Welcome to Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writer’s Challenge. It’s been rewarding to read how profoundly and passionately the WQWWC participants have taken the last few topics. Thank you so much for your mindful poems, essays and memes! If I missed reading your post, please send me a message, or leave a comment and a link on this post.
Sandy of The Sandy Chronicles said in an interview that will post on May 29th that one of the hardest tasks of hosting a challenge is “choosing the topic.”
One of the greatest joys for me is to see what your friends from around the world do with the topic.
My Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Process
When I started hosting this challenge, I knew that choosing topics would be a hard task, so I set up all the topics for the year and posted them on my page along with instructions.
All week long I read the posts that come in response to the topic and link them to my next draft.
Last Week’s Fabulous Healing Essays & Photos
Please visit at least one or two. You will be blessed.
Collecting quotes and pasting them into the draft post is my next step.
Hope Quotes
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit..“
Nelson Henderson
“If you want to build a ship, don’t herd people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea
ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY
“Hold fast to dreams,
Langston Hughes
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.”
As I begin the writing process, I look up the word, even though most of us know what the word means, definitions may spark ideas. Using definitions is a popular way to start essays. Synonyms help when writing poetry.
I hope that I have all this done by Sunday or at the latest on Monday.
Definition of Hope
Synonyms for Hope
Writing the post comes next and I’ve played around with this from writing the basics and not creating my own post, to creating a post long enough to put an insomniac to sleep. My favorite kinds of posts to create are posts around a sub-topic based on what I’m doing in life – a series of hikes, events, or trips where I have more photos than readers want to see in one post.
The final steps are: processing photos, creating a Feature Photo in Canva and seeing how many other challenges to which I can link my post. Keeping a list of challenge blogger’s topics allows me to support other bloggers with my presence and comments at least. This week several challenges contain the topic of travel. I have just the thing.
Prescott Walk #13 Thumb Butte Trail
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Over the last few weeks in #WQWWC posts, we’ve talked about getting in shape, nutrition, exercise and healing. It was Vince’s and my hope when we moved to Prescott that we would hike and bike and get into better shape. For a while now, I’ve struggled to breathe as I walk uphill.
Travel Alert: Prescott is a mile-high city. Thumb Butte is higher still. I’m submitting the rest of the post for Restless Jo’s Monday Walk and Friendly Friday’s Road Trip . On Friday I will link it to Natalie the Explorer’s Weekend Coffee Share to give it and my participants a little extra boost. Plus I love Natalie and want to see what she’s up to.
"Climb me," said Thumb Butte As we drove into downtown. "I'll show you the world." 2021 Marsha Ingrao Submitted for Tanka Tuesday
Snakes? Seriously? "You have two choices of trails." Steep or gradual."
We climbed the few steps past the sign. I was already huffing. One side was steeper than the other, but we couldn’t tell which. The trail looked easy enough. It was paved the whole way up. Our neighbors had climbed it the day before and survived.
The weather was perfect, a light cool breeze on a 75 degree day. Not many people going our direction. We did not meet any snakes, fortunately, so that was one fear set to rest.
Yep, it was up there, still quite a ways away. We met people coming down from the Butte. “Are we almost there?” I’d ask them.
“About another half mile. It doesn’t get easier,” they told us.
“I need to take a picture of this Vince. Wait up.”
Click, click huff huff. I hoped I’d make it. The views didn’t change much between breath stops. So I turned inward and feigned interest in a log that looked a little like a toilet seat. Fascinating.
I’d walk a few more steps and shoot out over the city again.
We made some progress. Prescott shrank quickly.
"You call that progress?" I'm up here, pick up your feet. Quit sniffing the trees." 2021 Marsha Ingrao
“We can come back tomorrow and take the other path,” Vince said sympathetically as we turned around and waved good bye to Thumb Butte from a distance.
“Good idea. I’d like that,” I lied. “Let’s get you some ice cream.”
Sadly, we have been too busy traveling back to sea level to test the other side of the trail to see if it really was easier. Maybe tomorrow. Want to come? I hope so.
Sunday Poser
Have I lived a hard or easy life?
Don’t we all hope for an easy life, but life is a mixture and the hard parts build us into decent people if we let them. I digress from my basic Prescott Walk, but with reason. I want to participate in this writing challenge because Sadje has supported me in WQWWC since it started and she always asks great introspective questions. Here goes.
