A Great Blog

3 great iPhotos

2011-12-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

DSC03841 Sierras near Donnor Pass, CA Nov. 2011

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Front yard of house with fall folliage in Nov.

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Curious Sasha looking at the Christmas tree. 1 1/2 years

December 21, 2011

Merry Christmas to all. It has been a great year for us and we look forward to another happy, healthy year.

We look forward to hearing from you and we send out very best to you and yours.

Ric and Jan(ice)

8 great iPhotos Seattle to home.

2011-10-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sasha driving her vehicle! 17months old.

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David's birthday party at Burien Elks. Seattle WA Oct. 7

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Grandmother and Sasha

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Seattle viaduct which is not closed forever.

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Mt. Ranier on a rather clear day,

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The whole world is hers!!

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Mt. lassen Oct. 15, 2011

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Just home and our first sunrise over our back yard in over 3 1/2 months.

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Oct. 29, 2011

We had a great time in Seattle and helped David celebrate his birthday as well as babysit with Sasha and play with her. She is much fun at this age. Everything is yeah but she shakes her head no if she doesn't want something.

We are looking forward to some short trips back whenever we can and the weather cooperates.

We finally made it home after a long time. It is always good to get home but good to leave again too.

We will be home more now until after June as our 17 year old granddaughter, Chelsey, will be living with us until she graduates from high school. She was in Hawaii for almost a year and a half and has now chosen to move back and finish school where she began 11 years ago. Her mom, Sharon, lives in Roseville(Sacramento area) now and it is a long commute here and back every day therefore we have the honor of having her with us. She will be playing basketball and then softball for the high school so we will get to see her games. As many of you know, she is a good basketball player but her favorite is softball. She is a left handed pitcher and is very good. She hopes to get a scholarship to college so she can continue there. I will send pictures as the ball season begins.

We have been busy here at home getting unpacked, laundry done, and the many little things we have to do when we return home.

Thanks to those who so faithfully drop us a line occasionally. I am once again purging my e mail list so if you care to stay on just let me know. It you have emailed us the past year I will leave your name on my list. Otherwise I will delete it. If I never hear I don't know that you receive this or even want it.

Take care all.

Love and the best to you all.

Mom and Dad, Grandmother and Granddaddy, Ric and Jan(ice)

8 great iPhotos

2011-10-28T16:38:00.001-07:00

Farm in Minnesota in Oct.

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Rest Area South Dakota

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South Dakota

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Deadwood Southwood, SD an old town famous for its outlaw days,

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Antelope in Montana

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Almost to Seattle.

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Oct. 28, 2011

Just a note with some pictures of the country between IN and WA. We spent an interesting night in Deadwood SD where many outlaws had hung out and were killed. It is an old town which is now a town of casinos and bars. It was a fun place to spend the night.

We had great weather crossing the country and a very pleasant trip across the USA.

More pictures are coming of our time in Seattle.

Peace

Ric and Jan(ice)

We saw

Important Message

2011-10-18T17:13:00.001-07:00

Subject: Let us all speak up!

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

"I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only
3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971…before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc.

Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land…all because of public pressure.

Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.

In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011
1. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.
Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Maybe it is time.

THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!!

If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, just delete. You are one of my 20+.. Please keep it going.

8 great iPhotos

2011-10-04T16:09:00.001-07:00

Ghyslain Bistro in Richmond IN.

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One of the home made pastries at Ghyslain Bistro.

Another one. World famous chocolatier makes these . Yummy

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Landscape in Richmond.

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Fall colors coming. Our house was just up the street. (Bottom left of picture}

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Corn field in Indiana. Saw many also in Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota.

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Mississippi with Davenport Iowa on left.

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Bettencourt Illinois on right.

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Oct. 4 Livingston MT

Just a note that I have more pictures that I will send tomorrow and write more also. So far our trip has been great. We left IN Saturday in 35 degree weather. Yesterday in Deadwood SD it was 92, Go figure. Car is running nicely and is so comfortable and quiet.

Take care. Hugs to all.

Mom and Dad, Grandmother and Granddaddy, Ric and Jan(ice)

6 great iPhotos

2011-09-23T12:18:00.001-07:00

September 23, 2011

Dear one and all,

We have now been here for 7 weeks and our time is rapidly coming to an end. We have had a great time and we have learned more about this part of the country. It is beautiful with its old houses, trees and different weather than we are used to. We have had quite a bit of rain in the last few weeks but we are told that they need it so that is good. It rained this morning and it was dark and cloudy. Now, 6 hours later it is sunny and bright which I understand is usual. So we just go with whatever.

