A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-23-02

Billie, Aquamarine and 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.

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

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

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

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

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 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.

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: 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.

                     

When we decided to do a special thread celebrating the Music of Christmas, Aquamarine immediately came to mind as guest hostess for this endeavor. Aquamarine has been posting beautiful art work and music links since the inception of the Finest thread six months ago.

We are pleased that she accepted our invitation to be the guest producer and hostess today and know that you will be too.

Thank you Aquamarine for what promises to be an enjoyable beginning of Christmas week on the Finest thread......daisyscarlett

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When daisyscarlett asked me to participate in the Holiday Special Threads by hostessing a Christmas Music Day, I was more than happy to accept her offer.

I love any type of music that's well made and believe that it can lift our spirits and lighten our burdens. Participating in The Finest's, and previously in the Canteen threads, has given me the chance to play many types of music. I am grateful for the opportunity and hope that you have enjoyed my efforts.

I would like to give credit to Billie and daisyscarlett for their assistance in the graphics and layout of this thread. I did help in that area with "suggestions" but the graphics with the music links were produced by me. Would also like to thank Spookbrat and Lodwick for their help in finding the best wav sites.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with music of all types I hope that you will sit back, relax, grab a cup of coffee and some Christmas treats. And listen to some very beautiful music of the season. And by all means, post any music midis or wavs you would like to share.

Merry Christmas to all my Finest FRiends!...Aquamarine

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We lovingly dedicate this Special Day of Christmas music to whoever, a dear FRiend to many of us.

Whoever, we hope you enjoy the music and art graphics today. We missed your help and input in producing this thread, but you were constantly on our mind and in our thoughts. We hope we have achieved our goal of rejoicing in and glorifying the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, through music, as we know you would have encouraged us to do.

Merry Christmas, whoever. We miss you..... Aquamarine and daisyscarlett

WELCOME to a special edition of FR's Finest
"A Celebration of Christmas Music"

Click on graphic

As noted above, our guest writer and hostess for our Christmas music thread is Aquamarine.

She has divided the music selections into several categories and will feature one music selection in each segment. She will also be posting beautiful Christmas music from all categories throughout the day on the thread itself. We invite you all to join in and post any Holiday wavs or midis as the thread progresses.

Thank you all for coming and we sincerely hope you enjoy this very Special Holiday Music Thread.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS

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St. Luke's Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed...



And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.



And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)



To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.



And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.



And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.



And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.



And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.



For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.



And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.



And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,



Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.



And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.



(St. Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-17. King James Version)

The Christmas Story spawned many Christmas carols. Perhaps the most famous one is "Silent Night" which was written on Christmas Eve in 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria. Joseh Mohr,an assistant pastor of a local church, had written a poem, "Stille Nacht" in 1816. On December 24, 1818 he gave the poem to his friend the church organist, Franz Gruber. Gruber immediately composed the melody and arranged it for two voices, choir, and guitar in time to be performed that night at the Midnight Mass. By 1955, "Silent Night" had become the most recorded song of all time.

It was difficult to decide on a presentation for this segment because of the wealth of beautiful carols from which to choose. Aquamarine solved this dilemma by selecting a medley of "Silent Night", "Away in a Manger" and "Oh Holy Night."

CLASSICAL MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS

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When discussing the classical music of Christmas, "Handel's Messiah" and "Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite" come immediately to mind as well as "Ave Maria". These are beautiful works of art and a couple of them will be played later on in the thread.

For this opening segment Aquamarine has selected "Oh Christmas Tree" as performed by the Sacrum Chamber Choir, a classical choir which some critics feel are superior to the Vienna Boy's Choir. This group is a personal favorite of Aquamarine's.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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This category includes many holiday favorites of us all such as "White Christmas". "Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire", aka "The Christmas Song", along with "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" and "Merry Christmas" by Alvin and the Chipmunks. We will be playing many of these tunes later from such artists as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. (Not to worry, we do not have "Grandpa Got Run Over by a Reindeer" on our list.)

For this opening segment, Aquamarine has selected "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Perry Como.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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There are many songs to choose from in this category. Almost every Country Western star of note has recorded at least one Christmas album in their career. Christmas music is a particular favorite of Country Western fans and Country Western singers do Christmas carols and ballads justice. The songs selected in this category will be performed by such artists as Lynn Anderson, Trisha Yearwood and the Forresters.

