tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19460412858334289022024-03-05T19:13:17.938-08:00A View From My WindowA View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-41351420624922256412020-04-24T13:21:00.001-07:002020-04-24T13:21:29.448-07:00Quarantine Basic Needs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was bound to happen. I had to write a snarky blog about being quarantined, so I geared it to three basic needs: shelter, clothing, and food. I'm fortunate to have my home of 27 years in the form of shelter, of which I am becoming reacquainted by dusting and cleaning out closets. I have no need for a lot of clothing or shoes since I've been living in flip flops and yoga pants all day, every day. I just hope my regular clothes fit me after my quarantined weight gain. If you've read my other blogs, you'll remember I'm always <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1946041285833428902#editor/target=post;postID=1205858030980755417;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=87;src=postname"><b>battling</b> <b>the</b> <b>bulge</b></a>. Another battle during this quarantine is going to the grocery store. I've <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1946041285833428902#editor/target=post;postID=7869611941065250043;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=67;src=postname"><b>blogged</b></a> about my love of that too. Wearing a mask and gloves makes it that much more troublesome.<br />
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You can read my new blog by clicking <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/quarantine-basic-needs/"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ0P6zi547G2d8lcKO110zW8RQxlOcopNnSWRLOBF-BUUPFiBek7w0kb1zfpJygDuEPne9HCfHcriDi0Z0wY2zA0TmdpPNHu-ngpuT4kwobSL6_2_Ft4HWla7UQWG_AyXx8798dOodIYz/s1600/IMG_4785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="964" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ0P6zi547G2d8lcKO110zW8RQxlOcopNnSWRLOBF-BUUPFiBek7w0kb1zfpJygDuEPne9HCfHcriDi0Z0wY2zA0TmdpPNHu-ngpuT4kwobSL6_2_Ft4HWla7UQWG_AyXx8798dOodIYz/s200/IMG_4785.jpg" width="120" /></a>The star of the blog is my dog, Larry, who humbly poses for such adorable photo ops. I'm working on a book all about Larry and his Words of Wisdom - stay tuned.<br />
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One final thought. ALL my books are on sale for $9.99 plus shipping if you order through my <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/shop/"><b>website</b></a>.<br />
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Enjoy, stay safe, and wash your hands.<br />
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<br />A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-63217964824461036432020-04-17T12:06:00.000-07:002020-04-17T12:06:01.528-07:00Hummingbirds and Quincy the Quail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm offering a free download of QUINCY THE QUAIL SAVES A LIFE on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081SB7R6X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3">Amazon</a>. This offer is good through Sunday, April 19, 2020. Quincy and his family encounter a bullying hummingbird when they go to a new neighborhood to hunt for food.<br />
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Hummingbirds are very territorial, but they are fascinating to watch. On my blog today I've included links to two interesting hummingbird videos. One video shows how they build their nests, and one shows in slow motion how they suck nectar.<br />
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Enjoy: <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/hummingbirds-quincy-the-quail/">https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/hummingbirds-quincy-the-quail/</a>A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-23114287501523389572020-04-10T10:33:00.000-07:002020-04-10T10:33:26.877-07:00Hope During Holy Week<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">On my website is a blog about hope and new beginnings during Holy Week. I've included pictures of the Super Moon, white Eurasian Collared-Doves, and, of course, Larry.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm giving away Lonnie the Loon books to two lucky winners.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/hope-during-holy-week/">https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/hope-during-holy-week/</a><br />
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Read my blog to learn more about how to win signed copies of my two most popular Loon books.<br />
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<br />A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-65495318904689761682020-03-26T16:59:00.002-07:002020-03-26T16:59:42.409-07:00Trumpeter Swans and Gambel's QuailsI'm blogging again, but I'm redirecting you to my <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/">website</a> to read my blogs:<br />
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Read about Springtime and birds building nests: <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/spring-time-to-build-a-nest/">Spring! Time to Build a Nest, a Story about Trumpeter Swans</a><br />
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Read about the unique calls and sounds that birds make: <a href="https://www.rennerwrites.com/uncategorized/gambels-quail-and-other-interesting-bird-calls/">Gambel's Quail and Other Bird Calls</a><br />
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Visit my website <a href="http://www.rennerwrites.com/">www.RennerWrites.com</a> for information about my children's books:<br />
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<br />A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-56427485351683527452018-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:002018-06-02T18:28:57.019-07:00Lake Time; Two Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer - in most places. Right now in Lake Country, Minnesota, it's 60 degrees, cloudy, with an 20% chance rain, 80% humidity, and 20 mph wind. The clouds have been dribbling wet stuff all day, and I don my parka and gloves to walk the dog. It's pretty much Desert, Arizona's winter - minus the rain and humidity. Summer is imminent.<br />
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Ahhh, lake country in the summer. Time for boats, swimming, floating, paddle boarding, water skiing, and relaxing - for some people. Husband and I have a home in lake country; we have a boat, and enjoy being close to some 50 lakes, but we have differing views of enjoying the water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SnXLP4IcqhyphenhyphenpuGL6YomSvtCnun_NPT2156l1egEaDFriyxmqxIUc7Ptk8qNdW1lcGEhUQaLjbZmkK7Jk4ZAtt3oQPpzi_jqyvC46wNpOil2FwLd4N957B9aY16rvXLYAqCHN0HQnYp4/s1600/PontoonFeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51SnXLP4IcqhyphenhyphenpuGL6YomSvtCnun_NPT2156l1egEaDFriyxmqxIUc7Ptk8qNdW1lcGEhUQaLjbZmkK7Jk4ZAtt3oQPpzi_jqyvC46wNpOil2FwLd4N957B9aY16rvXLYAqCHN0HQnYp4/s200/PontoonFeet.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jgrx56qv5XJWAHdFTBJyncMjLRZFWfb8nBo8JQQ8D9w7LiAwh1OF2_Z09fZok3Xaah9d3LVXlxNtJyZTz4VB3MvhbIJMIkk5kG7VxNlPkASvP0U2sZ2f6fY3cwBEQHk-CADyl6nAMh1p/s1600/PontoonSun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jgrx56qv5XJWAHdFTBJyncMjLRZFWfb8nBo8JQQ8D9w7LiAwh1OF2_Z09fZok3Xaah9d3LVXlxNtJyZTz4VB3MvhbIJMIkk5kG7VxNlPkASvP0U2sZ2f6fY3cwBEQHk-CADyl6nAMh1p/s200/PontoonSun.jpg" width="150" /></a>My view is cruising on a 30 foot pontoon, a glass of wine in hand, admiring the lake homes of the 1% - where the white canopies are set up, music crooning to the latest light rock, and party goers dressed in white linen. For snacks we savor bruschetta, drizzled with olive oil on smoked salmon and capers; goat cheese stuffed with bacon and basil; and wood-fried spinach dip. Pair that with a Russian Valley red Cabernet Sauvignon and cozy down on the leather seats to enjoy the sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ8DLLffybau6-FlSsUgZCMTf9WckC4XG_lyVzlUVQKJhjVytJB_5q6fKplrovy81zpsdvXbpmMrSiNTfdkJc5xajHMxAHvsJm0z7u6KGOX743HG5eopaBD5WTi6FF-qlfhDIsX2jVwwr/s1600/Boat_Fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ8DLLffybau6-FlSsUgZCMTf9WckC4XG_lyVzlUVQKJhjVytJB_5q6fKplrovy81zpsdvXbpmMrSiNTfdkJc5xajHMxAHvsJm0z7u6KGOX743HG5eopaBD5WTi6FF-qlfhDIsX2jVwwr/s200/Boat_Fish.JPG" width="150" /></a>My husband's view is getting up at 5:30, packing peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and hooking up the 17 foot outdoor /indoor motor boat to the long-bed pickup. We putt putt through the bulrushes to the best walleye hole and cast our lines. The sky is cloudy, the wind is brisk, and the peanuts and bottled water satisfy my breakfast hunger. We brought home a basket of 3 sunfish and 1 bass.<br />
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Ahhh, summer in lake country. Choose your view.A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-26008465382489502052018-05-23T14:19:00.001-07:002018-05-23T14:19:18.010-07:00Google Won't Like That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a guest blogger on the Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing Facebook page, and contribute my blog the 22nd of every month. I had been posting the same blog on A-View-From-My-Window; however, a marketing guru mentioned to me that blogs should only be posted on one site because Google doesn't like it. What?? Google used to be a mere noun (Check Google for more information.), then it became a verb (I'll Google that for you.), but now it has become an emotional entity (Google doesn't like that.).<br />
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When I think of Google and Facebook I envision a room the size of an empty Costco warehouse filled with millennials sitting on their beanbags holding Apple laptops and listening buds hanging from their ears. They are each assigned a segment of society that they make dance like puppets on their computer screens while they compute algorithms to control their behavior.<br />
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And, Google probably won't like the image I'm using so will be shut down, handcuffed, and hauled off to Google jail. (Hmmm, now it's an adjective.)<br />
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Anyway, instead of posting my same blog in two different places, I will just supply a link on my Window blog. I'm kind of lazy that way.<br />
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Happy Googling.<br />
<br />A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-32089705302859667062018-04-20T16:31:00.001-07:002018-05-24T06:11:20.553-07:00Zip Lining<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1946041285833428902" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1946041285833428902" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTL414lb5Ub_jW3MNMZT6glfHynhUiCrmo5iXPr5YqYBJFlpZlncJhVq9X461qoPi2oy3bfG8MW0nIqzfqL8A5GE7l9AtqsMiglm6qWpgdc5NxPQjsd018tqFovFogdY-IncirzVy37c/s1600/Costa+Rica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="960" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKTL414lb5Ub_jW3MNMZT6glfHynhUiCrmo5iXPr5YqYBJFlpZlncJhVq9X461qoPi2oy3bfG8MW0nIqzfqL8A5GE7l9AtqsMiglm6qWpgdc5NxPQjsd018tqFovFogdY-IncirzVy37c/s400/Costa+Rica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Zip lining over the Costa Rica canopy is by far the bravest thing I've ever done. At age 66, I didn't really have any extreme sports under my belt. No sky diving, no bungie cord jumping, no scuba diving, no climbing Mt. McKinley.<br />
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However, I have slalom water skied, but, hey, everybody does that, right? I did it at age 60 and am fairly proud of that! And the closest I've ever come to scuba diving is snorkeling in the Caribbean, which gave me motion sickness. I guess there's time to sky dive in the new indoor facility that opened in Scottsdale, but I've heard weird bodily functions occur while doing that - like snot flying out of your nose and getting stuck in your eyelashes.</div>
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To prove my zip lining experience, here is a video someone took of the Arizona chicks coming in for a landing. I'm the slow one in the blue shirt:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwKBw0TmNrVpKy9CYlm32K0zfIZAObkDRmfnp_dqZDPpc-E3pXiKA9NzPUPGBbOSfV3xLpq1tYWY8JWxlz5Zg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You can read more about my visit to Costa Rica <a href="https://phxpublishingandbookpromotion.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/bravery-define/">here</a>.</div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-88431367124108735832018-04-12T08:07:00.002-07:002018-05-27T14:14:33.469-07:00My Author Friends<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXZgCsmxepZqXCuxog69P7xRiC2D3hts1OhR4208VCk_U9ZGNdP14nMhUdyge0QUTulpn3h17ddabFJAmlar3fyw-LZSXnq1D0lwqHovEKaep9XHXHI_o6KM8ZVaDIJ6nrmvsxPvMPJxP/s1600/Tucson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="960" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXZgCsmxepZqXCuxog69P7xRiC2D3hts1OhR4208VCk_U9ZGNdP14nMhUdyge0QUTulpn3h17ddabFJAmlar3fyw-LZSXnq1D0lwqHovEKaep9XHXHI_o6KM8ZVaDIJ6nrmvsxPvMPJxP/s320/Tucson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As you may or may not know, I write children's picture books and have published 6 books, four about Lonnie the Loon and two about Quincy the Quail:<br />
<br />
