Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

In his journal entry for May 13, 1961, Indiana writes that he cleaned his loft again, moved his avocados to the skylight area, and washed the leaves of all his plants. He also notes that J. (his partner, fashion designer John Kloss) brought him back paint from uptown.

He records working on two paintings, applying varnish to The Sweet Mystery, and restoring half of the words, which were lost in varnishing just before the Indiana / Forakis show, to the painting In Praise of Dead Generals.