Johnson Journals part 391

4/3/81 Layna to town and I made an effort to rake leaves. Too wet and too windy. When I quit I thought about the story about Charles XII of Sweden who, when, after giving a command to dig trenches was told that the ground was frozen. He drew himself up to his full 6 foot six and said, “The ground is always frozen for lazy hogs.”

4/4/81 Layna has disliked the lampshade over dining area for several years. We bought one in Matamoros last winter but didn’t dare tackle job of hanging until today. It is up and looks good. Layna did 78% of the work. My fingers are stiff- and so is my brain.

4/5/81 We decided to have a few people in in honor of my birthday, which is tomorrow. The four Froehlichs, Dick and Joan, Buck, Dale, Bern, Robin, Gene, the 3 little Monahans. Karen had the “flu”. Much to eat and drink.

4/6/81 My birthday, the 75th and, “I never thought I’d live to see the day.” I have reached the point where I take them one at a time and let the future take care of itself. We have a problem with the island and will try to solve it in 1981. Karen came out after dinner feeling much better. She brought a book, American Dreams, Lost and Found, by Studs Terkel. Looks good. Carol & Ted called for a birthday greeting. Ted has had 2 operations for cancer of the plumbing and is recuperating slowly. Tough!

4/7/81 I have had a dime sized scab near my left eye for about a year. Today Dr. Walter, with a minimum amount of fuss sliced it off. I should take up residence at clinic. He prescribed another blood pressure pill. I finally put the income tax in the mail. What a goddamn struggle it has been. It is comparatively easy but my brain has lost its efficiency. Now I worry that it isn’t right. NUTS!

4/8/81 Jim came over about 2:30 and said we needed a rest. He invited himself for coffee. Barit too. Good people, but they are worried. Republic Air is cutting back on personnel and he says it doesn’t look good for him to stay in the Falls. We would sure miss him- and rest of family. Pat Bartlett here for lunch. She is reporting for Chronicle.

4/9/81 Dave Seegert took our 15 hp Johnson to repair it. It hadn’t been checked over since George Finstad died.

4/10/81 Robin called at 7:30 to see if we would take Bobby for the day. “Bring him out!,” and a fun time followed. What a kid! We should pay them to let us have him for a day.

4/12/81 Gary Alexander here at 11:00 a.m. with material for Chinese feast. He worked at it very professionally until 3:00 when Karen, Robin, Gene, Layna and I sat down to partake of the results. It was great. One of the best 10 meals of my life. Frank Bohman died yesterday.

4/13/81 Started to make a picture frame for Layna’s needlepoint and hit a couple of snags. I am out of practice. Karen had hernia repair job by Dr. Walter. So far so good. It must be hereditary, because Layna had a double, Buck one and me 5. David Seegert gave 15 HP Johnson a checkup. Maybe it will go another year- which may be as long as I will need it.

4/14/81 Our spaceship crew, Young and Crippen brought their vehicle in right on schedule. It is a good thing for me that no part of it was my responsibility because I would have worried myself to death before it was all over. Now the question- was it worth 10 billion dollars?

4/15/81 Services for Frank Bohman held at Faith United Church with Rev. Laramie in command. The place was packed. Coffee served after ceremony and we saw (and talked to) many old friends. All agreed that Frank was the greatest!

4/16/81The sun and rain of the last few days raising Cain with lake ice.

4/17/81 Karen due to leave the hospital today. We picked up Gene Monahan at 6:00 PM and off for Ted Hall’s houseboat. Neil and Barb Loken, Ted and Tom, Rody Heffelfinger, Layna and me. Much good food, drink and conversation. Barbara had her guitar and played a number of songs- some of her own composition. Clever gal!

4/18/81 Picked up Jay and Beryl Nims and out to Nancy and Tom Hauglands for surprise birthday party for Harry and Bern Davey. The kids had gone all out to do a good job and succeeded. Other than the ones I have named, there were the Kalstads, McIntyres, Rudy Ericksons, Frank Petersons, Boeckhs. Much to eat and drink. It was topped off by a 20# (about) beautifully decorated birthday cake. A good evening.

4/19/81 Another Easter Sunday with no religious overtones by the elder Johnsons. Heathen, Pagan, Agnostic, you name it and it could fit. Layna prepared a feast for Monahans, including Gene. Jayme and Maggie came in PM to show off their two months old baby, Katie. A real honey which is understandable when you know the parents.

4/20/81 Robin picked me up and we went to “homestead” to work on road. I feel very strongly that he is on the wrong course. The proposed house will be back 800 feet from highway with two swamps to cross. I went against my policy of keeping my advice to myself and pointed out a few hazards in his planning but he didn't respond.

4/22/81 To Rotary luncheon with George Esslinger. Many old friends there who seemed glad to see me. A pleasant experience.

4/23/81 K & R to Duluth and Grand Rapids leaving kids with us. They are an unpredictable trio, at times happy and lovable. Then a small argument breaks out into a big deal and the devil takes over. We don’t take any crap from any of them and they know us well enough to recognize the symptoms when they have gone too far.

4/24/81 The three kids here for supper and to wait for parents. Chris enamored with TV so no problem. The other two raising hell and it was a relief to have Robin come after them.

4/25/81 A pleasant day and we took advantage of it by going to island. We walked around the island. No one had disturbed anything- always a relief.

4/26/81 To Pat and Jack Bartlett for 5:30 dinner. Pat brought out the tape recorder and she proceeded to pick the brains of Don and Layna, all things about Rainy Lake. Now that it is over I realize that she had a couple of willing talkers.

4/28/81 Worked on woodpile on and off all day. My back giving me plenty of trouble. I am happy about one aspect of the pain. No matter how severe it gets I can sit for a few minutes and it goes away completely. It returns again however when I start working. Work, pain, sit, and repeat.

4/29/81 Guest day at Rotary and George Esslinger invited both Layna and me. Frank Ackerman gave a slide presentation about boat travel on Rainy River and Rainy Lake. Very informative. Dave Ramnes called Layna to tell her she had won the “ice out” contest. The Daily Journal to give us a meal at any restaurant she chose. It is interesting that in 1977 I had the same deal.

4/30/81 I finished the woodpile and it looks good. Kept fire going all day in fireplace. Comfortable. Layna and Karen off for school in Superior. They had planned, not positively, to stay in Virginia on way home but came on home by 2:15. A good trip topped by seeing about 100 deer and one wolf!

5/1/81 Spaded on “garden” in a.m. It is taking shape. Drove out to Seegerts. Norman in town but Vi gave us a tour of the old parsonage. How those people have worked!

5/2/81 Rain! Karen and 3 kids plus Grandma and Grandpa to island in a.m. I worked on outboard motor in shop. Layna seemed happy to be on NWI with a rake in her hand, but got rained out about noon. I went after Robin about 3:00. No outside work- too wet. We sat before the fireplace, making plans etc. A clear strip of red sky at supper time.