1/19/73 Allan Sheridan here in a.m. with new figures on Chevy. We had about made up our minds to trade no matter what and I don’t doubt but what he sensed it. He has dealt with us before. He came down $100 to $1750 & our old Chevy and the deal was done. All of this for a little more peace of mind when we hit down the road for Mexico. Karen and Robin here at 7:00 p.m. She is still on strike and we can tell that it is bothering them a lot.
1/20/73 I was left alone for couple of hours and had chance to listen to Nixon’s inaugural ceremonies. He gave a low key address, making much sense in most of it. He as much as said right out that peace was at hand in Vietnam. Robin and I for long walk, about 4 miles, back of gravel pit. I haven’t been that far back since with Jim DiOnne, about 5 years ago. We walked steady for an hour and 20 minutes. I felt about as pooped as when I came in with 65 pound pack after coming from Ranier to Camp Kooch in the olden days. I suppose I should be happy to have made it at all. To Buck’s in evening to see Jayme’s slides. He is well on his way to becoming an excellent photographer.
1/21/73 Layna and I to island via snowmobile. Traveling good altho some slush on ice near dock. No trouble. I picked up a couple of rods to use in Mexico. Layna and I to Thunderbird for dinner. Margaret Corcoran was at the organ and as always she was great.
1/23/73 I got my teeth - and my mouth feels full of them. Milroy tells me that they are near perfect, but I wouldn’t say that - yet. To Sheridan’s Chevrolet where we wound up deal for car. I think we will be satisfied. Lou Bruggeman out for dinner. A short visit for me but very enjoyable. We went over our 1941 trip pictures. Nixon on TV at 9:00 p.m. to announce cease fire in Vietnam to be signed next Saturday. Many news commentators followed him, mostly full of cautious optimism.
1/24/73 Back to Milroy after keeping new teeth in for 24 hours. Not bad, not too good. He took them out and ground them down a couple of times. Feel better. Put in some good licks on income tax.
1/25/73 Called Florence Davidson to learn that Wally was in the hospital. We went to visit him at 2 p.m. He was in for tests and already (after one day) was raring to go home. Animals aren’t the only ones with homing instincts. Why should he want to leave the care and comfort of a clean hospital to crawl back into the hovel he calls home? We drove on up to Bears Pass and walked in to visit Spike & Jeanette. They seemed to be getting along fine. Florence walked over to join us and we had a good visit. I know that I thoroly enjoy visiting these people and know that subconsciously I feel a certain sense of obligation where they are concerned. Surely Spike gave a great deal of color to our early years on Rainy Lake. I have often said that I thought Wally and Gerry Armstrong were the only two completely honest men I ever knew.
1/26/73 Another beautiful day so I decided to walk to Buck’s. Did. Made the three miles in 50 minutes, which is no record but not bad for an old man. Layna came out to bring me home.
1/27/73 Froehlich brought two kids over and we baby sat while they went to movie. We are happy for the opportunity to reciprocate somewhat for all the kindness they have shown us.
1/29/73 Back to Milroy. He ground down the molars to improve the bite and sent me home (after getting the mail). “Come back Wednesday.” Johnny Coran at Milroy’s and I heard his tale of woe. My troubles rather insignificant. To Reverend Virgil Anderson’s home for song fest. Buck, Bernice, Avis, Layna, Don, Daveys. We sang, but high spot of evening when Anderson and 4 kids gave a short concert. Great!
1/30/73 Terry and Jayme here for lunch. It was the first chance that we have had to really talk to Terry. He has had some great adventures and tells about them well.
1/31/73 Back to Milroy. We are both leaving town next week so this can’t go on forever. Home at 3:00 and did some serious preparation for our coming trip.
2/1/73 Worked on income tax most of day and made good progress. Even made final draft of federal in ink. Harry had proposed a trip to Aitken on Saturday which we had accepted with certain misgivings. Today it was called off. Good thing, we have things to do to get ready for Mexico.
2/2/73 Back to Milroy. He ground some more off and said “come back Monday.” Well, Dr. Milroy, that will be your last chance to have me get your mail. We are off for Mexico on Tuesday. In anticipation of taking gun along, I had Sheriff Julien give me a character reference, than had picture taken. Finished income tax. Too much, as always! Received tax statement for island and house. A $138 reduction! Marie Carlson & Lois picked us up at 6:30 and off for Fort for dinner as their guests. Great gals and we have much in common.
2/4/73 Many details to be attended to before leaving and Layna taking care of the lion (and lioness) share. I talked to Jim Froehlich who agreed to keep eye on house. We would hesitate to go without someone to depend on. We have checked and rechecked our income and are certain for one thing. We can well afford to go. Our present monthly income from BCC, Social Security, Coast Guard pension and interest on S & L is far beyond our fondest dreams of a few years ago.
2/5/73 Made my 15th trip to Milroy today and he said he was done with me. Ever since my first visit, I have been hearing tales about bills charged by other dentists in town. Shocking. It was no wonder I was amazed when Doc said “$125.00 will about do it!” I was fully prepared to pay twice as much.
2/6/73 Champagne breakfast at the Daveys! We arrived there at 9:00, right on schedule. Harry had the bottle buried in a pail of fresh fallen snow. A fun time. All of us a little choked up on leaving. On to Superior. Roads good despite snow fall of last night. Arrived at school at 2:15. Karen came walking down the hall with a student pushing the cart I made. Robin had painted it red and the art department had painted on its side in big letters - “Monahan’s Express”.
2/7/73 Off from Duluth at 8:30 after a short but pleasant visit. On to Sally’s, arriving about 11:00. Sure glad to see her. A good gabfest until kids came home at 3:00. What a clear thinker she is! Kids all fine, all active in extracurricular events. Jim home at 6:00. Sally had prepared an exotic chicken dish for the “old folks.” Good drink, good food, good talk. Byrne’s situation got plenty of copy. All agreed it was their affair - not ours.
2/8/73 Sally, Layna and I down town in a.m. Picked up travelers checks at Midwest. On to Sears where I bought $100 worth of shotgun shells for George Williams. Hope he can get them into Mexico.
[Mexican vacation 2/9 – 4/1/73]
Visited Ruhs in Wichita, KS. “‘Love’ isn’t just another word with them. They practice it all the time.”
Dickenson/Galveston, TX.
Visited Palmers (Jayme was there).
Visited Jane’s sister Mary and Phil Caldwell. “Phil working at NASA on computers. He will be in on the launching of the space lab next spring. I don’t understand it.”
McAllen, TX. Met George Williams and transferred guns.
San Miguel, Mexico.
George wrecked his car. No serious injury.
“We visited a woodcarver who specialized in making antiques. Some of his stuff looked to be hundreds of years old. I’ll never believe another Mexican craftsman. They are much too smart for me.”
“I made one startling observation today. Our house - all of it - would fit nicely in their down stairs patio!”
“I felt a little self-conscious about letting kids do our work but George assured me that we were doing them a favor by letting them earn a peso or two.”
“Off at 4:00 for peach ranch and dove hunt. I got skunked hunting quail in Illinois, elk in Montana, ducks in Mexico and here I stand. Just before dark one went by close enough. I nailed it. Not skunked. It was our total bag.”
“After lunch and siesta we all gathered at the church for the baptism of Maria’s sister’s baby. We have known for years of the strong family ties in Mexico but never saw it exemplified more clearly than at that ceremony. Everyone, including young priest, on to George and Maria’s new house where we witnessed the blessing of the house. It took a lot of holy water.”
“We bade farewell to the Williamses and their fine staff. I try not to get emotional when saying goodbye but fail miserably. Layna says not to worry about it - so I won’t.”
