Tags
Be All Merry, Bill Bailey, Charles Williams, covid-19 troubles, Franz Waxman, Great Sacred Music, Happy Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, In Dulci Jubilo, Leroy Anderson, music, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Suffolk, The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin, The Devil's Gallop, The Little Train of the Caipira, The Ride to Dubno, The Typewriter, Villa Lobos
Elinor, our younger daughter is self-isolating until Christmas Eve after being contacted by ‘Test and Trace’. We think she may have been near someone, who has since contracted Covid-19, while she was at the hairdresser’s in Norwich on Thursday 10th December. She is physically well at the moment. Richard and I have no need to self-isolate as yet, because Elinor has no symptoms, but are being very cautious and have limited our journeys to necessary shopping. Elinor is so unfortunate! She had not left our house and garden, except for one walk round the lanes when she didn’t see a soul, for five whole weeks and the one time she went further afield the result was self-isolation for ten days! She suffers from chronic anxiety, so goodness knows whether she’ll have the courage to leave the house ever again! She is very unhappy and depressed and desperately needs a hug which we can’t give her. We completely understand that we must limit our contacts with other people until this pandemic is under control but the damage all this isolation and lock-down is doing to so many people, physically, mentally and financially is unimaginably great. My elder daughter Alice, who has Bi-polar 2 disorder is also having a very hard time stuck in Sheffield, unable to see her friends or visit us. Her husband is unwell at present and is needing a lot of care.
The only thing that has been keeping me going through this year is music. I’ve not been able to concentrate for long enough to get much enjoyment from reading and I can’t seem to string more than a few words together, either speaking or writing. My memory is dire and my arthritis is troubling me a lot. Music has been a balm to my soul, though it often causes me to cry.
I have selected a few pieces of music to share with you that have made me laugh, made me smile and even caused a tear or two.
This first video was shown me by Elinor some time ago and many of you may have seen it already. I hope you enjoy it.
I have always loved listening to music that tells a story or is so descriptive that if I close my eyes I can be transported away from the here-and-now to another world. This next piece of music is best listened-to with your eyes shut so that you aren’t distracted by anything.
I have long been an admirer of Bill Bailey. He is an accomplished actor, musician, comedian and extremely knowledgeable on many subjects. He has also just won the latest Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball prize with his partner, Oti. A very versatile man!
I think most of my British readers will recognise this next piece either from the original Dick Barton radio series or from the Mitchell and Webb ‘Sir Digby Chicken Caesar’ sketches. It’s called ‘The Devil’s Gallop’. It came on the radio the other week while I, along with a few other impatient drivers, was following a tractor and a couple of heavily-laden lorries on the A143 on the way to Diss. It made me laugh.
Just before ‘The Devil’s Gallop’ was played on the radio I had been entertained with a similarly blistering, breakneck piece of music. How many key-changes can you hear in this one?!
I have been listening to the St Martin’s-in-the-Field Thursday recordings of Great Sacred Music for some time now. There are three or four pieces of music, usually including a hymn, and a narration in-between each piece by Rev. Dr Sam Wells. I have found these performances so soothing and comforting!
I recently bought some new Christmas music recorded by the Choral Scholars of the University College Dublin. The first track is a wonderful rendition of In Dulci Jubilo written by Matthew Culloton. You may find that if you keep listening after this track all the others on the album will be played for you!
The whole collection of songs on ‘Be All Merry’ are fabulous but I thought this next recording of theirs spoke to me so clearly about how I am feeling this Christmastide. I hope you agree with me.
I hope you have enjoyed my selection and that you also, can find some solace and happiness in listening to music.
I wish you all as Merry a Christmas as it is possible to have in this troubled world of ours and that we can all meet again in the New Year with hope in our hearts, God willing.
Happy Christmas everyone!
Lyn said:
I’m so sorry to hear about Elinor and Alice, and the situation your family finds itself in with Christmas just around the corner. This Christmas is going to be so hard for so many people. Children not being able to see Granny and Granddad and in some cases, even their parents. I can’t imagine what my friends in England are going through. My prayers are with you and your family, Clare, for a safe Christmas as limited as it will be.
P/S Thank you for sharing the music. Loved the typewriter one especially ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much, Lyn. It will be a very strange Christmas for everyone. We will certainly miss seeing Alice and her husband but at least they are together and we can Zoom in the evening. We will have my mother with us on Christmas Day (and probably the next day as well) as usual as we are still allowed to have visits from people in our ‘bubbles’. We are much more fortunate than many people in that respect. Elinor has just one more day in self-isolation and then we can relax a little bit.