<i>Lonnie the Loon Finds His Home</i><br />
<i>Lonnie the Loon Learns to Fly</i><br />
<i>Lonnie the Loon Learns to Call</i><br />
<i>Lonnie the Loon Flies South for the Winter</i><br />
<i>Quincy the Quail Leads His Family on an Adventure</i><br />
<i>Quincy the Quail Saves a Life</i><br />
<br />
You can read more about these books and even purchase them on my website: <a href="http://rennerwrites.com/">RennerWrites.com</a>. I'm writing another one about Quincy the Quail and am working on a series of books about the Trumpeter Swans. All my books are entertaining as well as educational.<br />
<br />
The purpose of this blog, however, is to show my support of other authors. The above picture was taken in Tucson, Arizona at a book signing and sale. The ladies in the photo are my friends, members of my critique group, and picture book authors. We get along fabulously. From left to right, Rita Goldner, Joanne Grady, and me. We enjoy each other's company, give each other writing advice, share marketing tips, and support each other's work. There is no competition. In fact, Rita is illustrating my books about the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/renner.writes/photos/pcb.1850476768306491/1850476444973190/?type=3&theater">Trumpeter Swans</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y9qDAOAbYHn78EWGkDBoL9vAdXBcXopBafhkA6pFhzA_svXDwhhnwUGwqshWSBnG8ITuYngdhzgo2fFAylX4RKMPHtgWIqxjuM9hkz5FkKNBSzckrMQsghy-oiQ2wTgPp2beMOK0agYc/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6y9qDAOAbYHn78EWGkDBoL9vAdXBcXopBafhkA6pFhzA_svXDwhhnwUGwqshWSBnG8ITuYngdhzgo2fFAylX4RKMPHtgWIqxjuM9hkz5FkKNBSzckrMQsghy-oiQ2wTgPp2beMOK0agYc/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a>I believe authors should stick together and not consider each other as competitors. What I write and what other authors write usually are completely different. Our books give the readers a choice when they want to make a purchase.<br />
<br />
Another author friend, Kathy Peach, and I shared a table at an arts and crafts fair (yes, in the desert). We both sold lots of books and gave discounts if both our books were purchased together. It was great! Kathy's book is called <i><a href="https://www.tiniesttumbleweed.com/">The Tiniest Tumbleweed</a></i>. It is directed toward the same age group as mine, ages 3-7, but has a different message.<br />
<br />
My author friends and I learn from each other, and I will support their book selling efforts.<br />
<br />
I wrote a blog entitled <a href="https://phxpublishingandbookpromotion.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/honoring-women/">"Honoring Women</a>" for a Facebook group. It held this spot in my blog, but since I shouldn't post the same blog in two different places, I replaced it with this one about My Author Friends.<br />
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-53973039017765337512018-04-04T12:15:00.002-07:002018-05-28T07:46:57.769-07:00One Author's World<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxHtGaZ2rb8kuiEITGOsAi10NMdP5cy4tgfMtCTl5A5b6FgkQ82XYgJ2Muy392l6fSrmPRRT74WpRGOp52CA_Z-wtODgDd5MZCo2QGEV5eqsKKWv1Jfr13OEd_AydXU-cmDLQefNvCbhD/s1600/IMG_3181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxHtGaZ2rb8kuiEITGOsAi10NMdP5cy4tgfMtCTl5A5b6FgkQ82XYgJ2Muy392l6fSrmPRRT74WpRGOp52CA_Z-wtODgDd5MZCo2QGEV5eqsKKWv1Jfr13OEd_AydXU-cmDLQefNvCbhD/s320/IMG_3181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a view of my world. I crawl into my computer and try to sort out fact from fiction. I research for my books; I socialize with friends; and I write uninteresting missives about nothing.<br />
<br />
My world - where I escape from reality for awhile.<br />
<br />
The real blog that held this spot is now located on the <a href="https://phxpublishingandbookpromotion.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/longhand-or-computer/">Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing</a> Facebook page where it was first published as <i>Longhand or Computer?</i><br />
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-79224684172607878752018-02-23T13:54:00.001-08:002018-05-28T07:36:25.043-07:00Thank You Neil Diamond<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">I'm moving this blog to the <a href="https://phxpublishingandbookpromotion.wordpress.com/2018/02/24/musical-inspirations/">Phoenix Publishing and Book Marketing</a> Facebook page where it was first published.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Just so you know, however, Neil Diamond has been my heartthrob for 50 years. My heart is sad to hear he has retired from touring because of his Parkinson's disease. You will always be my <i>heartlight</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">Thank you, Neil Diamond, for singing to me from my vinyl records, 8 tracks, cassette tapes, CD's, and iPhones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">So good, so good, so good...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><br /></span>
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Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-11568737950074935792017-05-30T17:55:00.002-07:002017-05-30T17:55:49.988-07:00Snippets From the Boardwalk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHmgXRuzq8M2M4KtrDDVYTCUn86ueS8kezUGhlidBqdBBMyeLOWNTsrsYYFa1agr16vWKXcnGXlJjW8HX52keod6wItM61aQ5EjneHCS04Cp9cuNZwLG7LT0EBmMKA9U4DCIlfNmask1T/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHmgXRuzq8M2M4KtrDDVYTCUn86ueS8kezUGhlidBqdBBMyeLOWNTsrsYYFa1agr16vWKXcnGXlJjW8HX52keod6wItM61aQ5EjneHCS04Cp9cuNZwLG7LT0EBmMKA9U4DCIlfNmask1T/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The sisters are restless and feel compelled to spread their wings in search of fresh salty air, cool sand, and freedom from worries and never-ending chores. They set their sights on San Diego where a magical place called "The Cozy Condo" beckons. Most fly; some drive, until finally they settle into their cozy nests for the weekend. Not one, but two Cozy Condos face the sparkling water and warm sun of Mission Bay. But wait . . . an unexpected turn of events happens. Their desire for an uninterrupted respite includes extracting snippets of conversations exchanged between walkers, joggers. bikers, skateboarders, segwayers, men, women, children, dogs, and . . . undetermined.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b>"The older ones never want to participate anymore."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b>"This is why I worry."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b>"So I got that recipe for banana bread from Jan."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><b>"And, they're all on my Apple plan, so I have to call."</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The view from the Cozy Condo takes their breath away. The sailboats dancing on the water, the moon rising over the horizon, the precision rowing teams, the bustling Boardwalk, and . . . the guys! The guys with their tans. The guys with their muscles. The guys with their hairy bodies and bold tattoos.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Howdy."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I've never been with a little guy."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I'd rather have a butch than a mustache."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"It fell out of his pocket when he was taking a dump."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of our sisters spouted her own <b><i>snippet</i></b>, projecting the internal turmoil of her frustrated self.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"That big guy is so big; I wonder what else is big."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ah, the Boardwalk. It springs to life at dawn when the fog rolls over its sand-dusted pathway for the energetic joggers who rise to satisfy their compulsions, and finally succumbs to the drunken stumblers who weave back and forth, grabbing walls to steady themselves and be their guide back to their lairs.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I'm wearing electric underwear."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I totally wasn't sleeping in my room."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"He lives in the bottom of the house, and, like, it's all moldy and stuff."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The beloved sisters keep themselves fit. They walk, they laugh, they exercise their arm muscles (glass to mouth, down, repeat). The young chicks dancing down the Boardwalk gaze with envious eyes towards the loveliness sitting on the Cozy Porch at the Cozy Condo. Occasionally a gorgeous swan with a purchased body saunters by, but her vanity will soon bite her in the butt when Mother Gravity claims her prize.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"It was a white dress with a boob job."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"That's a lot of estrogen."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"That feel good?"</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Well, you can just get bent."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Crafty. The ingenious sisters are crafty. They envision creations of beautiful bangles crafted from discarded earrings, so they spread out their tools, their sparkly baubles, and their imaginations to produce bracelets that rival Tiffany, or Cartier, or . . . Zales's.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"She has this special thing for it."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"That's not a skull."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"You've gone too far."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I call it bongo head."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Laughter resounds to condos all around the bay. Laughter returns from residents who wish they could join the sisters' festivities. "Nickel, Nickel" echoes across the ocean as the winner slaps her cards down on the table. Skill, persistence, luck of the draw, and ability to count points entertain the sisters for hours.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I can't do it like normal people."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"He wasn't on his med's."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Yeah, if you have books around."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Gambling's illegal."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Every moment embraces celebratory activities: an excursion to Ralph's, the local grocery market; admiration of seaweed; the discovery of seashells; the purchase of a new dress; petting Harper, the resident dog. But the most important celebration of all is Jalie's birthday. (Her name is really Julie, but the cake decorator misspelled her name) Happy Birthday, Jalie.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I don't like you; the rest of you are great."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I don't know why, it sounded like a bad idea to him."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"A revised scavenger hunt."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The lovely sisters keep themselves busy. They drink water; they dine on gourmet food; they drink coffee; they shop at Ralph's; they drink tea; they strengthen the economy shopping for souvenirs; they drink red wine; they walk to breakfast, snapping photos of flowers & wall murals & gates & condos; they drink white wine; they walk the beach looking for sand dollars; they drink RumChada; they snack on aged cheese & artichoke dip; they drink bourbon; they watch award-winning movies; they drink. This leads to all kinds of folly. "Let's utilize these paddles we found in our Cozy Condo," they say. "Let's rank the Boardwalkers with 10s or 8s," they say. The prepare the paddles and sprinkle their Bloody Marry's with pepper. The view is perfect on the Cozy Porch of the Cozy Condo early Sunday morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Ah, I see it's happy hour now."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Tequila shots - ordered on a platter."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I'd rather be drinking with you guys."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"If it's not executed right, I'm going to head butt your privates."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Boardwalkers observe the Finish Line from both directions and accept the challenge. To earn their 10s, they run to victory over the chalky mark. The paddles showing 8s quickly change to 10s along with cheers of encouragement when the male and female finally hold hands after cajoling and hissing emit from the Cozy Porch.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"That's the final judgment on the left."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Why don't you just stop?"</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"I've heard all this before."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"Rugby - pleasure without protection."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then it
happens . . . tragedy strikes. A skinned elbow. A bloodied knee. A dead body chalk
outline. Just as the girls cross the Finish Line on their bicycles, one of them
is so flattered by the cheers and praise originating from the Cozy Porch, she
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water.” “Grab that washcloth.” “Bring paper towels.” “I’ll get your bike.”
