A NEW YEARS THOUGHT

                   "For behold, I create new havens
                     and a new earth: and the former shall
                     not be remembered, nor come into
                     mind."
 Isaiah 65-17



                    "The Wolf and the lamb shall feed
                      together and the lion shall eat straw 
                      like the bullock:..."
Isaiah 65-25

LEANDOR'S BROODINGS (pensées): DECEMBER JOURNAL

LEANDOR'S BROODINGS (pensées): DECEMBER JOURNAL: 6-12-18 December came sooner than I expected. A busy season. My anniversary, Christmas and soon afer Janet's birthday. Past th...

BOOK THOUGHTS

"A book should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it."
Samuel Johnson

ADVENT IV

Fourth Sunday in Advent - Rorate Sunday

Introit

Rorate caeli desoper, et nubes pluant justum...

C’est bientôt Noël

DECEMBER JOURNAL

6-12-18

December came sooner than I expected. A busy season. My anniversary, Christmas and soon afer Janet's birthday.

Past three days have been busy. Monday we had Carol to lunch here, Had not seen her f0or a few years. Hard to credit that. But we had q nice visit and a nice lunch. Served a nice haddock, a drinkable Grave and a nice lemon and chocolate cake. A good visit. We cant make t5he3 next so long apart.

Tuesday had out Real Estate agent here with floor plan person.

Wednesday was in the Union club for a business meeting re raising capital for CNDx. Then lunch with JS to discuss Union Club library matters.

Quieter day today. Call this AM with financial advisor then errands in the Sq. Need to take books to Harvard bookstore and purchase printer ink, almost totally out.

Weather continues cold but not as cold as yesterday. Saturday looks to be much colder.

Having finished the new biography of Evelyn Waugh am now reading his diaries.

Late morning went t bank to get cash. Then went up to Harvard bookstore to sell some used books. They as it always seem took about half or less. No rhyme or reason to which they take and don't take form what I can see.

Stopped to buy cognac and some lettuce and so home.

7-12-18  Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbour. Who remembers - who commemorates the day? My uncle was there!

Cold day again. Off to market to get some things for dinner. Then back here to write and do emails for company business.

9-12-18 Second Sunday of Advent. I like the Introit for this day: "Populus
Sion, ecce Domius veniet ad salvandas gentes…" Lord knows the nations do need saving.

At COV lunch yesterday as Sam's guest as I've resigned from the Club. Lunch (cod) better than usual. Simon Eccles (son of the 1st Viscount Eccles and step son of Mary Hyde) at lunch. Apparently now living in Boston on the Hill on Chestnut St. An interesting table of 13! Some dead wood but no really dreadful people. Saw Tweed Roosevelt on my way out...apparently he is still living at the club house.

Busy week coming up. E to clean on Wednesday so shall go to Union Club for the day and work in library on Abbot archive. Thursday Holiday Reception at Union Club and Friday Library Committee meeting. Saturday Christmas Party in Somerville.

Mostly home today reading and discussing sale of this place and move. Out briefly to buy glue and coffee also to get short walk in.

Listening to Carols and Lessons from Mem Church at Harvard. Frankly, Kings Cambridge does it much better!

Cooking duck confit (French Tin) tonight - shall be interesting. Hopefully decent.

10-12-18

Confit last night a bit of work. In the end ok but not sure worth the effort. Shan't repeat anytime soon.

Quiet day today. Went out early to collect trousers that were let out and shirts at Laundry.

Heard finally from Archivist at Harvard. Arranged she'd come see the Abbot material at Union Club after the holidays. As it is 99% Harvard material really belongs at Harvard. We shall see what can be worked out.

Heard also from Hema at Quaritch- finally. As it happens they have apparently not as yet received payment so I am kept waiting. Hopefully will see some funds soon...

Have not heard from either Charles or Adam re houses in Salem. Shall give it this week before I write again.

Need to replace battery in my I-phone. There is a place near which I shall walk to tomorrow. Cost about $49.00.

Still reading Waugh's Diary. After this will go back to George Ticknor "Life Letters and Journal".

12-12-18

Quiet day yesterday. Ran some errands in the Square, read and sent emails. Read Waugh's diary and looked into Tickner's Journals and Letters. Will go into Square today to see about small Christmas for Janet also anniversary gift. Made up Anniversary card yesterday. Will print that today.

Still cold and promises to be colder still tomorrow when we have to go out to Union Club. Burr.

