1986-09 (September)

Monday, September 1st[1986] Labor Day; ha! Slept till 8. Cool weather continues; light rain in night; woke around 3:15, played Mozart quartets K.499, 590—two favorites--+ fell back asleep during the latter. Stressed by last night’s scene, demonstrating the near end of a 30-year marriage, + tomorrow’s departure for Ochsner + whatever awaits me there.Walked two miles—in the morning, which I haven’t done in more than a year. Played Mozart string Quintets 1 + 2. By afternoon, drove on to Cottondale, for the first time in over a year, to eat ribs with Sandra Saunders + some of her family. Lots of new developmental building out here.Brought Gwyn some ribs.

Tuesday, September 2nd[1986] Packed for trip to Ochsner in New Orleans for annual checkup. Left at 11; lunch at Three Lakes Restaurant in grenada. Jackson by 4; checked into Holiday Inn. Dinner in dining room. Asleep before 11.

Wednesday, September 3rd[1986] Jackson: Left Holiday Inn at 9a.m. Lunch at Middendorf’s at Manchac—frog legs for me, soft shell crabs for gwyn. Arrived Ochsner by 3:30; checked in, then paid out. Standing bills at clinic _ hospital finance offices. At 4:30 gwyn + I walked two miles on levee oyster-shell road, then came back for bath + dinner in main dining room, redesigned since last visit—no longer a cafeteria; even with table cloths + a much fancier menu. Lights out at 10:15.

Thursday, September 4th[1986] Ochsner: 6 oclock breakfast in coffee shop. Treadmill stress test followed EKG at 8 a.m. went well, I think—especially for stamina.Back to room, alone, for two fleets enemas, preparatory to colon examination by Byron gathright; following up on his November operation. He pronounced me well healed; recommend an annual repetition of the examination, which will coincide with the treadmill requirement. Lunch at Tivoli cafeteria—bacon + tomato sandwich, slice of apple pie.1:30 conference with cardiologist David Elizardi, who judged me to be in as good shape as ever, judging by the EKG + the treadmill print-out, plus auscultation. good news indeed; home free once more!Dinner at galatoire’s, superb again: oysters en brochette, trout mennieré. Called Hugs, Sarah, Walker.

Friday, September 5th[1986] Breakfast in main dining room for me, in room for gwyn; read Times-Picayune.Lazy day, after yesterday’s exertions. Read Adams’ Jefferson, first administration, till lunchtime—BLTs in room. Near4, walked three miles alone on levee; played Beethoven’s Qt 15. Dinner at new chic restaurant with Walker + Bunt—rabbit appetizer, then pan-fried trout. Suddenly remembered, + drank to, our 30thwedding anniversary. Good to see + be with Bunt + Walkeragain. Back to Brent House by 10 oclock.