7/27/74 Tara called from Duluth at noon to say she would be on 9:00 o’clock bus. Goddamn but I was upset. I don’t mind having the kids - not much at any rate - but damnation, why can’t we get a little advance notice? We were invited to Moes for dinner and strong NW wind (maybe worse than yesterday) made us decide to drive to Sha-Sha. Cliff was prepared to meet us. He came in little skiff, barefooted, wearing a shirt and pair of pants that Cuckoo Johnson or Irv Hunstable must have cast off. A good meal preceded by good drinks. Good talk - good friends. Left Moes at 8:30 in time to meet Tara. She was full of talk about her adventures at camp the past three weeks. A cute kid. Hope we can keep her amused.
7/28/74 I was at Bern (new name) Minter’s at 7:30. She had asked me to help Ed Albright put sheetrock and fiberglass on ceiling of her new hobby room. An interesting day followed. The sheetrock was in 4 X 12 sections and it took the four of us to hold it in place for nailing. Ed, a good workman and all went well. Brought Bern, Ed & Mildred back with me to island where Layna had prepared a feast (with Tara’s help).
7/29/74 Byrne called at 7:30 - Sheila coming. To town and met bus at 9:00. Sheila had had a 6 hour layover in Virginia. It didn’t seem to bother her. She acted like a puppy at the return of its master. When she got in boat she dipped her hand over side and scooped up a mouthful, “Dear Rainy Lake,” cried she.
7/30/74 Layna, I, Tara & Sheila to Dr. Walter’s for dinner. I had to run in to town to pick him up and had chance to talk over Byrne’s situation. He sees it as Byrne does - he went through same thing, only much worse. Dr. Herman Hertz and wife, Mr. & Mrs. Drug Salesman, the other guests. A good evening. Layna, Mrs. Hertz and I volunteered to do dishes. Little Margo came to “inspect” job and very critical - I asked her who gave her authority and she said “I might be next one to eat off these!”
7/31/74 To Harry’s farewell party given by Journal staff. We were the only “outsiders.” A fun gathering. Much clever talent displayed - especially Norman Christianson and his grab bag. I gave short talk and it wasn’t all BS. I was dead serious. A great little man entering retirement with fear and trembling. He’ll make it.
8/1/74 Puttered around all morning waiting for call from Dr. Walter. It came at noon. He and Herman Hertz arrived about 1:15 and off for Swell Bay. By 4:30 we had 8 good WE and a 3# jack. Heavy rain drove us to cover of cruiser and off for home - arriving at 5:00.
8/2/74 Had lunch with Rays - much good talk. I know no one who thinks along lines so parallel with mine. Supper and off for Bruce Armstrong’s wedding. A real “do”. Church full of people - some I knew. Glad to see Bill and Dare White there. Had a couple of drinks with them at Rainy Lake and on to reception at Legion Hall. Place jammed. Left early so we could meet Karen & Robin at Gene’s. Brad with them. We now have 3 of Byrne’s kids under our wings. Hope we can keep them happy. They need a home.
8/3/74 Brad and I tackled the woodpile with great gusto. He worked like a man. We did a good stroke of business. Later in day he made a frame for his embroidery. In so doing, he whammed his thumb with hammer. Karen, Robin, 3 Shifskys, her brother Dave and George Glazier here about 4:00. Mighty preparations for their trip tomorrow. We gave freely from our outfit. Glad someone can use it. Little David Shifskys a pistol. I wouldn’t ride to landing with him in canoe.
8/4/74 Gerald and Lee Wagness stopped in about noon. The usual high class bullshit from both of them. Layna said when they left, “Gerald stopped in to see if the stories he has been telling about your health are true!” The Warren Shuffs and Mike Sullivan for drink about 4:00. Good company. We took off for Cummings’ soon after. They had picked up the 3 young Johnsons earlier. A good visit.
8/5/74 Brad and I made a few half-hearted attempts to make a book shelf in back room. Not much success. Up in attic and sent down old book case from Hvoslef. While there, I rummaged thru old papers and located my 1915 spelling book! Fun! Jayme stopped in for a visit and a near crisis in Johnson family when Layna arrived without my sunset pictures from town. I said a naughty word.
8/6/74 Took Brad in to Doctor Walter at 10:00. He has a cyst on his spine. Picked up Lou Moe and Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Jensen at our landing at 12 noon. Brought them to island where Layna had prepared a feast luncheon. Fun people all. Had chance to get mad at Brad twice during day. Once when he asked me if there was gas in the boat! He pushed boat out from dock at wrong time. We were friends at bed time.
8/7/74 Cliff and I, with a boat load of equipment, out at 8:00 in Black Bay. Not a damned fish but caught 15 crayfish which Cliff took home for lunch. We have a total of 90 years on Rainy Lake and in a morning’s fishing settled for a mess of crabs!
8/8/74 Sally and Jim with kids called at 6:00. Brad and Sheila after them. I wonder of those three orphans can ever appreciate the fine home they fell into. Surely Nancy is old enough to compare her family life with that of her Byrne Johnson cousins. Watched Nixon resign presidency on Canadian TV. Sally and Jim discreetly showed no outward glee.
8/9/74 At 11:00 watched Gerald Ford sworn in as president of US. He gave what seemed to me (and apparently others) a sensible speech, pleading for unity. One commentator (damn them all) observed later that he detected a slight note of unsureness in Ford’s manner. Loving God, who wouldn’t be a bit unsure! I am up at 6:00 (Saturday) writing in this book. Ain’t it peaceful. Jim, while splitting wood, dropped chunk on toe. I felt sorry for him until he took a bad crack at Nixon and I blew up. “He lied!” We agreed on a truce but somehow I got a perverse satisfaction in knowing he had a sore toe.
8/10/74 Picked up Karen & Robin at 11:30. Robin gave me a blow by blow account of canoe trip. I told him I had followed them stroke by stroke of the paddles all the way - and had been pretty accurate. “In dry weather, all signs fail,” said my Dad. That has been the case for weeks (last rain, July 3). Red sunrise, SE wind, clouds, falling barometer meant nothing to me today. They have failed to produce rain lately and would fail again. Not so. About 3 o’clock, a gentle beginning and then on into the night. About a full inch of badly needed moisture. Strong east wind sent us scurrying to secure boats. Brad good help.
8/11/74 A near serious accident when I went after armful of wood. Decided to cut up a couple of blocks. In carrying an armful to pile, I stumbled and pitched right into lake. Got soaked, cut finger, bruised forearm, skinned shin, but still in one piece. I laughed when I came to that conclusion.
8/12/74 The Dean Minters here when we got back. Dean being transferred to Sioux City, their 8th move (including to India) in past 13 years. One has to be young and tough nowadays. Jane called early and Layna and I had a half hour conversation. She talked much of her kids. Seemed to be relieved that we are all getting along, also to know that Grandma and Grandpa aren’t taking sides.
8/13/74 Layna’s new medicine from Dr. Walter taking hold. Hope it lasts, she has had a long siege. The Rays here at 5:30. Always good to have them. Layna cooked a ham on grill. A feast all around. Byrne called. He will be here Saturday.
8/15/74 Another full inch of rain - our land is well soaked, the fire danger gone for the present. The Jernbergs took off for home about 10:30 after usual hubbub of preparation. I would lie if I said I was sorry to see them go. We have had too many people for too long. Good people all, but too many.
8/16/74 To Rays at 5:00 p.m. for cocktails. Boyds there. Also Sam and Stephanie White. We last saw Sam in 1936 when we left camp. Much good chatter. George’s drinks contributed to it all but we had much to talk about without it. A very, very pleasant 2 hours.
