Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

We spent some time in watching the maneuvers of a tug in getting another scow out of the way of this big one – I felt at home here – to the west the turbulent Niagara, & the windy patch meadow between it and the canal full of buttercups– there was the healthy glamour of everyday life about it. We crossed on one of the locks to the others side of the canal, where one of the men told us that a big boat was due in twenty minutes – we waited for it – following¬ – we left he canal – to the windy meadow – a feeling of long ago noons of childhood – we picked wildflowers, iris & buttercups, keeping up a lively banter all the while – along the shore – the grass grew right down to the edge, & the wind blew the water in waves into the grass –; the wind was insistent & boisterous –; To railroad – the railroad tanks with yellow sand & rank weeds made of fine sight against the blue & white sky along the railroad – picking snap-dragon – The watchman, who drove us off – down bank in loose sand ¬– along the river again on a damp narrow path – The sun rays reflected on the waves of the river – at places the waves splash up over the banks – ; Then came settlement to Ferry Street & home –; Everything to Market at Chippewa & Washington – this was an interesting novelty to both of us –Sunday, June 11, 1922 –; Last night in the middle of the night – a big thunderstorm came in. When I got up to see about the windows, the big oak tree south of us, blowing in the wind looked like a thousand snakes wriggling on a bare tree – ; Morning a cool gray day with showers now & then; Bertha undecided about going to church – I felt she was holding back because she thought I might not like to risk the getting wet, so I said we should go – ; To be made of a building out shut from the outdoors, sometimes only makes the outdoors more vivid.