Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Follow Me To FOLLOWFEST!






I noticed a comment from a new visitor to my Flash Fiction Friday post from last week.  Whenever I see a name or face I don't recognize, I usually visit their blog to check them out.  That's how I discovered Melissa Maygrove and found out about her wonderful FOLLOWFEST event she will be hosting all this week.  If you've not heard about it, take time to check out her post... (http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/2013/09/follow-fest-time-is-running-out.html).
I decided I would join in the fun which is why you see an additional post on Tuesday when I usually take a breather from blogging. I've followed the format she has provided for this post and while a lot of you may already know most of the things about me listed below...I'm always open to meeting new people and starting new friendships...;~)

If you are a new visitor to my blog...WELCOME...I hope you like what you see and if you have some extra time, why not take a look around and check out some of the other interesting posts I've put up over the past 18 months? I hope to visit as many of the Linky links on Melissa's blog as I can this upcoming week and thanks for stopping by!


FOLLOWFEST INFO:

Name?

Donna L Martin

Fiction or nonfiction? 

Both

What genres do you write? 

Children’s Fiction & Non-Fiction Picture Books, Middle Grade Chapter Books, Young Adult Mystery, Young Adult Fantasy, Essays, & Poetry

Are you published? 

A little…I've had a couple of poems published over the years and a story released January 2013 in Chicken Soup For the Soul: Angels Among Us

Do you do anything in addition to writing? 

Does being a Fourth Degree Black Belt Certified TaeKwonDo Instructor and Center Manager/Program Director of our TaeKwonDo school count? ;~)

Where can people connect with you?

Blog
www.donnalmartin.com

Twitter
@donasdays
www.twitter.com/donasdays

Facebook
Donna L Martin
https://www.facebook.com/donna.martin.9440

Goodreads
Donna Martin
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7122982-donna

Google+
Donna Martin
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105851285551883644966/posts/p/pub

LinkedIn
Donna L Martin (Knoxville, Tn)
www.linkedin.com

Pinterest
Donna Martin
http://www.pinterest.com/martidl/boards


Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

I’m the creator/host of WRITERLY WISDOM on my blog where every Wednesday I have authors, agents, & illustrators stopping by to talk about anything concerning the writing & publishing industry.

I’m also the creator/host of my annual INTERNATIONAL FREE AUTHOR PROMOTIONS event held every May to promote Literacy during my city’s Children’s Festival of Reading. I help promote the books of authors around the globe (traditional & self-published, hardback & ebooks) for FREE and give away autographed books/swag items to the more than 15,000 people who attend each year.

I am a member of SCBWI-Mid South, Children’s Book Insider, and Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 Forum. I am interested in finding a critique partner who writes in some or all of the same genres I do and who is strong in the skills I sometimes find challenging like grammar and rhyme/meter.






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68 comments:

  1. J.L. CampbellSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    Hi, Donna,
    Good to meet you. I'm in the Follow Fest too. Sounds like you're one busy lady!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:16 PM

      HI J.L.!

      I'm so glad you decided to come over for a visit and thanks for "following" me. I love your book covers by the way...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  2. MelissaSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    Fourth Degree Black Belt? Remind me never to cross you. LOL

    Thanks for participating in Follow Fest! :)

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:20 PM

      Hi Melissa!

      I'm so glad I found out about your FOLLOW FEST in time to join the fun! I'm really a low-key spirit...unless you mess with my money or my baby, but since my "baby" is 6'2" and a Senior Third Degree Black Belt, I don't think he will need my help defending himself...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  3. Juliana HaygertSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:47 AM

    Dude! Fourth Degree Black Belt? I'm you fan!!

    Nice to meet you!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      Lol, Juliana, thanks for the kind words! It took 13 years and some mighty big obstacles to get it but I kinda like the view from here...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  4. UnknownSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    I think I have you covered now, Donna. Nice to meet you in broad daylight...would hate to come across those martial arts skills in a dark alley. I know Ty Kwando, but he's usually not with me in times like that when I really need him.

    M.L. Swift, Writer

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:26 PM

      Hi M.L.!

      I laughed out loud when I read your comment and I LOVE "Ty Kwando"...maybe I should use that as a pen name? ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by (and for following me) and come back any time!