Here at Bethany Seminary we have chapel almost weekly and we have attended most of them. I had not attended a chapel service since I was a student at University of LaVerne. They have been good and the president, Ruthann Johansen spoke at one. She is a very nice person and we met here right after we arrived. In fact, we attended a picnic in Glenn Miller Park early on of which she was in charge.

We are enjoying our new car and still can't believe how quiet it is. I keep waiting for Ric to start the motor but it is already on. Hybrids are nice!! It has so many things on it that are automatic you don't have to do too much except remember how to set it. Maybe with both of our minds we will make a whole one and will understand and remember. It is fun to play with the instrument panel and see what we still haven't discovered.

We are at the information desk at the seminary today probably for our last time. It has been a growing and interesting experience that has benefitted us in many ways.

We saw The Help several weeks ago and were impressed with it. I then ordered the book and we both read it. Earlier this week we went back and saw the movie again. We both got a lot more out of the movie the second time since we had seen it once, then read it and now understand things we did not the first time. There is just so much to it that reading helped to clarify even though the movie followed the book quite closely. There were parts that did not so much but they weren't terribly important. I have the book to loan but I already have a list!

We have been to Dayton several times. We have seen a couple (brothers) chiropractors several times. We have attended Unity of Dayton on several occasions, the Richmond Church of the Brethren and the Garden Park Unity in Cincinati, OH. We have kept busy when we had some time to do things.

There is a beautiful rose garden in Richmond started by volunteers many years ago. We stopped by one day and the only original volunteer was there working. He stopped what he was doing and fill us in on the history. He is 92 and still tending to the roses. I started to take pictures and my camera battery was dead so we have to return before we leave.

We have gone to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning several times and have gotten some delicious corn, peaches (not so good), squash, eggplant, and tomatoes. The people here are so friendly that it is easy to fit right in.

We will be leaving here next Saturday morning going to Seattle for a week and help David celebrate his birthday. Then we will help Sasha celebrate her year and a half birthday. She is growing up so quickly. After that we will return home for a while before we go to San Diego (Solano Beach) for a week in a timeshare. (Nov. 12-19)

So until we write again, stay safe, enjoy life and keep in touch

Hugs to each and every one,

Ric and Jan(ice), Mom and Dad, Grandmother and Granddaddy

Richmond IN old houses on Main St. across from Glenn Miller Park.

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Where we got our fresh spring drinking water. So good and always cold.

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Same fountain and creek that runs through the park.

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Another view of park.

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Another view with the creek cutting through.

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Statue in front of park by Main St.

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10 great iPhotos

2011-08-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

Our pool at second condo at Branson

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View from our condo

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Dixie Stampede Theater

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Hills and highway outside of Branson

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Going through St. Louis, MO

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Welcome to Indiana

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Downtown Richmond, IN

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Our new living room for 2 months

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Our humble abode

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August 13, 2011

Hi everybody,

We are settling in quite well. We had One guest when we arrived, a pastor, (Marilyn Lerch,) from PA and she was a great help. She comes several times a year so she knows her way around. She was giving a seminar and invited us to sit in one afternoon which was good. She had Don Miller as a guest speaker and he lives here and also was a professor at Bethany in the early 60's when some of you were here. Or perhaps you might know him from other positions he has held in the Church of the Brethren. Anyway, this class was for prospective ministers and Don gave them his back ground which we certainly enjoyed.

We attended the Richmond Church of the Brethren last Sunday and the same Don Miller was there and he played his clarinet. He is an accomplished musician and we certainly enjoyed it. Nancy Faust, whom some of you may know, played the piano for him and the service. It was a small group but it is summer. After church, Jenny (our boss) Don, Nancy, Ric and I went out to lunch and had a good meal and great conversation.

This week we had a mother and daughter here and a husband and wife-full house! LOL. It is fun to get to visit with them and find our their thoughts are about Richmond, Earlham College and Bethany Seminary. I already know I would like to keep in touch with them but it is not feasible to do that.

We have found the farmer's markets in town and we are enjoying the fresh corn, melons, and other fruit. The weather this past week was ideal and continues to be so. Almost feels like fall, Cool mornings and evenings and warm in daytime but not so humid. We live a couple of blocks from the store so it is an easy and nice walk. People here are very friendly and helpful. I found Curves right away and it is close and Ric found a place to work out too. So I drop him off on my way to curves and pick him up on my way home. After refreshing ourselves, we hit Starbucks and read the paper with our coffee. Life is good.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the movies and saw The Help. It was sad, funny and unfortunately true. It is set in Mississippi in the 60's and is about the black maids lives. I sure would recommend it. Being from California all my life it is hard for me to even imagine it though it happened in my lifetime. I hope the younger generation go see it to know what some of our culture is.

