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Tonight at the Dew Drop Inn there will be a celebration of life for our dear friend Ashley (PhinePhancy) who sadly lost her brave battle against cancer last week.
We will not mourn her passing but rejoice her life and how she touched us each in a unique way!
Girlfriend, I know you are looking down at us with your infectious smile!
So let's get this party started with some Margarita's with pink flamingo swivel sticks, some extra spicy chicken quesadilla's and of course your favorite song playing on the old juke-box;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDdI7GhZSQA&feature=player_detailpage
You may be gone... but you will never be forgotten...
I'll put in a call to the bartender and have him mix up a phine bunch of phancy pink Cosmopolitans.
PS: Please change your avatar to "pink flamingo's" in her memory...
They were her favorite! ;o)
Cheers, my friend!
I can feel her with us in spirit!
Again, sincerest condolences to Ashley's family.
Phine was one of the truly good people here. She could get along equally well with liberals, conservatives, independents...anyone! She always advocated for a more civil tone in discussing politics. She could always be counted on to say the right thing at the right time and with her trademark wit.
Tonight, I raise my glass to my fellow Floridian...to Phinephancy!
(Feisty...very nicely done post above. Thanks!)
That's so sad to hear ,i had no idea ..I always so enjoyed her postings .She always had such a peace about her...I will sadly miss her .
Phine-Phootlose-Phancy-Phree
Thanks for sharing a bit of you with all of us. Enjoy the pink flamingos and Cosmo's we have all sent your way. Condolences to Phine's family - know that we was adored!!
We at First Read offer our condolences to Phinephancy's friends and families.
Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or independent posting on this site, we appreciate everyone who makes First Read a community to talk about politics. And we're so sorry about the loss of a great poster (and someone who submitted great Boiler Room questions, too).
How ironic that the headline here reads "A certain emptiness". We're all feeling that this week, and First Read will always be a little emptier without phine's insight and humor. But we should all celebrate having had a chance to get to know her, and I actually came across a recipe today for a drink called a Pink Flamingo:
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Coconut Rum
1 oz
Amaretto
3 oz Cranberry Juice
1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
Ice
Stir with a spiffy pink flamingo swizzle stick (phine was just talking about them a couple weeks ago!) and lift your glass in a toast to a truly phine person.
Like so many others, I changed my avatar today in her honor, but I think my usual one would be another song that she would like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPH4LRASWbo
Some snippets from some of Phine's final email's to me ...
I swear and declare if I have to eat one more banana I will turn into a monkey
Music has always been my center. I have always been better able to express my thoughts, feelings and moods through song. This is how I feel right now
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3oMHOJAS6c
This is how I want to feel.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbw8OycJrE
Please explain to me how a simple cold and sore throat can reduce a man (in this case Phil) into such a whiney, snivelling piece of humanity? He stayed home sick yesterday and drove me mad! I just don't understand. I need a hug. (And a nap)
Pink ROCKS!
Thank you for your condolences Mark - I'm sure her family will appreciate them, we are passing them on...
She was always so proud to be selected, it meant Phil had to take her out to a dinner of her choice! lol
Looking forward to seeing all of Phine's friends from either side of the aisle at the Dew Drop Inn tonight to raise a glass in her honor. Of course we are also dressing in pink. For dessert I'll bring white chocolate/raspberry cheesecake.
Feisty--I didn't know that about the Boiler Room questions. I know we are all thrilled when we are selected. I think I will adopt Phine's method of celebration should I be fortunate enough to have a question selected--I'm sure my husband will be glad to hear of this!
Thank you Feisty for organising our online community to memorialize Phine. Thanks to Clara for the idea to switch avaters to flamingos, in her honor.
Watching the return of our American heros from Libya this afternoon reminded me how Phine always urged us to seek peace.
Thoughts and Prayers to Phine's family!
A toast to the passion we all share for this country, for our beliefs and for each other - even if we don't always get it quite right.
I am thinking Pink! And hope you all are, too!
Okay still having trouble putting up flamingos for my avitar. I'm clearly doing something wrong. But, my thoughts and prayers are with Phinepancy and her family and friends. She fought the good fight and taught us all how to have humor in the face of adversity. Many days her posts made me smile though my tears for her.
Mark Murray - thank you so much for acknowledging Phine with your remarks. I'm sure it will mean a great deal to her family.
I know there is a party going on in heaven - with Democrats, Independents and even Republicans welcoming their new friend. As I said yesterday, the flamigos are dancing in heaven today in her honor.
