Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

May 20 –; We bought a new record yesterdayit is from Khovanchina an opera by Mussorgsky –; It is a wonderful thing of dignified solemnity & melancholy –The opening parts remind one of the tolling of bells for the dead on a hot noontime in summer – as I listen to it I am filled with sadness at times – and again it makes me think of the dignity of life –; Frank Lankes was in last night to talk of his proposed publication of “Ecclesiastes” for which I am to supply illustrations & cover. Bertha & I were planting flowers in a box on the back roof – Lankes went up on the other roof – discovered the broken skylight & insisted on fixing it – ; Today – oh to be simply alive now – what a gift of god! I wonder if there is any feeling more sweet and pride-provoking than for a man to realize that the time is close for the fruit of his union with the woman he loves, to come forth!