That is all about us and how are you?

Take care and we do appreciate hearing from you.

Greetings to all,

Mom and Dad aka Grandmother and Granddaddy, Ric and Jan(ice)

5 great iPhotos Greetings from Branson, MO

2011-07-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Arizona mountains where one of the fires occurred. The whole mountain in background is burned.

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Mountains in New Mexico

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Ric his 91 year old mom and 2 sisters

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Arkansas on way to Branson

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Arriving in Branson.

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July 28, 2011

Hi family and friends,

Once again we are eastward bound and in Branson on our way to Richmond Indiana. We are volunteering August and September at Bethany Seminary as hosts at Brethren House. We will be like house parents for short term students, visiting professors etc. I will know more when we arrive and get busy. We are both looking forward to a new adventure in volunteering. There is a chapel there with a very nice organ that I can practice and we can also attend any classes that we would choose,

We left home July 3 and spent that night and July 4 in Lancaster with our friends the Jeters. We had a fun indoor "picnic" July 4 as it was a little too hot to be outside. We had a good time but as usual it was too short to do any visiting.

We left there and wandered on to Flagstaff where it was cool because of the elevation. That was the end of our cool weather and it is still hot! We drove to Holbrook, AZ and went southeast through the mountains where there had been one of the big fires in May and June. We saw lots of fire damage and it went on for many miles. The road was closed during the fire and had only been reopened for about 3 weeks. The forests and mountains that were not burned were very pretty. It was a 2 lane road but very scenic and we had not gone that way before. We wound up in Deming NM for the night. The next day we traveled on to Ft. Stockton TX which was pretty much a day in the desert. We continued on to San Antonio which was our first long stop.

We went to San Antonio to help Ric's sister celebrate her 60th birthday, She told us last year that we had to be there so we made reservations at that time. It worked out as far as our volunteering in IN. Besides Ric needs to visit his mom who lives there and is almost 92. She still lives alone and drives to her "work" which is volunteering at a senior center and not too far from her home. She is in good health and walks daily.

We took a boat ride on the San Antonio River one evening which was 30 minutes long. It was beautiful and well worth it. It was part of the famous River Walk and was close enough to our hotel that we could walk. Again the heat was overpowering for me, at least. Ric does not mind it.

When we left there we came to Branson. We used two weeks of our timeshares and had/have nice places to stay. One was on the east side of town and one on the west which made it nice. The only disappointment was that none of the shows were the "real" performers. Most were paying tribute to the famous. I guess summer is not the best time to come here. We have been here before and it was much different but it was fall. Also some of the more famous are getting too old to perform or have died. Wonder how that happens? We were going to see the Russian comedian, Yakov who we have seen before and is really good, but when we went to get the tickets they told us that it is only produced by Yakov and he is not in the show. Country music is not our favorite either. At both resorts where we stayed, they had a 2 hour preview of some of the performers and so we saw a lot of what here. They were entertaining enough.

We attended Unity of the Hills church which we have attended before and it was good. Their sanctuary which is on a mountain is all windows in front and over looks Branson, Beautiful.

It is hot here and humid. Today we went to the Outlet Mall and when we got back in the car it was 121 degrees. It took a long time to cool the car off. It is only about 100 out, So we stay in a lot. We go out early in the morning to the gym and do whatever we have to do.

We will leave here Saturday morning for IN and hopefully it will be cooler there. (I am afraid it is not, however)

So that is what we have been doing. How about you? It it so nice to hear from so many of you. I keep in touch with some of you on Face Book but this is different.

Our best to you. Take care and enjoy life.

Ric and Jan

8 great iPhotos

2011-05-27T19:31:00.001-07:00

Sasha one year old

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TTTDSC03502Table at my brother Don's Memorial

Service April 30 2011 Many farm tools and things he used and valued.

Carl and me

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Sharon and me

me and mom2

Sasha 13 months old with lots of hair

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Reading my birthday card

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Can't get out!!

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May 27, 2011

Hi all,

This letter is long overdue but so much happened in April. We were in Seattle visiting son David, Angel and Sasha as she celebrated her first birthday. We got a phone call that my brother Don had gone to doctor for his pre op appointment for a knee replacement scheduled the end April. While visiting the doctor, they found clogged arteries and decided a bypass surgery was in order. Two days later he went through a four way bypass and aortic valve replacement which lasted 8 hours. He just never really woke up from the surgery and had strokes. He lived a couple of weeks and with his big family all around him he passed very gently and peacefully away. He had a blessed life and was doing yard work up until then. He had been active and as far as we knew he was healthy. It was a shock but also a blessing that he did not linger. We have so many great memories as he and wife Pauline traveled allover the world with us. We had many good times to look back on.