“Would you like a shot?” The injured girl nodded. “Vodka,” she murmured. Like a
trooper, the cyclist mounted up and rode off into the sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The young ones know. They admire the matriarchs sitting on the Cozy Porch of the Cozy Condo. The Nanas and Grandmas and Grammys and fur-baby Grannies are all envied for their wisdom and skill in encouraging hand holding and high fiving.</div>
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<b><i>"You still doing that?"</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"One day, baby, one day."</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b><i>"We have to go all around there."</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Wear solids,”
she advised. “White or khaki, and ocean blues,” she instructed. The sisters bring
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The sisters report two more <b><i>snippets</i></b>, probably uttered by someone of the male persuasion:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The sisters
clean and secure the Cozy Condos on Mission Bay in San Diego and wave fond
farewell to the call of the ocean and breath of sea air. Just like the little
Sandpipers, the sisters will remember strolling along the beach searching for
tiny urchins, chasing the scattered seaweed, and running from the encroaching
ocean foam. Their footprints in the sand will be washed away, until they again
return to worship the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-22928614752055374012017-03-31T13:53:00.001-07:002017-03-31T13:53:10.360-07:00Searching for Panera Bread <br />
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<br />
I'm giving up Panera Bread for Lent. Or is it Paradise Bakery? No, it's Panera Bread . . . maybe Paradise Bakery. They seem to be on every corner in the city, but I can't seem to find the right one. I like their squash soup, so I suggested meeting my friend, Martha, at Panera Bread at Arrowhead for lunch. I was running late because I had to take Larry to the vet, so I called her. "No problem." I turned into a shopping center next to Sweet Tomatoes, but didn't see Panera Bread. After checking Maps on my phone, I discovered there are two Panera Breads/Paradise Bakery's within a mile of each other. I called Martha again, "Is it on Bell east or west of 75th Ave." "East," she responded. I turned around and headed east - back from whence I came. No Panera Bread. Google maps on my phone pinned it as west of 75th Ave. - right next door to Sweet Tomatoes! Finally finding the correct Panera Bread, I discovered squash soup is a seasonal item - so I had to settle for chicken noodle. The whole episode reminded me of one of my frustrating dreams where I'm running in slow motion and going nowhere.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to Friday. I had made arrangements to meet Patience to pick up some books. She suggested we meet after work at - wait for it - Panera Bread. This one is located 30 miles from my house, where I will have to travel on 2 urban expressways, in rush hour traffic! Driving a freeway between 3:30 and 6:00 in Phoenix can be compared to riding a malfunctioning roller coaster at Six Flags. I thought I left in plenty of time - my phone said the drive would be 45 minutes. Not in a million years! Edging in line to turn into the shopping center took 20 minutes. Happy Hour Haven during March Madness is not someplace where you want to search for a Panera Bread on a Friday at dusk.<br />
<br />
Then there was my critique group who agreed to meet at Panera Bread on Scottsdale Road just south of the 101 on Sunday afternoon. I was just leaving my house when Joanne called, "That particular Panera Bread has been closed." (It must have been a Paradise Bakery.) At the same time, my phone buzzed with a call from Rita, "Joanne must have meant the Panera Bread on Tatum and Shea." I responded, "There's one at Tatum and the 101." Phone buzz, "Let's meet at the one on Raintree. I already called Rita." I found the one on Raintree, but Rita was driving around Tatum and the 101 looking for the Panera Bread - or is it Paradise Bakery? I found Joanne in the parking lot of the Panera Bread on Raintree, so we called Rita. She was not happy, but said she would drive over to meet us. Visions of the Keystone Cops danced in my head.<br />
<br />
Monday morning I had made arrangements to meet for coffee with Beth at - you guessed it - Panera Bread. "Which one?" "The one on the northeast corner of Tatum and Shea." My brain recorded Tatum and Cactus. I drove to the designated corner, but no Panera Bread. She must have meant southwest corner. Nope, no Panera Bread there. I could see one being built on the northwest corner, but it was not open yet. Out comes the phone, and I see a pin for Paradise Bakery inside the mall - that must be the one. I parked my car and headed in the mall, marching in step with the morning mall walkers. It was way on the other side of the mall, so I got my walk in for the day. No Beth. The only way I communicate with her is through messenger on Facebook. Pitiful, huh. So I pulled out my phone - and low and behold I discovered my note about the Panera Bread at Tatum and Shea. I messaged her, apologizing, and said I was on my way. I was certain she was sitting at a table scrolling through Facebook waiting for me. I got to Panera Bread at Tatum and Shea - and after sweeping through the seating areas - I didn't see Beth anywhere. She must have gotten tired of waiting for me. Hungry after my journey, I ordered some comfort food and settled at a table outside to calm down. As I was drinking my coffee, Beth walked up. She had forgotten about our meeting and came after she saw my Facebook message.<br />
<br />
So, no more Panera Bread for me . . . or until October when I can enjoy some squash soup!<br />
<br />
<br />A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-55426496004141198712016-12-05T20:15:00.004-08:002016-12-05T20:15:38.725-08:00The Christmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I stand in the center of a grove, surrounded by towering
beauty. I look around me, admiring the perfect arms of the ones closest to me. I
envy the symmetrical way their boughs stretch out at the bottom and gracefully
taper to a point at the top. I am shorter than the rest and am jealous of the
way they stretch towards the sky, tickling the puffy clouds floating by.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The soft breezes bring crisp air, and I know the best time
of the year is quickly approaching. Soon white tufts of cotton will fall from
the heavens and settle on my branches, making me proud to wear a dusting of
soft snow. Dressed in a coat of white makes me feel just as pretty as the giants
standing next to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is the time of year when packs of families come to choose
their favorite to take home and dress up in necklaces of silver tinsel and
earrings of red and green. I have always wondered what it would be like to shine
in a window with ribbons and bows tucked beneath my skirt. But for the past
five years, I have never been chosen. In those five years, I never seem to grow
an inch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here come the children, dressed in padded clothing and black
boots. They squeal while their golden-haired dog sniff my trunk. Maybe this will
be the family who chooses me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This one is too short and too scrawny,” growls the man as
he shakes my branches.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The dog starts to dig a hole around my base. “I think it’s
infested with bugs,” cries the child as he pulls the dog’s leash.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Here’s the best one!” announces the teenager, pointing to the
neighbor on my right.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They fell my giant friend and carry him through the forest, high
on their shoulders, to their car. My spine slumps a little further, and my arms
droop to the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the veil of night shades the sun, the weekend ends its
storm of activity. Several of my friends have been chosen, but I remain, a
little shorter, a little more crooked, one of my boughs chopped off by a
careless hatchet. I start to weep as the rain washes away my white cloak.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The morning sun shines a little brighter because the farm
appears a little thinner. The warmth fails to lighten my spirits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I observe a little girl and her parents off in the distance
slowly making their way in my direction. I try to stand taller, but my crooked back
pulls my crown forward. When they reach my tuft of land, I study the little
girl. Her crutches wrap around her elbows and stretch to the ground. Her feet
turn together toe to toe. She slumps forward as she braces herself firmly in
front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I want this one!” she announces, pointing at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But it’s smaller than the rest and it doesn’t stand
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“It’s just like me,” the little girl observes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then this is the one we shall choose,” states her father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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They gently release me from my forest home and wrap me in
twine. The ride on top of the car is both exhilarating and scary. They give me
warm water to drink and display me in their living room in front of the picture
window, just as I have always imagined. They dress me in silver and gold shiny bobbles;
drape me in a red feathery boa, and string blinking lights around my arms. They
hang the heavier ornaments on my backside so I stand a little taller. They hang
larger ornaments on my side to hide my missing bough. The father lifts the
little girl up so she can crown my head with a star. I smile at my reflection
in the window. I have never felt more beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will miss my friends at the Christmas Tree Farm, but I
know that I was planted with the ultimate goal of some day glowing in a
family’s home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-4063966363831198552016-09-05T07:20:00.001-07:002016-09-05T07:25:24.298-07:00"Love Lost and Found" - a short story<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_kqp6YYLHNgjFk-erVhwXb35wwf1hvZUO5wuUF7PXDOC58O6Y1NfRAtUz_bl1FR9SYeAgDv_zkCIJiFvTgA3Un-k8XbPJCAB2h7WhAVItu13Biup2XR1kcyVbQbBKo96Id57fhiK099b/s1600/DL+Beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_kqp6YYLHNgjFk-erVhwXb35wwf1hvZUO5wuUF7PXDOC58O6Y1NfRAtUz_bl1FR9SYeAgDv_zkCIJiFvTgA3Un-k8XbPJCAB2h7WhAVItu13Biup2XR1kcyVbQbBKo96Id57fhiK099b/s320/DL+Beach.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Maggie
sits on a blue and green beach towel spread over the grainy sand. The lake
glistens like a turquoise gem as water and beach worshipers enjoy the warm
weather. The small Minnesota resort town of 6,000 swells to almost 9,000 in the
summer with vacationing sunbirds, roaming teenagers, and drunken college
students. Summertime in lake country starts Memorial Day weekend when docks are
rolled into the water and ends Labor Day when boats are winterized.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
muscular young man paddleboards with his faithful black Lab braced for action
at his feet. Maggie had seen him lifting weights at the community center when
she attends Zumba class. She envies his four-legged devoted companion, knowing
they must depend on each other for love and devotion. She fingers the gold
heart necklace she’s worn for many years as a reminder of a love she had once found
long ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Off
in the distance, a young couple bounces on a wave runner that glides through
the water, kicking up a spray of angel wings behind them. Maggie stares at the driver
and swears it is her old boyfriend, Matt. Wet from the lake water, his black
curly hair glistens in the sunlight, and his smile spreads across teeth too
large for his mouth. The couple wave to a passing speedboat. Yes, she is certain
it’s Matt. The girl straddling the wave runner behind him, her arms around his
waist, looks familiar also.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pontoons
blaring with music and crowded with families drinking sodas and beer cruise the
shore. A lone fisherman tosses his line off the pier in hopes of bringing home
some Sunnies for dinner. Closer to her blanket, three young children run into
the water, splash and scream, then run out of the water, only to repeat the
process over and over again. Maggie rubs the back of the sleeping baby lying
next to her on the blanket. She wonders if Gracie will love the sun and water
as much as the squealing children on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thinking
back over the first three months of Gracie’s life, Maggie couldn’t help but
smile. She did it. She escaped the insecurities occupying the dark crevasses of
her mind that resulted in three bad relationships with men she thought she
loved. Maggie shutters at the memories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
~<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nick
was her first love and live in. The attraction sparked when she started working
at the pub on the beach. She had felt his black pearl eyes following her around
as she waited on tables. He introduced himself, and after a few weeks of
spending every moment together, they decided to share the rent on a small beach
cabin. She suffered through his dominating personality and control over her
every action. The fighting and temper tantrums resulted in his fist nearly
missing her cheekbone and thrusting through the living room wall. The potential
for physical abuse woke her up, so she moved out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eric
entered her life as a dark raven trying to escape a protective upbringing by his
psychotic mother. Maggie was attracted to and loved his barbaric sense of humor
and morbid view on everything from cemeteries to serial killers. When his put
downs and insults eventually weakened her self-esteem to suicidal thoughts, she
finally freed herself from his talons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Matt
was closest to becoming her ‘til-death-do-us-part partner. Dull moments were
non-existent while dating Matt. They waterskied after making love on a beach
surrounded by cattails; they rode bicycles on gravel through a wildlife
preserve; they hunted ducks at 6:00 in the morning after staying up all night
watching the stars shift across the sky. Matt’s wanderlust turned into wander
lusting after any pretty girl who walked across his path. Maggie had caught him
kissing the redheaded bank teller behind the pavilion when she thought he was
working the nightshift. She wondered how many other girls he had pledged his
love with a gold heart necklace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lonely
and lost, Maggie focused on her job at the pub. Driven, she worked her way up
from being a waitress to bartending. The tips increased proportionally to how
many times she batted her eyelashes. The flirting worked to put extra money in
her purse, but the drunken bikers soon discovered she was as cold as the frozen
lake in winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
the bartender in the most popular pub on the beach, Maggie saved enough money
to become a partner when the other partner left to open a restaurant in The Cities.
