Johnson Journals part 274

6/30/73 Saw an overturned sail boat off 8 mile island. Ran out to discover Dr. Talsness and 3 companions in trouble. Another boat came along and we were able to right the craft. I wonder how much I should charge him for that “operation.” To Rays for dinner at 5:00. Our oldest friends (and possibly best) and they are holding up well. After eating, George and I sat out on rock and compared health notes. We both have pee trouble, but still able to live with it.

7/1/73 Yesterday I paddled the 18’ Larson to our beach to paint the trim. Today I paddled it back. What memories stirred in my mind. During my 22 years on the Mando I surely paddled hundreds of miles. Was I a modern galley slave or companion to the high and mighty? Both, I would say now. Kimball did it again! Another story about Don & Layna Johnson. Very flattering. Richard & Jeanette Fox sailed in.

7/2/73 To #265 where I steamed up our new lawn mower and cut the grass. It went better than last time. Back to island and worked hand mower over our lawn there. Some contrast.

7/4/73 Heard on Paul Harvey news. Nixon to Ted Kennedy “Would you mind taking Martha Mitchell home?” Watergate is bringing out the worst in us. Saw Gerald Wagness at store in a.m. His deal with Danny Williams falling apart. He is back selling his island again. What a rough time they have had!

7/5/73 Daily quote in diary book “Fear always springs from ignorance” - Emerson

Added below it “So does valor” - D. Johnson

Took live minnows into Canada and very uneasy about it. Sure have lost my guts since days when I opened the deer season on Sandpoint Island in September. Buck, Dale and family along with Bernice and Les Cleveland here for dinner. Layna had prepared a feast. Much good talk, in fact, excellent, with Timmy and Jayme contributing just the right quantity and quality. Les said on leaving (alone on dock), “You should be proud of your family,” and by God, I am!

7/7/73 At 5:00 p.m. to Cleveland’s, joined shortly by Newharts. We had planned to go to Rendezvous for dinner but strong west wind made us decide on Voyageurs instead. A good choice. Back to Clevelands at 8:30. Evening livened up a bit when Helen fell off dock in trying to tie up boat. No one laughed. She handled it very well. This was Les’ social event of season. In his own words, his attempt to show somewhat his appreciation for favors from Johnsons and Newharts. A great neighbor.

7/8/73 Rowed over for paper and was flagged down by George Amidon for coffee. His widowed sister-in-law there. A good visit. Didn’t think I should tell them I had heard that Elsie Harridge had remarried.

7/10/73 First full day with Teresa & Elizabeth. We still find things to talk about altho we exhausted the Hvoslef subject in the past two visits. Our Starcraft motor has been acting up so Dick Williams came out and tuned it up. He stayed for supper and added much to the table conversation. A gorgeous sunset. Isn’t Rainy Lake great? Our guests think so - and say it!

7/11/73 It took the storm a long time - about 11:30 p.m. to get here but all hell broke loose when it did. I didn’t want the Larson to sink again so out in worst part of downpour to bail boat out. Put extra lines on Starcraft. Wind almost took me off the dock. Layna must have thought it did because she joined me. Back to bed when rain stopped at 2:00 a.m.

7/12/73 It is several years since we first talked about having Marie and Loie out for dinner. Today we made it. They came with their fishing gear, full of anticipation. The drinks were good, the food (fish) was good but no hook got in the water. Good gals to be with, always on the ball.

7/13/73 We almost called our dinner party off because of strong NW wind. Called Newharts who assured us that they would come regardless of the weather. By 5:00 p.m. they were all here, Newharts, Les Cleveland and Harry & Bern. As Harry would say “a congenital bunch.” Cocktail hour a complete success followed by Layna’s usual feast. Everyone in fine fettle.

7/14/73 Rather brisk north wind but I was able to troll around Edwards reef. Caught 6 fair WE and lost several more. Dropped the anchor and jigged. Caught 6 more good WE and 2 jacks. A fine mess of fish, best in years and I was happy to spend 1 ½ hours cleaning and wrapping same. Lou Moe, Barbara and 2 girls here for lunch. Good company. Did not tell them about my fishing - following an old policy of letting no valuable information leak to Cliff. To Myrl Brooks home at 6:00. Judys and Dr. Walters there. Not too much park talk. Had 1 hour cruise in park’s new boat. Good. Back to their place to chew rag until almost midnight.

7/15/73 Sunday. Don’t get much more accomplished than read the paper. Met Dare and Bill White at dock at 6:00 p.m. Much to talk about, mostly family on both sides. Dare always amazes me as to what she remembers of former details. A sharp gal for sure. Never too certain about Bill. Maybe because I didn’t understand his Dad either.

7/16/73 Whites, anxious to get on road so Layna fed them blueberry pancakes at 7:30. I think they enjoyed their short visit. Left us with invitation to visit them on Wee Mando next Friday. On to Edwards Island for blueberries. Rotten! Picked for an hour and got about a quart between us. Altho the bad storms have spared our trees, they have raised heck at Edwards. Wonder if Gil will ever see the damage. Stopped at Amidons for short visit. His sister-in-law, Addy, there and they told us they had applied for a marriage license. Good people, we are all for it.

7/18/73 George and Billy Ray picked me up at 8:00 a.m. A good day despite damned walleyes. Froehlich here, Clarks dropped in. Jayme for supper. Much activity. The bullshit from Clark is wearing thin. Guess I am a bit sore because they didn’t return our battery. Letter from Tara, the youngest of the Byrne Johnson tribe. Glad to get it but is seems that they should have a better spokesman, Pa or Ma, for instance.

7/19/73 Ever since last year, Cliff Moe has been threatening to take Layna and I blueberry picking. Found Cliff out in woods by following map he had left. We came out of woods at 3:00 with 10 quarts of berries. Not great by Buck Lake standards, as I remember them, but the best in some time. Satisfied.

7/20/73 At 4:00 p.m. off for town and then to Bears Passage where we were met by the Whites in their houseboat. Gerry & Lil Armstrong joined us. A beautiful, calm evening. We ran to Light Bay, had a few drinks, talk, and then a big stew feed. Never felt more like a big shot than after receiving all this service. Over a period of years the Whites have enjoyed this area, receiving plenty of help from us and the Armstrongs. They showed their appreciation. Bill concerned about running after dark so we pulled into Crawford’s just at sundown.

7/21/73 Karen, Robin and Gretchen Heath here at noon. It was plain to see that something serious worrying our kids. Learned that big decisions as to their future in the making. So goes life. We have had a few to make over a period of time, too. Most of them proved right.

7/22/73 Our little gathering at island, Karen, Robin, Gretchen and us not too happy. Karen going thru tortures of hell trying to plan her future. Should she, as a first step start a summer session in Duluth tomorrow? Her problems spilled over on rest of us. She decided against school about as we hit for town at 4:00. I am not sure she is completely happy with her decision.

7/23/73 Robin and I to Dahlbergs for blueberries on Lynches’ invitation. We climbed cliff at Dahlberg Teepee. Quite a deal, reminding us of olden days. Home at 6:00, changed clothes and off for Thunderbird for a pre birthday dinner for Karen. She was still a little subdued, apparently not entirely satisfied in her decision not to go back to school. Layna and I home alone. It bothers us that our baby is troubled.