A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...05-02,03,04-08....T.G.I.F. & A Day at the Races Again

May 2, 2008 | 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 200,000 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

Break out your seersucker suits and your biggest brimmed hats and get ready for the 131st Running for the Roses, coming up tomorrow at Churchill Downs - it's Kentucky Derby time, so get ready for DERBY DAZE! Here’s a snapshot of what spectators will indulge in to celebrate the "most exciting two minutes in sports:"

• 120,000 Mint Juleps
• 7,000 lbs of Kentucky premium beef - NY Strips and Ribeyes
• 3,000 lbs of Kenny’s Country Cheese
• 63,000 jumbo shrimp
• 25,000 Derby Pies

The Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs

America's longest-running
continually held sporting event.

On May 17, 1875, the horse, Aristides, and his rider, Oliver Lewis, crossed the finish line ahead of the rest of the field at the first ever Kentucky Derby. The horse's owner, H.P. McGrath, and an esimated crowd of 10,000 in the stands looked on. Aristides, a Thoroughbred named after an ancient Greek general, earned extra alfalfa that day in Louisville. What would you have seen in Louisville that first race day?

You might have seen well-groomed Thoroughbreds--a cross between Arabian stallions and European mares--along with 15 fine jockeys, 14 of whom, including Oliver Lewis, were African American. You also would have seen cheering crowds sitting anxiously in the bleachers around the track built in 1874 by Meriweather Lewis Clark.

The name "Churchill Downs" was first used in 1883 in a report on the 9th Derby by the Louisville Commerical newspaper.

May 5, 1973, Secretariat - winning by 2½ lengths - set a record time of 1:59.4, the first horse to run the derby under 2 minutes. His record still stands.

In 2001, Monarchos, came close at 1:59.97. For a complete list of winners from the beginning, go HERE.

Did You Know?

A racehorse loses an average of between 15 and 25 pounds during a race.

The fastest Derby was in 1973, by Secretariat. His record of 1:59.4 still hasn't been beat.

Roses became part of the Derby in 1904 when they were presented to ladies attending a fashionable Louiseville Derby party. They were such a hit that the president of Churchill Downs adopted the rose as the race's official flower.

The distance of the Kentucky Derby was 1 1/2 miles from 1875-1895. Ever since it has been 1 1/4 miles.

In order to fit on racing sheets, no racehorse's name may contain more than 18 letters, according to horse-racing regulations.

These are the names of some of this year's contenders (you pick 'em by their names, by their odds, or by their 'looks'?):

Pyro, Big Brown, Colonel John, Gayego,Court Vision, Monba, Eight Belles,Tale Of Ekati, Z Fortune, Adriano, Cool Coal Man, Visionaire, Denis of Cork, Smooth Air, Recapturetheglory.

Now the true Southern Belle knows that Derby Hats are very important, and the bigger, the better. One simply must not attend the Kentucky Derby in a Jackie O pillbox, and Heaven forbid if one should go bare-headed.....GASP!

I was so afraid all the good hats would already be gone since I didn't begin my search until day before yesterday. However, as luck would have it, I found *it*! I found the one. The winner - this will stand out for sure - I found *my* hat.

Now about those mint juleps.......



Links for the information and excerpts used in today's post:

~ www.americaslibrary.gov ~
~ http://www.derbypost.com ~
~ http://www.levyrestaurants.com ~
~ http://www.kentuckyderby.com ~

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-28,29-08 ~ Military Tribute By Billie Presented by The Mayor 04-30-08 ~ Warm Fuzzy Wednesday By Billie 05-01-08 ~ Left-Brain/Wright-Brain By JohnHuang2 Presented by Billie

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

[Billie]

[Billie]

Let's go to the races!

[Billie]

"Wear Red" Friday

You will soon see a lot of people wearing Red on Fridays. Here's why..... The Americans, who support our troops, are the silent majority. We are not "organized" to reflect who we are, or to reflect what our opinions are. Many Americans, like yourself, and all their friends, simply want to recognize that Americans support our troops. Our idea of showing our solidarity and support for our troops is starting Friday and continuing on each and every Friday, until this is over, that every red-blooded American who supports our young men and women, WEAR SOMETHING RED.

Word of mouth, press, TV -- let's see if we can make the United States, on any given Friday, a sea of red much like a home football game at a University. If every one of our memberships share this with other acquaintances, fellow workers, friends, and neighbors, I guarantee that it will not be long before the USA will be covered in RED - and make our troops know there are many people thinking of their well-being. You will feel better all day Friday when you wear Red! So let's get the word out and lead by example; wear RED on Fridays.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. FOR US, THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED!! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I received this in my email June 10th, 2006 - the author is unknown.
I am wearing red today and every Friday ~ Billie

CLICK TO HEAR KELLIE PICKLER'S "RED HIGH HEELS"

[The Mayor]

May 2, 2008

No Good Deed

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: 1 Samuel 25:32-39

Blessed be the Lord, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach. —1 Samuel 25:39

Playwright and US Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce (1903–1987) once said, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Sadly, it sometimes seems as if this aphorism is true.