- I am fortunate that I have lived in some beautiful places, like Prescott, AZ where I can get out and hike on most days. Easy peasy
- I have traveled across the US, and have been to Mexico, France, Italy, Greece, Australia, England, and Canada with people I love. That sounds super easy.
- I’m in relatively good health minus having had cancer two years ago. Not so easy
- I had a wonderful mom, grandparents, great-grandparents, a father who provided well for us, a brother, and a safe home. That seems on the easy side.
- My parents divorced and 3/4 our our family moved 2,500 miles from the other 1/4th. That was easy and hard.
- My first husband passed away at age 47 after being ill for most of our 20 year marriage. We were poor until I got my degree and started teaching. I never had children. That was hard.
- Happily, I got my degree and started teaching. Not everyone has that opportunity. Fortunate but not easy.
- My second husband has been very healing for me. We have worked hard and accomplished a lot in 26 years. I have a grown step-son. Again, not easy, but blessed.
- I have a strong faith in Christ and hope for the future.
- I think my life looks easy on the outside, but like everyone I’ve had to work for it. I’ve avoided dangers like drugs, smoking, alcohol, and abusiveness. I’d give myself a 69% easy life, Sadje.
Coming up Saturday
Friendly Friday Challenge Interview with Sandy and Amanda.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
82 responses to “#WQWWC #26: Hope We Can Make It Up Thumb Butte Trail”
[…] past few months you have shared about freedom, hope, healing, summer, vacations, exploring and relaxing, all of which can trigger this week’s […]
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Hi Marsha
I think you did a wonderful jo with this post and connecting to challenges
1) when I lived in Denver and it was a Mike high – and I had come there after living in Florida – well I think it took me two years for my body to adjust!!
So best wishes with the adapting and the hikes and all that!
2) e joyed your little shares for Sadje’s challenge –
☀️🤍
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Thanks Yvette! We lived in Colorado Springs when I was 30 for three years. It took a while there too, but nothing like it has been for me here. I have some allergy medicine that has helped immensely, though.
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🙂
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I am very, very late with my entry, but I do have something. 😛 🙂
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Thank you Susan. I’ll post your link in next week’s post. There’s no need to apologize. You can join in any time you want, you will just miss having a link to your post listed in the next #WQWWC post. Also, please feel free to include your link in your comment each time you write a #WQWWC post. The old blogging experts trained us not to put links to our own posts in comments, but when links come from friends’ comments, it is very helpful in getting to know them. 🙂
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Okay, thank you, Marsha. I’ll do that net time. I saw my pingback on your post, so I thought I wouldn’t link it again. Thank you for your kind words.
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You can never link it enough. Challenge hosts live in fear of missing someone, and it does happen. 🙂
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Thank you for that. 🙂
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[…] was written for Marsha Ingrao’s Writer’s Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge. Marsha assured me that I had a week to get in my participating post. I see I’m getting mine […]
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Thank you so much for your response. I’m coming right over to read your post.
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[…] #WQWWC #26: Hope we can make it up Thumb Butte Trail […]
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[…] Marsha at Always Write hosts a challenge that requires adding a quote on a topic of her choice. Today’s topic is hope. I have not participated in this challenge before. I read Sadje’s post and looked further into the prompt. […]
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Well done with your hike, Marsha! The more regularly you hike and with proper rest, the more fit you become. Wonderful pics and image comparing. Thank you for sharing your easy/ hard life story with us, and for supporting #Weekend Coffee Share.
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Thanks, Natalie. I’ll post it on Weekend Coffee Share, or I’ll post my interview tomorrow. I haven’t decided which. 🙂
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Here’s my attempt. I ‘hope’ you like it 🙂
Thank you for hosting this challenge
https://mindfills.wordpress.com/2021/05/28/water-an-argonelle/
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[…] what do you seeEugi’s weekly prompt – mingledVerse OLN hosted by MsJadeLiMarsha Ingrao’s WQWWC – HopeI’m also trying a new form of syllabic poetry…Argonelle which is a quintain […]
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I am of the view that good fortune comes to people who are hard working and dedicated and who, on seeing an opportunity, grab it with both hands. Thanks for these lovely pictures, Marsha, and for the insights into your life. Have a lovely weekend.
