It’s Wednesday. Hump Day. First day to get your Friday Fictioneers on! As per, I seem to have a bit of a problem with creating fiction. I am once, again, taking the memoir route. What can I say? I must follow where the muse takes me. If your muse takes you to an interesting place, then please do share! Click on the frog below and add your 100-words worth. Thank you, Rochelle for hosting this weekly party. And thank you, Douglas M. MacIlroy for lending us your image.
What’s the Word, Bird?
It’s funny how seemingly out of the blue a thought can cross your mind. Spark a dormant memory. You don’t even notice what triggered it (bird on a windowsill) but your mind starts roaming and a smile crosses your lips and a warmth spreads from your heart to your fingertips.
“What’s the word, bird?” was how he always greeted me.
“Tweet! Tweet!” was how I always responded.
‘Twas a silly exchange but one that shall forever remain a fond memory.
Mononcle* Royal, I cannot believe it has been twenty years since your twinkling eyes dimmed and your ready laugh silenced.
*I think I’ve mentioned it before but here in Quebec, or rather, in my family (and many other French families), an uncle or an aunt becomes “my uncle” and “my aunt” in one word. If I were to say I love my uncle, it actually will come out as I love my MyUncle. J’aime mon Mononcle.
It’s so natural to be taking stock in these days, parsing old memories, remembering
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I guess. I dunno that I was taking stock as much as a memory triggered by the bird.
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A tender memory. Thanks for sharing it, Dale.
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Thank you, Merril.
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You’re welcome. I forgot to say that it’s funny , but cute, about the one word mononcle.
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I know… the purists look at us askance. We care not. I am a Matante and happy to be so 😉
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A beautiful memory.💜
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Thank you, Willow. 🧡
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😀
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Dear Dale,
I love where the photo prompt took you. Thank you for sharing your sweet memory with us. Well done.
Shalom and lotsa hugs from a social distance,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
So glad you did. I can still hear him saying it!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Sweetie…you can take us for a ride any ole time with your prose. Fiction or otherwise.
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Thank you my lovely friend. Glad you are willing to hop on
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If you write it, most definitely!
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Awwww garsh!!
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Great memory, Dale. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, John. Tweet! Tweet!
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Do you remember Surfin Bird. You may havebeen a toddler when it came out. Here it is https://youtu.be/9Gc4QTqslN4
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Well I do remember it because Mom raised us on Rock ‘n Roll and country. It came out the year before I was born, however 😉 A classic!
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True. Now I need to take a nap. I remember when it was released.
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Naps are always good.
You were just a pup, then…
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A junior in college. I guess that would qualify as a pup.
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Definitely!
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So, Dale, you were a tweet before twitter was ever born!!!
Your affection for your uncle shines through 🙂
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I know, right? Who knew I was so avant-garde!
Glad it does. He was a good man.
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I kinda got that, cos of your affection for him
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What a sweet memory. Thank you for sharing it with us. Birds of a feather. 🙂
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Thank you, Na’ama. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
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XOXO
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xoxo
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Aww… what a sweet memory, Dale! Sounds just right that you’d respond with a “Tweet! Tweet!”;-) xoxoxo
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Thank you, Marina. Glad you liked!
xoxo
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….I’ve got more to read… I’ve fallen behind past few days….
xoxoxoxo
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Tell me about it. I have to pick and choose. I am done with posts on Covid19 or Shelter in place or toilet paper shortages…
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This is madness…. most of my hours go by just by cleaning and disinfecting! 😱👹😱
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Oh. Not me …
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Good! 😉
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Great memory. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you, Trent. So glad you enjoyed. 🙂
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You were tweeting before it was cool. Lovely memory.
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It’s how I roll 😉 Thank you, Tara
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It’s the little comforting exchanges that we hold dearest. Stay safe Dale.
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This is so true.
You too, Iain!
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A lovely memory. We need to hang on to them.
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Thank you, Anthony.
Oh, There are so many memories locked up inside… all it takes is a little something like a bird to bring them forth.
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This is a perfect way to get a story… sometimes the first instinct from a picture is simply the best (and only) way to go.