Decided to put off buying new battery for phone. Seems to have settled down. Will watch it and if it goes wonky will get new battery.

Still no word from Adam regarding Salem house. If I don't hear by Friday will ring him.

14-12-18

In all day today.  Drafted cash flow memo for Finn advisor.

Out last night to holiday reception ay Union Club. Met Prebles there. Was a fun party - good eats and drinks. Perhaps one drink too many. Home by T about ten. Slept well...

Out tomorrow to drop off books and do some food shopping. Have evening party in Somerville n=but wont stay long.

15-12-18

Out about 11 to pick up zip car and head to market. Traffic was horrible! Christmas I wonder? Got to fresh pond market and nowhere to park. Must have circled the area for 20 minutes. Finally went down the side road near the bookshop and managed top park. A good thing that as we had two bags of books to drop off at the bookshop.

Did our marketing and  ordered our Christmas joint. Then to book shop. Errand went swiftly and go a tax credit for the books. Home and to lunch.

Out tonight to Christmas party in Sommerville. Ordered a lyft for about 6:40 and a car for return. This way there3 is no hassle in finding the house.

Later-
Nice party but did not know majority of people. And for my poor hearing a bit too noisy,

Tomorrow Gaudete Sunday:

Introit:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum.
Ps. Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Iacob. 

16-12-18

Dull grey start to the day. Weather certainly no cause for gaudete! Wanted to sleep in this Am after broken sleep last night. 

Just back from the Square. Walked in after services to get coffee at Peets. What began as a half acceptable weather day turned raw and wet when we headed back home. Truly miserable now. A good day to stay in read and write.

17-12-18

Up late this AM. Dull day again - rain overnight. Out about 11 to run errands - shirts to cleaners, PO tp mail card and drugstore to pick up script. 

Stopped for lite lunch at Harvest. Home and sent emails re CNDx. Rang PM to cancel meeting for tomorrow until after holiday. Got money from Bank for Boxing Day gifts.

19-12-18

Into Boston yesterday. Thought I had cancelled a meeting but had nit heard from the chap I was to meet with so went into town. As it happened his email had crashed.  We met only briefly and set a date for after the holidays.

Teddy back from the Netherlands so took him into lunch at the Union Club. Showed him the Abbot (Class of 1855) scrapbook of Harvard material especially the material relating to Abbot's teaching Latin and Greek at Harvard. Discussed his plans. I think now he is more or less settled to pursue a doctoral degree. He programme in the Netherlands is for two years.

Quiet afternoon and cooked the pork roast for dinner. Did not come out so well as it usually does. But decent enough to eat. 

E to clean today so decamped early and got aa table at Darwin's. J joined me after she had given E our Christmas gift. Had some breakfast then we each went our ways to run errands. I went into the Prudential Centre in Boston to the Microsoft store to check out the new smaller Surface machine I'd been contemplating  purchasing for some time. Did purchase it after all but cost more than I anticipated. I think I got taken for Office 365 which I already had. So cost was over $600! At least purchasing now it can be written off on this years taxes.

Much smaller than my current Surface3 which has been wonky lately and not functioning well at times.

Tomorrow my wedding anniversary. We will go out to dinner at Deuxave in Boston where we were last year.

Thoughts for this anniversary:

After these many years it has all been said - the good, the bad; the kind, and the unkind.

What more is there now but to live as we have - for today, and tomorrow and tomorrow until there are no more tomorrows...

"Two such as you with such a master speed
Cannot be parted nor be swept away
From one another once you are agreed
That life is only life forevermore
Together wing to wing and oar to oar."
R. Frost

21-12-18

Errands and working up finn. projections for coming year. Spent time setting up now Surface go on which I'm typing now.  So far like it.

Fussed some with my non-functioning WAPO app. Finally today sorted it out so now can agaon read on my phone.

Out last evening to Deuxave to celebrate anniversary. Had a good time. But as with most laces a few glitches but nothing tragic. In retrospect meal good but not great. Rather than the T we took a lyft up and back which worked out well.

Very we grey day here. Will walk out later perhaps up to Harvard Bookstore to poke around and get some exercise. Will read and do some writing here later today. 

22-12-18

Saturday. Up not too late, Collected car about ten to go to market -  shopping for Christmas Lunch. Bought wine and beef joint as well as madeira, and wine. Decided not to buy Champers. Did not get cheese as yet. As it is spent a packet! 