She enjoyed the rowdy excitement of summer in the bar when daylight hung around
until 10:00 at night; she craved the attention when she wore her long strapless
sun dresses to work; she even loved the long cold winters when cross country
skiers hurried in for a hot buttered rum.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maggie
convinced herself she was happy and had everything she ever desired. But she wasn’t,
and she didn’t. The pit of her stomach ached when she walked through the door
to her silent living room each night after listening to the loud music and
clucking laughter at the pub all day. She loved and lost three very different
men in her life, and she convinced herself that no one would control or
influence her ever again, except herself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
pub consumed all of Maggie’s time, and she eventually tired of the late nights
and smoky tavern. She had accumulated a decent savings account from tips and profit
sharing from the business, so she pondered the idea of adopting a baby. She
knew she had the money to support another little human being, she just wasn’t
sure of the life-long commitment it required. But down deep inside she longed
for love again; unconditional love with no strings attached. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
a quiet afternoon in the middle of the week, while she was waiting on tables at
the pub, she overheard a conversation between two young women. Two words stabbed
her in the heart, “abortion” and “adoption.” They rolled around in her head that
night, “abortion,” “adoption.” If only she knew these two women, she would
console them, stating that she would adopt the baby; she could love her baby.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
small resort town didn’t have an adoption agency, but she inquired at the
hospital about a potential adoption. She ensured her desires of adopting a baby
were known there and around town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
connecting with the proper agencies, Maggie was approved to adopt, and she
prepared herself for motherhood. It was an open adoption so she met and spent
time with the single young lady, Jill, who accepted Maggie as the nurturing
mother of her child. They became friends. Jill never shared with her the name
of the father, but assured her that he had signed a waiver releasing himself of
his fatherly rights. When Gracie entered the world, Maggie’s life changed. At
last she had found someone she could love unconditionally, and someone who
would love her in return.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
~<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gracie’s
cries startle Maggie back to the present. While consoling the baby she hears a violent
explosion and sees bright yellow flames flash at the dock. The sunbathers stand
up and stare. Children scream and cling to their mothers’ hands. A voice
yelled, “Oh my god . . . the wave runner . . . with the two riders . . . slammed
into the fuel pump at the marina!” Maggie couldn’t tell if the riders had
escaped the inferno by jumping off the watercraft, but her gut told her the
worst had happened. The horrific sounds of screams, yelling, crying, and finally
sirens all ring in her head as smoke billows around the water and boat slips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maggie
picks up Gracie and holds her close, grateful that they are safe on the beach.
The muscular man from the paddleboard hurries over to stand by Maggie, his
black Lab obedient by his side. He introduces himself as Adam, and his dog,
Dutch. They both feel helpless as the firemen work on extinguishing the fire.
The paramedics finally arrive and strap the couple to boards, their charred
bodies unrecognizable. The sirens start again as the ambulance speeds down Main
Street to the hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maggie
feels an uneasiness in her stomach even though she realizes how fortunate she
and Gracie are. The wave runner could have come up on the beach and injured many
people, including them. Her anxiety increases, so she excuses herself from
Adam, gathers up her towels and baby bag, straps Gracie in her stroller, and hikes
up the street to the hospital. She asks the front desk about the couple who had
just been admitted, and since the nurse couldn’t divulge any private
information, she simply reiterates the severity of the burns. Maggie feels
compelled to sit in the lobby and wait just in case she overhears any news.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
middle-aged couple rushes into the hospital, obviously distraught. Maggie studies
their faces as they approach the front desk and are quickly ushered down the
hall to emergency. As she watches them disappear, she searches her memory and
realizes they are Jill’s parents. She shakes her head in disbelief when she
remembers seeing their photograph sitting in the living room when she visited
Gracie’s birth mother. They are Gracie’s grandparents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
sliding doors open, and a trim woman with long black curly hair hurries to the
receptionist and announces who she is. Maggie knows this woman very well. She
is Matt’s mother. The receptionist guides her back to emergency. The hospital
doors open again, and the pastor from the church downtown enters the hospital.
He’s carrying a Bible in both hands near his heart. Saddened by what she just
witnessed, Maggie reaches for her gold heart necklace, but fingers her bare
neck instead. Her necklace is gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maggie
ties a bonnet over Gracie’s black hair sprouting with curls, secures her in the
stroller, and hurries outside, the humid air engulfing them. Adam and Dutch are
standing on the lawn outside the hospital, waiting for Maggie. Upset by the events
in the hospital waiting room, Maggie buries her head in his shoulder as
uncontrollable sobs shake her body. Adam says, “Let’s go get a cup of coffee.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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deck, Maggie feeds Gracie while she and Adam talk about their past. A
television catches their attention as the screen flickers inside the coffee
shop. The local news begins its broadcast by flashing two photos and headlines
that read, “Tragedy at the Lake.” An announcer states, “Matt Schultz and Jill
Pederson were killed today in a freak accident when they lost control of their
wave runner. It slammed into the fuel station on the marina. Burns covered 90%
of their bodies, and they were pronounced dead on arrival at St. Mary’s
Hospital.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still
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lovers . . . how his infidelities broke her heart . . . how she made the
decision to adopt Jill’s baby . . . how Jill and she became friends. Adam
listens with compassion; unable to express his concern and newfound desire for
this woman and her baby he just met on the beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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they push her in the stroller along the concrete path that borders the sand.
Workmen in orange vests are cleaning up the disaster at the marina. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dutch
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secures his leash, and walks back to the path to join Maggie and Gracie. Just
before he reaches the path, he stops, stoops down, and picks up a shiny object
from the sand. When he catches up to Maggie, he hands her his discovery,
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necklace. It would look great on you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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she tells her about her father, Matt. She also silently promises Gracie that
she will soon meet her grandparents.<o:p></o:p></div>
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searching for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-74128516977097284632016-07-13T14:55:00.000-07:002016-07-13T14:55:16.636-07:00Expiration Dates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6q3IG0i4LV5s1lH_-ZjtxWx4c8JFphBljD19_6Mas7NFzG3tc2B8WtMIFV9QRj7LsY1pXQ8VFgjLnqXoNCOEDcEVY8C6wB2XO3EHptep9kiz5hL29Itz9likcovJYlWQx9SgDKytkt3C/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6q3IG0i4LV5s1lH_-ZjtxWx4c8JFphBljD19_6Mas7NFzG3tc2B8WtMIFV9QRj7LsY1pXQ8VFgjLnqXoNCOEDcEVY8C6wB2XO3EHptep9kiz5hL29Itz9likcovJYlWQx9SgDKytkt3C/s200/IMG_0693.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hubby
bought a 38-ounce bottle of ketchup two summers ago when I wasn’t around to
supervise. The stamped expiration date is April 28, 2016, but it hasn’t turned
blue, and it smells okay, so I’m not going to waste it by throwing it away. The last time we bought
a gigantic bottle of ketchup was in 1992 when both kids lived at home and the
four of us smothered it on everything from eggs to calves liver (another story I might have written about in one of my blogs about dieting.).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My children
used to get a big chuckle out of rummaging through my refrigerator and pointing
out the jars and packages that had expired. At first I was embarrassed by their
mockery, but then I read an article about expiration dates being pointless.
