A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-17-03....Florida~The Sunshine State

dansangel

[dansangel]

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

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and 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....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear, Aquamarine ~

~The "Sunshine State"~

Florida became the 27th state of the Union in 1845.

To me, Florida is the most beautiful and compelling state in the United States. Of course, I'm just a *tad* biased. Although I wasn't born there, I consider myself a Floridian after spending most of my adult life there. After this current (and definitely temporary) leave of absence, I intend to make Florida my home state once again.

The Florida peninsula itself boasts approximately 1200 miles of coastline (source: NOAA). Factoring in the coastal area of all of its islands and keys, this total grows to over 8,000 miles (source: the U.S. DEA). From Jacksonville in the north to Key West at its southernmost tip, Florida is packed with history and rare beauty.

Are you a history buff? Take a trip to St. Augustine. Located in northeast Florida, it is our nation's oldest city. On March 27 1513, Don Juan Ponce de Leon sighted land while sailing towards the "New World" from Spain. He claimed this land for Spain, naming it "La Florida," meaning "Land of Flowers."

In 1564, the French succeeded in establishing a fort on the St. Johns River, threatening the safety of Spain's treasure fleets. In 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrived off the coast of Florida. Eleven days after the Feast of St. Augustine (August 28) he founded the city of St. Augustine and set about reclaiming the territory from the French. With the help of a hurricane, he defeated the French, destroyed their fort and fleet and began building the city of St. Augustine.

Today, St. Augustine is a popular tourist spot due to its many museums, its lighthouse and, of course, the oldest house and the oldest schoolhouse in the country. With more than 4 centuries of history to share, St. Augustine is a must-see on any trip to Florida.

Key Deer

The Florida Keys comprise the southernmost portion of the Florida territory. Stretching out over the ocean beginning just south of Homestead, the keys serve as a gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. From Key Largo to Key West, all of the keys connected by 113 miles of U.S. Highway 1 boast their own beauty and attractions. Key deer, no larger than a large dog, can be found on Big Pine Key. Swim with tame dolphins off of Islamorada. Or, visit Ernest Hemingway's house in rustic and festive Key West. The sunset viewed from Mallory Dock off of Duval Street is like none other viewed anywhere else in the world.

Florida Everglades

Finally, the Everglades and their own delicate and unique ecosystem is described eloquently by Jeff Ripple as found on the Florida Everglades Website:

"The Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands is a rare and beautiful place. It is one of North America's unsung wild places - a beautiful, rugged, subtropical landscape experienced by a relatively few adventurous souls each year. Many who appreciate the unique qualities of this wilderness will argue that it is a place better kept secret. Perhaps, in my quest for solitude and a deeply personal communion with nature, I might ordinarily agree. But I also feel that it is a resource important not only for its natural heritage and spiritually enriching powers, but for its commercial and recreational values as well."



The peace and serenity in the Everglades is beyond description. Once you venture out, it is difficult to return to civilization. We have a duty to preserve the delicate balance of flora and fauna so that generations to come will benefit from its beauty.

There are many other points of interest in Florida not mentioned here. From the white sands of its pristine beaches to the protected habitats of the Everglades, Florida is definitely one of those places where, once you visit, you may just want to call it "home."

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-15-03 Military Monday 09-16-03 This One's For You T Man

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

God Bless Our Military

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Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son The Mayor........................niece LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.....................nephew ValerieUSA................2 sons Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................activve duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty StarCMC......................brother Atomic Conspiracy...........half-brother Atomic Conspiracy............niece, nephew

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel..................niece dixie sass.............nephew BeAllYouCanBe.........son AgThorn...............2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles.................son kimmie7...............brother Tiffee4Bob.............boyfriend Explorer89............brother TexKat...........son and stepson

[Calpernia]

Morning to the Finest.

And thanks for the well wishes Meg and Tooters. I'm fine, just battling a seasonal cold. Keeps me from thinking strait. That is the most frustrating thing.

[LadyX]

"I sincerely have always had a question about people who live in Florida. What about the heat and humidity though? If you live there all year round, doesn't it get real bad in the summer?"

It all is a matter of perspective - and attitude, Freezee.

Consider that in all of America, there was no air conditioning to any degree until after WWII - in the 40's!
That was when refrigeration became a big deal, emerging fully from the literal 'ice boxes' to modern ones - and the introduction of - gasp! - frozen foods!

Those first were stored in a common, public one - then eventually incorporated into the fridge in your kitchen. (No mixes for things - everything was cooked from scratch; but that's another matter.)

