7/29/83 To see Dr. Banen at 11:00 a.m. He pulled two teeth in a workmanlike manner. No fuss, not even much pain. The doctor not busy. He had been in my German class in HJC in 1925. Much reminiscing. He brought me up to date on a lot of people - mostly by saying, “He’s gone!” After lunch we went over to visit the Vans. We like our new neighbors.
7/30/83 A rainy day but we accomplished much. Burned big brush pile. The platform that holds the bell a bit shaky. I reinforced it with 4 - 6” lag screws. Quite a project for me. I then put jack under corner of laundry. That job not finished.
8/1/83 Paul Anthony, basement expert, met us at #265 to look at our cracked walls. He seemed to know what he was talking about and if he does, we are in a real bind. More of this later. Sam & Stephanie with their Tryon, SC, guests here at 5:30 for cocktails. Layna had prepared a feast. They stayed until 8:00, eating, drinking, talking. They seemed to enjoy themselves. I know we did. As they left, Tom and Nancy Hauglands came. A good visit for an hour or so.
8/2/83 Rody Hall here for lunch. An interesting talker. Much gossip. She said the Lynches are plotting Red Crest and will sell it piece meal. 100’ lots. The Halls are not happy over the deal. Who is?
8/3/83 We took car in to Sheridan’s. The transmission not causing trouble but we are afraid it will before the warranty is up on August 25. “Come back on the 20th.” To see Dr. Walter. He got rid of me in a hurry. Blood pressure low. Took a blood sample and that was that. Not so with Layna. He checked her out and said, “Come back in 2 weeks.” Now what? Paul Anthony gave us his estimate for basement job. $4,150. We need to talk this over more.
8/4/83 Val Boyd had a new deck put on their house. Today she had a “deck warming”. It was quite a “do”. Amidon, Jr., Hodels, TV Ole., Monahans (Bob, Becky, Marnie), Teeter, Kruskopf, Heilmans, Don, Layna, Karen, Val and about 12 kids. Much fancy food and good drinks from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. I wonder if she got a permit to build such a structure. Menchu called to say that Brad was going to divorce her. She was completely broken up. Layna talked to her for ½ hour offering sympathy and help. More of this tomorrow. Karen and kids off for Cass Lake where they will attend Unitarian summer family camp. Karen a little concerned as to how it will work out. She has a reason to be. Hard telling what her 3 kids will do to the organization.
8/6/83 99o A hot, muggy day and our ice maker got a good workout. Heilmans, Boyds, Schumacher and Ted Hall (2 big coolers). Jim Banks and Ruth here after lunch. Rody came for ice and invited us for cocktails and dinner. About 30 people there. They had hopes of getting some constructive input but there wasn’t much offered. Jim was called on to say something and did well. When my turn came I praised Jim sincerely. Byrne and Carole with Philip and Dierdre Dowsett, from Australia. Sally and Jim came. We have a near full house - all good.
8/8/83 An 18” white pine blew down over path at north end of island. It had been struck by lightning some time ago. Byrne on power saw, the rest swamping and it was cleaned up by noon. Lynn Myers for cocktails and dinner. She and Byrne talked computers, which was a language stranger than Spanish. Much laughter at the table.
8/9/83 Byrne picked up lumber at our dock. 16 pieces 2 X 6 X 12’. Byrne, Sally, with my feeble help, made good progress. Carole on staining end and kept ahead of us. Ted and Rody for dinner at 6:00 p.m. The best kind of company. It was Ted’s first exposure to Byrne. He (Ted) told me later, “Your two boys have surely inherited your story telling ability.” I am not sure that that is an asset.
8/10/83 I have been doing a series of exercises every morning for a week. They were designed for people with Parkinsons. In addition, I ride bicycle ½ hour a day. I think it helps. My legs and back tire easily but my shakes are minimal. Still stiff getting in and out of boats, car, chair, etc.
