6/17/74 Layna due on bus at 4:00. I have kept houses clean, according to my standards, while she was away but gave them a final touch. Layna called to say they had missed bus in Winnipeg and wouldn’t be in until 11:15. Received letter from Etta, the first direct word from her. She wrote a masterpiece. What a kid. As Layna said before she left, “She is a lot more mature than her mother was when she got married - maybe more mature than her mother is now!” It takes little imagination to know that she has gone thru hell for the past few months. However her feet are on the ground at the moment. There is no despair in her letter. There is a note of remorse and guilt in that she didn’t keep us informed. I will soon dispel that feeling. Met the travelers at 11:25 in Fort Frances. Much enthusiasm. They must have had a real “do”. Lisa got me to one side and said “Grandma snores!” - as if I didn’t know. I think that all involved realize that this was a well-organized expedition by Layna.
6/18/74 Much of day spent - off and on - hearing of her trip. I was not bored, found it most interesting. It pleased me mightily that my old steward, Ed Osberg, made such an effort to entertain them in Vancouver. To Bob Monahans for drinks and dinner at 7:00. A very entertaining evening - partly because, unconsciously, we must be flattered that these fine young people take such an interest in old folks like us.
6/19/74 Dug up flower bed in front of main house. We are way behind in that department. Layna made a quick trip to town. Nancy stayed here and for the first time in her life, she talked openly with me. A good experience. Off to Buck’s at 7:00. Gene Rasmussen delivered Dale’s new boat along with Wayne and their wives. They joined the group. A great time had by all.
6/20/74 We planted our flowers today. A poor showing, I fear. The rock wall by main dock is awash so nothing in there. A few gloriosa daisies are swimming around (I should say treading water) there. Sally called at 1:30 and I went to get them in Starcraft. Nancy along with me and a great family reunion. She has been gone two full weeks. Great to have all of them here. The boys launched rubber raft and into what I thought was cold water. Soon the whole family joined in.
6/21/74 A great day for Sally & Jim’s kids. They were in water much of day. Jimmy a serious thinker and full of good ideas. Johnny like a fart in a mitten. Nancy has matured a lot in year (last 2 weeks) and fun to be with. Karen and Robin at landing at 11 p.m.
6/22/74 Gretchen Heath here at noon. Jim, Sally and kids left soon after. They had a flat tire and we had a helluva time getting lugs off. Much worry on Jim’s part. Robin and I cut 2 logs off Van Dusen’s Island and brought home for porch sill on second cabin. That job is going to take some figuring.
6/23/74 Karen, Robin and Gretchen left shortly after noon. In retrospect, I discover that I spoke no more than 25 words (total) to Gretchen while they were here. They live in a different world from these old people. Robin and I communicate fairly well, especially when working together. Karen seems to find time to talk to anyone but me. LAKE DOWN 1” IN 3 DAYS!
6/24/74 Ted Hall dropped in to ask questions about Camp Kooch and stayed for supper. Yesterday, with Gretchen I was tongue tied. Today the words flow freely - could be the audience?
6/28/74 To town at 9:00 to take pictures of old Camp Kooch to Ted Hall. Wonder what he will make out of it. To Falls to say goodbye to Wayne and Opal. They are off for Madison Sunday for more surgery on Wayne’s eyes. Opal ailing too. Not a happy situation. Back to island at noon after short stop at Dale’s. Layna and girls looked over pictures of trip. Much oohing and awing.
6/29/74 When I bought my Stihl saw, I received tools and instructions for filing it. Today I went thru the motions and I’ll be damned if I didn’t really improve it. I was splitting wood at 8:30 p.m. when Dean Minter came over. I could tell that he felt crappy about not thanking me on last trip for putting barrel and rocks on his dock. I said little to ease the feeling - I thot he deserved it. Norman Seegert new Sheriff Deputy on water patrol. I can’t believe he will cause us much trouble.
6/30/74 Up at 6:30 and after breakfast, took off for big cabin. The deck stringers rotten in one place. As I worked thru the rotten 2 X 6 the words of the song rang thru my head “Change and decay in all around I see, oh thou who changeth not abide with me.” Normmy Seegert and bride, Judy, here for visit just at dark. We made agreement for rent of house. Ted Hall stopped over with copies of Chronicle featuring 50 years of Kamp Kooch. Don and Layna got much good copy.
7/1/74 Etta wrote June 12. It took me until today to answer her fine letter. What neglect. Layna wrote, too. Between us we did a good job. Off at 7:00 to have dinner with Clarks at Thunderbird. Our friends are feeding us well. Dan full of enthusiasm. Eileen seriously told me not to lose any more weight. Ain’t that something?
7/2/74 Layna helped me load gas tank on Cadillac and I met Roy Miller at dock at 8:30. Picked up 225 gallons @ $.519 a gallon. Almost double what it was a year ago. To Buck’s and picked up pump, then unloaded empty tank alone. I am not helpless. Johnny & Sue here for lunch. A very good visit with two fine young people. The Norman Seegerts, Junior and Senior, here for dinner at 6:30. Layna had gone all out with food and drinks. They stayed until 10:00 p.m. Good friends all!
7/3/74 Harry Davey called and invited us to Thunderbird. The 3rd time for us in less than a week. Little Pammy along. She show the results of the good bringing up she got from Grace. A bright, interesting little girl. Harry says that deal to sell paper all set for the signing next Wednesday. He is concerned about his future. 45 years as a newspaper man won’t be able to drop out of easily. He worries as to how he will handle the transition. I am sure he will have no financial worries.
7/4/74 Buck called at 8:00 to say he was desperately in need of a guide. I wasn’t too happy in going but never even considered turning him down. Off with party of Hartley’s friends on houseboat at 9:00. A good day followed. To Baseline Bay. Buck very efficiently fried fish for whole group. About 18 people. He runs a good show. Home at 6:30 to find Brad and 3 Wunderlichs here. Lisa and Jill brought over by Dale a little later. Brad had an audience and was compelled to spout off. Not too bad. While eating dinner Dave Austin came with group of 4 to see island. They left and Stew and Lib Sheldon pulled in. They stayed until dark. A very busy July 4th, nothing to do with the birth of our nation.
7/5/74 Saw young loons. Tonight Norway Island docks are almost back to where they were before the threatened flood. Brad and Eric helped some but I detected a note of unwillingness so let them go after lunch. Finished up alone. Much picking up and cleaning up, like the last day before a party in former years. We must feel that it is important to make a good impression on the Raymans. Layna, Jill and Lisa hard at the big cabin all day. It is spick & span. The Minter boys, Dean and Lynn along with Alice here for an hour’s visit. Good company.
7/6/74 92o George and Velna due at landing at 11:30. After grand tour of island, George and I out fishing. I caught 2 WE in first 10 minutes and George caught a jack and a perch. I thot we were really “in” but that was it. Home about 8:00 so George could broil steaks. As we were ready to eat, the Austins (4) came along. We apologized and they made themselves at home.
7/7/74 The floating breakwater has been dragging anchor. George looking for a project. We went to landing and picked up 200# concrete block and hooked chain to it and tied to float. It shouldn’t move. Easily written but hard doing! Layna and Velna took Brad and Eric to bus. George decided to fry fish for dinner. Again we were about to sit down to dinner when company arrived. Ted Hall, in Claire, with Gene, Leonard, Bonnie and 4 more stopped to deliver Chronicle. The fish just warm when we got to it. I think Raymans think that we have a poor eating schedule.