It was on his 85th birthday his celebration of life was held and just a few years ago the four of us celebrated his birthday in Stonehenge England. We were on our way to the southernmost tip of England to spend a week near Penzance.

We went on a transatlantic cruise also in April as it was planned way ahead of time. We did have a wonderful trip across the Atlantic and we stopped only once at Gibralter where we had been twice before with Don and Pauline. Brought back many memories. We had seen the monkeys before so chose not to this time. We continued on our journey to Rome and then flew back to Seattle from there. We were on the Azamara and it was a small ship and the best cruise we could remember. Food, service, prices, everything was first class

We returned to Live Oak towards the end of April for some busy times there. Our church, Church of the Brethren, celebrated its 100th anniversary in May. My grandfather was the founding elder so it has been a part of my family for that long. I played the organ for the 2 day celebration and saw many relatives and friends whom I had not seen for a long time. It was truly a wonderful week end.

We are now back in Seattle for a couple more weeks visiting before we return home and then head East via Texas first part of July. We have another busy summer planned with volunteering for 2 months. More about that later.

I trust this finds you in good health and enjoying life. Live every minute as if it were your last. We are well and healthy and just looking forward to whatever life brings us. We give gratitude in all,

Drop us a line as we always like hearing what is going on with you,

Love and hugs to you all,

Ric and Jan(ice)

5 great iPhotos

2011-03-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Almonds in full bloom near Chico, CA

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Ric and grandkids, Gabriel, Sarah and Carmella (ages 2, 3 1/2 and 5) Oregon

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Snow on way to WA

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Sasha, 10 1/2 months reading book upside down. It made no difference to her!

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Sasha and Grandmother in Seattle

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March 7, 2011

Hi to all,

We have been gone from Live Oak for 2 weeks now and have FINALLY gotten settled in the motorhome in Seattle. What a 2 weeks it has been!

The first week was good. We stopped in Oregon and visited family which was a real treat as usual and then came on up to Seattle. We had the motorhome in storage here over the long, cold winter, and it was not about to start when we were ready for it to. We spent 2 hours on a cold (23 degrees) morning waiting for the tow truck which finally came and towed it to Camping World where we had it serviced, bought new batteries and a few more less important things so it would run. Then we were told to have it towed to a transmission shop in Tacoma as it seemed the transmission might have some issues. We played the waiting game again but finally got it towed. While there we were told there was fire damage to the wires and few parts from the fire we had underneath the coach last Feb in N. CA. So we had to have that fixed. We finally drove it here to the Elks where we stay and hooked up to the water.

First thing was we had water pouring out the front door. So we shut off the water and finally found the filter was cracked which was under the sink. It was new before we stored the motorhome and it just froze. So thanks to a friend of David's who is a general contractor and his mother has a motorhome he takes care of, we were able it get that done. We turned on the water again and had another leak in the bathroom. So off the water went again and back came Bruce, David's friend the next morning. It was a cracked connector to a water line and we had to get that part and he fixed it. So we still have wet carpets which dry slowly in this rather wet weather but everything seems to be working as it should. I was ready to pack it all in and just go home. So disappointing not to have a place that is warm, dry and with water to live. What a long week that was.

In between times we had the pleasure to visit with David and Sasha. She is such a good happy baby and so much personality that she keeps us entertained all the time.

We plan to be here for a couple of months yet. We are going on a Transatlantic 13 day cruise April 4 with one port which is Gibraltor. Then on to Rome where we fly back to Seattle. We do like just being on the water. Our airfare is

paid as well as gratuities and we have a balcony so it was a good deal. It is a small ship, 694, which we like. The cruise line is Azamara which is owned by Celebrity. We are looking forward to it.

The weather has been typical Seattle weather. Lots of rain, some sun and then beautiful sunny days thrown in to make you glad you are here. It has been cold but days are not unbearable.

We hope this finds you all well and enjoying life as we are. It is just good to be here and back to a somewhat "normal" routine.

What have you been up to? It will be good to hear from you as you write. The Elks is supposed to get wi fi for their RV spaces today which will be a much appreciated service.

Take care.

