Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, Vol. 61b, November 19, 1963

November 19 – Tuesday –
A bright sunny day –
    At midmorning, a rarely beautiful sight — a jet-plane, with white trail, speeding across the northern sky from east to west – (I wished for Bertha to see it but I know before she could get out, it would be gone) However when I came out of the studio a few moments later the plane had turned in a wide arc and was proceeding eastward at a lower elevation – so I called Bertha on the intercom –
     The plane itself was like a white dart against the deep blue of the sky, the ruffled exhaust double plume scarcely less brilliant – below the trees glowed orange yellow against the sky –
     All day in the studio – A.M. – studying various picture[s] – the 1961 variation on “Hemlock in November” The solution came to me all at once – it will mean shifting the composition about and enlarging the picture (from 45 x 38 to 45 x 54) but it fills me with joyful anticipation – Also studied the “Double House in December” (North of Wyoming Village in 1955?) and seem nearer to a solution – and the “Railroad in December” East of Farmersville 1946?)
     But my main concern was the “Gateway to November” — I worked all afternoon at it, trying the “Gateway” in various positions – At the end I think I arrived at the best composition – (Tomorrow will tell the story perhaps.)
     Evening a Special TV on “Greece the Golden Age” Very good – beautiful photography –
     About 10:00 an errand to the studio – as I came out I saw that glorious Orion had risen and was just above Cottrell’s house. Jupiter the brightest body in the sky, was just west of the zenith, above the group of trees in front of Albarella’s house. The air crisp with a feeling of frost – A fine night - 
     Charles E. Burchfield, November 19, 1963