      Delete
  5. Elise FallsonSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    Fourth Degree TaeKwonDo Black Blet! Awesome. I did a few years of TaeKwonDo when I was younger, but Hsing-I was what I enjoyed the most when I was in college. Unfortunately, I can't find any schools that teach it where I live. Anyway, thank you for commenting on my blog and for mentioning your Writerly Wisdom Wednesday feature. I'm definitely interested and would love to check in on you all. Great meeting you! (:

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:29 PM

      Hi Elise and thanks for following my blog! I've been doing TKD for thirteen years now and can't imagine my life without it. If you look on the right hand side of this site, you will find a page tab entitled WRITERLY WISDOM which will take you to a listing of all the guest links in one easy spot. I started this series this past January and plan on running it through December of this year at least...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  6. Laurel GarverSeptember 24, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    Great to meet you, Donna. Cool that you enjoy variety!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:30 PM

      Hi Laurel! Lol...you have NO IDEA how right you are about the variety thing...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  7. Liz BlockerSeptember 24, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    Nice to meet you, Donna. I'm seriously impressed by the variety of genres that you write in; I'm working on mastering just one!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:33 PM

      Hi Liz!

      I have been writing on and off (personally) for over 40 years and professionally for about 3 years. It's given me a lot of time to be able to test out different genres and determine which ones call my name the most...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  8. Sherry EllisSeptember 24, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Wow! Fourth Degree Black Belt? I definitely wouldn't want to upset you! I'm impressed with how many different genres you write!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:34 PM

      Hi Sherry and welcome to my blog! I seem to have quite a number of voices in my head and they all want their stories told so I don't think I ever had a real chance to just stick to ONE genre...lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  9. Susan OloierSeptember 24, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    So fun to read about you and meet you. You sound like me, dabbling in so many different types of writing. However, I ditched poetry long ago :-) Black belt! WTG, woman!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:36 PM

      Hi Susan! Thanks for your kind words. I wrote mainly poetry when I was in my late teens and early twenties. Poetry only happens occasionally now and sometimes sneaks into my picture books but prose headlines my writing these days...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  10. Rebecca Green GasperSeptember 24, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    Hi! So great to meet you. 4th degree- you rock!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:37 PM

      Hi Rebecca! Thank you for your kind words. I only have two more years before I try for my Master Fifth Degree Black Belt ranking in my school's organization and then I "might" think about slowing down a little...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  11. UnknownSeptember 24, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    I'm adding you to my "People To Never Make Angry" list, Donna! LOL

    Love the concept for your Writerly Wisdom posts. Definitely going to check them out!

    Btw, I was struggling with some of the links to your other social media sites. The Twitter one didn't work because of the '.com' at the end, once I hacked that off I found you. :) But a couple of the others--Facebook & G+ specifically--didn't work at all. Not sure if it's something whacky with my browser or on your end, but wanted to give you a heads up. (Hate it when I have things busted or wonky on my blog and no one points it out--like having something stuck in your teeth LOL.)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:41 PM

      HI E.J. and welcome to my blog! That's really weird about the links because I tested them all out before I posted them...;~(...I'm sorry for any inconvenience it might have caused you and thank you so much for letting me know!

      As for my WRITERLY WISDOM series, if you click on the page link I have set up on the right side of this site, you will land on a listing of all the links of this series in one convenient reference place. I began it in January of this year and it will go until at least the end of this year so enjoy!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  12. Charlie N. HolmbergSeptember 24, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    Blackbelt = auto-cool.

    Nice to meet you :)

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:26 PM

      Hi Charlie and welcome to my blog! Thanks for your kind words and congrats on the baby bump...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  13. Sara FowlerSeptember 24, 2013 at 3:40 PM

    Congratulations on the Chicken Soup publication! Looking forward to following. I like your M, W, F post topics!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:32 PM

      Hi Sara and welcome to my blog! I'm glad you like my blog topics...I will be changing things up with the new year...trying to keep things interesting and entertaining for my readers...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  14. JossSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    wow, it sounds like you live a very busy life and a black belt. Please don't hurt me :) I promise I'm nice hehe I can't wait to read more of your blog post and get to know you better :)

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:35 PM

      Hi Joss and welcome to my blog! Yes, I do keep busy but I also usually take Sunday off from the world and do what I enjoy the most...reading & writing...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  15. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    Chicken Soup? Nice! Following you now on Twitter, FB, and Goodreads.