I'll have a pink lady tonight at the DDI in her honor!
Godspeed Phine!
God bless you Ashley Phinepancy, family and friends.
.
(silent post for Phine)
Feisty, well said. I see someone already brought the Cosmopolitans and there are plenty of flamingos in Phine's honor. Rest in peace, Phine Ashley--this one's for you!
I wanted to join the tribute by adding flamingos to my avatar today but couldn't, so just pretend that the photo I selected of flamingos wading along the beach shore is showing!
Thanks for the catch Ames & a HUGE mea culpa on my part for not giving our Clara proper attribution for her most excellent idea!
Sorry bout that GF! ☺
Too many things on my mind today...
At some point my avatar will change into a pink elephant ... there had to be one in the room.
I think having a cocktail with all of you in memory of Phine and the bashing on the boards today sounds positively D E V I N E!!!
(by the way, this sea of pink is beautiful.)
It's five o'clock, cocktail time.....this one's for you Phine!
Our Revels Now Are Ended
#
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped tow’rs, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
William Shakespeare
To phinephancy: flamingos on a beach!
I ♥ it Jody!
.
Our friend Devie, posted this under First Thoughts this morning and reminded me I had posted this quite a while ago when we lost another member of our First Read Family.
It is perfect when I think of Phine;
to paraphrase 2 Timothy 4:7
She Fought the good fight. She finished the race. She kept the faith....
In honor of Ashley - PhinePhancy - a person who brought calmness and sensibility to this board.
We will always remember......Go softly into the dark night...
Paul, how thoughtful!
I took a look at the final comments for the day and
Damn,
Another writer I've come to know and respect is gone.
Ashley will be greatly missed.
If I've msspelled anything, im sorry, hard to see through tthe tears.
Rest in Peace Ashley - Phine. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Beautiful Paul - thank you for your thoughts!
Dirp, I know the feeling! It's been a rough day! Thank you for sharing!
Elise,
Thanks for adding your thoughts & prayers as well!
I know Phine is enjoying reading them...
Well I see the party is starting to honor Phine.
The cosmo is cold and pherfect! the music divine.
I remember when Phine talked about her mother and the Senior gang in Ohio.
This is her reponse to Tom in Florida, on a Rick Perry Thread, who said Perry wass having a "senior moment"
phinephancy-4252115Tom, you must not have heard about the senior gang my mother has in Ohio. They would rip your face off for comparing them to Rick Perry. (Although they do like the afternoon nap. )
4!#1.6 - Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:11 PM CST
I will miss your voice here on First Read.
"May your soul smile
In the embrace
Of your loving God"
Rest in Peace.
Feisty, I was very sorry to hear of Ashley's passing. My condolences to her family. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Mit and Ann are raising money at President Bush's home, why are they continuing to Hide President Bush? Republicans are clear on the Hispanic Community, they plan to Put up and electric fence, they all cheered, they voted against the "Dream Act" and have filed Suit to Repeal the President's Exe. Order. The Hispanic Community, the over-whelming majority are not fooled by Spanis-Speaking Ads. Actions speak louder than words!
FR/FT Staff - as always, thanks for giving us a place to participate in Politics American Style. It may not be as racy as Love American Style, but is sure does raise eyebrows. Loved the empty chair - that was a classic!!
Ditto. You know, I think I am actually starting to like you Yanks. ♥
BCWC - happy to hear you're starting to like us! We certainly enjoy you!
First Read, Mark, Domenico and crew,
Thanks for the kind words for Phine. Thank you for all your hard work and for making it possible to come here everyday so we can interact with some fine folks. You have made a great contribution to help the furthering and exchanging of ideas in the pursuit of peace and understanding.
And now let's get together in the spirit of friendship. Down the hatch and bottom's up! Slainte!!!
Forgot to thank all the crew, Mark and Domenico, for giving us this place to talk politics. We appreciate your kindness to us.
Me too!
Thanks for bringing back this little space on Fridays to wind down after a wild week of politics!
As a new reader I found her post soothing, she was a very nice person and is in my prayers.
Exit0
Thank you for your condolences, her family is going to appreciate reading the tribute to Phine!
By the way, I don't think I have welcomed you into the fray! ☺
I ♥ your comments!
Debunked the first time you posted this - it is still debunked.
Exito.....welcome to the fray......we would love to hear your views, come, share with us and let your voice be heard.