Weather was grey and we hit a shower but was brief. Some sun now but wicked wind. Whistling through study window - most annoying. 

Trump totally wacko! Pulling troops out and shutting down government over his arsine wall.

26-12-18

Boxing Day - quiet, cleaning up from the feast, enjoying our gifts (simple), listening to music, texting with the Caius Chums.  

29-12-18

The run up to New Years. Still fighting a cold! Seems to have moved from my head to my chest. 
Out to UC yesterday for lunch with DS. Had not seen him in a while. Told me hos dad died on July. Came as a shock to me. Apparently his mum out here over the holidays.

Out for Indian food tonight with Beth and Tom. Will discuss possible deposit of my academic material at Contway at HMS.

To UC Monday for New Years celebration. Looks as if weather will be wet!

31-12-18

Last day of the year. Packing for Club and New Years drinks, dinner and fireworks on the Common. As it happens not going to 4 Seasons for brunch on the 1st. GP never made a reservation. So will come back here on 1st and make toast, eggs and kippers. J will make her special drink. 

And so will see what 2019 holds. It will be a transition year with a move to Salem. I pray it all works well and we find something we will be happy with. 

AT REST

In Piam Memoriam.

George H. W. Bush

"Goodnight sweet prince and choirs of angles sing thee to thy rest..."


Not a saint but a man.

But a man who served.

Yet a man with feet of clay.

APHORISTIC THOUGHTS

Life is a treasure carried in vessels of clay.

He was not perfect but might strive for perfection.

He loved her more than reason would permit.

Only death could cure him of his pain.

*****
The past is always seen as better or worse than it was. 

Thankfulness is born of a generous nature.

Hate flourishes when nurtured by ignorance and lies.

Młodość nie jest przyjemnością - starość nie jest lepsza.

Youth is no pleasure - old age is no better.

Procrastination is simply another word for loss.

To see and to hear is not always to understand.

To MOURN and SHED BITTER TEARS

Callimachus XXXIV G-P (A.P. 7.80):

Εἰπέ τις, Ἡράκλειτε, τεὸν μόρον ἐς δέ με δάκρυ
    ἤγαγεν ἐμνήσθην δ᾿ ὁσσάκις ἀμφότεροι
ἠέλιον λέσχῃ κατεδύσαμεν. ἀλλὰ σὺ μέν που,
    ξεῖν᾿ Ἁλικαρνησεῦ, τετράπαλαι σποδιή,
αἱ δὲ τεαὶ ζώουσιν ἀηδόνες, ᾗσιν ὁ πάντων
    ἁρπακτὴς Ἀίδης οὐκ ἐπὶ χεῖρα βαλεῖ.

                                                             *****

They told me, Heraclitus, they told me you were dead;
They brought me bitter news to hear and bitter tears to shed;

William Johnson Cory

FANCY

                   Tell me where is fancy breed or the heart or the head...

Merchant of Venice- act3, scene 2.

MOURN

MOURN FOR THIS COUNTRY

These Mid-term elections proved one thing decisively -

30-45% of the people in this country are RACISTS AND BIGGOTS AND 5% are simply ignorant.

VOTE

TO SAVE AMERICA

                                                  BUT NOT FOR ANY RAT-PUBLICAN

************* THINGS LITERARY **************

                                                         MORE ON WAUGH TO COME....

This was his "breakout" book as we would say today. It was hailed as a comic masterpiece. But one wonders if its humour translates well across tome and cultures. Read it for yourself and see.  I'll re-read it myself and see.

This was followed by his second novel "Vile Bodies" which whilst well received did not receive the stellar reviews of his first.  But he was Clearly established as a "Literary Lion" on the basis of these two books.

 A small book he wrote that I read whilst at University - mainly as the subject of the book appealed to me - this was a biography of Edmund Campion. The book raised his stock in Catholic circles and was published just prior to his marriage and after the annulment of his first marriage. Whilst not his greatest book by far still I enjoyed it when I first read it. He dedicated the book to Father D'Arcy the priest who received him when he "swam the Tiber" and was sometime master of Campion Hall the Jesuit college at Oxford.

Fir this short biography Waugh won the Hawthornden prize in 1936 at the time the most prestigious literary prize in England.

Today whilst critically acclaimed at the time it is not regarded as his best book. That accolade is reserved for A Handful of Dust.

