1987-03 (March)

Thursday, March 26th

Called dentist, remade appointment for April Fools’. Back; wired Hugs $900 in Paris--$300 of it from Gwyn. Also gave Margaret $100 for deposit + first week’s rent on room. Isaiah here; cut grass for first-time this year. Dentist called; cancellation opened slot for appointment at 2 oclock today. Sarah in great distress; her 16 year-old son has run away from school + home, along with a delinquent friend. Took gwyn to John Wills fro ribs, beer, beans, + slaw, + apple cobbler.

Friday, March 27th

Rerecorded Beethoven’s 9th, substituting XXXXXXXX string transcription for the 8thsymphony. Did a good job compensating for weak left channel of recorder. Walked 2.5 in 38 mins. Played new recording of the 9th—most of the last movement after I got back from checkingXXXXXXX+ feeing the goldfish. Sounds good on Walkman, as did the transcribed great Fugue. Burns crew arrived about 8 p.m.—too late for us to join them for dinner. Ken called to say they’ll come here around 8:30 tomorrow morning.

Burns Interview

Saturday, March 28th

Ken + Ric Burns with soundman Charles + cameraman Buddy, arrived at 8:30; set up equipment in the sitting room duplicating the scene of last year (including the same shirt) + except for a barbecue lunch break at 1 o'clock, shot questions at me for better than 8 hours—all exhausting business for everyone concerned. After drinks, they left at 7 to return at 8 for dinner at the Peking; then back here for brandy (three brands) + talk till well past 1 a.m. Ken plans a return, May 1-10, for meeting in Vicksburg on two of those days. Will call for definite sometime next week.

Sunday, March 29th

At midday, weather began changing from warm, near-summer XXXXXXXX to the rawness of usual early spring. Temperature dropped 20 degrees to the low 50’s, then mid-40’s. Video Magic; got VCR of “My Beautiful Laundrette,” a British film about Pakistani refugees in London. Too scattered for my taste, but powerful in part. Began the Shaw Translation of Homer’s Odyssey, long a great favorite, ever since I first read it back in the 30’s.

Monday, March 30th

Woke to snow, which had begun falling in the early-morning hours; temperature well below freezing, until midday when it hovered just above 32 [degrees]. Continued Odyssey. Midpoint. Cooked steak + French fries; bottle of Mondavi red. After dinner, watched Academy Awards; a sorry show. Snow stopped in late afternoon but thermometer kept falling into the low 20’s. Last cold weather of the year—I hope.