A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...03-04-03...It's Mardi Gras!!!!

Dutchess and Billie

[dutchess]

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:  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.

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: 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.

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

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 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.

                     

It's Mardi Gras Time!

History

In Christian communities around the world, the 40 days preceding Easter comprise Lent, a period of fasting and penitence. It begins with Ash Wednesday, the day many Catholics go to church to receive the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads, its purpose being to remind them of their own mortality. The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. For much of the country the Tuesday before Lent is just that, a Tuesday, but in New Orleans this Tuesday is "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday", representing the last gasp of decadence before a period of austerity.

When French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne, Sleur d'lberville, landed on a plot of ground about 70 miles down river from the present location of New Orleans on Mardi Gras, Mar. 3, 1699, he christened it Pointe du Mardi Gras.

Masks, Music, and Mayhem

French royals, feather-covered showgirls, painted clowns, masked lions-you can find them all (and countless others) in the streets of New Orleans at Mardi Gras. By dawn on that most famous Tuesday, people have claimed the best spots on the streets to watch fabulous floats, outrageous performers, and visiting celebrities go by. Many travel hundreds of miles to be a part of the excitement. Marching bands, some of them founded more than a century ago, also take to the streets with music and festive dress. They open the day by spreading jazz music through the city before the more than 350 floats and 15,000 costumed paraders take over the scene. Crazy costumes and wild makeup are the order of the day for paraders and parade-watchers alike. The most lavish get-ups can be seen at the cross-dressing beauty pageants in the French Quarter, where bawdy costuming may reach new heights (over seven feet, in heels.)

Krewes: New Orleans Royalty

Mardi Gras has long combined wild street activities open to everyone with events organized by private clubs known as krewes. Today, thousands of people belong to about 60 krewes that plan the parades and balls of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The oldest krewe, the Krewe of Comus, was founded in 1857.

In 1872 the Russian grand duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans at Mardi Gras. A group of businessmen organized the Krewe of Rex to host a parade for the occasion, and appointed a "king for the day" so that the grand duke could have a royal reception. Naming kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a tradition of the krewes ever since. Another tradition began with that royal visit: the Romanoff house colors-purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power-became the official colors of Mardi Gras.

The Krewe of Iris, a ladies only krewe, was formed in 1917 and held its first parade in 1959. Today it has over 500 members.

Catch the Throws

The millions of colorful beaded necklaces thrown from floats are the most visible symbols and souvenirs of Mardi Gras. In addition, millions of cups and toy coins known as "doubloons" are decorated with krewe logos and thrown to parade-watchers. Some "throws" are especially prized: only the luckiest folks manage to take home the hand-decorated coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu.

Bals Masque

One of the highlights of Mardi Gras are the balls held by the krewes where a king is crowned. A huge cake, called the King Cake, is prepared and a piece is served to every attendee. In one of the pieces is hidden a tiny doll said to represent Jesus. If you are lucky enough to get that piece, you will have good luck for the entire year. Unfortunately, you have to provide the King Cake for next year's Bal Masque.

All Things Change

While families still flock to the parades, the demographics of Mardi Gras have been changing. Especially in the French Quarter, the festivities have taken on a Spring Break atmosphere, attracting visitors more interested in drunken escapades and flashes of nudity than Mardi Gras' cultural significance and storied pageantry.

An FR Finest Mardi Gras

We, the Finest Hostesses, invite you to take on the BEST of the traditions…..let's share our food, our company….and celebrate FAT TUESDAY FREEPER STYLE!!!!!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03--03-03 Letters from Pippin

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.
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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

[Billie]

Dutchess, to me, both the columns are blockquoted - are you still not seeing them that way? (They are both blockquoted on the left margin - neither of the right sides are lined up, but they never are - they just line up on the left side. :)

Thanks for giving us your nephew's information, Spookie. I think we've all added the name to our list. :)

[dutchess]

I've been hearing reports about you two from my cyberspy down on Bourbon Street!

[Billie]

LOL!

Now you know. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

LOL!

Hey....what happened to wolfie's crown? : (

[FreeTheHostages]

[Billie]

Oh, I love those toe-tapping sneakers! Great post, Meekie!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Billie helped fix us up for today's party!

You're all as beautiful as can be. With or without masks. : )

Terrific graphic, Billie.

Hmmmmm....Billie, you're a *Queen* twice over. Of Mardi Gras and 'Graphics'. : )

[dutchess]

both the columns are blockquoted - are you still not seeing them that way?

Billie...It still wasn't right from what I downloaded from you on my homecomputer. Redownloaded it at work and it's perfect! I swear my home computer has a little poltergeist inside it...just loving to cause me fits!

[firewalk]

Better? (-:

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Free.

Louie, will you escort Da'Bear to the Mardi Gras Ball?

[ST.LOUIE1]

Tomorrow will be a black day for me.....am giving up *chocolate* for Lent!
Ugh! I'm going through the DTs just thinking about it!

I have the solution for you....give up Wolfie...eat the chocolate.

Nah....you really would go over the edge. LOL

[Mama_Bear]

Great Mardi Gras post, dutchess. Thanks for this wonderful party and all the information about Mardi Gras. And, Billie, I love my gold mask! (You always seem to know which one I would choose...the gold mask is my favorite.) :-)

[ST.LOUIE1]

I've been hearing reports about you two from my cyberspy down on Bourbon Street!

Your 'cyberspy' has myteriously disappeared.

We met up with him in a dark alley. LOL

[ST.LOUIE1]

Ready to go partying with wolfie? He's got beads. : )

[ST.LOUIE1]

Louie, will you escort Da'Bear to the Mardi Gras Ball?

Of course, you gorgeous bear you!

I'll ply you with 'poppers' and then we'll dance all night....

...if you can stay on your feet. Snorf!!!

[Billie]

Hi, Dansy - I wish you could be here more. : (

Well, you look beautiful in your purple mask anyway - am glad you like it. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

LOL!

Hi'ya Bis!

[Billie]

Hi, Lori - we must switch our margaritas to something more fitting for Noo Awleens. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

Fine looking home, g'nad. May you and yours have much happiness in it.

[Billie]

Oh, my! I'm so beautiful in THAT mask!