Reference this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6V96bGLNLk"><span style="color: blue;">video</span></a> that explains why. Personally, I believe the expiration
date stamp is so food companies can sell more of their products. Instead of
worrying about the date stamped on the sweet pickles, I rely on a very dependable
source . . . my nose . . . and I have a pretty accurate sniffer. The nose
knows! As for my left overs not injected with preservatives, I secure them in
my 20-year old Tupperware and mark the date on a piece of masking tape. Okay,
so I’m a little OCD . . . I’m comfortable with that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are
other things that have expiration dates . . . here are just a few:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">High Heels<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wearing
high heels definitely expire after three hours. Any longer than that will
deaden the balls of your feet, and your ankles will tip over. When I was a
teller in a bank, I tortured my little doggies by wearing those plastic high
heels from Payless Shoes for eight hours . . . a ridiculously long time. I would slip them off periodically during the day, but then my swollen
feet would cry, and I’d end up walking to the car after work like I’d just
dumped in my pants. I’ve wised up in my old age and have replaced my high heels
with flip-flops to protect my attractive bunions the heels caused.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cocktail Parties<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
expiration date for a cocktail party is about two hours. I’m not one for small
talk, which lasts for about five minutes when you begin the conversation with
“Boy, it sure is hot.” I usually end up talking to Ms. Diarrhea Mouth and
getting trapped by the wall as I casually take small steps backwards away from
her. If I’m at a friend’s house, I can circulate for about one hour, and then
I’m in the kitchen cleaning up. Recently we’ve been what I call “running with the
big dogs.” Let me explain. Hubby is a terrific golfer, so all the guys want to
play with him in order to get some free tips. Golf attracts some pretty
influential people, and occasionally we are invited to small gatherings hosted
by the country club elite. The other night we went to an engagement party at
someone’s lake cabin. This “cabin” is about three times the size of our modest
home, and I’d have to take out a loan to buy the hand towels on display in
their “powder room.” After about one hour I tired of comments such as “I lunched
with an old friend in Paris last week, then flew to Morocco for a quick visit
with the king,” or “You’ll have to come by for a cruise on our new pontoon I
just ordered. It has leather seats and a wet bar.” They have no intention of
inviting Trailer Trash Trixie for a cruise on their Cadillac pontoon, so I mentally planned a
grocery list for my big visit to Central Market the next day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hair Color<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Six weeks
is the maximum expiration date to attack the roots, five weeks is optimal. I’ve
been coloring my hair for almost thirty years. I think my original color is somewhere
within a dark brown hue, but I have a hunch it’s pretty much all grey now.
Going to a stylist gets pretty expensive, but if I tried to color my own hair
I’d drip more brown on the dog than I would on my roots. Once the roots start
to show, it’s all over. The grey sprouting from my colic can be very subtle at
five weeks, but it becomes a neon sign on the 36<sup>th</sup> day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I only worry
about expiration dates when it involves my comfort, my ADD, or my vanity. Food?
Eh, not so much. That’s what my nose and Pepto Bismol are for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-1243955857720639462016-05-14T16:52:00.001-07:002016-05-14T16:52:18.090-07:00Burger Time<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp05sQ8FTeZlqKp-jdVJp2YDcKdD3YZKZh_z9DeQzCxcwOTwpeBYi90brNrKQiSPLJ1pcGHORA7PHd2kBxBRT8HfJGhVDRjHdixvA07wPlb4hN6lNM9M9XM60VbYDEa1jjQKPCYJ-26NL/s1600/free-hamburgers-clipart-free-clipart-graphics-images-and-photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp05sQ8FTeZlqKp-jdVJp2YDcKdD3YZKZh_z9DeQzCxcwOTwpeBYi90brNrKQiSPLJ1pcGHORA7PHd2kBxBRT8HfJGhVDRjHdixvA07wPlb4hN6lNM9M9XM60VbYDEa1jjQKPCYJ-26NL/s200/free-hamburgers-clipart-free-clipart-graphics-images-and-photos.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s been 10 years, since I ate at Burger King. Husband, however, gets a
hankering for a Whopper every once in awhile. This comes from a man who eats
chicken and fish seven days a week, won’t eat sausage, and has low-fat yogurt
every morning for breakfast. The last time he had a craving for Burger King, I passed. Today is a new day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We arrived
in Minnesota two days ago. My pantry is bare and I really need to go to the
grocery store (and state-run liquor barn), but we have one vehicle, a new
diesel truck. Hubby isn’t ready to turn the key fob over to wife just yet. I’ve
learned a long time ago to not mess with a man’s truck! Around 11:00 a.m. he
states that he wants to go to either Burger King or McDonalds for lunch, and he
actually asked if I wanted to go along. I considered this my way of entering
the vegetable aisle at Central Market, so I agreed, as long as we made a stop at
the grocery store. He agreed. He asked me which I preferred, Mickey D’s or
Booger Palace. Not wanting a flat, tasteless piece of cardboard, I chose the
King.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He ordered
the Whopper meal deal. Since this will probably be my last visit to BK for
another decade, I ordered the bacon burger with cheese, meal deal. It was
advertised as having A-1 sauce on it, which was the deciding factor. I went to
get my drink, squirt ketchup into five of those little tiny cups, and searched for a clean table. I always
have a mixed drink when I go to the fountain, half Diet Coke and half Cherry
Coke. The Cherry Coke adds a little flavor to the seltzer fizz that usually
comes out of the Diet Coke spout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I opened
the wrapper on my burger and the grease had already saturated the wax paper.
It’s a good thing I grabbed a handful of napkins (I usually take some home for
the dining room table) because I used every one of them. I found two 6-inch
diameter beef-by-product patties squeezed to a height of an eighth of an inch,
sliding between two minuscule buns. The bacon was barely warm and the processed
cheese square hung out one side. As I ate, I searched for the A-1 sauce, but
apparently the cook forgot that part of the deal. I kept eyeing husband’s
Whopper, wishing I hadn’t been such a pig and opted for the healthier lettuce, tomato,
and special sauce burger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I
watched the other patrons entering the restaurant, I could tell they ate at
Burger King a lot. At least I can still see my feet. Then I started to feel my
own belly expand and my stomach object to all the grease it was forced to
digest. My veins began to harden, and my legs buckled from the added dose of
cholesterol. Quick, give me a statin! I’ve always been a good girl, however,
and eaten everything on my plate, except the French fries. I couldn’t choke
down any more of those little twigs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
lunch, we drove by Central Market. It was packed! Cars were lined up down the
road to turn into the parking lot. The marquee was flashing, “Mega Meat Sale
Today Only.” No wonder. We are in carnivore country. Turning right, we headed
towards Wal-Mart where we knew we could get bread and milk without
having to fight the herds – well, almost. It is Wal-Mart, after all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With so
many delicious pubs around lake country where we live, we have a huge choice of
yummy grass-fed, all-beef hamburgers. And we can always wash them down with an ice-cold
beer. I love the hamburgers in these pubs, not the factory-made pressed meat of
a chain. No more Burger King for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Disclaimer,
just in case Burger King is reading this: Okay, I admit it, I really enjoyed my Burger King hamburger<span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-82573998706579776042016-05-09T19:25:00.001-07:002016-05-09T19:25:18.101-07:00Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQrTcBZZmQsft682Crks6QjJWed-OJptBFNekL1O1H4K_pA-CCKbDDXrzTUFNPR1TxTIc9HNvqwx-_qPoIQvDA5BKjzmwxGr_WJ-VNPrL1uUTa72YbKlBe-npbI2pdKJGaX_-JokY5Vap/s1600/Mom+with+birthday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQrTcBZZmQsft682Crks6QjJWed-OJptBFNekL1O1H4K_pA-CCKbDDXrzTUFNPR1TxTIc9HNvqwx-_qPoIQvDA5BKjzmwxGr_WJ-VNPrL1uUTa72YbKlBe-npbI2pdKJGaX_-JokY5Vap/s200/Mom+with+birthday+cake.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is
Mother’s Day. I am sitting in a truck with my husband driving through Utah on
our way to our summer home in Minnesota. It’s raining, and the Beatle’s song
“Just Another Day” is appropriately playing on the radio. You may be asking
yourself some questions: “Why are you traveling on Mother’s Day?” and “Why are
you driving through Utah to go from Arizona to Minnesota?” These are very good
questions, and husband believes he has very logical answers. Walleye season
opens on Mother’s Day weekend, and Bass season opens the weekend before
Memorial Day. Husband must have time to prepare the boat and get settled in the
house before the marathon fishing begins. To answer the next question, we drive
west, then north, to avoid tornado alley through Kansas and Nebraska. What do I
know, I’m just along for the ride, which pretty much sums up my married life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had a
wonderful mother. She was kind, always putting others before herself. She was
devout, bringing her children up in the church. She was smart, keeping up with
the bookwork and finances for her entrepreneurial husband. After reflecting on
the 20 years I spent in my mother’s house, a few stories come to mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Birthdays
were always a special occasion. It didn’t matter which family member’s birthday
we were celebrating, we would first go to a favorite restaurant and then come
back to the house for cake and ice cream using colorful plates and matching
napkins purchased from the Hallmark store. If it was a special birthday, like
turning 10, 13, or 16, she would host a party for my friends with a theme of my
choosing. One year I had all my friends over for a slumber party and we made
crazy hats to wear. I still have the goofy pictures of us sitting on the sofa
in the living room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One
afternoon when I was about 10 years old, I found a straight pin and decided to
scratch my name on the wooden footboard of my antique bed that my mother just
had refinished. I honestly don’t know why. Children don’t usually know the
reason why they do something. An idea pops into their heads, and they just do
it. That’s the first time I saw my mother really angry with me. She even
walloped my behind. Later, she felt bad that she had spanked me and sat down
with me to discuss what I had done. She analyzed that I had some special inner
need to claim something that truly belonged to me, so that’s why I branded my
bed with my name. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I was
home from college one weekend, I drove 50 miles to visit my boyfriend in
another city. I didn’t get home until almost midnight and of course, my mother
was still up waiting for me. Instead of getting mad at me, she got mad at my
boyfriend for allowing me to drive home so late. She never criticized me or made
me feel stupid. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sharing
special moments with my mother will always be imprinted in my mind. We sat at
the kitchen table drinking coffee with Half and Half and eating a warm sweet
roll smothered with melting butter. We’d make chocolate-covered marshmallows,
and she’d show me how to tell a soft ball from a hard ball by dropping the
chocolate on an ice cube. She wanted to try a cigarette one time when I was
home from college, so we sat in the family room and smoked one together. We
shopped for clothes together. We sat on the porch swing as she told me about her
childhood as a preacher’s kid. I could ask her anything and she would answer. She
attended all the plays I performed in and told me how much she enjoyed them.
