A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-03-03....New Mexico ~ "The Land of Enchantment"

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, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us for a cyber-tour of another great state in this Union of ours. As we discover and spotlight each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states that have been presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama
06-27-03 Maryland
07-11-03 Vermont
07-25-03 Utah
08-05-03 Texas
08-22-03 Nevada
08-26-03 Washington DC
09-05-03 Tennessee
09-17-03 Florida
09-19-03 Minnesota

Today we shine our Finest spotlight on New Mexico and the 88 FReepers who hail from "The Land of Enchantment". Click on the graphic below to visit FreeRepublic's New Mexico message board.

The first observation newcomers make about New Mexico is its vast geographical openness. Whether on winding mountain roads, long stretching highways or out on the wide open plains, the blue skies reach into distant horizons. New Mexico is actually the fifth largest state in the United States with 121,335 square miles.

The vast tracts of land in New Mexico provide a wealth of natural resources for farming, ranching, and manufacturing.

New Mexico's economy is as diverse as its cultural roots. It includes hundreds of art galleries, challenging ski areas, a booming dairy industry, international trade with Mexico, and a proliferation of technological breakthroughs due to the presence of national laboratories in Albuquerque and Los Alamos to name but a few. New Mexico is also one of the largest energy producing states in the nation, ranking fourth in natural gas production in 1992.

New Mexico is a blend of ancient cultural traditions and striking environmental diversity. Its unique multi-cultural personality and character truly make it America's Land of Enchantment and a state worth further exploration.


A bit of history about Santa Fe,
the Capitol of New Mexico.

Thirteen years before Plymouth Colony was settled by the Mayflower Pilgrims, Santa Fe, New Mexico, was established with a small cluster of European type dwellings. It would soon become the seat of power for the Spanish Empire north of the Rio Grande. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in North America and the oldest European community west of the Mississippi.

While Santa Fe was inhabited on a very small scale in 1607, it was truly settled by the conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta in 1609-1610. Santa Fe is the site of both the oldest public building in America, the Palace of the Governors and the nation's oldest community celebration, the Santa Fe Fiesta, established in 1712 to commemorate the Spanish reconquest of New Mexico in the summer of 1692. Peralta and his men laid out the plan for Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the site of the ancient Pueblo Indian ruin of Kaupoge, or "place of shell beads near the water."

The city has been the capital for the Spanish "Kingdom of New Mexico," the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico) and since 1912 the state of New Mexico. Santa Fe, in fact, was the first foreign capital over taken by the United States, when in 1846 General Stephen Watts Kearny captured it during the Mexican-American War.


Read more about the history of New Mexico HERE.

A fact unrealized by many is that the great cowboy phenomena of the American West began in New Mexico more than four centuries ago when Spanish explorers and colonizers brought the first cattle and horses to the region in the late 1500s. The ensuing centuries saw the vaquero (cowboy) ranching lifestyle absorbed into the various Native American cultures and continued by Anglo settlers who came en masse after the American takeover in the mid-1800s.

The ethnic diversity of New Mexico's cowboy culture also included many African Americans who wholeheartedly adopted the lifestyle after the Civil War. The faces of the many authentic cowboys working in New Mexico today still strongly represent this historical mix of westerners.

It's been an obvious love affair between the cowboys and the land since the first cattle and horses were brought to New Mexico on Juan de Oñate's colonization expedition in 1598.

The state capitol building was dedicated on December 8, 1966. Its design is a New Mexico territorial style. This type of architecture is of Pueblo Indian adobe, an adaptation from the Greek revival period. The capitol building forms the shape of the Zia Indian Sun Symbol, which appears on the state flag below.

New Mexico's distinctive insignia is the Zia Sun Symbol which originated with the Indians of the Zia Pueblo in ancient times. Its design reflects their tribal philosophy, with its wealth of pantheistic spiritualism teaching the basic harmony of all things in the universe.

Four is the sacred number of the Zia, and the figure is composed of a circle from which four points radiate. These points, made of four straight lines of varying length, personify the number most often used by the giver of all good gifts.

To the Zia Indian, the sacred number is embodied in the earth with its four main directions: in the year, with its four seasons; in the day, with sunrise, noon, evening and night; in life, with its four divisions--childhood, youth, manhood and old age. Everything is bound together in a circle of life and love, without beginning, without end.

