Charles Burchfield, Journals, August 23, 1945

Aug. 23 (Thurs.)

Letter from Sally, which we were glad to get.

A fine clear, blue-skied day, with a cool wind from the N.E. – A few clouds in the morning but clearing in the afternoon. When the sun came out it was very intensely hot, as though like a blast of air from a hot oven. 

B - painting on lattice etc. I (unable to get to work on the Carlisle’s house (1917) picture) worked on frames.

Toward the latter part of the afternoon I took time out to sit down and look at the northeast sky. Never have I seen the sky such an intense deep blue, (or is it that I have never truly observed it?) -  At the N.E. horizon opposite the sun, it was a rich glowing cerulean, then it deepened thru rich cobalt to a deep ultramarine at the zenith, tempered by a deep orange brown haze that seemed to start a few hundred feet above the earth, and extend upward to infinity above the willow tree, the sky took on rich blue-violet tones.

The only clouds were some white feathery mare’s tails low in the S.W. - In spite of the clarity of the air, the sun was so brilliant that all light and color seemed to go out of it. Trees were very dark against the sky, and their shadow parts almost black. 

Art home early to go over to Dr.’s to take “shots” preliminary to his 10 days at the WestPoint airfield. (Sept 1 to 10)

Jane Miller over to enlist our aid in getting a discharge for Harvey. (To take the form of a letter to his commanding officer). This I am glad to do, and after supper I wrote it, and took it over to her. With their four little boys it would be an injustice to keep him longer in the army. She seemed on the “ragged edge” -

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 23, 1945