A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-18-02

Billie, Molly Pitcher, daisyscarlett

[daisyscarlett]

A Few of FR's Finest.....
......Every Day

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. 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 November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

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TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog.
MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son.
BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,
dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony
BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband
poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son;
BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset);
WVNan's husband; ladtx Aunt Eva.

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

         

GROUP 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett. MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick, Leroy S Mort, Mark17. BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau.

GROUP 7A: TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam, dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony.BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang.

GROUP 8A: TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx. MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law. BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

                     

Today we are pleased to have One of FR's Finest, Molly Pitcher, as a guest writer. She has contributed three vignettes of some sweet memories of "places from her heart".

Thank you Molly Pitcher. Your words paint a lovely picture of these special places and memories that reside in your heart - memories that are recalled by you often, but especially at Christmas time. We appreciate your sharing them with us!

"PLACES IN THE HEART"

shared by

Molly Pitcher

PLACES IN THE HEART.....it's the title of a movie starring Sally Fields, and that's about all I remember...oh, and it took place in Texas. I hope Sally won't mind my borrowing the title for today's FR's Finest theme. But I want to use that phrase in a certain way, and tie it into Christmas...

Christmas...We think of the season and nostalgia and memories overwhelm us! How could they not? We think of loved ones, family and friends, not seen for awhile.....past Christmases and the trips we took to join our families. We remember our children, when they were young and seeing the season through their innocent eyes. Actually, we carry these memories with us all year round, but at this time of year, the images and awareness of them is heightened...more vivid than most other times.

And that brings me to "Places" because for me, that is a special nostalgia category. This particular category is filed away in my heart throughout all the months, but as Christmas comes, the memories and joys of these locations gain strength and power, and I remember...

I remember the coastal plain on the mainland north of Galveston, Texas, where I was born. When I lived there as a girl in the 1950s, there were few trees or natural objects rising above the flat, low land. My father planted a few trees in our new yard to provide shade as did our neighbors, but the pine and oak forests were away to the east of us on the plain. The land itself lay at about sea level or rose a few feet above it. What did rise above the bayous and land? Why oil wells of course! And refineries, and houses on tall stilts,and the Causeway from the mainland to the Island. That structure did not rise high enough however, because whenever too-tall ships would pass through the Bay, up would go the center section, halting traffic (and restless children) for what seemed like hours.

As a little girl, closer to home, I loved to be outside - even in the steambaths that passed for a Gulfcoast summer.

The restless horned toads in the field behind our house, the fragrant flowers of the oleanders which lined our driveway, and the flat, wide leaves of the banana tree next to our front door captured my attention and study.

And at the end of the street were the tempting dangers of the bayou!

Well, I survived childhood, giving my mother early gray hairs along the way.

My father was transferred in 1960, and we moved away, "up North."

It was years before I was able to return...busy, busy years of school, marriage and young children...

And, when I finally did, the intervening years fell away in a second. My heart recognized its familiar landscape!

Those images had never really left me...were only stored away in my heart.

The second location I carry with me always is Fauquier, Co., Virginia.

That's pronounced "Faw-keer" for all you non-Virginians!

This northern county of that beautiful state lies north of the Rappahannock River, and south of Manassas.

The rolling hills form the Piedmont Plateau, leading to the western mountains, the perfectly named "Blue Ridge."

Here and there the red clay hills are dotted with ash, beech and maple trees...and flowering dogwood.`Hawks patrol the skies.

Blue lobelias and laurels grow along the lowlands on either side of the Runs. Elk Run, Cedar Run, Licking Run, Tinpot Run...all flow into the Rappahannock.

My mother's family farmed property along these creeks for generations....But I've often wondered just how productive that red clay soil was....

Whenever possible I return to these graceful hills. The sight of them renews me...rewards me with their beauty and spirit.

And now my father is buried on one of them, in the middle of an old family plot, watched over by the soaring and vigilant hawks.

In the summer of '93, my husband, our 2 sons and I, made our first big trek to the West & Denver....and the route I'd planned took us along the old Oregon Trail, all through Nebraska and eastern Wyoming, following the Platte River.

We drove as far as Casper along this route, before dropping down to Denver.

But I, planning the trip, and with an agreeable husband, didn't choose the quickest route south.

Oh no! We had to take two little travelled roads down to Medicine Bow - remember The Virginian?? Starting out that morning, I confessed to my husband that this was our true destination and the object of my interest!

The road took us through an intermountain area, called the Shirley Basin.

South of Casper, there was little to see, except some old mining properties, pronghorn sheep, and the Cheney Ranch. The typical western gate and sign graced the entrance to the property. The dirt road led off to the west, if my memory is correct, no buildings visible.

But there was something more of interest along the way, at the juncture of the two state roads: a rest stop... a SOLAR-POWERED rest-stop. Newly built and as modern as it could be, the facility stood....in the middle of what most of us, if not the good people of Wyoming, would call "nowhere."

My family laughed at the incongruity, wondered at the number of visitors, and yes, we admired its operation....so much so that 2 years later, on another Denver trip, we returned there, going out of the way to make the pilgrimage.

Years later, we still laugh at the serendipity! On our way to deserted Medicine Bow, we found the world's most modern rest-stop!

If I were to write a book about our family's travels, I think a picture of this building would decorate the cover, as a symbol of the unexpected finds & laughs of family vacations.

And that is the third, special Place in my Heart.

Do you have such favorite locales?

What are they? WHY are they?

