Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 4, 1948

To the country S. E. of Arcade painting. Another beautiful unreal day—warmer and the sun shining clear and warm from a cloudless sky. No wind.

South & east on the Genesee Rd, and then by a circuitous route thru Pike, & then westward. Came out on a high plateau (which I later found out was just east of Centerville, and the road I was on one which goes to the left from a Y from 98 just beyond Sandusky).

A few ancient apple trees, an old shed, and a great quantity of golden rod, which was what I was searching for—I wanted to do a painting of sunlit goldenrod, which this year is so wonderfully beautiful.

A preliminary study showed me an ideal spot along the road. First I ate my lunch & then set at once to work. A glorious afternoon, the magic and unreality of which is impossible to describe. Flies humming & mosquitos out—never before have I experienced such a day in December—I finished just as the sun, now a soft orange glow, sank below the horizon.

I was loath to leave the spot. Altho a chill came at the sun setting, still it was a delightful evening. The first quarter moon high above a newly plowed field. I stayed until almost complete dark, walking back & forth along the road.

Home in a glow of happiness. B though the sketch a beauty, the best so far.

Charles E. Burchfield, December 4, 1948