BUT - To what extent has his writing survived the vagaries of time and shifting tastes? They are certainly still readable to some extent, But I suspect that the sharp humour/satire of his comic novels has dulled and perhaps faded beyond modern taste.

What has prompted these musings about Waugh was my purchase of a new Biography whilst in London - Philip Eade - Evelyn Waugh A Life Revisited.

It is perhaps the better biography of Waugh than that of Sykes that I've read. Although fair to say I need to re-read the Sykes biography.

Ordered and arrived today the Penguin edition of Waugh's diaries. A true pity there are none from his time at Oxford. He apparently destroyed all of these or what he had written at that time. One wonders why.

A LESSON

        A TEXT FoRTHIS AGe

7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.

10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.

13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. 

15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious

Amos 5.

TROPE FOR OUR AGE

There is a Seventeenth Century play entitled "A Mad World My Masters" by Thomas Middleton.

How appropriate a title for our current age.

Could even Kafka have captured the insanity of this time

NOT KNOWING AND KNOWING

Has the thought ever struck you as your riding a bus or tram or train and seeing a stranger - that person looks interesting I wish I could get to know them.

                        But of course you never do. SAD

OLD AGE

HAD A LUMBER MRI TODAY...

As my grandmother was wont t:o say:

Starość nie jest przyjemnością, ale śmierć nie jest lepsza…

Sic transit....

FUNGI - BY THE RIVER

BACK FROM OLD BLIGHTY AND PRAGUE

BACK SADLY TO FIND AMERICA

 KAVANAUGHED!

THANKS
MITCH

                              GRASSLEY

                                GRAHAM

                                  FLAKE

AND ALL YOU SPINELESS RAT-PUBLICANS

TO THIS CATALOGUE ONE MUST ADD THE BETRAYAL AND PERFIDY OF SUSAN COLLINS

A PHONY IN SPADES

JOURNAL

                      

                               Journal de Septembre


1st - Back. I have always regarded September as the start of the year rather than January. This comes from having spent most of my life in academics and research. There is a palpable stirring of new life with the arrival of September, the putting away of the enervated heat of the summer (and this as was warm indeed for too long), the easy indolence of endless days of dreaming of nothing in particular.

This month does quicken life for me and makes me anxious for serious intellectual reading and pursuits. So yesterday purchased a new book - Burning Secret by Stefan Zweig and I am well into a biography of the early life of Tennesse Williams and still reading The Years by Ernaux.

I will mark the start of this new season this "new year" by getting a haircut. its disgraceful but the last I had was in London in June - two months ago. So off to Boston and my hair cutter, David.

There has been a palpable change in Cambridge. Tourists are fewer but students more noticeable. Move in day for Harvard Freshman was this past Monday and upperclassmen arrive. whilst in Boston yesterday going tot he MFA to see the Pastel and Casanova exhibitions the tram whilst passing Northeastern revealed many students moving into housing in the area. The University was festooned with large displays of colourful balloons.

A new beginning for many perhaps...


2nd - Weather turning warmer. Bright sunny day today. Will be 30+ tomorrow - UGH. Am tired of this hot weather. Up early - feeling horney but no time to deal with it.

Out to communion service this AM. Left my hearing aids at home so heard virtually nothing of the service. Got a bagel and cream cheese from Darwin's on the way home. After breckers - about 12 gathered up bags and set off to market. Walked to the market via Brattle St. Thought this would be quieter than Mt Auburn but there was considerable traffic for a Sunday and holiday weekend. Walk just under two miles. Bought more than intended  like two btls. of wine. They were on sale so could hardly pass them up.

Quiet day now. Road closed as usual on Sunday. Lots of runners, bikers and people on the river. Idyllic - a sort of patria in urbs…

3rd - Labor day. End of summer. Classes begin tomorrow at Harvard.

Return of heat humid weather. 32+ today and warm and high dew points through week.

Walked this AM early - 2 miles. Went along Longfellow park on Mem. Dr then past hospital and returned Mt Auburn St to Univ. Road and down past Monastery to river and back along Mem. Dr. Was coolish and breezy when I set out. By the time I returned was sweating copiously. Thought my pedometer was not working but apparently was. Now sorting papers off my desk - long overdue - looking for consulting agreement which I can't find. May have left at Club. Ugh.

Wrote Peter and sent him briefing papers on CNDx. Need to get from him electronic copies of amended consulting agreement. He is away now settling his daughter at St Andrews in Scotland. I hope she enjoys it. Cambridge might have been a better choice. But than she's not my daughter.

