A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-25-06 .... Summertime at The Finest

7-25-06 | JustAmy and MamaBear

[JustAmy]

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, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Summer Sun
Robert Louis Stevenson

THE summer sun shone round me,
The folded valley lay
In a stream of sun and odour,
That sultry summer day.

The tall trees stood in the sunlight
As still as still could be,
But the deep grass sighed and rustled
And bowed and beckoned me.

The deep grass moved and whispered
And bowed and brushed my face.
It whispered in the sunshine:
"The winter comes apace."










Sand gets in the carpet,
Sand gets in your shoes.
Fight to keep the sand out,
I guarantee you’ll lose.

The toddlers in the sandbox,
Teenagers at the beach,
It even gets down in my shorts,
Where it’s rude to even reach.

Where does all the sand come from?
How did we get so much?
It is a longish story,
But it has a pleasant touch.

Find a grain of sand somewhere,
You needn’t look too far.
There may be some left in your shoe,
There’s more out by the car.

Hold that little grain of sand,
Where you can see it close.
I’m going to explain exactly,
How we got this healthy dose.

You’ll see it sparkle as it turns,
Reflecting gleams of light,
But there’s a lighter side as well,
If you’ll hear my fancy flight.

Each single grain of sand is more.
It’s silicon dioxide, Si and then two Os,
Three million billion molecules,
And here’s what they compose.

The silicon has fourteen parts,
That are quite positive,
They’re mated up with neutral ones,
Which has some peace to give.

Twenty-eight bits of whichness,
All mixed up in a what,
And circled round with wonderment,
That’s tied up in a knot.

The Os that hang around it,
Are not just airy moons,
Each has eight bits of fire within,
And eight water balloons.

Sixteen pieces more then,
Of whatness in a where.
And not just in the sand but it’s,
One fifth of all our air.

And out there in the water,
Nine-tenths of all of that,
Though you may get it in your nose,
It’s not for sneezing at.

Every one of these small things,
Was made so long ago,
We think they are forever,
But I must tell you no.

God put these things together,
A blessing is in each.
If you want to count your blessings,
You can start down at the beach.

NicknamedBob . . . . . April 8, 2004

















Before There was Sunshine

Before there was sunshine
And warm summer haze,
Before there was leisure
And long, lazy days,
Before there was sleeping
Till noon or whenever,
We woke to alarm clocks
And cold, dreary weather.
The days passed so slowly,
We somehow got through;
Summer would get here
In good time, we knew.
When it finally got here
We savored each day,
We knew that before long
It would go away.
We went on a vacation,
Second to none;
We swam in the ocean
And dried in the sun.
The days passed so quickly,
Seemed to fly by,
Summer was ending,
We could not deny.
So we packed up and went home,
With tears in our eyes,
Summer was over,
We said our goodbyes.

Gail Grierson

It doesn't matter when the official first day of summer is -- calendar-wise. For many, it's not summer until they take their first bite of sweet, juicy ice-cold watermelon.

*****
The ability to roll up the sides of the tongue into a tubular form is a significant advantage in long-range watermelon seed spitting contests.

*****
The world record for watermelon seed spitting is held by Jack Dietz of Chicago, who launched a seed a distance of 66 feet 11 inches in March 1989.

07-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #16

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-24-06 Military Monday

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

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[jwfiv]

Extra beautiful thread, Amy ... love the colors, and the border ... )

Love summer, too ...

[JustAmy]

Good evening, Jwfiv. Thank you.

MamaBear deserves credit for the graphics.

If you ask me this week, I do not like summer. We have been having record breaking temperatures.

[JustAmy]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy,

and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Gogrammy.................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead.......................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep.....................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom..........3 sons american_ranger...............son LadyX.......................grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews bjcintennessee........son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding........active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty Tarheel................... Cousin AlaskaErik ...............active duty meanie monster .........family friend

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter weldgophardline.......................son jrushing....................................son thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem..............................2 cousins PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1 .........................3 cousins JulieRNR21 ......... friend's grandson SuzyQue .............. 2sons,2brothers Jemian's Terror ........ active duty IndyPendance ......... daughter,soninlaw

[JustAmy]

Watermelon Lemonade
Source: Chef George W. Brown Jr.
Makes 4 servings

This recipe is refreshing and different, not something you see every day. Yet it's very simple to make, needing only five ingredients.

6 cups watermelon cubes (seeds removed)
1/4 cup strawberries/raspberries
1 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice

A refreshing twist on the all-time favorite, lemonade. Watermelon juice frozen in ice cube trays is a great way to cool lemonade or other beverages.

Place watermelon, raspberries and water in container of electric blender, cover and blend until smooth. Strain through fine mesh strainer into pitcher. Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour

[JustAmy]

Click on a frog.

