Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967), Trotter's Swamp, 1920; watercolor on paper, 19 x 25 inches; Image from the Burchfield Penney Art Center Archives
Two Thaw-days - yesterday a clear day with intense, warm sunshine - rivulets of melted snow streaking over the ice, casting upwards a million miniature suns. The haze steam at the disappearing snow softened the air - sunset was wonderful, a wispy creation with no intense colors; soft blending of orange & grey. An early spring chill in the air; it is odd how now, as the sun in returning, we begin to suspect spring.
Today a soft rainy day. To Cleveland by rail with Miss Ames. It is good to find someone advanced in years who has never grown old. Miss Ames is certainly charming, and I might guess her age to be anywhere from twenty to thirty, tho(sic) most others really of this age are much older.
The peculiar milk-haze blued the distances.
The soggy earth & rivers of water brought up spring yearnings. As I looked out over the irresistible swamps, I somehow felt that that was my place. I saw two men tramping across a field and envied them.
Charles E. Burchfield, Jan. 6, 1914.