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

dansangel

[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

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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

[dansangel]

Dansy did a thread on Flor-ida
Not even once did I snore-ida
Even though the state brings back bad memories of Gore-ida
And if you don't start making more errors in your threads,
poems like this you'll get more-ida

ROFL!!!

I laughed so hard people outside my office were looking at me!!!!

((((((((((TTM)))))))))) - thank you for the best (and much needed!) laugh I've had all day!

:-)

[dansangel]

Comfort sometimes is a question of 'Mind over Matter' - - if you think in terms of "I'm Uncomfortable," you are bound to be that

That is so true LadyX. I found that the people who hated FL after going there to live were the ones who had made up their minds beforehand that they were going to hate it.

[dansangel]

(((((((jwfiv))))))))

You are the sweetest thing, I swear. My eyes teared up when I saw those two beach chairs.

*Thank you.*

[dansangel]

((((((((Julie))))))))))

My Favorite Florida FReeper!

Thank you for the book recommendation. I haven't read it but will certainly look it up.

One of my faves is "Team Rodent" by Carl Hiaasen. Anything that trashes disney like it has trashed central Florida is a gem.

I look forward to being able to live back down there and go "exploring" again. I wish employment opportunities were a little better. :-(

[FreeTheHostages]

Thanks. That's helpful. It's got to be more humid in Atlanta. And with the sea breeze . . . .

I have never seen the Everglades but I will some day.

I love your colors on the thread, I'll say again. It's so Florida, from what I now from movies/photos.

I've never been to Disney World either.

[dansangel]

I've never been to Disney World either.

You're not missing anything there. It's a cancerous blight on Central Florida. I can't get started, because I am downright *militantly* opposed to disney, and once I get on a roll I can't stop!

[dansangel]

Florida sounds wonderful right about now .. I need sun and beaches and surf

I need that like a fish needs water.....sigh. Maybe someday soon, God willing.

(((((Mo1))))))

[dansangel]

PS: Forgot to mention that I'm still searching for the Fountain of Youth.......LOL

When you find it, let ((((((Cal)))))) and I know. We have both drunk from the one in St. Augustine and we both have gray hair - LOL!!!

:-)

[dutchess]

Hi Dansy. Great thread today. And...Free just said what I was going to..the colors are so Florida! We go down every year to visit my folks who winter there but they are in Sebring (central Florida) on a golf course so we haven't spent much time at the ocean (a definate shame) And while we've flown into Orlando over the past 20 years...have never done Disney (and don't intend to LOL!)

We will be in Key West for a week at Thanksgiving however. Have a time share right down from Mallory Square with our balcony facing the sunset. Can't wait!

P.S. Again a wonderful job today. (((((((dansy)))))))

[dansangel]

Thank you for the flowers and the kind words, sistah ((((((Billie)))))))

I'm kinda *biased* on the subject matter, for sure!

[dansangel]

(((((((knighthawk))))))

Thank you for your best wishes for NC. We are all praying for them - it's going to be a rough ride.

[FreeTheHostages]

Key West for Thanksgiving sounds great

[dansangel]

The beef came on a truck from Texas and the Cowboys are only there on a temporary basis.. to whip the tar out'n the Dolphins.

Spoken like a true Texan, (((((((humblegunner))))))))

I can understand, so I *forgive* you - LOL!! :-)

[LadyX]

Ha!!
You are delusional, my lad - eat your heart out:

FLORIDA COWMAN

"This attractively bound book is the first comprehensive history of Florida's colorful cattle industry. The author has spent many years carefully researching an area of Americana that has thus far received little academic or literary attention.

Beginning with the arrival of the first cattle in 1521, Florida Cowman, A History Of Florida Cattle Raising, traces the founding of Florida's cattle industry by the Spanish rancheros up to the modern era of scientific beef production. It is a story vividly colored by Indian wars, border disputes, cattle rustling, range wars, long trail drives and all the other elements that have helped romanticize and popularize the history of the American frontier."

{There was NO TEXAS BACK THEN, gunner!!)

Another source:

"In December of 1995 a group of cracker cattle men and women, dedicated to the preservation of the history of the first cattle and horses to set foot on American soil, drove 1000 head of cattle across Florida. The event was to celebrate Florida's 150th anniversary of statehood, and stirred up dust along 100 miles of pristine ranch land. Florida has always played an important role in the production of beef in the United States. Cracker cattle have roamed the plains, savannahs, and piney woods of the sunshine state for almost 500 years. This video will bring a great adventure and the history of Florida's cowhunters to life. Come join us as we venture across some of Americas oldest and most beautiful cow country."

[dansangel]

We will be in Key West for a week at Thanksgiving however. Have a time share right down from Mallory Square with our balcony facing the sunset. Can't wait!

You are just going to *LOVE* that, (((((((dutchess)))))

I've been there 3 times and although I really prefer the middle and lower keys, Key West is fun.

And *definitely* more *real* than disney!

[dansangel]

{There was NO TEXAS BACK THEN, gunner!!)

You ***ROCK*** LadyX!

:-)

[Calpernia]

>>>>Did you read my explanation in Reply 31 about the height of the Indians and why Ponce de Leon was convinced he had literally found The Fountain of Youth,

I had only skimmed the post and threads before I left for my son's school. I saw the references to St.Augustine and Ponce de Leon and posted the Fountain of Youth Real Player file to add to it.

I did see the cross of stones while I was in St. Augustine.

[Flyer]

Beginning with the arrival of the first cattle in 1521

300 years later the scientists arrived and explained those were actually alligators.

[Calpernia]

>>>The Rodeo in Kissimmee was a Big Deal back then - long before Disney was created and the area boomed.

I wish there was a way to stop the developing. We all get more hurt by losing farms and ranch life.