A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day 08-08-02

Billie

[Billie]

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

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues;  salute
and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new
word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who
are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which
we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.  I
can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. 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 November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett

MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick,Leroy S Mort, Mark17

BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,

dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony

BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx

MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law

BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog

MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son

BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

                     

Ain't Just Whistling Dixie

Dixie Sass Summerville, S.C.

Dixie's been actively posting on FR since 1998, though her profile will show "Freeper since 09-16-99". There's a reason for this, of course:   before she had her own computer, she used to post from FReeper Astonished's, and she called herself "Roommate to Astonished"!  When she bought a computer of her own, she got an identity of her own, too, and has been Dixie Sass ever since!

Dixie made this really easy for me! When I asked if there was anything in particular she would like for me to mention about her, she wrote the following, and wrote it so well, I thought, why should I change it at all?! I particularly like the way she started.....

Hmmm, What I Did On My Summer Vacation
(lol, remember those essays?)

Of course, I spend a good bit of time on FR. I flit from article to article - whatever catches my interest at the moment.

In either late 1998 or early 1999, I posted to the main board and the chapters board asking for people who were interested in starting a chapter to contact me. This was about the time that McCain came to Charleston to announce that he intended to run for President. The rest is history.

We have a small chapter, but the members are all active in various other organizations in the State. Right now we are going through a reorganization of the Chapter and acquiring new members.

I am very proud to say that our Chapter was the first to host Linda Tripp on her first appearance after the "late unpleasentness" in DC. By the way, WHAT was that man's name? X42, wasn't it? Also, Katherine Harris and Judge Sauls were scheduled to appear in 2001, but due to pressure from the press ...

The biggest and best project that the Chapter has taken on is the Bill of Rights Day function headed by Citizenx7. We are going into our third year with it and he has done a stupendous job. We have awarded two children, one middle school (public) and one Eagle Scout $500 dollar bonds for the essay's that they have written.

The Rally's enabled me to meet FReepers from all over the country, YaYa, Exit, MAF, LNM, BobJ, Diotima, CCC etc. Names that had real people behind them. All of the people that I have met and even those I haven't, hold a special place in my heart. Especially the DC-6.

Oh Billie, the inaugural weekend in Washington - wow!! Because of the kindness of two special Prince's, I got to be Cinderella and go to the ball. It was a dream that came true.

Then the Cruise to Nowhere, CPAC and now Vegas - FRee Republic has opened many doors for me. It has introduced me to wonderful people, but most of all it has helped me find something within myself that I thought was gone.

Oh and there is the old Firetalk and Paltalk. We ran a room at Firetalk 24/7 during the Chad Wars - speaking to people from around the world, informing and teaching. People were bringing their children into the room because they said we were the best informed source.

Participation in these two chat programs with various Freepers has also been instrumental in expanding my knowledge and being more that a "keyboard cowgirl".

American Conservative Room, FreeRepublic.com Room, Freeper Hangout Room; Patriot of the Republic Room - they are the voice of America - Free Republic is the written word of the Conservative movement.

Gosh, it sounds like I spend all my time Freeping doesn't it - well, in a sense I do. I worked at the polls in 2000 and again this year for the primaries and will in November for the elections. I participate more in the community now than I ever have before. At the moment I am interim President for the Chapter. I have learned to deal with news people. I have spoken with people that we read about in the news. Freeping has helped me to learn that leadership isn't just sitting at the top and delegating, but taking an active part in the affairs around you. Free Republic has been an active part of my ongoing education by way of all the wonderful talented people that I have met - like you. ~ DixieSass

Dixie Sass, You ARE one of FR's Finest!
And We're Not Just Whistlin' Dixie When We Say It!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

08-05-02 Jim Robinson
08-06-02 Freedom'sWorthIt
08-07-02 GailA

[wardaddy]

Thank you. I didn't mean for that pic to be so dang big. The spot is about 500 feet below the Swinging Bridge facing north to Linville Ridge and Beech Mountain in the far background to the right.

We have a family home about 4 miles east at Hound Ears on a Mt. top a around 4800 foot elevation. This pic is at around 5000 foot I would guess. We spend a lot of time over there...probably a half dozen trips per year. I like to be there in the winter when it can be almost arctic like at times at altitude. The weather around there at or above 5000 feet is comparable to Newfoundland according to weather experts.

[stainlessbanner]

Great picture Wardaddy. I just became a father last Monday! I hope my Mackenzie is a pretty as your two beautiful girls!

[wardaddy]

Thanks....they are teenagers now and you know what that means...LOL. That's one of my favorite pics of them. I have it on my office wall.

[The Thin Man]

How sweet. And here's one for you. :)

Yuck, your plant is worse than mine. I suspect you have much more experience at giving bad gifts. :-)

[dixie sass]

Isn't that flower box just beautiful! You can see them all over the city and of course we are famous for our hidden gardens that you can get glimpses of when you walk down our streets and lanes. Charleston is a walking city - (personal opinion? ALL cars should be banned within the City limits).

[wardaddy]

I didn't know that. Congragulations!!!

We were at the OB/GYN this morning for month 7 check up. That will be four for me. That's enough. 2 girls and 2 boys.

Good Luck.....make sure you have one of those sleeping pillows so she'll sleep on her back. I hope you are lucky and she starts sleeping thru the night as soon as she can. My second daughter slept thru the night after only 3 weeks...what a blessing.

