Welcome!
“I wish to write down my musical dreams in a spirit of utter self-detachment. I wish to sing of my interior visions with the naïve candour of a child.” ~ Debussy
The first sound that I felt was my father humming the song he wrote for me. Silence held the truth. The title, Jannat, my given name expressed his love, hope and promise of what he dreamed and envisioned for my life. Even though I was minutes old and did not understand the meaning, I do remember the feeling. My life set to a song. Our Father-Daughter relationship etched in notes. Committed grace notes that challenged and ornamented my life. He was the first man who ever made me feel special. I had not realized how his love for jazz and me would be an aurally complicated, enlightened, sophisticated and tumultuous sentient exploration of life’s truths and tragedies. It was filled with his copious attempts to control my life which created conflict and disillusionment. His hope was to shelter me from the storms that life brings cloaked as fear, sorrow and sadness but I realized that because of his enormous love, learning through a jazz living and God’s grace would save me. And the mystery and secret life I had was already cast….
I want to awaken listeners around the world to the powers of jazz and literary arts and contemporary visual art that will heal and transform individuals and communities. Fifty Shades of Jazz is my personal blog where I write about all things I am passionate about in the present tense. I am living the dream in the Pacific Northwest, so I write a lot about that, too. I have always wanted the kind of blog that appeals to folks from all walks of life that will swing by my blog and will be entertained, enriched and most of all enjoy themselves. It is my belief that listeners who embrace jazz have curiosities of other aspects of life that are diversified and go above and beyond jazz, respectively. Music is an essential part of this blog. It is filled with literary arts, entertainment, knowledge, spirituality, memories, cuisine, philosophy, social commentary, music, wellness and various other thought-evoking topics. I am also living with Breast Cancer and write about mindfulness meditation and memories that have healed and transformed my life. It’s all about Jazz, Life, Cancer and Love from the Pacific Northwest….
So get your bags packed because this gig is gonna check out all kinda stuff visiting jazz terrains, vistas and styles.
Artist Statement
“For women, then, poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action. Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought. The farthest horizons of our hopes and fears are cobbled by our poems, carved from the rock experiences of our daily lives.” Audre Lorde
I try to write books I would love to read and scripts that I would watch. They are honest, concerned with real lives, human hearts, spiritual transformation, memories, families, secrets, wonder, and craziness—most of all that make me laugh. Falling into the depths of racism, life’s tribulation and grief, I chose to write stories and scripts that would include community, simplicity and nature. Books, for me, are music to my soul.
When I was 11, my father tried to discourage me from anything creative or in “entertainment”. Most of all being independent because he thought, women like —Billie Holiday, Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne to name a few — had amazing talent but lead a very hard life. So I began writing and doing art in secret. It was my only salvation and a way to survive living in the “Other” ethnic world. I discovered the joy of getting in touch with my inner creative source. Ironically my father would take me to rehearsals and recording sessions; I could see and feel my father’s creative passion for jazz which inspired me to find my passion to write that is where I had fallen in love with the sound of words.
When I was 18 and a junior at Rutgers University, my father arranged for me to work as a researcher/writer intern for an ABC-TV Emmy winning television documentary special on Jazz in 1972. I worked on big band sound and bebop segments. I discovered that the jazz tradition stood up against the backdrop of racial strife, language, class issues which is defined in literature and criticism for over 75 years in America. Jazz was steeped in suffocating chauvinism and tradition. I have always had a fascination with creating works that would allow me to blend sound with words and abstract art. It is my desire to create a mosaic sensory experience using imagination, audio and visual experiences that are filled with the richness of childhood memories that shaped and inspired my thoughts. I’m a artist who paints with watercolors and acrylics as well as mixed media collage art.
I can’t tell you the number of things I have taken for granted. My health, my sight, my parental units and okay okay, my life. Listening is the universe’s way of connecting to nature, loved ones, that “still small voice” that has come to know as “Messenger of God”. It has become a personal ritual and my chance to explore my deepest universe within. It requires time, an openness so you can swing into your life. With each challenge that eludes us and each miracle that lifts us, all that is needed is to push back the catastrophes and judgments and feel renewed. Our journeys are unscripted just as life itself. What I have learned so far…if I listen intentionally it is perhaps the most imaginative and visceral experience one can imagine because it evokes a deeper understanding that will transform and open our hearts to the awe that lies at the center of the universe. We incorporate it into our daily lives and through developing a faithful practice it brings immeasurable joy. The truth about listening is that we must take the first step inward to Serenity. When we release all thoughts, fears and painful emotions we are connected to a universal understanding. This reveals kinship, mutual understanding and respect for our creative spaces that comes alive in each of our souls. It opens a portal that is beyond hearing, it is communing and awakening our lives to a unique relationships that is a gift from God and our Universe. Are you ready?
