Freedom and Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell is a name that is fondly remembered as an artist who depicted Americana in innocence.  His paintings showcase respect, honor and humor as his paint brush splashed over the canvas that revealed stories in human living through his eyes.  One of his quotes..."Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed."

He was born on February 3, 1894 and he died at 84 years of age on November 8, 1978.  He was a beloved author, painter and illustrator and known for his covers on the Saturday Evening Post.  In 1977, he received the nation's highest peacetime award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Gerald Ford.

Among his collections, Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms became a phenomenal success after their publication in 1943 during the 2nd World War.   These paintings are a poignant and powerful reminder of what we hold dear in the name of freedom....  Freedom of Speech,  Freedom of Worship, Freedom From Fear, Freedom From Want.                     

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, let us all be thankful for the liberties that we enjoy and appreciate.   Freedom should not be taken for granted for it was won and is sustained by the sacrifice of many.

Freedom is a dynamic that began with God who gave humanity the choice in free will. Let us not worship freedom over the Creator who gave us freedom.  He alone is Omnipotent!  And we should never get so arrogant as a nation to dismiss His Sovereignty in replacing Him with lawlessness in the name of freedom.

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday,  December 3rd...

An Annual Tradition in Dayville

Since we just had Halloween, I am doing a repeat of a post on Dayville's fun and festive community in harvest celebration.  It is an annual event, always with scarecrow street decor to the delight of residents and visitors passing through.  I had to take this picture of a brand new addition to the scarecrow creations displayed at the Dayville Cafe.  This meet and greet group are the most lovable harvest characters to have by your door.....

 

 

By the way, the restaurant food is the best in the county and so is their varied pie selection - try a slice of the apple jalapeno caramel pie... yummy!!  You'll want to take home the whole pie.

 

 

Harvest Time and Community of Dayville, Oregon    (Posted on October 24,2016)

Today, as we journey through Harvest Time, we take a little trip to Dayville.  I wrote about Dayville in October 2013 when the community was celebrating their Centennial including a fun video I put together of the creative scarecrows that lined their main street.  You can check out this post at the below link, which gives some background history about Dayville. 
http://turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/10/centennial-scarecrows-dayville-oregon.html
Three years later, the friendly town of Dayville carries on their harvest time tradition, complete with this welcoming sign featured in the park. 

In all kinds of weather, through storms and sunshine, the sturdy scarecrows remain vigilant during October welcoming travelers driving through on Highway 26.  The residents who join in the creative fest for best harvest scarecrow, outshine in individual handiwork and it is difficult to make a choice as to a favorite ragamuffin.  Here are just a few samples...

 

Not to be outdone by scarecrows, pumpkins come into display with their whimsical faces drawn by a talented Dayville resident.  Featured at the Community Fall Festival, they were a hit as well as the food fare, prepared and served with plenty of delicious cuisine choice.

Many thanks to the Dayville residents who make Harvest time in the John Day Valley unique with creative scarecrows and to Ruthie Moore for her 'funtastic' pumpkin faces - all done for our viewing pleasure!

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Join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, November 19th....  See you then!