Exito, I do have to say the first time I saw your avatar, I had no clue what it was! Had to visit your NV account to figure it out! That being said, I enjoy your posts! :)
The only Exit 0 I'm familiar with is Cape May, NJ -and if that's the case, see you out at Sunset Beach around 4:15 pm on "Black Friday" - it's one of my favorite holiday traditions!
news.yahoo.com/university-texas-orders-evacuation-buildings-150824822.html
It would have been foolish of either university to no take the threats seriously, but please tell me that nobody around here actually believed that this was anything other than a student hoax.
What a perfect title for this thread Mark and Domenico. It is a certain emptiness I am feeling.
Libs have all been too busy getting involved with the campaign, knocking on doors, making phone calls to open the Dew Drop Inn these past few weeks. But, our friend IR has opened the doors this day, and as I come through the trees and catch sight of the Dew Drop Inn and Come Back Inn, what do I see?
The great rolling lawns of the two dear old places are FILLED with cavorting Flamingo statues of every shape you can imagine. IR, I don't know how you got it done.
What oh what have we learned this week? That there are things more important than the pettiness of the bickering that sometimes takes hold at First Read, and certainly the things that affect family and friends must take precedence to politics on this day.
We open the Dew Drop Inn to honor our friend Phinephancy, someone well known to all of you that post here often. Phine tried her best to teach all of us that there are more important things then winning a political argument, and I am sure we tried her patience sorely as those battles raged on. But she never showed her impatience with us, just gently kept pointing us in the right direction, and when her health was failing, she never lost her love for humanity, her wit, her great courage, but most especially her pride in her wonderful family.
I shall miss phine a great deal. The most fun I had with her was the day on FR when we were trying to decide what Marcus Bachmann would wear one night, and our suggestions grew more and more outrageous. It was just silliness, but caused us to be friends.
We are gathering at the Dew Drop this day to remember phine in that good old fashioned way! There will be Cosmos, Pink Flamingo bar with pink flamingo stirrers, and you will see the flamingos everywhere. They just bring a smile to your face, don't they?
The bouncers are not at the Dew Drop Inn this day, and we invite all to stop by, share a laugh and tear with us, and if you have a favorite memory, share that too.
There is a beautiful old song that I love, a traditional Irish/Scottish tune that used to be sung at the close of an evening with family and friends. We will sing that tonight, remembering phine, with love to her family.
That song is The Parting Glass
Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
So fill to me the parting glass
and drink a health what e'er befalls
and gently rise and softly call
good night and joy be to you all!
Slainte, phine!
Could there have been a more fitting headline?
I remember that night! lol
I always looked forward to her checking in on what she was making for dinner (she was an excellent chef) and what type of libations would be accompanying the meal...
I remember that too, Feisty! She knew how to enjoy herself.
Newday, that was just beautiful. I was already tearing up after reading Blackcatwhitecat's e-mail from phine up above, and now they're spilling over. I think we just found a new favorite on the DDI jukebox:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpFRBmRgDcY
I have been playing the Celtic Women version of it in my car since I heard the news of phine. It is one of my favorites.
Most of you know that I'm a tax attorney---and very fortunate that I found a calling that suits my skills. On days like today, though, when we honor a friend and when our hearts are already heavy over the losses we as a nation had this week, I wish for words as beautiful as those you offered for Phine, NewDay and Feisty.
For Phine I would like to offer the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Wish I could change my avatar and post a link!
Steeler Fan - You can share mine at #1.8 above. Or hey - here it is again. I think this week it's even more important than ever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPH4LRASWbo
Amen - Newday.
Prosit! (someday soon I will learn how to put up an avatar...).
Phinephancy was a perfect lady, in the very best sense of the term. Sorry to be so late, but I, too, will miss her.
Thanks for writing, excessivelyperky: if you scroll down to post 18.1, Clara tells you how to put up an avatar. It isn't difficult, but it does require some patience. If you can see the avatar on your home page, it may take awhile before it starts showing up on First Read. Took about 3 hours for mine to totally change.
Don't be afraid to shout for help on one of the threads where you see the flamingos...one of us will answer your question!
Just a little something you all inspired me to write ...
http://layton3733410.newsvine.com/_news/2012/09/17/13925024-the-loss-of-a-poster
Sincerest condolences to Ashley's family! A truly wonderful person!! I raise my glass!!
:-(
R.I.P, classy lady. We will miss you
Thanks to both of you for writing!
What is the difference between Mitt Romney in 2012 and Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush in 1980? Both Reagan and Bush had the good sense to know when NOT to be critical of their political opponents.
In April 1980 when "Operation Eagle Claw" failed, both Reagan and Bush could have come out swinging against President Carter. They did not.