A very Happy Christmas to you, Lyn and may God keep you safe xxxx
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derrickjknight said:
I am so sorry to read about your daughters, and wish you as good a Christmas as you can have. The latest restrictions have put paid to our plans. XX
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Derrick. Once Elinor comes out of her self-isolation in 24 hours we will be able to relax a little and begin to think of Christmas. I am so sorry you have had to abandon all your Christmas plans. Richard saw such long queues at the Post Office yesterday as people tried to send presents they thought they would be able to give to visiting relatives. I am glad that we all decided that we wouldn’t visit or be visited this year and I sent my parcels off early.
May I wish you and Jackie a very happy Christmas and a better new year. 🙂 xx
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derrickjknight said:
Thank you very much, Clare. Ours do want to come on Christmas Day after all. Your good wishes reciprocated
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂
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John Bainbridge said:
In spite of all. we hope you have a good Christmas, Wish you all well.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, John. May I wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas!
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Linda Ellis Peck said:
I wish your daughters and you and all of your family a very Merry Christmas Season! I’m sure after 10 days of isolation, the danger is passed for the possible Covid contact. We too are isolating here in Michigan and I have not been into anyone’s home but my own for several weeks now, and my daughter lives next door. We do go for walks, though. Great healing is coming! Blessings to you! Linda
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Linda. My younger daughter’s self-isolation ends in 24 hours time and will be a cause of great happiness to us all! She has been very good and has kept to her room for most of the time but she gets so lonely! She is very well and has had no symptoms of Covid-19 and neither have we. Here in England we are allowed to enter one other house and the two families become a ‘bubble’. Such a silly term but it means I have been able to look after my mother and she will be able to come to us on Christmas Day. I am glad you have been able to walk with your daughter. Around the world, people have realised how important our families and friends are to us! I had hoped this pandemic would make us kinder and more tolerant but I don’t think it has.
A very happy Christmas to you and your family, Linda and thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog.
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Linda Ellis Peck said:
Thank you so much, Clare, for your beautiful and thoughtful reply. I feel your spirit. Yes, we have so much to be thankful for and a corner to be turned soon! I’m happy you are in a safe bubble with your loved ones and wish you the best of Merry Christmases!
Linda
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Linda. Apologies for taking so long to reply to your kind comment but my mother’s home flooded on Christmas Eve and I have been rather busy since then. I hope you are continuing to keep safe and well.
Clare
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susanpoozan said:
I am so sorry for you all, the pandemic has really hit your family hard. It is good to know that music can help though. I am sure you are alone in seeking solace that way. Have as gods a Christmas as you can manage and may 2021 be a better year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much, Susan. Our situation is not as bad as it was and it certainly was never as bad as some people have had to deal with.
I hope you also have a very merry Christmas and a better new year in 2021!
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Rachael said:
I am so sorry to hear your family are having such a difficult time. You are the first person who has reported their memory has deteriorated – mine is getting worse. However, it is important we remember this will pass. Like you, I live in the Waveney Valley, and the rural walks nearby, and my garden, offers great solace. Take care.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on my blog, Rachael. It is nice to ‘meet’ you especially as you live nearby. I really enjoyed reading your Haiku.
We are a little easier now as my son-in-law is coping better and my daughter at home comes out of her self-isolation in less than 24 hours!
I hope you have a happy Christmas and a better new year.
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Jane Sturgeon said:
Wrapping you all in much love and I will write to you. Thank you for sharing the music. ❤ ❤
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you my dear friend. Hugs and love xxXXxx ❤ ❤ ❤
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Array said:
Thank goodness for music and radio and any thing, no matter how small, which helps us to smile. I do hope you will all remain Covid free and you will soon be able to hug Elinor again. This is a terrible time for those with chronic anxiety. My daughter, who lives in a relatively safe environment in Australia, is so worried about Covid she has barely left her room since March. Thank you for taking your time to send out this blog post of Christmas cheer. Virtual hugs and good wishes from this side of the world. XOX
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Clare Pooley said:
I have been thinking of your daughter, Mandy and wondering how she is coping. I am sorry she is too frightened to leave her room. Elinor has gone out a few times since March, especially in the summer when the cases of Covid-19 were fewer but she is so frightened of catching it and passing it on to us! Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comments and I hope you and yours have a good Christmas despite everything and we all have a better year next year.
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Jill Weatherholt said:
I’m sorry to hear about your daughters, Clare. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family this holiday season.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Jill. We are feeling a little easier now despite the bad news regarding the new strain of Corona virus, the possibility of a nationwide lockdown again and the problems with imports and exports!