No a/c in schools or stores - in other words, we viewed warmth as essential to life and health and well-being, just as you were accustomed to cold as the 'norm' in Vermont, and did not dwell upon that.

In Coral Gables, we prayed for a cold snap when I was little, since the schools did not have heat in them, and if it was near freezing, the radio announced, "No School Today!"
The first snow I ever saw was when I was 19 and in Rochester, NY - stunned that it was so wet, and not like the Ivory Snow Flakes laundry powder with which I was familiar..:))

As dansy said, on the East Coast, there usually is a pleasant breeze to enjoy, and it almost never reached and exceeded 100 degrees. You just took each day as it came - in stride - as you did snowy ones, no doubt.

By the way, later, living in Rochester, NY for two years, the very hottest I ever was, was a week there in the 90+-degree range - very humid - no breeze - and the heat magnified in the Asphalt Jungle.

To get any sleep at all, I had to lie sans clothing under a damp sheet with a fan on full force....and still was uncomfortable.

The reputation of The Deep South as being unbearable is not always deserved. This year, for example, here in my part of South Carolina, there have been only a handful of days that just barely went over 90 degrees - not in the 100's but one time - usually a breeze, and the humidity not excessive.
Nights for three weeks have been in the 60's, and last night 50's!

Comfort sometimes is a question of 'Mind over Matter' - -
if you think in terms of "I'm Uncomfortable," you are bound to be that.

[JoeSixPack1]

Good Morning From Sunny Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Treasure Coast.

From Ft. Pierce down to Hobe Sound, the Sailfishing is the best in the world. The population is in "explosion" mode as we are the fastest growing area in the state. We've got two Nuke plants that keep the waters warm for the manatees, 5 museums, 61 waterfront restaurants, 38 private beaches, lake Okeechobee to the west for fresh water fishing, the St. Lucie River connects for the inbetweens, home to the Mini-Vietnam Wall, two topless bars and they're buiding a Hooters ! :-)

But, shhhhhhhh, it's still a secret and it's still a bedroom community, but all those evil Palm Beach voters are trying to sneak in and buy everything!!

I call it the 1970's version of Ft. Lauderdale. But whadda I know, I've only been here 35 years.

<|:-)~~

[lonestar]

I have that beginning of a sore throat feeling. I think I'm getting hay-fever. We're having an early Fall. The weather is gorgeous.

[Calpernia]

Real Player Video Tour of the Fountain of Youth

Hey, I've drank from there! Now explain my grey hair!

Founding of St. Augustine

Don Juan Ponce de Leon arrived in America with Columbus on his second voyage, 1493. Leon and his fellows, not Columbus, completed Spain's claim to the New World. Made governor of Puerto Rico in 1510 and later deposed, Ponce de Leon, at his own expense, equipped an expedition to the North in 1513. A few years previous, Amerigo Vespucci had discovered and claimed the South American continent for Spain and John Cabot the northern continent for England. Two of the mightiest nations in the world stood opposed for proprietorship of half the globe. Ponce De Leon heard Indians tell of Bimini, a fabulous island in the North. Historians do not unanimously honor at full value the beautifully romantic story that Ponce was seeking to find the fountain of youth. Yet it was not incredible to men of that day - when the very existence of a New World was hardly believable to those who had not seen it with their own eyes - that those who had touched these shores should believe in greater magic in this strange realm. And certainly there is no legend more appropriate to the beginning of America than that this new land should offer men a vision of eternal youth. Indeed it has! With his able navigator, Anton Alaminos, Ponce sailed and chared the ocean's main artery, the Gulf Stream, shaping the destiny of oceanic transport for all time to come.

[Calpernia]

Yup, that is about the size of what I have too. Just the 'fall' sneezy, coughy, stuffiness yucks.

I'm off for a bit. Bringing some animals to my son's preschool to do a little presentation for them. Be back.

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Miss Dansy...I love the look of today's thread, the pattern in the sand...all very nice...of course, the info and vibes are pretty good, too...thank you.

I've reserved a couple of chairs on the beach...they look made just for you and .45MAN...justa waitin'.

Good morning to all our Hostesses, and all the Finest.

It's Wedensday already...time is flyin'...Autumn is just around the corner...

[JulieRNR21]

Dansy: As you know I am now proud to call myself a Floridian. I was born & raised in NYC & have lived in NJ, TX, CA & MA.