Love and hugs to all,

Mom and Dad

Grandmother and Granddaddy,

Ric and Jan(ice)

6 great iPhotos Sasha 7 months

2010-12-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

Courtney and Shash

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In her daddy's old high chair

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Grandmother and Sasha

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Granddaddy and Sasha

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P1020243 Merry Christmas

2010-12-20T15:12:00.001-08:00

Our family taken at Thanksgiving. L-R bottom Brent Souza 12, (grandson) Carl Knorr son, Top L-R

Lito Starkweather, Sharon Souza, (daughter) Chelsey Souza 16, Courtney Souza 18, Brittney Souza 23, granddaughters, Ric and Jan, Angel holding Sasha 7 months(not enjoying looking at the sun, andf David Martinez (son). More pictures of Sasha to come.

December 20, 2010

Merry Christmas to all,

We were blessed to have taken a 14 day cruise to the Caribbean and just returned late last night so Christmas cards are not on the way! Our family was together for the first time in 3 years and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Having a baby around is always fun.

We did have a wonderful time on our trip with beautiful weather in the 80's and sometimes even hot! We came home to lots of rain but it is good to be home again. We had never been to the Caribbean so it was a new experience for us and a great Christmas gift. The people on the islands were most gracious and friendly. We visited St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, Aruba and Curcao.

We had a great year and plan another one next year. We are signed up to take a cruise through the Panama Canal in October 2011. It is our 40th anniversary in May so we are going to celebrate it late but properly. We have heard many good comments about the Panama Canal. We will anticipate it most of the year.

This brings our best to you all for a wondrous and blessed Christmas and happy, healthy year.

Ric and Jan(ice)

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8 great iPhotos

2010-10-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

View from our balcony on ninth floor.

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Another view from our balcony

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Going down the hill towards Salt Lake City

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Conference Center across from Temple Square

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LDS Temple

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Tabernacle

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Organ in Tabernacle

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Organ and pipes-some 40 of 11,600+.

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October 20, 2010

Hi,

We just returned from an organ recital at the Mormon Tabernacle. Wow!! Seeing that big organ, one of the largest in the world, was just great for me. Reminded of my days in college when I took pipe organ lessons. He even played one of the Bach Fugues I played in college. (Not my favorite)

We have had a great time here in Utah. The weather was excellent. Cold nights and warm days and lots of sunshine. Couldn't ask for anything better.

We plan to be home in Live Oak on Saturday eve for a short time and then we will be gone for a week to Oregon. Home again after that until after the first of the year.

Our best to you all,

Later.

Ric and Jan(ice)T

Snowbird, UT

2010-10-17T15:43:00.001-07:00

More fall colors

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Here are the yellows.

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7 great iPhotos

2010-10-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

Vail, CO view from our condo

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Vail Village-no cars and a neat, unique place to walk and shop

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covered bridge crossing the river into the village

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One of the streets in the village

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Still in the village and some of the fall colorw

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Another walking street

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On the way up the canyon to Snowbird, Utah. Vivid yellow and red foliage.

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October 17, 2010

Hi all,

We left Vail, CO Friday morning. We had a great time there and did a lot of walking. We were about a half mile from the village so we enjoyed walking down the hill to do more walking. Coming back up wasn't so great but the exercise was great. We had great weather so it was nice. The nights were cold and there was frost most mornings but days were nice and warm.

We arrived here at Snowbird, UT which is a ski resort. No snow thank goodness. Driving up the canyon we saw an array of colors which were magnificent. More pictures will follow. Our condo is on the 9th floor and we have a beautiful view of the mountains. We are about 8,000 ft. up which is about the same as Vail.

This morning we left early and went into Salt Lake City about 24 miles away. We went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir do their weekly radio show. It was their 2,421 broadcast. We were right up front and were there for the dress rehearsal at 8:30 AM and for the actual broadcast at 9:30. It was awesome. They also telecast it and watching the cameras was fascinating. We were close to the camera on a pole (whatever it is called) and it was out about 21 feet and he swung it all over. There were 2 more upstairs on either side and then several men with cameras on shoulders walked around while the choir was singing. The choir was soooooo good.

They now sing with a full orchestra which is second to none. The orchestra has its own concerts too. There is a new pipe organ with over 11,000 pipes, and 5 manuals (keyboards). They have a 30 minute organ concert daily and we plan to go back to one of them this week. What an inspiring morning. We left there and walked across the street to the Conference Center.

The Tabernacle holds 4,000 people and the conference center's auditorium holds 21,000. This is where they perform the Christmas show. Last year they had a request for a million tickets and only had 88,000 available. This year David Archuleta from America Idol will be performing at the Christmas show with the choir. We have always enjoyed seeing it on TV. The conference center is new. We were in SLC about 20 years ago and heard the choir but only with the organ, no orchestra. So things are changing and growing in Salt Lake City.

