A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-13-04....Mississippi - "Virtute et Armis"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past several months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state and I will be presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would appreciate your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

Today we are going way down South to Dixie to celebrate the beautiful state of Mississippi.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico

10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming

As we celebrate each state,
we also salute the Fine FReepers who
proudly fly their home state's flag.

"Virtute et Armis"
- By valor and arms.










Mississippi History -
A Condensed Time Line

1540—Spaniard Hernando de Soto enters the Mississippi region
1682—René-Robert Cavelier of France claims the Mississippi region
1699—Pierre le Moyne establishes the first French colony at Old Biloxi
1716—Jean Baptiste Le Moyne founds what becomes Natchez
1719—The French bring the first black slaves into Mississippi
1763—Mississippi becomes English territory
1781—Spain claims Mississippi’s Gulf Coast
1783—Mississippi, except for the Gulf Coast, becomes United States territory
1798—The Mississippi Territory is created
1812—The Gulf Coast becomes part of the Mississippi Territory
1817—Mississippi becomes the 20^th state
1861—Mississippi secedes from the Union
1863—Union forces capture Vicksburg in the Civil War
1870—Mississippi is readmitted to the Union
1969—A federal court orders the desegregation of Mississippi’s public schools; Charles Evers becomes the first black mayor of Mississippi since Reconstruction. He was elected in Fayette.

Eight flags have
flown over the Magnolia State...



The current state flag...

The Confederate Battle Flag can still be seen in Mississippi. In 1894 it was incorporated into the state flag and the remainder of the flag being similar to the Stars and Bars except the upper bar is blue not red. When the Mississippi flag was drawn up The Battle Flag was never mentioned by name. The history of the state leaves no doubt that this was the intention. In 1861 Mississippi was the second state to join the Confederacy. During the Civil War it used the Bonnie Blue Flag. The second state flag consisted of a white background containing a magnolia tree, with the Bonnie Blue Flag in the canton. In 1817 when Mississippi became a state it also adopted a coat of arms and a seal. Both were based on a seal of the U.S.A. The arms nor the seal were used during the time Mississippi was in secession from the Union.







Mississippi is -
THE LAND OF COTTON...

During the early 1800s, cotton became Mississippi’s major crop. The industry continued to grow as the Natchez Trace connected Mississippi with Nashville, Tennessee. By 1810, the Mississippi Territory extended over all present-day Alabama, Mississippi, and parts of Florida. In 1817, Congress divided the Mississippi Territory into the state of Mississippi and the Alabama Territory. On Dec. 10, 1817, Mississippi joined the Union and became the 20th state. Its population had almost reached 60,000 people. Cotton continued to grow in importance with the invention of the cotton gin in 1793.

When Mississippi was a one-crop state before the arrival of the boll weevil in 1907, plantations thrived, and cotton was king in the fertile soil of the Yazoo-Mississippi delta. Today, though Mississippi ranks among the leading producers, cotton competes with other crops, like soybeans, and manufacturing has replaced agriculture as the economic leader. Mississippi is the nation's largest producer of upholstered furniture.


Mississippi is -
MUSIC...

The Mississippi Delta Blues.....the only true American music.

The blues as an art form has its origins in African culture. Yet, it is a uniquely American phenomenon in that it represents a merging of the similar, but diverse musical, tribal and cultural traditions typifying the long stretch of the west African coastline from Senegamabia to Angola.

The American blues, however, is more than a hybridized form of African musical traditions. It is also a distinctive and creative expression of the experiences of the suffering and pain of African slave descendants who toiled and labored as sharecroppers in the deep south, particularly the Mississippi Delta.

Mississippi's earthy concoction of emotion-filled lyrics and soulful sounds produced music legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Each year, in the land of the Delta Blues, world-famous music festivals, like the Delta Blues and Heritage Festival, pay homage to this original art form - and the mighty Mississippi River just keeps on rollin'.


Mississippi is -
THE GULF COAST
and SHRIMP BOATS...

Mississippi's Gulf Coast is ranked one of the top three "up and coming" destinations in North America by the 2000 Fodor's/ASTA Annual Hot Spot Survey.

