A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-23-03....Sweet Home Alabama

Billie and Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear

After discussing with Billie what I could post as a semi-monthly feature, we came up with the idea of doing a short 'vignette' piece on each state, starting with Alabama and working our way through Wyoming.

I am hoping to capture each state's unique atmosphere and flavor, without boring everyone with too many facts. This may (or may not) be a twice monthly feature - you never know what Da'Bear will post next ;-), but every so often I will be taking a lighthearted look at a new state and, together with you, we'll salute the Fine Americans who live there and proudly call themselves 'FReepers'.

In the spotlight today.....

According to the
Alabama State Page

160 Fine Alabamians
(blam, Alas Babylon!, FreepLady, Bizzy Bugz,
Paul Atreides, ToKillaMockingbird, and many more)

hail from the

(Crank up the volume!)

Alabama - Tidbits and Trivia

Alabama was admitted into the union on December 14, 1819.

The name "Alabama" means "tribal town" in the language of the local Creek Indians.

The State Nickname - Heart of Dixie, "Yellowhammer State"

Alabama State Motto - "Audemus jura nostra defendere" - We Dare Defend Our Rights

The Alabama State Song - "Alabama" (well, who would have guessed? LOL!)

The state nut of Alabama is the Pecan. (Pecan recipes, anyone?)

The star blue quartz is the state's official gemstone.

The state game bird of Alabama is the wild turkey. (Wild Turkey recipes?) ;-)

---

Of course, no post about Alabama would be complete without a mention of the University of Alabama's......

and
Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

***A bit of football trivia***

Does anyone know who caught Joe Namath's first touchdown pass at Alabama?

How about this one? Who scored the only touchdown in Alabama's 7-3 victory over Auburn in 1967?

If you think you can't live another moment without the answers, click on the graphic below where you will find even more UA Football trivia.

"YEA ALABAMA" FIGHT SONG

Let the Swanee Tiger scratch,
Let the Yellow Jacket sting,
Let the Georgia Bulldog bite,
Alabama still is right!
And whether win or lose we smile,
For that's Bama's fighting style:
You're Dixie's football pride,
Crimson Tide!
A-L-A-B-A-M-A

---

Last but not least,
some famous Alabamians...

Boxer Joe Louis was born in Lexington in 1914. He died in 1981.

Baseball player Henry Louis (Hank) Aaron was born in Mobile 1934.

Helen Adams Keller was born on 27 June 1880 in Tuscumbia, in Northwest Alabama.

Lookout Mountain, Alabama produced the most popular band in country music history.....

...and, from Birmingham, Alabama's newest celebrity,
***The Velvet Teddy Bear***
American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard!

It's Friday so let's have some fun with this. Please join in with your favorite regional recipes, Alabama travel memories, state facts or trivia, or your favorite Alabama song.

I'll start....

A Finest Salute to our
FRiends from the
great state of Alabama!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-19-03 Military Monday 05-20-03 RabidRalph 05-21-03 Freeper Pets 05-22-03 This Space for Rent

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

[sweetliberty]

What a GREAT idea. I love it. Also, Alabama is home to Nascar's Talladega as well as to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

[LadyX]

Good morning, Mama_Bear! We look forward to this series (!) series and the opportunity for Freeper Enlightment, Edification & Encouragement, so we can be all we can be..:))

As for your imminent departure, I understand Australia already is preparing for your arrival....

The press room at The Sydney Blabber has headlines ready to roll, saying this:

WARNING - BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ONE MAMA_BEAR
ON WALKABOUT FROM AMERICA !!!

This bear is both disarming and dangerous - comes 'bearing' gifs, and gives {{{{ Hugs }}}} at the slightest provocation!

Known to drip with honey to all within 5,000 miles, and smiles-a-lot....

The only way to placate her is to surrender and 'endure.'
That will be the appropriate reward for her capture of you..:))

She is our Very Finest Bear, Australia!

We love ya, Mama - - -

[nicmarlo]

which one is MORE like the REAL Meekie, huh ???

LOL.....only the phantom knows!

[Mama_Bear]

Hi nic. I haven't had a chance to read yesterday's LONG thread, but I hear there was lots of fun and games. Isn't that always the way? Seems I am never around for the fun stuff.......could it be that everyone waits 'til I leave to break out the party hats? :-(

Cute Garfield graphic! LOL.

[sweetliberty]

Favorite song by Alabama....well, I love a lot of their songs, but I think my favorites are "If It Ain't Dixie" and "Pony Express". I'd post the words, but I don't know where to find them and I'm not sure I remember them all right off hand.

[MeekOneGOP]

hi, Meekie! Are we gonna behave ourselves today? :O)

Whyever would we do that, huh ??? :O)

[sweetliberty]

"My hope is to fall asleep immediately and wake up a few minutes later in Sydney"

One word....Xanax. LOL! I am SO jealous. Sounds like a wonderful time.

[Mama_Bear]

LOLOL! You are so cute!!! I love those graphics, especially the shopping cart bears! You're a jewel, Lady. You always brighten up my day. :-) Oops! There's another one of those Mama_Bear smiles! I can't help it!

[JustAmy]

I wish it were going to be 83 here today. Today's forecast is for 100. Bet it will still be warm on the corner tonight. Been looking forward to warm weather, but this is too HOT

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. What a terrific idea. There is so much within our own country that we can learn about and share. When are you leaving for the great downunder? Didn't realize it was coming up so fast!

[Billie]

Morning, Ms Bear, I think we have a winner, and the winner today is ALABAMA (I love that song, Sweet Home Alabama!). Now, Wyoming, just thing - in about two years YOU will get your day in the spotlight! ;)

[Mo1]

Of course, no post about Alabama would be complete without a mention of the University of Alabama's......

HA! .. you try telling that to my dad inlaw .. he went to Auburn

Back when I was first married, I bought him a University of Alabama cap ... big mistake, you should have seen the looks I got .. LOL

[sweetliberty]

Has Meekie been acting up lately?

Sorry I haven't been around in so long. I have been working myself senseless. Now, I am off for 11 days Yippee!!!!! Got lots of catchng up to do.

[sweetliberty]

Isn't Alabama where your hubby's from?

[LadyX]

Mornin' Aqua!
With your recommendation and how it sounds, think I'll try the recipe for pork chops soon.

I'll be a goor-may cook yet..:))
I produce Fancy Feasts for my cat all the time!

[dutchess]

Oops...had hoped to spend a little time here...but mother is "summoning" me...Hopefully I can wear her out so she'll take a little afternoon nap and I can take a little afternoon "freep"! See you all later (I hope!)

Lori & Billie....I think someone fell off the clothesline and is laying on the ground waiting to be picked up :o)

[sweetliberty]

I believe that Queensland is the home of Steve Irwin and the zoo that he often shoots from. Now I am really jealous! He is way up on my list of "most admired people."

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Lori

Hope I catch you before you head for the airport. Have a wonderful time down under. We are looking forward to your future thread on Australia.

See you when you get back.

[Pippin]

HOWDY!

Of course I'm gonna behave!

AS ALWAYS!!!!

HEY! Why are you laughing?

[Mo1]

Yep .. he grew up in Huntsville, but the dad inlaws family is from Birmingham