For this opening segment, Aquamarine has selected "Winter Wonderland" by George Strait, who is a particular favorite of many on the Finest, including daisyscarlett.

Merry Christmas, Aquamarine

Aquamarine

Thank you for this beautiful thread!

THE WEEKEND THREAD 12-21,22-02 WEEK IN REVIEW

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

[Pippin]

Thanks, ((DD))

[MistyCA]

thank you! I will do that. :)

[Billie]

This is at the top of my Self-Search just now, and I cannot let it go without answering it first! LOL!

TOO, TOO cute, Louie! It is just too cute! You and Amy are the cutest hooligans I've ever seen, and when you do one of these posts, I can't quit smiling! (Santa is pretty smart, you know - he's been watching you) :)

P.S. Hugs for the Texas Christmas Tree. :)

(((((((((((((((((Louie)))))))))))))

[Pippin]

(((((((BILLIE)))))))

[Aquamarine]

Here's a (((HUG))) some candy and a song!
Enjoy!

Frosty The Snowman
by Gene Autry

Click on the pic

[Billie]

Dear You Two, :) Cannot tell you how beautiful this thread is today, and I know how much time both of you put into it to make it just perfect.....and it is! It is wonderful, it is beautiful, it is awesome! Thank you for making these days between Thanksgiving and Christmas so special.

[MeekOneGOP]

...

So, Jessica, here's the answer Daddy meant to say, "Jesus never had a family because All of Us are His Family, All of Us are His Brothers and Sisters, All of Us are His Children!!"

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or not...Happy Holidays to Each and Every One of You Wonderful FReepers...You have become MY extended family!!

That is beautiful, my FRiend ! Thanks for sharing that song with us - and the story. Merry Christmas !

I feel the same regarding FR being my extended family....

[JulieRNR21]

What beautiful Christmas Music! Thank you for all the time & effort that went into creating this thread.

I miss whoever also. I always enjoyed her sparkling spirit which shone through her posts.

Merry Christmas to All Finest FRiends!

[Aquamarine]

Where words fail, music speaks.
--Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) Danish short-story writer, poet

[Aquamarine]

Thanks!
"Oh Holy Night" is one of my favorites also. It was played in the opening Nativity Scene post in a combo wav at the end.

[lodwick]

Safe travels and Godspeed JW.

[MeekOneGOP]

Very very nice. Thanks !

[Aquamarine]

Hi Billie, thanks for the kind compliments. You helped with this also so give yourself a pat on the back.
Hope you enjoyed your trip and Christmas get together...missed ya. :)

[Salvation]

Aquamarine,
Thank you for that information. I have not played any of the music yet. Sorry!

[FreeTheHostages]

That would be one crazed homicidal reindeer . . . .

[lodwick]

Good grief Mo - that thing's HUGE! Where's your house?

[lodwick]

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Originally published in The New York Sun in 1897.

We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

Dear Editor:

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Signed Virginia O'Hanlon

The answer as published in the New York Sun was:

Virginia, your little friends are wrong.

They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

[FreeTheHostages]

I pray for your son's marriage to be healed.

[Aquamarine]

What a cute post! Thanks for stopping by, maybe Louie will share some of his Christmas treats with you while we play some more Christmas music.

[lodwick]

December 23..................................... Little Christmas in Denmark
December 24..................................... Christmas Eve
December 25..................................... Christmas Day
December 26..................................... St. Stephen's Day, Boxing Day in England, Kwanzaa begins
December 27..................................... St. John's Day, Mother Night
December 28 .................................... Holy Innocents Day
December 30 .................................... Bringing in the Boar
December 31 ................................... New Year's Eve, St. Sylvester's Eve, Hogmanay in Scotland
January 1........................................... New Year's Day, St. Basil's Day
January 2 .......................................... Snow Day, Holde's Day
January 3........................................... Evergreen Day
January 4 .......................................... St. Distaff's Day
January 5 .......................................... Epiphany Eve
January 6 .......................................... Epiphany, Three Kings Day, Twelfth Night
January 7 .......................................... Russian Christmas
First Monday after Epiphany................ Plough Monday in England's traditions
January 13 ........................................ Twentieth Day, St. Knut's Day in Scandanavia