1986-04 (April)

Burneses arrive in afternoonKen, Ric, + Buddy Squires Wednesday, April 16th[1986] Foot much better with time for rest after the South Carolina outing. I really feel that within a couple of weeks I’ll be back to my regular 2.5 mile, 40-min. walks. Burneses arrived late afternoon; called to say they’d come here at 11 oclock tomorrow morning filming “talking head” interview for this five-hour Civil War documentary. Suggested too that we drive over to Shiloh in afternoon so as to get an early start on Friday’s battlefield tour. I said I was at their service.

Ken & Ric Burns,Photographer Thursday, April 17th[1986] Ken + Ric Burns, along with photographer Buddy Squires, arrived at 11:30 after I guided them here from the Holiday Inn on McLean. Filmed interview from them (after setting up reflections, etc. in sitting room) until around 3 oclock, when they dismantled +reloaded equipment into station wagon. Left for Pickwick at 4; arrived at 6:30 + checked into Inn. Had a couple of Jack Daniels drinks, their formal dining room had closed at 8. Went to roadhouse diner nearby for supper. Bed by 11; read David Stockmann excerpt in “Newsweek” before sleep.

Burnses: Shiloh Friday, April 18th[1986] Pickwick Inn. Woke at six; breakfast again in diner, then drove to Shiloh. Saw mid-50’s film at headquarters, after hour-long filming in cemetery, + thenset on to our tour of battlefield.Filmed simulated charge of 6thMiss. Through woods + up to Sherman slope; then drovearound to scout various points; walked the length of the Sunken Road; filmed Bloody Pond. Left at 2; got back at 3:30; put Ric on plane, then Ken + Buddy came back here for drinks before leaving for airport.Dinner for gwyn + me. Afterwards watched Ralph Richardson in hour-long play==good actor, close to death, playing part of man in same condition.

Saturday, April 19th[1986] Good to wake up at home again. Wrote to Carolyn Reedy at Random, correcting misspelling of Appomattox on cover of new soft-cover edition of Civil War, + drove to post office for certain mailing.Note from Soloway, says last week’s blood test show acid phosphatase is “normal.” Splendid final news on prostrate treatment.Peking for dinner.

Sunday, April 20th[1986] Slept till 7:30; read till upon, time for weekly Brinkley Report for Washington. In afternoon, went with Gwyn to see her mother at the rehabilitation center; sad to see, but somewhat improved from my last visit, two weeks ago.Dinner at Molly’s La Casita.