1986-02 (February)

Friday, February 21st [1986] Radiation held up by machine breakdown, but not had; I was out by 9:30. End of fifth week; two to go, plus one day. Stopped by Lipsey’s on way home; got four fresh Rainbow trout filets. Resumed Contours: Civil War analysis. Weather turned cold again; skipped walk. Johnny’s Debbie ate dinner with us while he’s out of town. Trout + giant white asparagus. Afterwards watched VCR of Aspen vacation.

Saturday, February 22nd [1986] Slept till 8:30. Resumed Contours; into last major section, “Corporate Capitalism.” Walked 2.5; Schubert’s Octet.

Monday, February 24th [1986] Back to radiation; much longer session than usual because beginning now, the sixth week of treatment, the “field” is being narrowed + new adjustments are being made, along with new photos, x-rays, etc. Finished Contours of American History; enjoyed this third reading since the first in 1961. Skipped walk because of cold weather.

Wolf River Tuesday, February 25th [1986] Radiation; then came home + dipped into O’Hara, who gets better (within his limitations, much like Trollope) the more I think about him. I may re-read Ourselves to Know, which I like least of all his novels except the down-hill final two. In afternoon, had a wild goose-chase in search of a replacement for the lock on the courtyard door. Finally found one + installed it. Enough exercise for the day: no walk—none needed. Wolf River: Mike McDonnell host, Tolstoy series. Only four of us there. Home by 9:45; frightened by appearance of blood in urine—or, strictly speaking, following urination. Possible indication of bladder cancer?