[dixie sass]

I remember as a child seeing the Cadets drilling on Marion Square - Soooooooooooooooooo dashing and handsome in those uniforms. Ummmm, actually they are still dashing and handsome and well I'm not sure I can say that about the females (which I don't think belong there)

[LadyX]

Were we not blessed with the respite last night and today?

It was 59 here this morning, and soon after, I opened the windows and have been drinking in the cool, dry air, propelled by breezes all day...this is what an ideal summer day is all about!

My only regret is the hammock is not up.
Ideal time to lie in it with a book and doze off.

I have a birdbath that serves as a Community Pool, and I had to establish a set of numbers so they could take appropriate turns.
Then they got so comfortable, it is not uncommon to see 3-4 of them (different kinds) ignoring one another to get in it together to drink and bathe.

Some time ago I put down on the ground near it a weighted square bowl so the neighborhood kitties and squirrels could drink without teetering on the birdbath edge.
The birds go to it, too - nothing funnier than one huge robin who claims it as 'his' hunkered down to get water on all of him at once!
I named him The Intimidator.

THEN I began on really hot days turning on the sprinkler, and they flock to cavort in the gentle 'rain' and hunt bugs that emerge from the wet ground..:))

I gain more from all this than they do.

[Carolina]

Y'all come, ya heah!!

We'll try to be there next year, dixie!

[Billie]

Thanks, Carbine, and there's one more you need to add to your list, but you just haven't seen her yet. You will see her tomorrow - Mama_Bear is doing tomorrow's thread!

I know this is confusing for those that are coming in after we've been here for a few weeks.

Just a little background I always want others to know is that I have the two most wonderful writer/partners, along with a number of other wonderful hosts and hostesses who are SO good to keep the thread going every single day - keeping it entertaining and fun and pretty with lots of the neatest graphics and music.

Each week daisyscarlett and Mama_Bear write at least one feature, and on the weekends we just recap the Monday through Friday Featured FReepers. A couple of times - both this week, actually - we've had a treat, in that we had two guest writers! LadyX wrote the profile on FReedom'sWorthIt on Tuesday; and JustAmy did the biggest part of the bio for JimRob, with a few words from Mama_Bear and daisyscarlett, and a graphic from ST.LOUIE1.

I just want everyone to know what a wonderful group of people we have here, not just from the three of us who post the threads, but those who are here every day with their own brand of cheer and support. I won't name the others, because I would surely leave someone out, but hopefully, you will become one of those 'regulars' - you're on your way!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Have enjoyed your reminiscing! Isle of Palms stories sound to enticing to want to go back in time and see that happy scene!

"you have brought more sand inside this house than there could possibly be outside!!!! Now get the broom and start sweeping!"

I heard that!

My mom said the same thing those many summer vacations we took to crescent Beach - staying at the same rental cottage year after year with her brother's and sister's family staying with us or in the cottage next door! Total of about 12 children - and always trapsing in enough sand to build a sand castle with inside the house!

As you say - those were the carefree days of summer at the sandy beaches of South Carolina!

(My mama probably didn't think they were so carefree....LOL....chasing after us four chilluns!!! and her neices and nephews to boot!)

God has blessed us more than we can ever thank him for to have lived in the South. Not just for the scenes of beauty but just for the graciousness that was ours.

Anyway - enough reminiscing. We are living in "today" - onward and upward - and you, Dixie Sass, are leading us in that direction!

[dixie sass]

Oh but Lowbridge, it was wonderfulllllllllllllllll wasn't it. Especially Laz's video, and standing in the ballroom in the dark listening to Greenwood sing I'm proud to be an American and Born in the USA and people holding up their cigarette lighters and - oh drat, I always get teary eyed when I think of it. Chesty-Puller, Smartaleck, GRRRRR75, Carollann and Antivenom - we were the DC Six. Three very handsome Prince Charmings and two beautiful Princesses made it a week-end this Cinderella will never forget!!!!

[Billie]

HI! M Kehoe! Always a nice surprise when you show up - thanks for coming!

[Carolina]

I just became a father last Monday!

Wow! Congratulations!!!!

Welcome to the world, Mackenzie!

[Billie]

That even LOOKED like it was going to be a post from whoever!

[M Kehoe]

Haven't had much time to FReep recently. 8^(

5.56mm

[COB1]

"....due to the height, it must be lighted,....."

Meek, you gotta depend on a perceptive woman to destroy all this mystique!
Facts destroy a lot of fantasies!
I had never thought about it needing lights!
When I took that picture, it was still daylight so I didn't see any lights, but you couldn't get to the base of the flagpole.
The park associated with the flagpole was supposed to open in a few days, but I don't know how the base is constructed.
Doggone worrisome facts!!

[dixie sass]

Oh Billie, you know me - I was up most of the night and then overslept... Shame on me!! Bad Dixie, Bad! LOL.

I am enjoying the thread. Very much.




blushing

[MeekOneGOP]

Yeah, Winky's back. Well, actually his vacation ends
Monday, but he said he could drop by for a little bit, lol!

[Billie]

You're a brand new daddy?!!!You know what that means! We get to give you CARDS! And FLOWERS! And CONGRATULATIONS! I'll start!