Free Republic

Taking an early morning walk this time of year is a singular treat, like Dorothy stepping out of Auntie Em’s house into the color and sound of Oz. The same things that are always there, only instead of Winter‘s drabness, Spring’s full and glorious color. Each walk is accompanied by a symphony of birdsong, a riot of color bursting everywhere. Fallen jasmine blossoms scatter themselves on the ground like the famed yellow brick road, and blooming things pop up everywhere like the fabled Munchkins. And then, as if the colors and sounds aren’t enough, just to add a little spice,...

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Ancient kings, armies, prophets and pilgrims have made their mark on the ancient hills of Jerusalem and have left behind some of the world's most important archaeological finds. But with every stone overturned, puzzling questions about the history of modern Western civilization come to light. This is especially true at the Tel Aviv University-owned site of Ramat Rachel, an archaeological site from biblical times. For that reason, Jewish and Christian archaeologists, theologians and volunteers come to dig there year after year. Clues revealed by last year's dig, such as elaborate underground water tunnels, pools, pipes and gutters,...

I can't say I'm much of a gardener. It's all a bit too much like hard work, especially wasting hot summer days mowing the lawn into neat little lines - I'd much rather get the deckchair out and crack open a can. And now I can - and get the lawn cut with the Automower from Husqvarna. It's a gardener's dream, cutting grass automatically without being pushed or guided - even if there's a tree or two to negotiate. Use the perimiter wire to cordon off flower beds, young trees, ponds and swimming pools and automower does the rest. As...

Zatta Melon

Money may not grow on trees, but a bumper crop of paperwork will soon be flourishing in California's newly expanded school garden program. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week signed a bill that will set aside $15 million for grants to schools that want to establish gardens for their students to tend. Instructional gardens can be a perfect place for young students to learn everything from biology and nutrition to elementary math and research skills. Hundreds of California schools already have them. But this well intended legislative gesture makes a colorful illustration of how Sacramento decides what's best for local schools...

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...

UNH Scientist Announce New Beginning of Natural Spring The sun will still cross the equator on March 20th marking the vernal equinox and the official start of spring, but Mother Nature is increasingly getting a jumpstart on the celestial movements. Over the last 150 years, scientific measurements show that events signifying the beginning of spring have all shifted. These events now happen about a week earlier on average in the northeast United States, according to a new report, Evidence of Early Spring, from the group Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP), which today announced the new, first day for "natural spring," March...

Spring is in the Air: Gardening 101 Hello everyone. Spring is coming, I can smell it. Please leave gardening tips and tricks. I am looking to find some very low upkeep annuals this year other then marigolds. I am tired of beheading petunias in my planter boxes to make them last till fall. Also suggestions for vegetable gardens. Good Gardening links also. ENJOY : )

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A 13-year-old Orlando boy was hospitalized this weekend after falling from a roller coaster ride while acting on a dare from a friend, according to a statement from Cypress Gardens Sunday. Martin Llamas remained in intensive care at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa, hospital officials said. He had been airlifted there Saturday after falling from the Triple Hurricane roller coaster at the Polk County theme park. Hospital officials did not comment on his injuries. According to a preliminary investigation, Llamas was facing the cars behind him as the ride approached a sharp right turn, said Carrie...

Good Morning all...........I had originally planned to start today with a topic of camping andother outdoor activities, but it is raining to beat the band and the weather was a bucket of water on my plans :) So, since my outdoor activites for the day have been drowed, I'm back to my drawing pad and am going to try and finish the planning of the rest of my garden. What kind of gardening do you all do? Do you like structured landscaping with beds and plans or are yu willy-nilly? Trees and shrubs, or just flowers? Or are you like...

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...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2005 -- Dan Hartman's "Free Ride" could be the theme song to the Anheuser-Busch Company's latest offer to the military. This month, the brewery announced that once again it will open the gates to its SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place theme parks for free as a way of saying thanks to servicemembers and their families. The company's latest promotion, dubbed "Here's to the Heroes," offers a free single-day admission to servicemembers, including Guardsmen and Reservists, and as many as three "direct dependents," according to Fred Jacobs, senior director for communications at Busch Entertainment Corp. The offer...

When the world is too loud and raucous, retire to the gardens of Grandmother's world 09/25/2004 The 2004 Garden Season Ends There will be times, sweet Granddaughter, when you will see a gardener standing on some raised vantage point and gazing out across the plantings. One would hope that the gardener is resting with admiration for the floral, fauna, and foliage throughout. More likely, Kaitlyn Mae, the gardener is dreaming of new plants to come, assessing the sunlight, rating the aesthetics and this time of year, already deep in plan for next year’s garden. Yes, gardening is a constant learning...

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...