1985-09 (September)

September 6th, 1985 Finished Ploesti, stands up well. Gwyn went to Methodist for physical exam; just routine, but long overdue. Got good report. In afternoon, drove to Lipsey's; got four fresh sole filets to cook for dinner and also put a bottle of fume blanc in icebox. Came out well.

September 7th, 1985 Rethinking Ploesti material; undecided how to use it. Straight exposition, monolog, impressonistic? In any case, I now have it here at hand. Weather continues unsseasonly hot - in 90's. Skipped walk because I felt peckish: whatever that means. Mainly a sort of light- headedness. Watched commercial- cluttered "Annie Hall."

September 8th, 1985 Rainy Sunday - clouds went in afternoon which continued until about 7 p.m.: just in time for me to head for the surprise party Sandra gave for Tunkie at their Morningside home. Large black-tie gathering; well over 200 people, many of whom I hadn't seen for years; overtly. a 65th birthday celebration,but in fact a sorry XXXXXXX death watch and farwell. Tunkie conducted himself well, even though he could see the shock on face after face of people who hadn't seen his deterioration over the past few months. Two bands, a tent set up for dancing; buffet with oysters and hamburgers, two bars with a steady flow of booze. High spirits all around, despite sadness almost everyone felt beforeland. Home by 10:30.

September 9th, 1985 Submitted (at last) medicare claim for $60 for the dermatologist's removal of moles two months ago. Walked two miles; played last side of Civil War cassettes. After bath, drove to see Tunkie and Sandra and thank them for last night's party. Stayed breifly; came home in time for 5:30 news, despite cloudburst that put much of XXXXXXXXX under watch XXXXX half an hour. Lean Cuisine; TV. As always or nearly always. Woke at 4:40, got up at 5; read NY Times till Mary came at 7.

September 10th, 1985 Read various versions - Maudelman, Singleton, Berger - of Dante's Purgatory canos(?) 26-30; a knoty business, wonderful when unravelled. Must write blurb for Frank MacShane's biography of James Jones, but can't get to it. Walked two miles; played Mozart piano concertos k. 503, 595- the latter repeated on my workroom machine while I bathed; it has always been one of my favorites of all the twenty seven. In evening after trip to video libary, played "The Falcon and the Snowman" on cassette. TV out of order: sound and soundbars. Stayed with it for about two hours but fell asleep about fiftenn minutes before it was over. Woke up and clicked it off. Woke up again around 4 a.m.; took a valium and went back to sleep.