Points of Interest in New Mexico

If you are fortunate enough to be able to spend some
time in this beautiful state, be sure to visit...

• The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
  (but hurry, it starts tomorrow!) 
  
  
  
• White Sands National Monument.
   
• ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO: UFO Festival.
  
   
• New Mexico State Parks.
   
• Carslbad Caverns.
   
  
• New Mexico National Parks.
   
• Billy The Kid National Scenic Byway.
  Read more about Billy the Kid HERE. 
  

***********************

Thank you to the following websites
for information and graphics...

New Mexico Cowboys
Oldest U.S. Capitol
Origin Of The Flag Of New Mexico
New Mexico's Land and People

Thank you for joining us on our cyber trip to New Mexico. I am sure I have overlooked many interesting facts and points of interest, so please help us celebrate New Mexico by joining in and posting what you know and love about this Fine state.



Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 09-29-03 Military Monday 09-30-03 Hall of Fame #5 10-01-03 Muscle Car Mania! 10-02-03 John's Two Cents

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

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[Pippin]

Thanks! You too! :O)

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. Heading out the door to Michigan but had to stop in and see what state you were featuring. BEAUTIFUL JOB! Another state to add to my "to visit" list LOL!

Russ...what a touching story. Tears in my eyes too!Your friend Russ is in my prayers.

ladtx...great news about the grandbaby. Continued prayers that she grows stronger every day!

See you all later...should be a beautiful drive today as the colors are changing and it's a beautiful sunny day. Have camera in hand...maybe we'll have to do a cyber trip to Michigan soon!wink wink

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful segment on New Mexico! I've never been there but know of one that went through there and cried over the beauty of the Godly scenery.

[Aquamarine]

Prayers said for your friend and his family. Please let us know how he does.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

[Billie]

Morning, Lori - lovely thread today of a lovely place to visit. As a neighbor, we have a favorite place in New Mexico that I didn't see mentioned, so I will!

Ruidoso - a wonderful place with much to do! Mountains (the black bear even can be spotted rummaging through the trash cans at night in the populated areas though!), cool streams for trout fishing, horse racing at Ruidoso Downs, and the shopping is fabulous for southwest art, clothing, etc! Fantastic Southwest cuisine!

Ruidoso, New Mexico is nestled in the Southern Rocky Mountains. Towering above the village, Sierra Blanca reaches 12,003 feet above sea level. Our mild climate is Seasoned Just Right for outdoor activities. Camping and hiking in pristine Lincoln National Forest. Cool air, horse racing, golf, tennis, and fishing. Art galleries, museums, and shops. Winter sports and skiing. A noisy river.

[Billie]

I thank God he didn't post it, I am fine and was on the road all day long. But when I got the call from my wife and she told me I almost cried, I can only imagine what was going thru my sons mind.

Rus, this just about broke my heart - your son must have been out of his mind with worry, thinking it was you. Thank goodness it wasn't, but your friend is in our prayers. What a terrible, terrible thing to happen.

[Billie]

Thank you for the update on Ashly Elise - wonderful news, Lloyd, that her lungs are back to 100% and the oxygen can be reduced slowly. The power of prayer is amazing.

And, what a gorgeous picture you posted of the Santaurio de Chimayo!

[xJones]

Mayor, I just read your post and your son, Jacob, must be a very special boy. And I'll add my prayers to everyones' for the Russ that was so injured.

[Calpernia]

Morning to the Finest!

[Calpernia]

Morning to the Finest!

[Calpernia]

I'm going to have fun adding wavs to this one! Nice work Mama_Bear!

Click the roadrunner!

[xJones]

An update on Ashly Elise. She is doing better, her lungs remain inflated and they have been able to reduce the amount of oxygen they are giving her. Slow progress, but progress all the same.

Well, thank God, and thank you for the update!

[Calpernia]

Click

TLAXCALAN INDIANS.

