Thursday Thoughts: Universal Hindsight

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Silver James

So, the other day on a friend’s blog, she was talking about authors telling potential readers that their books are just like *insert best selling author(s) name here*. Back when I was cold querying agents and editors, one of the things they often wanted to know in my introductory letter/email was what author did I resemble in my work. I HATED that part. I didn’t think I wrote like anyone else. In fact, I did one of those on-line things where you copy/paste a snippet of your WIP and the algorythms do their thing and spits out who you write like. One time, I got Henrik Ibsen. Ibsen, people! An old-school Norwegian playwright. Another time, I got Joseph Heller. Of Catch-22 fame. Seriously? Talk about skewed! The closest I got was one that said I write like Agatha Christie but I’m darn sure not going to tout that. I mean, that’s like me saying I’m the next Nora Roberts/JD Robb. I wish they made on of those things for romance writers. Romance is a rather rarefied writing style. Also, I think they just put names in on a rotation and it doesn’t really matter what words you plug in.

Anyway. It was an interesting discussion and if any of you think my writing reminds you of some best-selling author’s, PLEASE! I’d love to know. If I ever get asked that again, I can honestly say, “Well, I have readers who have compared me to _____________ (Fill in the blank.)

What does this have to do with hindsight and the Universe?

Sometimes, Silver, when you look back at the trail you’ve tread, it’s actually hard to believe you were as scared or confused or uncertain as you were, yet still you rocked it.

I say, remember that next time you feel scared, confused, or uncertain.

You’re on fire,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Works the same for running out of chocolate, Silver.

In my roundabout way, I’m looking back on my trail. I was scared (still am more often than not), extremely confused because I didn’t have a clue how it all worked, and uncertain? Oh hell yeah! I was well into middle age before I got really serious about getting published. Oh, I’d puttered around, queried a few times, submitted some works, garnered my share of rejections, sold a few essay/opinion pieces to niche publications, but no fiction. And every rejection put my plans that much further on the back burner. Where was the Universe’s message when I needed it all those years ago?!?! Anyway, I kept writing, finally found my nerve, got an agent (and parted from her a few years later), sold some manuscripts and self-published others. I’m still scared, confused, and uncertain, but I see the path before me and that’s half the battle. Right? Right! So, writers, take heart. And readers, I am really REALLY curious about your thoughts on my style. You know, just in case… 😉

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Wednesday Words: Friends

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Silver James

Well now. It’s Wednesdeay again and time for more words. I have some. Yay! Today’s theme is FRIENDS. I was not a fan of the show but when you have friends in low places, it’s all good. Today’s very rough, first draft offering comes from Wiz’s POV. The road to a HEA between he and Geneva is not very smooth. There’s him. And her. And all their issues. And then there’s all the MC stuff going down. Luckily, the old ladies are looking after Gen. I think you might be able to figure out what’s going on…
****
Wizard
I pushed the kitchen door open and it slammed against the wall. I wasn’t pissed. Much. The noise in the clubroom behind me didn’t cover up the door’s bang. The two women standing next to the stove stared at me, wide-eyed and pretending innocence. Inhaling deeply, I let my wolf’s senses sort through the various scents permeating the room.

“Oh, hi, Wiz.” Sam wiggled fingers in a gesture to match her voice. Easy’s old lady thought she was pulling one over on me. She cut her eyes to Shy, Gravedigger’s mate. She just rolled her eyes and glowered. Shy had been an MP in the Army. She didn’t put up with bullshit.

I sniffed again. There it was. A faint whiff of peaches, overridden by fake fresh air. I noticed the can of air freshener that Shy hadn’t quite managed to nudge behind her. Gen. She’d been here. And since these two were doing their best to cover that up, Gen had been standing in this kitchen recently. Fuck.

“Where is she?”

The old ladies exchanged looks again. Shy hooked her thumbs in her jeans and Sam crossed her arms over her chest.
“She who?”

