I am trying to figure out the connection between that walk along the railroad the other day and that 1917 painting of mine – there seems to be none, but something I saw must have awakened the old mood-
     Evening for walk under the moon –
     Walk outClintontoHarlem Rd.toMineral Springs Rd.toInd. Church Rd.thence home –
     A fine brilliant cold morning – the sun shines from a vast  watery blue sky – its reflection in a black-green writhing opening in the ice covered creek –
     Never before has the great star we call the sun seemed so much like a star as today –
     Shining from such a depth of blue, with little mist or atmosphere to obscure it, it cannot be seen as a sphere, but only as a diamond shaped burst of dazzling light – even its color is like starlight – cold and remote –
     I walk along in ecstacy.
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     The brilliant star of February has risen in the southeast, and sends its blinding cold light over the vast white earth opening up emerald and cobalt caverns in the northwest sky – a black crow cries hoarsely from dusky wood.
     WalkUnionto French toClinton Rd.– thence home – a raw damp wind from the north – cold towering skies – at the bridge a pair of crows fly up from an old orchard.
     By afternoon – the sky mostly clear, a few flakes falling – the sun shines brightly –
     Yesterday on a walk to dam with Bertha -  cold as it was, a raw dirt bank facing the sun was melted – it somehow belongs to this season – we gathered some pussywillows, which have not commenced to open – I have seen them well started in January –
     9 P.M.– with Frank on walk to Blossom by way[1]