A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-06-04....In Your Easter Bonnet

Various Freeper photos | Billie

[Billie]

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

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

In the spring, a young man's fancy turns to love....
and a woman's turns to her wardrobe. When the first blossoms appear on the fruit trees, it's time to put away the bulky sweaters, heavy coats and boots, and head to the Mall! Spring is in the air, and sandals, shorts, sundresses and cropped pants are in the stores! Not to mention, Easter is just around the corner - another really good reason to go shopping. (like we really need a reason) :)

Easter is, in fact, this Sunday, and it is probably the only day of the year that one of the most feminine of accessories is worn: the ladies' hat, complete with flowers and/or feathers, veils, pearls, ribbons, bows. I thought it would be fun to get together a Few of Our Finest and see some of the hats they will be wearing this Sunday.

You know most of these, but if you're not sure about their FReeper names, just point your mouse at their picture.

Isn't she Lovely?! Libby, looking like a breath of fresh air in her wide-brimmed white hat, is the very picture of spring!

Ain't just whistling "Dixie"! Whistling AT Dixie in this soft red hat....va va voom!

Blue definitely becomes you, Colleen. No wonder it's your favorite color!

Here's Gail, looking all sweet and sassy in yellow - a most excellent choice for her sunny disposition!

Even though she said she's not a hat person, our Maggie Malone looks terrific in this little straw topper!

Julie! Julie! Julie! Our Florida Flower - you look Mah ve lous in your lavendar chapeau!

This Texas Girl - one of the good guys - trades her stetson for a softer, more feminine white hat, and it sure works for us!

Pippin shows her colors. Even at Easter, no pastels for her. Bright colors for our bright and vivacious Pipster!

Roses are red, violets are blue; your favorite flower, Nan, this color is YOU!

A nd finally, let us not forget our Finest Fellows, who are themselves quite dashing and debonair in their derby and bowler hats.

My Hat! My Hat!
Must have my Hat!
I put it on,
And I'm ALL THAT!*

L to R: Temple Owl, knighthawk, ladtx, Diver Dave, The Mayor, ST.LOUIE1, jwfiv, Aeronaut, and MeekOneGOP.
The Thin Man is there, between St.Louie and jwfiv, but he is just so skinny, you can't see him.
JohnHuang was working on his Two Cents for Thursday and couldn't make the shoot.
All the others said No Way they're wearing one of those hats and resting on a pink background.

*

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-05-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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[Billie]

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[Billie]

Please join us.

[The Mayor]

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. —Psalm 23:4

Death separates us for a time; Christ will reunite us forever.

[The Mayor]

April 6, 2004

Valley Of The Shadow

Read: Psalm 23

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. —Psalm 23:4

Bible In One Year: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17

---

Darkness upon darkness. Sorrow upon sorrow. Pain upon pain. Anguish upon anguish. That's death.

Death is a fearful visitor, snatching away people who are precious to us and leaving us behind to mourn, grieve, and wonder. It blocks the light that before had shined so freely and easily on our lives.

Whether we're facing the prospect of dying, or dealing with the death of a loved one, death can be devastating. It can sap our energy, change our plans, overwhelm our soul, alter our outlook, test our faith, steal our joy, and challenge our assumptions about life's purposes.

When we walk through the deep valley, we feel swallowed up by the shadow and come face-to-face with fear. The frantic emptiness of our loss threatens the comfort that previously originated from our trust in God, and so we grow afraid. Afraid of our future. Afraid to enjoy life again.

Yet in that valley, under that shadow, we can say to the Lord, "I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4). His loving arms never let us go. He is always with us.

Slowly at first, but most assuredly, He provides comfort and release from the darkness. He gives light. He leads us out. Eventually, we escape the valley of the shadow. —Dave Branon

We need not ponder death with fear,
Though what's ahead we cannot see;
For we who put our faith in Christ
Look forward to eternity. —Sper

Death separates us for a time; Christ will reunite us forever.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[The Mayor]

He blends in so well I just reached in and yanked him out, all we need to do is find his hat.

Very cute pics, I like my hat. : )

[GailA]

What a wonderful fun thread. GOOD MORING FRIENDS.

Bonnets & Bunnies, The Origins of Easter

Easter, like Christmas, is a blend of paganism and Christianity. The word Easter is derived from Eostre (also known as Ostara), an ancient Anglo-Saxon Goddess. She symbolized the rebirth of the day at dawn and the rebirth of life in the spring. The arrival of spring was celebrated all over the world long before the religious meaning became associated with Easter. Now Easter celebrates the rebirth of Christ.

In fact, Easter is an important Christian holiday. It is the culmination of events during Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday reflects the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Christ and Good Friday honors the crucifixion of Jesus. Finally, Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection after his death.

Easter falls on the first Sunday on or following the spring Equinox after the full moon. The date has been calculated in this way since 325 AD.

Lambs, chicks and baby creatures of all kinds are all associated with spring, symbolizing the birth of new life.

Since ancient times many cultures have associated eggs with the universe. They've been dyed, decorated and painted by the Romans, Gaul's, Persians and the Chinese. They were used in ancient spring festivals to represent the rebirth of life. As Christianity took hold the egg began to symbolize the rebirth of man rather than nature.

During the 4th century consuming eggs during Lent became taboo. However, spring is the peak egg-laying time for hens, so people began to cook eggs in their shells to preserve them. Eventually people began decorating and hiding them for children to find during Easter, which gave birth to the Easter Egg Hunt. Other egg-related games also evolved like egg tossing and egg rolling.

A Polish folktale tells of the Virgin Mary giving eggs to soldiers at the cross while she pleaded with them to be merciful. As her tears dropped they spattered droplets on the eggs mottling them with a myriad of colors.

The Faberge egg is the best known of all the decorated eggs. Peter Faberge made intricate, delicately decorated eggs. In 1883, the Russian Czar commissioned Faberge to make a special egg for his wife.

The Easter Bunny is a cute little rabbit that hides eggs for us to find on Easter. But where did he come from? Well, the origin is not certain. In the rites of spring the rabbit symbolized fertility. In a German book published in 1682, a tale is told of a bunny laying eggs and hiding them in the garden.

The Easter bonnet and new clothes on Easter symbolizes the end of the dreary winter and the beginning of the fresh, new spring. At the turn of the century it was popular for families to stroll to church and home again to show off their "Sunday best".

The Easter Basket shows roots in a Catholic custom. Baskets filled with breads, cheeses, hams and other foods for Easter dinner were taken to mass Easter morning to be blessed. This evolved in time to baskets filled with chocolate eggs, jellybeans, toys and stuffed bunnies for children left behind by the Easter Bunny.

[GailA]

In her Easter Bonnet at the Easter parade

[GailA]

In her Easter Bonnet at the Easter Parade

[Billie]

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. —Psalm 23:4

This verse probably is on the minds of our soldiers in Iraq as much or more than any other.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

[Billie]

Good morning, Aeronaut. Nice plane! Is that dutchess with you? :)

[MeekOneGOP]

[Billie]

LOL! Love the post! And I'm glad you like your hat. (I wonder if Aeronaut does) :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Sunny Gail. :) Thank you! I see your bunny is wearing a yellow hat, too! :)

[Billie]

#9 & 10 - BEAUTIFUL! What darling little girls in their Easter finery!

[Billie]

Good morning, Meekie!

[Billie]

You've been busy again! (I do John's this week - may be calling on you.) :)

[Billie]

Morning, gotcher bonnets on? (yes, you do) :)