Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, July 26, 1951

July 26 – Thursday –

Warm, windy & humid – Letter from C –

To my chagrin, slept late – nevertheless, altho it was after ten, I went out painting – I wanted to do a wheat field with chicory – however, it was too late almost for the wheat, and the warm wind had already withered the chicory blooms – they hung, pale blue & white, drooping on the awkward twisted stems. Difficulty switching to another idea – eventually I wound up on the Creek Rd S.E. of East Elma (Hempstreet Rd?) – where Bee-balm & an over-ripe wheat field attracted me – I had but an hour but set up my easel and worked rapidly – a cicada’s tentative song suggested treatment of a wild cherry – Finished and drive home for lunch –

Cool again at the Island –

Home & B had everything ready for a cold picnic lunch. Drove out to Chestnut Ridge – we found a table on the south end – A pleasant hour – Then to Route 18-A – below Toad Hollow to investigate a location describe [sic] by Lockwood one of the pupils and a possible sketching spot. I did not seem to offer much for such a distance.

Ran into a heavy shower on the way home-

To bed early- exhausted-

Charles E. Burchfield, July 26, 1951