Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, December 22, 1963

Mild (28°) – a gentle fall of snow – Bertha not much better, so we stay at home (we had been invited for dinner, by the Walter Meibohms – at their new home in the country) So I had to call them to say we could not come – Put up a large cylinder of suet in the spruce tree outside our picture window where we could watch –
(thinking particularly of Bertha being able to watch it during the day.) The simple act of putting this up for the birds somehow seems to change the whole aspect of winter, and also of our living here.

A lot of cards in the mail – it is pleasant to sit and open them – much is written and said about the futility of sending and receiving cards from friends or acquaintances at Christmas time – especially since there is no correspondence between Christmases – I do not feel this is true – there may be some perfunctory ones, but they are greatly in the minority. Late in the afternoon, the Richters arrived bringing gifts and good cheer –(a knit nightgown for Bertha a Grandma Moses book for me – the three youngsters had pooled their money and bought us a nice poinsettia) A pleasant visit which made our day more precious. In fact, all day we had the feeling it was Christmas.

Charles E. Burchfield, December 22, 1963