Thankful for a Routine Monday

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Silver James

Oops! I got so involved in work yesterday, I almost forgot to set up this post. My bad. Here in the good ol’ USA, it’s Thanksgiving week. The James Gang is gathering on Thursday at Uncle Fix-It’s house. The SiL’s family is included and we’re all bringing our “specialties.” In my case, it’s pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and hot yeast rolls. Only is brining the relish tray and her version of Crack Dip. It’s pretty darn yummy. One of the nephews-in-law on Aunt Hooey’s* side is doing the turkey. It could be interesting. Jake will stay home. He will be a sad puppy but too many people in too crowded a space.

I’m not gonna mention sports except how ’bout that TCU vs. Baylor game?!? That there was some good college football. If you follow college ball, hope your team won. Mine didn’t.

Writing. Boy howdy, I’ve ben on FIRE! I finished polishing and publishing UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON. Now all seven of the Moonstruck Wolf books are live on lots of on-line stores. If you want to see where a digital copy is available for $2.99, click on the title. Yes, this book is a “republish” but there’ve been substantion changes and additions to all the books.

In other writing news, we authors are weird. It’s just part of our make-up–and I don’t mean eyeliner tutorials on TikTok. Sometimes, the oddest thing will get us wrapped around the axel and there we sit, spinning wheels. There was one line (an epitaph) in the prologue of CROSSFIRE that has bothered me since I wrote it. It’s been so long since I just sat and read this MS due to getting the rights-returned books revised and back into the wild, that I decided to take a few days to just read and fill in some blanks I’d left, while rearranging all the various snippets and scenes to get them in some semblance of the right timeline order. So, yesterday, I started with the prologue. And I hit that line. And I started spinning wheels. You’d think I was living in Buffalo, New York and drining a two-wheel-rear-drive vehicle. I played with words. I hit Theasarus Dot Com. I even thumbed through a physical theasarus. And then I found the way. I fixed it. And when I hit Chapter 1, I started writing. Oh, I was still reading, but I was fixing and adding and writing tons of new words. Like almost 2K worth. Holy Hot Wheels, Batman. So now I’m excited and once I return from my Wallyworld trip, I’ll get back to CROSSFIRE.

See, I’ve been out of…alignment, for lack of a better word. Too bad I try to make my living as a wordsmith. 🤣 Getting the rights to those four books is/was a good thing over the long haul but I had to stop progress on two different projects to fix them. Personally, I think all four are humming along on all eight cylinders now but that’s just me. I hope readers who’ve already read the old version will take a chance on the new and enjoy it even more.

Okay, all automtive allusions aside, the thing is, I got out of my own way yesterday. I fixed the words that bugged me. I looked at the notes where I left off on a chapter (reminding me of where I thought I was going once I got back to the darn thing) and BAM! Now I feel like Emeril. But no food analogies. Promise. Anyway, I have a sense of purpose and it seems I am back in the groove with CROSSFIRE. I hopt to have 50K by the end of the month–I’m almost halfway there and if I can write as much every day as I did today, I should reach that goal. Then, with lucky, I’ll get it edited, polished, formatted, Only will get the cover done, and it’ll be ready in time for a New Year’s celebration if not Christmas. 🤞🏼 That’s the goal.

Uhm…not much else went on last week or over the weekend. Except there’s a certain amount of excitement in getting back into routine. Wallyworld and groceries today, followed by writing. Laundry tomorrow, writing during and after. Cooking and writing on Wednesday. Writing on Thursday while uncook stuff prepared on Wednesday bakes Thursday morning. Family time. Collapse in bed from all those people and writing on Friday. I don’t do Black Friday.

So, that’s my plan for the week, Yay for routine stuffs! What about y’all? Does routine help or put you off? And holiday plans?

*Aunt Hooey picked that name out herself when Stormy was born. For Only, the grandmothers were “Mamsie” on LG’s side and “Granny Gooch” on mine. Don’t ask. I don’t know why either.

