Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-17-03....Florida~The Sunshine State
dansangel

Posted on 09/17/2003 1:29:11 AM PDT by dansangel



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, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear, Aquamarine ~









~The "Sunshine State"~




Florida became the 27th state of the Union in 1845.




To me, Florida is the most beautiful and compelling state in the United States. Of course, I'm just a *tad* biased. Although I wasn't born there, I consider myself a Floridian after spending most of my adult life there. After this current (and definitely temporary) leave of absence, I intend to make Florida my home state once again.


The Florida peninsula itself boasts approximately 1200 miles of coastline (source: NOAA). Factoring in the coastal area of all of its islands and keys, this total grows to over 8,000 miles (source: the U.S. DEA). From Jacksonville in the north to Key West at its southernmost tip, Florida is packed with history and rare beauty.


Are you a history buff? Take a trip to St. Augustine. Located in northeast Florida, it is our nation's oldest city. On March 27 1513, Don Juan Ponce de Leon sighted land while sailing towards the "New World" from Spain. He claimed this land for Spain, naming it "La Florida," meaning "Land of Flowers."


In 1564, the French succeeded in establishing a fort on the St. Johns River, threatening the safety of Spain's treasure fleets. In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived off the coast of Florida. Eleven days after the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28) he founded the city of St. Augustine and set about reclaiming the territory from the French. With the help of a hurricane, he defeated the French, destroyed their fort and fleet and began building the city of St. Augustine.


Today, St. Augustine is a popular tourist spot due to its many museums, its lighthouse and, of course, the oldest house and the oldest schoolhouse in the country. With more than 4 centuries of history to share, St. Augustine is a must-see on any trip to Florida.






Key Deer


The Florida Keys comprise the southernmost portion of the Florida territory. Stretching out over the ocean beginning just south of Homestead, the keys serve as a gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. From Key Largo to Key West, all of the keys connected by 113 miles of U.S. Highway 1 boast their own beauty and attractions. Key deer, no larger than a large dog, can be found on Big Pine Key. Swim with tame dolphins off of Islamorada. Or, visit Ernest Hemingway's house in rustic and festive Key West. The sunset viewed from Mallory Dock off of Duval Street is like none other viewed anywhere else in the world.




Florida Everglades


Finally, the Everglades and their own delicate and unique ecosystem is described eloquently by Jeff Ripple as found on the Florida Everglades Website:

"The Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands is a rare and beautiful place. It is one of North America's unsung wild places - a beautiful, rugged, subtropical landscape experienced by a relatively few adventurous souls each year. Many who appreciate the unique qualities of this wilderness will argue that it is a place better kept secret. Perhaps, in my quest for solitude and a deeply personal communion with nature, I might ordinarily agree. But I also feel that it is a resource important not only for its natural heritage and spiritually enriching powers, but for its commercial and recreational values as well."



The peace and serenity in the Everglades is beyond description. Once you venture out, it is difficult to return to civilization. We have a duty to preserve the delicate balance of flora and fauna so that generations to come will benefit from its beauty.


There are many other points of interest in Florida not mentioned here. From the white sands of its pristine beaches to the protected habitats of the Everglades, Florida is definitely one of those places where, once you visit, you may just want to call it "home."









THIS WEEK'S THREADS

09-15-03 Military Monday

09-16-03 This One's For You T Man

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
The guy's good, folks!
Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer




God Bless Our Military



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


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; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine 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.
~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~


We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.
Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son
mystery-ak..........son, husband
Gogrammy................grandson
Inspectorette...................son
Blessed American..........nephew
Slip18..........................nephew
anniegetyourgun...........nephew
Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one
Doug from Upland......son-in-law
weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw
Future Snake Eater..........cousin
WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson
BeforeISleep...................son
The Mayor........................niece
LadyX.........................grandson
fawn796.....................nephew
ValerieUSA................2 sons
Warrior Nurse...........active duty
SK1 Thurman...........active duty
David Osborne.........active duty
fc2tomschermuly......active duty
bkwells..................activve duty
LongCut..................active duty
Trish.......................active duty
StarCMC......................brother
Atomic Conspiracy...........half-brother
Atomic Conspiracy............niece, nephew


Maigrey................cousin
ladtx....................2 sons
Mama_Bear...........2 nephews
gator girl............husband
severa................husband
MozartLover......son, nephew
LBGA........................son
SpookBrat...........nephew
Himyar.....................son
boxerblues............2 sons
the piper...................son
sheeza...............husband
kemathen7...........husband
Diver Dave................niece
deadhead................cousin
JimRobinson.....2 nephews
Armymarinemom.....3 sons
Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law
Darheel..................niece
dixie sass.............nephew
BeAllYouCanBe.........son
AgThorn...............2 sons
homeschoolmama.......nephew
kneezles.................son
kimmie7...............brother
Tiffee4Bob.............boyfriend
Explorer89............brother
TexKat...........son and stepson




TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: beaches; everglades; flamingoes; florida; freepers; frenchantisemitism; fun; military; ocean; palmtrees; patriotic; staugustine; sunshine; surprises; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 341-348 next last
To: LindaSOG
I saw footage of the guy and the brawl. What a situation.
181 posted on 09/17/2003 4:04:37 PM PDT by knighthawk (Full of power I'm spreading my wings, facing the storm that is gathering near)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 120 | View Replies]

To: JulieRNR21
I meant no offense to TX, humblegunner.

