10/19/83 The Woodland Division of Boise Cascade entertained 43 retirees today. It was great. We met at the new office, saw a slide show, on to tour chipper operation. Then to Big Falls where we had a Thanksgiving style dinner. Then through Mannila Saw Mill, on to Ken Ziemba’s logging, then to tree farm. Back by 4:30. A fine experience.
10/20/83 Left Falls at 8:45, off for Brainerd. Both Harry and Bern nursing colds. When we sat down to play gin rummy, Harry had to get up from his chair because of dizziness. Not good.
10/21/83 Harry still a bit woozy. Made an appointment with doctor. We left soon after breakfast - worried about our old friend. To Sally and Jim’s by 12:30. Sally and boys home. A big welcome for the old folks. We had much to talk about. Byrne, basement, Citation, weather, on and on. Jim home at 5:00. More talk. A good account of their trip east last fall.
10/22/83 Jim and I took a mile walk along Como Lake. Hundreds of ducks and geese. Many people jogging, hiking or just watching the birds. I am no longer blood thirsty so can be near the game without wanting to kill. Well, I have shot my share, so no regrets.
10/24/83 To Raymans’ by noon. They suggested we go to Minnitonka area to see the fall foliage. We had lunch at Mexican restaurant. It was great! George well acquainted with area and picked a spectacular rout. What a gorgeous trip! Home to talk about Mexican trip. Don’t think we came to any conclusion.
10/25/83 Jim, Sally, Layna and I to see fall coloring along St. Croix River. Spectacular! We found Elmer Smith’s place. He had died and a young (and very rich) couple had bought the place. It brought back happy memories of visits there with Layna and also Wayne Judy. I have said many times that Elmer was the finest man I ever knew. Nothing has changed that.
10/26/83 Made a rum run to Surdyks. Bought $67 worth of booze (including a $12 bottle of Chivas Regal for Jim). Stopped for a short visit with Nancy and off for home at 11:15.
10/27/83 A calm, warm, beautiful autumn day. We borrowed a boat from Buck and went to island. Nothing disturbed. We picked up a few things (ever thus) walked around the trail and off for home.
10/29/83 Buck has worked out a super system for handling the buoys. Today he offered to give me a demonstration and I went. I was impressed. A far cry from the bull work we used to use when I was in charge.
10/30/83 Tom Froehlich came with paper and we visited for an hour. I gave him my .308 to use for deer. A happy kid.
10/31/83 Last day to pay real estate taxes. Layna to town. I felt great after taking walk so decided to tackle job of clay alongside of house. Got myself good and pooped but satisfied.
11/1/83 Layna to see Dr. Walter. No startling developments. I pecked away at clay pile and got my back damned sore. I am gaining on it.
11/2/83 Charlie Williams stopped for a visit after lunch. We bought a Model T Ford from him (About $50) in 1930. We had fun talking about “olden days”, also much about what is going on now. I got a kick out of his saying that Old Man Jesperson opposed his marriage to Blanche and did not speak to Charlie for 3 years. I well believe it. He was a cantankerous old bastard. His dogs reflected his temperament - they were mean!
11/3/83 Byrne and Carole arrived about 4:00 p.m. Their plan to stay the month of November. They will explore the job market in this area. No way to plan the future until something happens. For the present, it is good to have them.
11/4/83 All hands at the basement job and we need all the help we can get. We bought 3 gallons of paint @ $25 a gallon. “By God, it better be good.”
11/5/83 Byrne, Carole and I put in almost a full day on basement. I did not contribute much but was on my feet most of the time which is gratifying. Not too tired. Deer season opened. I am not excited.
11/6/83 Byrne and Carole’s work on basement almost done. To Lynn Myers’ for dinner at 5:30. A pleasant 4 hours followed. It could have been a frustrating experience for me in that they talked so low that I heard very little - and understood damned little of what I heard. I did not let it bother me - much!
11/7/83 Byrne’s ex-company in need of his expertise and called for help. He was off for Chicago on the afternoon plane. It reminded me of the offer Boise made to me in 1968 to go to Kenora and run a fishing camp. I sang, “You didn’t want me when you had me, so why do you want me now.” I did not go.
11/9/83 Layna to Dr. Walter. He gave her lower unit a thorough examination and found nothing startling. What a relief!
11/11/83 Terry on septic tank, dinner at 19th Hole, worked on cabinets, Byrne returned.
11/12/83 Rud’s Pumping Service drove in at 8:30. He had tank pumped out by 9:00. $35, please! I never spent $35 more willingly. We have learned that we don’t need a new system.
11/14/83 Buck came for visit in p.m. He leaves tomorrow for Minneapolis to testify in case on boating accident at Curtice Island in 1981. He is not looking forward to it. Byrne and I to landing and pulled out ladder.
11/16/83 Carole had D & C surgery at Falls hospital. She is a bit woozy, but not complaining.
11/17/83 I finished Anatomy of a Illness by Norman Cousins. Truly a thought provoker. He stressed the fact that our doctors prescribe, often at the insistence of the patient, too many pills. For some time I have been considering trying to drop the feldene. I quit today and am curious as to the results. More of this, I am sure.
11/18/83 Lou and Margaret here for venison ribs (from Buck). Much talk about computers. I did not understand one word - just sat and marveled at how smart they, Carole too, were and how dumb Layna and I were. We will never catch up.
11/19/83 Robin and kids here after supper. Byrne, Carole and Robin and Chris played “Risk” until almost midnight. I begged off. I can’t sit that long. Started to read Russell Baker’s book Growing Up It looks great.
11/20/83 Robin came to watch game. Kids came, too. They stayed for lasagna supper prepared by Carole. GOOD! Watched The Day After, a controversial film dealing with a nuclear attack. It ran from 7 - 9:30 with commentary till midnight. No one had a solution as to how to handle problem. Tommy Froehlich got a deer. A nice buck. His 4th year of hunting. A proud kid - I can identify with him even tho it happened to me 64 years ago.
11/21/83 Lillian Rizzo, with help from Bob Fredrickson, had everything set up at community building for C. S. exam. 140 candidates for one job. We had to work it in two sections. I left early via sheriff’s patrol car with Dwayne Nelson.
11/23/83 Tara and friend Scott Finn stranded in Duluth. No bus because of storm. Byrne told them to go to Bev Wunderlich’s and he would pick them up tomorrow morning. “Snowing and blowing like hell”.
11/23/83 Thanksgiving. Light snow but strong winds when Byrne left for Duluth at 5:30 to pick up Tara. Radio and TV full of travelers’ advisories. Byrne back by 3:30. He reported getting stuck in Ranier but clear sailing rest of wayi. Layna had prepared a true Thanksgiving feast. We are stuffed. Tara’s friend, Scott, a good looking boy.
