Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 12, 1962

May 12 – Saturday –

A mild day to begin with – at mid-afternoon mists began to [word unintelligible] the sun – dense pale blue-gray sky to the west – (see page 220)

Bertha suggested we get sandwiches at the hut and go out in the country and “eat our lunch” by some roadside. I needed no persuading to decide to play truant with her and we were on our way by 12:00 –

Going through Chestnut Ridge Park, we suddenly decided to have our lunch there. We find a convenient table close by a little grove of pine-trees, with a view over the distant Lake Erie, with a thin blue-gray band beyond (which was Canada) –

A very pleasant hour – wild strawberries in bloom and a small form of early everlasting. In front of some deep pink ornamental cherry tree, a host of dandelions –

Afterwards for a drive in the east part of the park – Down a short side-lane- on the return we pulled in at a shelter to see if we could find any flowers. We were rewarded at once by finding a painted trillium in full bloom. While we were admiring it, two small boys came, and asked the way to the casino. I told them I thought it was south-westerly direction, beyond a deep ravine, but fortunately Bertha thought otherwise (that it was to the N.W.) We offered the boys a lift to the casino (where one was to telephone his mother to pick them up) – They glad to ride – They had walked all the way from Hamburg (a five-mile walk being part of their boy scout training.) They had collected some mosses and maple seedlings which they proudly showed us. When we showed them the painted trilliums one of them exclaimed skeptically “painted?” – So I explained the origin of the name.

When we dropped them off at their destination they thanked us profusely – Nice boys, and a pleasant encounter –

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When we got home, I went to the studio, put the 1916 water-color for Dr. Gurneys daughter in its frame + sealed it –

When I came in from the studio, the mail had come – Cards for Bertha from Parkers, + Art + Vi – (earlier in the week, she had received some from the Mustains –

In the morning a P.P. package from Artie Burchfield – a black gravy-boat (from Japan).

Early evening Mart called and said someone from the church had called and said the church was planning to present Bertha with a corsage next Sunday as a surprise (and a boutonniere for me). She thought that we ought to know, however, and it was well she told us, otherwise I had planned to get her one.

Music for the day’s end: The First Piano Concerts of Beethoven, and piano Sonata Opus 54 –

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 12, 1962