Thursday 27 November 2014

Happy Thanksgiving, America!
Abraham Lincoln's Manifesto of Gratitude


"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
Link:
-> Sky Watch Friday - Skies around the World

27 comments:

  1. I was so interested in the words that I had to go back to view your photos. . .very appropriate for the narrative.

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    1. Kate,
      thank you! :-)
      Every year at Thanksgiving, I think about creating a new post for Thanksgiving, and every year since I first published this one, I can't think of any images of mine to reflect "the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies" better than these.

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  2. Beautiful shots, Merisi.

    And to think he wrote his own speeches. Such a gift for words.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Wiliam,
      and thank you for all your kind comments over the years. I truly appreciate them!
      Those images were captured on a day filled with unique weather patterns and golden light from morning to late afternoon. At one point, a thunderstorm passed through and obscured the sun as she was beginning to set in the west, when all of a sudden the sun broke through the bank of clouds and painted everything in the most splendid light.

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  3. Happy thanks giving and have a wonderful day. :)

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  4. Thanks for giving us a glimpse at the beautiful country side around Vienna.

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  5. What a beautiful post...love your pictures!
    Have a great week, take care...
    Warmly,
    Titti

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Titti!
      It was such a memorable day and I am glad I managed to capture some of it.
      Hugs,
      Merisi

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  6. Great Autumn colours.

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  7. I agree with you Merisi, your photos complement Abraham's Lincoln's words beautifully.

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    1. Thank you, Nathalie!
      A wonderful Thanksgiving weekend to you and yours,
      Merisi

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  8. Beautiful!!I love this post. I have never read or heard of this piece by Abraham Lincoln.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed reading Lincoln's sage words,
      Merisi

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  9. Beautiful, beautiful photographs, Merisi! Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Kristi!
      I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones and a quiet weekend ahead,
      Merisi

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  10. You are welcome and may everyone enjoy a quiet weekend after the bounty of Thanksgiving meals,
    Merisi

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  11. Beautiful, beautiful rural countryside. Guess I'm a country girl whichever way you look at it.

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    Replies
    1. The whole of Burgenland, south of Vienna, is incredibly beautiful. Lowlands are in my genes ;-)

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  12. Lovely photos, and I enjoyed reading the Thanksgiving Declaration.
    Have a wonderful week-end!
    Lea

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  13. such pretty sky photos. I was amaze with the tree farm photo...my hubby retire from a tree farm.
    Coffee is on

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  14. Greetings from Dubai! Really enjoyed going through your blog. Have a great week ahead! Will be back soon...

    Shantana

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