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Thank you, Björn! It is the first thing that came to mind. (AND had nothing to do with the world’s events… 😉 )
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Such memories are gold and worth reminding ourselves that we all belong to one large family. Thank you.
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Indeed, James. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
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Bittersweet story, Dale.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan. I suddenly realised that last week was 20 years (I remember as it happened two days after my niece was born.)
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I love when a deeply held memory gets pulled out of the cracks by something, like a sound or smell.
Did you think we’d assume you were cheating on the wordcount with mononcle?
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It is a wonderful thing indeed.
No, I was just informing of this particular idiom in Quebec!
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What a special exchange. It’s funny how little things like that will spark memories. On a cold night, a friend said, “Ever notice you breathe more when you can see your breath. Now, you’re gonna think of me every time you see your breath.” It’s been years, and I think of her every time.
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It is special. And it is funny. And now, I will think of it! And that is your little special connection with your friend. Doesn’t have to be anything big, eh?
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Sorry to pass on that affliction.
Nope. Often, the little things are the most meaningful.
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Dale,
At first I was like, waz Monocle? And so thank you for the explanation. And it’s funny how the dialect is so different from one place to another. I’m sure if Michael J Fox reads this, he would be like “Those Canadians have some really interesting ways about them, too bad I can’t relate,”.
And that was a beautiful way to use this week’s challenge, by the way.
Marco
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Marco,
Lost that second ‘n’… in Mononcle but of course, I know you like the 🧐 so maybe you dropped it on purpose. As for Michael J,… yanno, he’s an ANGLO Canadian from the prairie province of Alberta, so he’d have no clue any more than you have.
And thank you, by the way. Glad you appreciated.
Dale
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I’m simple as Simon sometimes, but I gotta say . . I do loves me the monocle man.
As for Michael J American, that is an urban legend perpetuated by Canadians. I understand how y’all would want him on your side, but I’m sure he loves maple syrup. And . . isn’t that enough?
Loved your sweet tweet in memory of a cherished person in your life.
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There is nothing simple about you. But you do loves the monocle man 😉 Here… just for you 🧐🧐
I’m okay with you guys enjoying him, even having him live amongst you, just know that it is just that. A loan. No. It isn’t enough.
Thank you. I am so glad you did.
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Among other things, I do 😉
You might be thinking about his twin brother, Marvin, who was adopted out at birth because Michael’s mother just could not bear to have two perfect children. Would be a sad story if it weren’t so inspiring. Anyways, Marvin found his way to a wonderful family in Canada.
Me too.
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Inquiring minds… never mind 😉
Buahaha! You know, how to weave a story, tell you what. I knew you were a writer but now, I REALLY know it.
Sweet.
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Yeah girl, uh huh.
Lest I ever give you a speck of doubt, just ask me to chronicle something. I’ll gin it up for you right now.
As honey
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Oh boy, oh boy.
You do that. I’ll Q up the bar, make myself comfortable and you can Bill me for it later.
I’ll take maple syrup
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Oh girl . . .
So cheeky and clever.
Me too. With a side of hot buttah
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Oh….
I try 😉
Maybe we need a base, like a bun, or something…
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Part of the charm of FF is how memories are sometimes shared.
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This is true. Thank you.
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Ton tononcle is good looking. He has a beautiful presence.
Going further I’m calling you Lady Bird.
Thank you for this heartwarming share ❤
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Mononcle Royal was a tortured but beautiful soul.
Moi? Merci.
Thank you for stopping by xoxo
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Beautiful remembrance of a cherished relationship, Dale.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Lovely story. Missed and not forgotten. The story has heart Dale.
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Thank you, T. Much appreciated.
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Loved this, Dale, and I learned something new – realised Mononcle is similar to Monsieurdame – which I always loved during holidays in France with my monsieur of the time. But that’s another memoir altogether! Your pictures show a lovely man – who wouldn’t be glad to be recalled by twinkling eyes and laughs.
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Thank you, Jilly. Ah mais oui… All in one word to include all 😉
I was going nuts because I have a bazillion photos but almost none of him!
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Cute little story Tweet tweet.
May MyUncle forever rest in peace.⚘
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Thank you, Drew. Only so much you can do with 100 words, eh?
