10/3/81 We were off for St. Paul by 9:00 a.m. We stopped for short visit with Mildred and Ed. She had been to hospital in Mpls for a check-up. She looked good but complained of being tired. It was raining when we got to Sally and Jim’s, and kept raining all night. All 3 kids home. A household with its full share of trouble.
10/4/81 Last night rain turned into a drizzle when we got up. Temperature 50. What to do? Game time at 12 noon and we bundled up and left home at 11:10.. An exciting couple of hours followed. 24-21 the final score, in favor of Vikings over Chicago. Chicago missed the field goal of 20 yards with 1 second on the clock. It would have sent game into overtime. We had choice seats compliments of the LaFaves and Olivers. Jimmy left home at 10:30., bound via motorcycle to school at Fergus Falls. I don’t envy him the ride.
10/5/81 Gail Oliver LaFave came for lunch. Much to talk about. She is good company. George and Velna Rayman here for supper. More good talk. They had received a letter from George Williams in which he said he was doing well for having 77 years. He didn’t mention the Johnsons which makes me feel stronger than ever that we are on his list of ex- friends. So goes it.
10/6/81 Sally, Layna and I on shopping and sightseeing tour. Spent a couple of hours in Science Museum. Interesting. President Anwar Sadat of Egypt assassinated today. What a sad story. His efforts to make peace with the Jews caused his downfall.
10/7/81 We would have been at Jayme and Maggie's at noon but got held up in Little Falls. Not bad. I gave Jayme my favorite shotgun. He was like a kid at Xmas. It is in good hands and I have no regrets. I have shot hundreds of ducks and a fair number of geese with it. My full share. On to Daveys, a warm welcome. It is good to see old friends obviously happy with each other.
10/8/81 Harry and I on lake for couple hours. Harry caught 1 perch. In for lunch then out again and I caught 1 perch. Famine has hit the land. Back home by 5:30. A couple of drinks, a good supper then gin rummy where Harry and Layna really clobbered Bern and me.
10/9/81 We took off for home at 9:45. Weather good and Layna set cruise control at 55 MPH and hardly touched it until we got home at 1:45. Much mail waiting for us. Karen and kids for supper. They were well behaved. Karen concerned about her job for next year. Times are tough and getting worse.
10/10/81 As always it is relief to come to island and find it undisturbed. A great thrill on way home when we saw a deer on Heilman’s point. The sun was low in the west with the rays focused on an unafraid doe. We watched her for some time. I have mentioned the fact that I am not blood-thirsty anymore. I believe it. There was no desire to add that deer to the list of hundreds already there.
10/11/81 We went to island, planning to put cover on Starcraft. No go. Another big load of stuff. Will we ever get caught up? To Moes to watch Vikings beat highly favored San Diego 31-34The Moes came home with me for dinner prepared by Layna. A real feast proving that she would rather cook than watch football.
10/14/81 We were eating supper when the Thompsons came along. They will leave for California soon. Offered me use of their Big Fork cabin for deer hunting. They are a little late. That episode of my life, along with many others, a dead issue. No regrets.
10/16/81 At last we got around to covering the Starcraft. To island by 10:00 a.m. Wind strong enough to cause trouble getting black plastic in place. We wound up chores, loaded boat and off for Clarks. Wind really howling. Had trouble landing at their dock. Put out mouse poison and off for home, a rough ride.
10/17/81 To Thompsons in p.m. to inspect their new motor home. A long, sad story about how Roy Jansen and Allan Sheridan, between them, had screwed the Thompsons out of $2500. More talk of money, money, money. We have heard more of same for years and tell ourselves we are happier the way we are. Incidentally the motor home was “neat”. Erle having questions about driving and parking- and we don’t blame him.
10/18/81 To Moes to watch Vikings beat undefeated Philadelphia Eagles- the only team undefeated in NFL. The score was 35-23. Layna came after me at 4:00 and we sat down to a “sumptuous repast.” Wild duck and with trimmings. Margaret is living with the Moes. I can tell that I am getting more tolerant in my old age because she doesn’t bother me much anymore. Karen and Robin not getting along very well. We are worried.
10/19/81 Karen stopped in for a short visit, talked in generalities, no mention of her troubles. After she left I almost bawled because I had not thought of anything comforting to say.
10/20/81 Buck in a bind. He got houseboat out of water but buoys still in. Where is the Indian summer?
10/21/81 Karen had her recorder group for practice at 7:00 p.m. David Skwarok, Bill MacPherson, and Dick Weis. Layna and I just sat and listened. Reminded us of jam sessions with Sammy and Toots. Happy Days!
10/22/81 Layna to RLWC meeting. She came home very pleased with herself. She had ducked the presidency again. To see Gina Erickson in p.m. Much to talk about. She said that John loved both of us dearly. It was mutual.
10/23/81 Layna and I spent practically the whole day in the basement. We threw away several boxes of junk- some of it good enough to give away. The basement took on a well-organized look.
10/24/81 Robin here with kids about 4:00. Karen to speech meet in Grand Rapids with debate group. Robin stayed for supper. All 3 kids in good behavior. Bobby drew a 5 minute penalty on stairs. Some kind of a record.
10/25/81 Robin proposed that we put boat in water and hunt Deer Island when season opens next month. I turned him down flatly. I am getting along fine and don’t plan to upset it by freezing for a deer. After he left I let my mind run back to other years and was able to identify 19 deer that I had shot on that island. No doubt but what there were a few more, but that is enough for openers.
10/26/81 Lou Moe stopped in. She forgot about the time change. She was so mixed up that it took 3 Scotch and sodas to straighten her out.
10/27/81 Buck off for buoy job. I followed his progress from buoy to buoy in my mind’s eye. To K and R for supper. Punky Stadum there too. The 3 kids the worst ever. God almighty but I find it difficult to hold my temper. I believe that “parent abuse” is more prevalent than “child abuse.”
10/28/81 Frankie Johnson stopped in for coffee, the first time in 2 years. A good visit. He has been one of my favorite people since M&O days. No problem finding things to talk about. Norman and Vi Seegert picked us up at 4:30 and off for Norman Jr.’s house for a moose stew feed. Twenty-seven people there, all heard the detail of the hunt, illustrated by numerous pictures.
10/29/81 Telephone rang at 7:00 a.m. It was Ed Albright to say that Mildred had died at 3:30. Not unexpected, but still a shocker.
10/31/81 Off for Hibbing at 8:00 a.m., Dale with us. To mortuary by 10:15. A few people there when we sat down. The place was jammed by funeral time. Low key parson gave a simple sermon - none of the Lutheran fire and brimstone. Layna surprised to learn that Mildred was buried next to her mother and father. I gave the grounds a small search, but although I saw a number of Johnsons I did not find Gustaf or Hilma. Everyone invited for lunch at Silica Hall, then to Ed’s place.
11/1/81 Indian Summer. The mourners had dropped off one by one until Bob, Anita and we were with Ed. We sat around talking until time to go to breakfast at community hall. Back to Ed’s house and he gave us the grand tour. What a pair of workers they had been, and how he will miss his partner. Off for home at 3:30.