I love living in FL because of the palm trees, exotic birds, gorgeous beaches, friendly people and our wonderful Governor JEB!

The history is so interesting.....each area is so diverse & has it's own special beauty.....Panhandle, West Coast, the Keys, St. Augustine, Central Highlands (283ft above sea level), the Everglades....I've tried to explore it all.

Have you read "A Land Remembered"? It is a historical novel about the struggles & triumphs of the early settlers....not great literature but I learned a lot.....the origin of the term 'Florida Cracker' and that FL probably has more beef & cowboys than Texas!

[Mo1]

Good morning y'all

Florida sounds wonderful right about now .. I need sun and beaches and surf

Oh and those pretty little drinks with an umbrella

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ... not that's the life for me

[JulieRNR21]

PS: Forgot to mention that I'm still searching for the Fountain of Youth.......LOL

[dansangel]

From Ft. Pierce down to Hobe Sound, the Sailfishing is the best in the world. The population is in "explosion" mode as we are the fastest growing area in the state.

Sounds like people are discovering the beauty of FL without all the highrise condos blocking the view!

That's what .45MAN and I loved about Sebastian, just a bit further north from you. No hustle and bustle, the Inlet that is just as beautiful as it is treacherous - and miles of unspoiled beach.

[sigh] Now, I am *really* homesick!

[LadyX]

Did you read my explanation in Reply 31 about the height of the Indians and why Ponce de Leon was convinced he had literally found The Fountain of Youth, Calpernia?

We went there after you left Florida - was the Ampitheater over it then, and stage with depiction of it?
The guide gave that story of it.

And had they then uncovered, cleaning the area by the spring, the actual cross made of stones by him there?!!
Awesome to contemplate it being laid in 1513 to claim it for God!

Speaking of drinking the water, I did, and then went down to the statue by the bay.
Another older couple were returning from there, and the husband quipped to his wife, "See - she drank the water and it transformed her into Miss St. Augustine!"

It works!!
LOL

[Billie]

Beautiful, Dansy!!! The colors do make me think of sunshine and beaches and fun in the sun! Great job on your state, Sistah!

[jwfiv]

Flowers for Miss St. Augustine...)

[LadyX]

"and that FL probably has more beef & cowboys than Texas!"

Right you are, Julie!
I moved to 12 miles west of Melbourne in 1943 - 1,000 acres in the heart of Cattle Country, from there over to Kissimmee and environs.
Among our neighbors were the Platt families - a ranch dynasty with several brothers and their families. Daddy let Marion use our land to graze some of his cattle, and the sons were exempted from military service during WWII because raising the beef for the troops was essential.

Marion's son, Donald, was my age, and he and Clyde Hilliard in the 4th and 5th grade plied me on the school bus ride with Teaberry and Black Jack chewing gum, courting my favor...:)) (Gum was scarce during the war)

Now and then went out with them on roundups and branding times - great eating, the women bringing dinner to them - and my older teenage sister rode with them a lot.

Eventually, Marion sold many thousands of his acres to create what now is Port Malabar, extending all the way over to the St. John's River. Marion and Lorena, though, remained in their modest big home in the country they'd always had that used to belong to a judge; and I last visited her in 1997, keeping in touch every Christmas.

The Rodeo in Kissimmee was a Big Deal back then - long before Disney was created and the area boomed.

[The Thin Man]

Good morning, dansy! Since I can't find any errors to comment on, I thought I'd return the favor and do a poem instead. :-)

Dansy did a thread on Flor-ida
Not even once did I snore-ida
Even though the state brings back bad memories of Gore-ida
And if you don't start making more errors in your threads, poems like this you'll get more-ida

[LadyX]

Flowers gratefully accepted, thank you!

Meant to include you in the address to my reply about Cattle Country, jw.
Had my own white quarterhorse named Grasshopper, and when I was 11, the mailbox was 3 miles east in a group, homes scattered; a mile or more apart.

During the school year, Mom drove us there to catch the school bus - in the summer, I used to ride my horse to get the mail and newspaper.

It was a wild departure from the Little City Girl in Coral Gables who played Sheena and dug foxholes..:))

[knighthawk]

Ping

[knighthawk]

Hi everyone.

We are having beautiful weather, fall is moving in.

I hope the NC people will be allright!

[humblegunner]

FL probably has more beef & cowboys than Texas!

Hmmph!
The beef came on a truck from Texas and the Cowboys are only
there on a temporary basis.. to whip the tar out'n the Dolphins.