Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 9, 1959

June 9 – Tues.

P.M. Call (which Bertha took) from? Talking for Life – We are invited to spend a vacation on the North Shore of Jamaica in August all expenses paid – the only stipulation being I paint at least one picture for Life to reproduce.

P.M. – In studio – make large drawing of plan for “In Memoriam – the Chestnut Tree” I think I shall do the painting on a 44 x 54 mounting.

I packed three water-colors + about 5:30 we took it over to the air-port.

After a light supper – to R’s [Richter’s] for Davy’s birthday – [unintelligible name] also there – Poor Martha was miserable with boils on her leg (1) and arm-pit (2) –

Earlier in the day she had told B of a harrowing experience Hank had the day before – he had flown to Detroit as a co-pilot with a man named Schultz – they ran out of gas, had to land in Canada; after refueling, they flew over the border to U.S. without going through customs. They were picked up by the F.B.I. – By coincidence they were after a man named Schultz suspected of smuggling narcotics + “white-slaves”. Hank was questioned for hours before they released him. Schultz had to remain until the next day – Hank got so home sick he decided to come home by bus rather than stay in Detroit over-night on all-night trip.

As we came out to go home, we saw the first narrow crescent of the new moon, directly under a huge planet (Venus?).

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 9, 1959