4th - Primary day. Went out early to vote. After voting walked for an hour - circuit along river and Mt. Auburn St and back to Peets for a coffee. Whilst there three younger people come in. One woman (late teen actually) was thinner than rail! She had leggings on that fit so tight we could tell she wore panties and not a thong. Not attractive at all. Why bother!

Had an iced redeye - cool drink was good after walk.

Interesting report in WASHINGTON POST this morning suggesting new pols showing Trump loosing support and as a consequence bodes badly for the rat-publicans in the midterm elections. We shall see.

Barbara Scalvini wrote from Quaritch. She sent the scans from the #Commonplace book that Hanson was looking for. I forwarded this to him.

Just had notice today from Company House that accounts doe this month. Shall do this by end of next week.


5th - Another warm day. Walked early this AM. Read some in the Lyle Leverich biography of Tennesse Williams.  Long book but fascinating. He led in some ways a troubled life but was genius in writing drama.

Meeting Heidi at Club this afternoon to discuss company funding ideas. Given heat and humidity would almost wish I'd postponed this.

Life rather dull just now (But for the political news - but that best ignored. Confused as to what the future holds and how and what I wish to do now and future. Perhaps will focus more when this hot weather goes - too enervating just now. The only decisive thing I've done is to resign my membership of the Club of Odd Volumes.

6th - Hottest day yet this week. But again went out walking but only did 2 miles and a bit. Frankly unpleasant. Stopped at Darwin's on the way back and purchased raisin toast for breckers.

Three thoughts struck me whilst walking:
1. Walking in hot humid weather sucks!
2. Given the traffic along my current route I suppose I could be struck by a car and lie on the road bleeding out as I'm taking a blood thinner. _ Happy thought.
3. Everyone in Cambridge walks faster than I! Even old ladies. Ugh/Grr.

Good meeting with HP yesterday re company. Club was busier than I thought it might be, AP there with a good sized group in the bar. Thankfully we were in the Granary Room which we had to ourselves.

7th - Weather finally  broke. Cooler and overcast today. Better walking today. Did over 4 miles - including the walk to Broadway market where we bout wine and food for dinner tonight. Out to ART tonight to see the new musical/show n[based on poetry by Langston Hughes. KZ kindly gave us complementary tickets. Lots of crowds in town! The Yard (Harvard Yard) just packed and not just with students.

Besides walking, food shopping, a little reading and reviewing accounts a quiet day. Theater tonight will be the high spot.

8th - Bit of a lost day. Apparently my letter of resignation was never received at the COV executive meeting today. Where might it have gone? Seems I'll need to send an email to some people.

Food shopping early today - a hassle for any number of reasons (like our zip car with a dead battery). Out of sorts and frustrated this AM.

Yesterday evening the play (Musical - performance - dance recital - Hard to pin down - All of these. Based on a poem by Langston Hughes and titled "Black Clown" was superb. It was compelling, challenging, currently relevant and just damn well done. Great Cast. Our young friend KZ really talented as assistant light designer.

9th - Slept in this AM after first waking at 3AM having shut light off at 22:30 last nght. Out of bed about 7.

Walked today and after walk stopped for Brunch at Park on JFK St. Walking home saw this "GAME" being played in JFK Park.

 No Idea what the game is! But involves carrying a stick between your legs and throwing a ball. Seems to be some sort of goal (open ring on a pole).

The stick bit struck me as vaguely erotic - a new way to get off???
Somehow don't think this is an officially recognised varsity sport at Harvard!

10th - Woke early (3:30) then fell asleep again - fitful sleep until 7. So got up late with an overwhelming sense of sadness and loss. Anxious about the future but causes obscure to my reflection. Over coffee played the hymns I have chosen for my memorial service - morbid I know and Pathetic. But the exercise was cathartic - shed tears even! For whom? Myself? The past? The World?

Had errands to run - take sweater to cleansers, get milk for J and walk for exercise. Set out after 10 and wen along river to Anderson bridge and crossed at the point. Then along river to the Weeks foot bridge and crossed back. Up to JFK St and to store (No Milk) and dropped off sweater. Then home and as I came down Mt Auburn I saw the house that was to be replaced by a new structure totally destroyed -

Breaking up Housekeeping

11- Anniversary of the terrorist attacks in NYC and Washing DC.

