1 In the usual way, I drifted into sleep to the accompaniment of The World Tonight. In the normal way, I woke later on and, being awake, my ear was caught by a discussion on the influence of the Irish-Americans on politics in the US. The city of Boston, of course, together with the state of Massachusetts, exemplified the grip that Irish-Americans came to have on local politics. Whilst the general propositions were familiar, some of the detail was new.
2 In particular, the connexions between Senator Joe McCarthy and the Kennedys were new. McCarthy was close to the Kennedy family. At one time he had hired Bobby Kennedy as an adviser when he was running his investigations into the existence of Communists in the federal government. What was also new was the view that the high-born Protestant (Anglican) opposition to McCarthy was to the connection between Catholicism and the Inquisition, though the opposition was expressed in liberal terms.
3 It was evident that I was not going back to sleep straightaway. For the first time that I can recall I went downstairs, made a cup of tea, and came back to bed, there to read and to drink tea. I sense that I was awake for about an hour, perhaps longer.
4 I awoke at about 0720, an hour at least later than my normal time of waking. Allowing the usual time for shaving, for making tea, for getting myself ready, it was not until 0830 that I arrived at Chartham Park. Indeed, as I was walking towards the pool, a neatly dressed and well made up woman was walking towards me, pulling a trolley. I didn't immediately recognise her as Hillary, a woman whom I am accustomed to seeing in a swimming costume and whose arms I seek to avoid as I swim. My word, I thought, I am late.
5 Yes, I was an hour late. I gained an hour during the night. Sleep regained that hour, and I have been running an hour behind since then. The body, this machine in which I am the ghost, has been running to its own internal clock. That's what's going on.
6 The Times published my Grapple notice this morning. I might wear my Grapple tie - the striped one, not the real one - to a lunch which has been organised by that indefatigable organiser, Irene Allen. Out of 21 diners, 15 are in want of a lift.
Keep talking walks, keep a lookout for other people, including Poles, keep sending news.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Stayathome
(Weirwood resevoir will be open for swimming later today; it will also be open next week.)
6 comments:
1. Whilst we are on the subject of American, what was going on during Hoover's Presidency. I am reading a book called Lacuna and the authors describes large shanty towns of ex-servicemen and families who have been promised money from the Government for serving their country, but it is not forthcoming. They are poor outcasts now, angry at the way they have been treated.
Forgot to ask - what's this about swimming in Weirwood. When did that happen? Is it a new thing?
1 When I read your text I thought of Hoovervilles, the name which was given to the shanty towns which were constructed by the poor, the disposessed in the USA during the Great Depression.
1.1 They were so named because Herbert Hoover was president from 1929 to 1933, that is, during the time of the Great Crash and the onset of the Great Depression. He was an able man who had worked on behalf of Americans and those beyond the USA but whose personal misfortune it was to preside when he did.
1.2 However, you mentioned ex-Servicemen and their families. After WW1? From 1916 to 1920, the president was Wilson, who is associated with the 14 Principles by which he that the Peace Treaty would be constructed. It wasn't.
1.2.1 See what you can find in Google.
2 The swimming in Weirwood. I had hoped to have gone to Weirwood today, but the opportunity passed. There will be further swimming opportunities next week, when you will be returned. Southern Water is seeking to extend the recreational use.
1 A fine lunch today at Sweetwood Golf Club. A splendid location. Well appointed. Attentive service. As ever, the women are up to the mark.
2 I will be attending to the ROH tickets.
3 Later this evening, I will attend a briefing for Guides at Worth Abbey. There will be an Open Afternoon in September, when I will be one of the Guides.
3.1 I have also booked to attend a discussion at LSE entitled The Coalition - its first year on Thursday 9 June. I must tell Liam. And I must write some Intercessions for him, as he will take my place at Intercessor next Saturday whilst I go to a Beer Festival (with Roy, Jo, and others).
See you soon
Perhaps the book is not correct. I understand it to mean the shanty towns under Hoover, but it referred to exservicemen.
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