A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day.... 08-16-05 ....A Finest Ohio and West Virginia Adventure!

Mama_Bear, JustAmy, Dutchess, WVNan, DollyCali, PrissyMissy, Babychick

[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, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

JustAmy, PrissyMissy and MamaBear met some of the Finest people on the planet on their recent trip to Ohio and West Virginia! Today's post will run through Wednesday and is a compilation of thoughts and photos from DollyCali, JustAmy, PrissyMissy, Dutchess, WVNan and Scubachick's "Babychick". Today we present "Part I" - Columbus and Akron. Tomorrow will find the happy travelers in West Virginia for "Part II".

We hope you will enjoy this picture story of their freeper get-together.

First stop - Columbus, where they "do the zoo" with Sistah Dutchess,......then on to Akron to meet with more Ohio FReepers.....

The Zoo...The Zoo....
California Finest Freeper Friends are Visiting
....That’s What We’ll Do!!!!



My perspective....how could I entertain these very special people? They politely suggested the Columbus Zoo which Jack Hanna ran for years. That became the focal point. I've loved these gals from afar for years....but drove into Columbus with a little "trepidation". Knocked on the door, the door opened and was greeted with a great big “Mama_Bear” hug from Lori! What a lovely lady! Hugs also from Amy and Marissa, equally lovely and adorable (in that order :o)).



No one was sure of the next step so I, hating city driving, drove on a course to the zoo AND missing a turn happened upon a Bob Evans Restaurant where we had breakfast. Now...I know most Midwesterners know of Bob Evans sausage (he actually started the family business in Gallipolis, Ohio where it is still headquartered) Lori NEVER heard of it wondering if was anything like Jimmy Dean sausage... amazing huh? Needless to say we ate lots of carbohydrates…


Next step...the Zoo.



We had so much fun and the day went so fast. Lots of talking, bonding, okay…hate to admit it….we did do just a tad, wee bit of ”gossiping” (but only in the purist, cleanest form, of course!)



Speaking of directions (how’s that for a lead in?) I did a wrong turn exiting the zoo and Lori, Amy and PrissyMissy had to put up with the "scenic" tour of northern Columbus....I tried to portray total confidence (while I didn't know where the heck I was and was feeling the beginning of a panic attack!!!). Meanwhile, Marissa seemed “nonplussed”, making up and singing a kind of “rap” song about cats. I am not exaggerating that she has a great voice, sense of timing and beat. Anyway found our way back to the hotel and before I had to depart they asked me for directions to the next leg of their trip. (ME, directions?????) Fortunately they supplied me with a map! (although I still called Mr. D…otherwise they still might be on the road looking for their next destination)



Anyway, just want to say....if you EVER have a chance to meet a finest freeper...do so... You don't know what you're missing. So glad to meet you in person Lori, Amy AND Marissa!!!

For Dutchess, DollyCali, MollyPitcher, OhioWFan, DrDeb,
BoxerBlues, Dubyaismypresident and CommieWatcher.
Thank you for welcoming us to Ohio.

After a hearty breakfast at Bob Evans,
our day at the zoo begins.
But first, Dutchess makes sure her camera is ready.

The zoo is BIG and wonderful.
Marissa and I take turns riding. :)
At least we know where she is!

The day was far too short. :(

We met at Stan Hywet Mansion and Garden on Saturday.
The picnic lunch and the wine were fantastic.
Left to right are: JustAmy, Mama_Bear, MollyPitcher,
OhioWFan and Dr.Deb.

Dubyaismypresident, BoxerBlues and Commiewatcher
also joined us at the Stan Hywet picnic on Saturday.

DollyCali ..... thank you for planning and organizing a wonderful FReeper get together.
You did good.

Mama_Bear and JustAmy extend their
heartfelt thanks to DollyCali and all of the Ohio FReepers who came out to picnic with us.

Did I read that FReepmail correctly? Amy & Lori are coming to OHIO to visit us????

