1986-04 (April)

Sunday, April 6th[1986] Slept till nearly 8. Foot somewhat improved after setback; I’ll be more careful now.Continued Light in August, savingfinal three chapters for one-shotreading tomorrow.Played the cassette of two-dozen-odd poems by Ransom which I made for Hugs two years ago.

Dentist 4pm Monday, April 7th[1986] Finished Light in August; my fifth reading, I think, since my first, when it came out in 1932. I still think its probably his best novel, as a novel, though As I Lay Dyingis no doubt a greater book, The Hamletremains my favorite reading.Teeth cleaned; new dentist partner of dick Reynolds’—Dr. Taylor (Stuart M.).Called Walker with good news of my radiation cure.

Tuesday, April 8th[1986] Haircut. Fletcher here cutting grass.Dental surgery in afternoon: Biopsy for suspicious discolorated spots on palate. A complicated + costly ($110) business.Results on Friday morning before we board plane for Columbia, S.C.Wolf River dinner, Bill Piarsa host; Faulkner’s Light in August. Stayed then talking till 10, then came in home.

Wednesday, April 9th[1986] good night’s sleep despite expected discomfort from yesterday’s biopsy clipping; took pain pill at 11 oclock, went to sleep undisturbed; wake brights at 4 but didn’t get up; woke again at 6, took scheduled pill, + went back to sleep for another hour. Foot better, too, but I won’t make the mistake, this time, of trying to walk on it too soon.Johnny here for dinner; steaks, CoursPavillon.Began reading a new novel Bob Loomis sent, Deadwoodby Pete Dexter. Amusing, in the Ragtime vein.