Christmas 2010

 Al and Christmas Carolers.

Almost Christmas--Al and I and one lady observer are just about to fold up our papier mache work for the afternoon when a family group come into the Activities Room to sing some Christmas Carols for the old residents and patients.

It was a thoughtful gesture and, as "anything different is good" as the guy in the Groundhog Day movie says, the entertainment is much appreciated.

Christmas Child Caroler.

The old people--for some of whom this will be their last Christmas in this used-up body--are especially interested in seeing the next very young generation--singing the same old songs in the same old ways.

Things certainly don't change very much.

The Old Story.

The same old story read the same old way by the oldest member of the family troup. But it still touches you bringing back memories of your own childhood.

Maria, Gina and Therapy Bear.

For the staff, and me, and all the old timers, this was a very good thing--one of those little things that make life worth living in this fast paced Southern California world.

Thanks and Merry Christmas 2010 from Tom and Tanya!

~~...~~

New Worker

Spanish Speaker

We had a new worker today.

I didn't get her name but she came right over to where we were painting and started a lively conversation with Hannah and Kaeli--in Spanish.

Of course neither of the girls knows Spanish so I told the lady that she could talk to me and I would translate if I could.

But before I could really get down to my translation skills she picked up a felt pen and started right in to work with us and she kept at it until we were packing up to go.

When the Director, Rhonda, came over to see our progress, she said that the new lady had never shown any interest in "anything like that".

Hannah and Kaeli

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Winter Solstice Celebration

 click on it to read the poster

We are now involved in the production of a Winter Solstice Celebration at the Grape Day Park here in Escondido.


Since this is the first time it has happened it will probably be very small--but even if a very few people actually participate it makes a start --and should be interesting and fun.

If you live in the area you are invited.

Tomasito

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Frog Kid

 Saturday in Grape Day Park

Kids love these papier mache masks--and EVERYONE wants to be a frog!

I have had the good fun of demonstrating the fine art of papier mache and mask making several times in Escondido's central Grape Day Park.

Sometimes I even get paid to do it! 

Thanks, City of Escondido!!

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Depot Museum

Depot Museum

I thought you might like to go outside a bit--since most of the blog photos I use are taken indoors at the Care facility where Tomasito's Creative Workshop meets--but a couple of weeks ago I did a papier mache demonstration in Grape Day Park in Escondido for any people who are interested in the medium.

The photo above is a view of one of the historic buildings from Escondido's past which have been moved into the park.

The photo was taken late in the afternoon--after the demonstration--so the shadows are dark, but the day was typical of the fine autumn weather here--warm, bright  and sunny.

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Al Again

Al Again

Al is one of the most active members of the Creative Workshop.

Sometimes we have to wake him from his after-dinner nap at 2:15 but when he is awake he is READY.

We are trying something new for us--again using pizza boxes or other cut-down cardboard boxes, we are strengthening them with iron wire and several layers of papier mache and then adding color from torn magazine photos. yarn and bright bits of cloth. We then coat the whole thing with epoxy.

It is fun, easy. and I think we are getting some interesting visual effects .

I enjoy tearing pieces of magazine and handing them to Al, He dips them in paste and applies them to the growing work in the place wherever  he thinks will be the best fit.

Two of our most recent works have been accepted for show at the Escondido Municipal Gallery--which has always been supportive of our Workshop.

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Neighbors and Jason

King Neighbors and Jason the Argonaut.

I wanted you to see this new papier mache  mask I made.  From here it went down to the Municipal Gallery and was on show there for a few days.

I made this mask especially for movement so visibility inside the mask is pretty good--the wearer can also hear and be heard. I tried to include a "megaphone effect"-- but was not as successful as I hoped. The wearer's voice is still muffled--but not as bad as usual.

I colored the mask with photos torn from magazines and newspapers--it is pretty effective and since I use very little paint it is cheaper and "greener".

It is not as heavy as it looks!

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Colleagues in Creativity

  Kaile and Linda.

The Dumbest Generation , by Mark Bauerlein.

I picked this book up at the library because of the title.


I always thought MY generation was the dumb one, but it seems the new generation of technology savvy kids is the generation the writer is describing--part of the "dumbing down of America" with Face-book and Twitter, etc.

He generally makes good sense, I think and has done a lot of homework--quoting surveys and studies aplenty.

He also remarks: "...instead of regarding youngsters as inferior minds and unformed egos in need of tutoring, educators should treat them as colleagues in creativity, voices at the community table with a unique perspective."

