"Thanksgiving Day 1621" - Jean Leon Jerome Ferris

 "Thanksgiving Day 1621" was painted by Jean Leon Jerome Ferris in 1915. It supposedly depicts the Pilgrims at New Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.

​Ferris was a 19th-century painter who was primarily known for painting 78 scenes of significant events from American history. He was born in Philadelphia in 1863.

Among his most known works are "The Landing of William Penn" and "The Fall of New Amsterdam." His paintings have come to be criticized for their idyllic versions of the events they puport to show.

That aside, he was painting what was known as the truth at the time he created the paintings. So, I still enjoy them for their perspective and color.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and I hope that your Thanksgiving will be as idyllic as Mr. Ferris' paintings. Enjoy the holiday, friends, family and food. And if you are traveling, be safe!

When I Was Young

When I was young and healthy
and held our baby in my arms,
I felt so strong and wealthy,
couldn't conceive that any harm,
would ever really reach me,
my wife and Iife were charmed.
When I was young and healthy
I believed with all my heart.

Even on a winter's day
when a chill was in the air,
I didn't need a coat
and didn't have a care.
My smile was like the Chershire Cat,
the one who'd got the cream.
Maybe I was foolish
but i believed the dream.

Now as I look back upon
a cherished photograph,
I see the joke was on me,
and finally grasp the laugh.
Youth doesn't last forever
even babies become old.
Fair weather's not forever
and winter's all run cold.

And though I might build a fire
the flames will soon burn low.
When I was young and healthy
this is something I didn't know.
Now the cold air finds me
and it permeates my bones.
The truth's there to remind me,
that we all pass on alone.

November 3, 2022

Baltimore Zoo Pennguin House
January 1990
Photo by Sue.