“Don’t fuck with me, Sam.”

“You might be a bastard, Wizard, but Gen is still our friend so screw you.” Shy’s gaze narrowed and fuck if I didn’t actually see the light bulb go off in her eyes. “Wait. What’s really going on?”

“Club business.” The cold voice whipped through the room and we all jumped. Even me. I’d been so intent on the old ladies, the club prez had managed to sneak up even on me. That said, thank fuck for the Russian. Nobody argued with him.

Shy and Sam glowered at him. The Russian was covered in Teflon so their shit bounced off him and hit me. I jumped in before Russki did. “There is no Gen. Not on club property. She and me? We’re done. You wanna keep her—” I made my voice sound like I didn’t give a shit. “Go for it. But not around me or any of the other brothers.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “What are you saying, Wiz?”

“Speakin’ English here, Sam. Do I need to get Easy to explain the facts of club life to you? Again?”

Little bitch shot me the finger, not that I could blame her. One more look passed between the two of them and then they pushed past me—or tried, anyway. I didn’t move so Sam gave me a shove. I was laughing at her when Shy’s fist caught me in the jaw. Damn but that woman knew how to throw a punch.

“That’s for being a total prick.” Shy stared at the Russian. His expression never changed. “And someday, you cold-hearted bastard, you’ll get a taste of your own medicine and I’m gonna laugh at your sorry ass.”

Then they were gone, punching through the swinging door so that it slammed against the clubroom wall. The noise out there dwindled to silence and moments later, Gravedigger and Easy were standing framed in the door.

“What the hell, Wiz?” Easy grumbled. Digger just growled.

“Fuck off. All y’all.”

I went out the back door. My bike was parked by the Barracks. At the moment, I only wanted the freedom of the open road.

“Wizard.”

Not even the Russian could stop me. Not this time.

“Cover him.”

I ignored that order too, kick-starting my Harley, settling onto the seat and roaring off toward the front gate. Motherfucker better be open or I’d be ramming straight through it.
****
Yeah, I’d say Wiz is not in a good mood. That’s what happens when club business gets in the way of claiming a mate. 😉 What about y’all? Writers, any friendly words to share? Readers, which characters would you like to be friends with?

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Tuesday Treats: Three-Ingredient Cloud Bread

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Silver James

Sometimes, store-bought just doesn’t cut it and you want something that looks fancy when you make up a board. “What’s a board?” you ask. That’s when you make up a snazzy spread of fruit, cheese, meat, crackers, breads, and other goodies and you “present” it on a large serving plate or an actual board–like a cutting board. Anyway, it looks good. These bread rounds take your presentation to the next level.

Total Time: 35 Min.
Prep Time: 15 Min.
Cook Time: 20 Min.
5 servings – 2 pieces of bread each

Keep your baking as simple as 1-2-3 with our Three-Ingredient Cloud Bread recipe. This Three-Ingredient Cloud Bread is made with eggs, cream of tartar and savory PHILADELPHIA Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Spread.

What You Need
3 eggs, separated
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
3 Tbsp. PHILADELPHIA Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Spread

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 300°F.
2 – Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in medium bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside.
3 – Beat cream cheese spread in separate medium bowl with mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add egg yolks; beat just until blended. Fold in egg whites.
4 – Scoop cream cheese mixture into 5 mounds on each of 2 baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray, using about 1/4 cup cream cheese mixture for each mound. Use back of spoon to spread each meringue mound into 3-1/2-inch round.
5 – Bake 17 to 20 min. or until peaks of meringue rounds are golden brown. Cool 5 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Substitute: Prepare using your favorite flavor of PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread.

Tip 2 – Note: For breads with a softer texture, store cooled breads in tightly covered container at room temperature up to 24 hours before serving.