We left there and attended the Salt Lake Unity Church downtown. It was a great service. It was a very inspirational morning. One of the best on our trip.

That is what we have been up to. How about you?

Take care and thanks to those who have written.

Hugs and good health to you. Enjoy-life is good.

Mom, Dad, Grandmother and Granddaddy, Ric and Jan(ice)

3 great iPhotos

2010-10-03T14:24:00.001-07:00

The tree with the most color at the conference center.

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Ric shopping!

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Big garage sale.

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7 great iPhotos

2010-10-03T14:20:00.001-07:00

Typical town in Maryland with close houses, porches and chairs and very close to street.

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Gazebo where we attended concerts on Sunday evenings in August

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View from our apartment and across the street where the large warehouse is located.

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Zigler Hall which houses guests, the office and dining room. Walked this sidewalk many times each day.

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Old Main where we lived and houses 4 floors of guests.

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Front door of our apartment.

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October 3, 2010

Hi all,

I am writing this from Richmond, IN where we are spending the night. Tomorrow we will tour Bethany, the Church of the Brethren's seminary before we drive on to Illinois. It was somewhat of a dreary day today with some rain but never too hard. We did have quite a few cross winds, however. Today has been cold, our first one, and we had the heater on in the car all day. Seemed strange.

We left New Windsor yesterday morning after breakfast. We had a beautiful, warm, sunny traveling day. We drove to western PA. where we spent the night at Washington. We happened upon a couple of garage sales and had to stop. Ric does like them and I tag along. We had a little room left in the back of our car but we did not fill it. So we can make some more stops along the way. We happened to be on hwy. 40 which is a 2 lane road which lends itself to better sight seeing and opportunities to stop.

Before we left Maryland, we did get to see the movie, Eat, Pray, Love which was very picturesque. Having been to Italy it reminded us of some of the gorgeous scenery. We have not been to Tuscany and it really makes me want to go there. It was a good movie and I have the book at home which I now must read.

It feels good to be heading west. We are making a slow trip across so it will be relaxing and enjoyable.

We trust this finds you happy, healthy and living each day to the fullest.

Thanks for writing. We always appreciate hearing from you.

Love and hugs,

Mom and Dad

Ric and Jan(ice)

8 great iPhotos

2010-09-19T14:45:00.001-07:00

In front of visitor's center, Lancaster, PA Love the tree

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Amish farmer hauling corn

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Amish school in session

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Drying tobacco

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Amish farm-notice laundry on line drying

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Hauling bales of alfalfa

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Tobacco

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Tobacco

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September 19, 2010

Hi all,

A couple of weeks ago we took an overnight trip to Lancaster County, PA and here are just a few sights that we saw.

This was the first time that I saw any tobacco in the area. It might have been there but we had never seen it growing or drying in a barn.

We also saw another Amish schoolhouse with the children playing outside but I did not want to take their picture out of respect for them. They looked cute in their dresses and suits. It was fun just driving on the back roads and seeing the farms.

We went to Roots Market which is open only on Tuesdays and it covers many acres. It is a very big farmers market with mostly local grown fruit and vegetables. There are several large buildings with commercial items. Several meat type deli's and I had my first Lebanon bologna. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! Different from any bologna I have eaten. They also have auctions there, and even a large flea market. You name it, they have it. But it was fun to walk around and see everything. I was even able to buy Watkins Vanilla which I think is the best. (my mother's influence)

Last week on our days off we went to Fairfax, VA to see our chiropractor there. We have gone to him every year we have been here. We then spent the night at Andrews Air Force Base in the brand new Presidential Inn. It was very nice and looking out our window all we could see were trees and no cars. Hard to believe we were in the middle of a large metropolitan area. There was much road and building construction on base. In fact, there was a lot of road work being done all across the US. Stimulus money being well spent as far as we could tell.

We have only eleven more days here at New Windsor Conference Center and then our "work" will be finished for the time being. It is a good feeling to be a volunteer. We plan to leave on Oct. 1. We will slowly make our way across the US on interstate 70 and 50. We had some timeshare points we needed to use or lose by Oct. 31 so we are staying in Vail, CO a week and then in Snowbird, UT a week. We will be home by Oct. 23 or 24 for a few days and then we are going to Rockaway Beach, OR for a week. Another timeshare week we had to use. Then we will be home early Nov. for a while. At least through Christmas. Right now we just feel like being home for a while.

We left our motorhome in Seattle and at some point we have to get it back to CA.

We trust this finds you well and enjoying life. We are.

Thanks for your notes. It is ALWAYS good to hear from you.