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Friday Sinema: Greatest Generation

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Silver James

Y’all know me. I’m often a day late and a dollar short. In this case, I’m a week late but I didn’t see this video until after Veteran’s Day. It’s still worth the watch. Warning–it’s 10 minutes but totally worth the time spent watching. We can never thank our veterans enough. Thank you, again, for all you’ve done and all our active duty military continues to do every day. Live epic lives!

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Thursday Thoughts: :Universal Accomplishments

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Silver James

I’m done. And yes, it feels like a HUGE accomplishment. Getting these four books rewrttien, reformatted, updated, and published has strained my brain to the max. But the final one is done. I have no clue why UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON messed up my head so much. It was a dang good book, even if I say so myself. It’s even better now. And yeah, I’m defnitely feeling it, Universe.

You know that feeling, Silver, of accomplishment, triumph, and sublime joy that immediately follows a job well done, a victory, or a fresh, hot pizza delivery to your door?

I say feel it now.

Go on. Give it to yourself without all the rules.

Your boss,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

Feel it later today, too, Silver. And from now on, let’s choose to feel these things often.

I’d say the pizza’s on me but I’m not ordering any. I am, however, suggesting that we all take the Universe’s advice. We need to feel accomplished, triumphant, and find the sublime joy in Life every single day. I forget sometimes to make note of the things that make me smile, that give me happiness. The good things. Not the bad things. Bad things happen. But we shouldn’t let those define us or set the tone for our day. So, I’m done. UNDER THE ASSASSIN’S MOON will be populating bookstores starting today. Hopefully, the link attached to the title will also be live. If not now, soon. So it’s a good day. What’s good in your life?

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Wednesday Words: Better Send Backup

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Silver James

We are back in the environs of my Cajun Wolves for today’s snippet. Given the first part of the #1LineWed prompt, I knew the Wolves would be involved. That prompt would be: **BETTER TO: See you with. Have loved and lost. Etc.** The #ThursdayThreads inspiration sealed the deal on who: “You can send backup now.” I have no clue where this scene will appear but it most definitely will. I hope you enjoy!

****
Beau tilted his head back until his neck popped. Damn but the sky was a long way up. He lifted his right foot. Mud squelched as water gushed from the top of his boot. Chin dropping to his chest, he heaved out a sigh. Raising his head, he pleaded, “Seriously? My favorite pair of boots?” He briefly wondered who he’d pissed off, gods and human alike.

With serious effort, he freed both feet and sloshed over to the sloping wall of mud. He unsheathed claws as his hands sank into slimy dirt and no matter how hard he scrambled with paws and feet, he only managed to climb about four feet before ending up on his ass in the murky water skimming the muck. Soaked and mud covered, he just sat there, filthy hands resting on his bent knees.

“Well, ol’ son,” he groused. “This is a mell of a hess you’ve gotten into.” He glanced skyward. He was about thirty feet down. What the hell happened?

Gazing up at the sky once more, he replayed events in his mind. They’d been sent out to pick up Florent Mouton on an arrest warrant. The damn couyon took off running, he and Luc hard on the Cajun’s heels. He remembered sprinting toward the bank of the bayou, knowing that if Mouton got to his boat, they’d have no chance of catching him. Luc had been beside him, matching him stride for stride. And then the bottom dropped out. What the fuck?

He studied the space surrounding him. Sinkhole? What else could it be? Nothing that he knew of. But while Louisiana was dotted with sinkholes, including that huge one over in Assumption Parish that all but redefined Bayou Corne, he was’t aware of any in Jefferson or Orleans Parishes. Still, here he sat all but up to his ass in alligators.

Then his brain kicked in. Luc had been right beside him.Cussing in French, he half crawled, half swam searching the crater’s bottom. “Luc!” Silence. Panicked, he turned around in circles until a little voice sang in his head, “Grandmother, what big ears you have! All the better to hear with, my child.

Grandmother, what big eyes you have! All the better to see with, my child. Grandmother, what big teeth you have got! All the better to eat you up with.”

