This was a book by Joseph Mitchell, a New Yorker writer. He ended up suffering from writing avoidance and wrote a book about a character who told everyone he had been keeping a journal for some time.

The hotel part – I feel like with the book project, as if we have started yet another chapter, or maybe part. This, as we begin the move to the Eagle Hotel. I envisioned this as being quick and organized. Today I could tell that it is going to be anything but.

I’d arranged for Robert to give me an assist with carpet vacuuming and cleaning. He was late. In the meantime, I attempted to vacuum with a machine that might have at one time been used for minor spills. I knew that it wasn’t the right piece of equipment for the job, but it gave me a purpose in that I remained busy until Robert arrived.

Luda giving Robert a lesson in how to use the carpet cleaner

He arrived with about ten boxes of pulp fiction. I groaned inwardly when I saw the back of his car filled with boxes because we do not need any pulp fiction. I explained the vacuum cleaner situation and he went home and got his vacuum cleaner.

In the meantime, I headed in the direction of the Meeting House, and on the way, I distributed some of the books that were in the back of Fonix – my name for the new car. The distribution sites were just two blocks from the Eagle Hotel. This was pretty convenient if you ask me.

I returned, with Pam, a volunteer, right behind me. Prior to leaving, Robert had conferred with Atli about the carpet cleaning situation. He told Robert that his wife Luda would come up with a carpet cleaner. This is what transpired as Robert was vacuuming. She said she had to go and get some solvent. Robert finished vacuuming and when Luda returned, she showed him how to clean the carpet using the machine. She made it look easy and did a really good job in the corner of the room she worked in. She then gave him a tutorial.

Pam and I watched the latter from the far end of the room, where we were sorting books and putting them in the bins that I’d brought back with me from the Meeting House. She obviously knew how to operate a carpet cleaner. Robert, once she left, had a harder time of it. Apparently, it needs a lot of water, which slows down the cleaning process.

I didn’t see it, but Robert dropped his checkbook in the five gallon bucket of water. I did see him set it on the windowsill. I knew the pages would stick together – I once had this happen with a journal. I immediately got the roll of paper towels that I was using to clean the windows, and I put half sheets between the pages. The toweling both separated the pages and absorbed the moisture.

Robert finally gave up on the idea of cleaning the carpet with that particular implement. After considerable discussion with both Pam and me, he decided that he will finish the job on Tuesday a.m.

I concluded my workday by taking the fiction books to be shredded back to the Meeting House. And then I came home.

Next: 147. 5/29/23: Home Alone