May your Christmas be a happy one and I hope that 2021 is a better year for all of us.
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womanseyeview said:
What a delightful musical tour Clare and thank you for sharing. These are such strange times for us all but for those who are more anxious than most ordinarily it can be a nightmare. It’s so important to be reminded of this and how for your daughters, and you who loves them, the burden is even greater. Our Christmas’s will all be a little different this year but here’s wishing you peace and security and a kinder, gentler 2021.
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Clare Pooley said:
How very kind, thank you so much! I am pleased you enjoyed the music. We are coping better especially as Elinor stops self-isolating in less than 24 hours! May you have a peaceful and happy Christmas and a healthy and safe new year.
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Clive said:
I’m sorry to hear your family news, Clare, and I hope that Tier 3 restrictions aren’t too bad for you – I don’t have my daughters and granddaughter with me and now that we are all in Tier 4 it’s looking grim. Hopefully your outlook is better! Thank you for the beautiful music – most of these are new to me and I enjoy having my horizons expanded. Thank you for all your support for my blog, too. Have the best Christmas you can possibly have in current circumstances, with the people who matter most to you. Take care.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much for your kind comment, Clive. I apologise for taking so long to reply but we had an eventful Christmas. My mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have been trying to sort it out ever since. ‘It never rains but it pours’ comes to mind! 😀
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Clive said:
Wow! That sounds awful. I hope the sorting out is going as well as possible and that your Mum is alright. I can’t think of anything more disheartening, especially at that time of year. Fingers crossed the forecast snow doesn’t materialise tonight!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Clive. I think we are just missing out on the snow – too far east and north, I think. I hope your snow doesn’t amount to much. Mum is fine. She is a trooper and can cope with most things despite being quite frail and nearly 91. She spent 11 days with us and as soon as the power went back on in her home she moved back in. Fortunately, it was only rain water that came into the house so wet and a little muddy but not nasty.
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Clive said:
I checked the forecast earlier and there were yellow warnings for snow and ice in the east, but the actual forecast didn’t mention them. Odd! Good to hear your Mum is ok and the damage wasn’t too awful.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Clive.
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Clare Pooley said:
I meant to add that I hope you are keeping well.
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Clive said:
Thank you, yes all is ok here. Hope you and your family are well too 😊
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Clare Pooley said:
Good! Yes, we are all fine, thank you 🙂
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willedare said:
Thank you, Clare, for this human and humane and even humorous post. A couple of your video selections put a big smile on my face. You reminded me that just about everyone has private challenges they are wrestling with — and these days the challenges are particularly extreme for many of us (“the damage all this isolation and lock-down is doing to so many people, physically, mentally and financially is unimaginably great.”) Deep breath in. Deep breath out. I, too, find solace in music — making, recording and listening to it. May 2021 be filled with kindness, tenderness, justice… and music!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your lovely reply, Will. I do apologise for the length of time it has taken me to reply but we had an ‘unforgettable’ Christmas. My mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have been dealing with it ever since! I hope you are keeping well 🙂
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Lavinia Ross said:
Clare, my heart goes out to you and your family, especially your daughters. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I find myself quietly asking the Universe for peaceful resolution to all problems. That brings me some peace.
I will make a number of repeat visits to listen to all the music. One of the selections, the second one, came up as unavailable. I noted one of your selections is a BBC radio theme. My favorite has always been the one “Sailing By”. That is a good one too, for a instilling a sense of peace.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Lavinia. I apologise for not replying sooner but my mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have been trying to put things right ever since. I hope you are keeping well. Oh yes – the second selection was ‘The Little Train of the Caipira’ by Villa Lobos.
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Lavinia Ross said:
No worries, Clare! Good to hear from you!
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margaret21 said:
So sorry your daughters are having such a tough time. That inevitably means that you are too, because we all know we are only as happy as our least happy child. Your musical choices are solace indeed. We’re not seeing any family at Christmas, nor likely to get to Spain where Emily is expecting her first baby, so like so many of us, Christmas is less than ideal.. But compared with you, we have it easy. Thinking of you.
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Clare Pooley said:
How kind you are, Margaret; thank you. I am so sorry you have not been able to see your children and grandchildren. I hope Emily is well. I apologise for not getting in touch earlier but my mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have been trying to sort it out ever since! What a time to have a flood! However, we are not alone, are we? So many others are ‘in the same boat’. 😉
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margaret21 said:
Oh Clare, how dreadful. I do hope she -and all of you – have managed to sort things out. I guess it’s not over yet. Sending positive thoughts.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for this message, Margaret. Apologies for taking so long to respond. I hope you and your family are all well.
