April 7 – Tuesday –
First hepatica in bloom –
A very mild day – sun shining – all the birds seemed to go ‘mad’ with singing – Once I saw a male grackle courting a female, spreading his wings and tail, and strutting for her approval – She however, without even looking at him flew away – he, remaining behind looking very crestfallen.
When I came in at noon, Bertha called me to the front door to look at the crocuses. They were a gorgeous sight – not only the great masses close to the house but around the crabapple tree, like yellow and purple jewels (only last night there were nothing but green shoots there).
Since this was wash-day, I suggested we go to the lodge for lunch. By now it was rapidly clouding over. Just as we were coming out, a thunder-storm broke. Heavy torrential rains – we did not go straight home, but drove around awhile to savor the storm –
In studio, made a few changes on the “North Woods” picture, then put it away – Other odd jobs – got out the drawing of the great melting snow-bank made last year. I hope this year to get at least a large cartoon made of the idea (that of an elemental picture of the great sun of spring showing on a gigantic snow-bank on a rocky hill or mountain, the rivulets of melting snow glittering with the sun, tumbling down a mountain side destined to become five or six great rivers) –
Evening Marty dropped in to present to me for my birthday, a new carafe (which the Richters and Bertha are giving to me) – It is a beauty, and more serviceable than the old one. We enjoyed her visit.
Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, April 7, 1964