I appreciate that comment and believe that our Creative Workshop is in that direction. 

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Watching

Watching. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Sometimes residents of the Care facility are wheeled into viewing range of our activity work table--not necessarily to participate, but to simply watch what is going on.

I think this kind of watching is OK. 

Most of the watchers are not capable of any kind of physical craft activity, but they still may be thinking. They still may be participating in some personal creative activity which is not apparent to anyone outside their own mind and watching us work may be of some benefit.

Everybody is welcome.

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Kaile Number One

Kaile Drawing Number One

New Creative Workshop worker Kaile (now age seven) gave me this drawing several months ago and I recognized TALENT.

Since then she has joined our work force and has never missed a weekly session.

Nice to have you aboard, Kaile.

Tomasito

Grape Day Park Demo

Brian Gibson as "Jason", me as "moo".(Tanya photo)

Friend of Tomasito's Creative Workshop, Education Director at the Escondido City Children's Museum, Brian Gibson, kindly stored an overflow of artwork done by the Workshop between the Dia de los Muertos exhibit and the "Green Scene" papier mache demonstration at the Grape Day Park.

Papier mache masks, pizza-box pictures and frames, maracas, bowls and other artwork by our small group will be shown to the public Saturday 13 November 2010 from 10 am to 3 pm.

See you there!

Tomasito

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At Fresh and Easy Market

Tomakua and Eric (Tanya photo)

Today we stopped by the Fresh and Easy grocery store and had a photo snapped with the manager, Eric, and me wearing our Tomakua papier mache mask. (See the Hawaiian luau dance at the Palomar Care Center a few posts ago to view the dancing mask in action.)

The reason we did this is because the mask is colored with papier mache advertisements from the market--no paint. 

Eric was impressed, I think by our use of recycled paper--especially since Fresh and Easy is a "green" store.

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Kaeli

 Kaeli REALLY likes art--and the best art medium for her is PAINT!

When there is any choice in activities, she grabs a brush and a selection of tempera paints and goes at it.

We are making some nice, gooey papier mache constructions with absolutely no regard for pictorial content and she is getting nicely into the spirit of things by mixing vivid background colors on cardboard to add a nice dimension to the stuff we paste on--gobs of newsprint, shreds of cardboard, cotton yarn and anything else around which seems to want to be part of our non-objective world view.

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Cabbage Patch Dolly

Tomasito Photo 2010




~:~

New Face

Kaili. (Tomasito photo)

Here's another new face at the workshop.

Kaili is seven years old and loves art.

She is the sister of Zak and Hannah--quite a family team!

She jumps right in with the creative juices flowing and doesn't mind getting her paws pasty wet and that's a GOOD SIGN of a REAL artist!

Welcome to our workshop, Kaili !

Tomasito

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New Face

 

New Face. (Tomasito photo 2010)

This new Face is only two weeks old.

Some of the older faces I have been posting lately are in their nineties.

Doesn't LIFE do some strange things to our bodies?

The LIFE though--the LIFE in those bodies just seems to go on and on, don't it?

Best wishes, Tomasito.

~:~

Kissy-face Dog

Kissy-face Dog

Sometimes unexpected pleasures arrive when we are doing our artwork.

One of the friends of the old-timers at the care facility brought in a very cute little dog and some of the residents went ape over it.

The doggie seemed just as interested in kissing the people!

~:~

Lady in Blue

Ready Resident.

Some of the long-time residents stop by to watch and I usually try to lure them into making a few strokes with a pencil or felt-tip pen--not always successfully, of course.

I communicate with this lady with shrugs and smiles and she never had talked to me until I did this quick sketch of her as she watched us work.

She whispered: "That's good".

Wasn't that nice?

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Mary Observes

Mary Observes.

Care Center resident Mary stopped by to observe the artists working in our Creative Workshop. This is the first time she has spent any time observing and she seemed to enjoy it because she stayed for over an hour.

Mary never talks but sometimes laughs when she is pleased with something.

She was not to be coaxed into participating at all--maybe next time...

~:~

Luau

ALOHA Resident.

There was a Hawaiian Luau celebration at the care center last week.

It was a good success.

So nice to see some of the old Hawaiian dances performed by professionals and hear the same old songs after lo these many years!

The residents enjoyed the colors and the dancing I think--though sometimes it is not easy to see if they actually know what is going on. The activities staff had spent a lot of time decorating and getting all the arrangements made. A special Hawaiian-style meal was served too.

I had the great fun of dressing up in a papier mache mask and dancing a simple hula--that's the only kind I know!

