Johnson Journals part 303

5/26/75 Robin and I talked, mostly about his plans for the land on the Cloquet River. From what I can gather, it is an operation almost as primitive as the homesteaders of old faced. They are young and see it through different eyes than the old man. Karen to visit Dale. They are planning some kind of a “do” for our 50th anniversary. We are not in on the details. Hope to be around to take part. Our kids left at noon. Starcraft conked out on way home from landing. It took right off again. It does that to let me know what can happen. I am never completely relaxed in that boat.

5/27/75 Picked up our friends from Mexico, Joe and Anne DeGraaf, at Rex Hotel. We were truly glad to see them. Anne as ebullient as ever (downright gushy) and the words “cute” and “special” ring thru my head. Fun to be with, tho, we don’t often see that type of enthusiasm any more.

5/28/75 Art Lee pulled in shortly after I got up at 6:30 a.m. He was almost sober. We sat and talked for almost an 2 hours when others came. Much to my amazement, he paid me $10.00 he owed us for pump he bought at least 10 years ago. Also said he had had 4 fathers in his life. His real one (Art Lee, Sr.), Capt. Martin, Carl Anderson and Don Johnson! He said that he loved us all even tho he made us all mad as hell many, many times. Took the DeGraafs to see Buck’s operation and many were the exclamations out of Anne. Joe more reserved, but just as appreciative. Home for lunch and a nap then off for Camp Koochiching. Our Canadian friends were impressed - especially when hearing the fee was $1200.

5/29/75 Stopped at RL Lodge for sandwich. DeGraafs off for Winnipeg. Good people - great guests. When we got home, I decided to tackle job of putting window in Layna’s sewing room.

5/31/75 Got an early start on window and needed it. Sure miss my table saw, Didn’t remember ripping by hand was so tedious - and inaccurate. All in all made fair progress and in time, I have lots of it, should finish. Layna very pleased with whole project, which is most important. To get mail and had my ego shaken badly when Daily Journal had cut my RR Reflections by quite a lot. Well, it is their paper. After 69 years I finally got enough courage to move an electrical outlet. Had to bore hole thru wall - the whole bit. IT WORKS!

6/1/75 Worked on Layna’s window off and on all day. It is about done. Rowed to landing for paper, first trip this year and it felt so good that I rowed around Thumb coming home. At 5:30, Layna said, “Let’s go see what’s doing at Holiday Isle.” We went. Linda and Jeff Shuff running place. it was good to see them back. Not sure that the swinging crowd of young folks to our liking. Vern & Elaine Jones sat with us for a good visit. Both high in their praises of Buck.

6/2/75 Picked up telephone man, Dick LaPage, at 10:00 a.m. It didn’t take him long to fix phone but he hated to leave NWI. Drank coffee and sat and chewed fat for almost an hour. An interesting young man. Bill and Dare White stranded in Fort. The Ranier lift bridge broke down and the Wee Mando can’t go up lake. I met them at 3:30 and a pleasant visit followed. Much catching up to do. We met them in 1950 when we went down Mississippi with Bill’s folks. It has been a good relationship. Harry Davey called. I had been a little apprehensive that I had gone too far in my roast in RRR but he found the whole piece very complimentary. I am relieved.

6/3/75 A busy day. A proposed quick trip to town to buy plants got waylaid so often that we didn’t get home until 5:00 p.m. Judys our first stop. Then got mixed up with Marie Cleveland at Rex Café. On to #265 (after buying plants) and Pete in his usual talkative mood. He rambled on and on. Finally broke away to stop for chat with Dale. Stopped at the Clevelands to report on Marie and he was obviously looking for someone to share a drink. We obliged. Finally made it home. In retrospect, I find it a very rewarding day. Why shouldn’t we find time to visit with people?

6/4/75 Letter from Harry in which he thanked me for what I said in RR Reflections. Said he, “I would be an ingrate, Don, if I didn’t say thanks for that nice column. Very heartwarming with just enough bullshit to keep it from becoming maudlin.”

6/5/75 It would have been easy to call off our proposed trip to Footprint Lake to open Judy’s cabin. 45o, strong wind, rain. I knew Wayne would be disappointed so got to town by 8:00. We took off shutters, hooked up plumbing, took braces down. Wayne fumbles and stumbles around, working by feel more than sight. Walleyes biting good. We kept 12 good ones in 1 ½ - 2# class and released about 6 more small ones. Wayne caught full share. I bait his hook, take off the fish. He is very appreciative. A very satisfying day.

6/6/75 I took Layna to landing. She had a big shopping list. Picked up Layna at 6:00. Lisa with her. A joy to have her.

6/7/75 I said yesterday that it was a joy to have Lisa here. How true. We were in close contact all day, even played a few games of cards. Rowed over for mail and found boat drifted against Thumb. I called Atsokan to learn it was theirs. I towed it back. No one around. No one called later to say “thanks.” So goes it.

6/8/75 Took Lisa fishing in a.m. Altho she casts a spinning outfit like an expert, she hooked only one jackfish and it got off right alongside of the boat. She didn’t cry - altho I almost did. Dale and Jill here for supper. I think they enjoyed it as we did. Wish they would do it more often. Art Ihrig drowned in Black Bay. No details as yet. Another friend gone.

6/9/75 Our kids here. Etta, Kevin, Erin, Tara and Kevin’s brother, David. The baby a honey - getting most of the attention from all concerned. Etta looks like a real mother. Kevin made a good impression as did his brother. Tara rather quiet so can’t give a comment.

6/10/75 At 5:30 we took off for Buck’s then our “Singing Group” gathered at mortuary to pay last respects to Art Ihrig. I would rather have memories of Art singing “Bill Bailey” than lying dead in a casket, so didn’t join the viewers. Maddie holding up well - at least in public. On to Voyageurs Park hearing where we heard the usual gobbledygook. The only bright spot in program came when Woody Ewald was called on for comment and said “I had a question when I came but I won’t ask it because nobody knows nothing!”

6/11/75 I took Kevin and David fishing for a couple of hours and altho we cast and cast, the best we could come up with was a small jack apiece. The time was well spent. I saw more to confirm my earlier opinion that they were a couple of fine young men. Loaded the whole gang in Starcraft after lunch and took off for Musket Inn. The Lynches gave us the grand tour. What great work they have done! Now if they can only get the guests.

6/12/75 David and Kevin caught baby duckling which we put in a box. It made such a fuss that I turned it loose. It seemed happy. Sun went down clear, we even saw the young moon. Are we getting a break in the weather?

6/13/75 I woke up to a howling NW wind and light rain. Damnation. I had hoped to haul gas and almost called it off. Despite better judgment, called Texaco and made date for 2 p.m. By that time the wind went down - dead calm. No problem getting 250 gallons of gas home. Jayme and Timmy came about 9:30 p.m. They livened things up. What a pair!

6/14/75 We rolled our kids out at 5:30. Not too much confusion. Etta much of a “cruise director” in true tradition of Edwards family. No one seemed to resent it too much and they were off from landing at 7:00 a.m. A long ride ahead. We enjoyed their stay. Rowed over for mail. Made round trip in 45 minutes - a new record.