David, soon to be king of Israel, had an experience that corroborates this idea. While hiding from Saul, he and his men watched over the property of a rich landowner named Nabal. But later, when David asked a favor of Nabal, he was met with scorn. “Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has,” said David. “He has repaid me evil for good” (1 Sam. 25:21).

Before David could carry out revenge, Nabal’s wife intervened and kept David from acting rashly. Soon, God struck Nabal dead (v.38). Then David praised God for keeping him from evil and for returning “the wickedness of Nabal on his own head” (v.39).

Perhaps you’ve had an experience when kindness was repaid with ingratitude, a generous gift was treated as an entitlement, kind actions were interpreted as an attempt to control, or well-intended advice was received with scorn.

David’s story reminds us that even when it seems as if we’re being repaid with evil for doing good, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands; we can trust God with the outcome.

This is my Father’s world—
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet. —Babcock
© 1966 Singspiration, Inc

One day God will right every wrong.

Bible in One Year: 1 Samuel 25–27; Proverbs 11:22-31

[SnarlinCubBear]

OH YES - Let’s! Thanks for the reminder that it’s Derby weekend. I LOVE that race.

[Billie]

Well, I know it’s not early, but at least you’re at the top of the pings on this thread. Thank you, Rus!

[Billie]

Hi, Snarlin’ - my brother-in-law and his wife are going to be there tomorrow - I’m jealous! :)

[Billie]

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; ,
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 Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew Diver Dave....................cousin ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews W.W.Smith.......................son sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.............2 sons weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother Donaeus.....................nephew LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Skyraider.........................son Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin painter........................nephew Himyar.............................son jackv................................son jrushing.............................son Azbushgal........................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law tina07......soninlaw & his friend varina davis...............grandson weeder1.....................nephew MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew fatima...............granddaughter Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews meanie monster ....family friend ProudAFDad......................son JulieRNR21.....friend's grandson Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband monkeyface...........2 grandsons redhead................grandnephew 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 thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor ...........active duty DCBryan1................active duty Col. Mike.................active duty USAFSecurityForces.active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Hostel............................cousin ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother Ladysmith......nephew, friend's son auboy..................................cousin AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...........................2 sons wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw Lori from Long Island....soninlaw gonzo............................soninlaw Rivendell.......................daughter vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew prophetic.................brotherinlaw GulfWar1Vet.................2 cousins Tina Kirby...........................son Kudsman.......................nephew JarhedAirmanPatriot......brother TADSLOS............................son Athelass........2 sons, 2 nephews ItsForTheChildren......2 nephews dwhole2th.............................son skimask...............................son VARepublican.......................son Katydidnt..............................son oneolcop...............................son Edgewood Pilot...son, 2 nephews Trooprally.............................son 007girl.............................nephew arbee4bush ...................daughter PERKY2004...................husband marsh2............................nephew lilycicero..........................husband o_zarkman44.............son,stepson o_zarkman44...................nephew NotJustAnotherPrettyFace..nephew Bushman2..............................son DeLaine..................daughterinlaw Kalee...................brother,soninlaw Enough_Deceit.......................son xJones...................................son

[Mama_Bear]

I'm here! Think anyone will remember that I wore this hat last year? ;-)

Thanks for finding my hat for me, Billie. Otherwise, I just don't know what I'd have worn.

Let's go racin', boys! Oops, wrong kind of race. LOL

[Billie]

Have to leave for the day. (Wearing red though!) Hope to see everyone in their Derby Hats tomorrow. :)

Not long ago Mama_Bear featured the state of Kentucky, and she posted the beautiful song "Run for the Roses" - if you still have it uploaded, Lori - maybe post it again? Thanks!

[Billie]

Hey! We were composing our posts at the same time evidently! I'll never tell you wore that hat three years ago when we all went to the Derby, if you won't tell on me - I'm wearing the same one, too. :)

I HAVE to go - going to be a long day helping garage sale. :(

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Billie.

Yes, I still have "Kentucky" upload intact with the Run for the Roses mp3, however, domania.us is down right now. It has been up and down for weeks. Don't know what's going on with it.

I'll check periodically and, if it comes back up, I will post the music here.

Enjoy your day at the garage sale. :-)

[KYGrandma]

Don’t be. The crowds have gotten so bad, we locals don’t even go anymore. In the past we were able to take stuff into the infield and really have a good time. Now you can’t even take an umbrella. The best parties are the ones at home, and you can even see the race.

[MEG33]

Good Afternoon To The Finest

Churchill Downs

Wear Red On Friday To Support Our Troops
Hope you are having a great day.

[OESY]

May the Best Horse win!

.

[MEG33]

Indeed..Great shot!

[ConorMacNessa]

Happy Friday to Finest FRiends!

---

Wearing Red to support our Troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world!

[JustAmy]

Have a Wonderful weekend, FRiends.

[luvie]

CHRIS DEBURGH~THE LADY IN RED

[JohnHuang2]

Howdy y'all!

Billie, just wanna thank you for an ABSOLUTELY SUPERB JOB on Thursday's thread! KUDOS! And a big thanks for all you do, friend. {{{{{{{{{Billie!}}}}}}}}}

And here's a big THANKS to y'all for droppin' by! Have a great weekend, everyone!

{{{{{{{{{Group hug!}}}}}}}}}}}}