1987-04 (April)

Monday, April 6th

Bank; got Hawley Ingram to verify (as required) my French XXXXXX tax exemption forms to return to La Nouvelle Agence for collection of back-royalties from Gallinard, including the advance for their new edition of Jordan County. Received in mail a check for $1350 from Florentine Films—payment for the day’s work last week for Ken Burns. Took it down for deposit. Skipped walk because of all the Shiloh exertion over the past two days.Video Magic; got VCR of She’s Gotta Wave It, which turned out disappointing.

Tuesday, April 7th

Income tax papers arrived in mail from Chris Ward of Rhea+ Ives; show overpayment of $7025, which will be applied to next year’s advances. Out taxable income (after deductions) was $48,211; tax was $9535. Gave gwyn $500 for casual spending—I hope, for incidental clothing, shoes, etc. Continued reading Richard Ford’s A Piece of My Heart, his first novel. Duck for dinner, with spinach en brauche + washed turnips-+-potatoes; plus a bottle of Bruilly. Speed walk; did 2.5 miles in 36 mins. Flat; played Brahms Symphony 4—which is probably why I hurried, wanting it over.

Wednesday, April 8th

Woman reporter from USA Today called for information for a piece on Walker. Finished A Piece of My Heart before noon. Liked it, especially the writing itself, but with reservations otherwise. Received American Heritage check for $500. Bank; deposited check. Forty carrots; got $35 Quimper cup-+-saucer, also a $6 pair of kitchen shears. Back to Decameron. Day 6. Walked two miles rather leisurely, 34 mins. Played Brahms’ Piano Concerto 2. Read Ford’s “Three Kings, Hemingway, Faulkner, + Fitzgerald.”

Thursday, April 9th

Buster’s; got case of Beefeater, Vermouth, fifth of Jack D. black. Read current NY Review. New insurance policy for house + cars arrived; called Allen about dropping jewelry + the white Mercedes; discussion of selling gwyn’s two cars to go toward buying a new one. House insurance is $1254; my Lancia is $436. Isiah here for clipping + general cleanup. Began reading Richard Ford’s The Sportswriter. Goes good; large Percy influence. USA Today woman reporter called for interview on Walker. Talked with her for about a quarter of an hour.

Friday, April 10th

Willie Morris called; wants to bring Bill Styron + his son by here for drinks at 5 o'clock on Sunday, En route to airport for flight back to NY. I’ll be glad to see them. Super D; got Sinequan, various toiletries + incidentals. Bank; cashed $200 check. Post office; mailed state + federal income tax returns. Continued The Sportswriter. Liking it.Called Walker; left message on answering machine that I had talked on phone with USA Todaywoman reporter; “Told her all about your sinful past, before you latched onto the one sure certain bill-secure.” Becky, the English war widow I knew in Birmingham, back in 1944, called to say she has kept track of me down the years. A likeable girl, all those forty-odd years ago; lives now in Oklahoma, widowed + with two children. Skipped walk; threat of rain, which finally came around 4:30.