I love to take literary snapshots of the spaces that have filled my life. I am the “native” daughter of a jazz composer and my language is Jazz/ It functions as a communal bond, ritual and form of social interaction for me. It has become more than just sound. It has become a way of living in this world. Jazz is the touchstone of modern cultural imagination, archiving mythical images and an ascetic paradigm for new modes of writing, seeing, hearing and moving. I like to use the improvisational tropes of living using jazz hearing, sight, smell and touch that I have experienced to develop mosaics of creative literary styles that will evoke sensory experience in the listener. I hope you enjoyed yourself and will stay.. Thanks for stopping by. What’ say we take this journey and heal, connect and thrive together? Peace Out! JBC 😎
Copyright © 2011-2015 by Jannat Marie/Jazzybeatchick. All rights Reserved.
Hi there, just stopping by to say thanks for following my blog!
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Thank you as well. Cheers JBC 😎
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There will be more snaps in time when my leg is up for walking but in the meantime please accept this awardhttps://bjsscribbles.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/versatile-blogger-award-2/
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Thank U so much. Peace Out! I am wordless…JBc
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Such an amazing blog, I am new to this been online since about October last year so still looking around. I enjoyed your about page; decided to follow so I can come back. Great work
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Thank you so much! Welcome. I love the snaps on your site as well I look forward to seeing more. JBC 😎
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I hope to get out and get moving with my camera again as soon as my leg is moving freely again. It is my left leg that is out of action at the moment and I drive a manual
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Delighted to have found your interest packed blog. Many visits to follow! Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox.
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Hi, JBC! Very nice to meet you. Thanks for the follow. I am an old MJQ fan. Loved John Lewis. I am going to bed now, but plan to visit tomorrow.
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Thank you as well for the follow and I do love John Lewis and Adam Clayton Powell to name a few of the Good Folks. Laissez le bon temps rouler! JBC
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TY. Right back at you. David feeling is way mutual. Jazzybeatchick 😎
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Hi jazzy, I may not understand the Jazz, but I understand music, and probably that’s all need to understand you.
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True enough. Nice to meet you and Welcome. Back at ya!
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I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND YOUR BLOG, this is going to be my lunchtime read and listen! Loving this arrangement.
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Thank you so much. It makes me so happy to find someone like you that comes from the East Coast my previous residence enjoying the sounds and the posts. Be well and Blessings, Jannat
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I’m speechless. At last, a blog about my passion, which is Jazz. I come from a musical family, with its origins in Puerto Rico. I am a professional jazz drummer, and sax player. My sibs are also in the music industry as musicians. We inherited this gift, first from God, and then our Grandpa, a renown musician from PR, back in the day. My father followed suit. The song you posted, takes me back to the 40s, and 50s music style. Thank you so much. Looking forward to additional posts. BTW. My idols were, Buddy Rich on the drums, and Jimmy Dorsey on sax. Blessings.
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Thank you for your kind and introspective comments about my blog. Thank you for following and I always get so inspired and joyous when I hear from musicians that come from a familiar background as yours. I have many idols and I will attempt to honor all of them through out the years. Welcome. In Joy and Light, JBC 😎
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As it happens I am also a jazz fan. I listen to kcsm bay area radio and have plenty of cds and albums. Thanks for your recent visit.
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Welcome.
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Such a cool piece of jazz is “Jannat” …made my morning…thanks for the follow and I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing more of your posts…nice one:)
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Welcome! Sunshine and Smiles from my heart. 😎 ❤
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What a lovely refreshing blog. Loved the music as I read. Felt like you were here in my room in New Zealand sharing the moment. Agree poetry and music opens us.
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WOW, Thank you. It is amazing how we connect through our blogs and we are half way around the globe. Welcome my friend. It is a pleasure to hear from you. Blessings for a wonderful holiday season. JBC
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To you also. Also thank you connecting my blog. Yes it is becoming such a small world. My childhood was also filled with New Orleans Jazz. Best wishes from a warm muggy day in Auckland.