Up early. Day not as wet as promised but more humid and damp cool. Did not warm as much as originally predicted. But apparently plenty of rain last evening.

Went out to take my jeans to be taken in at waist. I must be shrinking despite what the scale says. These would literally fall right off me. Embarrassing that ]despite my svelte figure and shapely ass!

After dropping off trousers walked back home to meet J and set off on a w2alk along the river.

STAR BURST

Noticed these along the river. See them lots of places in Cambridge. Don't know the proper name but I call them "Start Burst after the pattern of the flowers. I like them and they can be very fragrant.

TREE PATTERNS

This one of the many sycamores along the drive and river. They are shedding their bark. They do most years some but this year is a major shedding season. They produce these wonderful patterns as they shed. One of the lovely things for us here along the river.

Walked with J for about two miles across the Anderson bridge to the Weeks footbridge then crossed the drive and headed to the Square and to Peets Coffee shop. That was a bit of a but - very full and no place to sit. AND they had none of the beans we wanted. So we moved on to the Coop for a coffee. Needed to land somewhere as I needed to make a "wee weaty" as is  said.

To bank after coffee to collect our Czech currency and then a quick stop at CVS pharmacy.

Finally home very sweaty and tired - in all covered over three miles.

Making bacon cheeseburgers this evening - accompanied with aw decent claret! As my mates form Caius say - "Only in America…". I assume they mean the claret with the burger.

13th - Cooler today but still humid = will it never change? Up early. Mad3e some breakfast after coffee and a wash. Felt I needed something prior to library committee meeting at Union Club. Left about 11:20 for Club and git there a little after 12. Stopped at the bar where C made me a Sazerac. this with cognac. C had burned a CD for me of songs by J Christy from his collection - some from 1946 and others from 1955. These latter when she was more sure and at her peek.

Library committee meeting went OK. Wonder why we have AA on it. Seems to insinuate himself into these types of things. Oh well harmless fo0r the most part.

Met Hanna and Jon for drinks yesterday evening at Union Club then home to make open faced chicken sandwiches with gravy - most tasty...

14th - Up early. Out about 10 to walk, get money from bank and see if cleaning was ready - wasn't. Back to home. Did work related emails re consulting contract etc.

Light lunch - leftover tuna salad. Out tonight. GP gave us his Red Sox tickets just behind dugout. Will have some dinner at Eastern Standard prior to game. Will see how that goes - usually packed out.

Reading - in addition to a short novella by Zweig -Burning Secret - I am working my way methodically through Lyle Leverich' s The Unknown Tennessee Williams. This sis a study of his early life. A fascinating read given the subject. What comes across is his major talent but also the troubled nature of his life. Am also dipping into his Journals a book I acquired some tome ago but have not spent much tome reading. But Williams in his own words and  musings is a revelation of the creative but difficult life.

15th- Up early. Later walked. Stopped at Darwin's to get raisin toast for breckers. Home by 11. Worked on papers and arrangements for UK/Prague trip on 25th.

At ballpark last night. Dinner at Eastern Standard. My meal a waste of mun! But the Trappist ale from Spenser Abby was good.

 METS at Redsoxs - Total disaster of a game 8-0 METS.
Sox had only 4 hits! METS pitcher was actually awesome. Sad for a good team like the Sox to loose to the METS.

Some real asshole METS fans near us - Clearly TRUMP supporters! The worst - fat loud mouths.

17th - Out all day yesterday to New Bedford with the "Houghton Voyagers" - Went (ended up 7 of us) to the Whaling Museum at New Bedford. I'd been there when I was about 12 yo. Unrecognisable now - it has grown a good deal. Really well done exhibits etc. Had lunch at Freestone City Grill near the museum. Not bad but not great food. Liked the décor of the place and it's bar. Dark wood - cozy. Not a big place.

Wrote JL this AM re plans about raising capital. Lunched  today with SE and AA at Union Club. Dropped off papers for PM at club re consulting agreement for the company (CNDx).

Will work at home tomorrow on trip arrangements etc. Departure only 8 days away. Need to choose clothes, polish shoes, sort papers and books t bring to Q's.


SCENES FROM MUSEUM

Model of Whaler

Whale

18th - Wet, humid and excessively damp day! Up early again. Walk early to avoid storms. Before going out we lost power. No explanation but no power. By the time I got back from my jaunt the power was back - off for about an hour.

