Thursday 25 November 2010

Happy Thanksgiving, America!


"The year
that is drawing towards its close,
has been filled with the blessings
of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
To these bounties,
which are so constantly enjoyed
that we are prone to forget
the source from which they come,
others have been added,
which are of so extraordinary a nature,


that they cannot fail
to penetrate and soften even the heart
which is habitually insensible
to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
It has seemed to me fit and proper
that they should be solemnly,
reverently and gratefully acknowledged
as with one heart and voice
by the whole American people.


I do therefore invite my fellow citizens
in every part of the United States,
and also those who are at sea
and those who are sojourning in foreign lands,
to set apart and observe
the last Thursday of November next,
as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise
to our beneficent Father
who dwelleth in the Heavens.


And I recommend to them that
while offering up the ascriptions
justly due to Him for such singular deliverances
and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence
for our national perverseness and disobedience,
commend to his tender care all those
who have become widows, orphans, mourners
or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife
in which we are unavoidably engaged,


and fervently implore
the interposition of the Almighty Hand
to heal the wounds of the nation
and to restore it as soon as may be consistent
with the Divine purpose
to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquillity and Union."

Quoted from
"A Declaration of Thanksgiving"
Abraham Lincoln's Manifesto of Gratitude
October 3, 1863


Photographed in 2009
in the fields and meadows of
Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel
National Park

© by Merisi

Lake Neusiedl is located
less than an hour's drive
south of Vienna

17 comments:

  1. A truly beautiful set of photos, Merisi: thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you.

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  2. Well your gorgeous photos remind me of British master paintings...
    What can one say?
    merci
    carolg
    xxx

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  3. Every time I look at you pictures I really know, why I love living in Vienna!
    Have a nice time and thanks for sharing your pictures!

    Ursl

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  4. Gorgeous as always Merisi. Happy Thanksgiving to you too. My husband and I are direct descendants of the first pilgrims, so this is a very special holiday for us.

    Thank you for your cranberry recipe. I'm definitely going to give it a try. The star anise sounds perfect in it. Merci beaucoup.
    Sam

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  5. Great pics. Great words as well.

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  6. Wishing you and your family a most blessed and happy Thanksgiving, dear Merisi!

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  7. Beautiful, as always, Merisi! I well up with tears to see your magnificent photos and read those words. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and thanks for all the magical moments you've given us every day every year!

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  8. Yes, these do look like paintings. Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them, and Mr. Lincoln's words.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Merisi!

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  9. Merisi, I took a break from my cooking to view some blogs and you never fail to warm the heart. Your images are so lovely and I am so grateful for you and others around the globe that have so enriched my life by your sharing of yourself and your little world made larger for us. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well~

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  10. Merisi, I send you a wish for a Happy Thanksgiving, along with thanks for your beautiful post with its rich pictures, and inspiring words.

    xo

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  11. Thank you, Merisi, for the beautiful pictures and for Lincoln's inspiring words.

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  12. Oh my...these photos! The last one...perfection.
    Catherine

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  13. Thank you Merisi, I think we in America need to read Lincoln's words and carry them in our hearts.
    A great reminder for all of us to be thankful.

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  14. Your photos are like lovely paintings, rich and rural.

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  15. A lovely post with powerful words, and haunting photos. Thank you.

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  16. Such beautiful photos!

    They are reminiscent of the American prairies.

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  17. Thank you and wow! They look like old Flemish masters paintings! Otherworldly or at least from another time. Fantastic.

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