timers there - all seemed happy to see me. I was happy to see them. Sat next to Dick Burrock who invited me to their house after. We talked of many things - square dancing, retirement, Father Upson, Moes, our kids, but mostly Boise. He gave me an article in Forbes magazine. Very disturbing. I am happy that a relatively small amount of our income comes from that source. Can plainly see why the Burrocks are concerned.
11/17/72 I have been studying Spanish every morning since Layna left, for about two hours. Don’t know for sure what my motivation is. Maybe it is because I get a small sense of accomplishment each time I learn a word. I know now that I will never learn it but am getting enjoyment out of trying. To see Layna at 11:00. She is making a remarkable recovery. We walked to the end of the hall - no problem. Watched Cat Ballou on late show. Surely one of the funniest pictures made.
11/18/72 The seventh day since Layna went into the hospital. I don’t like it. I am fully aware of what life would be without her - and wonder if I could face up to it. Talked to Irene MacKellar on the phone. It is very apparent how she has compensated for the loss of Fred. She drives herself incessantly. That wouldn’t be a solution for me. To see Layna at 11:00 a.m. Still doing fine. Dr. Talsness told her she come home tomorrow. Glory be!
11/19/72 Spent a rather restless a.m. waiting for Layna’s call. It came at noon. No doctor yet. DAMN! Both of us a little frustrated. She called again at 2:00 p.m. “Come and get me!” Parking lot a sheet of ice from night’s rain and snow. We proceeded with caution and got her and all her “loot” into car. She had been on her feet most of morning but not unduly tired. When supper time came she said “I’ll scramble some eggs.” I said “No, I’ll scramble some eggs.” She won. No wonder I am the world’s worst cook. No nap for her altho she laid in bed and read for couple of hours while I watched football game. She then got up and watched TV until 9:30. I would say she is doing great!
11/20/72 Layna mending well. She moves around carefully but I see definite progress. Much company. Joan here for hour at noon. Daveys out for happy hour at 5:00. About 8:00 Buck, Dale and Bernice. They stayed until 9:30. Good talk there, too. Buck wants to go on a trip - anywhere - but Dale not exactly ready to cooperate. They are both well trained. No shouting at one another in front of other people. Almost forgot that Jayme here to see Grandma and pick up a deer hide. He plans on tanning it. Some job!
11/21/72 A routine day for the most part. Layna making steady progress, I am taking care of her the best I can with my blundering. Harry Davey, Les Cleveland and Cliff (at different times) stopped and visited. All this changed at 5:00 p.m. when Jayme and Timmy arrived. Dale had sent a pan of chicken and the makings for dumplings. Jayme assembled the feast and we all dug in, including Layna. We washed dishes and then inaugurated my new ping pong table. I beat both boys but had feeling they weren’t extending themselves. Upstairs again and they stayed to visit until 8:30. What a great pair of young men. Cliff reported that Lou overdid at health club and can scarcely walk. We are laughing (just a little) behind her back.
11/22/72 A quiet day as I stand by to watch Layna gaining back here health. Broke the monotony by going to Ranier to shop. Even bought rum & wine for tomorrow. All four of Buck & Dale’s kids here to see Grandma after school. Good. Daveys out for few minutes in evening. Much fun when I showed them the opals we bought in Mexico and told them they were Layna’s gall stones!
11/23/72 Thanksgiving. Karen and Robin arrived about 10 a.m. with Connie in tow. They had the turkey with them. We had invited the Judys for dinner but they begged off because of Opal’s bum foot. Called the Moes who accepted. Lou practically a cripple (see Nov. 21) but the smell of turkey brought her. That made three female cripples when Gene arrived using a cane. We sure didn’t need Opal! Karen, following in Layna’s footsteps, prepared a real gut buster. Gene produced a couple of pies that almost finished us off. Watch out, scale, here I come.