You can check out all the nutritional info over at My Food and Family by CLICKING HERE. Zeta Cordero, the heroine of UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON is the first to admit that her Wolf mate, Brody Buchanan, is the better cook–especially when they are cruising around the Caribbean on his boat. However, her mother used to make cloud bread and when she found this recipe, she tried it. While not quite what she remembers from childhood, it’s still tasty and easy and what’s better when drifting around the turquoise blue of the Islands than a quick plate of munchables–fruit, cheese, bread, and meat for her carnivorous mate. Zeta and Brody’s story is an interesting one. He’s MIA from Delta Force and she’s a top CIA assassin sent to take him down. Curious? Just click on the cover or the title. This book is a stand-alone, part of my Moonstruck Wolf series and Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha world. You can read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy it for the bargain price of $2.99 for your digital keeper shelf. And don’t forget the cloud bread! Zeta wants to know if your snack plates look as fancy as hers. She knows the ones I make are just dumped out on a paper plate and she’s hoping my friends are more stylish. 😉

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Hot August Nights and a Monday

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Silver James

Hot August Night. That used to be one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite singers. Oh, the fantasies I had about Neil Diamond when I was young and foolish. Back when such things mattered to an angsty teenager, Diamond’s songs were the sountrack to my life. Now I’m just old and married for like forever. Sort of. I’ve spent over half my life with the same man. We BOTH deserve medals. 🙂

So, as you can guess, the temperate weather we enjoyed in July is history. August, with its heat and humidity, came roaring in like Leo the Lion that is most of its astrological sign. I first typed “her”, when referring to August, and then realized that Leo is a male lion so I changed the pronoun to it. August just feels…feminine to me. Maybe because Virgo arrives at the end of the month? Who knows?

I got writing done! In fits and starts but over 10K words for the week. I hit the word lottery big a few days and barely got the cost of my Scratcher back the rest. Still, forward progress. The good news is, some of the loose threads have been woven in and can be neatly tied off down the road. Yay. I knew those weird snippets/characters would play a part somewhere. Iffy’s been running with scissors again so sometimes, it takes awhile for all the ideas to reveal where they mesh.

Reading/listening was okay. Moving ahead on my relisten of the In Death series. I can always count on them. That’s what favorite series/books are important to me. Even in a reading slump, I can find an oldie but goodie to fit the bill. Did listen to one new book. I should have liked it a whole lot. I wanted to like it a whole lot. WRitten by a writing duo I enjoyed, set (sort of) in a world a previous series (one I enjoyed) is set, kick-ass women, super soldiers, in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world. All stuff that’s usually my catnip. But, this time out, I just didn’t connect and I was a bit underwhelmed. Others loved the book so it’s probably just me. Anyway, it came from the library so no big. Also had a new one from the library hit and I’ll be starting it ASAP. It’s an urban fantasy by a new-to-me author. The premise intrigues me: A former soldier turned PI tries to help the fantasy creatures whose lives he ruined in a world that’s lost its magic. It’s also from the library so no harm/no foul if I don’t like it. It’s reviews are mixed, but thought I’d give it a go.

TV and Sports? Eh. I REALLY mise LIVE PD and the Cards are still testing positive. Moving on.

Stormy is here today. He came for a few hours Friday–playtime with Big Daddy, lunch, a little school work with Jammie and then Baseball Boy was there to pick him up. BB had a meeting at the high school where he teaches. Schools are about to reopen and BB is in more meetings and class prep. So we have Stormy today, tonight, and tomorrow because he’s cute and sweet and his parents need the break! 🙄 Too bad it’s so hot!

There’s not a lot else going on around here. Life is pretty normal. I am taking Jake with me when I have to get out. He likes being with me and I like having him with me. It’s not like I get out a lot. I didn’t before the whole Covid thing but probably less now–or a least more curbside pickup errands than before. The main thing is that I’m in a tiny bit of a writing groove and considering I haven’t been in ages, this is the really big news. New books eventually. One this fall and two in February 2021 for sure. Hopefully, a seond one later this year but I’m not making promises. Depends on where my head decides to get off to.

