Charles Burchfield, Journals, February 23, 1962

Feb. 23 – Friday –

Moderately cold – gray sky, with the pale disc of a ray-less sun high in the S.E.

Henry Clark in at 10:30 to get my tax material to work on.
Two records came – Sinfonia Concertantes by Haydn and Mozart, and a newer recording of Dvorak’s 3^rd quintet (Opus 97) and Brahms quartet #1.
Played the Dvorak quintet while we had lunch.

P.M. in the studio (first burned tax material for years up to 1958-)
Studying: Various pictures of recent years – also the winter and spring folios of 1920. Got out the notes on Winter Dawn, 1920, and the 1920 water-color – made a drawing for mood of this subject –

Wound up studying the large “Retreat of Winter” and made a drawing of a big pine stump and hepaticas.

When I came in at 4:00, I found that Bertha had opened up the davenport bed and was in it – She said she had 101 ½ temperature, and felt miserable; a nagging cough – undoubtably she has flu. I tried to get the Dr. but he had gone; secretary said he would be in again at 7:00. However, later when she took her temperature it was down to 100.

After supper she felt up to watching some TV, and later we played some cards.

Her cough persisting, I insisted on going up to the drug store to get some Sedatole for her. A storm had risen; a strong N.E. wind, driving a fine powdery snow before it.

Bedtime music – the two Sinfonia Concertante –

I forgot to mention Dr. Gurney’s report was that the sugar count was up to 238; his advice was that he reserve a room for me at the hospital for Mar. 12, but come for a check-up on the 8^th and it was down again the reservation could be cancelled.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, February 23, 1962