A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-29-06 - 01-01-07 ~ A Finest New Year's Weekend

Dutchess and Aquamarine

[dutchess]

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 , Aquamarine ~

Auld Lang Syne - Traditional
Auld Lang Syne - Modern
Auld Lang Syne - For Cat People :)




A Finest Happy New Years Weekend…
History and Traditions

As we enter 2007, this weekend thread is dedicated to traditions past. Please feel free to share your traditions and memories!!!

ANCIENT NEW YEARS

The New Years celebration is the oldest of all holidays. First observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. Around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (first day of spring). The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. The Babylonian new year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

THE CHURCH'S VIEW OF NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued celebrating the new year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. During the Middle Ages, the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years. January 1 has been celebrated as a holiday by Western nations for only about the past 400 years.

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California. Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.

NEW YEARS BABY

The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth. Although the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus. The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the new year was brought to early America by the Germans. They had used the effigy since the fourteenth century.

FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man.

AULD LANG SYNE

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days.".

NEW YEAR'S FOOD TRADITIONS

~ Eating noodles at midnight is customary at Buddhist temples in Japan.

~ A German/Pennsylvania Dutch tradition is to eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's day for good luck.

~ It is a Cuban tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. The 12 grapes signify the last twelve months of the year.

~ German folklore says that eating herring at the stroke of midnight will bring luck for the next year.

~ Eating pickled herring as the first bite of the New Year brings good luck to those of Polish descent.

~ In the southern United States, it is believed eating black eyed peas on New Year's eve will bring luck for the coming year.

~ Also from the south comes the custom of eating greens such as cabbage, collard greens, mustard greens, kale or spinach to bring money.

~ One more from the Southerners: eating cornbread will bring wealth.

~The Southern custom of eating greens can be found in other cultures as well, although the cabbage can take many forms, such as sauerkraut or even kimchee.

~ In the Philippines, it is important to have food on the table at midnight in order to insure an abundance of food in the upcoming year.

~ Boiled Cod is a New Year's Eve must in Denmark.

~ Olie Bollen a donut-like fritter is popular in Holland for New Year.

~ Black-eyed peas, fish, apples, and beets are eaten for luck at the Jewish New Year's celebration (not celebrated on Jan 1).

AN INVITATION

To all our friends at FreeRepublic. We hope you have a blessed 2007 and invite you to share a special family tradition or recollections of 2006.

As always, thank you Jim Robinson and all our FreeRepublic family for helping us keep our country moving in the RIGHT direction AND… AS ALWAYS… Our love, prayers and gratitude to our military men and women and their families.

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST IN 2007!!!!

Happy New Year 2007!

10-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #17

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12/22 thru 12/25/06 Polar Express ~ Christmas Thread 12-26-06 Military Monday on Tuesday 12/27/06 Warm Fuzzy Wednesday 12/28/06 Pet Day at the Finest

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

[ST.LOUIE1]

[The Mayor]

Todays movie actors are nothing like the older ones.
I saw an old western last night with Yule Brenner, Dean Martin and a few others. We are dating ourselves.

[The Mayor]

I read a report from Kristin that said he collapsed and needed assistance getting to the noose. The man was a coward and I am sure he deserves where he is at now.

[The Mayor]

December 30, 2006

Remembering

READ: Psalm 103:1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. —Psalm 103:2

Some days we awaken with aching joints and dull spirits and wonder how we can shake off our lethargy and make it through the day.

Here’s an idea: Like David, try lifting up your thanks to God. Use mind and memory to rekindle thankfulness for all God’s “benefits” (Ps. 103:2). Gratefulness will lead to joy.

Thank God for His forgiveness. He “forgives all your iniquities” (v.3), and “has cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19).

Thank Him for healing your diseases (v.3). God uses infirmity and disorders to draw you more deeply into His love and care. And, one day when your Lord comes for you, He will heal all of your diseases.

Thank Him for redeeming your life from destruction (v.4). This is more than rescue from a premature death. It is redemption from death itself.

Thank Him for crowning your life “with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (v.4).

Thank the One who satisfies your desires (v.5). He is your satisfaction. Each day, He renews your strength and vigor. Then your spirit can rise up and soar like the eagle.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (v.2 )

Give me a spirit of thankfulness, Lord,
For numberless blessings given;
Blessings that daily come to me
Like dewdrops falling from heaven.  —Dawe

Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.

