Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, April 24, 1964

Sunny but cold —

The daffodils and hyacinth are in their first full splendor.

Dwarf white and purple violets are packed with bloom —

After a “season” of not showing up, all sorts of birds were at the studio feeder today — Blue jays, a redwing, robins (they loved the pea-nut butter) starlings, blackbirds, grackles, tree- and English sparrows, and a chickadee —

Yesterday a tree-sparrow spent the whole afternoon trying to get into the studio — It seemed fascinated by a bouquet of thistle down on the sill (to line a nest?) It would flutter against the window, chirping, plaintively fly a few feet away, then dash against the pane with a loud thump — I tried taking the bouquet away and putting it out of sight, but the bird kept up its fruitless maneuvers — It was still at it when I left at four o’clock — However, it did not show up today.

B & I to the Lodge for lunch — then food shopping.

I have been trying to get to work at drawings — in spite of the prospect of a book. My heart is not in it — I am too full [of] painting ideas — (Yesterday I made two enlarged drawings of the 1963 great melting snowbank study. Preparatory to starting a large picture — The very thought of it is exciting.

Charles E. Burchfield, April 24, 1964