1987-04 (April)

Saturday, April 11th

Walker called, answering my machine-recorded message from yesterday. He’s off on his book promotion tour on Monday; going to many cities, autographing in book stores. Finished Richard Ford’s The Sportswriter. Liked it, but with the reservations I have for nearly all novels nowadays, mainly concerning lack of purposeful plot. Walked 2.5 in just under 40 minutes; played Beethoven piano Trios 3 + 5. Lamb chops for dinner with asparagus + a bottle of Mondavi red. Afterwards, was denied admission to gwyn’s bed, which is getting to be a long term condition. Sooner or later (I hope sooner) I’ll give it up for good. Reluctantly, however.

Sunday, April 12th

Palm Sunday; gloomy day, with a threat of rainstorm throughout most of it. Returned to Boccaccio; half of Day 6. Gwyn went to Seessel’s for cheese, bread, + beer for serving to Billy Styron + Willie MorrisXXXX due at 5 with their sons + an Ole Miss history professor. Willie Morris brought Bill Styron + his son Jack, along with an Ole Miss history professor, David Sensing, here for drinks at 5 o'clock. They stayed about one hour + a half, then left for the airport. Pleasant visit. Skipped dinner because of cheese salami hors d’oeuvres, plus a bottle of ’76 St. Estephe.

Monday, April 13th

Received in mail the Fiddle theme “Ashokan Farewell” on a cassette from Ken Burns, who is using it in his Civil War documentary; a beautiful + characteristically American sound. Also received from an Amherst (Mass.) photographer his print of Sacco + Manzetti death masks in the Boston Public library. I sent it to Ed Giobbi, whose interest in their death has been growing with the years. Finished Day 7 of Decameron by midday. Video Magic; got VCR of “Fools for Love,” a Robert Altman film written by + starring Sam Shepherd. Overdone + tiresome, but with occasional bright spots.Filled out the Fiddle Theme 90-min. cassette with selections from Civil War songs, South + North, two records I’ve had for nearly forty years.

Tuesday, April 14th

Video Magic; returned “Fool for Love.” Walgreen’s; got Asuacare lotion, also a $2 sack of fritos for gwyn. Began Day 8, Decameron. Walked 2.5 in 40 mins.; played the usual Civil War songs cassette. Thanked photographer Jerome Liebling, of Amherst, Mass. For the Sacco-Vanzetti deathmask print he sent me.

Wednesday, April 15th

Video; got “Choose Me,” a 1984 film set in L.A. Seessel’s; got three flounder filets, peanut oil, + a sack of Idaho potatoes. Home again, called Shelton to service a/c for summer. Skipped walk, again because of threat of rain—which didn’t come till nightfall. Finished Day 8 of Decameron. Watched “Choose Me” in evening. Not only was it dreadful, we’d seen it before. Cooked the flounder filets for dinner, with backed potato, fresh spinach, + a bottle of Fuméblanc.