A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-13-04....Mississippi - "Virtute et Armis"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past several months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state and I will be presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would appreciate your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

Today we are going way down South to Dixie to celebrate the beautiful state of Mississippi.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

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 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico

10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming

As we celebrate each state,
we also salute the Fine FReepers who
proudly fly their home state's flag.

"Virtute et Armis"
- By valor and arms.










Mississippi History -
A Condensed Time Line

1540—Spaniard Hernando de Soto enters the Mississippi region
1682—René-Robert Cavelier of France claims the Mississippi region
1699—Pierre le Moyne establishes the first French colony at Old Biloxi
1716—Jean Baptiste Le Moyne founds what becomes Natchez
1719—The French bring the first black slaves into Mississippi
1763—Mississippi becomes English territory
1781—Spain claims Mississippi’s Gulf Coast
1783—Mississippi, except for the Gulf Coast, becomes United States territory
1798—The Mississippi Territory is created
1812—The Gulf Coast becomes part of the Mississippi Territory
1817—Mississippi becomes the 20^th state
1861—Mississippi secedes from the Union
1863—Union forces capture Vicksburg in the Civil War
1870—Mississippi is readmitted to the Union
1969—A federal court orders the desegregation of Mississippi’s public schools; Charles Evers becomes the first black mayor of Mississippi since Reconstruction. He was elected in Fayette.

Eight flags have
flown over the Magnolia State...



The current state flag...

The Confederate Battle Flag can still be seen in Mississippi. In 1894 it was incorporated into the state flag and the remainder of the flag being similar to the Stars and Bars except the upper bar is blue not red. When the Mississippi flag was drawn up The Battle Flag was never mentioned by name. The history of the state leaves no doubt that this was the intention. In 1861 Mississippi was the second state to join the Confederacy. During the Civil War it used the Bonnie Blue Flag. The second state flag consisted of a white background containing a magnolia tree, with the Bonnie Blue Flag in the canton. In 1817 when Mississippi became a state it also adopted a coat of arms and a seal. Both were based on a seal of the U.S.A. The arms nor the seal were used during the time Mississippi was in secession from the Union.







Mississippi is -
THE LAND OF COTTON...

During the early 1800s, cotton became Mississippi’s major crop. The industry continued to grow as the Natchez Trace connected Mississippi with Nashville, Tennessee. By 1810, the Mississippi Territory extended over all present-day Alabama, Mississippi, and parts of Florida. In 1817, Congress divided the Mississippi Territory into the state of Mississippi and the Alabama Territory. On Dec. 10, 1817, Mississippi joined the Union and became the 20th state. Its population had almost reached 60,000 people. Cotton continued to grow in importance with the invention of the cotton gin in 1793.

When Mississippi was a one-crop state before the arrival of the boll weevil in 1907, plantations thrived, and cotton was king in the fertile soil of the Yazoo-Mississippi delta. Today, though Mississippi ranks among the leading producers, cotton competes with other crops, like soybeans, and manufacturing has replaced agriculture as the economic leader. Mississippi is the nation's largest producer of upholstered furniture.


Mississippi is -
MUSIC...

The Mississippi Delta Blues.....the only true American music.

The blues as an art form has its origins in African culture. Yet, it is a uniquely American phenomenon in that it represents a merging of the similar, but diverse musical, tribal and cultural traditions typifying the long stretch of the west African coastline from Senegamabia to Angola.

The American blues, however, is more than a hybridized form of African musical traditions. It is also a distinctive and creative expression of the experiences of the suffering and pain of African slave descendants who toiled and labored as sharecroppers in the deep south, particularly the Mississippi Delta.

Mississippi's earthy concoction of emotion-filled lyrics and soulful sounds produced music legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Each year, in the land of the Delta Blues, world-famous music festivals, like the Delta Blues and Heritage Festival, pay homage to this original art form - and the mighty Mississippi River just keeps on rollin'.


Mississippi is -
THE GULF COAST
and SHRIMP BOATS...

Mississippi's Gulf Coast is ranked one of the top three "up and coming" destinations in North America by the 2000 Fodor's/ASTA Annual Hot Spot Survey.

With over 200 species of fish, including mackerel, snapper, and grouper, indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico, deep-sea fishing charters, shrimping trips, and fishing in the area's many lakes and rivers are a must when visiting Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast's temperate climate affords virtually year-round outdoor activities, including golfing, sailing, and motor boating. Jet skiing, windsurfing, and aqua-cycling are fun favorites of both visitors and residents. The adventuresome can't miss out on parasail rides, which offer an exhilarating panoramic view of the scenic coastline. With the wealth of festivities, some locals say that the Gulf Coast has a celebration for every crustacean.