“You be a damn Wolf, Beau LeBlanc. Use your damn big nose.” He would have head-slapped himself if not for the crud coating his hands.

Inhaling sharply, he quartered the area. Luc was a Wolf. He wouldn’t drown. Not immediately. He finished one side and was about to start the next section when he drew in another deep breath. His mouth watered at the scent of hot, buttered popcorn. Someone was amused. Looking up, he saw Luc peering over the edge. Laughing. “Need some help?” his partner hollered down.

Beau snarled. “Yeah, you donkey’s ass”

Luc spoke into his radio. “Dispatch, you can send backup anytime now. Probably the fire department.”

The female voice that replied said, “You got a kitten up a tree?”

Laughing, Luc said, “Nope. Gotta wet dog down a sinkhole.”

Beau lobbed a mud ball at his partner, who ducked easily out of the way. “Asshole.”
****
There you have it. Was it fun to read? It was fun to write. Writers, pick one or both and tease some words out for your WIP. Readers, have you ever seen a sinkhole? There’s a series that “marathons” on the Discovery Science Channel from time to time called “Sinkholes: Swallowed Alive.” Fascinating, but then I’m weird. And yeah, they are pretty scary..

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Hot Spinach & Ghosts

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Silver James

See this? This is an actual photo (with the addition of my book through the wonders of Book Brush) of the dip we always ordered at a family favorite restaurant. The James Gang gathered there to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays and this dip was always on the Must Get Appetizer list whenever we went to Nomad’s. Sadly, the place has been closed for several years but after some fiddling and a lot of trial and error, here’s my close approximation of the very yummy stuff.

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 medium onion chopped (approximately 1 cup)
2 10 oz. packages frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained!)
1 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 8 oz. tub sour cream
1 cup total shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (3/4 cup and 1/4 cup)
1 cup total shredded Parmesan cheese (3/4 cup and 1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon sea salt
Pita chips
Grated “dry” Parmasan cheese

Make It:

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in spinach, artichokes, cream and sour cheeses, salt, and 3/4 cups each of Jack and Parmesan. Stir until well blended and heated through. Pour mix into a 1/2 quart casserole dish and top with remaining shredded cheeses. Bake in 350 degree oven until cheese starts to brown, about 10 minutes. Let stand for about 5 minues to “settle.”

Turn off the oven. Spread the pita chips on a foil-covered cookie sheet. Shake Parmasan cheese over the chips and place in the still-warm oven for about 5 minues to toast slightly.

Warning, this stuff is addictive, which is why I make it in big size–about four cups. It can also be made with low fat/no fat cream cheese and sour cream. It still comes out ooey-gooey yummy cheesy and totally worth the effort!

While she’d never make this on her own, luckily Sade Marquis, or favorite FBI agent and wrangler of magical mayhem, has a favorite Italian restaurant* in Washington DC that’s not far from her row house. There are times when she’ll just order the chips and dip to go, stop by on her way home, and have that for dinner. Sounds pretty good to me. For those of you not familiar with Sade, you’ll want to start with THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC. For those of you who might not have read GHOSTS & THE ANCIENT STONES, this is your reminder. And you can make some of Sade’s favorite dip to mucnch while reading. To those of you who have the book, THANK YOU! And why not give it a reread. *bwahaha* Just click on a title or the photo with the cover to get to the landing page to pick your favorite on-line bookstore. What about y’all? Is there a local restaurant that’s your go-to for family celebrations or do you prefer to do-it-yourself at home?

*The restaurant is real. No clue if they serve the spinach artichoke dip. But hey, I’m an author. I get to make stuff up, right?

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Bundle Up, Monday

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Silver James

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory. We might get snow. We might get sleet. We might get rain. And we will get cold. Brrr. Seems like a good day to wrap up in a warm blanket, drink hot coffee, and warm out. I mean, if you can chill out, why can’t you warm out? Yeah?