I had met them 6 months prior in DC at the Inauguration in January 2005. We didn’t have too much time together as for all of us a lot was packed into the 48 hours I was in DC. But I did wish we were not a thousand miles plus away from each other.

Well, I had read it correctly and the months didn’t go fast enough until the day on July 23 where we would all meet for a FReeper get together. They didn’t have a whole lot of time & had a lot of real estate to cover in Ohio & WV so we had to chose ONE locale they wanted to see.. Offerings such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, First Ladies Museum, Warther Museum, and the Inventor’s Hall of fame all took fell off the draft table when they took a look at the possibilities of the Stan Hywet Hall in Akron Ohio. A turn of the century Golden Age mansion on an immense and gorgeous estate was the choice.

Next followed many FReepmails & posting on State board to see who could come for a PAR_TAY. It is summer & people were going to be on vacations, at weddings, or otherwise committed but we did have a nice. although small, group. None of the WV folks were able to attend. Wanted to keep the cost low for travelers so decided to provide a picnic wine/lunch & ask local folks to bring something to share.

The weather was perfect. After weeks of stifling heat & humidity, God blessed our time with a gentle breeze, mild temperatures and a gorgeous blue sky with puffy clouds & bright sun. The California gals simply could not understand why we were always complaining.

Attendees were Molly Pitcher (who lives the closest); Dr.Deb (who drove the farthest); ohioWfan; Commiewatcher; Dubyaismypresident; boxerblues; JustAmy; Mama_bear; PrissyMissy; and DollyCali. It was good to have boxerblues with us as she had lost her 51 year old husband to cancer a few months prior and currently has 2 sons in military - one in Iraq and so was very ready for sharing time with good FReepers.

Over wine in crystal we toasted the occasion & chatted for hours about the weather, politics (OF COURSE!); Iraq; gossip ( OF COURSE AGAIN); our pets; Jim Robinson (OF COURSE); tattoos (YEA, we did); and the normal chit chat that goes dozens of directions.

Plenty of food was prepared, but I had to chuckle when I called Amy on her cell phone about a half hour before our rendezvous time to check if they were on schedule and heard they were at BURGER KING!!! Guess people always get a little nervous/worried when they know a vegetarian is preparing the meal.

After chat & eating a few of the folks had to leave (one to play poker!) but some took the tour of the Stan Hywet house. It is big, impressive, fun. The Sieberlings were GOODYEAR & friends with the likes of William Taft, Helen Keller & the Von Trapps (of Sound of Music fame). Mrs. Sieberling was a professional opera singer & canvas artist and the guests & performances at Stan Hywet were the talk of NE Ohio. The entire mansion contains all of the original furniture & appointments. It was fun but the day went much too quickly.

That evening was a live professional presentation of a Midsummer’s nights Dream on the grounds of the estate.. Amy & Lori were bushed & decided to just go relax at their room in Cuyahoga Falls at the Sheraton Suites.

Below we are about to say goodbye for the day & PrissyMissy was kind enough to take our picture. Amy & Lori & PrissyMissy left the next morning to visit Nan who was … well, that is somebody else’s story.

Dutchess is calling for directions.
I hope we're not lost.

We didn't get lost.
Dutchess found "King Louie"
of Jungle Book fame.

It looks like ketchup.
DrDeb says it isn't.
She is right, it doesn't taste like ketchup.

MamaBear and I checked out
beautiful view at Cuyahoga Falls.

It is important to get your beauty rest
whenever and wherever you can.

06-28-05 HALL OF FAME #12

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-15-05 Military Monday

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

[LadyX]

"Darks is here" -
Darks, the Ever Faithful..:))
How goes New Yawk?

[Just mythoughts]

Ah, well my son is heading back to Clemson for his final year of undergraduate. He has fallen in love with the state, (SC) and I am not sure he will ever move back to MO. Breaks my heart, but he is that individual I raised him to be.

[Darksheare]

Cool, relatively calm.
Drizzle earlier, and somewhat cloudy.
But cooler than the roaster day the other day.

Your way?

