Thursday, October 20, 2016

American Eagle


Veterans' Day 2016 is 21 short days away--November 11.  Another great day to bring out the red, white and blue.  I have another patriotic addition, an American Eagle chair pad.  While reading blogs one day, I saw this American Eagle with surrounding stars and thought it seemed a natural fit to compliment my patriotic quilts.  My wool stash had a good assortment of red, white and blues.  The eagle motif came from the Primitive Quilts magazine and I modified the stars until they fit.  If anyone is counting, there are thirteen stars for the thirteen original colonies.  Forever the history buff.

The bald eagle (I prefer the American eagle) was chosen as the emblem of the United States of America because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks.  Benjamin Franklin did not want the bald eagle to be the chosen bird.  Here is what our founding forefather wrote about the bald eagle:

I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly, you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him. . .  Besides he is a rank coward; the little kingbird, not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district.  He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest of America.  For a truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard wearing his red coat.

Franklin did not hold back about his feelings about the bald eagle being chosen.  The turkey, well he earned his place in American history for another holiday celebrated in November--Thanksgiving.

As much as I love and respect the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, I am glad the eagle became the emblem for the United States--the eagle is a majestic bird.  One other reason for loving the eagle:  his amazing eyesight.  It is estimated the eagle's eyesight is 4 to 8 times stronger than that of the average human.  Some say an eagle can see a rabbit up to two miles away.  No more glasses, no more magnifying lights--a plus for all the needlework projects.

5 comments:

  1. I've always found B Franklin thoughts on the turkey verse the American Eagle interesting and humorous. Your chair mat is perfect for any patriotic occasion.

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  2. That chair mat is very pretty. One of the joys of living in the Pacific NW is seeing the bald eagle. We see one several times a year. They are majestic birds.

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  3. A great little patriotic mat. Nice work!
    Around here the wild turkeys that run free are considered an annoyance. Wouldn't want that for our national bird! : )

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  4. Your wool chair pad is beautiful!
    I am also fond of the Eagle as our national bird.

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  5. Very nice work! Love how it came out. Can you imagine a turkey for the national bird? Somehow doesn't cut it. lol!

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