A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-24 to-27-05...Thanksgiving is GIVING Thanks!

DollyCali | November 24, 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

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, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION
President Abraham Lincoln, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.

Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

Give Thanks
Music Here

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son

(Repeat twice)

And now, Let the weak say "I am strong"
Let the poor say "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us

(Repeat twice)

Give thanks !







Count Your Blessings
Words by Johnson Oatman, 1897
Music Here

Chorus:

Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your blessings
See what God has done
Count your blessings
Name them one by one
Count your many blessings
See what God has done

When upon life's billows
You are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged
Thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings
Name them one by one
And it will surprise you
What the Lord has done

Chorus

Are you ever burdened
With a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy
You are called to bear
Count your many blessings
Every doubt will fly
And you will be singing
As the days go by

Chorus

When you look at others
With their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised
You His wealth untold
Count your many blessings
Money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven
Nor your home on high

chorus

So, amid the conflict
Whether great or small
Do not be discouraged
God is over all
Count your many blessings
Angels will attend
Help and comfort give you
To your journey's end

chorus

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations."
(Psalm 100:4-5)

"I do not think of all the misery,
but of the glory that remains.
Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun,
go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God.
Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself
within and without you and be happy. Anne Frank

"Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds."—1901 Theodore Roosevelt

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor." George Washington October 3, 1789 in his first Presidential Proclamation.

Thanksgiving Links

Thanksgiving Timeline

Jackie Lawsons 2005 offering

Turkey Singin the blues

Pumpkin Pie (Jackie Lawson)

11 Commandments of a THANKSGIVING DINNER

Thanksgiving Dinner Family Debate: Liberals vs. Conservatives

09-27-05 ~ Hall of Fame #13

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-21-05 Military Monday 11-21-05 Giving Thanks 11-23-05 “Animals are People Too”

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

I just had a "dont ask" birthday a few weeks ago. a decade birthday . YUK! Have fun.. should be lots of food ...do you get along with the inlaws? any political conflicts? all the talks shows yesterday were playing that up.. what to do/say to the libs etc

[DollyCali]

Okay, then let me revise my admonishment...

"eat like there is no tomorrow, don't leave the table until every serving bowl is empty, & have three servings of dessert"

better?

I am pretty used to outdoors in winter. I go on long cross country ski outings with friends /dogs & do extensive hiking in it also. Just am not too crazy about it. It is beautiful, but the driving hazard's & the absence of sun/warmth are my objections.

Guess the old idea of if given lemons,make lemonade?

I really need to take my dogs out.. ugh.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

LOL.

Better.;)

I can understand that,it would be great if we could have it all together,sun,warmth and snow.:)

[kassie]

Oh yes, forecast is 82 today.

Have a great day, Dolly.

[DollyCali]

I loved living in Houston.. Miss it. Miss North Carolina. Miss Fla.

sigh.. dogs really need to go out. Poor things

[R. Scott]

Yep. I was there – but taking the pictures so I’m not in them – and it is a large tray of fresh grapes.
We had been running steady for several weeks when a radio message went out saying that as things were quieting down in the Delta, all boats should return to Vung Tau. The mess people were waiting on the pier with the extra ration goodies, and the boats shared the cooking duties. Great feast – far above and beyond our normal fare and a great break from our routine. Of course, the next day it was back to the Delta, War Zone D and the Rung Sat Special Zone

In case you want to learn about a bit more about what we did.

[snugs]

I see you have me with food you know my weaknesses LOL

[snugs]

Wonderful post I am doing you all in sprit today I have a duck already stuffed and ready to cook.


Wonderful thread Dolly have a great thanksgiving maybe see you later on the dose. I am doing a special Presdential Thanksgiving one.

[Aeronaut]

Have fun.. should be lots of food ...do you get along with the inlaws? any political conflicts?

Guaranteed lots of food. There are two retired public scruel teachers and two current public scruel teachers in the mix. We rarely talk politics, but they know where I stand!

[GodBlessUSA]

Dolly
Your thread is absolutely gorgeous. I also love how you do your colleges. :)

[GodBlessUSA]

Oops, collage

[apackof2]

WOW, awesome thread!

Give me a spirit of thankfulness, Lord,
For numberless blessings given;
Blessings that daily come to me
Like dewdrops falling from heaven. —Dawe

[no more apples]

God bless!

[DollyCali]

I just read your entire journal. My you are a good writer! Just enought humor, details, spice to make it fun.

Did you do that all while it was fresh on your mind or after you were retired?

I am sorry about the death ofyour wife.. she appears very young.

did you ever return to View Nam as a tourist? didn't mention it so am guessing not.

Thanks for sharing the link. All, you might enjoy his stories.. honest & reflective

[DollyCali]

I had read that you were doing that Eleanor - special presidential thread. You do a nice job. Feel free to use my Dubya/Laura collage (it is on my profile page)

I passed on morning football.. so cold out & snowing. I wouldn't have been able to get good pix anyway. I am going to VA visiting for a few hours later. Not cooking today. goodie. I like to cook but it is nice to not have to do so for some events.

[R. Scott]

Did you do that all while it was fresh on your mind or after you were retired?

I am sorry about the death ofyour wife.. she appears very young.

I started it about 5 or 6 years ago – but it was still fresh. My photo album helped refresh a lot of it.
Sheryl was 31 when the picture on the main page was taken. She was 28 (picture on her page) and I was 40 when we married. She used to say “I’m in my 20’s, but he’s in his 40’s”. Technically she was right – but it did make me look a bit like a cradle robber.

[indcons]

Thank you very much for these lovely greetings. Wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving too. God bless y'all.

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks, Dolly, for this lovely thread today - for opening the doors and for all the beautiful decorations. You sure put your heart and soul into this post - and your leaf background is beautiful!

I can't stay, need to get a couple pies in the oven, among other things, but wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. God bless you, each and every one.

[DollyCali]

Thank you Ladies... still snowing here.I have a very special delivery tomorrow. New Maytag washer/dryer. A little overdue... gifts from Gods & Men??? It has been really hard going to the river beating the clothes on the rocks!!! (borrowed this from Amy for you Apples)

[DollyCali]

Have a great day Lori.. I didn't expect you to even check in w/all the company. give Jeff a hug!