Love and hugs to you all,

Mom and Dad

Ric and Jan(ice)

8 great iPhotos Sept 2010

2010-09-14T15:34:00.001-07:00

Great Falls National Park Potomac River, Virginia side

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this shows about a third of the picnic grounds in the park

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Maryland side of Great Falls

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Opening the gates by hand to the canal for the boat to go through

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Donkeys pulling the boat

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Maryland side of Potomac River

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Canoe going over rapids/falls

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Sept. 14, 2010

Hi,

I am very much behind with our pictures and adventures. Great Falls National Park was a great place to go and we did it in two days. We went to the Va side first and the next morning we went to the Maryland side. It is in the Wa DC area. The scenery was beautiful and we learned a lot about the Potomac River and the history of the canals. The river was too rocky in this area and since it was used for transportation, it was decided to put a canal on the VA side. The first canal even had locks but was used only 26 years, until 1826. George Washington was very involved in this. Va owned its side and MD owned its side but Maryland had the water rights. There was a document that was written at Mount Vernon concerning who had what rights and is used to this day when there are disputes about the river. Recently a case went to the supreme court and it was decided according to the document. It was actually written before the constitution.

In 1828, ground was broken for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal which was on the MD side of the canal just across from the other one. It had many locks with massive stonework and miles of canals, but before it was finished, the railroad took over transportation and the canal was never completed. We saw some of what was built and they now have a boat ride down the canal as is evidenced in the pictures. It finally closed in 1924. It ran 184 miles along the Potomac River and had put many to work for many years. It was a very interesting day to see how thing once were on the river.

That is all for now and I will send more pictures soon.

Our best to you and we enjoy your responses.

Ric and Jan(ice)

6 great iPhotos

2010-08-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

Columbus Ohio Capitol building

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Neat theater across from capitol

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Across from German restaurant where we ate in Germantown, Columbus

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Schmidt's Sausage Haus

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August 14, 2010

Hi all,

We spent our last nights on the road in Columbus, Ohio and have now been here in New Windsor, Md for 2 weeks. All in all it was a very pleasant trip, however, long. We did see some new places along which were interesting.

We are here working for the months of August and September. So far, we have not been as busy as usual. The economy has hit everywhere I think. Some days we are very busy and some days not. Today we are not and our busiest times are usually weekends,

Tonight we are invited to Ed and Brenda Palsgroves new condo. (I know some of you know them.) He is head of buildings and grounds here and has been for a long time. They lived here on the grounds until recently and moved a little further out in the country. So they are having a dessert open house tonight to which we have been invited. Sounds like fun and it will be nice to get away for a bit

They have needed rain here desperately this summer and we have had two doozy storms in two weeks. The one this Wednesday was a really scary one . So different from California storms. We heard the the weather warning on TV for several hours before it hit and then came the wind, rain, thunder and lightening. We ever had a tornado warning for this county, It lasted an hour or so and then was gone to the southeast and several hours later when the Ravens were playing the Panthers, it hit Baltimore, which is about 45 miles SE of here. You could see the stands begin to thin out as the storm hit! But the Ravens won!! It brought a lot of rain so the lawns and flowers are watered for a while. It has also cooled off since then. It was very hot and humid before the storm.

SERRV, a non profit organization which is housed here at the Center, has been having one of their big sales of the year. All goods were sold at 75% off so it has been fun to shop. Things are from 36 different countries all over the world. They have volunteers who come in daily from all over the east and have lunch in our dining hall,. This week we had 6 come and stay overnight in our building. It is interesting to meet people from all walks of life. Most of them are retired and just want to do something of service to others.

Take care and drop us a line when you can. It is great hearing from you.

Love and our best to you all.

Ric and Jan(ice)

7 great iPhotos

2010-07-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Waubay Lake, South Dakota

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Home in MN

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Farm in Wisconsin

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Theater in Normal. IL still in use

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Showing good movies

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One block past the theater in Normal

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Traffic going west just out of Indianapolis IN

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July 28, 2010

Hi,

We have gone through several states since my last letter. You can see some of the scenery we have enjoyed. There was more water in SD than I remembered from our earlier trips. We had our worst weather in SD also but did not really affect us much.

It was windy and rainy but only at night which is a good thing.

We have passed lots of corn fields, alfalfa, some soy beans, sunflowers, and probably other things too. The green rolling hills always intrigue me as well as the trees.

The old theater in Normal IL opened in 1937 and today is open and showing mostly classics and some foreign films. It was such an awesome place. If we had been there longer we would have had to go to the movies. I wouldn't mind seeing To Catch A Thief again. Have not seen it for a few years.

