Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

24. oblivion, and a fine rain commenced to fall.

     The war more than ever, made me long to have all the children at home again.

     Our Christmas was happy, but as usual, I never can re-capture the magic, that memory insists it must have.

     A couple of days before Christmas – all of us to the movie – M.A., + M, + C, to see “One Foot in Heaven” – the rest of us to see “Dumbo” – In it, Disney has again come into his own, and there is nothing like it. A charming, heart-warming fantasy. The “choo-choo” that talked, is something that only Disney could imagine. After 3^rd episode, the train going thru the rainy night, with its whistle moaning an almost negro spiritual trail, very fine – The unusual views of the setting up of the circus tent likewise very imaginative – purely creative – almost abstract, as if a circus were thinking out loud.

     Sat. Dec. 27 – to movie “Texas” + “Blondie in Society” both enjoyable – Texas a rollicking rough-neck piece that was a delight to see.

     Mon. Dec. 29 – To Berlin’s – Bartholomeu’s there – stayed until after 1:00.

     Letter from F.R. – about Christmas greeting – which he like. In it he suggested he leave in his will one each of these greetings to my children. He also suggested I bring Bertha along in my Guggenheim trip this winter, and stay at his apartment.[i]

                   Jan 3 – 10 – (1942) Saturday –

     Days of futility – dread + doubt –

     Sun. Jan 4 – girls to Fredonia – and I hated to see