Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 16, 1939

June 16 (Friday) –

To country south-east of Attica sketching –
A late start, cannot get into any sort of mood before noon. Lunch on the road going by the lake S.E. of Attica (which I later discover, thru a no-trespassing sign, to be Attica’s source of water-supply)

After lunch, walked over to the north end of the lake. Coming back, I experienced one of these rare moments of complete spiritual and physical well-being. Coming thru the most, steamy marsh I felt strong, and at peace with god.

Wander around growing more and more bored, and apprehensive lest I should squander the whole day in futility. Finally, on a little-used dirt road, I found an old abandoned house, surrounded by trees, on a rise of ground over-looking the Attica lake. A herd of cattle were drowsing in the deep shade.  Here I felt I must go no further, or the day would be lost.
I made a painting of a little area of the lake, seen through two groups of trees.

Evening Holdemillers [spelling?] over to hear music, I played them some of Chopin’s Etudes, the “unfinished” Symphony, the Sibelius 5^th, the [unintelligible word] Prelude, and one of the Messiah records.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 16, 1939