~:~

Nick

Nick Assists With Papier Mache. (Tomasito photo 2010)

We have had a new young Assistant Caretaker come into the care facility to help us out recently.

His name is Nick and he is twelve years old.

Nick was a student in the sixth grade last year at the school where I taught a papier mache mask making class--and he REMEMBERED how to do it! Was I ever impressed!

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asd

Richard's Third Sermon

Richard's Sermon 3

Richard Lion Heart Preaching. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Sermon Number Three

Richard came to our Creative Workshop again and preached another sermon from his electric-powered wheelchair.

Since he has officially died twice and has returned, he believes, to help mankind, especially children, through preaching--I thought it might be a good thing to record some of his sermons which are delivered to me personally since I am the one there-but he feels the words he proclaims are for everybody--and he is fulfilling his mission by preaching.

So I am merely passing his sermons on. He says that "every day is a gift from God". and he is absolutely sincere and in a position to at least hope that his own words are true.

The above pictures are Richard's paintings (he can only move his right hand a little) and my notes. TW

~~~

Richard says: "The Lord is merciful and forgiving, Thomas. I have died twice and am not afraid of death. It is restful.

This world was created with love. We must humble ourselves. Our names are written in the Book of Life and if your name is not there--you are out. Hell IS eternal death, Thomas, so we must trust and obey. But remember, His mercy is brand new every morning.

I overdosed on my 31st birthday. I was addicted to pain medication which I got from dentists by telling them I had toothache. I died but was sent back by the Lord to help children understand The Way and so here I am,

THIS world will pass away, but HIS world is forever.

We can't walk alone--we must walk by faith.

These earthquakes and wars are signs of the Last Days, Thomas--you are not supposed to covet anything but The Lord.

I am telling you the truth. He is SO merciful.

This world is dirty--I don't even watch TV any more. I spend my time talking to The Lord.

God is Spirit. Spirit, Thomas.

Children make friends so easy--that's why we gotta become like children.

I used to break into houses to get money for drugs, but I am a new man now and forgiven by God. I'm not afraid of God any more.

What we have here now is mass confusion. Heaven is a new world--it is like a garden.

The Lord weeps for us and feels our pain. He let me have the pain of a heart attack so I would know God and it woke me up. Apostle Paul said it best--God woke him up too and he knew the love of God.

When I died I felt the love of God so strong--it is awesome.

When I died I was instantly in paradise. The flesh dies, the spirit, no.

When you pass away, you have a new body Thomas.

I had shingles and it was excruciating--like I was carrying the sins of the world on my back. We can't conceive of how the mind of God works. Jesus was born into this world to die for us.

My dad was an alcoholic. He walked out on us when I was a child--a bad choice for him. I am from a sick family. The choices you make every day affect your whole life. I have forgiven all my family, Thomas.

Trust the Lord in all your ways, Thomas.

In the Book it says that when Moses saw God's BACK Moses' face glowed so strong people couldn't look at him.

God is all light. I saw Satan get fired and thrown out--the King of Demons. I saw him, Thomas. God cast him down to earth and he tempted Eve to eat the forbidden pear fruit.
We make choices every day--God is love and the Spirit of Truth.

Richard (Lion Heart) August 19 2010.

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Ugly Bug Mask

Mary Tries Ugly Bug Mask. (Tomasito photo)

I took my latest mask--which looks now like a classic "Ugly Bug"--to show to some friends at the Light and Life School Office next door and Mary, the Secretary, wanted to try it on--so I got this shot of the still unfinished mask being demonstrated on a real live model!

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Sermon Number 2, Richard Lion-heart

Richard Lion-heart. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Richard came to our creative workshop again and delivered his second sermon from his wheel-chair while he drew.

This time I took notes (right on his drawing) a bit more carefully and had my young "Assistant Volunteer" Nick help out.

~~~

"I'm an ex-drug addict saved by the Lord.

I have died twice but have come back. God told me that if I would come back he would bless me. God sent me back for the kids, Thomas--to give them a second chance.

God loves us so much He sent Himself in His son. You can't scorn Him.

God gives us all the chances we need--you don't have to worry about that, Thomas.

The colors in heaven are alive, Thomas. They move. They jump around!

I've been here (care center) for 20 years. I overdosed and went into a coma for six and a half months. They brought me here And I have been here ever since. God stripped me of my legs but it has been a blessing.

My mother abandoned me when I was five years old. She spit in my face and said she wished I had never been born I was raised by my Grandmother. My father was a Cherokee Indian, an alcoholic--he killed people. My brother enjoyed hurting people. He would beat them up.

