Johnson Journals part 395

8/8/81 Jim, Bert and I repaired the deck at big cabin. We stayed with it all morning and I think it will last another summer. Will I? I lay awake nights thinking about things to worry about. My medical book says that a deterioration of handwriting a symptom of Parkinsons. I can hardly read what I have written. No matter, I have nothing startling to report.

8/9/81 Layna had planned a dinner (for tomorrow) for 7 guests, 4 Sam Whites and 2 Newharts plus Les Cleveland. Out of the blue came a call from Jane saying she would be here around 4 o’clock. Then the Hegs called to say the same thing. I am concerned as to how we can handle them all but Layna and Sally very calm.

8/10/81 Met the Hegs and Les at 3:30. I was shocked to see how time had treated our old friends. Les about the same age and looks young enough to be their son. The Sam Whites plus 4 Newharts arrived about 4:30. Sunny Heg had been Sam’s councilor at Koochiching in early 30’s. Much to talk about. A great time had by all. I was proud of my women folks. Jane came about 4:00. She had driven alone from Pittsburgh.

8/11/81 Layna and I took the Hegs to Koochiching to revive old memories. Some changes in 40 some years! On to Oberholtzer’s where Gene and Ted gave the grand tour. They have been working like dogs. They have a life’s worth ahead of them.

8/12/81 K & R with kids for supper. A new first at NWI. They brought fish for supper at $4.50 per pound. How far the mighty (me) have fallen!

8/13/81. At 4:30 Gail LaFave called to say they would soon be at our landing. 9 of them. We met them with 3 boats. What a mess of stuff. Much to talk about, mostly reminiscing about our hunting trips back in the olden days. So far we have had no problem entertaining 4 adults and 5 kids but we will have trouble to keep it up for 4 more days.

8/14/81 Fished at Garbage Island, never tried it before, and all we got was a bunch of snags. I think that the cans and other debris we dumped there in past years have come back to haunt me. A fine bunch of people, but I wonder what we will do to entertain them until Tuesday morning. Says Layna “ I’m not going to worry about it” - sounds like Scarlett O’Hara.

8/15/81 Much excitement when Joe Dvorak landed his Super-Cub at our dock. He had come to take Bob Oliver to their place on the Manitou.

8/16/81 Our guest list down by 2 when Jim and Goose left for home. Jim was able to get thoroughly rested. He has helped on jobs around island like he knew what he was doing. The fly boys, Bob and Joe home about noon.

8/17/81 Sally and I only ones left on island. We talked of many things, skirting my ailments but kept out the details. She is a honey.

8/18/81 The Olivers and LaFaves packed up and ready to go by 10:30. It took 2 boats to haul them and stuff to landing. They all expressed their feelings about Norway Island and the fine people thereon. Very flattering. To Thunderbird with Clarks. Jane with us. Good.

8/21/81 Up at 6:00 a.m. to help Jane get an early start. She was on her way by 9:15. We didn’t see much of her on her stay because she visited around a lot. Complex individual. We love her. (even ‘tho she uses a hundred words where 10 would do the job).

8/22/81 To meet Daveys in their room at Holiday Inn. Much hugging and kissing all around. A couple of drinks and a good lunch. More talk and left them at 2:00 p.m. A news item in AP told of an Iowa fisherman who got caught with 1800 crappies on a lake near Gun Lake. Harry had learned the method and was all hot and bothered to give it a try. Byrne, Carole and Tara at Norway Island. More hugging and kissing.

8/23/81 Byrne, Carole, Tara with us to Mallard Island for breakfast. Much food for many people. We left at noon. K & R and kids came for supper at our place. We have eaten most of our meals away from home lately. A good visit with Byrne, Carole and Tara after gang left.

8/24/81 Our black and white TV has been far from satisfactory for many years. Byrne suggested we change the aerial. He did- and what a difference!

8/25/81 Byrne, Carole, Tara, and us to Sam Whites. They had invited us for inspection visit. They have been working! We didn’t take much of their time. We then went to the Thunderbird for a boat ride and ended up eating lunch there. Good.

8/26/81 A good chance to talk to Byrne. I don’t know if we solved anything, but it was good to get his viewpoint on many subjects. Buck, Byrne and Karen plus their spouses, Tara and the 3 Monahan kids here for dinner. A true feast. Toasts all around, the last one by me, “Here is to Sally!” I choked up when I said it.

8/28/81 Byrne wired light in Emergency Room. It has been out for at least 5 years. Gals to town and more dialogue with Byrne. We skirted the subject of the E.I. but never got into it. I am a coward. They leave tomorrow. Much unsaid.

8/29/81 Byrne, Carole and Tara moving very slowly toward take off time. They hated to leave and we hated to see them go. They were off for home by noon. Jimmy Jernberg rode his motorcycle from St. Paul. His butt must be sore. Big “do” at Ober’s Island. About 150 people there to welcome Ted Hall and bride, Rody Heffelfinger. Much to eat and drink.

8/30/81 Ray and Ruth Anderson came via sailboat about 10:30. Stayed for lunch. A good visit. We compared notes on the Dahlbergs. Ray the caretaker for a short while in 1952. Long enough to have picked up some Gilda memorabilia.

8/31/81 Jimmy and I made first steps toward breaking camp. We pulled out the Jernberg boat and winterized the motor. With Jim’s help I cut up pile of scrap near pump house. Jim beat me at cribbage. Despite that, we have enjoyed having him these last few days. We have never had him alone before and we are truly impressed.

9/1/81 We took Jimmy to landing at 11:30 where he mounted his motorcycle and headed south. I wouldn’t care to be facing that long ride- and I think he feels the same way. Layna and I to see Dr. Walter. Our blood pressure good. Layna called Jernbergs and learned that Jimmy had arrived safe and sound. We were not exactly worrying but it was good to hear that all was well.

9/2/81 Bob and Ruth Wright here for dinner. They had taken us on the Executive cruise and Layna wanted to reciprocate. It worked out well. They have been on lake since 1948 so their roots are cemented in the solid rock even as ours are. They got the grand tour of the island and seemed duly impressed. They left at dark. A beautiful evening.

9/3/81 About 11:00 Karen called, in deep distress. Her good mother gave up the day off and away we went. Not all well in the Monahan family and I am not about to have it rub off on us.

9/4/81 K & Robin, 3 kids, John and Meredith Shifsky, Claire, 3 kids and all their luggage piled in Larson. A real jewel of an arrest if the law caught us. I am not sure that the old folks need another batch like that- however they are good people all.

9/5/81 Gene Monahan has been wanting a dozen dead trees removed from Mallard Island for some time. Today Robin, John Shifsky, and I went over and brought down 3 of the biggest. Robin and John willing and able to do the heavy work. All I did was to make a few suggestions and fall down a couple of times in dodging a falling tree. Etta and family came to town at 10:00 p.m. and stayed at 265.