9/1/73 When I was alone with Robin, I said “It’s not going too well on home front, is it?” He agreed, and we talked things - man to man - for about an hour. Don’t think I accomplished more that to let him know that Don & Layna were not taking sides. He is still our boy. Big fish feed at 6 p.m. just as all hell broke loose, weather-wise. Winds, from all directions, up to 45 mph accompanied by a real cloud burst - some hail. A bit terrifying but only one white pine top blown off. To Dean & Barbara’s at 8:00. A good group. Lynn, Alice, Bernice the Heilmans. Buck and Dale invited but too busy bailing boats to come. I understood.
9/2/73 We left Karen and Robin with a touch of sadness. Why can’t these good kids make a go of it? Home at 4:00 - just ahead of more rain. To Clarks and bailed out their damned boat. Why do I do it? Just a nice guy, I guess! Layna hard at getting her kitchen, particularly the Fridge back in shape. I have a job of my own. My tackle box swamped last night. What a goddamn mess.
9/3/73 Vern Oveson is making a big development south of our house and neighbors in an uproar. Had long talk with Russell Christianson and upshot was we signed petition against it. A good way to alienate your friends, altho he hasn’t shown much consideration for anyone for many years.
9/4/73 My cousin, Ivy and Bud Magnussens were in the area but they didn’t contact us until 10:30. I met them at dock in strong wind. Back to island where we chewed rag all day. She was secretary to a number of big shots in the old M&O and had much of interest to tell. All in all a very good day despite damned wind and rain.
9/5/73 Took Magnussens to Curtice Island for grand tour. On to Lynches where Peggy took us around. Quite a show in both places. Ivy suggested we go to town for lunch. To Beef & Brew - good. They took off for home shortly. I think they enjoyed their short stay. I did. On to Judys for short visit. Sure wish I was going to open duck season with them instead of “goddamn” Williams.
9/6/73 Despite howling west wind, I went to Amidons’, Boyds’ and Cleveland’s to invite them to dinner tomorrow night. Amidons’ can’t make it but had good visit (and coffee) with Adelaide. I think George is a lucky man.
9/7/73 Picked up Daveys (and Bob Carlson) at landing at 5:15. On to Boyds where they were waiting on dock. We were joined at island by Les Cleveland. Layna served meatballs, a plebeian dish at one time but not now with hamburger at $1.38 a pound! Much good banter before, after and during dinner. Almost full moon when we took them back at 9:30. A calm, clear day, first one in a long, long time. Said Layna, “I have already forgotten the lousy weather of last week.” Watched a squirrel at our landing cutting off pine cones which dropped in the water. A true exercise in futility.
9/8/73 George and Adelaide picked us up at 10:00 a.m. The Boyds on board. Off for Kettle Falls. Stopped for Bloody Marys at Kawawia Island. On to Kettle Falls where George insisted on buying dinner. Stopped at Speed Christianson’s for few minutes. Speed played “Barney Google.” Great. THE PHONE IS HOOKED UP!
9/9/73 Strong west wind. Broke in our new phone by making bunch of calls including one to Sally. It worked fine. Had to crawl under house to light furnace. Didn’t seem worse than the last time a year ago - belly no bigger. Took off at 2:30 for a duck survey in Rice Bay. Not very optimistic. Layna and I in a heart to heart talk concerning fall plans. It is agreed that we will try to take barge trip in November.
9/10/73 Wrote to Dick Murphy regarding barge trip. We shall see. Layna to see Dr. Walter concerning dizzy spell of yesterday. Gave her medication and said “Come back Friday.” On to Barkowski home where we showed Mexican pictures to Garden Club. 15 members present. I think they enjoyed them. Full moon, spectacular northern lights. Beautiful. Called George Williams in a.m. to report on duck situation. Tried to discourage him. Said he “If they are scarce, we will have to be more diligent.” Stubborn man!
