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Friday Jan. 31" 1890. The mild weather continues and it seems as tho' we are to have no winter. People cease to remark upon this exceptional season. I am not at work but wish I were for only in work is there satisfaction. But I have no impressions to work from and I find that all my work which is not based upon some strong feeling or impression is not satisfactory. I long to go out over some of the familiar ground where I have found so many motives for pictures but I cannot walk about as I once did and I fear I never will again. I went to Dr Patchins earlier today and in the evening attended the reception of the Water Color Society to which I went reluctantly but where, nevertheless I spent a pleasant and satisfactory evening. There was considerable of a crowd but I knew a good many of them. Charlie Romeyn and I were together a good part of the evening. There were many noticeable pictures among them one by Abbey and one by Smedley. I could only glance at the collection. My little "Northern Winter" is the centre in the north side of the large gallery and many of the artists spoke of it in very flattering terms. I find ones evenings are apt to be pleasanter on such occasions when ones work meets with consideration. I staid late and did not get to bed until midnight. I invited Charlie Romeyn to go to the club with me tomorrow night the monthly meeting.

Saturday Feb 1 1890.
Attended the monthly meeting of the Century. Invited Chas. W. Romeyn who was not able to go with me but came later in the evening. The meeting was a very pleasant one. Robt. F. Wilkinson was unanimously elected and as I proposed him more than a year ago I was greatly gratified.

Sunday 2. Breakfasted at the Century very comfortably, but will not again as it is rather early for them after a Saturday night and particularly a monthly meeting. Went home by 9.55 train. It was a grey day and at Newburgh the Fishkill hills were done with a snow shower which however did not last. Sara was alone Mr. & Mrs. Reed having gone to N.Y. for a week. In the evening we went down to see John and Julia. It was snowing quite fast but had stopped before we returned.

Monday 3. Warm. Snow all melted. Mr. Hoysradt came to the house and paid me $150 on his lot which I endorsed on his bond which we hold and for which I also gave him a receipt. Mr. Jones house has been raised and partly enclosed since I went down last week. Set Tom to work digging to grade McEntee Hill way which we will soon have to use as an approach to our house as Mr. Jones lot crosses it. Went over and fastened the notices on the back property which some one persists in mutilating. Rained in the afternoon and evening. There is no frost on the ground and it is more like May than Feb. Down town and bought a wheel barrow. Sent my Waterbury watch to the factory to be repaired. Sara and I spent the evening at Cantines with Miss Sheffield and Charlie. The Sheffield complication I fear from what Charlie said is getting on very slowly towards an arrangement.

Tuesday 4. Secretary of the Navy Tracy's home burned in Washington yesterday whereby his wife and daughter and a maid lost their lives. Warm and rainy in the evening.

Wednesday 5. Bright and warm with a brisk N.W. wind later in the day. Awoke feeling very badly with a shortness of breath and a generally discouraging feeling but felt better after breakfast, partly owing I fancy to indigestion. Went through Crosby's new house which is plastered and nearly finished. He has splendid views in all directions. They are at work on the roof of the Jones house. Came away by the 4.05 train. Johnson was just coming in with a load of wood as I came away - only the second one he has been able to bring this winter owing to bad roads. Joe Cornell and his son came

Transcription Notes:
Secretary of the Navy: Benjamin F. Tracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_F._Tracy ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-23 19:43:52 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-24 11:33:58 Hoysradt is a historical family name in the Rondout/Kingston areas