A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-23-02

Billie, Aquamarine and daisyscarlett

[daisyscarlett]

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: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete
MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub
BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet
MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga
BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette
MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid
BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP
MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian
BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 5A: TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68. MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797. BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack.

GROUP 6A: 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.

GROUP 7A: 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.

GROUP 8A: 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.

      

GROUP 9A: 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.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

When we decided to do a special thread celebrating the Music of Christmas, Aquamarine immediately came to mind as guest hostess for this endeavor. Aquamarine has been posting beautiful art work and music links since the inception of the Finest thread six months ago.

We are pleased that she accepted our invitation to be the guest producer and hostess today and know that you will be too.

Thank you Aquamarine for what promises to be an enjoyable beginning of Christmas week on the Finest thread......daisyscarlett

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When daisyscarlett asked me to participate in the Holiday Special Threads by hostessing a Christmas Music Day, I was more than happy to accept her offer.

I love any type of music that's well made and believe that it can lift our spirits and lighten our burdens. Participating in The Finest's, and previously in the Canteen threads, has given me the chance to play many types of music. I am grateful for the opportunity and hope that you have enjoyed my efforts.

I would like to give credit to Billie and daisyscarlett for their assistance in the graphics and layout of this thread. I did help in that area with "suggestions" but the graphics with the music links were produced by me. Would also like to thank Spookbrat and Lodwick for their help in finding the best wav sites.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with music of all types I hope that you will sit back, relax, grab a cup of coffee and some Christmas treats. And listen to some very beautiful music of the season. And by all means, post any music midis or wavs you would like to share.

Merry Christmas to all my Finest FRiends!...Aquamarine

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We lovingly dedicate this Special Day of Christmas music to whoever, a dear FRiend to many of us.

Whoever, we hope you enjoy the music and art graphics today. We missed your help and input in producing this thread, but you were constantly on our mind and in our thoughts. We hope we have achieved our goal of rejoicing in and glorifying the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, through music, as we know you would have encouraged us to do.

Merry Christmas, whoever. We miss you..... Aquamarine and daisyscarlett

WELCOME to a special edition of FR's Finest
"A Celebration of Christmas Music"

Click on graphic

As noted above, our guest writer and hostess for our Christmas music thread is Aquamarine.

She has divided the music selections into several categories and will feature one music selection in each segment. She will also be posting beautiful Christmas music from all categories throughout the day on the thread itself. We invite you all to join in and post any Holiday wavs or midis as the thread progresses.

Thank you all for coming and we sincerely hope you enjoy this very Special Holiday Music Thread.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Click on graphic
St. Luke's Christmas Story

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed...



And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.



And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)



To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.



And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.



And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.



And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.



And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.



For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.



And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.



And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,



Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.



And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.



(St. Luke, Chapter 2, verses 1-17. King James Version)

The Christmas Story spawned many Christmas carols. Perhaps the most famous one is "Silent Night" which was written on Christmas Eve in 1818 in Oberndorf, Austria. Joseh Mohr,an assistant pastor of a local church, had written a poem, "Stille Nacht" in 1816. On December 24, 1818 he gave the poem to his friend the church organist, Franz Gruber. Gruber immediately composed the melody and arranged it for two voices, choir, and guitar in time to be performed that night at the Midnight Mass. By 1955, "Silent Night" had become the most recorded song of all time.

It was difficult to decide on a presentation for this segment because of the wealth of beautiful carols from which to choose. Aquamarine solved this dilemma by selecting a medley of "Silent Night", "Away in a Manger" and "Oh Holy Night."

CLASSICAL MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS

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When discussing the classical music of Christmas, "Handel's Messiah" and "Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite" come immediately to mind as well as "Ave Maria". These are beautiful works of art and a couple of them will be played later on in the thread.

For this opening segment Aquamarine has selected "Oh Christmas Tree" as performed by the Sacrum Chamber Choir, a classical choir which some critics feel are superior to the Vienna Boy's Choir. This group is a personal favorite of Aquamarine's.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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This category includes many holiday favorites of us all such as "White Christmas". "Chestnuts Roasting on the Open Fire", aka "The Christmas Song", along with "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" and "Merry Christmas" by Alvin and the Chipmunks. We will be playing many of these tunes later from such artists as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. (Not to worry, we do not have "Grandpa Got Run Over by a Reindeer" on our list.)

For this opening segment, Aquamarine has selected "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Perry Como.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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There are many songs to choose from in this category. Almost every Country Western star of note has recorded at least one Christmas album in their career. Christmas music is a particular favorite of Country Western fans and Country Western singers do Christmas carols and ballads justice. The songs selected in this category will be performed by such artists as Lynn Anderson, Trisha Yearwood and the Forresters.

For this opening segment, Aquamarine has selected "Winter Wonderland" by George Strait, who is a particular favorite of many on the Finest, including daisyscarlett.

Merry Christmas, Aquamarine

Aquamarine

Thank you for this beautiful thread!

