1986-11 (November)

Saturday, November 1st[1986] Wakened at 7 by gwyn setting of alarm. Later, for Terminex man also set off the fire (or smoke) alarm with bug spray. Rather hectic.In afternoon, returned VCR to video store + checked out another—“Crossroads,” a Delta blues movie built around the notion of Robert Johnson. Stopped on way back at Seessel’s; got strip sirloins, Idaho potatoes, + fresh spinach for dinner.Read Manassas II section of my Vol. I. good work, I still think.Walked two miles; played Ravel—orchestral. Splendid steak + potatoes dinner, accompanied by a ’76 Haut-Brion.Watched “Crossroads” VCR.

Sunday, November 2nd[1986] Sunday morning cereal; read pre-election Commercial appeal. Brinkley Report scratched for NY Marathon coverage.For the many-hundredth time I tried some Blake—with no more success than ever. A real blind spot: like Hawthorne + most of Hardy. Lean Cuisine.

Monday, November 3rd[1986] Mailed United American seven Medicare benefit sheets; 20% differences total, $34.57. Played Shostakovich Symphony 10—a beautiful thing I’m only beginning to catch hold of. Called Tobacco Bowl for Edward g. + Swinger tobaccos for mixing. All but out.Walked two miles; Schubert chamber music.Far out east (Fare Four) for English movie, Forster’s “A Room with a View.” Highly amusing.Tobacco bowl; picked up order—also a new Italian pipe, weirdly shaped.

Tuesday, November 4th[1986] Election Day; Voted, as always, the straight Democratic ticket. Two big questions: who will win the governor’s race, McWherter or Dunn, + more important will the Democrats regain control of the U.S. Senate? Read Ben Wassen’s Count No Count. Not at all a bad job, now that the dust has settled.Dinner in front of TV, following election returns. Apparently (thank god) a Democratic sweep, including recovery of the senate + gains in the House majority. Only setback was in governors’ race.Earlier, BobLoomis called; said softback Warlooks great—even includes colored endpaper maps. He’s sending unboxed volume by direct mail; I look forward to seeing it.

Dr. Palmer, 9 A.M.Change to 11th Wednesday, November 5th[1986] Yesterday’s election returns wound up with an eight-seat gain in both the Senate + the House; Democrats now hold 55 seats in theFormer+ all committees chairmanship, change hands.Received in mail Louis Rubin’s introduction to Tournament. Interesting, though somewhat farfetched; asked for comment.Call from Brooks; reading (from September) on afternoon of January 11. Fee, $300. Half-hour TV profile of Carroll Cloar.