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Project Discussions:  ThAnKsGiViNg  |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 14 2025 : 9:22:56 PM
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Thanksgiving…..It means so much to me and I do love this holiday. To me Thanksgiving is about Family, Friends and being truly Grateful and Thankful for what we have. And I am especially happy to be with my family to have so many wonderful friends and I am truly grateful and thankful for what I have, who I am and Whom I Love. With all the Sister Love I feel for all my friends in my life. And just so grateful for Antibiotics and Pain Pills:-) And of course just so much more, too many things to list. But y’all know, as I know you share the same things that I am grateful and thankful for.
What does Thanksgiving mean to each of you? Please share. And if you have a special story about a past Thanksgiving that truly meant something to you I would love to hear it.
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1744 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1744 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2025 : 01:55:36 AM
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Ditto to your words Debbie, I miss the large family gatherings we use to have with my side of the family. In total there were thirty-five of us. There was always so much joy and laughter and games, and of course great food. After our parents passed on, all of my siblings have their own gatherings with their children and grandchildren. I see each of them on occasion, but not nearly enough We will gather with Bentley’s family on Thanksgiving day which will be great! His mom is now 89 and we are so blessed to still have her with us. His family totals thirteen with no grandchildren yet, so all adults. We cherish the time we still have with his mom.
I’m happy to say though that my DIL has decided to change all of that, and this weekend we are having a large gathering at our home in NC where Will and Victoria now live. It will include about seventy-five people, including both sides of their families and their friends. I am so excited that my brother and sisters will be there along with their extended families. This is their third year hosting this BBQ and bonfire and it grows every year! Victoria is a great hostess, and she and Will work so hard to make it happen. I love them both so much for bringing us together again. I am truly Thankful , Grateful and Blessed to have Family!!
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A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Wanda Sue
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month-August 2022 |
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Bellepic
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2025 : 07:07:32 AM
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75 settings and growing! Hats off to Victoria!
As a kid, my family and cousins would converge on Grandma's in Delaware for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to see everyone, but also stressful. Grandma would remember any absences and remind you of your lapse (one year, my high school marching band flew to Disney World to perform in the kingdom was not a good enough excuse). She would remember if anyone had ever expressed interest or dislike for a dish. If dislike, your salad would never again be sullied with onions even if you had developed a taste for them in the intervening decade. If even a politely tepid interest was expressed, that dish *had* to be on the menu every subsequent year and the casseroles of beige vegetables multiplied like Victoria's guest list. All prepped in a kitchen that hadn't been renovated in a half century by increasingly less competent "helpers" as her health deteriorated.
Since having Fallon and moving even farther away, we've streamlined Thanksgiving to just be our immediate family and, when paired with a couple check-in calls to extended family, it has been such a relief. We are forging our own traditions, so we've been taking a closer look at what ingredients and dishes might actually have been available to Pilgrims and planning the menu accordingly. It also seems like a good time of year to revisit Indigenous wisdom so I am pleased that my church book club is working through Braiding Sweetgrass. |
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com
Oct 2025 FGOTM |
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levisgrammy
Scattered Prairie Hen Honcho
10733 Posts
Denise
Ohio
USA
10733 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2025 : 11:32:20 AM
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We used to have large get together at the holidays. My grandparents would come on occasion for a holiday. My grandma maternal grandmother didn't really care for children. My paternal grandma who was the total opposite died when I was 6. Daddy was the youngest of 16 but only 9 of those lived to adulthood. So there were plenty of aunts,uncles and cousins to visit. I was the baby of the baby and there were major age gaps between us four siblings. So I don't remember as much as my older brother does. In our immediate family my brother and I are the only ones left. We have always made a big deal about Thanksgiving either visiting parents when we could,(military life) or just us. Now the kids are grown we have gone from having two of them at the holiday with the older grands to swapping years between the 3 of our kids. We do the same at Christmas.
One of my memories of Thanksgiving at home was always having to stuff the dates. It was a messy job but I loved eating them. I always got those jobs. Stuffing celery was another because I liked to help. This year we have our middle daughter and we are hosting though we tend to split who cooks what. Jon likes to do the turkey. Christmas will be with our oldest and next our son will get Thanksgiving.
Sounds confusing but works. |
Denise~~
Sister #43
"I am a bookaholic with no desire to be cured."
