Sept. 15 Tues.
When I came in from the studio at late A.M. I found Bertha excited and almost in tears — but she assured me that something nice had happened, so moving as to produce tears. It turned out that Sally had written a “story” for the water-colors of Mart’s the Ford Co. intends to use for their little magazine. The “story” turned out to be Sally’s memories of growing up in Gardenville, with emphasis on the theme that Gardenville was made precious and romantic to our children because they “saw” it through my eyes: Memories of walks in the town and woods, Christmas, and finally Fourth of July with the “House on Fire” I built to end the day. A fine tribute that brought tears to my eyes also – She and Mart had collaborated on it, but the writing was Sally’s, and an excellent job she has done. They sent it to Ford’s, who replied at once that they thought it was one of the best “stories” they had had in a long time, and wanted Mart to do some special water-colors for it, including the house on fire, and if I were willing, to have one of mine on the cover. I felt reluctant about this, only because I felt that might be stealing the spot-light from Mart and Sally.
Called Mart and Sally in the evening to thank them.
--Charles E. Burchfield, September 15, 1959