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margaret21 said:
We’re fine thanks, but I continue to send positive thoughts in your direction.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Margaret. 😙
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unionhomestead said:
You’re in my thoughts, Clare. Stay safe x
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much. I hope you are all keeping well x
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Genessa West said:
I’m really looking forward to sitting down and listening to all your recommendations. No sign of the Mozart a13 winds!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Genessa! I love the Mozart 13 winds! That will have to be for next Christmas, hehe!
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bowlandclimber said:
Thanks for that uplifting post Clare despite you and yours problems. I’m still working my way through the music, I haven’t heard that Villa-Lobos one for years – delightful.
I will take this opportunity of wishing you all a good Xmas and let’s hope a much better 2021.
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Clare Pooley said:
Apologies for taking so long to reply to your kind comment, John. My mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and it has taken me this long to get back to nearly normal. I hope you have had a good year so far. I haven’t had the time to read anyone’s blogs in weeks but I hope to start again very soon.
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Laurie Graves said:
So very, very sorry! Best to your daughters. May 2021 be a much better year. Thanks for all the music suggestions. I will be listening to them soon.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for this kind comment, Laurie, and apologies for taking so long to reply. We had an ‘exciting’ time at Christmas with my mother’s home flooding on Christmas Eve. I am nearly back to normal and hope to visit your blog again very soon.
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Laurie Graves said:
Oh, gosh! Glad to read you are nearly back to normal.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Laurie. All of us old ones have had our first vaccine dose and spring is just around the corner. What better news than that!
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Laurie Graves said:
Yay!!!!
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Clare Pooley said:
😀
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I hope things will start looking brighter for us all soon Clare, what with the vaccines and all. The thing about being down is you can only go up from there.
I’m sorry to hear that Elinor was exposed. My son was exposed as well but he never had any symptoms and is still doing fine. Hopefully she will be too.
I hope you’re all still able to talk regularly on the phone or on Zoom. I talk to my kids several times a week so it doesn’t seem like we’re entirely separated.
In spite of it all I hope all of you will have a Merry Christmas.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for this kind comment, Allen and apologies for taking so long to reply to you. Both daughters are fine and as from today both my husband and I as well as my mother have had our first covid vaccine dose. My mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and I have just started to get back to nearly normal again. I hope you are well and have had a good year so far.
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I’m glad to hear everyone is well and getting their shots. Mine is scheduled for the last day of March.
I can’t think of a worse time for a house to flood than Christmas eve. I can just imagine the chaos!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Allen. I hope your shot goes well – something to look forward to, at last!
Yes. Chaos is the word I would use too. A Christmas to forget – but I don’t think I ever will! 😀
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tootlepedal said:
What rotten luck all round. I hope that the self isolation passes safely and things start to improve again.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Tom. I apologise for not replying sooner but my mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and we are only just getting ourselves back to normal. I hope your year has been fine so far and with any luck I should be visiting your blog again very soon.
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tootlepedal said:
That was another unwelcome event. I hope that things have got a bit better since then.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Tom. Things have improved greatly since then, I am pleased to say.
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tootlepedal said:
Good.
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Lisa G. said:
I’ve heard Leroy Anderson’s Typewriter many times, but never saw it performed. I always thought the orchestra played the sound effects – this was cute! I’ll get back to the rest (the second selection doesn’t seem to be there, though)
I’m terribly sorry about Elinor – poor kid. (Alice, too) I hope the quarantine time will pass quickly for her. Your family has a heavy load to carry now, Clare. May it lighten up when Jesus comes. 🙂 xo
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Lisa. Apologies for not replying to this sooner but we have only just got ourselves back to normal after our ‘exciting’ Christmas. I cannot remember if I told you earlier that my mother’s house flooded on Christmas Eve. What a to-do! We are all fine now, though Mum still has no carpets and the ceiling in her book room needs repairing. She is back home and coping very well. 🙂
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Richard Sutton said:
So sorry to hear of your troubles, Clare. Please thank Elinor for making us all laugh with the ‘Typewriter’ piece by sharing it with you. It’s delightful to see it being performed so brilliantly. Thank you for this excellent post. Enjoy your music. ‘Virtual ‘hugs to you all. Wishing you joy and peace this Christmas and into the new year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much for this kind comment, Richard and apologies for the extremely late reply. We had a busy and not particularly merry Christmas because my mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve. I have only recently started to get back to normal and my blog has been almost forgotten until now. I look forward to revisiting ‘A Listening Heart’ in the very near future.
