At times a light pattering shower rattles on the dry leaves, accompanied by a soft dull roar of the wind in the treetops and all the old agony of spring that comes each year to torment me, swept over me – If only moments like this could be prolonged – all the banality of life fell away, my own business for the moment was put away – the pure beauty of Nature fell over me like a cloak.
                                                                           April 5, 1933 –
     To Gowanda to work on two water colors I started back in 1926 – Anticipating a cool cloudy day, but it was cloudless and warm.  The whole day seemed to be a mistake – to work in old water colors when I have traveled so far since – the warm drowsy air made me languid –
                                                                           Apr. 7, 1933–
     To Buffalo, get Sibelius 4^th Symphony as a birthday present –
                                                                           Apr. 9, 1933
     Birthday celebrations occupies most of day – children all present me with birthday cards in morning – At noon birthday dinner, the table decorated with favors the children had made themselves, the centerpiece a huge cake with lighted candles.   I was excluded from the dining room till all was ready.  Then as I came in , the children sang to the tune of “Good Morning To You”- “Happy Birthday to you” – It was as much as I could do to hold back the tears –
     Afternoon – Beethoven’s 6^th and then 5^th Symphonies.  I could not get attuned for the 6^th but when the 5^th came I was ready.  Especially the last movement thrilled me as it seldom has before –