Johnson Journals part 284

1/24/74 Logging operations in full swing. I have about 2 cords of dry poplar piled up (but not cut in short lengths) in back yard. The exercise feels good. Harry called to say Bern was somewhat under the weather but thot we could cheer her up. Much serious talk along with kidding. Harry thinking about selling paper. He left for about ½ hour to pick up a prospective buyer. He has had more heat than he needs since Jim Kimball wrote that Ted Hall was joining Harry’s staff, bringing his Rainy Lake Chronicle along as a Sunday supplement to the Daily Journal. “No way”, said Ted in paper but the damage was done.

1/25/74 Layna entertained ladies of neighborhood and I went in to see George Finstad. He quit work when I came in, brought out a couple of stools and we chewed rag for more than an hour. Clara called us for coffee and more talk - joined by Jan Watson. To Thompsons for visit in evening. It was good. We haven’t sat down and talked with them for years. A real gab fest. We are enjoying our winter.

1/26/74 To Bill Martins’ in Fort Frances at 8:30. About 20 people there, all Canadians, all under 50 years of age. We are proud and happy to be included in the group.

1/27/74 Picked up Harry and Bern and off for Cascades. The road plowed about 100 feet wide, right down to ice. It was 24 miles to portage. Bern a little apprehensive about making trip but I am sure she enjoyed every minute of it. A terrific blow down in Cascade area. Harry took pictures - so did I.

1/28/74 +20. Layna’s cough no better. There was a time when she would have gone to a doctor but the thought of sitting two hours in a waiting room is a deterrent. If it keeps on much longer, it will be a must.

1/29/74 Grocery shopped at Piggly Wiggly and National Tea. Prices completely out of line - what has inflation done, and what’s worse, what will the final outcome be? We were rich (in our minds) when we retired but see our pile being eroded daily. Dry milk - 20 quarts at National Tea - $2.99. Same thing at Piggly Wiggly $3.59. How come?

1/31/74 We have accumulated thousands of pictures in past 50 years, not counting slides. Layna bravely attacked problem of sorting them today. Her bed, dining room table and bar all covered for a while. She made good progress of an album of just Karen - a cute kid. To Sheriff’s meeting where we gave oral exams to 15 candidates. Many high class men interviewed.

2/1/74 Visited with Wayne for couple of hours. He is lonesome, and says so. I don’t know how much I cheer him up but if I don’t, it is not from lack of trying. I am very careful what I say. Wish I could do more. Cliff and Lou here when I got home. it is easy to find something to talk about with them - much about Nixon’s speech. We see eye to eye on that score. I fear that the press and Democrats are going to “get” him in the long run and the Moes agree. Layna more optimistic.

2/2/74 The Finstads were in our house last in 1967 after Jim DiOnne’s funeral. We have made a few feeble efforts to have them out but didn’t succeed until today. A great experience. After a fish (torsk) dinner by Layna we played my tape of Jim DiOnne. What a receptive audience! Much more good conversation that lasted until midnight.

2/3/74 A day of rest - I don’t know what we are resting for or from. The Rainy Lake Chronicle had article on caretakers and quoted us. Harry’s Friday paper told of our trip last week to Cascades. People know we are still around.

2/4/74 To Fritz Hilke’s in p.m. after sorting Mexican slides for couple of hours. They were well received. Bob Hilkes, Schmidts, Hillings there - all interested in Mexico. Hilkes taking off with Burrocks soon.

2/5/74 Had long talk with Wayne on phone. He got himself lost again yesterday and wound up at post office. He laughs it off but it must be a terrible depressing thing. Harry and Bern out for dinner at 5:30. Harry invited us to join them in trip to Cities on February 20. We accepted, looks like a big deal.

2/6/74 -15o To Oberholtzer’s birthday party (90th) at rest home. About 30 friends sat and drank coffee, ate cake and wondered what kept him alive all these years. I say “alive” but it is only his body because the mind in way out in left field. He identified me with a friend from Davenport who owned an 18 story building. He wanted to go climb the stairs once more. A gleam of recognition when I mentioned Dr. Hvoslef.

2/7/74 After lunch up to Buck’s where I steamed up the Scorpion and on up to island. No tracks of any intruders. I caught a flying squirrel in a trap I set last time I was up. Hope he was the last of the chewing little devils. To Historical Society meeting - the first we have attended. Ted Hall gave a short, interesting talk. Met many old friends.

2/8/74 To Bernice’s for supper and songfest. Buck, Dale, Ihrigs, Avis, Lois Beyers and us. A very congenial group and we had fun past midnight. We know some fine people - many of them our own.

2/10/74 I put plywood on wall in bathroom in preparation to putting tile on. I then painted area with water base paint and it didn’t stick worth a damn. President Nixon has many crises - Watergate, inflation, credibility but this is my private crisis at the moment. Timmy came for a visit at 5:30. We played 5 games of ping pong and I squeezed by him in one. Very proud.

2/11/74 Buck here at 9:00 to put tile in bathroom. By the time Lou Moe came for a drink at 4:00, he had all the tile up. It looks good - what an improvement! Much talk about gasoline shortage from Lou. We read much about it in paper but she told of direct incidents - particularly in Florida. I am glad we decided to stay home. It would sure be hell to limp home from Arizona next spring on a few gallons at a time.

2/12/74 About Buck. No one could have done a better job than he did. Had we hired someone to do it, the cost would have been considerable. Layna has not come right out and said that we should pay him but hints along those lines. If the situation was reversed, I would settle for a sincere “thank you” and I firmly feel that Buck is the same. I hope I am right.

2/13/74 To Fort Frances to visit Gerry Armstrong. He got out of hospital after ulcer surgery yesterday. He is getting along fine and I think he enjoyed my visit. I know I did.

2/15/74 +10 What a booster we received in today’s mail! A card from Wayne Judy saying that he had stopped in Madison for a checkup. The doctor declared his operation of last month a complete success. He was fitted with a glass and can read out of one eye. I was on cloud #9 all day. Lou here for drinks and dinner. Some good talk. She says the old Custom patrol to be revived. We don’t need them.

2/16/74 Karen, Robin and Shifskys here by lunch time. After lunch all of us, except Layna snow shoed up from Monahans to Oberholtzer’s. A pleasant day and an invigorating hike. Home for turkey dinner and much ping pong. I hold my own. Laird and Ah-li joined group for dinner.

2/17/74 Most of gang to Monahans homestead after blueberry pancakes. Karen left alone with her old parents. A good chance to hear about her problems. She is very articulate. At times we have to listen very carefully to follow her train of thought. Her situation at the moment fairly well in hand. I can’t believe it will ever be on the same level as her Pa and Ma’s.