Reagan: "This is the time for us as a nation and a people to stand united."
Bush: "I unequivocally support the president of the United States -- no ifs, ands or buts -- and it certainly is not a time to try to go one-up politically."
Sadly that rule does not apply to Mitt Romney in 2012.
I guess this is the newest rule of the election-
Criticizing Obama's foreign policy debacles is not done.
Let's see if I remember the ones from last time
Can't mention his middle name.
Can't mention his hateful religion.
(actually, I wasn't put off by that. All bets are off if Romney's religion becomes an issue).
Can't mention his associations with thieves, crooks, and murderers.
So, now his foreign policy is off limits.
What's next- the economy?
Good luck with that.
Feisty:
Very sorry about PhinePhancy. She always had a whimsical quality to her posts, which clearly means she understood that all of the political arguing can be engrossing, and can be even entertaining, but there's another part of life that's even more important - the people that are close to you. To quote Don McLean, "...Once a page is read, all but love is dead... " Enjoy the Cosmos. In PhinePhancy's honor, I apologize for any mean spirited posts of mine this year.
That was lovely! Thanks for writing!
BeyondDEMOCRAT,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Beyond Democrat,
Well said , well said!!!
and when I die, let die with a dream in my mind
a smile on my face and no trouble behind
Sure will miss her to the point manner, so long phine
We will miss her Frank, thanks for writing!
So many beautiful remembrances here--and so many pink flamingos in Ashley/Phine's memory. I am sorry I never got to meet her face-to-face, but I will always remember our exchanges on this site, and how she was respectful to all. Rest well phine.
To everyone:
This thread has renewed my spirit.
Mine too, Northstar. Hugs, my friend, and to all of you who took the time to write.
I'm more of a reader than a contributer; but I was always so envious of her ability to discuss real issues with her opposition. I get angry; Phine got smarter, and kinder, and wiser. I was so sorry to hear of her passing-she was a voice of reason in this wilderness. My prayers go out to her friends and family at this time of painful
loss. Let us pray that we might follow in her footsteps and open our hearts to the possibility of civilized discourse.
That was so lovely jaina: please join us again, won't you?
Wouldn't that be a fitting tribute to her?
Jaina....well said and I echo NDD, would love to see more of your thoughts and whatever suits your phinephancy
I feel like I know you, too GM-I've been reading these posts for a very long time. I hope I have something to add. My initial response has been one of attack(in my mind)-today I enter -hoping that I find the wisdom left to me by my Dad. Be reasonable, use your brain, never repond to personal attacks-but always let your voice be heard in defense of the truth. i will do my best.
jaina--does your address mean you are from Mass? Would love to hear your perspective on Romney.
jaina, I read their posts for about a year prior to jumping in. I've had such fun and have met some wonderful people!
jaina,
Welcome!
I have made some lifelong friends through this board. I hope I am able to count you among them some day! We call it the mudpit. You fling some, you're flung upon; but ultimately, it's all good by Friday! Thanks for taking the leap!
Knowing you've got Obama's back means many of us will have yours!
Jaina -
I was "just" a reader too for a couple years - but thanks to my now dear friend Independent Redneck, VA, I finally took the plunge one day and have never regretted it for a moment since. I've learned a lot - not all of it pleasant, as I'm still constantly amazed at the small-mindedness and ignorance and baseless hatred of some of my fellow Americans - but it's worth sifting through the tons of drek when you come across the occasional gem that makes you laugh.....or cry.....or sometimes just see things in a new light. And as Clara says, I've made some life-long cherished friends. Another sane voice is always welcome here. Your Dad sounds a lot like mine, and I think he'd be proud of your efforts.
P.S. - Just saw below that you started out with McCarthy in '68 - so you'll find a lot of us are right there in your age group (my first campaigning was for McGovern in '72) - and at least a few of us (cough, cough, I mean me, cough, cough) are pretty technologically challenged, too. And though probably no one would believe it now, I was - and still am - terminally shy. So if I can do this, anyone can!
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
NoJo-won't you please just settle down for a day or two? Phine has touched a lot of people here. Hold your angry nonsense in out of respect for a sadly missed human.
Precisely. Today of all days, we can let all of the anger go and just miss our friend.
Thanks,newday-I'd love to join you. I've been an observer for a long time-and a crazed liberal thinker since I worked for Gene McCarthy in 1968(before I could vote). Maybe it's time for me to enter the fray again.
We need you jaina: and you can count on us to support you as you begin to find your way here. Think about it, won't you?