She bragged to her friends about my good grades. She told me I was pretty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mother
would never ridicule me or make me feel stupid. She would walk beside me and
rejoice in my accomplishments. She would listen to me and valued my opinions. She
was not judgmental and respected all creeds and races. I treated my own
children the same way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I miss my
mother, and I will remember those special moments when I feel down and I’m just
“along for the ride.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-17206584750459213552016-05-02T07:11:00.000-07:002016-05-02T07:11:10.124-07:00Falling Down<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiCFyaqnObWYwGFFT79iAdknAxJD28nbqajX5tdSXcp_ezgS0MUYAmdc2y-yKu7RC5-AqgCyGy4q9m5WXmLTLcreIckBDsRFKPn1vyqSeasq8ZlSxAdPtLia5Vb851b6m9KHM2dG-tL8_/s1600/Hilarious-Photos-of-People-Falling-Down-by-Sandro-Giordano-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiCFyaqnObWYwGFFT79iAdknAxJD28nbqajX5tdSXcp_ezgS0MUYAmdc2y-yKu7RC5-AqgCyGy4q9m5WXmLTLcreIckBDsRFKPn1vyqSeasq8ZlSxAdPtLia5Vb851b6m9KHM2dG-tL8_/s200/Hilarious-Photos-of-People-Falling-Down-by-Sandro-Giordano-15.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have a
propensity to fall down - a lot! Lucky for me, I haven’t broken anything - yet!
I feel very fortunate that I still have all my bones and skull intact because
the more severe the injury is in direct proportion to the age of the person.
The following four missteps - pun intended - can be viewed as the most
humiliating.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first
falling down was a terribly embarrassing moment. It was a lovely day in Small
Town, Minnesota. Husband was playing golf, and I had the entire day to do just
as I pleased. I took myself to town, treated myself to lunch, and indulged my
womanly urge to go shopping. I left the local department store on Main Street
carrying a few packages, and I’m sure I was whistling a tune because all was at
peace with the world. Suddenly, the toe of my sandal caught on a crack in the
sidewalk, and I went flying, face down, onto the hard surface - shopping bags became
airborne. Other than the wind getting knocked out of me, I was fine, except for
the red gushing to my cheeks from embarrassment. I noticed out of the corner of
my eye, a car slowing down. The woman passenger was staring at me with a surprised
expression. I’m sure she was struggling with her inner “Minnesota Nice,” trying
to decide whether or not to stop to pick me up. With the look of a dog that had
just fallen off the sofa, I pushed myself up, picked up my bags, and continued
walking down the street with my head held high – and my eyes on the path in
front of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The next
falling down was simply due to stupidity. We were in North Carolina for a
NASCAR race. I was walking with my husband’s cousins back to a motel after
eating at a restaurant, and we decided to take a short cut through a field of
dried grass and dirt. I saw the wire fence. I observed that part of the wire
was lying on the ground in front of us. I watched as everyone stepped over the
wire. And I reminded myself to step over the wire too. My mind, however, did
not communicate these observations to my feet. I felt my ankle tangle in the
wire, and down I went. “I’m ok,” I confirmed to the cousins’ backs as they
continued walking. After freeing the wire from my foot, I stood up, brushed
dirt and weeds from my jeans, and hurried to catch up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The third
falling down involved alcohol. It’s a good thing, really, because there could
have been blood and a possible lawsuit. It was Super Bowl Sunday and we had
been invited over to a friend’s neighbor’s house. They both live on a hill
overlooking a golf course and lovely views of the colorful Arizona sunsets.
Their homes are just as lovely and upper class. We walked into a tile entryway,
and as with the more elegant homes, the entryway had a step down into the
living room. My feet automatically stepped down, one by one, without any effort
at all. My mind successfully communicated this endeavor to my lower
extremities. After a few glasses of wine, and socializing with the elite, the football
game was finally over and friends started to leave the party. When my party of
four decided to depart, my feet apparently did not recall the step down because
they did not mindfully step up. I stubbed my toe on the step and sprawled
spread eagle across the tile entryway. This was not only embarrassing; it was
humiliating to act like such a klutz in the company of the upper echelon. I’ve never
been back to that house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The final
falling down occurred a few months ago. My friend and I had just left an event
where we had imbibed in a few glasses of wine. I was completely lucid, but very
relaxed from drinking nature’s calming elixir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friend wanted to stop by her daughter’s house for a few minutes. I
had been in this house many times before. There is a large entryway, a step
down into an office off to the right, and a step down into the family room just
beyond that. We stepped down into the family room, I conveyed my pleasantries
to their sweet family, and patted their bouncy little yellow lab puppy. We had
a charming little chat; I inquired about the daughter’s health. We turned to
leave and my brain must have fallen asleep because I tripped on the step up
from the family room, rolled around with my feet flying in the air, and fell
down the step into the office. Sympathy from my friend burst forth in a belly
laugh, and the lovely family could barely contain their chuckles. Had the dog
not been ushered outside earlier, she would have come to my rescue with a big
slobbery kiss. It was certainly a good thing I had leggings on under my skirt
or my red face would not have been the only thing exposed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the
future, in order to protect my osteoporotic bones, I must either succumb to using
a walking stick, or give up drinking. I think I’ll check out those new canes at
the medical supply store.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-54610184275144388872016-04-25T19:31:00.000-07:002016-04-25T19:38:19.002-07:00Grocery Store Shopping Rant<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbz89_WNCiOv4qxfMXir3PzoIUoxERhgENGqkKhtZuxq93m-KqYIWpZMX2K3N5TH-PUZ8XluJVXMjwWaflAuVdlrerJ4thRySjPNjcGyQDC_zeU2rXaYIOwlv1H-tbQnDr3asB4H1tiLA/s1600/Shopping+Cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbz89_WNCiOv4qxfMXir3PzoIUoxERhgENGqkKhtZuxq93m-KqYIWpZMX2K3N5TH-PUZ8XluJVXMjwWaflAuVdlrerJ4thRySjPNjcGyQDC_zeU2rXaYIOwlv1H-tbQnDr3asB4H1tiLA/s200/Shopping+Cart.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I should
have known better! It’s my own fault! I went to the grocery store at 4:00 pm on
a weekday. I avoid grocery shopping at all costs on the weekends because of the
crazies who pretend to <o:p></o:p><br />
work during the week and need to purchase their food and
booze on the weekends; but you NEVER go grocery shopping at 4:00 pm on a Monday.
For one thing, school gets out at 3:30. That means all the mothers and their
two-year olds have just picked up little Johnny and Jane from school and
decided to stop at Safeway to pick up some greasy, chemical-infused food for
dinner. Or at the worst, those frozen fish sticks that have more breading than
meat. Quick and easy – that’s what we do nowadays.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me
describe for you the clientele at the market on a Monday afternoon at 4:00 pm.
There is the frazzled mother and her screaming two-year old along with the big
brother who just got out of school and wants nothing better to do than harass
the younger sibling. None of them wants to be in the store at that moment. The
toddler is vocalizing a high pitched alarm sound; the older brother is stashing a
variety of chips and candy bars in the mom’s cart because he is starving; and
the mother is daydreaming about dumping the kids at grandma’s house and going home to a glass of wine
and a hot bubble bath.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then there
is the after-work crowd. The women are teetering on their 4-inch heels, drinking a latte, tugging
at their miniskirts, and staring at their cell phones. What could be so
important now – multi-million dollar clients or plans for the next happy hour?
They definitely aren’t concentrating on buying the pre-packaged sushi or $4.99 roasted
whole chicken they’re standing in front of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And what
about the over 70 crowd? Where did you come from? Did you nap all day and wake
up to discover you are hungry? Or did the bridge game last all afternoon and
you forgot you didn’t have any ice cream for dessert in the freezer? Or did you
just leave from the 19<sup>th</sup> hole and decide you want to continue your
beer buzz with a fresh six-pack?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Every
grocery store should be equipped with courtesy signs, because the average grocery shopping Joe or Josephine doesn’t know what the word “courtesy” means. Here are some examples:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. Stop Signs: Consider the main walkway along the end caps
as a main thoroughfare. In other words, it is Main Street; or the drag; or Central.
If you are entering from one of the aisles, you yield, or stop, to let the
oncoming traffic through because they have the right of way! Common sense,
here, people! I was nearly run over, not once, but twice, by some bozo zooming
out into the intersection! “Oh, sorry! That’s the second time I’ve almost run
somebody over today.” Then pay attention, stop that fricken’ cart, and look
both ways!<o:p></o:p></div>
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2. Painted Yellow Lines: Imagine a painted yellow line down
the middle of every aisle. DO NOT go to the left of your line! If you need to
stop and study the canned vegetables, move your cart over to the shelves. Do
not park it in the middle, blocking everyone else from passing by. And pay
attention! If someone says, “Excuse me,” move you and your cart over. That is
the first in a courteous attempt to get by. If you are deaf or ignorant, the
second attempt will be the sound of a large cart collision and the crash of
canned peas falling to the floor, along with your fat ass.<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. Free Cookies: Do not go to the grocery store with a hungry
or cranky kid. Bribe him with a cookie. It would behoove the store to give out free cookies. They can be day-old cookies, just give them to the screaming kids! Give the kid some Cheerios to munch on
while you shop. Tell him if he keeps screaming like he's just been
attacked by a zombie, he will not get dessert after dinner, or to play his favorite
video game, or, heaven forbid, he will lose his cell phone for a week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. Free Beer: You and I both know there isn’t any free beer.
But it will distract men shoppers long enough for the women to finish cruising
up and down the aisles. Men will be too interested in the latest IPA’s.
However, men, I must give you some kudos! You seem to have read the memo on
proper grocery store shopping etiquette. In my observation, men are the most
considerate shoppers. They pull their carts close to the shelves when perusing the
dill pickles. They say ‘excuse me’ when they want to pass. And they usually
stay confined to the liquor section of the store. I don’t know if they are
threatened by a female-dominated activity; afraid of the PMS hormones emanating
around them; or they’re trying to score points with the cute blonde in deli.
But I say, “Here’s to men everywhere. I shall raise my glass of Jameson and let
you shop amongst all the Type A women wearing ball caps and yoga pants.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next week I shall go grocery shopping on Wednesday at 10:00
am. It’s triple Monopoly Day then anyway!<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-76647650528763855902016-04-21T08:01:00.000-07:002016-04-21T08:01:17.413-07:00Torture in the Chair<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sharp,
curved tool scraped the very roots of my existence until the tips of my
fingernails dug into the palms of my hands, bruising my skin and drawing blood.