With over 200 species of fish, including mackerel, snapper, and grouper, indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico, deep-sea fishing charters, shrimping trips, and fishing in the area's many lakes and rivers are a must when visiting Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast's temperate climate affords virtually year-round outdoor activities, including golfing, sailing, and motor boating. Jet skiing, windsurfing, and aqua-cycling are fun favorites of both visitors and residents. The adventuresome can't miss out on parasail rides, which offer an exhilarating panoramic view of the scenic coastline. With the wealth of festivities, some locals say that the Gulf Coast has a celebration for every crustacean.

Not to be missed is the ceremonial "Blessing of the Fleet" in Biloxi, given by a local Catholic priest, marking the beginning of the shrimp fishing season. Even though it had its origins in ancient times in Europe, the first Blessing of the Fleet in the Biloxi Bay was given in 1929, and now takes place annually in a colorful procession in the Mississippi Sound. The ceremony begins with the dropping of an evergreen wreath into the Sound in remembrance of fishermen who have been lost at sea. Then a procession of more than 30 shrimp boats files past the anchored "Blessing Boat" where the officiating priest stands, sprinkling holy water on each of the boats and giving a blessing for each one, asking a safe and prosperous fishing season.

As with each state that I present, I have had to leave much out. Mississippi is, of course, so much more than cotton, music and shrimp boats! I hope that our Mississippi FReepers will come and help us celebrate their great state by telling us more about Mississippi and why they are proud to be a Mississippian.

The following websites provided information, text,
and/or graphics for this presentation...

Blues History
Mississippi's Gulf Coast
Netstate - Mississippi
Mississippi's State Flags

I will close by adding this rather odd interesting
recipe that I found in my recent Google travels.....

Mississippi Mud

Ingredients:
1 small bottle orange juice
diet or regular coke
ice

Preparation:
Put some ice in glass. Add orange juice, top up with coke and stir. Looks like mud, tastes delicious.

(Hmmmm....not too sure about this one. LOL)

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-12-04...Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[Mama_Bear]

This is ***beautiful*** as usual (((((Mama_Bear)))))!

Awwww....thanks, dansy. Between you and wolfie....I am feeling quite proud of myself this morning. ;-)

Shrimp? OMG!!!! To me, *shrimp* is its own food group, cold boiled with cocktail sauce *heavy* on the horseradish!

I wish I could aquire a taste for it. I am about the only one I know who doesn't like shrimp. But I love horseradish on just about anything!

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Mr. Temple Owl. :-)

[The Thin Man]

Good morning, Mama_Bear.

This was almost a perfect presentation except for one thing. How you can do a thread on Mississippi and not mention the classic song "Mr. and Mississippi" is beyond me.

Ok, that was a stretch, but I had to find something complain about. Got a reputation to maintain. :-)

[dansangel]

I wish I could aquire a taste for it.

It may be that you have not had *fresh* (ie, never frozen) shrimp. Most people that don't like it have had bad experiences with mushy, previously frozen, no-flavor or ammonia-flavor - eck!), no crunch shrimp.

Living near the Gulf for many years, I have had the *real deal* - in fact, when .45MAN and I stay on St.Simon's each year, I *stuff* myself on fresh boiled shrimp each and every day. It truly makes a difference.

Again, ***great*** job - absolutely beautiful!

[Pippin]

Hi, Rus!

You have mail.

I promise no more whining!

[Mama_Bear]

How you can do a thread on Mississippi and not mention the classic song "Mr. and Mississippi" is beyond me.

You're making that up! LOL. There is no such song, I know there isn't because I looked for it on the internet and it doesn't exist....although it does looks as though Ernie Ford may have recorded it.

But I did find this, it will have to suffice.....

Oh Mississippi Moon
Shining like a spoon
Over Pascagoula by the sea
How wonderful you are
Much nearer than a star
But taller than a roof top or palm tree
mmmmmmm

And when I go out with my baby tonight
We'll be dancing in your silvery light
And everything is gonna be all right
Thanks to you
Yes you
Mississippi Moon
Mississippi Moo-hoo-hoon

Oh Mississippi Moon
So far from Saskatoon
Look down on my lady love and I
She is my steady date
We meet at half past eight
Gosh oh gee I'm such a lucky guy
mmmmmmm

And when I go out with my baby tonight
We'll be dancing in your silvery light
And everything is gonna be all right
Thanks to you

Thanks to you
Yes you
Mississippi Moon
Mississippi Moo...
                        ...hoo...
                                   ...hoooon

 
Ok, that was a stretch,

You bet it was! LOL.