So there was a week and a weekend. Last week was, once again, one of those weeks. I’m getting rather frustrated with Real Life. Still, it beats the alternative. Then it snowed Friday night. Not much. Just enough to cover the grass–barely. Road surfaces and ground was too warm for anything to stick around for long, though it did last through mid-morning/ And yeah, it was cold. I’m not a fan of the cold (old joints, doncha know) but when it’s cold, I can put on more clothes and bundle up in blankets. When it’s hot? Trust me, no one wants to see this old broad in her skivvies.

Sports were a little better. My (the real) OSU Cowboys beat Iowa State. It wasn’t pretty but they got the job done. OU lost to West Virginia. Soooo not a good year for the Sooners. There was baseball Saturday night! Yay! It was the Arizona Fall League Championship. The game went 11 innings. Yay! It was fun to to watch the young MLB prospects play.

I’m about to wrap up my marathon listen to Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter/Archagel series. I’ll likely finish up #14 today and then I’ll start the new release, ARCHANGEL’S RESURRECTION. Not sure what I’ll listen to after that.

Early mornings mean crashing early. I turn on the TV and then I’m all…ZZZzzzzZZZZZzzz within minutes. 🙄 Still enjoying “On Patrol Live” though I tend to catch up on DVR. I tend to watch The Travel Channel for the paranormal stuff, The Science Channel for a combo of paranormal and cool stuff like “Mysteries of the Abandoned” and “What On Earth?”. And then there’s National Geo which occasionally does “To Catch a Smuggler.” Yes, I have weird tastes in TV. But I’m also the one who can’t sleep in a quiet room based on my years with live readio or scanner traffice for both fire departments and police. The room goes quiet? I’m wide awake.

I made the Easy Cinnamon Rolls last week and munched on them all week. I used two cans of the regular size Pillsbury cinnamon rolls. I really like the giant size but there’s more with the regular size. Not much better than warm, gooey cinnamon rolls and hot coffee.

And now I’m rambling. See? Boring life. Oh! I did “craft” a new, insulated feral cat house for the winter. Large, strudy cardboard box lined with styrfom sheets (2″ on the bottom, 1″ sides and top. I wrapped the outside with “insulation” that came in packages of delivered medicines that had to maintain cold temperatures, and then covered the whold thing with heavy plastic. There’s a cat bed and a knit pillow case inside. I was amazed at how warm it stays. Then I bought a “bed tent” to replace the small box and bed that was on the wooden bench on my porch. Since big cold, possibly snowy winter storm hits tomorrow, I hope the kit-cats will snuggle in.

And that’s all the news that’s fit to print. What’s up in your world?

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Friday Sinema: Texafication

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Silver James

Warning. The following video is comedic parody with a side helping of satire. You know. like SNL used to do. It might be completely politically incorrect but since that’s what I am, I’m throwing it up here because it made me laugh. Hard. Maybe it’s becaues I’m from Oklahoma and I get Texans and the state of affairs down there in certain areas. Maybe it’s because I’m warped. Anyway, the Bee and I wish you a happy weekend. Go do something fun!

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Thursday Thoughts: Universal I Did This

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Silver James

Today, the Universe seems to be spot on when it comes to writing. Every writer has their own process. Some of us draft “dirty”–simply getting the bare bones of the story down before going back to flesh it out by adding descriptions, dimenstions to the characters, and dialogue. Ah yes. The 3Ds. These are the seasonings a writer addes to the stew their imagination has cooked up. We write it. Edit it. Format it. Publish it (or our pulibhers do). The tiime comes when we hold the finished product in our hands (or on our ereaders) and stare, with a tiny bit of wonder. Even after 50 books, I still get that twinge of OMG! I DID THIS! The Universe sums it up like this:

Something that might add some sugar and spice to your daily comings and goings, Silver, would be to constantly remind yourself, “I created this, because I wanted to.”

Prepare to be empowered,
The Universe
©www.tut.com

As well as, Silver, “I can change the heck out of it, too, whenever I want.”