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You too, Roberta. We are glimpsing into many lives these days. 🙂
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[…] the larger than life creatures in the Bellagio Gardens and her breathtaking (sometimes breathless) views on Thumb Butte Trail in Prescott, […]
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I’m looking forward to your upcoming articles.
Here is my entry for the week.
https://ceenphotography.com/2021/05/27/pick-me-up-and-wqwwc-26-hopeful-heart/
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[…] Here is my entry for Marsha’s WQWWC (Writer’s Quotes Wednesday) #26. […]
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Hi Marsha, here’s my post;
Thanks
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[…] Marsha is the host of WQWWC […]
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[…] Marsha’s Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writer’s Challenge. The theme this week is […]
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This was interesting … your hike and your other thoughts on an easy vs hard life. I would agree that it seems to be a mixture. I wanted to participate in this, but today was busy. Can I do a Wednesday Writers’ Quote on a Thursday? :p 🙂
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Oh sure, Susan. You can participate any day until next Wednesday. I check the participant links for the last time on Tuesday night to be included in the next post. When I participate in challenges, I’m almost always last. 🙂
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Thanks Marsha. So, you understand the feeling. 🙂
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Very much, but I will be delighted to have you join our community of quoters, Susan. 🙂
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Good on you for persisting with your efforts to increase your fitness. Hang in there, the more you do the fitter you’ll be. I hope you do make it up the easier trail.
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You bet. I’m going to an allergist next month to see if there’s anything more serious going on with my breathing.
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Hopefully nothing serious.
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I’ll let you know. The cancer doctor gave me a clear check up this morning. I have a couple more tests and then I see him in six months. He called me himself rather than having his physician’s assistant do it. What a great guy. And I didn’t have to drive 2 hours to Scottsdale and back for a five minute appointment.
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That’s great news.
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He even told me I can take breaks on the letrozole if it’s making me sick like when I go on vacation. 🙂
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Love all of your quotes and pics Marsha❣️
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thanks Cindy!
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So good Marsha. I love how you shared your process. I loved your quotes. I can’t wait to hear if you made it to the top of the Butte. I remember one time hiking with my hubby a trail that our Bed and Breakfast host encouraged us to do. Let’s just say I thought I was going to die…lol. We weren’t sure how close we were, when a couple in their 70’s (at the time we were in our 30’s probably) came towards us from the top and said you’re almost there…I looked at him and said “there is no way I’m turning back, if they can do it so can I”. I’m not sure I’d say that now…lol. We are planning a hike for this weekend and I’m “hoping” whatever one we do, I survive….lol. Below is my link for this week. Thanks for hosting.
https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2021/05/wqwwcmay-26th-theme-hope.html
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Thanks Kristin. I remember a similar tale in the Sequoia National Park. We had a lady who had had cancer with us and her son lapped her coming up out of the cave about 3 times. We thought we’d have to carry her out. I wasn’t doing much better in my 30s but right now going up from 5300 ft. just isn’t working. I hope you weekend hike goes well. Let me know.
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Some great views, and photos, along the trail. Love the picture of downtown Prescott withe mountains in the background. It looks like a classic small town! Not sure if I would have made it past that snake sign 🙂
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LOL Snakes R Us, Jim. I think we’ve discussed our mutual love of snakes before! 🙂 Thanks for the comment about downtown Prescott. It’s still beautiful here. 🙂
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lucky you; do you live close to t dheowntown area? if/when we move, we want to live somewhere where we can walk to most things…
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It’s about 4 miles away. A very long walk considering the altitude and the up and down nature of the streets. We are a mile high town.
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so I am guessing you usually drive into town…
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Not usually, always. 🙂 I walk down to Prescott Lakes Road which leads to the two main highways. It is about an 8% grade down that road, and then back up. The grades are the same on Prescott Lakes Parkway and are marked by signs, but they are longer distances. Plus they are very busy highways. You never see ANYONE walking on them. There is a trail, Peavine Trail that we can ride our bikes on and it actually takes us to Prescott Valley which is much flatter. We haven’t gone into town from there, but we have ridden to the end of path.
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seemslike a good idea. Must be nice to have access to a bike trail…
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It is. We have to load up our car and drive about a mile and unload them and ride them. It is great though. If we lived in Prescott Valley we could get access right from our home via the flat surface streets that lead to the trail. I thought about you this morning as we headed into town. I am going to take a picture of the roads from the top of where our street runs into the main street and post it one of these days. 🙂
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I look forward to seeing that picture!