So anyway, that’s my update for the past week and weekend. What’s up in your world? Big/small, good/bad, exciting/boring–I want to know! Here’s to a week filled with possibilities for all of us!

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Friday Sinema: Two Scotsman Walk into a Pub…

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Silver James

I have one word for you: KILTS! Okay, I have a few more words…MEN IN KILTS. I will be adding this to my DVR because…Graham McTavish! Oh, and Sam Heughan, too. Just watch the teaser. You’ll understand my delight! Have a great weekend. And cheers to men in kilts because…KILTS!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal Places We Go

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Silver James

When you write fiction, your greatest talent is your imagination. Oh, it helps to be a wordsmith–the ability to form sentences that tell your story, but without that all important imagination, there’s not much of a story to tell. See, imagination creates characters. It tells you what their names are, what they look like, where they’ve been and where they’re going. It describes where they live and what goes on in their world. Imagination takes you from the introduction of time, place, and character and fills in all the words that follows whatever adventure you send your characters on. The Universe knows this.

It’s quite simple, dear Silver.

Wherever your thoughts can go, you can go.

And I’ll meet you there.

Wherever,
The Universe
© http://www.tut.com ®

Life, Silver, is actually a “workshop” on how to take your thoughts to new places.

And that’s something else writers use: life. Their own and others. But the thing is, imagination and words take us places. And as we writers trip along, we take others with us. Our readers enjoy the trip, too. We hope. Isn’t that the whole reason for telling stories? And that’s what makes a writer–that urge, no, I take that back, it’s more than an urge, it’s a need to tell the stories our imagination plants in our brains. So, writers, where are you going today? And readers, where will your favorite authors take you?

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Wednesday Words: We Are the Champions

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Silver James

Another Hump Day, another prompt for #1lineWed. No technically “new” words but I feel like a champ for finding a snippet with meets the requirements. True story–I plugged in “champ” and the only hits I got was champagne. But! I discovered a place where I could add the prompt in the long form: champion. So go me! I got a couple of new words added to this scene, which happens in the beginning. Gen, our heroine in NIGHT WISH, is cat herding at a destination wedding. You can sort of figure out things from there.
****
Alyssa freaked. This was not unusual. I calmed her down. Calmed down Matt, her groom. Got Lyssie’s mother out of the bride’s room, got her father in. Threatened the best man over the rings, Matt’s hangover, and the toast he hadn’t written yet.

I got everyone down the aisle to the strains of Pachebel’s “Canon in D.” Lyss looked stunning. Matt just looked stunned. They each said “I do.” They kissed. The background of St. Luke’s Chapel was perfect. The Grand Ballroom at the Elms was perfect. Everything was perfect.

Except all the bridesmaids were married to the groomsmen. Well, except for Doug, Matt’s best man. And he’d brought his significant other, and boy oh boy but she was definitely significant. Supermodel tall, legs that went from here to there, magnificent hair, magnificent face, magnificent—and very perky—boobs. Yeah, she had it all going on and despite the wedding protocol, when the dancing started, Matt led Lyss to the floor and she melted into his arms. Her parents and his joined them and there was some trading around of partners—Lyss with her dad, Matt with her mom and then vice versa with Matt’s folks. Then the wedding party was to join them in the dance but Doug led his SO to the floor. So there I stood—the last BFF standing, the full-figured, klutzy sidekick, the designated driver, and healer of broken hearts with tequila shots. Sticking out like that proverbial sore thumb.

I didn’t miss the looks. Would have been hard not to see the expressions on people’s faces as they watched me. Pity. Embarrassment. Humor—the kind where they were laughing at me, not with me. I was a champion when it came to ignoring this sort of thing.There I stood in my fuchsia—what the heckin’ color was fuchsia anyway but freaking-ugly pink with a side of purple—dress with ruffles and lace and gussets and bows that took two people to get the back done up. Buttons. No zipper. All the other bridesmaids wore champagne pink that looked more the color of taupe, sleek and frou-frou free. My dress was meant to compliment the bride’s. Yeah, right.