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Richard Sutton said:
Sorry to hear, Clare. I hope your mother’s house is not too badly damaged. I’m glad you are getting back to your blog. Wishing you all a much better Spring.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Richard. Mum’s house was inundated with rainwater, nothing nasty or smelly, which overflowed from a storm drain just outside her back door. Apart from a little mud and some leaves, very little damage to the structure was done and once we had dried it all out all looked fine. The ceiling has come down in one of her rooms with a flat roof but that should be fairly easy to deal with. She has to replace all the carpets and lino downstairs and we have been replacing electric appliances. She has been most upset by books and photographs that were ruined. We hope for a better spring too, not only for us but for everyone.
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margaret21 said:
It’s a bit late Clare, but in exchange for your wonderful offerings, I send you this: https://www.thetelling.co.uk/advent-calendar I love it!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much for this excellent Advent Calendar, Margaret. It cheered me exceedingly and I have ordered the CDs.
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margaret21 said:
Excellent! Result!
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Clare Pooley said:
😀
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Jolandi Steven said:
My heart aches for you and your family, Clare. Especially Elinor. How unfortunate. It is exactly the opposite of what she needs! I often wonder if we are doing good or bad when we stay away from hugs and contact when people really, really need that to safeguard mental health. I’m not talking about stomping around like spoiled children because we cannot meet our friends or live our lives the way we used to, but like Elinor, whose wellbeing depends more on a hug than isolation. This is such a difficult time to negotiate and to know what is best to do. I often find myself unable to make certain decisions, because of this feeling of being in a stalemate.
On a different note. Thank you for sharing the music that kept you company throughout the year. I particularly love the joy and humour of the first video.
Blessings to you and your family, dearest Clare. May all the challenges of this year ease off soon. X
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful and kind message, Jolandi. I did manage to read it almost as soon as you sent it but have only just found the time and energy to answer it. My mother’s house flooded on Christmas Eve and we had a very different Christmas to the one we had hoped to have had. Fortunately, Elinor had not caught Covid and she came out of isolation just hours before we heard from my mother who was bailing water out of her house with a saucepan! My mother came to stay with us for Christmas and New Year but is now back in her own home. I hope you and Michael have a very happy few days together xx
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Jolandi Steven said:
We are enjoying our time thoroughly, Clare. It’s just passing by too quickly.
Oh dear, having a flooded house on Christmas Eve must have been a real challenge. It sounds like things worked out well for all of you in the end. So glad to hear that Elinor didn’t get Covid.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Jolandi xx It was a challenging time but things are looking much brighter now. I’m glad you’ve had such an enjoyable time together ♥️
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Retirement Reflections said:
Hi, Clare – I am so sorry to hear about Elinor and Alice. Sending you all warm, healing vibes. Thank you for sharing these music pieces. I especially loved the first piece (typewriter). It definitely lifted my mood and put a smile on my face.
Wishing you and your family a safe, happy and peaceful year ahead.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Donna. I do apologise for not replying sooner but my mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have only recently started to get back to normal. I hope you and your family have had a peaceful and healthy year so far. 🙂
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Thank you, dear Clare. Reading the first paragraphs in particular made me want to phone and talk with you – until I realized I don’t have your number! So I’m sending you a big virtual hug and am so glad you shared this with us and didn’t give in to that stiff upper lip stuff.
My heart goes out to Elinor and to you and Richard. What an anxious time this must be.
We here are expecting to do into lockdown – the entire province – within a few days, and I am juggling twin urges to stay totally isolated and to go out and buy some basic supplies. And we really want to go to church on Christmas Eve, as we haven’t been since March. When even going to church could be dangerous … it is such a scary time for so many people.
Thanks for the music. My very best wishes to you all. You’re in my prayers again.
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Clare Pooley said:
My dear Cynthia! What a lovely message this is! I did read it when you sent it but I haven’t had the time or energy to reply until now. I’m afraid I can’t keep a stiff upper lip for long; it quickly turns into a wailing, wobbly lip! Both my girls are fine though they could be much better. This interminable lock-down is so depressing BUT…. the cases of Covid in Britain are reducing quickly now and not only my mother but my paramedic sister, my brother-in-law, Richard and I have all had our first dose of the vaccine!
My mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve so our Christmas wasn’t exactly joyful. We worked very hard getting the house clean and dry but unfortunately weren’t able to save all Mum’s treasures and appliances. She stayed with us until her house was ready to move back into (it still has no carpets) and I was happy to know that she had been well rested and well fed while she was with us. I hope you and your family are all well and that this year has been a peaceful and healthy one so far. xxx
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sherijkennedyriverside said:
Sorry to hear about Elinor’s troubles and the pain it causes you all. It’s been a tough year mentally for nearly all of us, but some more than others.
Thank you so much for the good wishes and for the music. I shall choose a time during my days at home to indulge in listening to them all.
I’ve finally finished the book that has kept me away from blogging and so occupied this year. I have reason to celebrate with that release, and I will enjoy the restful time to putter around with my husband during the holidays. – My brother will not come down to join us. We’d both isolated well, so were ok to be together, but he has other health issues which are flaring too much to travel the couple hours each way. This will be the third year it’s happened so, and we’re more used to quiet Christmases than most. Even so, there are many traditions that will be missed for us all.
Glad to be able to reach out to you in this way and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, even so! The physical light starts returning today and my eye is on better times to come. Wishing you all the best! -Sheri
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for this kind and thoughtful comment, Sheri. I am sorry you weren’t able to celebrate Christmas with your brother; I hope you are all keeping well and safe.
Both my daughters are fine though still finding the lock-down difficult to bear. My mother’s house flooded on Christmas Eve so we were kept busy all through Christmastide cleaning and drying the house and sorting out all the ruined belongings from those that could be saved. Mum stayed with us until her house was dry enough for her to move back in and she is coping very well.
Best wishes, Clare x
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sherijkennedyriverside said:
Oh my, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. I’m so sorry you all had to deal with that – especially during the Christmas season. But I’m very glad to here that she, and you all coped with it well.
Take care, and all the best to you! – Sheri
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Sheri; and to you, too!
Clare
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clivebennett796 said:
Sounds like you’ve had more than your fair share of worries and woes Clare. I hope things become brighter for you and your family. Have as good a Christmas as you can. Hope for a more peaceful and less troubled 2021. And yes I remember the Dick Barton series and that particular music clip! Best Wishes to you all.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much for your kind comment, Clive and apologies for not responding sooner but we had a more ‘exciting’ Christmas than we had bargained for. Mum’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve, just as Elinor came out of self-isolation. We are just now starting to get back to normal!
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Annika Perry said:
Clare, I hope Elinor is still doing well physically and she can join you for Christmas … what terrible luck to be pinged whilst only out once. It is a terribly mentally challenging time and I hope your other daughter can cope with it all. Are you doing okay? Won’t it be amazing, surreal even, once, when we can return to some sense of normality? The events at Dover really felt like a tipping point for me.
To your post and music – wow! It’s taken so long to reply as I’ve been listening through you wonderful music shares – nothing like it to reach through a troubled heart and soul. Sublime choral music and laughing at Bill Bailey!! He’s great, so funny with such ease.
I wish you and the family a very peaceful Christmas and hoping for a much better New Year. hugs xx
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment, Annika and apologies for not responding sooner but my mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve just as Elinor came out of self-isolation. It was a Christmas to remember and one I would like to forget 😀 We are just getting back to normal. I have had no time or energy for anything on-line for weeks now but now I know that Mum is fine and back in her own home, albeit without carpets or other floor covering, I feel I can start to get my own life back on track.
I hope you, your husband and son are all coping well with this strange life we are leading and that this year will be a better one for all of us. xx
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Ste J said:
I had forgotten about those Mitchell and Webb sketches although now anytime I am in a hurry (or avoiding ‘The Man’) I am humming that music. Sorry to hear about all the family issues, this year has been truly crazy with no let up. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas despite everything though.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much for your comment Ste J and apologies for taking so long to respond. Once Elinor’s self-isolation came to an end we had hoped to relax and enjoy Christmas. However, we got a call from my mother on Christmas Eve to say her house was flooded so we spent the rest of the day helping her and the fire brigade bail water out of her home. She stayed with us until it was safe for her to return home, and I am now trying to catch-up on all my abandoned jobs! I hope this year will be a better one for you and your family and that you are all continuing to keep well and safe.
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Ste J said:
Blimey it’s all been going on for you recently. I am glad you have come through the other side, hopefully you will be able to catch up and have a serene time of it afterwards. We have started off well moving in the right way, thankfully Crissy’s visa has come through so she can now stay for two and a half years and get a job. I earned to cook a vegetarian meal the other day, should have taken half an hour to prepare but it took me one and a half hours.