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:44 PM

      Hi Milo and welcome to my blog! Lol, thanks for your kind words but I don't think it can compete with your numerous publishing credits...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  16. Christine M. IrvinSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Hey, I know you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:45 PM

      Lol, Christine...small world, right? I'm having a lot of fun with the FOLLOW FEST...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  17. L.G. KeltnerSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    The fourth degree black belt definitely counts. I'd be too scared to tell you otherwise! :)

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:32 PM

      Lol, L.G....I'm REALLY one of the most low-keyed spirits you will ever meet when it comes to my martial arts...probably the patience aspect I've worked on for the past thirteen years...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  18. Chemist KenSeptember 24, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Hi Donna. I'm an SCBWI member up here in Michigan. Although I'm a slow writer, I'm pretty good with grammar, so if you need a CP or beta reader who likes to read MG, YA, or adult (especially in the area of fantasy), let me know. I'm now following you on Twitter and Goodreads.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 24, 2013 at 11:10 PM

      Hi Ken and welcome to my blog! Thanks...I will keep that in mind...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  19. Natasha HanovaSeptember 25, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    Hi Donna! I'm glad you discovered Melissa. I've truly enjoyed her blog over the past few years. She's a wonderful person/writer.

    Congrats on the story released in January. Fourth Degree Black Belt, whoa, that's serious. :-)

    I might be interested in more details about INTERNATIONAL FREE AUTHOR PROMOTIONS . Where can info?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:03 PM

      Hi Natasha and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words. Here are some links about the annual Children's Festival of Reading that happens in my city every May. I get invited to have a booth where I promote books from authors all around the world under my INTERNATIONAL FREE AUTHOR PROMOTION event.

      http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2013/05/second-annual-free-authors-promotion.html

      http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2013/06/pictures-anyone.html

      http://donasdays.blogspot.com/2013/02/its-that-time-againcalling-all-authors.html

      Hope this helps give you a better idea of what I do for other authors...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  20. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Hi Donna!

    This is great blog here, and its neat to meet a children's author on this Fest.

    Nice to meet you!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:08 PM

      Hi Megan! Thanks for your kind words. I write mainly children's books but also have two manuscripts in progress...one YA mystery and the other YA fantasy that I'm working on as well.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  21. AnonymousSeptember 25, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    This sounds great! I might join! :D

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:09 PM

      Hi Erik! This Follow Fest on goes on through Friday so you have to hurry if you want to be a part of this...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  22. UnknownSeptember 25, 2013 at 1:58 PM

    What? Fourth Degree Black Belt? You're officially my new hero! Anyway, it's great to meet you and I hope to see you around!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 25, 2013 at 9:21 PM

      Hi Quanie...what a lovely first name! I'm getting a lot of compliments lately about my Black Belt ranking...lol...it's making me wonder just how many high ranking black belt women there are out in the world...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  23. Cathrina ConstantineSeptember 26, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Wow, a fourth degree black belt, no one messes with you I assume!! It looks like you have a lot of writing going on, good luck and much success!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 26, 2013 at 10:02 AM

      Hi Cathrina and welcome to my blog! Thanks for your kind words and I appreciate the fact you are now following me on Twitter...I returned the favor...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  24. Tonja DreckerSeptember 26, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    How great that you're so involved! I'm looking forward to your Wednesday posts. Sound really interesting. Nice to meet you :)

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 26, 2013 at 1:22 PM

      Hi Tonja and welcome to my blog! People keep telling me I'm one busy woman so I guess I have to believe them...;~)

      If you look on the right sidebar near the top, you will see my WRITERLY WISDOM page where most of the Wednesdays posts are listed for easy access. There are a couple I still need to link on that page and hopefully will be able to play catch up this weekend. I have learned a lot from these lovely guest posts and hopefully you will too!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  25. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    Hi, Donna! I love meeting new people, too! We need to talk YA sometime. :-) Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 26, 2013 at 1:23 PM

      Hi Dawn! Follow Fest has been fun and I've had the chance to meet a lot of great writers out there...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  26. GL TomasSeptember 26, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    It's bloody fabulous that you're a martial arts instructor! My sister and I specialize in Wing Chun, Wushu and Bagua but we're looking to start studying Taekwondo or Karate or even Tang Soo do.Live and breathe martial arts,lol!