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Thank you from a chilly overcast with heavy rain Seattle. Over the ten years I have lived here, the winters have gotten colder. I am going to be moving south to N. California back to my origins. Blessings,
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Thanks for following my blog! This is a very cool blog…best wishes on all that you are doing!
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Ur profoundly welcome! Blessing 2 U and all of your dreams….
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Thanks for deciding to follow AMS. I hope you you continue to enjoy what you read.
Nice site. Cool stuff.
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Back @ you! Feel Same way about your blog tre kool.
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Absolutely incredible ~ talent dad, and talent been passed onto you 🙂
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Thank you for that! JBC
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Thanks so much for visiting my site and choosing to follow along. It sounds like we’re kindred spirits, loving music and art and living with a particular challenge. I look forward to diving deeper here.
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Back at you! It is such a blessing to discover wonderful and inspiring blogs such as yours. I look forward to our bloggersations and exchanges. JBC
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Thanks so much for following my blog.
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You are welcome. Thanks for folloing mine…JBC
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I’m not sure how you found me but I’m glad you did because it enabled me to find your great blog! Thanks for the follow! Cheers!
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Synchronicity and a quest for awesome blogs. Thank you for the follow and I will follow u in admiration. Peace Out! JBC ❤
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Hi JBC,
Thank you for following my blog, which means you are a compassionate person ❤
I like the philosophy of your blog. Music can sometimes say so much more than words.
Jazz particularly is food for the soul.
Best wishes,
Emy
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I have a mutual respect for your blog. I also have some cool recipes coming back again under the Holidays on the Side title. Peace Out! JBC 😎
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Nice blog you have here. The topic’s diversity is amazing. Keep it up man!
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Thank you very much. I will do my level best. JBC 😎
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Hi, thanks so much for following my blog at: http://lovelyseasonscomeandgo.wordpress.com. Your blog is so amazing and so I will follow your blog too. Have a wonderful day. Betty
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You are profoundly welcome. I love surfin and finding cool blogs such as yours. JBC
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thanks for such a lovely complement.
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Of course, well deserved! JBC
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Thank you for following our blog. Through our photography and words we hope to inspire others to get out and see the world. And perhaps through those travels the world will become a smaller and less threatening place as we discover the many kindred spirits who share our own hopes and aspirations. As Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
It’s never too early or late to follow your heart. Make time for the people, causes or work you truly care about. Cheers, Wooly and Raeski.
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Amen! Thank you for sharing a wonderful insight and blessing on opening our hearts and mind to the world at large. Peace, JBC
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I love the Latin rhythm in this song! May God bless you in abundant healing for your breast cancer. I am a breast cancer survivor. I also use music for healing in all ways. Dance on my sister! Deborah
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You are so welcome. Isn’t it amazing that art whether visual or through sound can heal and inspire us. We are kindered spirits and I wish you many blessings and your continued grace…Jannat
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Nice blog, Jazzy! 🙂
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Much appreciated. JBC 😎
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Thank you for following my blog.
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You’re profoundly welcome. JBC 😎
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LOVE LOVE LOVE the music! Both my parents were musicians, and my father also composed a few pieces—one was a love song he wrote for my mother as a wedding present, and another was “The ‘Chesty’ Puller March” in admiration of General Puller, USMC.
Anyway, thank you for following my blog, which brought me here to yours. I look forward to reading more, especially about your memoir—it sounds like you have quite a story to tell!
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Thank You so much. I feel the same way about your blog. It seems as though the WordPress family of bloggers has some really facinating bloggers. Welcome I look forward to your insights. JBC 😎
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Hi JBC, nice to meet you. Your blog is such a wealth of wisdom and feeling and passion.
Thanks for following our blog. I hope you enjoy the stories of our journey, both inner and outer. And do please feel free to join the conversation. Cheers, Alison
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You are profoundly welcome. Yes I will join the conversation. See you in the blogosphere. JBC 😎
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PS I forgot to say how much I like your art (album cover?) above – captivating design that makes you want to listen to the music.
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Thank you very much! JBC 😎
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Glad you decided to follow my blog. Rarely, do I write about music even though I write poetry and sing with a group. Enjoyed reading about you.
