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

Posted on 03/04/2003 3:12:44 AM PST by 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.
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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; military; patriotic; surprises; veterans
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To: dutchess; Billie
You are welcome. Wish we had more notice. I just learned about it about 4:30 pm. Our local talk host Mike Fleming gave Carol my email addy and her phone number to me. I called her and told her about FR and all the great FReepers here.
241 posted on 03/04/2003 7:34:45 PM PST by GailA (THROW AWAY THE KEYS http://keasl5227.tripod.com/)
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To: jwfiv
The truth is I've not been sleeping well nights, the arm hindering positioning, resting on the prescribed two pillows, so I stayed off the board this afternoon and took a 2-hour nap...:))

Woke at 5 and wondered why "dawn" was early!

242 posted on 03/04/2003 7:40:43 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: jwfiv; LadyX
Coffee sounds great, and me thinks there will be a run on it in the am to counter the brown bottle flu symptoms. :)

Reminds me of a true story about my Grandma...

Grandma was in a nursing home the last year of her life. She suffered from dimentia as well as some physical problems.

Our pastor came to visit during the last week when things were not going well. He asked her, "Are you ready to meet our Lord?"

Grandma answered with a question, "Could I have a cup of coffee first?"

Sounds like a good time to sing "Fill my cup, Lord" dontcha think?

243 posted on 03/04/2003 7:58:55 PM PST by Diver Dave
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To: Diver Dave
Great story, Dave!

My own cup floweth over at all times...:))

244 posted on 03/04/2003 8:06:21 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: ofMagog
Thank you for that information. I just found out that your Dad is ill. Not knowing what the problem is has caused some anxiety. My prayers will be in earnest for him until we hear something positive. God bless him and his family.
245 posted on 03/04/2003 8:08:19 PM PST by WVNan
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To: Diver Dave
How are Christian and Logan??
They are partly "ours," you realize....
246 posted on 03/04/2003 8:09:09 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: LadyX
I'm sorry to hear that you're not resting well my Sistah. I've missed you. It's been a strange two days.
247 posted on 03/04/2003 8:09:30 PM PST by WVNan
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To: LadyX
I was thinkin' that sleep might be difficult...it's that dadgum Law of Gravity...when we're tender from a wound, finding a comfortable spot can be hard...I'll send a note to the Sleep Angels and ask them to add some of their special, invisible cotton candy cloud pillows to your prescribed two...(they owe me a favor, and they're usually dependable...usually...they can be independent little cusses, and ya never can tell).

Hope you have a flyin' dream tonight, LadyX...and an easy sleep...)

248 posted on 03/04/2003 8:09:52 PM PST by jwfiv
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To: Diver Dave; LadyX
Whatta great story...it's true, of course..."Ask, and ye shall receive."...betcha coffee made from the Water of Life would really wake us up...)
249 posted on 03/04/2003 8:12:29 PM PST by jwfiv
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To: ofMagog
Thank you for the note.
That has been posted here, but we still remember him each and every day in our hearts.

Please tell him how much we care ~ ~ ~ and we pray for you girls and your families, too, of course.

250 posted on 03/04/2003 8:13:19 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: jwfiv
Big smile of gratitude at your thoughts...:)))
251 posted on 03/04/2003 8:16:11 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: All; LadyX; jwfiv; WVNan; Diver Dave; Aquamarine; dutchess; GailA; MeeknMing
Don't know who's still here, but stopping in to say goodnight. See you all tomorrow. Sleep well. :)


252 posted on 03/04/2003 8:22:40 PM PST by Billie
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To: Billie
Billie, I've missed being here the past two days. You don't wanta know. Won't be any better tomorrow. My work load seems to be increasing daily. Probably because the snow has melted LOL. People dying all over the place. I can't keep up with it. Ash Wed. tomorrow. You have a great night and hope to catch up one of these days. Loveya.
253 posted on 03/04/2003 8:26:44 PM PST by WVNan
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To: LadyX
How are Christian and Logan??
They are partly "ours," you realize....

Precious! :)

Christian was driven past our FReep on Sat. He saw me on the corner and asked, "What's Poppy doing with that sign?" Answer, supporting our soldiers and sailors.

Logan knows the quickest and most direct route to the graham cracker honey sticks. He also knows I'm an easy mark. :)

254 posted on 03/04/2003 8:28:18 PM PST by Diver Dave (Because HE Lives, We Can Face Tomorrow)
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To: Billie
Good night, Billie - - -
255 posted on 03/04/2003 8:28:34 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: Diver Dave
"He also knows I'm an easy mark. :)"

How soon they have us figured! LOL

Those early years pass so quickly - - -

256 posted on 03/04/2003 8:33:16 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: jwfiv; Diver Dave
"betcha coffee made from the Water of Life would really wake us up...)"

The very liquid that overflows from my cup.....it has no end, leading to Him.

257 posted on 03/04/2003 8:36:15 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: LadyX
I'm going to watch Nightline. Breaking my boycott. Later sweetie. Loveya.
258 posted on 03/04/2003 8:38:19 PM PST by WVNan
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To: WVNan
Watching and posting both here!

Loveya, too, Nan - God be with you in consoling the bereaved, and in the Holy period we are about to enter.

259 posted on 03/04/2003 8:53:51 PM PST by LadyX ((( Thank you, Lord, for Friends,. and for Your Love )))
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To: Aquamarine
Great news, Aquamarine! Go get 'em! Please let us know how it turns out :)
260 posted on 03/04/2003 9:54:50 PM PST by Libertina
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