Driving east just out of Indianapolis we saw a terrific traffic jam. It must have been a good 10 or more miles. Lots of trucks, and all going very slowly. You can see from our direction there was hardly any traffic-thank goodness.

The weather has been getting warmer and more humid all the time. We are in Columbus, Ohio now but I will write more about that later.

Good health to you and enjoy life. It is good!

Hugs to all,,

Ric and Jan(ice)

7 great iPhotos Crossing the country

2010-07-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Sasha 3 months Her top says "sleep is for the weak."

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Helena, MT Capitol

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Montana Sky this morning

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Fascinating cloud formations=MT

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Lots of alfalfa-MT

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Even an oil well-MT

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Missouri River-SD

July 23, 2010

We reluctantly left Washington State and Sasha Tuesday morning and traveled to Coeur d'Alene, ID where we stayed overnight. This was the first leg of our journey to Maryland. It was a pretty drive except for the central part of WA which is rather dry.

Wednesday we traveled through the panhandle of ID and on into Montana and Helena. We visited the capitol and it was pretty with the bright red flowers in front. Helena is an old town and interesting.

Yesterday, Thursday, we crossed most of Montana to Miles City, MT. Montana is really a beautiful state from its majestic mountains to its rolling hills and alfalfa. We even saw a few oil wells in the more eastern part. We crossed the Missouri River twice in Montana and it was larger each time we crossed. Then today in South Dakota we came over a hill and below us was water everywhere. We finally came to a narrow place where there was a bridge and we crossed and it was the Missouri River. It was huge. The picture does not do it justice.

We have had warm weather and sun until today and we had rain, clouds and only 78 degrees which was rather nice.

We plan to be in Maryland July 29 and get hair cuts, and do things we need to do before we go to "work". We are eagerly looking forward to getting back to New Windsor Conference Center and the fine staff there and our friends.

I will try and write again along the way. We do have a beautiful country.

Keep those notes coming as we appreciate hearing from you.

Take care and hugs to all.

Ric and Jan

3 great iPhotos Sasha at 2 months and 10 days

2010-06-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

June 29, 2010

Hi all,

We are in Seattle once again for a while on our way to Maryland. The weather here is cool and wonderful compared to the 103 degrees in the Sacramento Valley!

We had a great trip up and spend 2 nights in Albany OR where we visited with two of Ric's children and some of his grandchildren. It was great fun to see them all again.

We arrived here Saturday not knowing if there would be space for our motorhome at the Elks where we like to stay. There was!! Another motorhome pulled out about an hour before we got there which was a nice thing to happen. So we got moved in and then came to visit our kids. Sasha has lost some of her babiness but she is a sweet, happy baby full of smiles. She has long, brown, curly eyelashes which you can somewhat see in the second and third pictures. We love to babysit whenever we can.

Sunday we attended a BBQ at Angel's uncles home in Redmond, WA and we met more of her family. The food was delicious and plentiful. That was our 4th of July picnic a week early!

We just wanted to let you know what is happening with us. How about you? Love to hear from you all,.

Take care, stay healthy and enjoyl

Ric and Jan(ice)

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5 great iPhotos

2010-05-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

DSC02465 Puget Sound WA

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Sasha 3 weeks old

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Sasha 3 weeks

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Mother's Day at Angel's parents

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Mother's Day

May 10,

Hi all,

We had a wonderful Mother's Day at Angel's folks place in Kirkland, WA. It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day with both sets of grandparents, parents, Angel's sister Emily and her husband. and close friend, honorary aunt, Jeanette. Emily and Jeanette cooked us a wonderful brunch and we had such a good time. Sasha was passed around, slept during lunch and was just a good baby for her first Mother's Day.

We had three absolutely gorgeous days in a row. No wonder people love it up here (when it is nice!) Today it is raining lightly but rain keeps it nice and green. Many flowers are in full bloom and it is just lovely.

We have just enjoyed being here for the first month (almost) of Sasha 's life. It is fun to be grandparents and little ones are my favorites. We have just enjoyed seeing the sights here and being with family.

We will be leaving in six days and it is with mixed feelings that I say that. We will come here in July for a couple of weeks on our way to Maryland and our volunteer job. We are leaving the motorhome here so it is convenient for us to come and stay.

Thanks for all your notes. Keep them coming.

Enjoy and stay healthy and happy.

Ric and Jan(ice)

5 great iPhotos

2010-05-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

Alki Beach-West Seattle May 1, Ric looking at the blue sky-no rain!

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Alki Beach Statue of Liberty since 1950

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Tulips at Alki Beach

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Sasha two weeks old

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Big Yawn

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