I still get lost on this site; I'm not really savvy at this.....I'm trying to find my way. I really appreciate the vote of confidence.
It becomes easier with time, jaina. They are in the process of making some changes to Newsvine, so some things are not working as smoothly as they might. Have patience, keep trying!
And jaina, we are here to help you. Welcome jump in....with both feet.
jaina---we were all new here once (and some of the re-register people get to be new all the time after they get banned, but I disgress). Anyway---as you figure things out, just ask if you have any questions. There are some really smart people who post here and someone will help you out.
jaina: I have a feeling I'm not the only one lost. There are many new readers.
Jaina,
All you (or anyone else having difficulty on the information highway here) has to do his holler and we're here to help you navigate the road blocks! ☺
Exito,
I have noticed that too... a giant welcome to the First Read family!
Absolutely Exito!
Jaina - don't feel bad about this site - I think we all experience problems at 1 time or another...much to all of our frustrations! Keep sharing your thoughts with us,,,
Well, let's try to fill the week up. Turns out that Romney asked his VP candidates for 10 years worth of tax returns......good enough for him; but, not of course, for we small-minded common people. Mitt, what are you and Ann hiding?
Didn't read the comments before I posted; so sorry about Phinephancy, she will be missed and remembered!
jaina,
I was on of the Clean Gene kids that cut my teeth on politics with supporting him too.
Welcome tonight.!
Hope you contirbute your thoughts again.
The bNBC/Marist poll has absolutely no creadabilty. They are using the 2008 election result numbers. They absolutely refuse to use the 2010 election numbers.
Using creadable polls:
Florida Obama is a +1
Ohio Obama is a +0.36%
Virgina Romney is +1 and that was before yesterday's announcement that Obama is cutting civilian defense force workers in Virginia 8%. More unemployed Americans.
Now read this. Long Island's Newsday poll shows Obama only a +1 in the suburbs of New York City the last two nights. Wonder what upstate New York poll numbers are showing. Or Pennsylvania poll numbers are showing.
P.S. In Missouri Akin has now closed to within 7 points of the corrupt Claire McCaskill. Her 29 point lead has disappeared.
I am another "newbie" to the posting world, although I have been reading comments on this site for many, months. The news that Phinephancy's words will no longer be a part of this site made me take the plunge and attempt to join this community, and I see that there is help available from others for someone with my limited skills.
Because PhinePhancy was able to share her observations that shed a bright light on the true meaning of compromise and understanding, I was able to continue reading FR and learning from other posters. Some of the comments were so negative, ugly and untrue, I often had to shut it down because of the headaches and heartaches I felt about our country's future.
My hope is that the "PhinePhancy philosophy" will continue to touch our hearts, and the new participants will join many of the others on this site to provide the postings that remind all Americans that we are in this together!
When the line is crossed leading to the ugly discourse and angry words that bring absolutely nothing useful to solving our country's problems, may we remember PhinePancy's postings done with "calmness and sensibility" (per Paul S.)
In the meantime, I am going out to find more plastic pink flamingos for my collection -they will look as good in the snow as they do on the beach - and will try to figure out how to get a picture of my dog put in as my avatar.
Welcome, Bandit'sfriend:
Click on your name - in the black band of your newsvine page go to
Account Settings
In the Account Information section - click on Avatar
(right now mine says change/remove; but on a first time I think it just says Add) click that and then browse to your photo, which should be stored somewhere accessible on your hard drive) - it wants to show 120 pixels by 120 pixels; but it gives you a little slider to focus on the section of the image you like. You may need adjust the photo,...but I hope not.
Once you get it how you like it, be sure to click Save your Profile. I think I found that it didn't show up on my postings until I logged off and then back on. Good luck, and again, welcome aboard. Everyone should have a voice and we're interested in hearing yours!
Welcome Bandit'sfriend: we do hope you will come back and join us. I can promise you that whatever your political philosophy, if you need help with this site, just ask. We will help you!
Thanks for writing about phine. We shall miss her.
Glad you asked about Pennsylvania:
"Ten weeks before the election, a voter poll commissioned by The Inquirer finds President Obama leading Republican rival Mitt Romney by a significant margin in Pennsylvania, raising the question of whether the Keystone State is up for grabs on Nov. 6.
The Inquirer Pennsylvania Poll, led by a bipartisan team of top political analysts, concluded that if the election were held now, Obama would win the state by nine percentage points - 51-42 - with 7 percent of voters undecided."
http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-27/news/33403560_1_republican-rival-mitt-romney-voter-poll-poll-respondents