Lake places are supposed to be places of rest but more often they are places of extra work. Not only is there the lawn back home to be watered and the grass cut, but now this same procedure must be done at two places.

Not only this grass work, but we at first left a few small trees among the large oaks that were on the [West Battle Lake] lot. When we started clearing out the back Mrs. Cub also suggested some parking space was needed and the small trees would have to go. I concurred and began cutting down the small trees.

Using Jim Bennett's saw, the trees came down in a hurry. Getting rid of the stumps is another matter and I expect that will be my chore these two weeks.

Jim has seen me hacking away at these stumps while he lazes in the cool breezes of his porch. He has accused me of doing this for political effect, posing as Mr. Magoo, rail splitter, on the prowl for a fellow with a camera to take my picture. Then I could use it in legislative campaigns like Abe Lincoln.

The Appleton Press, August 17, 1961