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

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for that great photo of Nancy and Santa....

[The Thin Man]

That would be one crazed homicidal reindeer . . . .

LOL! That's what I figured. Never meant to imply that Aqua made a mistake. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL!

[The Mayor]

A Christmas card for all !!

Click the pic..

[FreeTheHostages]

Billie, thanks again for all your help this December. I really hope you have a blessed and peaceful and restful Christmas.

[daisyscarlett]

Good afternoon Louie. Are you going to have a White Christmas?

Santa left a stack of these for you...

[FreeTheHostages]

Julie, speaking of cheerful and sparkling personalities, I hope you have a Merry Christmas too.

Even you Louie, although apparently you've been naughty!! I hope that Santa is nice to wolves too! For my gingerbread house parties this year, I found some candy coal that is chock full of blue dye and if you eat it, it's very sweet but it turns your teeth and tongue and everything blue for an hour! I could be wrong but I'm guessing you're the type of prankster that would *love* that stuff.

[daisyscarlett]

Well we have George Strait under our Country Section; Spook played a great Jim Reeves "Silent Night" last week..encore? Aquamarine is still looking for Elvis's Blue Christmas but she probably won't have time to find it today....Anyone out there have a wav of Elvis' Blue Christmas?

[FreeTheHostages]

{{{lodwick}}} I hope you and also your wife have a peaceful and restorative Christmas.

[lodwick]

That's great - thank you.

[lodwick]

Hi Loddy....its been quite a while since I have emailed you, just have been so busy.....busy decorating for the Christmas festivities.....we have five trees up, and each tree is loaded and decorated full tilt....in the family room is a 6 ft tree, decorated with Santa and snowmen, and lots and lots of different and various animals...we call this the Mr. Dizzy tree, as it has lots of his animal friends on the tree to look at, including two Himalayans, which were extremely difficult to find, but find them I did...

Then in the Kitchen we have the Victorian tree, trimmed with old fashioned decoupage balls, bows, pearls and lace...its smaller, at only 5 ft......then down one of the halls, is the food tree, loaded with frosted fruits, glass candies, glass lollipops, and even has a glass hamburger, a glass slice of pizza, a pickle, and a glass chili pepper...looks good enough to each....

Then the big front room has two trees....one is the 4 ft patriotic tree, filled with wooden flags, police and firefighters(for 9/11) and various Santas from around the world....its also loaded with bubble lights(unlike the other trees which all have just tons of the winking and blinking tiny lights)....

Then the main tree, 7 1/2 ft tall, is in the front room, and that tree is covered with a melange of various ornaments, that I have collected over the years, and have had from my childhood...its a strange melange...you might find a big expensive ornament, right next to a little chinty felt ornament, that one of my boys made....but each ornament has special meaning...

After all that decorating of the trees, I still have boxes and boxes of ornaments left over....I cannot throw out an ornament, no matter how battered it may be, no matter if it is broken, nor if there are chips in them.....somehow throwing out an ornament, (unless its completely shattered), seems wrong....just because an ornament has seen better days, seens like not a good reason to throw it out....I guess I keep it, because it brings back to me memories ot a time, when that ornament was in its prime, and I was glad to have it on the tree.....

I guess I am just sentimental, especially at this time of year....

BigDom and I went to Costco yesterday, and bought lots of food goodies, and tons of beer goodies which were available...we were thrilled to find one of our all time favorite beers, Samuel Adams 'Fezziwig", which we thought had been discontinued, but apparently is only available in a taster choice case with 4 each of 6 different Sam Adams beers sold in a holiday case...naturally we had to buy two of those, so that gives us 8 'Fezziwigs' to enjoy at this festive season....Dom also bought a giant sized bottle of Heineken, ,in a bottle which contains a little over 100 ounces....now thats some big bottle....and we made the rounds of different specialty stores, which Bigdom knows about, where he went to purchase many locally brewed specialty Christmas beers....each time he came out of the stores, with a big grin on his face, and a shopping cart loaded down, and I knew he had found something ot make him so very happy....

BigDom has been working so hard, at the trusty post office, 11 hours a day, 5 days a week, and then 6-8 hours on Saturday...this has been going on since right after Thanksgiving....but he took a leave day for Christmas Eve, so finally he will have two days in a row off, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....

