1986-03 (March)

Saturday, March 1st[1986] Cereal breakfast; then came back + finished Ourselves to Know. I liked it much better than at first reading in ’60 (26 years ago, to the month) though I still was constantly aware of its faults.Cold weather is back; lit coal oil heater. Alarm system checked by repair man. At 2:30 Jim called gwyn to say Mrs. Rainerhad just suffered a stroke at home. Gwyn drove there + presentlycalled to say they were going by Emergency ambulance to Baptist Hospital East. I drove out + joined them there about 3:45; stayed till 7:45, then brought Johnny back to Mrs. Rainer’s to pick up gwyn’s car for her at the hospital. I came on home alone, fixed a Lean Cuisine dinner, + waited to hear from her.

Sunday, March 2nd[1986] Gwyn got home from hospital around 9 oclock; no sleep all night. Slept for a couple of hours, then returned to hospital around 4. I read Pindar—especially Pythia 4, the ode concerning Jason, the Argos, + the golden fleece. Read three different translations + a couple of commentaries. Powerful stuff. Washed my hair in kitchen sink, ate two sandwiches + drank a glass of buttermilk, all in time for the 5:30 news. Gwyn got back from hospital at 8:40; made herself an omlette. At 10 I watched a TV movie, “Desperately Seeking Susan.” Asleep by midnight.

Sunday, March 3rd[1986] Radiation, last full week: then took the Lancia through city inspection. Home by 9:45. Recorded Ravel for Louis Rubin—Piano Trio, Harp Septet, + Violin Sonata. good tape. In afternoon, Gwyn called from hospital to say that her mother, alas, has shown no improvement. Walked two miles; Mozart Piano concertos 25 + 27. Lean Cuisine; then watched “Swann in Love” on VCR Bill Carter sent last month. Third time I’ve seen it, + I liked it best this goround.

Tuesday, March 4th[1986] Radiated; then crossed over through tunnel under Madison + registered for March as an outpatient. Returned Adams books to library.Sessel’s; picked up needed groceries. Read George Eliot’s “The Lifted Veil,” which demonstrates most of his short comings + almost none of his virtues.Took gwyn to Bombay for Cheeseburgers.

Wednesday, March 5th[1986] Jigtime radiation; left at 8:30, back by 9. Ric Burns called. He + his brother Ken16+ a cameraman (+ perhaps a sound man) will be here on April 16, at Peabody to interview me on the 17th(a “talking head”) + visit Shiloh battlefield next day before going back.Watched my six-year-old TV interview. Walked 2.5; played Mozart Vln-Vla concerto. Sleepy—from having risen at 4:30.