Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, May 21 - June 3, 1954

More work on mounting the 1917 water-colors & touching them up –

Wonderful May weather –

The cat-birds came back about the 30th of May.

Two days ago, a short, but violent thunderstorm at late afternoon. At the height of it, amid the thrashing of the wind-riddled trees, and the roll of thunder, the cat-bird from the depths of the box-elder tree, sang copiously. The house painting proceeds apace.

Chuck failed to show up in for the sky light job, so the painter said he would do it. They began about noon on the 2nd. They worked until midnight trying to get it finished, but the glass did not fit – I made coffee for them which we drank in the studio, with cheese & crackers. Yesterday by chiseling out the wood frame Stan managed to get all the glass in, and last night they practically finished it. But I was not on hand! – Completely exhausted, I went to bed at 8:00.

Last week B & I went to Hamburg to Kronenburgs to get records (where Mr. Klippert works) – He waited on us. Not a satisfactory place to buy records as there is no place to sit down. We finally bought – Mozart Divertimento #17 for strings & horns. Two Mozart quintets (K. 406 & K 595) – Two Hayden symphonies (801/03) and a new recording of the Schubert 9th. 

A few days later the records came from the “Record Hunter” Dvorak’s “Stabat Mater” and Beethoven’s Quartet #8 –

We have just skimmed thru this material – but it’s rich listening ahead.

Then I discovered that the Dumky Trio has at long last been put on from LP records – so I must needs order that – and with it two others (to get the discount) – Dvorak’s Quartet thus 105, & his 2nd Symphony.

On Sunday May 30 – the Richters over for a Memorial Day wiener roast – a little windy & cool for it – afterwards Hank cut down the ailanthus tree & the two chestnut stumps – and for pay wanted us to baby-sit “4 or 5 times” –

I hated to see the ailanthus go – but it was in the way.

Charles E. Burchfield, May 21 - June 3, 1954