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Clare Pooley said:
Congratulations to Crissy on getting her visa! Had a giggle about the vegetarian meal! However, using a new recipe or cooking a different meal from usual alwaya takes ages and I never am able to keep to the recommended preparation time until I’m extremely proficient at something. There is always such a lot of chopping and slicing to do in a veggie meal. I am sure Crissy was very pleased with the results! 😊
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Ste J said:
I am happy to report that there was no food poisoning and thanks to the wait, it was all eaten. It’s a handy tactic to starve the hordes before allowing them to eat something that may not be the best. ALmost like I planned it…
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Clare Pooley said:
Hehe! Great strategy!
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(Kitty) Cat Strawberry - Meow! said:
Oh Clare I don’t wish you a Merry Covid Christmas at all, in fact I hate hearing that word these days, just fed up with the whole thing. 😦 I’m so sorry that your family and in particular Elinor has had to suffer such trouble so close to Christmas. Hopefully she’s out of her self isolation by the time you read this message and I hope she and you all are well and healthy and can enjoy the day with each other and have a lovely time whatever you choose to do ❤ 🙂
To be honest that test and trace app/system has been riddled with problems from the start, not making people aware when they've come into contact and also contacting people when there hasn't been a risk, I'd try not to worry too much about any warnings you get through the test and trace app, it has made mistakes and I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you. I think that's why some people haven't installed it, I even heard certain workers at certain institutions (cant' remember which) were told not to activate or download the app while at work. I'd concentrate more on keeping healthy if you do come into contact with others, and remembering that cases doesn't equal deaths or severe long term damage, important to remember when they bombard us with scary figures. 🙂
I hope Elinor is okay and you can give her a big hug now. 🙂 Like someone else in the comments I do sometimes wonder about all the rules the government are putting in place. Some of them just don't make any logical sense or feel like they go against everything natural about our human and social lives that it does make me question whether the people in charge do know what they are doing and whether we should be so focused on distancing when it might make things worse, mentally, for many.
Anyway, I shall listen to your music selection later on, I haven't got much time today, getting things done in a rush before the day ends. 🙂 But you are right about how amazing music can be. It can transport us through time and just makes us feel better. 🙂
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and if I don't speak to you before next week, I hope you all have a lovely and happy new year too! 🙂 Take care and enjoy tomorrow! 😀
(and sorry if there are any typos, I'm very sleepy despite just waking up, lol)
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you for this kind and thoughtful comment, Cat. I hope by now you will have received my e-mail and you will know why I haven’t been on-line for weeks! xxx
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(Kitty) Cat Strawberry - Meow! said:
Thank you for your email, yes I have received it, I was going to reply soon, the last week has just been very hectic and a lot of things have happened in my life and family the last few weeks. I’ll email you soon ❤ 🙂
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paulharley said:
Have a very good Christmas and a happy 2021. Roll on the vaccine.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Paul. Apologies for not replying sooner but my mother’s house was flooded on Christmas Eve and I have been rather busy since then! Fortunately, my mother, my husband and I have all had our first vaccine dose already!
I hope you are keeping well and that so far, this year has been a better one than last year.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
I’m sorry to hear about this difficult end to the year Clare, you’ve certainly not had a great one. Hopefully Elinor is now out of isolation and you’ve all managed to have a good Christmas. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is my favourite Christmas song. Meet Me In St. Louis was on TV yesterday and just before Judy Garland began to sing it, it started to snow outside. It didn’t last long, but it was real snow and the closest to a white Christmas we’ve had in a long time – a magical moment!
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for this kind comment, Andrea and apologies for taking so long to respond. My mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve and it has taken us some time to start to get back to normal. Fortunately, the water was just rain-water and once it dried out it left very little mark. Mum stayed with us until the house was safe and dry enough for her to move back in and she has coped very well with all the disruption. Her greatest regret is the quantity of books and photographs that have been ruined or just damaged in the water.
I expect you had some more snow, as we have had as well! Wishing you and your partner a better year this year and that you keep well and safe until the pandemic disappears. 🙂
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Andrea Stephenson said:
Oh no I’m very sorry to hear that, and on Christmas Eve of all days. I’m glad that there wasn’t too much lasting damage, but it is difficult when those sentimental things get damaged. We had snow for about a week but it disappeared with the rain on Sunday, it’s felt like spring the last couple of days! Wishing you a much easier year this year.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Andrea. Yes, our snow is fast disappearing in the rain; there are just a few places left where it drifted or where the snow-ploughs piled it up. Take care xx
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quercuscommunity said:
Ha! I’ve just been saying that I managed to buy another computer that doesn’t do sound, so I’m having to imagine the music – I can still hear Dick Barton in my head. I was amazed by Bill Bailey – I had assumed that he was there as comic light-relief and would be out after three or four weeks.
