November 29, 1930 continued - August 7, 1933
commercially made, unlined white paper
13 1/2 x 12 1/8 inches
Tues. March 1, 1932
Took Arthur to P.O. with me. Notice car parked near our house when coming home, and my heart sank as I wanted no visitors today in as much as I wanted to start my oil. When I came in, find old art school chum Frank Daniels. Tho put out by his unexpected visit, I strove to put a good face on it and be hospitable (secretly hoping for an early departure) – I chided myself for my feeling and at the same time longed to get at my painting. He seemed to have changed little – was out of work, sought work in Erie, but failed – was on way to Elmira –
Bertha stole a moment with me and planned dinner. To Studio – we talk of old times. I get out 1916 water-colors some of which were painted in his company. I reflected on the tragedy of the passing of time an separation. Now we were strangers but once good companions. He was an ideal sketching companion as he never talked or bothered. He and I cordially condemned the rest of the school to mediocrity, and assigned ourselves seats with the mighty. Our ideals ran high and our conversation never banal. Now we sat with only the past as a bond between us.
After dinner he was overcome with drowsiness – (he had slept in his car all night) after falling asleep a couple times, we persuaded him to lie on the couch. He slept a couple hours. Meanwhile I to lumberyard to get some pine strips as braces for canvas stretchers. Fine bracing air, sun-shafts shooting thru holes in cloud masses; the wind from the north and full of March tang.
Daniels takes his leave at5:00. I for walk – sun just resting on the horizon at6:00; an excitement in the air-
Wed. –March 2, 1932
A futile day – unable to determine either my composition or size and I wound up in the middle of the afternoon losing faith even in my subject. I lacked the energy I had yesterday, and had to goad myself on even to do the little I did –
Doctor in at midafternoon to examine Martha – He allays our fears of scarlet fever; but said her type of sore throat apt to be dangerous, and would have to be watched.
At Bertha’s urging, tho somewhat guiltily, I run off to town for diversion at a movie. Supper at One Arm thence to Century to see “Cheaters at Play” and Slim Sommerville in “First to Fight” – very diverting – in addition a dog comedy very boring and to me, cruel – here is an opportunity for the S.P.C.A.