None taken!
I'm glad you enjoyed it while you were here, and you are always welcome back!

TEXAS...

It's bigger than France!

182 posted on 09/17/2003 4:05:22 PM PDT by humblegunner (Preparedness pays.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner
And these are cattle.. Herefords more specifically..

Here in Florida those little tiny Texas things are called calves.

Yeehhhhhaaaaaa :-)~

183 posted on 09/17/2003 4:05:54 PM PDT by JoeSixPack1 (POW/MIA - Bring 'em home, or send us back! Semper Fi (Tag Line copying encouraged))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 176 | View Replies]

To: dansangel
Thanks for the memories Dansy. I spent 10 years of my life in Miami and 3 of my children were born there. It is also where I met Jack. Fla. does have some beautiful spots. There is an old saying that if you go to Fla. and get sand in your shoes you will come back. I guess that's true for you, but I've never missed it for a single day. Too many horrid memories associated with it. Thanks for the "sunny" thread however.
184 posted on 09/17/2003 4:13:58 PM PDT by WVNan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shaggy eel
We've spotlight several states so far - I did my Texas, and Mama_Bear has done several State Profiles. For you, I'm going to give you links. :)

05-23-03 Alabama
06-27-03 Maryland
07-11-03 Vermont
07-25-03 Utah
08-05-03 Texas
08-22-03 Nevada
08-26-03 Washington DC
09-05-03 Tennessee
09-17-03 Florida

185 posted on 09/17/2003 4:17:02 PM PDT by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 173 | View Replies]

To: dansangel; WVNan
This sunset was photographed in Destin Florida, one of my favorite vacation spots.

Nan and I are behind the scenes working on a secret project. :)

186 posted on 09/17/2003 4:17:53 PM PDT by Aquamarine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 179 | View Replies]

To: shaggy eel
No snakes???? Wow! Where do I sign up to move there? :-)

Sorry about the confusion with the spiders. It was a long time ago that I saw that show - one of many "nature" shows that .45MAN and I watch almost constantly.
187 posted on 09/17/2003 4:17:53 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 180 | View Replies]

To: dansangel
>>>I remember seeing a program about deadly spiders that reside "Down Under" that love to hide in people's shoes. Eek!

When we lived in Immokalee, Fl, we found a scorpian in my hubby's shoe IN the house.

I don't handle scorpians too well. *shivers*
188 posted on 09/17/2003 4:18:17 PM PDT by Calpernia (Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 179 | View Replies]

To: shaggy eel
Australia has over 100 of poisonous snakes (most are the worlds most deadly) how the heck did you keep them out of New Zealand?
189 posted on 09/17/2003 4:21:07 PM PDT by Calpernia (Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 180 | View Replies]

To: WVNan
Sorry that you have bad memories (as well as some good ones) associated with FL. That's how I feel about Massachusetts where I was born. I don't care if I ever go back there.

Just spoke to my son-in-law in VA. I'm worried about them and Isabel. Made my s-i-l promise he wouldn't let my daughter commute to DC to her job if the weather was bad. She can be a hard-headed handful! LOL!

((((((((((Nan))))))))) and ((((((((Jack))))))))
190 posted on 09/17/2003 4:21:26 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 184 | View Replies]

To: Calpernia
Do you know I lived in FL 15 years before I saw my first scorpion? Snakes a-plenty, but I've only seen one scorpion - and one is enough!
191 posted on 09/17/2003 4:22:46 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 188 | View Replies]

To: Aquamarine
What a beautiful photo, Aqua.

"Secret Project" eh? I just love surprises!
192 posted on 09/17/2003 4:24:09 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 186 | View Replies]

To: dansangel; humblegunner; Flyer; Billie; Calpernia; Dubya; JoeSixPack1; All
(Had server problems, so am just returning to the - - arena...:))
Here are some facts, Ma'am - jus da facts - - read 'em and weep, Texans.

======================================================

Economic Stewardship--- Keeping Florida Green

FLORIDA AGRICULTURE'S CONTRIBUTIONS

To the Nation:

More than 44,000 Florida commercial farmers are among the most productive in the world, furnishing the nation with a dependable and safe supply of food and providing Florida with a stable economic base.

Florida is the nation's No. 9 ranked agriculture state with total cash receipts of over $6.9 billion in 2000.

Florida is the nation's No. 1 citrus and sugarcane producing state, No. 2 in greenhouse and nursery production as well as tomato and strawberry production, and ranks No. 4 in aquaculture and honey production.

State farmers led the nation in the production of 8 major agricultural commodities in 2000, including oranges, sugarcane, grapefruit, cucumbers, fresh snap beans, sweet corn, tangerines and radishes.