THE WEEKEND THREAD 12-21,22-02 WEEK IN REVIEW

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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Mudboy Slim]

"Here Was A Man!!"
(To be spoken--Johnny Cash-like--over a lonely keyboard version of "Joy to the World")

"Here was a man...a man who was born in a small village, the son of a peasant woman. He grew up in another small village. Until He reached the age of thirty, He worked as a carpenter; then, for three years, He was a travelling minister. But He never travelled more than two hundred miles from where He was born, and where He did go, He usually walked. He never held political office, He never wrote a book, He never bought a home, He never had a family, He never went to college, and He never set foot inside a big city, yet...here was a man.

Here was a man...though He never did one of those things that you usually associate with greatness, He had no credentials but Himself. He had nothing to do with this World, except through the Divine Purpose that brought Him to this World.

While He was still a young man, the Tide of Popular Opinion turned against Him. Most of His FRiends ran away...one of them denied Him, one of them betrayed Him and turned Him over to his Enemies. Then, He went through the mockery of a Trial and was nailed to a Roman Cross between two thieves. And even while He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had in this World, and that was His robe, His Purple Robe. When He was dead, He was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave, provided by a compassionate FRiend.

More than Nineteen Centuries have come and gone, and today He's the Centerpiece of the Human Race, Our Leader, and the Column to Human Destiny. And I think I'm well within the mark when I say that All of the Armies that Ever Marched, All of the Navies that Ever Sailed, All of the Legislative Bodies that Ever Sat, and All of the Kings that Ever Reigned...All of Them Put Together have not affected the Life of Man on this Earth so Powerfully as that One Solitary Life...

Here was a man!!"

My six-year-old daughter and I were driving along yesterday, listening to our new Christmas CD we had just picked up from Staples Office Supply, when this "song" came on and we both stopped chatting and listened intently. I explained--halfway through--that Mr. Cash was talking about Jesus. Then, after the song was over, JessieLee looked up at me and said, "Daddy, why didn't Jesus have a family?" Temporarily shocked by her natural incisiveness, I mumbled a silly answer about not meeting the right mommy, but the question has been on my mind ever since. So, Jessica, here's the answer Daddy meant to say, "Jesus never had a family because All of Us are His Family, All of Us are His Brothers and Sisters, All of Us are His Children!!"

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or not...Happy Holidays to Each and Every One of You Wonderful FReepers...You have become MY extended family!!

Cheerfully Humble FReegards...MUD

[Aquamarine]

Good morning Lad! Are you still in South Dakota enjoying their lovely weather? ;)

Thanks for reminding us of the sacrafices that were made by those good men so that we could be here today enjoying our freedom and abundance.
I want to dedicate this next song to all of the soldiers that are actively working to protect us from the evil in the world.

Ava Maria
by Celine Dion

Click on the pic

[daisyscarlett]

We should be thanking YOU, Aqua. You were a delight to work with...Your love of music, the Lord and whoever shone through and made this just a delightful project.

Louie is responsible for the hostess babe graphic. He does not like "thanks" but loves hugs and food. hee hee

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[Mudboy Slim]

"Hope you have time to sit back and enjoy some wonderful music that Aquamarine has put together for us today."

Will do...but right now I'm busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kickin' contest...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[Aquamarine]

Another great Top 10...you're really good at this.

Good morning! :)

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful song! Very good quality also...thanks!

[daisyscarlett]

Your post hit me like a ton of bricks. I am so sorry for your family troubles. Matthew and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Aquamarine]

Don't give up, baking just takes practice...how do you think I knew what you did wrong? Been there...several times. he!

[daisyscarlett]

So happy to see one of our "leftover" graphics used for I'll Be Home for Christmas...a great song and sentiment...Home for Christmas, if only in my dreams....So many of our dear Servicemen and women will be home for Christmas if only in their dreams...

[ru4liberty]

Is that graphic loading on your screen?

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you both for your input and help with the wavs for this thread. I can't tell you how delighted Aquamarine was to have the wav site recommended by Spookbrat...And Lodwick, you are ALWAYS there for us. Cheers and Merry Christmas to you both...

[daisyscarlett]

I can come back to it all day long.

Please do.....

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[daisyscarlett]

Thank you for your post ladtx. May they enjoy everlasting peace and may God give extra comfort to their families during this Christmas season.

[daisyscarlett]

You have seemed awfully "reserved" this holiday season. Got all your shopping, baking, decorating etc done? Making a cake again this year, hee hee? Any holiday fun stories to share? Did you take the kids to see Santa yet? Inquiring minds want to know...hee hee

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for that beautiful story about Christ.

That was such a sweet story about you and your daughter I can almost picture that scene in my mind...bet you won't ever forget it. :)
Merry Christmas to you too!

[Aquamarine]

Good morning Daisy! You're up early, I thought you might sleep in a little today after all the hard work you've done this week.
You are a fantastic person to work with...I wish you were my real sistah! ;))

[daisyscarlett]

Happy to see you here again today. Did you bring us any home baked goodies to share as we listen to the music today...How about some of that frosted popcorn?

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[daisyscarlett]

Good morning Mixer. I remember now from your profile you got your screen name from your love of music....

DaisyScarlett

[daisyscarlett]

Good to see you. Missed you this weekend and wondered if your computer went on the fritz. Great top 10 list.

Merry Christmas! DaisyScarlett

[daisyscarlett]

I did not see a picture, just a little red square. But I clicked on it and heard a very beautiful Christmas song I had not heard before. Aqua-check it out-it is lovely...

Special greetings to you, ru4, and love to whoever.