George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

 

 

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Sluggards

This has to be one of the more annoying pictures I’ve taken in a while.  I have no problem with putting something off because you’re tired or don’t feel like doing it at the moment, up to the point that it inconveniences others.  I guarantee the effort it took to place these carts on the island and position it so you could wedge yourself into your car was the same amount needed (if not less) to walk the stinking cart fifty feet back under the building. 

            To add a bonus to this, it was also raining out.  I understand it’s raining and you don’t want to get wet (even though you’re already wet from walking out of the store) but that doesn’t give you the right to inconvenience others and at that time of day there are a lot of elderly people that go to this supermarket as evidenced by the lack of handicapped spaces that were open.  The cherry on top; there is also a cart return that is even closer than building.

            I hope that while we’re out and about consumed by everything WE/I have to do today that we could take the time out to consider other people before slothfulness takes over. 

And yes, I did return the carts.

ROAD RULES I

Everyone has their annoyances in life.  My top two are church politics and driving. I’ll spare you my rant on church politics for now and move to the latter. 

There will come a day when I sit down and write a book about common sense driving rules/annoyances that drive me crazy but until that time I’ll just have to post them here.

One of my bigest pet peeves of driving is this:

 

Yes, it’s a yield sign.  This is one of the many definitions given by Webster’s; to give way to or become succeeded by someone or something else

 

It doesn’t say, “Speed up and try to get in front of the person who’s already following the posted speed limit.” You can do that after you’re on the highway. It also doesn’t say, “Please enter the highway in a totally oblivious state so you can cut off traffic sending them into the other lane.”

I had both of those happen in the span of thirty minutes this week.  I’m not saying or trying to be condescending please understand that. I’m just venting on one of my many driving frustrations I encounter. :)