Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, April 26, 1950

To the Big Woods – (after a late start) –

A brisk partly cloudy day.

For a stroll in the woods & ate my lunch there but felt I must not wear out the woods motifs by doing too many, so back to the junction of Becker & Collins Center roads, where there was an abandoned house. A little stream below attracted me, & I determined to try to do a “babbling stream,” pussy-willow and song-sparrow song picture.

A difficult afternoon; never at any time did my efforts seem worth-while. (Songs of song-sparrows & blue birds). Finally, with a feeling of failure, I quit & went back on 18-A to a “pine-hollow” I had [observed] on my way down. A short walk into it, but I seemed out of the mood. Even a few hepaticas did not amuse me. I drove on a ways and parked by the road to eat my lunch. Peepers singing.

Home as the sun was setting.

Found B – gone – a note on the black-board that all jurors were excused – and I was to call N.Y. operator 401. (When I did so they said the call was cancelled for today & they would try again tomorrow).

Soon Hank & B in – (They are moving tomorrow) They were both enthusiastic about the sketch & it seemed better to me.

B to bed early – I sat for an hour or so with Reader’s Digest.

Charles E. Burchfield - April 26, 1950