Not to be missed is the ceremonial "Blessing of the Fleet" in Biloxi, given by a local Catholic priest, marking the beginning of the shrimp fishing season. Even though it had its origins in ancient times in Europe, the first Blessing of the Fleet in the Biloxi Bay was given in 1929, and now takes place annually in a colorful procession in the Mississippi Sound. The ceremony begins with the dropping of an evergreen wreath into the Sound in remembrance of fishermen who have been lost at sea. Then a procession of more than 30 shrimp boats files past the anchored "Blessing Boat" where the officiating priest stands, sprinkling holy water on each of the boats and giving a blessing for each one, asking a safe and prosperous fishing season.

As with each state that I present, I have had to leave much out. Mississippi is, of course, so much more than cotton, music and shrimp boats! I hope that our Mississippi FReepers will come and help us celebrate their great state by telling us more about Mississippi and why they are proud to be a Mississippian.

The following websites provided information, text,
and/or graphics for this presentation...

Blues History
Mississippi's Gulf Coast
Netstate - Mississippi
Mississippi's State Flags

I will close by adding this rather odd interesting
recipe that I found in my recent Google travels.....

Mississippi Mud

Ingredients:
1 small bottle orange juice
diet or regular coke
ice

Preparation:
Put some ice in glass. Add orange juice, top up with coke and stir. Looks like mud, tastes delicious.

(Hmmmm....not too sure about this one. LOL)

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-12-04...Military Monday

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

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[Mama_Bear]

Great presentation MB. Traveled through Mississippi at very young age on the way to Grandma's House in neighboring Alabama. You ladies are lookin' mighty gracious in those dresses.

Why thank you, Diver Dave, and thank you for joining us on Travelin' Tuesday. Never know where you're going to end up on these cyber-trips, do you? LOL

[Mama_Bear]

Absolutely beautiful thread today Lori. Feel like I'm in the south...

Thanks, dutchess. I really do try to capture the feeling or the "flavor" of a state. Each state has a unique atmosphere, I think. Some are easier to define and convey than others though.

....and magnolia's are my absolute favorite.

Aren't they beautiful? We have a variety of Magnolia tree around here. I don't think it is the same as those found in the deep south, but they are very pretty.

You take care of yourself and get over that cold. Rest and drink lots of fluids......as they say.

[Mama_Bear]

hopefully can stop back later

Come back if you feel up to it. It's more important that you rest.

((((((((((dutchess))))))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

I already know I could not have selected a better, or more beautiful state than MS or found another state with nicer people.

It's wonderful to have that kind of feeling about where you live. I used to feel that way about California, back in the Reagan era. I hope to once again.

[onyx]

I used to feel that way about California, back in the Reagan era. I hope to once again.



I hope you can too.
I'm a native Californian,
but I just have to leave.
Too crowded and too costly
and no end in sight.
I need the slower, friendlier pace of MS.

[Mama_Bear]

I need the slower, friendlier pace of MS.

I hear you, and I'd be right behind you if there was any way possible to uproot our small business and take it (and our clientele) with us.

I'm glad you made it out. Unfortunately, we are stuck here for the duration.

[JustAmy]

Click for Jo Stafford

Wonderful Thread, Lori. Thank you.

Should have posted on Louisiana.

[WVNan]

Hi Lori. Well, you've put up another of my "home" states. My youngest child was born in Jackson, Miss. in 1969. That year Camille hit the Gulf Coast and toppled a tree over on our house, even though we were 200 miles inland. Scary and destructive storm.

Miss. is one of my favorite states too. The people were very warm and friendly. We were living there when the schools integrated. A lot of people pulled their children out of school. We left ours in and they did just fine. It was a bit tense but not as bad as depicted on the daily news (of course).

[WVNan]

Lord protect Lakeside's two sons. Surround them with your love and protective power. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

[dixiechick2000]

"Mississippi sounds like a lovely state, I would especially like to spend some time on the Gulf Coast. It appears to be an up and coming vacation destination."

It IS a very lovely state, and your thread has done it proud. I love the Gulf Coast. But, if you go there, watch your wallet. There are many casinos just dying to relieve you of it's contents. ;o)

[petitfour]

I was born in Jackson in '69. Wonderful place. Even my hubby who was semi-prejudiced against MS prior to us living there came to love it as much as I do. I'm not sure what he expected, but what he found were characters of all varieties. He loves characters. He once drove through a town called Tchula on a Saturday night. That was an experience that he'll tell about till he dies. It was nothing like driving through certain sections of Detroit or Chicago or DC on a Saturday night. :)

I lived in Alabama for a number of years, and I learned to smell the difference between the two places when I crossed the state line. (there really is a difference.) And I love Alabama, too. But Mississippi will always be home.