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

WATERMELON, STRAWBERRIES AND
KIWIS WITH BANANA SAUCE

FRUIT:
1 1/4 lbs. watermelon
1 pint strawberries, fresh
2 Tablespoons lime juice, fresh
3 kiwi fruit

BANANA SAUCE:
4 bananas, ripe and firm
1 Tablespoon lime or lemon juice, fresh
3 Tablespoons Grand Marnier or Kahlua

Remove rind and seeds from watermelon and cut into bite-size pieces. Hull and clean the strawberries. Combine watermelon and strawberries in a serving dish and toss with the lime juice. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, or until ready to serve.

Just before serving, peel and slice the kiwis and add to the salad.

Serve in individual servings and spoon the Banana Sauce separately over each serving.

To make sauce:
Peel and cut the bananas in half lengthwise. Coat with the lime or lemon juice, wrap individually in wax paper or plastic wrap and place in freezer for 3 hours or more.

Remove, unwrap and puree in a food processor until a thick, creamy consistency is obtained. Remove to a small serving bowl and blend in the Grand Marnier.

This sauce will remain unchanged in color in the refrigerator for 3 hours. After this time, it will assume a light coffee color, but the taste will be unaffected. It should be make shortly before serving.

Makes 5 servings

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[WVNan]

Remember when we cranked that homemade ice cream?

<---click this

[tiredoflaundry]

Good morning, folks!
Last night on the "Mark Levin Show" , "Lori from Long Island" called Mark requesting prayers for her SIL, who is being deployed to Iraq. Could he be added to your prayer list?
Audio here:
http://marklevinfan.com/

Thanks, and God Bless our military!

[fewz]

You've probably seen this already, but in case someone hasn't...

http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf

[citizensgratitude]

Thank you for posting this it was so moving.


"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf." (George Orwell)

[The Mayor]

July 25, 2006

The Lamb Is Our Shepherd

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA

READ: Revelation 7:13-17

The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. —Revelation 7:17

The book of Revelation gives us a marvelous picture. The Lamb of God leads us from one fountain of water to another, always deeper into the love of God (7:17).

Jesus prayed in the Upper Room shortly before He went to the cross: “I have declared to [the disciples] Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:26).

Jesus leads us into an ever deeper knowledge of the love of God. His concern is not merely that we know about God, but that we know how deeply we’re cherished and loved. As Jesus said, the love the Father has for the Son He also has for us.

But it’s a process to comprehend  that love. It takes time for God’s love to take hold of us. Perhaps you’re not sure that He loves you. Be patient. The Holy Spirit is at work guiding you into all truth (John 16:13). Read and meditate on His words and deeds in the Gospels. Ask Him to show you God’s love. In time He will reveal its “width and length and depth and height” (Ephesians 3:18).

And if I understand it correctly, the process will go on throughout eternity. We will be completely satisfied in heaven, and yet we will continue growing, for there is no end to the love of God. —David H. Roper

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.  —Lehman
© 1945 Renewal, Nazarene Publishing House

Our love has limits but God’s love is boundless.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   Psalms 37-39; Acts 26

[MEG33]

Violas To Honor Your Beautiful Color Theme!
Happy Summer To The Finest

[DollyCali]

DON’T MISS A MOMENT

I am truly amazed at how rapidly this year seems to be going by. It seems like only yesterday it was Christmastime and now we are already headed for June. I think this may be a good sign, though. They say that time flies when you are having fun. I am sure then that time flies even faster when you are choosing love and sharing joy.


I am becoming aware, however, at just how short even the longest life here on Earth is. I see children swinging at my son’s school and I can remember when I attended that same school and swung on those same swings. I give my son and daughter a hug and notice that they are almost as tall as me now. I can remember, though, when I could hold them in the crook of one arm while I rocked them to sleep. I mow the lawn near the graveyard by my home and remember all of my loved ones who have passed. Then I realize that my body too will one day be resting under a headstone and that my time on this wonderful world will be over as well.


I am doing my best then not to miss a moment of this glorious life I have been given and I urge you not to miss a moment of yours either. Enjoy every day that God in His love has given you on this world. Take the time to pet your dogs before you put on their leashes for a walk. Take a second to smell that baby’s hair when you hold her in your arms. Take a moment to sneak a kiss when you bump into your dear one in the kitchen. Take a little while to watch the sun go down and the moon rise up. Take a hour to walk among the trees and flowers and feel God’s gentle, loving breezes on your face. Take a minute to call your Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, or Uncle and tell them that you love them. Take the time to write an inspiring letter or say an encouraging word to a friend. Take all of the precious days of your life and use them to bring more joy, love, and oneness with God to this world. Life is short. Don’t miss a moment of it.

…..Joseph J. Marcella (joecool@wirefire.com) by way of “Christian Voices”

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Amy
Gorgeous thread! Summer is flying by. I get to spend so much time with my kids. I love this time together. :)