1987-08 (August)

Saturday, August 1st

Frantic calls to Peabody interrupted by call from Walker saying he wont be stopping in Memphis. We regret it, but are relieved at non interference with Huger’s 10:05 arrival this evening.Isaiah here; cleared front walk, fallen limb in back; cut grass, which was shaggy. Backyard wild cherry lost a large limb, which fell across phone lines without breaking them but with threat to do so at the first wind. Called SolenBall; repairman arrived around 3 oclock. I worked with him getting it off the wires + on the ground-hard work in 100-degree heat. He finished by 5, but a lot of heavy clean-up work remains. Read Georgia Review after Lean Cuisine dinner, till time to go out to airport to meet the 10:05 Piedmont flight bringing Hugs from New York. He arrived with three handbags + three duffle bags—heavy load. Good to have him home again, even for a brief visit.

Sunday, August 2nd

Huger’s first real day home. He + Gwyn pulled weeds in driveway side flower bed. Then he + I went to Video Magic, got a VCR, “The American Friend” (dreadful, it turned out) + came back by Super D to pick up a pair of 90-min. audio cassettes. Late supper—shrimp, with trimmings—because of long-running movie from 6 to 8:30. Hugs took my car out after 11 for an around-town drive. I went to bed.

Monday, August 3rd

Notice from health-insurance people that Gwyn’s + Huger’spremiums have rise $171.97 + $87.30, respectively to $1031.34 + $423.86, oh me. In afternoon, returned VCR to Video Magic + retrieved the Cartier living room clock from Kline’s; also left my Chopard for cleaning, with promise to get it back to me within a week. Bad development: my power-steering cylinder is leaking again—six months after getting it supposedly repaired for 590-odd dollars. I’m to take it back to Bobcat tomorrow morning. After dinner watched amusing VCR, “True Stories.” Beth Henley one of three writers.

Tuesday, August 4th

Woe. Took Lanciaout to Bob Cat Motors; power-steering XXXXX seals installed back in January—leaking. Full replacement will cost about $1500; full information when I call him at 4 this afternoon. Semiannual royalty report from Random on hardback Civil War. Balance, $149, 309.94.Sent import + Sports repairs (new now for Bob Cat) deposit check for $650, just under half of $1320 cost of power steering unit, needed before order can be filled. Took letter to P.O. at 5 oclock, along with one listing fourteen correctionsfor Burns Civil war shooting script.

Wednesday, August 5th

Woke shortly after 4 a.m.; got up, read till 6:30, then walked two miles in 35 mins—thus avoiding the heat + thunder storms of late afternoons, which have kept me from walking for more than a week. Played Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Late morning, picked up tobacco downtown. Came back, read Kieran Egan’s “Thucydides Tragedian” in The Writing of History. Again a screwed-up House Auto mechanics bill. We must get clear of Allan. Avery here on two-day visit. Pizza for dinner; VCR, “Pee Wee’s Adventure,” alas.