[dixiechick2000]

"I already know I could not have selected a better, or more beautiful state than MS or found another state with nicer people. Looking forward to living in Vb."

You are very blessed to be moving there. They are gonna love you, too. ;o)

BTW, I'm jealous. lol

[Mama_Bear]

Good evening, Nan. It is always such a treat when you come onto a thread!

I wish I had known that you had roots (of sort) in Mississippi, I would have asked for some input. I loved what you did on West Virginia.

I have not experienced a hurricane, but I have lived through a wild typhoon who's eye went directly over the island of Guam when I was a kid. Winds that were bending the palm trees all the way over to the ground. Of course, I was only six and didn't know enough to be afraid. Everything is an adventure to a six year old.

BTW, my only son is the same age as your youngest. Mine born in February of '69. :-)

((((((((Nan)))))))))

[dixiechick2000]

Thank you so much, Billie!
I love the bluejay.
Even as mean as they are,
I still miss them.
We don't have them in Oregon.

[WVNan]

Not to mention that lovable rogue, Rev. Will Campbell. "Brother to a Dragonfly". Ole Will joined my husband and me in holy matrimony. He was a real liberal rebel. He may have gotten over some of that with age.

[petitfour]

Here's an official MS website for folks who are interested in knowing some places to visit while in MS.

http://www.mississippi.gov/ms_sub_sub_template.jsp?Category_ID=38

[WVNan]

Wow, you were born there in 69? My son was born at Baptist Hospital on June 8. We lived in Ala. also. Montgomery 76-80. It's true what you say about the smell. I've noticed that every state has it's own unique smell and feel. When I lived in Va. I felt peaceful and when I would go back to Tenn. to visit family I would get a headache as soon as I crossed the line. Ha, I guess it could have been caused by the thought of visiting family.

[WVNan]

Lots of coincidences there eh? Oh, I'll see what I can find to contribute. I have pictures of our home there, but don't know if I can put my hands on them at will. BTW, hurricanes have never frightened me too much. Those of us who have lived in Fla. take them in stride unless they are an Andrew. However, Camille did bend those Miss. pines almost double. I'll never forget how I hit the floor and grabbed that new baby when that tree hit.

[petitfour]

That's funny. I think my grandma-in-law probably had headaches when she visited her family in TN, too. It may have had more to do with the roads they had to travel to get to her family. (East Tennessee mountains) I hate to go to Arkansas. The place gives me the creeps. Well, since I knew of the Big Creep, it has. I love travelling the country. Every place is unique, as are the people of all the various states.

I wasn't born at Baptist. Faith Hill was, and so was LeighAnn (sp?) Rimes. I'm a South Jackson girl.

[dixiechick2000]

Hattiesburg is the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll, and Meridian is the home of Jimmy Rodgers, the Grandfather of Country Music.

My grandaddy played with his band, and my mother still has the ukelele he used at that time.

The Father of Country Music. That's a heavy load for a scrawny, tubercular ex-railroader who set out only to prove to the folks back home in Meridian, Mississippi, that he wasn't the shiftless no-count they all thought he was.

When Jimmie Rodgers arrived on the scene, there was no such thing as 'country music.' It was just beginning to be called 'hillbilly' - and whatever it was, Jimmie Rodgers wasn't much interested. He dressed in the latest uptown-style box-back coat, bow tie, and snappy straw boater and cultivated a broad repertoire which, at the outset at least, leaned decidedly in the direction of current hits from Tin Pan Alley: Who's Sorry Now?, I'll See You In My Dreams, How Come You Do Me Like You Do?, and similar pop fare of the 1920's.

From the beginning, however, Jimmie Rodgers was nothing if not versatile. Over the years, scuffling from town to town as an itinerant brakeman and would-be entertainer, he had absorbed the haunting blues music of his Southern upbringing and the rowdy, colorful ballads of railroaders and rounders all across the land. So, when he met up with a big-time record producer who wanted 'old-timey' folk songs, or original compositions that sounded like them, it was altogether natural that he turned to the simple, plaintive, often whimsical music sung and played among the ordinary people he'd known from childhood. "They want these old-fashioned things," he told his wife. "Love songs and plantation melodies and the old river ballads. Well, I'm ready with 'em. And I've got some new ideas for songs too, in the back of my head - when I get 'em worked out."

The new songs he called 'blue yodels.' They combined the raw energy of jazz and the poetry of the blues with that particularly rustic, home-spun vocal embellishment known as the yodel. Add a driving, eloquent guitar and Rodger's personal magnetism - the cocky little boy grin and the winsome drawl, along with a heady sense of someone who'd done hard-traveling and lived to tell about it - and you have the beginnings of country music, even if it didn't get it's proper name for another twenty years.

JIMMIE RODGERS