1/17/75 Late breakfast with Sally and off to do a little shopping. No sign of recession from where we sit. At 6:30 Sally put on a feed for George Raymans and the McGuires. We are on the last lap of a great trip, both of us a bit antsy to get home, despite news of snow and cold in the north country.
1/18/75 Jim strongly involved with the boys’ hockey teams. I went with him to watch Johnny’s team get beat 2 - 1 in an interesting game. Not sure in my own mind if program is so great for kids - or their parents. Sally & Jim took us to bus at 2:00 and off for Duluth. Karen, 8 ½ months pregnant, met us. A joyful reunion. We were involved in a dinner surprise party put on by 35 of Karen and Robin’s friends.
North Central Air - 2 round trips to Mpls $166.
Greyhound Bus - 2 round trips to Mpls $54 = $112 saving.
1/19/75 Karen taking everything in her stride. She is much like her mother. Having a baby is a natural function to her and she sees no need to make a fuss about it. Jayme took us to bus at 5:00 and off on our last lap for home. Between Buck and Froehlich, the driveway was clear of snow. The high banks told us that it must have been somewhat of a struggle. GOOD TO BE HOME!
1/20/75 10 above by 10:30. I decided to clean snow off roof. Snow about 2 feet deep in places. I thought of George Finstad and left some for tomorrow. Out to pick up balance of mail at Buck’s. Stayed for a short visit. Had chance to talk a little to Terry. He enjoyed his Mexico trip despite a few foul ups in bus connections.
1/21/75 We are trying to wade thru a month’s accumulation of mail and papers - a job. Another 3” of snow and Froehlich came over with plow. I still had my work cut out for me when county plow filled driveway. I need the exercise, but not too much of it. Buck dropped in and gave us a rundown of Frank Bohman’s marina deal. More bureaucracy - on every level from local thru state and on to federal. Buck says that if and when Frank gets approval, he is going to say, “To hell with it!”
1/22/75 Gave our finances a rough going over and decided we could afford the money our trip cost us. A cheerful discovery. Called Irene MacKellar and talked for ½ hour. She has her usual gripes but all in all quite cheerful. To Falls at 6:00 p.m. to give exam to would be deputy sheriffs. 57 took test, proving that a lot of men are out of work or dissatisfied with what they are doing.
1/23/75 To Falls at 6:15 to give exams for aspiring dispatcher for sheriff’s dept. Many repeaters from last night including 6 women. Bob Fredrickson says there are 1300 people drawing unemployment in Falls area. Tough. Met the new Commissioner from Littlefork, Ralph Morris. Looks like the right sort. I agreed to go to Fort Frances tomorrow and give exam to a candidate in the hospital. A new experience.
1/24/75 More snow. It is getting to the point where I will start worrying about roofs at Norway island. At 12:30 I took off for Fort Frances hospital where I gave 2 tests to Robert Mohler. I was there until 4:45. A good looking young man. On home by 5:30. Daveys came soon after. A drink or two and off for Thunderbird where Harry treated us to dinner then cards. This could well be the last of this type session. They move to Brainerd on Feb. 3. SAD!
1/26/75 I have been concerned about snow on roofs at NWI since coming home. Today I went to see. I think that subconsciously I was wondering if I could make it. Took to the lake at Mabe’s dock and found considerable slush, but not enough to get into on snow shoes. Built fire in shop, made tea, ate sandwich, looked over buildings (no problems) and off for home. Took nap. Clara Finstad, Gina, Gene, Bill and Eleanor Bloom here for dinner. Layna put on her usual good spread. George’s name brought up occasionally but no tears shed. Clara must save her expressions of grief for when she is alone.
1/27/75 We had settled down to a quiet evening at home when Dave Ramnes asked us in to discuss party for the Daveys. We went. An interesting young couple. I am sure we will see more of them.
1/28/75 Wrote long letter to George & Maria. Hope I was able to convey our appreciation for all they did for us in Mexico. On to Curtice Island where I found Buck hard at remodeling the kitchen. A big project and he is doing a good job. At 8:00 p.m. to Dick and Joan’s for a “song fest”. A good time altho we sang very little. Dick bought a $1200 organ and he and Buck took turns trying to accompany us on it. Buck by far the better of the two but not very professional. Ihrigs, Lois Beyers, Bernice, Buck, Dale, Dick & Joan. A good group.
1/30/75 Tired of watching TV at 10:00 so read out loud to Layna as she knit. Shades of years up the lake. It was a good life - and still is!
1/31/75 Dave Ramnes and I had decided to pool our old fishing baits to give to Harry as a farewell gift. I could think of many up at island so decided to snowshoe up and get them. To Ramnes’ house at 5:00 p.m. We had fun assembling gift. I donated my old Mando tackle box and filled it with crap - some of it usable. We then made helluva mess of baits, held together by monofilament line, and jammed in 3# coffee can. We ate supper with our new friends. Good talk. People began coming at 7:30 and we ended up with 13 couples. V. Anderson, Paul Anderson, J. Stone, J. Kalstad, D. Johnson, A. Johnson, H. Davey, R. Erickson, D. Ramnes, S. Sheldon, E. Belanger, J. Grigg and D. Austin. Highlight of evening when we (Layna and I) presented gifts to Bern and Harry. Party broke up at 10:30 but we stayed on with Daveys & Griggs until 1:00 a.m. A good deal. I feel sad about Daveys.
2/1/75 Spent a good share of the day in basement putting away fishing tackle. A labor of love - I have to use that stuff more next summer. Bern & Harry out for dinner at 5:30. We were all a bit subdued when they were about to leave. This great relationship is coming to a radical change. We won’t be complete strangers but we won’t be seeing one another often. Timmy with two friends, Ralph and Dick, stopped for a visit at noon. Good looking boys, all. They will spend a few days at Curtice Island. I loaned them a pair of snowshoes.
2/2/75 Terry here to borrow stuff from Grandma. He is setting up housekeeping in Falls. He left with 3 boxes of valuables from blankets to spoons - all of which we could easily spare. To Daveys’ at 5:30. No one let their feelings come to surface, but if everyone felt like me, we would have all bawled.
2/3/75 At 2:30 Harry stopped in and said “I have come to say hello and goodbye. We are all set, Bern is waiting, and we will be in Brainerd tonight.” He kissed Layna, shook my hand and I got an irresistible impulse. I grabbed the little bugger and gave him a great hug and squeeze. I then choked up so I couldn’t talk. Neither could he and off he went. No matter how much we talk about seeing one another often, I know that our strong bond of friendship has been badly frayed.
2/4/75 At 7:00 p.m. Karen called (herself) to tell us that she had given birth to a 9# 3 oz. boy. What a relief! Sally’s birthday, too. We can only hope that their babe will give them the joy and comfort that our Sally has given us.
2/5/75 Tim and Marcia Shuff out for dinner at 5:30. Fresh young people, very much in love with the area and full of questions concerning the “olden days”. We supplied them readily, covering a wide range of subjects. They were willing listeners.
2/6/75 Wrote a long letter to Jean Edwards in answer to one she wrote while we were in Mexico. She had complained quite bitterly, over the fact that Byrne’s family shows so little attention to her. I assured her that she wasn’t the only one.
2/7/75 Up at 6:00 a.m. so we could get Layna on bus for Duluth. Had planned on spending a quiet evening at home when Jayme called and asked me to show. Lisa with us to “R” rated Freebie and the Bean. A blood and guts spectacular but not enough sex to be too objectionable. The language pretty rough but Lisa has heard Dad and Grandpa.
