1/1/73 VOLUME XXVIII I fumbled the ball by not getting a diary like my old ones - all sold out. Maybe this one is better. it is easier to write on the lines. My motive for keeping at this hasn’t changed. Now in my old age, I am receiving, almost daily, rewards for my diligence of past years. These books are proving a handy reference of my whole life for the past 28 years. I still regret that I didn’t do this for at least one year while at Dahlbergs but then again - maybe it is just as well to forget much of that place.
1/2/73 A lazy day, probably because I had a kind of a tooth ache and used it for an excuse to do nothing. I wonder what Milroy will finally do with my mouth.
1/3/73 Milroy back for an extended holiday and I finally got to see him today. My gums inflamed. He gave me some poultices to put on them and said, “Come back tomorrow.” Layna and I decided to go back on Look Magazine diet which we have tried off and on for 20 years. We do this partly because we are too damned fat, partly as a form of self-discipline. I am pumping Exercycle 15 minutes a day, hoping to extend period as I go along. Layna sorting stuff and cleaning closets. What a pile of junk we have acquired, but much of value (to us) among it. Hundreds of snapshots, many of them prompted memories, mostly good.
1/4/73 To Milroy again. He must like to talk to me because little accomplished on my teeth. “Come back tomorrow.” More poultices. Timmy back from week in Chicago. We went out to hear about trip but didn’t learn much. Hope to get him alone soon. I have avoided writing about current events in these diaries (why?) but must mention that the whole world, and a good share of America, is incensed with the continued bombing of North Vietnam. Peace talks have broken off completely in Paris. Congress is threatening to cut off military funds. We are in one helluva mess.
1/5/73 Back to Milroy but he changed his tune from, “come back tomorrow,” to “come back Monday.” Thank the lord for a weekend. Buck and Timmy here when I got home. We played a round robin of ping pong. Buck beat me and I beat Tim. Much razzing. FUN! Timmy had given Layna a full account of his Chicago trip. A great experiences for a kid - now he knows why we settled on R.L.
1/6/73 To Seegerts where Norman not only gave us two good trout but also a full account of their trip with Cliff. On to Moes, where we got neither. There is a difference in people and nowhere more exemplified than in these two men. Norman is absolutely unselfish, giving freely and spontaneously of himself and his possessions. Cliff completely for Cliff. Always seeking from others - usually information now that he has plenty of money - but nothing in return. In his close relationship with Norman, it is pretty obvious who gets screwed.
1/7/73 It was Layna’s idea, some time ago, that we take the Daveys out to dinner on their 20th (month) anniversary. We have been their guests on a good share of the others and she thought we should reciprocate. Me too. We were due at their house at 5:30 but almost missed the whole show because we stopped to talk Mexico with the Veeders. My God, what a talking pair. They asked us to come because they are planning a trip. They didn’t hear a damned one of the few words uttered by us. To the Holiday Inn where we ate their smorgasbord alone in their multimillion dollar setup. Fun for us but it must be hell for owners.
1/8/73 -41o A long letter from George Williams just about made up our minds about Mexico. Still can’t set a departure date, too many variables. To Milroy again. He took another impression. My impression is that this has gone on too damned long, and no relief in sight. Worked on our new grub box all p.m. and it is practically done. We have felt the need of just such a piece of equipment for years. With it we hope to eliminate most breakfasts in motels and some lunches along the way, thus saving time and money. Hope it isn’t too small.
1/9/73 To Dr. Milroy again. He took another impression and said “Maybe we will pull some tomorrow.” I am ready! Today we moved ping pong table, installed lights and was ready for first customer when Laird Monahan & Ah-li arrived. I beat him 4 straight. Big deal for an old man. They had been invited for dinner. A good feed and they stayed until 9:00. They plan on leaving soon for a very extended tour. Still driving Robin’s ex - beat up VW that has 125,000 miles on it. Brave, hardy kids. We would stay home rather than do that. I think it tickles our egos that a young couple like that will spend 5 hours with old fogies like us - and obviously seem to enjoy it. I can see why Layna’s good cooking would draw them for a couple - but not 5!
1/10/73 It finally happened. Milroy pulled four of my teeth. Not too bad coming out, not too bad after 10 hours. “Come back tomorrow.” A new element has crept into this dental work. Milroy’s knees bothering him, he can hardly walk. I go for his mail every morning. He will probably keep me coming until he can walk again. I’ll send him a counter charge when I get my bill if he does. Karen and fellow teachers voted to go on strike tomorrow. Now what? With the present surplus of teachers, I wonder if they are in good bargaining position. Terry home from wars. Has a 30 day leave. We haven’t seen him yet. Glad he’s back.
1/11/73 I didn’t even take my coat off at Milroy’s this a.m. He looked in my mouth and said “It is healing great. You must live right. Come back Monday.” To Dr. Walter’s office to check on Layna’s bill. Our insurance doing well for us there. Hospital records not complete but from all indications we will be paying less than $300 on a total (doctor & hospital) of about $1300. Not bad. Out to see Terry & family at 4:00. Our grandson looks good and seems reasonably happy with his lot. Stopped to ask Bernice to come to dinner tomorrow. She was making pasties and asked us to stay. Did. Good food and good visit. None of her surplus wine, however. I wonder who she is saving it for.
1/12/73 The boys, Buck and I played several games of ping pong, enough to know that Buck is #1, Grandpa #2 and Jayme and Tim about even. Terry didn’t play. He told us of some of his navy experiences and did it very well.
1/13/73 Layna dropped me off at Judys at 8:30 and we were off for NW Bay. We were fishing by 10:00 and crappies hitting from start. We had 29 on ice by 3:00. Home about 5:00. As usual, I leave this man full of admiration. My God, what he puts up with - and small complaint. The Moes here when I got home and stayed for crappie dinner. It was fun to answer Cliff’s innumerable questions with little lies. He’s not getting any more information out of me until a teensy-weensie bit is returned. Dave and Jill Austin stopped in with a pie! Good kids. She is pregnant, and glowing.
1/15/73 Back to Milroy. He had a helluva cold. He sent me after a ½ pint of brandy, then his mail, took another impression and sent me home. We are making slower progress then the Paris peace talks. Big social deal at #265. We had invited the Judy’s, Daveys and Brooks for a crappie feed. Layna spent most of day in preparation and the results were very evident when we sat down to table at 6:30. A sharp group and conversation flowed freely. They took turns saying that Layna was best cook of all time (almost) and I agree. Much good talk before, during and after meal.
1/16/73 Back to Milroy. A flaw in yesterday’s impression so a repeat performance. His cold still bad but no more brandy. He said he threw up what I brought him yesterday. To meeting of LAC in evening. Myrl Brooks there to give us lowdown on National Park. Didn’t hear much that I did not already know but a few eye openers. They, too, are worried about opposition from environmentalists when they start to dig up nature in effort to build park.
1/18/73 Back to Milroy. This time he took a wax impression of my bite. He says my plate will be ready early next week. A typical experience when he asked me to get his mail. When I returned with it he filled my mouth with wax and then left me for 15 minutes while he read Virginia paper. To Sheridan’s and saw 1972 Chevy with 6700 miles that looked good. It is in our yard now but no deal made. We have hopes of getting price down a little - a tough job with Sheridan.
