1987-07 (July)

Tuesday, July 21st

Poindexter wound up his testimony, praised by his fellow Republicans + lectured sternly by the Democrats. Reagan fiasco continues with the reflagging of Kuwait Oil tankers escorted by the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf. Pete Peterson (my first cousin, whom I scarcely even know) called to say Aunt Libba (my father’s younger sister, now 83) is in the Baptist Hospital following a “XXXX-Out” from which she suffered an injured leg in falling. Tomorrow will be crowded with tests (cat-scans etc.) but I’ll goto see her next day for sure. I was always fond of her, back to my boyhood days.

Wednesday, July 22nd

At 11, Gwyn + I went to Dixon Gallery for a show of paintings by Theodore Robinson; “Figural XXXX,” it was called—not as good, I thought, as his landscapes which we saw in an “Austrian Impressionists” show we saw two years ago, + by no means as good as “Kitchen Interior,” an earlier work (1880) which is one of my very favorite paintings. XXXX Ive never seen the original.For lunch we went to Adams Family, a country-cooking restaurant on Park. I’m reading Michael Reynolds’ The Young Hemingway, which takes him only up to his marriage + departure for Europe.

Thursday, July 23rd

At 9:30 drove down to BaptistHospital + spent an hour with Aunt LidXXX; took her a copy of the new softback Tournament so she could read the introduction about the family + how I came to write this first novel. On way home, picked up the VCR left at Video Magic for repairs, unrepaired. Took it to Pro Video, on Poplar. Then came home + watched George Schultz before the joint committee, until 5 oclock when I went back for the repaired VCR tested it on the TV + found it fine. Lean Cuisine; a spot of TV; XXXX XX + finished the Young Hemingway biography. An interesting book, somewhat bumped up but enlightening all the same.

Friday, July 24th

Schultz still on stand in Iran Contra hearings; final day for him, to be followed by Weinburg + Weesz, who will wind things up.

Weight, 158.5 + holding. Haircut at midday.

Schultz wound up testimony amid general applause from senators + congressmen. Dinner at Marry Ann + Bryan’s, Lucy Fisher fellow guest. good food + wine. Home by 11:30.

Saturday, July 25th

Hot weather, here + all across the nation, including the upper eastern seabord. Read Billy Reed’s Xeroxes of poems by Marrians Moore + Karl Shapiro. Didn’t enjoy any more than ever; Shapiro somewhat better—though neither XXXXXXX. Continued reading Pindar, whose odes I consider to be as lyrically daring as any ever written. Walked two miles in 34 mins. Played Sibelius, Symphony X Hot walking, but restorative after a nearly weeklong lay-off.