I like to think he is. He had his share of demons. 🌻
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Yeah, I used to write these litle things. They are fun to do.
Stay inspired.
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They are! Plus they teach you to cut the fluff!
Will do. Stay strong!
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Will do.
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bittersweet. loved ones who are gone will always be alive for as long as we remember them.
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That is so true, Plaridel.
Thank you
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A wonderful memory, Dale. Extended family is a blessing.
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Thank you, Ina. That it is.
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What an engaging little memoir! I like your uncle’s greeting; there’s something comfortable about rituals, especially if they’re humorous. Nicely written, Dale
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Thank you, Penny. It was so funny because upon seeing the bird, “What’s the word, bird” popped into my mind. Why not run with it, eh?
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Such a touching memory.
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Thanks, Alistair
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It’s magical how the littlest things trigger the deepest memories. Well penned.
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Thank you, Susan. I’m always surprised when it does.
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A fond memory, well told. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Clare.
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A beautifully trilled memory. xo
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Thank you, Pamela!
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❤
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What a lovely memory, and so many opportunites to bring Tononcle back, with spring happening right now.
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Thank you, Liz. I shared this with his sons and was rewarded with happy tears ..
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Dale, such a sweet memory! Thanks for sharing it.
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda.
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What a touching story Dale!
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Thank you, Russell!
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It’s wonderful to have memories that remind us of special people.
Lovely, Dale. Have a wonderful weekend.
Isadora 😎
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Dahlink! You went for a trip in my SPAM folder!
I have since retrieved you (and thank you for telling me as I have been particularly negligent with this folder!)
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A lot of feeling in this, Dale and a nice little bit of education in the french language, merci beaucoup 🙂
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Thanks Michael. Love that you enjoyed.
Mon plaisir!
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Memories are funny like that! My “uncle”, who wasn’t my uncle, was Elvis. Okay, not the real Elvis, but in my 10-year-old eyes he was Elvis. Same build, same hair, and same bluest of blue eyes. He always called me, pumpkin. To this day, whenever I hear that term of affection I grow all warm and fuzzy. I lost uncle Elvis in 8th grade when a car accident took him from us. Our stories are similar, my friend.
Thanks for the memories!
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Aren’t they, though?
What a great memory this has evoked in you. So glad this little piece did.
Thank you for your share!
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What a tender and touching story Dale. Thanks for sharing it.
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Thank you, Francine. Funny how an image can send you down memory lane… Glad you enjoyed!
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A most precious memory, and thank you for sharing it with us. And I’m glad you explained “monocle.” I was looking for a glass lens clenched in one eye 🙂
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Thank you, Linda. Mononcle (with an extra ‘n’) could definitely be confused with monocle 😉
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Especially if you’re unfamiliar with French 🙂
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Oui, oui! 😉
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Lovely memory. Must keep you chirpy all day long.
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That it does!
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It’s always great when a good memory comes out of the blue.
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Indeed!
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Hola Dale,
Nope, I don’t see my comment from Friday. MMMmmmm … it’s that sneaky COVID intercepting computers now. LOL
I always enjoy it when you write about your family and friends. There’s a genuine heartfelt ring in the tone. Toodles …
Izzy 😎
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That’s coz… yeah. COVID Gremlins! Back! Stay back!
OK… we took care of them…
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LOLOL Sometimes I feel like I’m going mad … mad … mad… like in loopy … LOLOL
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HAHAHA!
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A beautiful tribute Dale, loving the French vocab info and literal translation. Good stuff as ever, and a relief its not about the lock down!
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Thank you, Shrawls. I figured I’d share our parlance!
And I can guarantee you NONE of my stories will include viruses, lock downs, shelter-in-place… Or even dystopia. Ever.
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OMG this is so touching and emotional. I have happy tears reading such beautiful memories
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Thank you so much, Laurie. I really appreciate your lovely comment!
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One of the nicer things about life is to be able to have such easy access to such a happy memory
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I could not agree more, Larry.
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Sweet!
I have a wonderful uncle memory, too!
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Awww… That’s so cool.
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Yeah! ❤
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Thanks for sharing this tender memory Dale.
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Thank you, Subroto. So glad you enjoyed.
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