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path"
Psalm 119:105
www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
Edited by - levisgrammy on Nov 15 2025 11:33:02 AM |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
1920 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
1920 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2025 : 5:43:35 PM
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| When I was younger, Thanksgiving was at my grandparents house and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins were there. Every year my grandpa would mumble a prayer (I think he hated doing it in front of everyone) and as if part of the prayer it would always end "amen, now all you kids have to go to bed!" It was always the same at Christmas too. Sadly, since they've passed my family doesn't get together for Thanksgiving. We do go next door and have a big meal with Nathan's family though. |
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington |
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Bellepic
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2025 : 06:52:47 AM
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Small world, Denise. I thought stuffed dates and celery were weird quirks of my family (they were my tasks as a kid/teen too).
That's neat, Heather. So this was an after dinner prayer? Or the go to bed part was a joke? I remember the patriarchs mumbling Grace and getting the stink eye if you picked up your fork before so I would have been devastated if I was dismissed to bed after without eating. |
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com
Oct 2025 FGOTM |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
1920 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
1920 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2025 : 09:28:13 AM
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| Chris - LOL! It's funny how our experiences growing up shape our view of things - My grandpa was a big jokester and all about having fun. It was the before we ate prayer and it was the only time there was quiet in the house! Our get togethers were loud and unruly. There were only 4 seats at the table. The kids would usually sit around on the floor while the adults claimed the couch and chairs. It was the complete opposite of what I'm picturing you enduring. Instead of the stink eye my grandpa would have winked and passed you a piece of candy while no one was looking. This has nothing to do with thanksgiving, but while I'm reminiscing I'll share a fun story. My grandparents would never call and say they were going to come for a visit. Not a problem except that sometimes they would drive and hour to get here and we wouldn't be here because we didn't know they were coming. BUT, we always knew they were here!!! My grandpa would hide things, move things, etc. The grain scoop would be missing when we went to feed the cows, one time the fan blocked the parlor door so we couldn't get in, a piece of wood would be in your boot when you put it on, you get the idea. Well, one day (after my grandma had passed) we stopped in to see Grandpa but he wasn't home. I put a rubber band around the spray nozzle of the kitchen sink. (I thought it would be a little more obvious than scotch tape.) When you turned the water on the nozzle sprayed. (side note - water fights were a big part of my childhood LOL) I also left Grandpa a note on the table letting him know we were there. Next time I saw him I was waiting and waiting for him to say something. Finally I asked if he had any issues with the sink. He started laughing and said "I probably shouldn't tell you how many times I turned it on before I figured out what was going on, or how wet my shirt was by then." My grandparents were the best!!!! |
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2025 : 10:28:28 AM
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Your Grandpa sounds like a Hoot Heather, what funny and heartwarming memories.
How I am enjoying reading all your Thanksgiving stories Wildflowers they are awesome.
My very first memories of Thanksgiving were shared with the Nuns in the Orphanage I was raised in for a few years. I was raised in a Catholic Orphanage in St. Louis Missouri. They were the most loving Nuns and the Orphanage my home that I never wanted to leave, such a happy time for me.
Then the next wonderful memories were spending Thanksgiving with my Military Family of wives in Germany while our husbands were in Desert Shield/Desert Storm for a year. Such a loving extended family with all the wives and our children and of course the food was delicious.
I have memories with Tom’s family after we were married but nothing has ever compared to my memories above.
I would not trade any of the loving memories I had as they are mine, meant to be and treasured as I had so few precious memories of my past.
But, I have strived all my married life to make memories that Tom and Kent will treasure especially Kent. Over 51 years we have always had Thanksgiving at home and I cooked as it is always about Family, Love and being Thankful so I never wanted to not be at home and cooking.And anyone was always welcome around our table. Well, except this year we are ordering a precooked all the fix-ins Thanksgiving dinner from our local Fred Meyer Grocer and it will be great as we will be at home. Life is wonderful and I am so Blessed.
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1744 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1744 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2025 : 10:31:11 AM
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| I am totally enjoying everyone’s memories. |
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Wanda Sue
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month-August 2022 |
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LauraBell
True Blue Farmgirl
357 Posts
Laura
Corpus Christi
TX
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2025 : 08:01:31 AM
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My parents moved us down to South Texas when I was six and their families were up in Ohio. Our Thanksgiving has always been a small gathering and it seems smaller every year. This year Megan and her little family and Connor and a friend will be joining us so there will be 10 at dinner. Just yesterday, my sister and I were out helping our dad get his house ready for company and he remarked that he didn't have enough chairs or dishes to feed that many! We haven't ever had to be worried about that before. It will be fun for sure.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? I always loved my mom's stuffing and finally found a recipe that tastes like hers. She used the Kellogg's Crouettes which they don't make anymore and she was a great cook who didn't follow recipes - she just had the magical way of throwing things together!
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Laura
Happy to be Farmgirl #7286 |
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Bellepic
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2025 : 10:00:28 AM
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Stuffing! yes! I was devastated to learn many recipes have sausage when I was on a vegetarian streak. Also pecan pies.
