August 31, 1938 –(Wednesday)
The last week or so has been one of mental disturbances because I had been unable to get in touch with Frank R. about the Carnegie selection. This morning however, a letter from him in New Hampshire, in which he advised me to send either the Steubenville picture or the Elevators. My own selection is the Elevators. Yesterday I made, and glued to the backs of the two oils, wooden frames to counteract their warping. They are under weights now, & it makes me nervous to have them so.
Friday – B & I to Buffalo to shop a little.
Saturday- Ditto, with little success.
Sunday – B & I, with Arthur & Catherine, to see Moonlight Sonata again.
I planned this morning to take my deferred trip to Emporium, but when at Kron’s I had the oil checked, we discovered the oil almost gone, & a leak in the filter. I got a new one at Baumgarten’s, but was not thru until 12:00, too late to go on so long a trip.
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It is curious how, in writing down the impressions of a trip one is apt to forget some special incident, important at the time. On the trip to “Milsom Manor” – I found growing in the sandy bank up on the bluff, what I believe must be the almost legendary (to me) wild sweet-peas that have haunted my memory since I left Ashtabula Harbor. I was really excited about them, and dug up several plants to bring home. Are these indeed the same? My memory, which goes back over 40 years in time, conjures them 16. up, as being rich mauve or blue violet in color, whereas these are purplish pink.
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In the middle of the afternoon, Carl & Bessie Wild with their two little children Nancy & Bill, came to call. We were pleased to see them and were so engrossed in talking and looking at pictures that it was six o’clock before any of us realized it. Carl told of a curious incident in connection with the building of his “modernist” house at State College. A villager living across the street was so incensed at his plan that he tried to start a movement for an injunction against his building. Fortunately for Carl, the first man he approached was a good friend of his (Carl’s). Bigotry carried to such lengths seems incredible.
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Evening start playing the 2nd movement of Beethoven’s 7th symphony. M.A. & Martha (who have been learning to play a piano version of it) excitedly leaped out of bed, and came at (sic) sat down at the head of the stairs to listen, I went on thru the 3rd & 4th movements, and then regretting I had omitted the 1st, I went back and played the 1st & 2nd movements again. [I am more than ever convinced that Beethoven is the peak of western art.]
-Charles E. Burchfield, August 31, 1938