Sorry to hear about the isolation troubles – I’m lucky that my cavalier attitude towards personal grooming allows me to self-isolate with no problem. I hope it all works out for everyone – hopefully vaccination will make a difference in a few months (though this may sound stupidly optimistic in hindsight).
I’ve been having trouble with memory and concentration over the last month or so, so sympathise. I’m hoping it’s a combination of cold, short days and pain. I suspect it’s also maternal – mothers worry about their children where us men just let them potter off in the knowledge that they will return when they run out of money…
I’m hoping that warmer weather and longer days will sort my problems and I hope it helps you too.
Best wishes to all of you for a better New Year in 2021.
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Simon and apologies for taking so long to respond. My mother’s home was flooded on Christmas Eve and we have spent some time sorting her house out and getting her back into it. My mother, my husband and I have all had our first vaccine dose so things are already looking up. I hope you, Julia and your boys are all keeping well and that this year will be much better than last! 🙂
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quercuscommunity said:
Good to see you back and glad to hear things are on the up. I was starting to imagine all sorts of dire events. I’m much happier now I’m out of quarantine. and things are starting to look up. 🙂
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Charlotte Hoather said:
Hope you are all well Clare, and that you’ve started the new year well.
My best wishes
Charlotte
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Charlotte and apologies for not replying sooner or for visiting your blog for weeks. My mother’s home flooded on Christmas Eve causing a lot of work and worry for all of us. Fortunately, everything is coming right at last and I now have a little more time and energy for going on-line and finding out how everyone is. I hope you and George are keeping well and I hope to visit your blog again very soon xx
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Charlotte Hoather said:
No pressure Clare I was concerned I hadn’t heard from you. Take your time I know how it goes sometimes I can’t get around visiting everyone when I have pressure on.
All my best wishes Charlotte
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Clare Pooley said:
How sweet you are, Charlotte xx
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Liz said:
Hi Clare, I hope you and the family are doing ok. I thought of you this week because I watched The Dig on Netflix and realised that I could not remember when we were last in touch. It would be lovely to catch up if you have time. My email is leaping.tracks@btinternet.com if that helps. X 💜
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you, Liz. I’d love a catch-up and will be e-mailing you soon. I hope you and Hub are both well. xx
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Liz said:
Wonderful, that will be lovely! X
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maryannniemczura said:
Loved the music you chose. Couldn’t play one of the links. Clare, thank you for sharing personal family stories. The fear factor has been instilled in the public with the pandemic. Hope all are well and safe. Sometimes we simply need to choose to live our lives “normally” without the fear. Hugs and blessings. oxox
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you very much, Mary Ann. I apologise for the link that couldn’t be played – it’s fine in the UK but not the USA it seems.
We are all well and most of my family (husband, mother, sister, brother, older cousins, brother-in-law) and many of my friends have all had our first Covid vaccine injection. This gives me great joy and hope for the future. I hope you and your family are well and that you too, will be getting your vaccine soon and hope for a normal life in the near future.
Hugs and blessings to you, too
xoxo
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maryannniemczura said:
Clare , thank you for the informative post and happy for you. We have immunity since we both had a bout of covid in Nov. When we see our doctors, we will discuss if a vaccine is appropriate at this time. Be well and have a good week. oxox
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Clare Pooley said:
I am sorry to hear you had Covid last year; I hope you have no lasting after-effects. A friend’s daughter, who is a nurse and who had Covid last year has also had the vaccine because a) she is a nurse and b) the virus is mutating all the time and the vaccine will help to stave off serious illness. I am sure you will be advised well. Take care xoxo
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maryannniemczura said:
Thank you. Interesting to note the different treatments and advice in different countries. Our nurse daughter has opted out at this time. Not enough research yet on pregnancy. This is too new for much advanced research. Be well. 🙂 🙂 oxox
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂 🙂 xoxo
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maryannniemczura said:
Snowy hello today. 🙂 oxox
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Clare Pooley said:
🙂 xoxo
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Laleh Chini said:
So sorry dear.❤️❤️❤️
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Clare Pooley said:
Thank you so much, Laleh ❤ ❤ ❤ We are all fine now xoxo
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Laleh Chini said:
My pleasure.❤️
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