Johnson Journals part 309

9/7/75 Woke up to a howling NE wind and driving rain. Typical early September day. Starcraft bouncing like crazy so moved it around to south dock via landing where I picked up paper. A lazy day followed. Amidon called at 4:15 to say they were pulling out for Arizona, guess the rotten weather got to them. We stopped to say goodbye to these good neighbors.

9/8/75 A clear, cool day with light variable winds. By 11:00 a.m. Layna and I were off for a combination duck survey and fishing trip. To Grassy Portage where we saw 9 mallards and caught no fish. On to Water Narrows where we trolled, casted and still fished - NOTHING. Same story at Pine Narrows. What the hell is wrong, Johnson? The poor fishing couldn’t spoil a beautiful day, however. I think we both enjoyed the day together in fine weather - a rare thing lately. Stopped at Camp Kooch-i-ching to inspect new trip room. What a structure! There must be a million dollars-worth of buildings on that island. Picked up mail and home.

9/9/75 Jayme stopped in for a short visit despite fact that anyone else would have been “too busy”. He is thoughtful of the old folks. Most of conversation about Etta and her problems. All during the summer, Layna has talked about having Brascuglis here for dinner. I have been lukewarm, saying that they are not my favorite people. Today I went along with the idea that developed into a darn good one. I picked them up at 4:30. We started on tour of island when Pete located some “stump mushrooms”. He went bananas! That started a very unusual p.m. They seemed very impressed by our layout. They prepared mushrooms to go with Layna’s fine dinner, couple of drinks and then after meal sat and talked for 1 ½ hours. Much in common:

1. We both have resort backgrounds.

2. Same age bracket.

3. All raised on iron range with many, many mutual acquaintances including sport figures, law enforcement people, athletes, politicians.

It was so great I am now willing to look forward to a repeat performance.

9/10/75 To town after lunch. Picked up hunting stuff at #265. Hope I can talk George Williams out of using it. Small chance! Jim Kimball called to talk about hunting in National Park. He will be up here tomorrow to do a story on it. I am afraid he is as helpless as the rest of us on that score. Les Cleveland here at 5:20 as per agreement. He was really wound up. Told, among many things, of his mother, Marie, bringing home 3 pairs of pants for him on approval so she wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with him down town! He is well informed on many subjects - a perfect guest - and neighbor. We received pictures of anniversary party from George Rayman. Outstanding!

9/11/75 Awoke thinking, “Will it be possible to talk George Williams out of duck hunting in Canada?” Went to bed thinking, “Maybe.” To town at 2:00 p.m. Met Jim Kimball at Voyageurs office where he was interviewing Bob Walker for a story on hunting in park. Added my 2 cents worth before leaving to meet George and Maria at 4:00. What a reunion! We sat in car (rain) for ½ hour discussing hunting situation and altho no final decision made, George seemed reasonable. Knowing his labor negotiating background, I’m not sure if anything is really settled. They brought us a beautiful Mexican platter with huge covered dish to match. A unique gift.

9/12/75 24o George and I to Bear Track Bay on Deer Island and cast for jax. Caught 2 small ones. Cold on fingers. Saw 6 mallards sitting on shore within range. George pretty antsy. No gun, no license, no season. To Fort Frances at 4:30 where George bought fishing license. No talk of hunting. I won a battle! Drove out to Black Sturgeon on new highway. What a development! My old stamping grounds all torn to hell. On to Rev. Virgil Anderson’s at 8:00. A pleasant evening followed. Much talk of Mexico. The Andersons good listeners.

9/13/75 Partridge season opened in Minnesota today. As long as we had decided against duck hunting in Canada, we packed a picnic lunch and off for Dan Clark’s Sheep Farm Ranch. Didn’t see a single partridge altho George shot 8 snipes from back of pickup. We also chased a flock of 22 geese around fields without getting a shot. Fun, tho. Dan in a quandary as to whether he should sell cows or not. As usual, full of questions seeking advice from people who knew nothing (us) about it.

9/14/75 George has been antsy to “harvest” some of the mallards I have been feeding all summer. I gave in. (He gave in on hunting in Canada). First a lone duck came in to feed and George took him. Later he shot into a bunch and got 4 with one shot. Our guest very pleased. Newharts and Clevelands here for dinner. Much Mexican talk. Maria very affable, George too, for that matter, but I think he could get along very well on NWI without company. Opal called to say that Wayne’s operation not too successful. He is blind at the moment with small chance that medication will clear up the hemorrhaging. Now what?

9/15/75 Layna’s Birthday! George and I felt obligated to clean the 5 ducks and did. The usual messy job, would hate to do it for a living. George for a siesta and I took the time to run in to Langdon’s Greenhouse and get Layna a dozen red roses. I wrote on card “Roses are red, violets are blue, if these don’t tell you something, there is nothing I can do.” To Bill Kirk’s after dinner. Gerry Armstrong and Bill Martin there. A good visit until 10:00, then an enormous lunch. Home at midnight. I think Layna enjoyed her day.

9/16/75 To Buck’s at 9:30. We chewed rag for ½ hour and then he led us out to his new found reef. He dropped yellow marker overboard, dropped hook in water and in less than 5 minutes had a 3# walleye in the net. He called, “they are right here!” and took off. Quite a show. Strong east wind made fishing difficult. Wind had freshened even more so ran down to Angling Island area. I caught a WE On home for Margaritas and venison stew. Not a bad day, all in all. Sure wish we could catch some fish.

9/17/75 A slow take off this a.m. Our guests slept in until 9:30. Stopped and visited with Gene Monahan. George a connoisseur of art work and said that Gene’s was very, very good. On to Bears Pass by 7:15 to visit with Fred and Lil Williams. Fred genuinely happy to see George. They had a great time talking over old times. They knew many people in common. I was a good listener, contributing very little. I enjoyed it.

9/18/75 George and I to town in a.m. so he could shop for wine. Stopped at Lardy Larson’s for ½ hour visit. They seemed glad to see George. Not once did Lardy say, “that Goddamn Williams.” Buck, Dale, Jill and Lisa here at 6:30. Layna had prepared a feast around the 5 ducks that George had shot. They tasted corn fed - and they were! Much good talk at table. The Buck Johnsons obviously impressed by George & Maria - and vice versa. Called Opal to inquire about Wayne and she told about falling down basement steps. Wayne due for more surgery, detached retina, and wanted her to come to Mpls. Now what? They are getting more than their share of bad breaks.

9/19/75 A leisurely breakfast of blueberry pancakes (we eat too much, says George, digging into the trough). Played cards till noon, a nap and on to Bern Minters at 2:30. A good visit, tour of place and I even talked her out of a drink of wine. On to Les Clevelands at 4:00. More drinks, good talk and on to Buck’s by 5:30. A pot luck deal. Leon and Ila plus Tim and Jan Abellera, Bernice, Buck, Dale, Terry, Lisa., Jill. We ate, drank and sang. It really sounded good. The Williams said so! Home at 10:00. Played Sophie Tucker record for our guests. Some of it very personal about old men and young women! So endeth the last day of our Mexican friends visit.