Charles Burchfield, Journals, November 30, 1939

Nov. 30 –

[leaving from a hotel in Ashtabula on a trip to see Victor, Bertha’s brother who had been sick]

Up early and on our way at 6:30. Dark – a little rain – Breakfast at roadside lunch wagon, after which
it was light enough to drive without lights –

Gleam of sunshine thru a slit to the Southeast – and well along  the south on route 91 towards Akron – traces of snow in fields –

Buy flowers on my way – (a pot of cyclamen) –

Victor so overcome he cried helplessly – later then he got control of himself and seemed in a better frame of mind. So much so that when we left him in the evening, we both felt  more confident of his eventual recovery.

Their house – a large rambling sort of Victorian farm house (colored windows in the front stairway.) – Great maples between house & road.

Before noon drive Loie to a “corners” east about 2 miles, for some meat – The spare banners of an Ohio “corners” – the general store – (trim of bolts – Why?)

Mid PM We drive Clara to Akron, to see her children, who during Vic’s illness are with their grandmother

A dark sullen day – Akron seemed to me to be a grotesquely hideous place –

To see Kate & her baby –

All houses we were in had dark green shades that permitted no light to seep thru – this accentuated the gloom.

Evening to Salem – 1^st to see Mary Davis & Uncle Jim. The living room with its solemnly ticking grandfather’s clock seemed the same as in my childhood – I realized suddenly that this was indeed the very last link with my old life.

Mary and Uncle Jim both seemed just a little older & a little more faded – but they seemed in good spirits.

(Suddenly in the midst of a conversation Unlce Jim: I have to go to the bathroom – struggles to find his feet with effort, on acct. of his rheumatism “ – don’t know whether I’ll make it or not” – “Yes I guess I’ll make it alright” – as he went into the kitchen Mary called, as to a child – “you can turn on the light” - )

Next to Mary’s, but no one at home – so to Wills – By calling up, assemble most of the rest ( Emma, Walter, Helen, Martin, Dick, Mary, Mary Francis.) – Evening in talking etc.

B&I each, to our delight have separate beds – Sleep well –

Charles E. Burhfield, Journals, November 30, 1939