Decided to go to market for some essentials. Needed to do this when there was a break in the rain which by 10 and after was a torrent. Final got out about 12 when rain slacked off. Whilst out got a flu jab at the pharmacy at the market - for me also a tetanus booster. This last cost me 20 dolars as a  co-pay. Medicare would not cover it.  I ask why? Thankfully the prescription drug plan I have covered most of the cost. But despite that I spent a good deal of my life in academic medicine I can say without reservation that health care in this country if a rip off.

Back and went to bank and to by ground coffee at Peets and finally home and a late lunch.

Compiling books list for possible auction sale at Skinners in November. But need to sort of several issues. Mainly hw to put reserve on items. Would hardly want tp see a $3000 book sell for $50 because no one showed at the auction due to a rain storm. Have come up with a list of 14 books appraised by Quaritch for 16,550 in 2014. Will see where this goes after being in touch with Skinners and dealing with my questions.

Rain and storm nearly blown off but still grey and dark.

19th - Dark grey morning. Cooler and dewpoint dropping. Out before 8 to walk. Was going to take a modified loop going I-under the Eliot bridge and back along river bank. But way under bridge totally flooded (likely 6+ inches of water) so turned around and finished the hospital loop - just over two miles wi9th stop at Darwin's to pick up raisin toast for breckers.

Once home brewed more coffee and started looking at bank accounts and paying bills.

Eliot Bridge

Flooded path on extreme left not visible in this photo.

21st - Woke late today after broken sleep last night. Was no going to walk today but changed mind and went out at 11:15. Went up along Longfellow park crossed over to Cambridge boat club and went up river as far as the Northeastern Boathouse. Then turned and came back along river and crossed over at our place. Stopped for a "wee wetty" and to change shirt am=[nd loose sweeter as it turned very warm walking. Then to bank. Once I'd crossed University road a young man crashed into me on my blind side and nearly knocked me over. He said nothing by way of apology so gave him a dressing down about running into partly blind. So this was a dangerous morning what with cars running red lights and barrelling through cross walks. I was lucky to survive the 3.5 mile walk!

Heard nothing as yet from auction people about my questions. Do wonder I shall hear at all. Told then in my last email 5that I'd be leaving for London on 25th. So this is now 3 days off and still not all buttoned up and pulled together. Need to search out a sweater to take and decide on a Jacket or two.

Warmer than yesterday but still quite nice compare to previous week or two.


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                                                                                                The Northeastern Boathouse I pass along the river . It is about 1.5 - 2 miles above my place here on the river.

Rather a bit of a poke from Northeastern main campus.











Still reading the Tennessee Williams bio. Almost finished.

22nd- Autumnal Equinox. Autumn begins tomorrow. 3 days to departure for London and Prague. Trying to pull al together, packing - clothes - papers - meds etc. Laundry to be done.

Up early today. Went to Darwin's for raisin toast. Out before ten to Broadway Market for odds and ends, wine, rolls etc for dinner this evening.  Will make burgers.
   
Day cloudy/overcast. Cool but not cold. There was a stiff breeze alo9ng the river early but dropped when we went out to market.

Wrote JR about meeting up in London. Agreed to lunch at The Dove in Hammersmith. on 26th.

Will discuss plans to possibly sell here in Cambridge and move to Salem. Nothing set in stone. But possible move is appealing...

23rd - Ist Day of Autumn. This year has seemed to go quickly.

Up early. Coffee and toasted bun then off to chapel for services. Seemed to have scaled back on the bother of what they have done in the past for the communion service. All tot he good. Saw BB and walked tit he Farmer's market with him. He after cauliflower and I for green beans. Discussed his health issues as I'm his medical proxy.

Home and ordered sandwich to share for lunch from Darwin's.  Then J and I walked to Shaw's market for odds ands ends. Walk about 2.5 miles. In all I did a little over three miles today.

Back home and now packing for trip as well as trying to sort out other clobber to take. CHH in La Palma with his family. Rented a villa with 4 bedrooms. Looks lovely.

Oh finished the biography of Tennessee Williams last night. Fascinating.

Realized in reading over these notes what a bloody boring life I seem to lead recently.
Don't seem to be introspective at all recently. Pre-occupied with thoughts of selling this place and moving to the North Shore.

SSJE chapel at Monastery up the block.  I like the space.

25th - Off to The Big Smoke this AM. Up bloody early at 4!