My place card on the head table had been moved to accommodate Ms. Significant Other. Not that I cared. Much. My dress was hideous. I wouldn’t want me in the candid wedding pictures either, and there were bound to be plenty of the table with the bride and groom. Snagging a flute of champagne as a waiter walked by ignoring me, I faded back to the edges of the party. My job was done. This was a destination wedding at the historic Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, which was just northeast of Kansas City. The hotel and grounds were beautiful. And perfect because Alyssa’s wedding had to held in the perfect place. Everyone was staying at the hotel or nearby. There would be a farewell brunch in the morning before Lyss and Matt headed to the Kansas City airport to start their Aruba honeymoon. I just needed to stick here at the reception long enough to make the maid of honor’s toast. After, I could fade into the woodwork and go hide in my room with a good book until tomorrow and the brunch, when I’d have to make another toast.

Yeah, about that.
****
The good news is that I’m writing. I got about 2K words on Sunday, 2400 words on Monday, almost 2K yesterday. I’m not holding my breath but I’m hoping for an end-of-month finish with the first draft. In the meantime, writers, do you have any champ or champion words to share? And readers, since the Olympics got postponed, who is your favorite Olympic champ?

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Tuesday Treats: Southern Sweet Chocolate Pie

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Silver James

There’s nothing like chocolate and pie to make me smile–and drool a little. Add in a good Southern recipe and I’m soooo there! And to top things off, pecans! I ❤ pecans, and they are totally a Southern cooking staple.

Total Time: 5 Hr. 20 Min.
Prep Time: 20 Min.
Cook Time: 5 Hr.
10 servings

Enjoy a taste of the South with this luscious Southern Sweet Chocolate Pie. As a plus, this creamy deep-dish pie is topped with flaked coconut and crunchy pecans before baking.

What You Need
1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER’S GERMAN’S Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cans (5 oz. each) evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 frozen deep-dish pie crust (9 inch), thawed
1 cup BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans

Let’s Make It
1 – Heat oven to 375°F.
2 – Cook chocolate and butter in medium saucepan on very low heat until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; gradually add milk, stirring constantly until well blended.
3 – Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in medium bowl. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Gradually whisk in chocolate mixture. Pour into crust; sprinkle with coconut and nuts. (Filling will almost completely fill crust.)
4 – Bake 45 min.or until top is puffed and browned, covering pie loosely with foil after 30 min. (Filling will be soft, but will set while cooling.) Cool 15 min. Refrigerate 4 hours.

Kitchen Tips
Tip 1 – Size Wise: Since this indulgent special-occasion dessert makes 10 servings, it’s the perfect dessert to serve at your next party.

Tip 2 – Make Ahead: Prepare, bake and cool pie as directed. Wrap tightly; freeze. Thaw in refrigerator before serving.

Tip 3 – Note: If you instead have a 12-oz. can of evaporated milk on hand, just measure out 1-1/3 cups of the milk for use in preparing this recipe. Refrigerate the leftover milk for other uses, such as adding to coffee, smoothies or cereal.

If you want all the details, click to head over to MY FOOD AND FAMILY. As y’all know, most of my heroines can cook, with the notable exceptions of Hannah and Sade. Occasionally, I have hero who cooks and not just searing or smoking meat out on the BBQ grill. Today’s recipe comes from Oswald “Bear” Berwyn, the massive ginger bartender at Mother Goose’s bar in Key West, Florida. Bear happens to also be a Wolf and an adjunct member of the Hard Target team. DOUBLE CROSS is the first book in the series and you can read it for “free” with a Kindle Unlimited subscription or you can buy it for $2.99 to go on your keeper shelf. FYI, this happens to Mother’s favorite dessert and the team doesn’t like to share when Bear makes one. They’ve been known to trample each other when they discover Bear’s made this pie. 😉 Just click on the cover or the title to head over to the ‘Zon to grab your copy.