Bible in One Year:   Zechariah 13-14; Revelation 21

[Billie]

Dutchess and Aquamarine, just wanted to tell you again how pretty your New Year's post is! Aqua, so happy to "see" you here again!

Now, here's a resolution that some of us made last year - who kept it and who (besides wolfie) wants to make the same one again this year? :)

[Billie]

I love this bear throwing the BIGGGGG snowball!

[Majie Purple]

Oh I know tis wonderful news to be rid of such an evil one as that "Madman Insane". He got his go downins for sure and for certian...(The opposite of come uppins.)

[Billie]

Now this is just way too pretty, Meg! Love the 'framing' you did with this beautiful old-fashioned New Year greeting.

[Billie]

Sigh! And this one, too - with the kitties & 2 little birds hanging out waiting for the next snowball fight. :)

[Billie]

I agree with your request, Purple!! I have had stuff snagged that showed up within 12 hours, prominently on other threads. It is only ethical and considerate to give it a little more time. And then, go for it!

When it comes to special creations, credit where credit is due.

When I make something special for someone, I HOPE they use it right away and use it often!

(But I understand what you are both saying) :)

[MEG33]

Thank you, Billie!

[Majie Purple]

I got here too late to sign it last year.( I got here Jan. 9 06) But as soon as I could I started in on keeping that resolution. I so do want to continue to give hugs & kisses (and recieve) too!... For/From Mr. Ah-Rooooo!

[Majie Purple]

I wasn't talking about individually pinged stuff. I was talking about the coolectve pinged stuff. agree with You Billie re:Individually pinged stuff being used asap by the intened recipient.
But Collective ping stuff is another please wwait to use yourself story.
Sorry if any miss understand what I mean.
as it seems some have.

[MEG33]

;0 I always hug (((wolfie)))..always.

[Majie Purple]

Some seem confused as to what I meant yesterday so to insure that all get the same inteneded meaning /explaination...

I wasn't talking about indivividually pinged and or specially made or specific & special pings to individuals...

My request, only a slight wait to re post applies only to multiple recpients collective pings.

Those who recieve specific & special individual pings/EM'd or Freeped stuff all that is meant for immediate use by the recipient how & when & they choose.

I can't explain my meaning any better. If there are some who miss understand what I mean still...Sorry I can't relay my meaning any better via just typing to go by.

[Aquamarine]

Todays movie actors are nothing like the older ones. I saw an old western last night with Yule Brenner, Dean Martin and a few others. We are dating ourselves.

It was a different time, that's for sure. I feel fortunate to have lived during a time when people knew the difference between right and wrong, and yearned for justice.

[Aquamarine]

Dutchess and Aquamarine, just wanted to tell you again how pretty your New Year's post is! Aqua, so happy to "see" you here again!

Thanks Billie, it's always fun to be here.

Love the (((Louie))) graphic, did he put you up to that? :)

[Kitty Mittens]

Hugs from me to Dear (((((Wolfie))))), and to All!

(((((Sweet Billie)))))

[Diver Dave]

It's New Year's already? Seems like we had one of those just a few months ago.

[GretchenM]

I grow more confused as the posts multiply on this, which is why I wrote that I apologize in advance for any use of graphics you post that I might not realize you posted as a "first time post" and that I might repost before the desired time elapses. In general, because of this, I am going to be making it a point not to save any graphics you post because it's not worth stepping on toes inadvertently, but I don't always look at the name of the person who posted a graphic so I might accidentally save one of your graphics and use it later (I hope not to, but mistakes can happen). I don't know when the first time might be that you post a graphic, so I have no way of knowing if this or that graphic requires an embargo on reposting for a designated time. It's just way too confusing to me to track on that level, and a few other levels, which is why I am going to try not to use the graphics you post. I have deleted graphics from my hard drive that I do remember your having posted, but some may remain.

Also, I may save a graphic that you initially posted, but someone else saved and reposted it. In that case I would have no way of knowing you got it posted at FR first. I come to FR to get the news and get entertained along the way with some delightful, inventive posts and art work, but I don't have as good a memory as some and can't remember all the titles of all that I read or who posted the thread when I want to go back to find a certain topic. Add in trying to remember who posted a graphic, and when, and count off a certain number of days from it, it just goes beyond the amount of time and struggle I am willing to put into it. I have enough stuff going on in my own life, with daily challenges, that require me to keep my life as simple as I can at this time.