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himself again. It has been very warm but the landscape is lovely. I am very anxious to be painting and tomorrow Marion is to stand for me for a figure for a picture I am contemplating from Whittiers "Telling the bees" We hear nothing from Maurice. I had a letter from Perry telling me the members of the Art Union are not very ready to take its stock. His plan of distributing pictures which he sent me I think too complicated. 

Wednesday June 6" 1883. Marion stood for me all forenoon and I painted a figure of her about a foot high. It has been very warm. I hope to work on the picture tomorrow. We had thunder showers all afternoon and evening.

Thursday 7. A rainy day with violent thunder showers. Downing and I repaired the carriage house roof. All the roofs need renewing and it appals me to think of it the expense will be so great. 

Friday 8. Marion stood for me again but I seem to spoil what little good there is in my picture the second time I paint on it. I took it down to the carriage house in the afternoon and painted in a back ground but the color is cold in spite of me. I have got a very good figure but the color is dry. My pictures from nature discourage me always.

Saturday 9. Sara and I with Annie Burns & her sister Katy & little Girard in the two seated wagon and Downing, Marion, Mamie & Charlie in the top wagon drove out to the Flat bush ice house via the Roatina, where we pic-niced for the afternoon in the cove back of the ice house. The wind blew strongly from the South which tempered the heat. The children enjoyed playing in the water and had a happy time. I had a heavy heart thinking of our former pic nics when dear Gertrude was the life and soul of these little parties. My poor mother used to like to go on these little excursions. She sat in her chair and watched over preparations as we were leaving home and I dare say as we drove 

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