Florida accounted for more than 73 percent of the total U.S. cash receipts for grapefruit, 68 percent for oranges, 61 percent of radishes, 56 percent of tangerines, 48 percent of the cane for sugar, 28 percent tomatoes, 26 percent for cucumbers, 21 percent for squash and 17 percent for strawberries.

Florida produced more than 20 percent of the nation's fresh vegetables with sales of $1.7 billion. Citrus sales topped $1.6 billion in 2000.

Florida livestock sales amounted to $1.4 billion in 2000, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state's farm sales.

Florida is the leading milk-producing state in the Southeast, ranks 13th nationally in cash receipts and 15th nationally in production with sales of more than $428.8 million in 2001.

Florida ranks 13th nationally in egg production and 16th nationally in broiler production with a combined sales of more than $376 million in 2001.

Florida ranchers shipped 470,000 feeder calves to market outside the state in 2001 with 68% of the shipments going to Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas .
[ NOTE to gunner: Your Texas bulls just can't keep up...:))

Florida-bred horses rank second only to Kentucky in North American in the amount of purse money and stakes races won. The Florida Thoroughbred breeding industry over the years has produced 40 North American champions, 61 equine millionaires, 17 Breeders' Cup and 17 Classic winners, including the last Triple Crown winner Affirmed in 1978. In 1997, Silver Charm won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

In 2000, Florida-breeds won more than 362 stakes races and banked in excess of $175 million in purse money. The horse industry generated product valued at $2.2 billion with 240,000 Floridians involved in the horse industry.

The Ocala area ranks as the world's fourth largest breeding and training area, behind Lexington, Ky.; Newmarket, England, and Chantilly, France. Florida overtook California in 1998 to become the nation's second largest producer of registered Thoroughbred foals.

[ snip ]

Florida farmers utilized a little more than 10 million of the state's 35 million acres to produce Florida's safe, affordable and abundant food supply.

Florida farmers employed an average of 66,000 farm workers monthly in 2000, and paid them more than $1 billion. They accounted for a $20 billion direct impact on the state's economy.

Florida also increased its overwhelming lead as the nation's No. 1 citrus-producing state with 76 percent of all U.S. citrus production.

In 2000, there were 87.2 million orange trees in Florida on 665,529 acres of land, and 12.7 million grapefruit trees on 118,145 acres.

[ snip ]

State cattlemen produced 940,000 calves, and slipped to 12th nationally and 3rd in the Southeast in the number of brood cows.

Still, Florida remained ranked 4th nationally among states in number of herds with more than 500 brood cows.

Florida has four of the nation's 15 largest ranches, including THE largest with more than 35,000 brood cows on more than 300,000 acres.

Virtually every horse breed n the world is represented in Florida, led by Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Arabians.

The Florida horse industry creates more than 72,000 jobs and generates a $6.5 billion impact on the state.

=======================================================

Jus a few little ole facks, my dear gunner - - -

Love ya, anyway..:))

193 posted on 09/17/2003 4:24:12 PM PDT by LadyX (((( Count your blessings - not your woes ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 178 | View Replies]

To: Mama_Bear
I meant to ping you to post #185 - in case you wanted to include the links in your introduction Friday and thereafter?
194 posted on 09/17/2003 4:24:53 PM PDT by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 185 | View Replies]

To: LadyX
WOW!!! I am impressed up to the gills, LadyX!

You are a walking encyclopedia, you are! You just absolutely rock my world!
195 posted on 09/17/2003 4:26:09 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 193 | View Replies]

To: dansangel
I am a huge fan of animals. But I have nothing nice to say about these creepy creatures.

Female scorpion - Gainesville, Florida

196 posted on 09/17/2003 4:29:33 PM PDT by Calpernia (Innocence seldom utters outraged shrieks. Guilt does.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 191 | View Replies]

To: Billie
I meant to ping you to post #185 - in case you wanted to include the links in your introduction Friday and thereafter?

Good idea, I will include them, starting this Friday. Thanks, Billie.

197 posted on 09/17/2003 4:30:05 PM PDT by Mama_Bear ( Lori)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 194 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner
TEXAS...

It's bigger than France!"

Snicker, snicker - but not as big as ALASKA, where I lived 3 1/2 years!!

( Give up, gunner..:))

198 posted on 09/17/2003 4:32:07 PM PDT by LadyX (((( Count your blessings - not your woes ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 182 | View Replies]

To: JoeSixPack1
"Here in Florida those little tiny Texas things are called calves.

Yeehhhhhaaaaaa :-)~

Tell 'em, Devil Dog..:))

The Marines have landed - with both feet - - -


199 posted on 09/17/2003 4:35:22 PM PDT by LadyX (((( Count your blessings - not your woes ))))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 183 | View Replies]

To: Calpernia
Eck. *Not* something I would want to cuddle up to!
200 posted on 09/17/2003 4:36:14 PM PDT by dansangel (***Never Forget!****)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 341-348 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson