5

February 5th, 1985

Somewhat warmer; snow still with us, but it was largely turned to slush. Walked 1 ½ miles, first in about a week because of weather.

Margaret came by. I gave her $200 to tide her over a lean stretch. Tried to talk with her about getting out of her devil’s? wounds way of life, but she has no intention of giving it up for what she considers “work,” which she defines as something that deprives you of your individuality.

Wrote to Loomis, thanking him for the O’Hana Collected Stories and telling him we’ll be up there on the 20th and stay till the 24th.

Seessel’s; got two 1 ½ -inch thick strip sirloins for dinner. Gwyn made creamed spinach and baked a potato. I added one of my three Christmas bottles of Gevrey-Chambertin ye- after (woe is me!) dropping and breaking one of them in the basement hallway. Good veal and the taste of the wine made me regret all the more the bottle I dropped and broke, Played Schumann, xx four symphonies.