5/11/80 Robin had a map that showed a 1 ½ mile trail along Amity Creek. We decided to hike it, Robin leading the way with Bobby on his back. A near disaster when we came to a crossing bridged by a huge tree trunk. Layna went first, followed by little Sarah. Sarah pussy footed to about half way, when, to the amazement of all, she fell into the water. Karen, with no hesitation plunged in after her and hauled her to shore. She was stripped of her wet clothes and covered with Layna’s jacket. She trudged along with the rest, with a few short distances on someone’s back. What a kid - and what a mother. On to the house, a good lunch and off for home by 4:00. Brought Sheila with us from Duluth. I had Instamatic camera in my jacket pocket and took several pictures of people in water. Some razzing about my cold heart to take pictures instead of jumping into creek to rescue Sarah.
5/12/80 Layna, Sheila and I to island after lunch. Layna in house, Sheila on rake and I started on plumbing. Water still low and coming up slowly.
5/14/80 Shopped for a few things needed at island. Home for lunch then up the lake with a good load of stuff. Sheila along but she didn’t put in much effort at NWI. Lisa came after her to work at Curtice Island. Goodbye, Grandpa, goodbye, Grandma. I worked on plumbing all p.m. Made pretty good progress.
5/15/80 Finally got a burning permit. Had 3 piles of leaves and debris ready at zero hour (6:00 p.m.) and set fire. We have wanted to do this all spring. Dug quack grass from all around house. The whole place looks the best it ever has.
5/18/80 Byrne, Carole with two kids, Michelle and Robby (from Institute) pulled into yard at #265 about 9:00 a.m. They had driven all night from Chicago. Much good talk. We still think Carole is great.
5/19/80 Byrne and I began taking rotten gunwale off Edwards boat.
5/21/80 Ted Hall paddled over for visit. Good - it always is. Much talk about Ober’s estate. Still clear as mud.
5/23/80 Byrne and I worked on Edwards boat much of day and we finished putting on the gunwales and seats. Jayme and Maggie stopped in at 5:00 p.m. and stayed for supper - good kids, both.
5/24/80 Karen and Robin came with the 3 kids. Everything under control at bedtime. We can tell that we are “maturing” when we see how much their kids develop between visits.
5/25/80 Byrne, Carole, Robby and Michelle left about noon. We enjoyed having them (even Robby) and I am sure that the feeling was mutual. Gene and cousin Marian for supper. More talk about Ober’s estate. Nothing said that would in any way change our thinking. We thank our lucky stars we were omitted.
5/26/80 Karen took off at noon with 3 kids. Robin stayed to work on boat. We have all the wood off it. What a job!
5/27/80 Robin and I put both sets of gunwales on Monahan boat. It went well. Good to work with Robin. Layna worked at #265.
5/30/80 After lunch we went to see Buck’s work done on Curtice island. The old perfection standard still in effect where he is concerned. The place looked great. Robin to visit his mother, Marian and Ted Hall at Mallard. Came back to report, “There is an awful lot of work to do over there.” - the greatest understatement of all time. More and more we sigh in relief that dear Ober did not include us in the mess he left. John Levene, with Curtice Island equipment, hauled 200 gallons of gas. A big favor.
5/31/80 Robin left this morning after a full week, 5 days alone with us. The best kind of company and a fair to middling wood worker. I enjoyed working with him.
May Special Data
Early last spring, Karen and Sally cooked up a deal whereby the Jernbergs, the Monahans and Byrne Johnsons would spend a few days on Norway Island helping the old folks get settled. As it worked out, Sally and Jim went to Duluth and helped Bert & Ann put in a garden. Byrne spent most of his time on Edwards boat.* Robin stayed the week out, working on the Monahan boat. ** The only one who did anything for NWI was Carole who raked and raked. I am not complaining, just reminding myself that the best laid plans of Scots and Swedes often get lost in the shuffle.
* ** I was totally involved in both deals, therefore neglected the island.
6/1/80 We finally got some moisture, not a downpour but enough to dampen the scorched earth. The fire fighters are happy. To #265 at 4:00 p.m. to meet our new tenants - Jack and Lee Evans.
6/2/80 Went to town to get plants for island - also see Dr. Walter. Did well on both accounts. Layna’s blood pressure normal, mine on low side 110/68. He told me to keep taking Cogentin pills. My “shakes” have been much better. Drove out to Pelland Jct. and bought a bunch of plants from Nicholsons Farm.
6/3/80 Picked up Louise Vohler at dock at 8:00. She and Layna worked on big cabin all day. She worked 8 hours and went home with check for $29.00. Not bad. We treated Louise to a can of beer when we came down into main house. It loosened her tongue (and maybe her brain) because she said she liked our place better than Musket Inn, yea, even better than Curtice Island. That’s what made me wonder - still the talk was appreciated.
6/4/80 Worked on first cabin, Layna and I. It is ready for occupancy. I never work on that building without reliving the days when we were building it. The whole family pitched in - we were never nearer to one another. Karen came later and soon learned what work meant.
6/6/80 Women’s day at NWI. Sally and two friends from St. Paul arrived at 2:00 p.m. We expected Karen and gang from Duluth to arrive before dark. They showed at 10:30 - pitch dark. One break in that there were only 7 in party instead of 15. Layna and I to meet them in two boats. It all went smoothly enough. The rest due tomorrow, including Meredith Shifsky - 7 ½ months pregnant. I am worried - it is a neat trick for an agile person to get in and out of the docks so high out of water.
6/15/80 To Ober’s Island for pancake breakfast put on by Ted and Gene. Good company, good food - a good time.
6/16/80 Sally, Jim and John arrived at 5:00 p.m. Leonard Peterson soon after. He put in wiring for electric stove. Stayed for my Father’s day dinner prepared by Sally. Lobster tail and all the trimmings.
6/17/80 Jim and I hauled wheelbarrow full of dirt for zucchini patch. As I look back at 35 years on this island, I realize we could have done much more of that sort of thing.
6/18/80 Took Sally and Jim to landing at 9:00. Little John (not so) will be with us much of the remainder of summer. We will get along.
6/19/80 Ballan - Jensen delivered our “new” electric stove to landing at 9:30. Two husky young men got it in the boat, on to our dock and up the hill to the kitchen. They swapped it for our two gas ranges. Robin called - he said his application for head nurse at Falls hospital had been accepted. We ran over to Ober’s Island and broke the news to Gene.
6/20/80 I started off the day with a two hour stint in the rowboat. If and when we give up this island, the little rowboat will be one of the tougher items to part with. My father’s birthday (110) and he was with me much of the time. When fishing got tough on Buck lake, my Uncle Emil (my mother’s brother) said it was because my Dad was responsible! He caught too many. Well, it could have been true. He did his bit.
6/21/80 Thoughts of my father yesterday on his birthday prompted some action. I rigged up a trolling deal for my rowboat. It was exactly like the one my dad used - rowboat, bamboo pole, spoon hook. I caught a 3# jack!
6/22/80 Rainy Lake Lodge reopened under new management. They advertised a Mexican brunch for this a.m. We went, taking John with us. It was a satisfying experience - better than we expected. It wasn’t so hard to pay the $6.95 a plate.
6/24/80 Neither Layna or myself off island all day. I am bushed tonight. I had occasion to think of old Deitrick who worked one year at Dahlbergs. He was proud of his capacity to work. In his heavy German accent he would say, “I am zevendy do years old.” Lord but that seemed ancient.