What about y’all? Chocolate pie a favorite? And are you surprised a dude like Bear cooks?

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Sunflower Monday

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Silver James

Yes. It’s Monday. The first Monday in August. I switched out my front door wreath over the weekend, from the red, white, and blue of the 4th of July to the sunflowers and burlap of August. I always think of sunflowers in August. August is also the month Lawyer Guy and I got married. Under a gazebo in my parent’s backyard. And the current weather reminds me of that time. See, anything outdoors in August in Oklahoma is chancy at best. It might be 110 with 50% humidity. It might be 100 with 80%% humidity (the heat index works out about the same there), or it might be like today, and the day LG and I said our “I do’s”. Temps in the 80s to low 90s, and humidity under 50%–a sweet hint of things to come once summer turns to fall. So, I’m in a good mood as I type this.

Amazing what avoiding the news does for my temperment.

I’m writing. A little at a time, but new words. This is a plus as I have a bunch of stuff coming up. Gotta get out of the procrastination station and back on the track of every-day writing. Working on it.

Baseball is back. Sort of. Some of my Cards tested positive so their games are on hold. Sounds like the season may be over before it really gets started. This makes me have a sad.

We had pancake breakfast Saturday! Yay! Our biker-dude Viet Nam vet pancake wizard makes the best! Plus eggs, some of that bacon I helped fry up last week, sausage (that I don’t eat), and biscuits and gravy for those who need more carbs. I like biscuits, but not with pancakes. Anyway, masks and social distancing ruled the morning and it was all good. I took Jake. He’s missed getting out with me. He also made a trip to Wallyworld last week. Lots of the Wallyworld regulars were thrilled to see him again. He really is a popular doggo. Considering he hasn’t been “training” in over 4 months, he did good! He’ll get to go some more. I like having him with me.

I finished off the Laurenston Pride and Badger Chronicles series. They were a bright spot in my listening pleasure and headspace. I’m back to my relisten of JD Robb’s In Death series. Most of which I haven’t read or listened to since 2016–at least the earlier books. I’ve got a few books on hold at the library and I’ll listen to them as they drop. I’m hoping the hype is worth it. Except for one book–which actually didn’t get much hype and should have! (SOUTH OF THE BUTTONWOOD TREE), I’ve been sorely disappointed in those hyped books that I waited on. Totally glad I didn’t spend money and have to go through the hassle of returning them.

Stormy had his dad call on Thursday night. When we answered, Baseball Boy explained he was calling for Stormy, who had something to ask. He wanted to spend Friday night with us. Of course we said yes! He came over Friday afternoon and we enjoyed an easy dinner from Golden Chick while watching “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.” LG and I laughed and rolled our eyes a lot but it was fun. Then Stormy went to pancake breakfast with me to meet up with his dad because Only was off on a girl’s only photography day trip.

Oh! There’s at least one new feral kitten added to the “cauldron.” Fluffy gray, so s/he stands out in the middle of all the black. It evidently followed Momma Cat across the street yesterday afternoon. Hi-Jinx, Shy, and Momma were lounging around the front porch. BG was probably close by. Lucifer wasn’t around, which is a good thing. He gets a bit snarly around the others. Anyway, I was looking out the window and saw the gray fluff. It’s a cutie and if I can “capture” it, it’s coming inside! Loki needs a friend and we don’t need more ferals. The neighbor across the street has tried to catch Momma to get her fixed but she’s too smart to get into the cat trap, even when I don’t put out food. Ah well. Anyway, cute kitten alert.

And on that note, time to get my tail untucked and face the day. More coffee, less procrastination, and anticipating new words. That’s my goal. How was your week/weekend? And what’s your goal today?

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Friday Sinema: Bad Blood

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Silver James

Because sometimes, you just gotta let it all out… (And it’s safer to watch this than burn it all down. Just sayin’… 😉 )

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