    Glad we could connect during this ho, It's always nice to meet author women who are into martial arts and it's a plus that you're writer!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 26, 2013 at 11:02 PM

      Hi Guinevere & Libertad and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words. I've been training for the past thirteen years and can't imagine my life without my TaeKwonDo. There was a time I wanted to pursue Tai Chi but could never give up TKD long enough to pursue it...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  27. ChanceletSeptember 26, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    It's really great to connect with you Donna! Thanks for the invite. Thought your Wednesday posts were a blog hop at first, but now see it just provides info and tips.

    I've connected where I could. :) Writer’s Mark

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 26, 2013 at 11:05 PM

      Hi Nancy! My WRITERLY WISDOM series is my attempt to give back to the writing community by providing basic information about writing and publishing from industry experts. If you look at my side bar, you will see a page where I have listed most of the past links to guest posts (still have a few to add) and I hope you take time to check them out...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  28. Romelle BroasSeptember 27, 2013 at 12:43 AM

    Hey Donna! I thought I had commented on your blog but I can't find myself so I guess I didn't. Thank you for introducing me to this Follow Fest. I heard it from you! Nice to meet so many people. Too bad there aren't many children's writer though.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:56 AM

      Hi Romelle!

      I'm glad I could help a fellow writer out...;~) Yeah, not as many picture book writers but since I also write essays, middle grade and young adult, I've managed to find some more new friends along the way!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  29. Misha GerrickSeptember 27, 2013 at 4:06 AM

    So cool that you're a fourth degree black belt!

    I might be willing to be your crit partner for YA Fantasy, but I always do a sample crit of the first three chapters first. If you're interested, please mail me at mishagericke(AT)gmail(dot)com.

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:58 AM

      Hi Misha and welcome to my blog! I'll keep you in mind for my YA fantasy. I'm not through with the first draft and I don't actually have chapters...more of a break in the action to signify a new scene but not set chapters if you know what I mean...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  30. L.G.Kelso September 27, 2013 at 10:56 PM

    Love the martial arts. Glad to have been introduced to you via follow fest!

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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveSeptember 28, 2013 at 6:00 PM

      Hi Julianna and welcome to my blog. I've been training in TaeKwonDo for 13 years and can't imagine my life without it. Martial arts gives me a foundation and a lifeline I can hold on to when my world turns upside down sometimes...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  31. Jennifer J. ChowSeptember 28, 2013 at 12:41 AM

    You sound very busy! That's great, and it's amazing about your black belt instructor status. Glad to meet you through Follow Fest!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Think Positive, Be PositiveSeptember 28, 2013 at 6:03 PM

      Hi Jennifer! Between managing my martial arts school, writing, and helping out my disabled sister or providing taxi service for my son, I DO keep rather busy...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  32. UnknownSeptember 29, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    Great to meet you Donna

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    1. Donna L MartinSeptember 29, 2013 at 11:26 PM

      Hi Judith and welcome to my blog! I hope you take time and check out my WRITERLY WISDOM WEDNESDAY or my FLASH FICTION FRIDAY...I try to entertain and inform...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  33. UnknownOctober 7, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    Hi Donna. I'm catching up from follow fest--nice to meet you!
    ~Skye

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinOctober 7, 2013 at 10:08 PM

      Hi Skye and welcome to my blog! If you get a chance, take a look around...you just might find something you like and want to stay awhile...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete
  34. TrishaOctober 15, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    I've written fantasy and a bit of mystery, but generally don't mix the two with YA. However, I do have one novel I wrote this year that pretty much counts as a YA mystery. :) I'm actually compiling a list of all the FF participants and making note of their preferred genres, because I will be seeking CPs for particular genres (I tend to write in a wide variety of genres/age groups). It did take me a while to get around to visiting all the FF blogs, though, as you can see. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Donna L MartinOctober 17, 2013 at 10:25 PM

      Hi Trisha and welcome to my blog! It's better late than never with the Followfest...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

      Delete

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