Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

69. say sympathetically “My, what a cough you have” - But no one says it, and the cougher must desist - a robin bursts into song full  and glorious – it is so warm and courageous. And always in the background is constantly felt the slow swelling trill of toads or frogs – a rich elemental sound, the epitome in sound of the whole deep sullen mystery of Spring.

     My writing was disturbed by the fire siren and a moment later two of the children run to inform me of a big fire. We all pile into the car and go, a pleasant thrill animating us – it turns out to be much further that we thought – three barns in Spring-brook – Thousands (apparently) of people have turned out for the sight and traffic is precarious.

April 28, 1935 – (Sunday)

A cold windy day, with lowering clouds. P.M. with Martha east on Clinton. In valley just before Elma nurseries, stop & park. Enter little wooded valley to north – a winding brook – it is a pleasant little explanation, but we find no flowers to speak of until on the return, when skirting little woods in the middle of open fields, white flowers lure us inside. They prove