Things always come back on you. That's why you should be good to people, Thomas. That's why you gotta love people. What you do TO people WILL come back to you, Thomas.

God laid out the plan for Adam and Eve, but they didn't do it. God has lots of chances. God gives you LOTS of chances. Eventually you will do it right.

Jesus KNEW he would have to suffer. He begged not to have to do it--but it was the only way. It is no joke. Jesus didn't die for nothing.

On September 27 I am going home--to give hope to the poor and sight to the blind. No more narcotics!

God wants them to know that dying is easy--living is hard, Thomas.

~~~

Nick took three notes while Richard spoke.

1) God is love.
2) Don't hate.
3) Every breath we have is a gift from God.

...

God loves us so much He sent Himself in His son. You can't scorn Him.

Director's Mask Update

Director's Mask. (Tanya photo)

On my July 14 blog I showed you a papier mache mask I am making for myself--that is designed to fit ME comfortably.

It is coming along slowly but nicely, I think--though it is a bit larger and heavier than I expected.

I hope to wear it for some sort of ceremonial "do" sometime fairly soon.

I'll keep you posted.

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Al at Easel

Al at Easel

Al has graduated to painting at an easel!

Only a few months ago Al had never thought of himself as an artist--now he is boldly painting AT AN EASEL! (And from his wheel-chair to boot!)

He has become the "ALPHA DOG" of our creative workshop. Good for you, Al!

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Sermon 1, Richard Lion Heart.

Richard Lion Heart at drawing Desk
"The Holy Spirit is drawing this, I'm not." Richard says.

First Painting, Richard Lion Heart. (Tomasito photo.)

Today for the first time Richard Lion Heart came to the Creative Workshop.

Richard is pretty severely handicapped, but can move around in an electric wheelchair. His right hand can function somewhat and he talks clearly though quite rapidly.

As I mentioned a few days ago, he has clinically died twice but he says that he was sent back "because he has a lion-heart...to preach." and that he does with all his power.

~~~

Sermon Number One

By Rickard Lion-heart

"In the few minutes I was dead I went to heaven and it was so beautiful that it would be a crime for me to explain how beautiful it is. But I can tell you it is warm and lovely."

"When you are in the womb, God has a plan for your life."

"God loves children and the Holy Spirit is breath so when you are born the Holy Spirit enters you with your first breath."

"Hope is a big word--an awesome word. I haven't walked for twenty years but I now have feeling in my toes and I am studying to be a preacher--that's why I returned from the dead."

"Man destroys what he doesn't understand and this breaks God's heart."