He has worked so hard, I am glad that he found all the beers he wished for, to make for some relaxation and cheer, after working all those long and hard hours, moving the mail...

Andy will be coming down sometime on Christmas Eve, and then our little family is complete....we will begin the evening, with an appetizer of steamed clams and mussels with veggies...we love this dish and it quells the appetite, until the main course, which is deep fried prawns, scallops, fish, and a small broiled lobster tail...accompanied by various salads and breads....

Around midnight we will then have a variety of sausages, meatballs, raviolis, chips, dips, and such to snack on while either playing music or watching the different Midnight Mass programs on TV....also have lots of Christmas cookies, and candies...marzipan and baklava....and of course, let the beer and wine flow....

Then Christmas Dinner will be a giant turkey, a giant ham, and a giant Prime Rib Roast(who says meat is not good for you?)....with all the fixins of taters, yams, gravy, stuffing, corn, green bean casserole, olives, and cranberry sauce, with hot rolls, and butter....

Desert is cheesecake, and pumpkin pie....

Roll us around, we will be as round as beach balls....and then we will just loll around, the menfolk watching sports, while playing Christmas music, and I will be asleep on the couch, happy and content, with my little family, but oh so tired..

Be sure to watch TNT beginning Christmas Eve, and continuing for 24 hours into Christmas Day....they will show 'A Christmas Story', to my mind, one of the finest Christmas films ever made....its been a tradition on TNT for several years now, to run this wonderful film twelve times in a row, beginning on Christmas Eve....I just love this film, and if you love it be sure to watch it, and if you have never seen it, tune in and see it and enjoy it for the first time....Prime phrases to pay attention to in this film, are "OH, FUUUUDGE"....'FRA GIL EEEE' and the line 'YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT'.....and look at Darin Mcgavins face, when son Randy is snorting up his dinner like a pig, or lying passed out among the Christmas wrappings...its a priceless film, and one to be enjoyed time and time again.....


And so for the Christmas wishes for you and all who dwell and visit and lurk on DD....wishes for health, wishes for happiness, wishes for love of family and friends, wishes for full hearts full tummies and full lives....Christmas is best, when surrounded by those we love and cherish....

And let us remember always the birth of our Lord, and what his birth means...that he came to earth to provide for us a way to heaven, where hopefully we will all be one day, communing with one another once again....

My best wishes, and much love to you and yours at this time of yeary....

MERRY CHRISTMAS......


Be well friends, a blessed Christmans to one and all. JL

[Aquamarine]

Nutcracker Suite

Click on the pic

[daisyscarlett]

First off, that is one of the most beautiful nativity Christmas cards I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing.

Secondly, you are correct, Grandpa did not get run over....

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you, MistyCa. Will you be changing your name again to MistyMN?..lol...

Know you will have a White Christmas...Wonder if you will have lutefisk? ha ha...

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for the g.i. JOE/Bob Hope cartoon. It reminded me of the USO Tours that Bob Hope did all those years. Wish he could over to Afghan this year for our troops...

[The Mayor]

"OH, FUUUUDGE"....'FRA GIL EEEE' and the line 'YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT'

One of my all time favorites!!I've watched it twice already, now my 10 year old son wants a BB gun, the first thing my wife said was, "you'll shoot your eye out!

Merry Christmas!

[ST.LOUIE1]

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) :)

Thank yoooou! Santa wasn't "watching"....you and your Babes ratted us out. : (

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

Love your hugs. : )

Welcome home!!!!!

(((((((((((((((((BillieBlue)))))))))))))))

[daisyscarlett]

What a wonderful photo you are leaving us with...Have a safe trip to AZ and don't forget to leave Santa lots of goodies so he will leave you that special Beebee gun you are wanting...lol....I sometimes leave carrots for the reindeer, too...

[Aquamarine]

I have Elvis right here.........

Blue Christmas
by Elvis Presley

Click on the pic

[ST.LOUIE1]

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

Finally, a *hug* from Aqua. And candy to boot. : )

Frosty The Snowman
by Gene Autry

Believe it or not....one of my faves. : )