5/26/74 Robin eager and able to help around island. A dead poplar has threatened to fall over power line for couple of years. We got it down - a relief. Buck here at 7:30 to ask me to guide. Felt a strong responsibility to go but hated to leave Karen and Robin. All worked out for best when I went to Buck’s and learned that he didn’t need one after all! Speaking of K and R. Their relationship seems to be on a much firmer basis than a year ago. Maybe the trial separation did something.
5/27/74 The lake still coming up and our small dock’s end under water. I painted a barrel and put it there. With a prayer for no more water, please. Many thoughts running thru this old head as I putter along. Some time ago read of story of Christian in lion’s den praying and elated to see that lion was praying, too. Not so happy when he learned that lion was saying grace!
5/28/74 A small load of stuff from #265. I think we are moved.
5/29/74 To town at 7:15 to see The Sting. Highly rated and justly so, we thoroly enjoyed it. Stayed all night at #265.
5/30/74 Stopped to see Judys. They, including Sharon, full of tales of adventure. They survived the four days at Happy Shack which was quite an accomplishment in itself. To Timmy’s graduation at 8:00. A jam packed arena. We are mighty proud of our honor student. To Daveys for one drink and on to Dr. Walter’s where they had a get together for Tom. Stayed until 11:15 and off for Buck and Dale’s for another party for Timmy Good people all and very pleased with our grandson.
5/31/74 Off for island by 9:00 a.m. Layna back to town, full of plans for trip. We failed to register Starcraft last summer so got new numbers. Had one helluva time removing old ones. Did and replaced.
6/1/74. About 3:30 said “all work and no play will make me sad today,” and propositioned Layna to go fishing. “Sure,” said she, “Why not?” I ran Starcraft to Point, cleared it in and we took off for Commissioners Bay. I showed Layna how to use a feathered jig and she showed me how to catch fish - 4 beautiful WE. I got 2 small WE and 2 crappies. NOT BAD!
6/2/74 My first lazy day in some time. To Curtice Island for visit in a.m. While there, I drilled 3” hole in rock with cold chisel. Buck did same. He can now well anchor his new dock. Much talk of trip between Layna and girls. All three excited.
6/3/74 Met Wayne Judy at landing at 8:45, off of Commissioners Bay. Wayne in fine form, just “happy as a sunflower” to be on the water. he complained that he was a pain in neck to me in that I had to bait the hooks, net the fish, put them on stringer - all the work. I told him I did it for healthy people for many years. No sweat to do it for a blind friend. Dave and Jill Austin came in evening with little Heidi. Cute - all three!
6/4/74 To #265 where Layna put final touches on putting place in shape for Seegerts. It is spotless. Hope they appreciate it by returning it in same shape next fall.. We also ran over and put hasp back on Edwards cabin. Wonder if they will ever use it again.
6/5/74 Rain, rain, rain. Will it ever stop. Lake higher than at anytime last year and a foot above rule curve. I have started to put weight on docks. Wrote to Jean Edwards. A difficult thing when you consider the mess the Byrne Johnson family is in. Terry and Peggy here for lunch. Terry happy to be out of service, with no idea of rejoining. To landing at 5:30 to be picked up by Daveys who took us to Thunderbird for dinner. A goodbye “do” for Layna.
6/6/74 The lake rising rapidly. Spent good share of day reading 1968 diary - our last flood year. If I thought for sure (and I almost do) that we are about to face another such summer, I think I would abandon ship right now. To town at 9:00 to pick up Nancy who came on bus.
6/7/74 Layna and I picked up the three girls at Buck’s at 10:00 a.m. Left for Fort an hour later anticipating a long wait at bridge. There was none. Had lunch at Rainy Lake Hotel, killed a little time and took them to depot at 1:30. They are off! Stopped at house, checked pump and on to island. To let off steam, I cut up and split 3 logs by our Happy Shack. Thoughts on Layna and her 3 charges. What a group! They should have fun!
6/8/74 Lake still rising altho it slowed down some. I had 8 big pulp logs pulled up near first cabin. The wind threatened to take them out to sea so I steamed up big saw and cut them up. Finished in time (4:30) to get cleaned up and go to Cleveland’s for dinner.. An interesting visit until 9:00. Marie and Les in fine form. They are like a couple of prize fighters who are in prime condition to battle one another. No blood shed, however.
6/9/74 Byrne called at 6:30 to say that Etta had been married last Friday in Memphis. Had a long talk with him and decided that matters could be a lot worse. The boy from a good family, which is mighty important. Too bad Layna did not get news before she left. Checked docks at Clarks and Blake’s. Saw where lightening had hit 3 white pines simultaneously and raise hell all around.
6/10/74 Met Chief Moore of Duluth Coast Guard at 9:00 a.m. They are about to revamp the three lights on Rainy Lake and I took him on a survey of the project. I am happy to be able to do this for Buck. To town at 7:00 to meet Tony Rizzo and off for Littlefork to Civil Service meeting. Watched 2 small birds (pipits?) at Buck’s landing. They would flutter up to top of stalk of blown dandelion and ride it to ground. They would pick the seed, holding ex-blossom with foot, then release and repeat.
6/11/74 Strong NW wind splashing waves over west breakwater. A matter of few hours when long dock came loose from crib. I was ahead of it. Had three lines securing it to breakwater. It now floats free. Should hold. Moved Starcraft around to main dock. Split wood for an hour in p.m. to blow off steam and then off for Daveys for dinner. Didn’t stay long. Home by 8:30. Island didn’t blow away in my absence. No one here to even know I was gone.
6/12/74 During the high water of 1968 we built up the main dock about a foot using 2 X 12 planks. They were supported by 2 X 4 framework. I carefully saved most of these and today I carried works down and raised dock again. The next time this happens, I will either not be here or too feeble to accomplish what I did today.
6/13/74 On to Ranier - first time there since Layna left. Did some serious shopping at Harry’s. Bought 6 bananas and a pound of hamburger. That should hold me until Layna gets back. Much to my amazement, Steckmessers came at 4:30 to invite me for supper. Went, and had a very, very pleasant evening. The lake rise slowed down, but rain predicted for tomorrow.
6/14/74 To Amidon’s for dinner. Much good talk, food and drink. I am doing OK being fed by others. Daveys, Steckmessers, Cleveland, Amidon. They must know what a poor cook I am, altho I am not doing too badly.
6/15/74 Water still coming up, about a tenth of a foot a day, and much concern in area that it will come at least a foot higher. I moved canoe and row boat away from beach, which is practically under water. My beautiful Cadillac that I painted yesterday got put to an ignoble purpose. I pulled it up on big dock and filled it with water. Likewise filled Jim’s boat.
6/16/74 Les Cleveland came over for coffee in p.m. We cried on one another’s shoulders, fully realizing we could be much worse off. He called Marie and received little sympathy there. Ted Hall came to deliver Chronicle in p.m. We sat over coffee and chewed rag for an hour or more. A delightful man. He says I should write more. So do many others. Maybe I should. Bob Monahan another visitor - also another fascinating man. I had another full day - not physical, but highly stimulating mentally.