She adjusted the light. More scraping . . .this time sending electricity down
my spine. A tube squirt moisture . . . ice cold water . . . onto the white
porcelain. I don’t know which hurt worse, the pointed metal on the roots or the
cold water spraying on the thin spires. Once again the light was adjusted to
illuminate the dark cavern so the torture could be continued. Squirt . . . suck
. . . scrape. Finally, the gritty, minty paste twirled around each element,
softly polishing the pearly surfaces. The pain minimized somewhat to a dull
ache; the whirring sound replaced the jerky scratching. Peace at last. My fists
released their tension, leaving imprints of my nails in the skin. She twisted
the light once more and inspected, searching for wayward bits not visible to
the eye. More cold water was sprayed, this time everywhere in the dark hole,
erasing the calm with a violent jolt. Another tube . . . close, suck . . . the
excess moisture was drawn forcefully out and down into the sewers below. The
light grew brighter. More inspection. She reached for the pointed metal again .
. . my silent voice screamed, “NO! NO MORE!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We must!
It’s not all gone! It must be done!” The sharp, curved tool scraped the very
roots of my existence; my soul lost the battle and died in the chair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Somewhere
in my DNA lives a gene that blessed me with receding gums. A birth mother, or donor
sperm, passed along a curse known as periodontal disease. I’ve had two gum grafting’s
over the last five months, the first one three days before Christmas. The
surgeries take two hours to complete, and six weeks each of chewing on one side
of my mouth, swishing with a teeth staining medicinal rinse. Having a mind of
its own, my tongue searched out the sutures and played tag with them during
every waking hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve tried
so hard to take care of my teeth. I floss, I brush with an electric Oral B, I
have a tiny brush for in between my teeth, I have a smaller brush for the
narrower openings, and I use Sensodyne. But there is always that dreaded tarter
buildup the hygienist has to scrape, and this means disturbing the roots with
that torturous metal pick. And the cold water spray . . . that can be worse
than scraping the tarter. I think I am the only person alive who has to zap in
the microwave such foods as fruit, pickles, salsa, and anything cold that normal
people can pop in their mouths and chew away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More
grafting is scheduled for October. More nasty staining mouth rinse. More yogurt
for breakfast, Ensure for lunch, and soup for dinner. And more teeth cleaning.
Just give me some drugs and let me sleep while she tortures me in the chair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-89825240745606662642015-11-05T06:25:00.001-08:002015-11-05T06:25:49.972-08:00Friends Who Help Us Grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtA2G9tfxqKPgy0VkfzD1iQMbmuBFDbDtglrNH4jgOYcJbvaaA-K3yVKEwvhuL7MpP_2tNMPgNri9MPi_sQHE63OwbpCL156v01smN82eLrnO90wogTBlD4VEXzpOHOcofB5MbY40UZFH/s1600/quote-close-friends-contribute-to-our-personal-growth-they-also-contribute-to-our-personal-judith-viorst-30-32-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtA2G9tfxqKPgy0VkfzD1iQMbmuBFDbDtglrNH4jgOYcJbvaaA-K3yVKEwvhuL7MpP_2tNMPgNri9MPi_sQHE63OwbpCL156v01smN82eLrnO90wogTBlD4VEXzpOHOcofB5MbY40UZFH/s320/quote-close-friends-contribute-to-our-personal-growth-they-also-contribute-to-our-personal-judith-viorst-30-32-68.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Relaxing on Adirondack chairs in the protected garden of my
brain sit a handful of friends who have contributed to my personal growth.
They don’t know this, of course, so they will remain anonymous. I believe
everyone we encounter teaches us a lesson. These lessons help us grow as they
multiply and spread to other gardens in life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Phillip - Tolerance<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was active in the theatre group in high school and part of
college. Phillip was a fellow actor and a friend. We acted in plays together,
painted sets together, and traveled together with other drama students in a
children’s theatre ensemble to elementary schools around the state. Phillip was
gay. No one was supposed to know that he was gay because, after all, this was
the 60’s…and that was just something no one talked about…but everyone knew, and
nobody really cared. Phillip was a terrific dancer, and I loved to dance. We
went to the Junior/Senior prom together, and made quite an impression with our
unique twists and twirls on the dance floor. I learned tolerance from Phillip,
and I learned to accept everyone no matter how they differed from me or from the
norm – whatever the norm is. Phillip made the music sound sweeter. And when I
think of Phillip sitting there in my mind’s garden, I have more tolerance for
other people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy – Supportive<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy has been my friend since junior high school. We did a
lot of crazy things together. She is the type of person who, after not seeing
each other for a long period of time, can pick up the conversation where we
left off without skipping a beat. The day after my mother died, I called Kathy
to come over to my mother’s house because I just couldn’t stay in that big
house by myself. She brought a bottle of wine, and we found a big fat cigar
that my cousin had left behind. We sat on the back porch, drank wine, shared
that cigar, and reminisced about all the craziness in our life growing up and
in that house. We stayed in touch. I sent her birthday cards
and Christmas cards, but for some reason she didn’t respond after awhile. I
haven’t heard from, nor have I contacted, Kathy in a long time. I think about
her often – every time I go to Albuquerque and whenever I see October 21st on
the calendar – her birthday. I just don’t have the courage to call – strange
isn’t it, since I’m using her as an example of being supportive. But there she
sits in my memory garden reminding me of the night she came over to support me
after my mother died, and I try to be supportive to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Emily – Ambitious, Gracious, Respectful<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emily held a respected and influential position at the state
department of education. When I first heard Emily speak at a conference, I
placed her high on a pedestal, much like the raised podium she spoke from. She
had earned her PhD, she visited teachers around the state, ensuring that they were
following the business and marketing curriculum, she was an excellent speaker, and
she organized and directed teacher workshops to help us hone our teaching
skills. She was untouchable, a queen . . . she was intimidating. I respected
her for all that she had accomplished and was accomplishing. When she became
the president of the state professional education association, I was elected treasurer. I was humbled. I wanted to do everything I could to please her.
I taught myself Quickbooks so I could keep the organization’s books in order. I
served on her committee to help organize the state conference. I busted my butt
to impress her. Then, years later, we became friends, and I discovered that she
was just a regular person, who had a dog. We actually played golf together,
drank wine together, and went to a casino together in Reno . . . yes, this
queen actually enjoyed playing craps. Here are the attributes I try to emulate
to this day: Ambitious. Emily is ambitious, working her way up to be one of the
top people at the department of education and earning her doctorate in mid life.
Gracious. Emily is very gracious, always giving little gifts of gratitude to me
and others if we have lunch together or gather at other ladies’ houses.
Respectful. Emily respects all people and has never talked about anyone behind
their backs. Emily is enjoying retirement in my little garden, and she sits
there to remind me to be ambitious, gracious, and respectful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary – Generous<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary is the most generous person I know. She will do
anything for you. She lavishes her grandchildren with wonderful gifts; she buys
her daughters beautiful clothes and jewelry; and offers to pays when her
friends cannot. When Mary came to visit me in MN last summer, she insisted on
buying our wine for the weekend. Mary enjoys her expensive wine. We opened one
that had turned to vinegar, so after Mary left, I took it back to the store for
a refund and mailed Mary a check for the wine. After getting several month’s
worth of bank statements without the check clearing, I asked her if she was
going to cash my check. She simply said no. She always is gracious in opening
up her house for friends and neighbors. One year after a Christmas party, and
the wine had been flowing, I found myself curled up on her living room sofa,
asleep. She was covering me up with a blanket. I asked her where my husband
was, and she told me he’d left. Mary insisted that I go into her back bedroom
to sleep until morning, and then call my husband to come pick me up. Mary
enjoys toasting me in my mind’s garden, reminding me to be generous to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorority – Unconditional Love and Acceptance<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing I’ve learned from joining the sisterhood of my
social sorority is everyone’s unconditional love and acceptance. We all have
different backgrounds and professions. We migrated from a variety of different
locations around the United States. But none of the ladies are judgmental or
catty. We share stories, we play cards, we support each other, we laugh until
our sides hurt. I can truly say that they have contributed to my personal
pleasure, making the music sound sweeter, the wine taste richer, and the laughter
ring louder because they are there. My garden is blooming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-46304932115850502702015-10-08T10:23:00.003-07:002015-10-08T10:23:38.732-07:00She Grew a Garden of Life<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She was barely visible to the eye<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum7KXI2_r7MlRJO-73jd3zOkgwhHK7Ryx5PmOpmCg5Rwj-14TlWXl9_UUHccFK_duovanS6DWVAWMIEmnCBW954kGU2n9gnXYr8xCAp7I4pMs9VMgRCD9bB_bAYzL8S_dn2tVPcQ1SYAv/s1600/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum7KXI2_r7MlRJO-73jd3zOkgwhHK7Ryx5PmOpmCg5Rwj-14TlWXl9_UUHccFK_duovanS6DWVAWMIEmnCBW954kGU2n9gnXYr8xCAp7I4pMs9VMgRCD9bB_bAYzL8S_dn2tVPcQ1SYAv/s200/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>Growing on the barren tree…a tiny
bud<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Protected tightly in green layers….a
sign of new life.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She was nurtured by the love of two<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
First loves of her life…ones who knew
her best<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Rain and sun…father and
mother…sustenance of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She burst forth into a blossom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Discovering another love…her mate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Wind and air…husband and
lover…breath of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She unfolded her petals to give
birth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Loving unconditionally the new
little bud<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Sunshine…a child…blossoming from
her love of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She spread her leaves beyond the
grove<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Forming friendships of sisterhood<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Wrapped with the sun’s
warmth…enhancing her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She lost her blooms…they fell to
the soil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Scattering her love across the garden<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
By the wind…nurturing other young
buds…full of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
She disappeared from sight<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Trailing after her a colorful aura<o:p></o:p></div>
