A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-20-07....Yay, It's Spring!

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine~

I was looking out the window after our Ice/rain/snow storm we had Friday/Saturday. I can't wait for this to melt. Breathing a sigh of relief, Oh how I'm so thankful this week is officially Spring!

It is enjoyable having 4 seasons. Winter just seems to be the longest. Gardening and birding are my love. Each year, I look so forward to spring and all that is to be done.

Recently we have moved. My former yard was filled with gardens and birds. Now, a new beginning. Soon I'll be putting up birdhouses, planting and enjoying the warm sun. This yard is my new palette to create on.
What do you look forward to with Spring?

I thought a poem for this spring thread would be perfect. I searched and searched on the internet and found nothing I truly loved reading. I went to my ping page and saw this posted by NicknamedBob. Beautiful! Thank you so much NicknamedBob :)

Sonnet to Almost Spring

The flowers stir, and stretch their tender shoots,
Awakened by a warmth come softly seeping,
“Rise up!” the call has traced their hidden roots,
To rouse them from their winter’s peaceful sleeping.

The den of slumbers has become,
A din of noisy childish clatter.
Impetuous and impish in its sum,
They split the earth and clamber up its ladder.

Emerging into sunlit air, and softening caresses,
Of nurture at its basest form, the soil on which we stand,
Which all too quickly grips them and compresses,
As night falls much too early in the land.

False spring has lured them out. Cruel season’s dying play,
Receding from the shores of Spring, the Winter ebbs away.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . March 17, 2007

1-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 3-19-07 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[GodBlessUSA]

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

[GodBlessUSA]

[DollyCali]

It;s spring? wow, officially yes.. soon.. but reality is we had more snow/sleet today...

but hope lives eternal.. thanks for the lovely peppy thread today GeeBee... you are getting so good at this!

sigh

[luvie]

GEEEBEEEE!!!

What a gorgeous thread! Spring has indeed sprung...as of now! Yay.

Is the snow gone yet?

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Evening Dolly
I think it's official on Wednesday. I can't wait for all this ice and snow here to melt. But Soon it will just be a memory ;)
Thanks!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good evening LuvW :)
Thanks! How are you this evening? We still have snow and ice but it is melting. Funny, last week, planting things, this week waiting for snow to melt. How is your weather? 70's yet?

[DollyCali]

okay, to answer your questions.. what do I look forward to w/spring

-- working in yard, playing in dirt, cleaning up the flower beds.

-- spring flowers in yard.. all the yummy bulbs I plant come forth. Of course the harbinger here is forsythia.. and I have blazes of yellow all throughout yard & a long hedge of it along my "naughty" neighbor's yard.

-- The wide range of yellows/greens in the forest tree tops as the trees begin budding.. green is NOT JUST GREEN but a rendering of shades/textures to delight the eye

The forest floor exploding with dozens of my favorite wild flowers..

-- Walking with water shoes in the streams (yes I go when it is still cold) ... but NOT having to wear the heavy water boots is nice.

-- MUD.. slipping & sliding & having fun with the dogs in the mud.. that comes with the thaw & warm weather & I embrace it

-- Bike riding without freezing'

-- The first kayak outings.. the water is still very cool so I DONT want to tip, but often do

-- Babies.. lots of wild life has their young.. the great blue heron rookeries nearby, the raccoons that bring their young to feed at the cat dishes (guess we have replaced fishing at the stream for crawdads), baby fawns in yard with their moms.

The ONLY thing I do NOT like about spring is the pollen.. tears up my allergies/simus.. but it is part of package & so it is an "oh well" scenario

[MEG33]

Beautiful, GeeBee! I'll be back later.... as soon as my back recovers from cleaning out old files and creating a working office space in my computer, guest room...to post some spring flowers. I am so glad it's spring!

I have a spray of Carolina yellow jasmine on my desk..The blossoms may promptly drop off but I sure am enjoying looking at them after a very tiring 4 days of cleaning out old paperwork..Now ...on to tending to the newer tomorrow...between freeping, of course.

[luvie]

~SUZANNE CIANI~
BUTTERFLIES

[GodBlessUSA]

Dolly
This is a wonderful list. You have a fantastic time with your hikes with your dogs. I'm bad, I don't do it when it's not warm out. :) It is a joy to see all the baby animals.

[DollyCali]

sorry about your back Meg. I experienced a similar situation last week.. we had a 72 degree day & I was out most of it in yard doing clean up.. felt so good to be doing it & I did not think I had hurt myself but since have had again the severe back pain.

Got to chiropractor today & somewhat better.

YOur comment of the yellow jasmine gave me a thought. THink I will pick about 20 twis of forsythia to force inside into blooms. Half on my computer area (which cats will probably dump) and half in my mom's "room", (which cats will probably dump)

but if I can stabalize both to NOT get dumped, in a few days we will have alittle head start on the blossoms.

It is to be nice later in week. Will divide that time up bewtween yard & biking.. Last week it was all yard.

There is a daily dog walk so I am out in forest every day for at least an hour & it is so much fun & such good R & R

[GodBlessUSA]

Good evening Meg :)
Don't let your back get too stressed.

It is so nice to know soon the flowers will be blooming. Does the jasmine have a delicious smell?

[GodBlessUSA]

This song is beautiful. Susan Ciani is so talented. I love your graphic :) Thanks so much for the music Luv!

[GodBlessUSA]

Your forsythia is almost blooming now? You are lucky. Your snow will be gone soon for sure! :)

[DollyCali]

well, your dogs might NOT need the daily excursions (they would no doubt enjoy however).. when you have large herding dogs, this is not an option if one is to maintain a "happy" home..

It is night/day when the pups dont' get adequate "burn off energy" time outdoors... An exhausted pet has a smile in it's soul & is gentle & fun in the home.

[MEG33]

Just wonderful LUV!

[luvie]

LOL! It was 85 today!

My white irises are now blooming!!

[DollyCali]

no it isnt' blooming.. but if I bring in the dormant twigs & put in warm water it will force the blossoms

[luvie]

I love her music. A good friend introduced me to her music!

[GodBlessUSA]

LOL! Good point Dolly. :) My dog is a couch potato. She gets spurts of energy and back to laying down. Although, when the weather is warmer she seems more energetic. :)