Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

29. old folks; it meant a lot.

     Letter + check from F.R.[i]

                   Jan. 24 – (Saturday) –

     To Buffalo at late P.M. To harbor, to look around – Then up town to get the feel of twilight settling down over the city. The Elm-Sycamore neighborhood – people going home, the lights from the downtown section. –

     The fellow + girl hesitating on the sidewalk, discussing something I had to wait a moment for the girl to step aside – Later as I was getting in the car, she called to me, as they came along – “I’m sorry I didn’t get out of your way quicker mister – I wasn’t thinking”!

     Evening Toscanini concert.[ii]

                   Jan. 25 –

p.m. – Philharmonic Concert – Mahler symphony #2 – There are passages of real beauty + power – but then the whole piece seems weakened by the needless repetition of mood – It took almost an hour + a half – ( I thought of the stark beauty of the Sibelius Fourth) –

Late p.m.  Art + I + the two dogs for a walk by the R.R. – Pal went frantic when we reached the fields. So we let him loose, + he badgered poor Spotty to the state where, no longer willing to fight, she resigned her self to a mere guttural snarl at his approach.

     Cathie made popcorn – Evening reading –[iii]

                   Jan. 26 – (Monday) –

a.m.  To Buffalo (give Herbein a lift, who was going to Grant’s + then a movie) – Bought a beautiful white cyclamen for B – to replace the azalea.

p.m. – Tale B. to dentist – then to Huber for brief visit, then back to pick up B. –