Debbie's expat story is so true. One of my favorite memories (another blot on my Grandma's house attendance) was going to Paris to have Thanksgiving with fellow study abroad classmates (I was stationed in Rome). I peeled so much garlic the hard way before someone found a garlic mincer and instructed me on its use! Then riding a crowded Roman bus shortly after, I could have sworn someone muttered "i puzzi Romani..." as they walked by me, this would translate to, "those stinky Romans" and I wasn't sure whether to be flattered I passed for local or embarrassed my garlic misadventure still hadn't dissipated not withstanding very thorough showering. I later learned there is a common phrase "i pazzi Romani," "the *crazy* Romans" and my fellow passenger was probably oblivious to me and my smell. |
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com
Oct 2025 FGOTM |
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debbieklann
True Blue Farmgirl
3224 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
3224 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2025 : 2:25:42 PM
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Christine, I could believe that your grandma and mine were related! It sounds SO familiar! We learned a funny story years after it happened, you know how those things go. When we had dinners at my grandparents' house, the adults sat at the dining room table on the main floor and the 7 younger cousins, 6 girls and 1 boy, all got to eat downstairs by themselves. One of the rules of eating there at ANY meal was that you HAD TO CLEAN YOUR PLATE!!!!! Throw back from the Depression Days, I'm sure. Grandpa sat at the head of the table and you had to walk by him on your way to take your plate to the sink. Everyone's plate had to pass inspection...(shaking my head). Those 7 cousins downstairs figured out a way to outsmart him. There was a downstairs bathroom and they would go in and flush whatever was left on their plates before heading upstairs...even chicken bones....(again, shaking my head). Grandpa was so proud of them for following the house rules! No one ever caught on and Grandma never caught on, even when she had to, on multiple occasions, call the plumber after a family dinner, because the downstairs toilet wasn't working....again!!! I think she went to her grave never knowing...haha!
Thanksgiving dinner with my other grandparents was a culinary dream!!! That woman was the BEST cook and always made Christmas candy for Thanksgiving! She worked all week but would spend time after work at night making everyone's favorites to have. I miss her everyday :) |
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
January 2020 FGOTM
"Well behaved women seldom make history"...
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2025 : 5:04:44 PM
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| Debbie I really enjoy yours and Chris’s Thanksgiving Story just to darn funny. Thank you both. |
Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Bellepic
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2025 : 07:47:10 AM
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Lol! My brothers and I stumbled upon that same "toilet trick" with German live-in nannies that had a similar clean your plate rule. They cooked beef to such a well-done state our little kid molars would chew and chew and never make swallowable headway. Getting a very food-oriented black Lab saved us so many trips to the restroom.
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Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com
Oct 2025 FGOTM |
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debbieklann
True Blue Farmgirl
3224 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
3224 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2025 : 08:00:47 AM
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| Haha, Christine!!! The dog was a great idea! Grandma would never have allowed a pet in her house :( |
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
January 2020 FGOTM
"Well behaved women seldom make history"...
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2025 : 3:23:13 PM
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I wanted to share with all of you my lastest colored picture on my refrigerator. This one is from Krista and her darling Bexten for our November Card Swap theme Thankful on the main forum. I was so happy to add it with Fallon’s. My refrigerator looks so colorful so thank you Fallon and Bexten.
Any other Wildflower want to share their young kiddo or grandchild’s colored pictures? Ooh, maybe a Christmas one. Just sayin’:-) |
Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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debbieklann
True Blue Farmgirl
3224 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
3224 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2025 : 3:30:46 PM
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Merit drew this of Brad’s imaginary dog, Skeeter. It’s a long story….haha! |
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
January 2020 FGOTM
"Well behaved women seldom make history"...
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2025 : 3:41:07 PM
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| Oh I love that Debbie. Merit sure can draw. Would love to hear the story one day:-) |
Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Bellepic
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2025 : 11:00:08 AM
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| Wow, Skeeter is handsome! I love how kids always remember to include sun, sky and grass in their compositions-- I often forget those and end up in the doldrums. |
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com
Oct 2025 FGOTM |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 24 2025 : 09:44:54 AM
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2025 : 09:35:41 AM
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1744 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1744 Posts |
Posted - Nov 25 2025 : 3:43:08 PM
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| You too Debbie, love this picture. |
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Wanda Sue
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month-August 2022 |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 26 2025 : 09:25:59 AM
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
5474 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
5474 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2025 : 05:41:33 AM
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Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018, September 2022 and August 2025.
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Project Discussions: ThAnKsGiViNg |
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ThAnKsGiViNg
