1987-07 (July)

Saturday, July 16th

Croissant breakfast for the six of us (including Liz’s model daughter Tina); lunch will be barbecue sandwiches + beer at 1:30, by which time Felix will have arrived from California, where he had been this week on a “Merger” deal. Funeral is scheduled for 3 oclock, a memorial service. At 1:15 I drove over to Wills Barbecue, picked up the sandwiches + beer ($47.23) + found Felix there when I got back, along with another son of Otis + Fredrika’s + his wife, plus BillKent. We ate, then went to the funeral chapel service. Returned for white wine here. Everyone left soon after, except Carneys, who are staying till tomorrow.

Friday, July 17th

Fredrika + Otis left at 9, headed back for California. Thus ends the invasion.Iran-Contra hearings continue, Admiral Poindexter as witness—an accomplished liar. In late afternoon I completed my rereading of Thomas Rosenmayer’s The Art of Aeschylus; enjoyed it even more than I did back in march.Impetigo infection much improved by capsules Johnny gave me + by application of Neosporin. Will continue medication as instructed, + will also continue (at least for this one Monday) to skip my walk. Surprise belated birthday party for Johnny at Wendy + XXXX. Helium balloons, etc. Home by 9:45.

Saturday, July 18th

Johnny + Debbie’s baby (J.J. II) baptized at St. Peter’s, 10am. Reception afterward at John’s house out on shady grove. Home soon after noon + glad to behere. Weary, o.

Sunday, July 19th

Real Pindar, Pythian III, in three translations. Still one of my favorite poems. In afternoon, drove down to Video Magic, got VCR, “The Mosquito Coast,” for viewing tonight. Also got power steering fluid for refilling cylinder; hope it doesn’t mean still more expensive repairs, like January’s. Cybill Shepherd called from Encino Calif. To XXXXX me she wants to pick up the Sep Sepoption. She’s picked a woman director she likes, Donna Dietz, who made film called “Desert Hearts” + who admires the novel--+ the script, she says. Twins (a boy + a girl) will be born in October; till then, she’s taking it easy at home in Encino. VCR didn’t work; sound, but no picture.

Monday, July 20th

Hearing resumed: Poindexter still on hot seat, lying his head off with a selective memory. Continued Pindar—odes + commentary. Called Bob Rosen; told him of Cybill’s promise to renew September option + urged him to drop a note to her lawyer, Walter Teller, about the expiration on July 14. He said he would. Library; got a Hemingway biography + three books on Pindar, two of them new translations + commentaries XXXX XXXX study of the Pythian odes. Took VCR to Video Magic for new-cleaning. Won’t know till Thursday what ails it.