4/15/73 Harry called to say he had heard that farm on Big Fork had been broken in. We drove out to find that someone had kicked door in but as near as we could see had taken nothing - nor disturbed anything.
4/16/73 To Milroy and found his door locked - now what? Had coffee with Allen Sheridan at coffee cup café. Met a lot of truck drivers I hadn’t seen since M&O days. They seemed glad to see me. To Ah-li’s for supper - just Layna and me. We had a good time. She obviously likes us. We took her with us to Dale’s for short visit. Dale had folder from “Musket Inn.” Very verbose - and full of bull shit, too.
4/17/73 To Milroy and got damn little done. I am getting peed off with it all. Andy Hogan of Canadian Immigrations sent message to Buck via me. Told me to tell him that permit system, so long in force, was no longer operative. Don’t know what repercussions are but it scares hell out of me. Jayme and I made attempt to get to island but too much ice. Fun to be on water again, however. Worked on my RR Reflection column for a bit. Not bad. Harry anxious to see it.
4/18/73 Harry’s birthday. Harry asked me to be his guest at Rotary. Some good repartee there. On home where I finally put my RR Reflections together. Not too pleased. I have been half sick for days and think I can see it in my writing. What a goddamn poor excuse. Think of what some people go thru day after day. Bernice joined us in seeing The Emigrants, an outstanding picture with much personal interest for me. Hardy people, those early Swede settlers.
4/19/73 Buck here after lunch. He had been over to see Canadian Immigration. Not as dark as it might seem. It looks as tho, after 130 years, they are going to comply by Webster-Ashbutron treaty and “give free access on both sides of border to people of both countries,” - or words to that effect. Karen and Robin home at 7:30. They brought me a book 1900-1910 for my birthday. I sat up till midnight looking at it. More nostalgia. I am living in the past.
4/20/73 To see Milroy and he honestly did something toward tightening up my damned plate. THEN. I got back in car, sat for a few minutes and decided to see Dr. Walter. My worst fears confirmed. “The creeping crud” which I first mentioned on April 10th, is pneumonia. He sent me to the hospital. Well, it was a relief to know that it wasn’t all in my head. I have felt for days that possibly a good kick in the rear was all I needed to get going. It was good to get his expert opinion. When I left home, I said “I have only one fear in going into the hospital, that of getting some garrulous old bastard for a roommate.” Another fear confirmed. I drew a 56 years old man who looks as old as Ober - talks constantly, says nothing. I must have built up an early immunity because I finished For Whom the Bell Tolls despite him. Great.
4/21/73 I am in the hospital routine, and it is not bad. Plenty to eat, time to sleep, much good company. Gene Rasmussen called to say my gun had arrived from Texas. Another worry for nothing. When I had my hernia repaired they drove me out of bed the next day for exercise. Now I feel fine, and can’t leave the room.
4/22/73 Easter Sunday. With my Church attendance record it made no difference if I was in the hospital. Maybe it was better. The Salvation Army came and sang for us. Not bad. Company coming and going all day. The time went fast. I am in no pain. Finished The Manhattan, good. Started Pierre Berton’s Impossible Railway about building the Canadian Pacific Railroad - looks great.
4/23/73 Fourth day in hospital - without a bowel movement. An enema took care of that. Of such things do we make news when we are put in confinement. Vern Jones here while Layna was in. Much talk. Says Kulevar has sold out for sure. “What will he do now for excitement?” asked Layna. “Try to sell the other two houses,” said Vern. Harry back from Easter in Minneapolis. Came to see me. I get lonesome for the little bugger. More x-ray, blood test, shots, pills, cough medicine and so goes the day. Not to forget the brilliant conversation with my roommate. “Old people live longer than young people now days” was his thought for today.
4/24/73 What the hell happened on April 24th? This is the 26th and I haven’t written for two days and can’t remember. People coming and going. Shots, pills, enemas. More great conversation out of my roommate. I am getting used to it. A more brilliant mind might be much worse to get along with - might tire me out.
4/25/73 I feel very strongly that a hospital is for sick people “one of whom I’m not which”. No aches or pains of any kind. Just lay here and wonder when I will get my much needed strength back. What will a pooped out old man do at the island that furnishes so much to do?
4/26/73 Dr. Talsness and Dr. Mark in to see me. (Walter hasn’t been in since first day). Much awing and ohing and they left. After about two hours, I was ready to walk out on my own power. I sure resent the power those guys have over their patients - and show it. About 11:30 Talsness came back and said I could go. Sure good to get home. Read about half of Pierre Berton’s Impossible Railway”. Excellent.
4/27/73 “Take it easy,” said Dr. Talsness yesterday and I find it easy to follow his advice. On to our landing to learn Buck had put our boat in water. Was sorely tempted to take off for island - but did not.
4/28/73 Spent most of morning feeling sorry for myself. Can’t say I am really sick, it is the doctors admonition “Take it easy” that has me worried. How easy? Enough resentment built up in me to say at 3:00, “Let’s go to island,” and we did. Cool but clear. No one had been there but ice had pushed over two pilings from main dock. A minor catastrophe. Since the dock was built in 1950 I have worried each spring when east wind pushed the ice our way. Don’t know if we can make a repair but know we can do well with what we have.
4/29/73 Dennis Clark out for noon meal. He stayed until 2:30 and confirmed our opinion that we have a high class tenant for next summer. To KOA camp ground and saw where someone has done a lot of work in preparing for a National Park - a bit prematurely, we think. Hope they can hold on long enough to get a return on their investment.
4/30/73 Wrote to George Williams in a.m. then on to see Dr. Talsness. He took an x-ray and said there was still some congestion. Another shot, more pills and “come back Friday.” Dennis Clark moved in. I think we are leaving our house in good hands.
5/1/73 This so called pneumonia they tell me I have is a highland bastard. After hernia surgery, I was able to do small jobs, testing myself as I went along. Now - “Take it easy!” consequently I am pooped all the time, mostly for fear I will do something to send me back in the damned hospital. Jayme and Buck here in p.m. for a good visit. They had finished buoy job yesterday with no major complications. Fun talking with them. Wish I knew how sick I really am. Layna very, very patient.
5/2/73 To Milroy and he actually improved my teeth somewhat. On to Totem Pole where I picked up my shotgun (Gene wanted to buy it for $200). Also got a rod to replace the one lost. A good stroke of business. Wrote to Clarks. Don’t suppose he will pay any attention to what I said concerning his boat or dock. Finished reading Impossible Railway by Pierre Berton. A great job done on a fascinating subject. I never would have finished it had I not been “sick.” Layna to Bernice’s for lunch. I’ll bet she was glad to get away from this house for a bit.
5/3/73 God, what a sad sack I am. Worried about my feeling of lassitude. I walked out to gravel pit and was all in. How in hell will I be able to do anything at island? Spent an hour or so in basement sorting out fishing equipment. I am rich in the physical part of it. Sure hope I am mentally in shape when the time comes.