9/13/73 To #265 and mowed lawn. Dennis and Bonnie have moved out. The place was spotless. To Fort Frances where I bought hunting licenses for George and me. My share $43.00. Better get some meat, Don. George and Maria waiting for us at Rex at 1:30. Off for island. A happy reunion. They seemed genuinely happy to be here. I would enjoy it more if I wasn’t so damned pessimistic about duck hunting. To Seegerts where we picked up canoe. It looks good. George impressed by Spring Lodge work done by Seegerts.
9/14/73 All hands to town in a.m. Main reason was to buy shells and clay pigeons so George could teach Maria to shoot. He is determined that she learn. I don’t think her heart is in it but she aims to please. Home to throw out a bunch of pigeons for George & Maria. He did pretty well - sore arm and all. She, as could be well expected by anyone but George, did not break a bird.
9/15/73 George and I up at 5:30 - dark. To Rice Bay and didn’t have a duck at 9:00 so took off for Grassy Portage to jump shoot. I paddled George into a flock of about 10 mallards and he dropped 2 of them with the first shot. Home at 6:30. Cleaned up and off for Thunderbird for Layna’s birthday dinner - by paid by George. Place was hopping but service, drinks and food excellent. Sang a few songs with Margaret Corcoran, talked to many old friends and home by 10:30.
9/16/73 Yesterday’s 12 hours hunting plus celebrating Layna’s birthday slowed down our duck hunting. I never thought I’d ever see George Williams so relaxed. We completely circumnavigated Sandpoint Island, paddling into every little grassy bay and got 2 bluebills. We saw one mallard. Paddled Duck Bay and Andersons Bay and got one woodduck. Home by 7:00. A beautiful Indian summer day. Seegerts’ canoe with our 6 hp motor the best hunting combination yet. Fun to be out just scouting around. To hell with the ducks!
9/18/73 We decided to give up on the ducks. Took canoe back to Seegerts. Layna made lunch and off we went on combination partridge hunting and sightseeing. Had lunch on bank of Big Fork at Harry’s farm. Thus endeth the entertaining of our guests from Mexico. I think they had a good time despite poor hunting. Well - I warned him. Maria, and Layna agrees, definitely one of outstanding people we have ever met. George a changed man, for the better, and we are willing to give her full credit.
9/19/73 George and Maria in no hurry to leave. We sat at breakfast table and talked for some time. Much interesting comments on Mexican life. The police in San Miguel get 22 pesos a day ($1.76). No wonder their hands are out much of the time. We took them to landing at 10:00.
9/20/73 Took Starcraft to Tilson where Jim Pullar hauled it away on trailer. Hope we don’t have to buy it back. Stopped at Carlson’s and put battery in Clarks boat. It has had very, very, little use this summer. Too many irons (some of them branding irons) in the fire.
9/21/73 We had Moes and Burrocks for dinner at 4:30. The weather got progressively worse as day went on. By 3:00 p.m. we had a 20 mph east wing and heavy rain. We were sorely tempted to call whole deal off. Called Lou and told them to be prepared to stay all night. Met them on schedule and gave them a rough ride to island. Big fire in fireplace - house cozy. A couple of drinks and then turkey feed put on by Layna. We have no friends that we care more for than these people. Great to be with them. Chewed rag until midnight when Layna put them all to bed in big cabin. We are happy we didn’t get frightened by bad weather and not go thru with this deal.
9/22/73 Wind switched to NW during night and rain stopped. Cloudy and threatening all day, however. Moes and Burrocks had leisurely breakfast and I took them to landing at 11:00. Burrocks off for Owattona. We will miss them.
9/23/73 To Clarks in a.m. to bail out their damned boat. Took .22 along and shot mallard in Dahlbergs slough. Incidentally, the Monahans have given up their dredging project.
9/24/73 When I came from getting mail, I saw 4 mallards near Clevelands. Decided to take them following philosophy “If I don’t, someone else will.” Sneaked across island and got 3 with 3 shots. As Layna said, “Why go to Red Lake?” Called Jim Pullar to learn that Starcraft ready. To Tilson and picked it up, to tune of $56. Yeesus, but it cost to get things done.