See? Writing, editing, and publishish. All right there in a nutshell. Too bad it’s not that easy. This isn’t necessarily restricted to writing. You cazn apply this to anything you do–arts, crafts, cooking, decorating, liviing. What have you done lately that gave you that tingle and you did a little happy dance and said with pride, “I did this!”?

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Wednesday Words: Grasp the Thought

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Silver James

Once again the week has rolled around and it is Wednesday. That means inspiring writing prompts and new words, right? Right! So, #1lineWed was a little more imganitive for this week. The prompt is **GRASP: A good. At straws. The nettles.” (Don’t ask me what that last one means. I have no clue but that’s the prompt so…whatever.) #ThursdayThreads prompt is much better: “I’ll think about it.” The following is a fun little snippet I tossed together. Again, the scene occurs near the beginning of the book and provides a glimpse into Meg and Kin’s budding…relationship. I hope you enjoy.
****
The midday rest break was over. Meg had one more thing to do before they resumed their hike. While she didn’t mind shepherding the girls when they had to go, she preferred privacy. She’d found a place before lunch where bushy trees would screen her from sight and it was far enough away that no one would hear her either. The precious packet of tissues snuggled in her pocket.

She checked where everyone was. The kids still sat on the ground grabbing one more moment of rest. Two of the soldiers were nowhere to be seen. The commander and Petrov stood at the head of the trail studying a map. The rest of the men policed the area to clear all evidence of their passage.

“Now or never,” she muttered since no one was paying her any attention. She darted up the gentle slope heading for the spot she’d picked out. She dodged around a large tree and stopped dead as a man materialized in front of her.

Meg attempted to step around the tall man with the fascinating eyes. He leaned slightly to block her. Consternation coating her voice, she demanded, “Move out of my way.”

“Not a chance, lass.”

“I’m not a lass. I’m an adult.” He muttered something under his breath that sounded like, “Then act like one,” but she wasn’t sure.

“Why are you being so stubborn?”

“’Tis my job at the moment.”

“Well, you could stop doing it. Or let someone else do it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“You’ll think about it? Don’t bother. If you have to think about it, I already know the answer.”

“And that would be?”

“No.”

Kin did not smile. The woman’s cheeks were already flushed with temper and as tempted as he was to provoke her even more, he’d regret subjecting the others to her ire. Besides, this was a private game between the two of them.

“Let me make something perfectly clear, provided your pea-sized male brain can grasp the concept.”
When she paused to breathe, Kin arched one brow in both challenge and amusement. Her eyes narrowed to angry slits and he was reminded again of the kitten he’d once rescued from a bucket of water.

“You are not the boss of me.”

He still didn’t laugh, though he wanted to. Desperately. Instead, he lowered the arched brow and raised the other. “Is that the best you’ve got?”

Sputtering, so angry now she couldn’t speak, she hit his chest with closed fists and growled in frustration. She actually growled. What was up with that? How did this guy push all of her buttons?

“Was that supposed to hurt?”

She growled again and couldn’t resist hitting him again, but with only one fist. “Yes.”

“Ah,” he said, nodding. “Then…ow.”

“Go away.”

“No one wanders off alone.”

“I’m not wandering. I’m going—.” She bit off the rest of her sentence as she felt her cheeks heat.

“Ah,” Kin said again, sounding all wise and knowledgeable. “Be sure to bury the evidence.”

Growling so more, she stomped toward her spot. When he started to follow her, she stopped and stabbed a finger at him. “I am perfectly capable of peeing by myself. Stay here.”

Ignoring the slow grin spreading across his face, she kept walking until she reached the trees and bushes she’d picked out and ducked behind them. She did not waste any time taking care of business. Once she was done, she obliterated all sign of her presence and headed down the hill.

As she brushed past him, he asked, “Feel better now?”

She didn’t even glance back as she snarled, “No.”