8/11/83 For a bit of diversion, we took Phil and Dierdre, Layna, Byrne, Carole and I on mini-tour of area. Stopped at Thunderbird for a drink and home for a fish feed (from freezer). The Australians have painted south wall of house - after Sally scraped most of it. They are interesting people. (So is Sally!)
8/12/83 The list of people who tried to fix shower in big cabin includes me, Sally, George Rayman, Richard and Buck. It still leaked. Today Byrne solved the problem by putting in a new unit. Not an easy matter. Much cutting and fitting and soldering. The end results very professional.
8/13/83 A major snag on deck job when we found much rotten wood at north end. Some good thinking and hard work and a good job of repair followed. We ran out of material but Sally and I can finish it up easily. Buck and Dale for dinner. Karen home from week at camp. They had a good time.
8/14/83 Byrne, Carole and Australian friends left at 7:30. I broke down completely when saying goodbye. Is it because I feel that there aren’t many good-byes left? I was blue most of day.
8/15/83 We met with Paul Anthony and agreed to have him fix basement. Now I really have something to worry about.
8/16/83 Sally’s friends, Bob and Gail Heinrick came at 1:30. They left at dark but not before we had a chance to learn that they were first class. He had had polio when 18 years old and was cruelly crippled. A cheerful man and I can’t help wonder how I would handle that kind of situation. Maybe I’ll live long enough to find out.
8/17/83 Layna, Sally and I to #265 to get basement in shape for workmen who will start Monday. God, what a mess of stuff! Much of it valuable but much should go direct to dump. Bottles, bottles, bottles and Layna hates to part with any of them. I don’t blame her. They represent many years of gathering. My square dance equipment a problem. Tools, guns, clothing - on and on. We made good progress but pooped out by 3:30. Back to island. Punky there. I like her well enough but sure wish she wouldn’t talk so much.
8/19/83 Karen and Punky joined our basement crew and we made good progress. Everything piled in center of floor. The workmen can get at the entire wall area. Back to NWI.
8/22/83 Work started on basement. Paul Anthony said it would take 6 working days. I wonder.
8/23/83 George St. Peter came with his back hoe. By early afternoon he had moved the front steps and finished all the necessary digging. A true artist at work.
8/24/83 Rain. To Dr. Thompson at 10:15. He kept me in the chair for 2 hours. He repaired the bridge. “$32, please” - a real bargain. No work on basement. Rain stopped at noon but clay a mess.
8/25/83 To attend meeting in Falls concerning sewer project. It looks like we are stuck for a lot of money. Also going to lose some good trees, including our oak and blue spruce.
8/26/83 We went for a ride to Four Island Resort, the proposed headquarters for the Park. Somebody blundered.
8/27/83 Karen and kids, Pam Davis and Jo Cassidy & boyfriend, Kevin, here in p.m. Stayed for dinner but storm kept them on island for night.
8/28/83 A wild morning turned into a beautiful p.m. To Wrights for Goalie Newharts 77th birthday. Sheldons, Newharts, Johnsons & Wrights. Helen Newhart, fighting cancer put on a brave front.
8/29/83 At 9:30 all hell broke loose. Straight west wind drove the waves so that the tops hit the windows of main house. It lasted almost an hour. Five trees down. The weaker ones down in the June 22 storm. To town in p.m. The clay around house a mess. Home to island at dark. Caught my rain pants cuff in a root and fell heavily. Skinned my elbow. Not bad.
8/30/83 Layna and I to Rays for a warm welcome. Stayed for lunch. Home at 3 p.m. Good visit with Karen and Meredith.
8/31/83 Layna had appointment with Dr. Burton Helleloid at noon. He showed a lot more interest than Dr. Walter. Karen picked me up at 265. We had a good talk after lunch, mostly about religion. She is a good thinker, not necessarily an attribute in a minister. She proved her culinary skills by making a feast for the Whites and Rays. They were duly impressed, as indeed so was her old man. Much Koochiching talk. A memorable evening.
