The Art Barn

When I'm driving out and about, I like observing things off the beaten path.  I love Americana or things that have Southern charm, unique architecture, or country style.  A lot of country folk are confident in who they are, regardless of the fact that most of the coastal elites look way down their noses at us.  We may be a little different, but we've learned to lean in to it and embrace it.

I see lots of patriotism.  American flags are displayed all over the countryside.  People love the red, white and blue.  On Louisiana Highway 26, heading north between Hathaway and Elton, something changed, and it caught my eye.  I did a double take and pulled to the side of the road.  There is a barn just west of the road that I had blogged about back in 2018.  This barn had a big rooster painted on the western side of it.  Well, now the painting has been updated.

If you are thinking that it now has "See Rock City" painted on it, well, that is a really good guess, but that isn't on the barn.  The rooster that was previously on the barn is out and has been replaced with a huge painting of Old Glory!  The painter did a remarkable job on the mural.

You have to admire the artistic flair and craftsmanship.  That took thought and follow-through to get out there and get that done.  I have a hard enough time painting my barn red.  It either needs to be pressure washed or another coat of paint, but that isn't even on my radar.  This gentleman here loves his country.  He loves freedom and what our country stands for.

May God bless the USA and Americans that value freedom, justice, and Godly principles on which she was founded.

The Red, White, and Blue

 

We watch very little television at our house, so we sometimes aren't completely up to date on current events, but I have seen some reports about growing numbers of athletes and other malcontents that are ashamed of our country and are not proud of America.  Some are even wanting to do away with Old Glory, our flag, and replace it with another.

This saddens me greatly.  While people certainly have freedom to have opposing viewpoints, I couldn't feel more differently.  I am proud of the United States of America.  We fly the American Flag every day at our house and so do many of our neighbors.  We stand for the national anthem.  My grandfather fought in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII to preserve freedom that we hold so dear in this great country.

Does America have warts?  Of course!  But what country doesn't?  We are all fallible humans born with a sinful nature, so of course we're going to have a past.  But we have freedom!  And opportunity!  And Self-determination!  There are forces that wish to divide us and the cracks of division appear to be growing.  We should not fall prey to this tactic.  United we stand.  Divided we fall.

We will always fly the flag.  We will always pray that God may Bless America and that we will turn our hearts back to Him.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.  Psalm 33:12

Remembering The Sacrifices on Memorial Day

Image Credit

First, I wanted to send a shout-out to a dear lady in North Georgia whose husband had Coronavirus and has recovered at home and is now doing well.  My uncle told me about you, and Tricia and I are so happy that things are going better!  Your husband's recovery is a true testament to persistence, perseverance and fight - not to mention good care by you!  Great job.  Stay healthy!  God Bless You!

Today I just want to post a short thought about how I am so proud to be an American.  We drove to visit my parents and went down backroads in the country.  Out in front of homes and flying high above every cemetery we passed was Old Glory - the Stars and Stripes, flying high and proud.  I love seeing patriotism and a deep and abiding love for our Country.  We can never take what we have for granted.  It is so precious.

Sure we have our warts and disagreements, but it is this idea of freedom that unites us.  Freedom so precious that men and women have given their lives on fields of battle across the globe to preserve that freedom that we get to enjoy.  I never want to take those sacrifices for granted.  Because of their sacrifice, we can peaceably assemble, we can worship, we have freedom of speech, a free press, we can move about the country...  The list goes on and on. 

Lee Greenwood said it best, "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me, and I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today, 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the USA!" 

Happy 243rd Birthday, America!

This morning I woke up and hung Old Glory on the front porch.  I immediately thought of how blessed I am to be living in the United States of America.  I love our country.

Oh sure, we have our warts.  But I am proud to be an American.  I am thankful for the freedoms that we are able to experience.  The blood of patriots afforded this opportunity to me, and I won't forget it or take it lightly.

May we as a people unite as our Pledge says and "be One Nation Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

God Bless America!