Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 17, 1956

To the Big Woods painting —
Another mellow sunny day – the trip down a rare pleasure – (fields of uncut corn still standing, ghostly white ivory with the sunlight filtering through it) – Concert from Toronto – a vocal piece by Alfred Diller –
How I love this woods (to my sorrow I saw that a house has been built this summer on the east slope where all the squirrel corn and dutchman’s breeches grow) –
I spent some time wandering around in the woods trying to find just the right spot to carry out my idea, which has obsessed [me] for some time (the lynx woods giving the feeling of the coming of winter into the glory of autumn.) A blue jay kept calling, and sporting in the tree tops – a wild blood-tingling call.
Having selected my spot, I set up my easel – and to my chagrin discovered I had left at home the aluminum frame for the painting board. However, I managed in other ways to make it secure –, after which I ate my lunch –
Painted all afternoon, after which I had tea and tried to listen to the concert hour from Toronto – but reception was too poor, so I went for a walk in the woods, gathering some leaves for Peggy — the lowering sun brought out the full orange yellow glory of the trees (very little red in these woods.).
I drove the car up to the brow of the hill westward and ate my lunch as the sun was setting – High in the east the 3/4 full moon shone wanly above the purple-hazed wooded hills of Zoar Valley.
Home in the twilight — B liked the sketch —
Charles E. Burchfield, October 17, 1956