Charles Burchfield, Journals, February 15, 1912

Thursday February Fifteenth – 1912.

The first blow has been struck at the reign of Winter! How “February-ish” have the last two days been! Bright clear sunshiny days, with only enough chill in the morning and evening to make life worth living. The snow and ice have been melting and gutters everywhere are full of rapidly flowing water, and depressions in sidewalk and road have become lakes, - “streams” and lakes glittering almost joyously in the sunlight. A soft delicate haze has pervaded everywhere and there is an indefinite feeling of unrest in the air that makes me wild to be up and off, roaming the fields and woods.

Last night we went to see Esmeralda. It was so good that I would like to see it all over again. Everyone was so good for their part. Everyone – that is in the audience – was saying it was the best home talent show that was ever put on the Salem stage – and it was the best I ever saw. Mother and Frances afterward said they cried because Joe acted so well, as which he laughed uproariously, to hide his embarrassment. He had the hardest part to play and played it the best, if I do say it myself. Other people indeed cried in the pathetic parts, when usually the tendency is to laugh.

“Consternation reigned supreme” in our house at supper-time – the water was turned off. I rushed pell-mell to Mrs. Strawns who keeps a pump and got drinking water. I had to take Jim’s dinner-bucket which wasn’t very large. I suggested taking a tin bucket which Jim uses for scrubbing the linoleum, at which Mother said: “I wouldn’t mind drinking out of it if it were washed”! I did just as bad myself when I picked up a wet piece of soap and turned on the spigot, being somewhat surprised when no water came. Shortly after supper Fred turned one of the spigots on and a little water began to come. At his exclamation Frances and I rushed out to see. In exaggerated exstacy of joy I whooped and danced up and down. Suddenly a globe came off a chandelier, struck Frances on the head and fell under the sink with a crash. In her pain Frances sank to the floor and for a moment I was frightened, but when she said it had not cut I breathed more easily. In a few moments we were all laughing at it Frances included. But we cannot think how the globe fell with such force as it did. The water at first was full of dirt but soon became clear again and we were settled once more – as was the water.
Joe is playing – or practicing on his guitar. It has a wierd effect on my imagination. It instills in my mind a vague sort of loneliness and remoteness that I can’t understand. It conjures up thoughts and ideas I cannot feel at any other time.

Charles E. Burchfield, February 15, 1912