[LadyX]

That section of SC is indeed lovely, and Clemson University is under the U.S. News & World Report Rankings - Top 50 Public Universities – 2005 in the Nation - as 32nd.

[PrissyMissy]

But, but, but .... all the big kids get to ride the bus.

I think we have them straightened out now ...... my Grampa and Gramma were not happy today.

I will not ride the bus to school; they told Gramma today that they come by our house at 7:00. School starts at 8:00. Sheesh ..... Grampa can drive me there in less than 10 minutes.

[LadyX]

Generally 70 to 90 range, with afternoon/evening scattered thunderstorms.
Everywhere you look, it is green - haven't had to water the lawn all year - just three small flower beds and some in large pots for 'insurance. '

Of course in the back yard is the bird bath, and three weighted water bowls on the ground to keep replenished, the birds so numerous I had to place number cards on a tree trunk so they'd take turns in the 4 receptacles..:))

[WVNan]

Ha. Good thing you qualified that remark. And, I do love hugging one particular wolfie.

[Darksheare]

I found a Scarlet Cardinal Flower.
Grabbed some pics.
And I have no place to host them at the moment.
*chuckle*

I'm a dunce.



LOL!
Number cards!

[WVNan]

Did I miss saying hello to you Ms Billie? Oh my goodness, I didn't realize that. Mea culpa. I thought I did. Maybe I was reading your posts and just thought I answered one of them. My senior moments are becoming longer by the minute.

Back to the future: Hi Ms Billie! How are you today? Isn't this the greatest thread that Mama_Bear has lovingly constructed. I do hope that you have had a great day and that you are not within smelling distance of the Crawford crazies. Thank you for such a Finest place.

[WVNan]

Procrastination! Were we separated at birth? :o)

[WVNan]

Oh......there you are little Sistah. Every other Tuesday. It seems like every Tuesday lately. Gee, that tomorrow trip seems a bit much for you. Why did you settle so far away from everything? Especially so far away from me so that I can't drive for you. -------uh....on second thought, with my eye "condition" you might be better off. You should have seen the "white knuckles" on the calif. girls when I was driving them on country roads. ROTFLOL.

[WVNan]

Oh-oh-oh-oh- you're here. (((((Darks)))))

[DollyCali]

True Love
Lyrics: Cole Porter
~ Elton John

Sometimes wind blows
a new moon moves at last alone
feeling far above her
oh how lucky we are

while I give to you
would you give to me
true love true love
so on and on it will always be
true love true love

for you and I have a guardian angel
on high with nothing to do
but to give to you as you give to me
love forever true
love forever true

for you and I have a guardian angel
on high with nothing to do
but to give you as you give to me
love forever true
love forever true

give me more true love oh yeah
true love true love
true love true love
got to give me your oh yeah oh yeah
true love true love
true love true love

for you and I have a guardian angel
on high with nothing to do
but to give to you as you give to me
love forever true
love forever true
love forever true love.

[jwfiv]

Howday, Mr. Wolf ... always glad to run into you here at the Finest ... )

[Darksheare]

Was goofing around on a humor thread for a bit.
*chuckle*
It is.. rather amusing but not everyone's cup of tea.

[Mama_Bear]

Glad to see you here, Maggie. We all get concerned when you don't post at least a little something, but especially your devoted sistah Nan. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

True Love Forever Day

Oh, I must ping my husband to this. He has been my "true love" for over 38 years! I guess that many years counts as "forever". :-)

And, this should count for dinner out or flowers or somethin' to celebrate this special day. LOL. ;-)

Thanks for posting the holidays for us, tulip.

[WVNan]

Awwwwww. That is so sweet. You are so very special my dearest sweet FRiend. (there, that should keep her from telling stories about me)

[Mama_Bear]

You are so very special my dearest sweet FRiend. (there, that should keep her from telling stories about me)

Ha! Not a chance....dearest sweet Nan. LOL

[Mama_Bear]

I need to leave the thread. Dinnertime here. I will be back in the morning with the second part of our journey. See you all then.