A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-28-06....Ice Castles

Billie

[Billie]

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, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Today is the last day of February, and spring is just around the corner, but before you get out your shorts and sandals, let's take one last look at the beauty that's only associated with winter - ice and snow sculptures.

A friend sent me these photographs last week, and they are absolutely breathtaking! Hope you enjoy them before they melt. :)

Your chariot is waiting...

Last one! Imagine all the hours that go into all of these creations, with no way to preserve them except through photographs and memory. Hat's off to these artists!

Brrrrrrr! Now who wants hot chocolate?

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-27-06 Military Monday

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

[DollyCali]

Good Morning to all the Finest FRiends

A shiver & snowy day here in NE Ohio. I again am to be a wanderer in a bit & now have to do some much needed "house shoveling"

A simply lovely presentation Billie.. and yes, it does make one VERY COLD. Great Pledge & what an improvement over the email (which I too received).. thank you... I know you are busy & I for one appreciate your time & labor of love in sharing your creative & vast talent with the folks here.

I have never seen ice carvings of this quality/size but last year at Groundhog day in Punxsutaney, PA. there was a man who did both wood & ice carvings. The ice carvings were smaller & sold. (but HEAVY, as you can imagine). In the one pix & you a framed photo. This is of the carver & Bill Murray when they were shooting the movie Groundhog day. The carver had a walk on part & I am told the carvings are in the movie.. I need to revisit the film to check, as I have been meaning to do since there. I wanted to buy a wood carving but they were fairly pricey (at least the ones I wanted ... the carved benches & large statue types ) ~~like the dragon fly shown

[ozarkgirl]

Oooh, what pretty pictures!

[NicknamedBob]

In Part

Whose woods these are, I think I know,
He does not live in houses, though,
His is the realm above the skies,
A home which dwarfs the world in size.

I take a moment from my rounds,
To pause amidst these sheltered grounds,
And look up to the source of all,
To speak my thanks with yelping call.

His is a gaze so sharp and keen,
He’ll see right through these flakes so clean,
A thought from Him for those below,
Who watch His woods fill up with snow.

This is my blessing, I and mine,
To share in something quite divine,
I do my part in His great plan,
Another part belongs to Man.

NicknamedBob . . . . . December 25, 2004

In Part

Whose woods these are, I think I know,
He does not live in houses, though,
His is the realm above the skies,
A home which dwarfs the world in size.

I take a moment from my rounds,
To pause amidst these sheltered grounds,
And look up to the source of all,
To speak my thanks with yelping call.

His is a gaze so sharp and keen,
He’ll see right through these flakes so clean,
A thought from Him for those below,
Who watch His woods fill up with snow.

This is my blessing, I and mine,
To share in something quite divine,
I do my part in His great plan,
Another part belongs to Man.

NicknamedBob . . . . . December 25, 2004

[The Mayor]

February 28, 2006

Equal Access

Read:
Psalm 145:14-21

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16

Bible In One Year: Numbers 20-22; Mark 7:1-13

Pastor Stuart Silvester told me of a conversation he had with an acquaintance who frequently flew his small private plane in and out of Toronto International Airport. He asked the pilot if he ever encountered problems taking off and landing a small craft at an airport that was dominated by so many large jets. His friend responded, "My plane may be small, but I have the same rights, the same privileges, and the same access to that airport as anyone else—even the jumbo jets!"

Pastor Silvester then made this spiritual application: "It's the same with prayer, with the believer's approach to the throne of grace. No matter who we are or how small we are in comparison with others or how low our station in life, we take a back seat to no one. No one is given priority treatment."

In a world that offers preferential treatment to the wealthy, the famous, and the influential, it's encouraging to know that every child of God has equal access to the Father in heaven. The psalmist said, "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

With that assurance, we can "come boldly to the throne of grace" in prayer, knowing that our loving God will never turn us away. —Richard De Haan

There never is a night or day
When God can't hear us as we pray;
There is no time, there is no place
That we're beyond His love and grace. —D. De Haan

Prayer is an open line to heaven.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Praying With Confidence

[Peach]

Good morning, sweet you. It's going to be in the 70's here today and I am in a springtime mood.

[DollyCali]

What is Fat Tuesday?

Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras, the festival New Orleans, Louisiana, is famous for. "Gras" is French for fat and "Mardi" is French for Tuesday.

The annual festivities start on January 6, the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings are supposed to have visited the Christ Child, and build to a climax on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday. The parties and parades will continue until Lent begins at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.

Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans. It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter. Since the actual date Easter occurs on changes yearly, Mardi Gras can happen on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.

For two centuries it has been an annual event in New Orleans, except during the two World Wars.

[trooprally]

Amazing ice art.
Thanks.
Mrs T

[DollyCali]

Well, it is only high 20s here but sun is out ... SOOOO.. we take what we can get as far as spring glimpses.. Ah, I recall so well my time in the Carolinas, Fla , Texas.. the early springs & delightful year round weather..

sigh

need to get to work!

[freema]

Beautiful!

[MEG33]

Nature's Ice Sculpture on Lake Michigan
Good Morning to the Finest

[MEG33]

There never is a night or day When God can't hear us as we pray; There is no time, there is no place That we're beyond His love and grace. —D. De Haan "Prayer is an open line to heaven." Amen,thank you,Mayor

[freema]

Ooooooooooooh, I've been looking for something to illustrate what I saw (on Lake Erie), but haven't found anything.
This will certainly do, though!!

[MEG33]

Great!

[MEG33]

Great post,Dolly!

[MEG33]

Your poems are a blessing..Thank you!

[DollyCali]

I have a LOT of pix of frozen natural delights on Lake Erie (in Cleveland & Dunkirk, NY area).. they are unfortunately all photos. I need to get ONE OF MY SCANNERS WORKING AGAIN!.

They are marvelous to see, views & hike/climb on. One winter Lake Erie was frozen VERY far out. We walked about 5 miles (based on horizon/house views) & the lake was frozen as far as you could see.

It is NOT easy hiking. All up & down on frozen wave like mounds. Chunky. & they are big fellas to get over. 3 or more feet high. I recall the day we did that we were out about 7 hours. Dressed warmly & when we finished shooting the four rolls of film we felt we had a good day. that was on about 150+ pix.. now with digital, I would probably take a couple thousand.

[Darksheare]

Morning!

[.30Carbine]

Who can do it better? (;

[DollyCali]

Thanks Miss Meg.. blessings to you this day.. and now I need to get to work.. too many long breaks after too short of work times! I really, really, REALLY don't like to clean house. HA!

[MEG33]

Good morning!