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Beautiful flowers that had been
touched by her life.<o:p></o:p></div>
A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-55344809370264711242015-09-27T10:19:00.000-07:002015-09-27T10:23:04.906-07:00Autumn Memories<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe8it0h7KLjJ_ysk8nHudfr7P38UBdy2ZJyH0-5ygKoHUBzQoOvgJgQbQvM9eK9XD0ii764ebZM1n3Y6Jb-hDCCcSAZGLfkRx5H_EAye1AsG-E7kiZv4zKYugUKe3pP5QHa_iTUScyJQw/s1600/Farm+in+1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe8it0h7KLjJ_ysk8nHudfr7P38UBdy2ZJyH0-5ygKoHUBzQoOvgJgQbQvM9eK9XD0ii764ebZM1n3Y6Jb-hDCCcSAZGLfkRx5H_EAye1AsG-E7kiZv4zKYugUKe3pP5QHa_iTUScyJQw/s200/Farm+in+1952.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Autumn smells
tickle wonderful memories of my childhood. My mother, father, brother, and I
lived on a parcel of land near the Rio Grande in west Albuquerque. I know “down
by the river” conjures a specific image by those who enjoyed the comedy of Chris
Farley, rest his soul, but our cozy adobe, flat-roofed home was nestled under
huge cottonwood trees. We referred to it as “the farm,” even though it wasn’t really
a farm in the sense of boasting hundreds of acres of land. We had a stable with
two horses, a mare and her foil, several banty chickens, three white ducks, and
two Boxers - E, I, E, I, O. Two or three acres of alfalfa grew in our front
yard. After the alfalfa had been cut, the bales were stacked, creating a huge
haystack from which my brother, his friends, and I swung on a homemade tire and
rope swing tied to a huge cottonwood that protected the hay. I loved the smells
of the freshly harvested plant. The cottonwoods glowed with an aura of gorgeous
yellow-gold in autumn, and with the cooler weather came winds that blew the
leaves to the ground. In the 1950’s there were not many worries about air
pollution or smoke inhalation, so the valley residents raked and burned the dry
leaves. The aroma epitomizes Fall. Sounds also summon fond recollections of
Fall. The constant cawing of crows always predicted cooler weather, and their
calls remind me are of my early years on “the farm.”<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fast
forward 50 years to our summer home in Minnesota. As I walk around the lake, I
spy puffs of smoke along the shore where lake-home owners burn their fallen
leaves. The aroma brings back memories of Albuquerque along the Rio Grande. In
addition, the caws of the crows fill the air with noisy contentment. When we
first moved into our community, it was still under development, and I had a
nice view of the lake across the street beyond a vacant lot. I enjoyed my
coffee on the side porch every morning, listening to the Loons call and the
crows caw. One day while fixing my coffee, I heard a loud bang against the
window. I thought it was a hunter’s stray bullet at first and was afraid to
venture outside. My curiosity peaked, so I gingerly opened the door and walked
around the house. I noticed a crow pushing himself in circles on the ground in
our front yard. Oh my god, he flew into the window and now he’s injured. I ran
back into the house and called a neighbor to see if there was a bird refuge
anywhere close by where I could take him. In Phoenix I’ve taken sparrows and hummingbirds
to a nearby bird refuge in a shoe box after they have flown into the window,
stunning themselves. My neighbor didn’t know of any facility, and chalked me up
as a crazy city woman having a panic attack. I went back outside to inspect the
injured bird when one of the construction workers drove by in his truck. I
flagged him down and showed him the poor little dazed creature. Without saying
a word, he stomped on the crow’s head and flung his body over into the field
across the street. I gasped and clasped my hands to my face, tears welling up
in my eyes. He turned to me and laughed, “Obviously you didn’t grow up on a
farm. Crows are just scavengers, and I just put him out of his misery.” “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, Mister</i>,” I thought to myself, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I actually <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">did</b> grow up on a farm! I was just trying to save a little
creature’s life.</i>” After my emotional breakdown inside the house, I
researched <o:p></o:p><br />
crows on the Internet. I discovered that they are among the world’s
most intelligent animals and have </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpaVB2uLe4lP4UseMo_F_OCdRWHEdcmMbDW1Vxe1lGvrOVeCLhDUezC7qiEfQBPFVkHbh1NQlDU_OmxhJQiNCzAqT6MR0gitkS2Q8YXxixd_TzxjglJj4J-GtCgVZKWLMlyjXytYY3P90/s1600/7591black_crows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpaVB2uLe4lP4UseMo_F_OCdRWHEdcmMbDW1Vxe1lGvrOVeCLhDUezC7qiEfQBPFVkHbh1NQlDU_OmxhJQiNCzAqT6MR0gitkS2Q8YXxixd_TzxjglJj4J-GtCgVZKWLMlyjXytYY3P90/s200/7591black_crows.jpg" width="200" /></a>demonstrated the ability to distinguish
individual humans by recognizing facial features, and are able to transmit
information about bad humans. My only solace is to hope they will hunt this
construction worker down, hover over his head, and poop on his neck for the
rest of his life.<br />
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<o:p> </o:p> </div>
A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-55207580274584077252015-09-22T20:13:00.000-07:002015-09-22T20:13:13.799-07:00Practice for the Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi4EKa80rnCqYi3bWB7ol7BnlKBTB3oVoeT8UJUVQfJ0uXO2zm_SrXIUzqcCTzlesOiGBRi5DACjMDBruX5sTtX9kwfGP1UPko4qSIQTlhYlXmSfBWTzlZjXbJWZ40tzNWOcXsoyUFis4/s1600/blue-geese-flying1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi4EKa80rnCqYi3bWB7ol7BnlKBTB3oVoeT8UJUVQfJ0uXO2zm_SrXIUzqcCTzlesOiGBRi5DACjMDBruX5sTtX9kwfGP1UPko4qSIQTlhYlXmSfBWTzlZjXbJWZ40tzNWOcXsoyUFis4/s200/blue-geese-flying1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The birds and waterfowl are starting their migration South
for the winter. Geese are particularly noisy this time of year. One autumn
after visiting Minnesota for the summer, our campground was adjacent to a
cornfield. I was sitting in my lawn chair next to our trailer enjoying a cup of
Joe and the crisp fall air when I heard multiple squawking noises in the
distance. The sounds became louder and louder as I turned to look at the
cornfield. Over the top flew 20 or more birds, which, after careful scrutiny, I
determined to be geese. They flew in a wild manner - up and down - all over the
place. They obviously didn’t have a plan; they just were flying haphazardly
through the air and over the tassels on the corn. However, there was an air of
determination as they tried to stay together in a group, flying in the same
direction over the campground. I observed the same pattern with a variety of
honks every day for a week. Each day, the geese became a little better at
flying behind or next to one another, and harmonized a little better with their
song. Then one day I heard the honking, but it sounded more like a musical
instrument than random noise. Amazed, I watched the geese as they flew over the
cornfield and across the sky in a perfect V formation. They had perfected their
flight pattern, decided who would be the leader, and were ready for their journey
South.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Once husband and I decided to pack up our trailer and head
south to our home, it took four days to drive the 1,800 miles from Northern
Minnesota to the middle of Arizona. Husband played golf several days after our
arrival in Phoenix, and to his amazement, he watched as a gaggle of geese, in a
perfectly formed V, swoop down for a landing on the lake in the middle of the
golf course - home for the winter. I am certain it was the same group, who days
before, practiced for their long flight to warmth for the winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A View From My Windowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156455547320182698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1946041285833428902.post-67472966485857897122015-09-20T07:18:00.000-07:002015-09-20T07:18:00.905-07:00LAWN ART<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLusvoglgFSxieAcnbD71eWeuCLtHrDzv52jFmZwOW6KOD-ORuhPZG72IPDbh6mB3qezuQg72lwwq67FupTRMn3u7AenKguyGJCmQdVfMsvyOWqRtyPcrZqLFHIWTTbFQ5n5PCTm4T5WG/s1600/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLusvoglgFSxieAcnbD71eWeuCLtHrDzv52jFmZwOW6KOD-ORuhPZG72IPDbh6mB3qezuQg72lwwq67FupTRMn3u7AenKguyGJCmQdVfMsvyOWqRtyPcrZqLFHIWTTbFQ5n5PCTm4T5WG/s200/photo+%25287%2529.JPG" width="176" /></a></div>
Lawn art is
abundant here in the Midwest. Take for example this lovely toilet garden I
spotted next to someone’s mailbox. It takes on a whole different meaning of
potted plant, and I’m sure the postman is sure to enjoy a whiff of sweet aroma
as he deposits the letters and bills into the mailbox. Even though this picture
was taken in autumn, it’s certain that spring and summer flowers beautified the
white porcelain throne a few months prior. I would venture to make a few
suggestions for next year’s toilet flower seating. Perhaps Aster, Tulips, Sweet
Pea, Peony, or Poppy.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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On our
Sunday drives through the farmland we discover all kinds of lawn art adorning front
yards. Take for example a white metal bed, turned at a gentle angle so all who
drive by can admire the intricate ironwork and lovely array of colorful
flowers. I can hear Sven and Ingrid now, “Sven, now that Solveig has moved out,
vhat shall we do vit her bed?” “Vell, vhy don’t we put it in the front yard, doncha
know, Ingrid.” “That’s a vonderful idea, Sven. I can plant Daisy’s in it.” And
that’s how the white iron bed ended up in Sven and Ingrid’s front yard.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A house
recently was built not too far from us. I had to walk by several times to fully
realize what was sitting on their lawn. They created a lovely oval bedding area
for flowers; however, there was a smattering of items that took me a few walk
bys to figure out just what all was in there. I think it would have been too
suspicious had I started taking pictures or staring like a hungry vagrant.
First of all there is a mirror. Yes, a mirror sitting on a log table, about the
size of a chest of drawers. Maybe it is a chest of drawers. What better place
to put an old chest of drawers than in the front yard. It appears that the log
table is actually a planter, because flowers are protruding from the top – then
the mirror. I’m not understanding this. Is it a Norwegian custom to place a
mirror in your front yard? Is it kind of like burying a St. Joseph statue when
you want to sell your home? Perhaps the mirror is for the deer who want to
admire themselves before they go on a feeding frenzy with the Impatiens. The
other items in the “flowerbed” are a rusted pitchfork, a rusted metal wagon
wheel, and a small rusted cart. Perhaps they are trying to infuse more iron
into the soil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And yes,
deer love Impatiens. As soon as the last crackle of ice pushes away from shore,
the home owners run to Wal-Mart, K-Mart, nursery’s, and Menard’s to buy
colorful flowers for their planters, pots, gardens, and shepherd’s hooks. A
favorite are red or pink Impatiens. One morning last summer I walked out my front
door and said to myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What happened to
all my Impatiens?</i> All the blossoms were gone and there was nothing left but
the stems. Then I looked around the neighborhood and noticed everyone’s
Impatiens were chewed down to the first leaf. A hungry momma deer obviously was
showing her fawn around the community as they feasted on the little round
flowers. Everybody’s Impatiens disappeared overnight. The caravan of cars
headed out to Wal-Mart that afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps I
should take up this lawn art tradition. My house is filled with items I don’t
really have a use for anymore. The front yard is beckoning. The fishing net has
a hole it in – it would make a perfect trellis for a climbing vine. I have a
lamp without a shade – a unique bird feeder. My cooler’s lid doesn’t close
anymore – a receptacle for Geraniums. The possibilities are endless. I don’t
think our HOA would mind. After all, it’s art – on the lawn. (Get up, Art, it’s
time for dinner.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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