and that the first four notes signify “Fate knocking at the Door” - and it has little bearing on my feeling for the music. You forget all that when you hear the music. No- if Wagner’s leit-motifs were great themes in the first place we wouldn’t care what they were called, they themselves, are banal to begin with, and then add to that first Wagner’s mechanical formula for developing his motifs and you have - sterility.
                                                                  March 8, 1938 Tuesday-
     A day of snow flurries, blown in horizontal streaks by a strong west wind - the snow melted as it fell.
     All day on the Seneca St. House, putting in the snow on the far side of the creek.
     Late afternoon, just before supper, for a walk out Clinton Rd. Hundreds of crows congregating in a group of trees to the south by Indian Church Rd. They came in scattered groups from the North-east somewhere.
                                                              March 9, 1938 Wednesday
     A vigorous clear day, a true March day with a stiff cold wind, rich blue skies, white clouds, and brilliant sunshine.
     PM. The girls & I to see Snow White (Arthur ill with grippe, he & Bertha to go later.) This picture was delightful beyond all powers of description. Not that it was without flaws but I feel that we should be so grateful for such a performance, as to make criticism seem ungracious or ungrateful. We sat through two full performances.