The Tlaxcalan (Tlascalan, Tlaxcaltecan, Tlaxcalteco) Indians of central Mexico, who spoke a Uto-Aztecan language, aided Cortez in his conquest of the Aztec empire and received certain privileges in return. This relationship of mutual aid and trust continued into later times, and Tlaxcalans often assisted the Spaniards on the frontier in exploration, warfare, and colonization. A Tlaxcalan was with Antonio de Espejo in Trans-Pecos Texas and New Mexico in 1582-1583. In 1688 a Tlaxcalan scout was sent by the governor of Coahuila to check on René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's colony on the Texas coast, and this same Tlaxcalan reported the presence of Jean Jarry, a survivor of the La Salle expedition, among Coahuiltecan Indians near the Rio Grande. Shortly thereafter Tlaxcalan auxiliary soldiers were with several expeditions that sought La Salle's Fort St. Louis and were also with Domingo Terán de los Ríos in the Hasinai country of eastern Texas. In 1759 Tlaxcalan auxiliaries were with Diego Ortiz Parilla in his disastrous punitive campaign against the Comanches and their allies on the Red River. Although there were plans to settle Tlaxcalans at several strategic places in Texas, relatively few actually settled there (nine families arrived at San Saba Mission in 1757). However, Tlaxcalan colonists were fairly numerous at various places on or just south of the Rio Grande, as at El Paso (refugees from northern New Mexico after the Pueblo Indian rebellion of 1680), at San Juan Bautista near present Eagle Pass (settled there about 1700 to help instruct and control the Coahuiltecan Indians at nearby missions), and in the lower Rio Grande valley (invited by José de Escandón to settle in his new colony of Nuevo Santander in the 1750s). Descendants of these early Tlaxcalan settlers still live along the Rio Grande, and some are undoubtedly living in Texas today.

[Billie]

Morning! Just wanted to say hello! Good seeing you!

[The Thin Man]

Carslbad Caverns.

Mama_Bear, what's happened to you? You used to be so perfect. It seems you haven't been the same ever since the Lynyrd Skynyrd misspelling debacle (hehe, I sure enjoyed that one).........or maybe it's just that you're spending too much time around dutchess. :-)
 

Carrizozo

It's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public.

Deming

Persons may not spit on the steps of the opera house.

Hunting is prohibited in Mountain View Cemetery.

One may not lead goats down the sidewalks of the city

Las Cruces

You may not carry a lunchbox down Main Street.

[dansangel]

Thank you ((((((Mama_Bear)))))) for another wonderful cyber-trip to a state I haven't yet had the pleasure to visit. Loved your color scheme and all of the interesting information.

One day, after .45MAN and I hit the Lotto, we plan to visit each state in our new Greyhound Bus Camper! :-)

[Calpernia]

CLICK!

A favorite event of Rodeo is the BULLRIDING. Why does one start riding bulls? A good question, but one cowboy, that calls himself Rattler, calls it an addiction. Rattler says there is no feeling like it in the world that can be matched against a beast that can weigh up to over 2000 lbs and most bullriders weighing in around 150 to 175.

The rider has very litttle rules to follow ...Hold on with only one hand ...never touch the bull with your other hand (called the free hand) and stay on top of the beast for a full 8 seconds. Sounds easy --- Garth Brooks says it in his song FEVER, "its really kinda simple, keep your mind in the middle while your butt spins round and round".

You hold on with a braided rope that has a hand hold plaited into it (a long flat hand piece laced with leather) pulled tight around the bull's chest, the only thing holding this to the bull is your grip in your riding hand ..add to your attire a set of spurs to get a hold of the ornery critter and a glove on your hand so you don't lose all the hide from your little paw.. and you are ready.

Everything starts in a bucking chute, you get to make everything just the way you want it, adjust your rope --pull it as tight as you want it-- and get set *LOL* (If the bull sits still and lets you). Then the hard part ..you got to nod your head and tell the guys to open the gate..a large beast with a little bitty Cowboy on his back turns every bit of power he has loose in just a split second ..its up to you to stay on... its you against him and nothing else matters .....its a no win situation but if everything goes right ..now and then you get lucky and make that 8 seconds of glory ......you've done something not many can do, you've conquered the beast ..this time.

Rattler is a Bull Rider.

[dansangel]

Well ***DUH*** me....I planned on giving y'all a ((((((HUG))))) on my last post, so *here* it is! :-)

And for my fuzziest of brothahs:

[[[[[{{{{{(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))}}}}}]]]]]

:-)

[dansangel]

He knows where to go for Prayers doesn't he.... and he knows where my friends are. Thank God for FreeRepublic..

Oh my gosh (((((((((RUS)))))))))))

So sorry to her about your friend, but so glad it wasn't you. What a touching story about how your son came to your spiritual aid here. What a bright and, above all, *caring* young man he is!

(((((((HUGS))))))) to him and a rousing *Amen!* to your sentiment, "Thank God for FreeRepublic!"