Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 20, 1962

Much colder in the night – only 16° at 9:00. But the sun shining brightly from a rich blue sky, which had but a few ripples of pure white clouds – A frigid wind from the N.E.

A.M. Food shopping etc. –

Stopped in at R’s [Richter’s] to pick up the wreath Peggy made for us – The car was there, but when I tried the door, it was open, I went in calling out at the same time. I concluded M [Martha] had stepped out to one of the neighbor’s – I saw the wreath leaning against a stand, so too it and left.

Peggy had done a  beautiful job –

Bertha & I to Crean's for lunch – afterwards to have the car washed – then home –

A long letter from Dr. Braasch, with a color photo of the “June Night in the Marsh” (1953) – He has retired and is living in a modern apartment in Newark, NJ – The thirteenth floor, with big “picture-windows” in every room 

He said a “terrible thing” happened when they moved in – Someone of the many people involved in the moving in stole the “June Night in the Marsh” – But what followed in his letter seemed strange to us – He did not tell the police “because he did not want to go through it all again” or “get involved in a case of false arrest” – (He had a strong suspicion as to who really was the thief) – But it seemed to us that, while the police would probably question everyone who was in or near the apartment on that day, no arrest would have to be made unless actual evidence showed up. The attendant publicity would at least prevent the thief from showing it to anyone, or try to sell it.

In the mail too – a “Certificate of Merit” from the American Water-Color Society – a surprise to me; and with no letter of explanation.

On the way to the lumbermill at late afternoon a striking effect of the sun about to be engulfed by a dense mass of blue-violet cloud – a large indefinite blinding glow, the sky above light yellowish-grey tones – It seemed the epitome of the feeling of a giant winter about to swallow up the earth –

Evening music – Borodin's Symphony’s #2 & 3, & Overture to Prince Igor – The Symphony no. 2 expressed for me the ominous onset of winter described above.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 20, 1962