"Our last breath here is our first breath in heaven. God is love. This is not a joke."

~~~

Well, it has all probably been said before, but The Great Spirit, thru Richard Lion Heart is a dynamite preacher.

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Manicure

Hands across the years. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Useful, beautiful, creative tools these hands--young and old.

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Gina

Gina Helps

There are a lot of hard-working employees at the care facility where I hold my "Creative Workshop" like bi-lingual Gina. (In California bilingual means English/Spanish.)

Gina keeps things light and moving--crafts, discussions, personal care (shown above) holiday celebrations--she is on hand to plan and facilitate everything that comes up which can be labeled "activities".

Good going, Gina!

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Looie

"Looie".

Here's Looie. (Tomas photo, 2010)

Louie sort of lives in a world of his own--but he enters the usual humdrum world of the rest of us during the two afternoons of the week when BINGO is played.

He plays seriously with a slight language handicap since the numbers are called in English and he is a Spanish speaker.

To make sure he has the right number he repeats every call--in English with a strong Spanish accent.

His hearing is not too keen either so he is often wrong but this adds a sort of odd flavor to the game which is missing when he does not appear.

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Sleeping

Sleeping.

Sleeping is sometimes the best thing to do at a care facility.

Sometimes it is the only thing to do.

Time passes--hours--days--weeks...

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Hiding

Hiding

It is a problem in a care facility.

There is no place to go to be alone when you want to be.

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Artist Al

Al Carrillo at Work.

One of the pleasant surprises when I returned to the care home activities room after my vacation was to see Al painting in water color! This is one of the skills that he was developing before my vacation and I thought he would forget about it when I was gone--but there he was with a brush in his hand!

There is a big easel (for posting announcements) in the room and I have some thick-leaded graphite drawing pencils and I think he can reach large pieces of paper if I clip them to the easel so I will soon help him increase his drawing skills in large.

I am curious to see if he enjoys this.

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Richard Lionheart

Richard Lionheart. (Tomasito photo, 2010)

Richard is one of the long-time residents (17 years!) of the care facility where I do my "Creative Workshop".

Richard, who calls himself "Lionheart" is a VERY born again variety of Christian.

He is studying to be a minister and he takes every opportunity of explaining that he has personally given his heart over to Jesus.

He expects The Lord to return in a cloud in the same manner as He left soon.

Richard says that he has clinically died three times and each time he was assured on the other side that his work was not done here and so he was resuscitated to be a living voice.

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My Director's Mask

Masked Me. (Tomas photo, 7/14/2010)

I went by the old people's care home a few days ago--after a month or so vacation.

Nothing much has changed. Most of the same residents are there.

The Activities staff were glad to see me.

It was kind of good to see the people again--we have become sort of friends.

It has also been very good not to cross the street to do the art things for a while. The place is enough like a hospital that the sights and smells are not always so pleasant--but, of course, I HAVE chosen to be a volunteer there after all--so what did I expect?

Anyway, I have been working a little bit on papier mache--and I have spent some hours on my own mask. A mask to wear when I am directing a masked performance.

I made the mouth into a sort of megaphone--made the ear-holes large enough to hear everything around and opened the eye holes wider than on any other mask I have made.

I plan to make it a fairly comfortable wearing thing too--so I can actually enjoy putting it on.

I don't know when I will have the opportunity to actually USE it, but if I do I will be ready.

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Bodhidharma and Smiley Face

Zen Master Bodhidharma Mask and Smiley Face Ballo0n
(Tomasito photo, 2010)

One of our all-time favorite people is this good old Zen Master--who maybe never even lived but who is nonetheless well remembered--the great Bodhidharma.

This papier mache mask based on an ancient artist's representations of his face hangs on our living room wall to remind us of the masters who have gone on but are not forgotten.

Best wishes to you too, traveler!

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Bear Mask Finished

Growl!

I thought you would like to see this fine papier mache bear mask in its finished state.

This is how it was displayed in the Light and Life School Art Show a few weeks ago.

Amazing, isn't it how keenly kids pick up on new skills in art?

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Creative Kids

"Bros" (Tomasito photo 2010)

Of course. when the camera comes out, the kids ham it up!

Sixth graders don't change very much--and they sure do like "being creative" in EVERY way!

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Mask Display

Rain Forest Critters. (Tomasito photo 2010)

Here are some of the papier mache masks created by some sixth graders a few weeks ago.

The school sponsored art art show for the parents and the masks made a nice display.

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Easy Does It

A Steady Hand (Tomas Photo, 2010)

Probably the most fun step in creating objects with papier mache is putting on the final paint.

This young artist has discovered a unique way to steady his hand!

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Bear Mask

Finishing the Bear Mask

This sixth-grader is adding the final touches to his papier mache project.

I didn't even have to suggest he get right down on his knees to make it good!

And look at all those TEETH! (I asked him if his father was a dentist and he said "no".)

The class project was to make masks of critters in the South American rain forests, but they followed their whims after they really got started--besides a work of art reaches a point where IT tells the ARTIST what to do next!

This mask obviously wanted to be a BEAR!

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Grape Day Park Tomasito

Hello, Readership.

The below information was sent to the art community of Escondido. thought some of you might be interested.

I am still on vacation from my blogs. Best wishes,

Tomas.

Art in the park, Paper Mache with Thomas Wold

Artist Joshua Gagliardi in Grape Day Park

Upcoming June 12th, 2- 4pm

Recycled Art

Paper mache is fun and easy and very earth friendly. Tomas will help you turn yesterday's news into today's art project. Tomas has been schooled in the Southwest, Europe and who knows where else. His influences are international and his masks are incredible.

A little bit of information about Grape Day Park:

Since the early 1930s, Grape Day Park, Escondido's oldest park, has been the center for community events and activities. Every year from 1908 to 1950, people from as far away as Los Angeles came to celebrate the annual Grape Day Harvest, a major industry in the Escondido valley. The park continues its tradition as the center for community gatherings. It is a registered landmark and home to a turn-of-the-century working barn, Santa Fe Railroad depot, blacksmith shop, and other historic buildings, museums, and monuments.

Time Out

Me. (Tanya photo)

Dear Readership,

I am going to take a few weeks off from blogging but...
(Arnold Schwarzenegger voice:) I'll be back!

The best of the best to you!

Thomas F. Wold

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