Got a reputation to maintain. :-)

But of course. ;-)

[FreeTheHostages]

[StarFan]

Oh Mama_Bear, I simply cannot thank you enough.

[oyez]

Mississippi is where I discovered America.

[The Thin Man]

How dare you question my veracity? LOL!

MISTER AND MISSISSIPPI

I can't recall my Mother, I don't remember Dad
Mister and Mississippi was all I ever had
Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

CHORUS
Oh, I was born to wander, oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi made me feel at home.

My cradle was the river, my school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat
My teacher was a gambler, the slickest one afloat
He taught me not to gamble on a petticoat.

CHORUS

Oh! Betty Mae, I love you, I love you Betty Mae
I love you like a barefoot boy, loves a summer day
The way a wand'ring gypsy, loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river, loves old New Orleans.

CHORUS

I'd love a tiny village, a quite country town
A house, a little garden, with kiddies runnin' 'round
I'd be a faithful husband, I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat, comin' 'round the bend.

CHORUS

[Billie]

Good morning, Miz Bear. I love these Southern States, and you make them so inviting with your soft, pretty illustrations and presentations. I see Mississippi Riverboats and huge colonial homes with white columns and porches with rocking chairs, and oh, those magnolias! And of course, those dresses!

[Pippin]

(((BILLIE)))!

[Mama_Bear]

How dare you question my veracity? LOL!

Oops!

I did a Google search and came up with nothing......other than a reference to Ernie Ford's name.

Actually, it is a very clever little ditty. Beats the heck out of "Mississippi Moon". LOL!

[oyez]

State songs can't be much more cheesier than this, but you use what you've got.

Go, Mississippi
Words and Music by Houston Davis

Verse:

States may sing their songs of praise
With waving flags and hip-hoo-rays,
Let cymbals crash and let bells ring
Cause here's one song I'm proud to sing.

Choruses:

Go, Mississippi, keep rolling along,
Go, Mississippi, you cannot go wrong,
Go, Mississippi, we're singing your song,
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

Go, Mississippi, you're on the right track,
Go, Mississippi, and this is a fact,
Go, Mississippi, you'll never look back,

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

Go, Mississippi, straight down the line,
Go, Mississippi, ev'rything's fine,
Go, MIssissippi, it's your state and mine,

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

Go, Mississippi, continue to roll,
Go, Mississippi, the top is the goal,
Go, Mississippi, you'll have and you'll hold,

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

Go, Mississippi, get up and go,
Go, Mississippi, let the world know,
That our Mississippi is leading the show,

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-

[Mama_Bear]

You're welcome.

I played the midi a couple of times and will have it playing through my head all day. It's a catchy tune. :-)

[Pippin]

Hi, (((Lori)))!

Wow!

I think you've covered all the Southern states:)

Wait a minute! Did you do Tennessee?

Hey that's for another day!

I think I'll just hang out in (as we used to do when we were kids) M-EYE-crooked letter-crooked letter-eye-crooked letter-crooked letter-eye-humpback-humpback-eye! (Mississippi)

[Mama_Bear]

I see Mississippi Riverboats and huge colonial homes with white columns and porches with rocking chairs, and oh, those magnolias!

Yep, that's exactly what I see. And mint juleps....and, of course, those beautiful dresses....and women with tiny little waists. ;-)

Hugs to you! Have a lovely day, Sistah Billie.

[Mama_Bear]

Wait a minute! Did you do Tennessee?

Yes, sure did. I have yet to do Arkansas and Kentucky. I think that bigghurtt is going to help me with Arkansas, right bigghurtt? Did you get my FReepMail from awhile back?

You two have a great day!

[Pippin]

Yeah, I saw that after I posted to you. You did Tennessee on Sept 5 2003.

How'd you like the way I spelled Mississippi?

[Mama_Bear]

State songs can't be much more cheesier than this...

LOL. I am afraid you are right about that. But, from what I have found in researching the states I present, most state songs are pretty lame.

Thanks for posting it. That is one of the things I could't fit into my post.