1985-04 (April)

Wolf River

April 16th, 1985

Bank called; check and Francs un-arrived. Read fascinating account of the building of Chantres by John Faures: Chantres: The Masons who built a legend. Received from U. Miss. Press: Mississippi Writers, Reflections of Childhood and Youth. Contains excerpts from Shiloh and Jordan County.

Walked two miles; played Sibelius’ symphony 2. Work to Harry Summons marking him for material from a 1981 Vietnam colloquy on his experience with the Press. They ran into many of the same problems we did at the 20th Century meetings.

Wolf River: Mike Metonnel West? New Orleans short story writer, Gilchrist: In the Land of Dreamy Dreams. Not much to it.

April 17th, 1985

Lawn people came at 8:30 and began cutting front, back, and side yards. I also got them to use the “weed eater” to clear the brick terrace in the courtyard. They did a good job all around- much better than Isaiah cheaper, too: total cost, $30.

Letter from Michel Gresset setting up ‘social’ appointments: may 3 at U.S. Embassy, May 4 at Musee d’Art modern. Also lunch May 7 and supper May 8 at his home in Versailles. (Dinner at Bofinger follows one evening of May 4, a Saturday.) Informed me, too, that NRF turned down Caruingan’s XXXX of “Good Friday.” Suggested he try La Reve des Deux moudres or Historia.

Went by to see Tunkie for last time before leaving for Paris. Weak in body, low in mind; bad reaction to chemotherapy injections. Saddened me; in part because he’s not taking it well. But who knows how he will take such things? Got Lauria washed and filled with gas.

April 18th, 1985

Last minute incidentals before departure; trying to get as much as possible taken care of before the final day tomorrow. Called Chris Tolliasido; got go-ahead on paperback deal with Mary King. Sent Hugs his monthly $900. Called Alarm company. Mixed and bagged special tobacco, for packing. Buster’s; got case of Johnny Walker Black. Picked up If on a Winter’s Night Traveler, Wolf River selection for May, at Bush Shelf?. Returned Chantres books to Library. Left $25 with Mary to pay for grass-cutting. Cleaned silver dollar inkwell.

Walked 1 ½; played Shostakovich, piano quintet and Cello sonata.

April 19th, 1985

Bank; got $1500 in Am. Ex. Travelers Checks, $200 in Francs, $700 in cash ($483.25 for Mary). Checked with Classic Eyewear for glasses; no luck. Drive down and got my Lauria inspected for City Sticker. Back home, began first phase of packing for tomorrow. Finished suitcase I by 2 o’clock- shirts, underwear, socks, sweaters, etc. Held off the suitcase II; will be suits and slacks, plus odd-things not needed on flight or in NY- those things will go in my carry-on bag. Picked up replacement for un-arrived glasses; highly satisfactory, thank God. Finished packing. Bathed and laid out traveling clothes. Bed Early.

April 20th, 1985

Mary late; broken fan belt- no home breakfast, only cereal and coffee. Sue arrived at 7:30, and taxi picked us up at 8. Plane (Delta flt. 564) took off on schedule, 9 o’clock; got to LaGuardia by noon, E.S.T. Fast cad ride to Algonquin and were down in Oak room for lunch by 1:30. Walked over to Madison and up it. Gwyn bought a hair brush and a book, Waiting by Vincent Crapanzano on white South Africans; I bought nothing.

Back in room (807) by 4:30, we rested and tried to decide whether to go out for the evening. Decided on dinner in room; club sandwich and coffee try me, for me watercress salad and brie cheese for Gwyn.