Kin rubbed his chin as he watched her retreat from him, far too fascinated by the chit for his own good. Or hers. This was going to be a long trip.
****
There you have it. I’ll admit, I don’t often mention the “call of nature” in a book. I mean, we all have to go, right? And when Iffy leads me merrily down that path, it usually leads to a bit of light-hearted banter. Let’s face it, with a Wolf for a mate, a gal needs to be “bush trained,” right? (And yes, there is a similar scene in BLOOD MOON between Hannah and Mac.) Anyway, wruters feel free to grab a prompt and write with it. Readers, who else carries a pack of tissues in case of emergency? 🙋🏼‍♀️

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Tuesday Treats & Titles: Total Eclipse of the Moon Dip

Posted on November 8, 2022 by Silver James

Guess what! I have a recipe and titles and characters to share today. Why? Because there was a blood moon this morning. Technically, a blood moon occurs when there’s a total exclipse of the moon. It turns blood red during the transition. BLOOD MOON is also the first book I self-published and it began the worldbuilding that became my Moonstruck Wolves world, which spans four different series. Wow. BLOOD MOON intrudocues the indomitable Major Hannah Jackson, fated mate of Sgt. Major Ian “Mac” McIntire. FYI, in the Moonstruck world, a pack Alpha can only be challenged on the night of a blood moon. Dang! And now I have an idea for a new book. 🤦🏼‍♀️ Moving on…

According to Pillsbury, Ranch Crack Dip will be your new go-to dish for special events. This iconic cream cheese dip is incredibly easy to throw together. All you need are five simple ingredients and ten minutes, and you’ll have an irresistible appetizer everyone will love. Serve it with tasty dippers like carrots, celery, crackers and baguette slices. Ranch Crack Dip is perfect for celebrations, gameday tailgates and movie nights at home. No matter the occasion, plenty of people will be asking you to share the recipe for this easy cream cheese dip.

Ingredients
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 package (1 oz) ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cooked bacon (6 slices)
Sliced green onions, if desired

Make It:
1 – In large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream and dressing mix until well blended. Stir in shredded Cheddar cheese.

2 – Stir in bacon. If desired, top with extra shredded cheese and sliced green onions to serve.

Tips:
Tip 1 – Crack dip is loaded with all the flavors you can’t stop eating: sour cream, dill and buttermilk-spiked Ranch seasoning, green onions and crumbled bacon. Dip in off-the-shelf veggie chips or spread on toasted baguette slices.

Tip 2 – Save time with pre-cooked slices of bacon that are reheated in the microwave just until crisp. Chop or crumble into small bits, then mix into your Ranch Crack Dip.

Tip 3 – Make this easy cream cheese dip by using a Cheddar cheese with some personality, like a sharp Cheddar. Smoked Gouda, dilled Havarti and crumbled blue cheese are other bold-flavored varieties you can play with as well.

If you want to watch a video on how to make this addictive dip and see the nutritional details, head over to Pillsbury’s website by CLICKING HERE. This dip is a fave of the Wolves for watching sports, action movies, and just sitting around waiting for the steaks to grill. The mates love it too. In fact, believe it or not, Hannah can now successfully make this dish. Why? Because the ingredients are simple and she doesn’t even have to get a mixer out. She can do this one “by hand.” This first book in the Moonstruck series is priced at only 99 cents and is available at many on-line bookstores, so BLOOD MOON is a good place to jump in to see if you might like my world, provided you haven’t already jumped in with both feet. And since a blood moon challenge is featured in BLOOD & FIRE, a stand-alone novel in the Moonstruck Wolf series. Celina Monaghan, a former EMT, made this dip for her co-workers. Now she makes it for her mate, Rhys. Their story is one of mistaken identity, a forced mating, and a blood moon challenge. It’s available for $2.99 at all those same e-tailers. Just click on a title or book cover to get to Books2Read to pick your preferred store. So, readers, what’s your favorite dip?

Psst: that new idea? Night of the Blood Moon, a novella chronicling the Russian’s challenge of Brick McIntire for control of the Nightriders. Anybody interested?

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