Tell us and share your heart!

Molly Pitcher

Our thanks to you, once again, Molly Pitcher, for being a guest writer today.
.....daisyscarlett

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-16-02 Christmas Is...FReeper Memories 12-17-02 FReeper Pets on Parade

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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[ST.LOUIE1]

Well I think you had best inform your cat that you are considering sending him to visit St.Louie1 for the holidays if he does not behave...
Tell him Louie loves to decorate cats...hee hee

Guess I'll never live that down. : )

Dutchess.....your kitty would be perfectly save with Louie. : )

[jwfiv]

Just posted you all to a reply and pic which found their way to yesterday's thread, but I meant it to go on today's...however, I reckon you'll figure that out without me interruptin' your browsing...oops, too late...)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hi Louie...

Hi, doll. : )

How ya doing, wolfie. Need any more Christmas goodies?
I think Billie is finally getting time to do her baking...Maybe she will share with us later.

I can always use more goodies. : )

Till then, how about some pie? Mincemeat, okay?

That looks great....I love mincemeat! Thank you!

[lodwick]

Mincemeat's a lot like Liver - either you love it, or you hate it. Personally, I love them both.

Could be a mincemeat/liver thing going on here.

[Feiny]

The photo worked for a while....here is another one:

[Molly Pitcher]

Responded over there, he, he....WOW!

[The Mayor]

I heard Boortz talking about that today

Looks yummie

[Molly Pitcher]

What a rich recipe!! YUM! Probably like you, I would have trouble eating it, but kids....they wouldn't mind. LOL!

[The Mayor]

I'm ready for a cup, how bout you?

[daisyscarlett]

Growing up near Buffalo we never had to worry about a White Christmas. I cannot remember ever not having snow for all the 20 plus years I lived there. In fact, it is hard to remember when we did not have a major surprise "blizzard" at some point during the holidays.

I went to the grocery store this afternoon and as I came out I heard the bells for the Salvation Army bucket. I saw the bucket-hard to miss, all bright red and locked down in every possible way-but did not immediately see the bell-ringer and then I spotted him. He was sitting in a lawn chair in his shirtsleeves ringing the bell.

Growing up in W. New York, a small town, every Christmas our Salvation Army took to the corner and had a full live band and they sang Christmas carols - no matter how cold and stormy it was - and we were encouraged to contribute our coins in a big old uncovered black bucket and when you did, a smiley face always thanked you and god blessed you. What a difference today~!

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you get a chance to read Molly's article and the subsequent posts made today. Have Kleenex nearby...

[ST.LOUIE1]

Mincemeat's a lot like Liver - either you love it, or you hate it. Personally, I love them both.

I'm with you, lody. Liver smothered in onions is to die for. : )

Could be a mincemeat/liver thing going on here.

LOL

Hey, I love fruitcake, too....you still with me? : )

[daisyscarlett]

I highly recommend a trip through Montana and Wyoming. I love going cross country the high Northern route and I too, am impressed with their rest stops. The thing that amazed me was that you could drive for miles and miles and not see another person or car or the major interstate.

After I read your piece, Molly, I searched the Web for pictures-was gonna illustrate it (Billie said, no no, dear, this is a Christmas piece not a travelogue-and she was right of course).

Anyway I did a search for Wyoming rest areas and came across several photos that tourists had taken of the beautiful rest stops with the marvelous scenery. No solar pictures though. But did find a neat one that a bicyclist was impressed with because they had a real neat modern wind shield...

[GailA]

We are going up Christmas day, so it will be in the late afternoon before we get there. Then back here the next dayl

[daisyscarlett]

I wonder if either of you have ever had a "real" mince meat pie...My mother in law used to make them-she ground hamburger for them. Nowadays, of course, the meat is left out and they are really minced apple pies..RECIPIE FOR A TRUE MINCEMEAT PIE

Four pound boil’d beef, chopped fine, and salted; six pound of raw apple chopped also, one pound beef suet, one quart of Wine or rich sweet cyder, one ounce mace, and cinnamon, a nutmeg, two pounds raisins, bake in paste, three fourths of an hour.

Observations : All meat pies require a hotter and brisker oven than fruit pies, in good cookeries, all raisins should be stoned.

[ST.LOUIE1]

I wonder if either of you have ever had a "real" mince meat pie...
My mother in law used to make them-she ground hamburger for them. Nowadays, of course, the meat is left out and they are really minced apple pies..

I have, my granny made them that way. My mom used the kind that was packed in a jar.

Either way.....I love mincemeat! : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Hope you're feeling better, fuzzy.

A get well hug ...(((((((((fuzzy)))))))))))

: )

[Libertina]

Just back from work and looking forward to the threads on these days before Christmas! Dansangel & Billie, I will get off work at 1:00 so should be able to be "hostess" by 2:00 pm on Friday :) I'll try to check in early before work as well just to say hi and wish Friday's "subject" a delightful day with all you fine people :)
Good evening FR's FINEST!

[daisyscarlett]

That photo is just too pretty not to share, along with your words so I brought them over and even centered the photo for you, lol...

Here's a shot of the home where my heart currently resides.

My pad ain't quite this close to the water, but I can see it out the window...and it looks like sunset tonite will be very much like this one.

Clear for now, we're expecting another storm...the air is scrubbed clean, and I can see for miles and miles and miles.

jwf the iv

[ST.LOUIE1]

Helloooooo Ms.Tina!

Enjoy your evening. : )