Charles Burchfield, Journals, June 8, 1964

June 8 – Monday –

Awake at 4:00 – first light in the northeast Robins from afar, then gradually those near at hand take up their song – what a truly heart-warming business their robust singing is! I lay and listen to it with great joy – (some of it nostalgic!)

                Unable to sleep again (for thinking of various problems) I got up, dressed and went to the studio, where I worked for an hour and a half – came into the house , read some of the morning paper, then feeling drowsy I stretched out in Bertha’s reclining chair and fell asleep. When I awoke (about 9:15) I heard Bertha stirring – she came down, and prepared breakfast.

                To H’s for lunch – then three lithographs to framer’s (for wedding gifts)

                Home, to the studio, where I did more mounting of drawings –

                At tea-time, I notice the cottonwoods by the creek where almost solid with “cotton”  (we noticed yesterday everywhere that there is much more of it than usual) I had to go for a closer look – and there I saw a delightful scene inside the grove – many large swamp parsnips in full bloom, mingled with many wild phlox – a lovely sight. The gallery dump intruding more & more into this idyllic spot – How vulgar & callous so many of us are!

                In the evening – out to the Orchard Park motel to confirm reservations for the folks – on the way back “toward” the new vast school for retarded children on the East-West Rd. – a disheartening desolate place –

                Letter from James Biddle – they want to come next Monday at 1:00.

                Received the new record – Mozart’s Serenade k-361 for 13 wind instruments. This record received a “rave” review in Hi-fidelity. I feel very lacking in appreciation because so little of it, “goes a long way”