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Soon as I take it. 🙂
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[…] written in response to Writer’s Quote Wednesday Writing Challenge (#WQWWC – Hope) now hosted by Marsha Ingrao at Always […]
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A beautiful, inspiring post Marsha. Thanks for the mention. I’ve read through all the posts from last week and it’s such a lovely collection. Hmm… I will need to get my thinking cap on for todays. KL ❤
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Aren’t they great? I am so impressed with the quality of everyone’s writing and thinking. Thanks so much for taking the time to build community and reach out to the others. We have a great group of bloggers in this community. 🙂
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I smiled at your comment about having a 69% easy life. I definitely relate to the hard parts of life having taught me something.
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They always do, Astrid. And nobody is without them! 🙂
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Hope is a wonderful topic. Unfortunately, I haven’t done a beach walk on hope, but it is on my idea list for the future. Oh …. nice walk, too …. but I want a piece of cake, too!
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There are some choices of cake. What kind of cake are you hoping for?
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love your post, your hike, your explanation, your hard or easy life? have a lovely week, Marsha 🙂
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You too, Lady Lee. See you soon! 🙂
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[…] For: #WQWWC #26: Hope We Can Make It Up Thumb Butte Trail – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write […]
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I will miss posting for hope this week because of my wee break, Marsha, but what a lovely post! I’m so happy you and Vince get out and bike and hike, you have the perfect area for it! Great shots of the area. My brother loves his hikes over in Fountain Hills and I hope to join you both maybe next winter. Hope is where you find it and it is everywhere!
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I always miss your contributions, but I know how difficult blogging is with internet problems. You are a great friend in my life. I look forward to being together in person somewhere in the world this year. 🙂 Have a great week and above all else, have lots of fun. 🙂
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Aww thanks, Marsha. I’m really enjoying the WQW, it inspires me to dig a little deeper. Wifi is in the house now, just this weekend, my daughter is flying up to visit for the holiday, thus the need for a weekend off.
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Marsha, thanks for the call-out and heads-up of the upcoming interview. I already know the content and I’m still excited !
What a great views on Thumb Butte. I’m not a hiker myself and I can imagine that uphill hike must be like. I once started up mount Inari in Kyoto and decided that the view halfway up was just as good as the top 🙂
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That was me, for sure. I think we made it about half way. It was a very steep climb. I am so excited about your interview. I’ve already had one person that commented they were looking forward to it. 🙂
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Hi Marsha, great explanation about your process for organizing the challenge. I like the theme ‘hope’. Is any form of post allowed, like poetry, photography…?
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Hi Elizabeth, Yes any form is okay as long as you include one quote. 🙂 Thanks for the nice comment. 🙂
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I hope you make it up there! Rarefied air a factor? You’re always going to be a fun travel companion, whatever, Marsha. 🤗💕 My life, easy or hard? You know the answer. It’s a piece of cake 🤣💕 And I don’t mind sharing. Thanks, darlin!
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I love it! A piece of cake. Truly that’s my life, too. You would be a great travel companion, in fact you are already. I love reading and sharing a walk and a piece of cake together. 🙂
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And now I’m fully vaccinated and good to go 🤗💕
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Yay! Me too! 🙂
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😂😂
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How did Marsha know you enjoyed cake?
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Read her blog, Frank. Read her blog! She’s like me a cake-a-holic.
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She’s psychic? 🤣💕
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Wow … I’m impressed!
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😂😂
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LOL Psycho, did you say?
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LOL, Jo, I just hinted to Frank that I might be psycho. oops. He might believe me!
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😱😱💕
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A beautiful, inspiring post Marsha. Thanks for the mention. Love this inspiring topic.
Thanks for sharing your life story with us. Of all the responses I’ve got in answer to my question, I have seen that most people have said that their life was a mixture of easy and hard. And they have learned and grown from the tough time.
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I think all people have a mix, and even though who have had touch lives – as we look through our own perspectives, they make it livable for themselves or they chose not to live – and that can come in various forms. I think most of us would rather live and celebrate our lives. Thanks for being at the heart of WQWWC, Sadje. It means a lot! 🙂
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Thanks Marsha. It’s a pleasure. And yes we choose how we live our lives and most of us make the best of it.
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