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Welxome! Thanks I fell the same way about your blog! Variety is truly the spice of life… Peace Out! JBC 😎
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“Books, for me, are music to my soul”—as soon as I read that I smiled and nodded in agreement. I enjoyed reading your story. I’ll be back. 🙂
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Thank you. I also enjoyed reading your posts on your blog. Welcome! Hope to see you soon! JBC 😎
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Thanks for a very lively blog! Once I’d began reading I couldn’t stop. But my heart is also with you in your fight against cancer.
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Thank you so very much. Welcome! JBC 😎
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Hi, thanks for finding and following my Spanish blog. You might like my writing blog to! SD
http://www.sandradanby.com/
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Yes, thank you as well.
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Being creative at the improv is the shared expression I found in Jazz. Going beyond the lines and boundaries to express your inner-self in music is a wonderful emotional experience. LOL, I remember reading the early critics that called jazz discordant noise. They failed to comprehend the creative complexity of unconventional chords and rhythms… To see many educational institutions today teaching this art form is an amazing change to witness.
Reminding us all that change is coming, even as the darkest moments is upon the People on Earth the appeal of the dawn brings the light of a new day.
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for being here!
Love and Wholeness
(The DIY Project)
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Beautifuly well said! Thank you for your insight and sharing it. Peace Out! JBC 😎
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Thank you for stopping by and following by blog! I have always found Jazz, complex and interesting, like Indian classical music, where one needs to be brilliant to conjure up compositions as you play, and one practices at being creative all the time…
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Thank you for your insightful comment. JBC 😎
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Hey, Its nice to meet you. This is one of a kind blog you have got here…Great !
Thank you for visiting my blog 🙂
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Welcome. Likewise with your blog…Peace Out! JBC 😎
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Jazz may be the rythym of our hearts. Love your blog!
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Thank you very much! Right back at ya! JBC 😎
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What a curious blog. Love this. Huge mindfulness and music fan. For me they are the perfect pairing. So much of the universe is a note, a rhythm, a vibration and we are tuning forks listening and responding. Thank you for visiting my blog.
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Welcome. Thank you for your wonderfully insightful comment, The synergistic union of the mind~body~spirit is so powerfully transformative and healing. I believed it let me find theynew rhythm to live fully with cancer. JBC 😎
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This place is as energetic as Jazz. Thanks for the follow. I am glad i discovered yours that way. Best Wishes, Ana
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You are welcome! I felt the same way when I came accross your blog. Peace Out! JBC 😎
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Hello,
I hope this message finds you well.
I’ve just had the fortune of being awarded the Very Inspiring Blogger award and as part of the protocol I’ve awarded 15 other blogs as well, yours being one of them.
Obviously I don’t know what your stance on blog awards is, but it’s your choice as to whether you’d like to accept it or not and I only mean to say thank you for putting together such a great blog that interests. inspires, and entertains.
Full details can be found in my post here: http://polaris975.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/very-inspiring-blogger-award-thank-you/
Regards
Dark Phoenix of http://polaris975.wordpress.com
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Dear Dark Phoenix
I am having health challenges since Thanksgiving, sorry took so long to get back but I am not doing Awards this year…I mean no offense. I appreciate the gesture very much.
I’m flattered that you think my blog deserves it but visits and comments are enough of a reward for me! In Joy and Light, JBC 😎
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Jazzybeatchick, thanks for following my blog and leading me to yours! What a gift you have given us all!
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Welcome and thank you so much for your comment and I enjoy your blog as well. Peace Out! JBC 😎
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Hi! I’m new to this whole blogging thing, but thanks for checking out my post. Perhaps it’s (cosmic) coincidence that I’m ardent jazz fan/ musician, hoping to specialize in oncology and teach mindfulness meditation/ yoga to help patients heal. Here’s to the universe, I suppose.
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Welcome! That sounds awesome! JBC 😎
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Thank you for the follow, it’s very encouraging.
Terry
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You are welcome. J
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Thanks for making me aware of your blog. Only getting started but already admiring you.
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Thank you. Right back ya! JBC 😎
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I have nominated you for the Shauny Blogging Award. I hope you will accept it, and pass it along to other deserving blogs. Please visit the page below to read the details. Thanks for your great work!
http://talesalongtheway.com/2014/02/03/shauny-blogging-award-and-a-b-c-blogging-award/
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WOW I am so touched and honored that you like my blog. I enjoy Tales Along the Way very much. I respectfully have to decline this award because I received it in 2013. Thank you for your inspiration and nomination.
Best wishes, JBC 😎
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Thanks for the reply. I am so glad your blog is getting the recognition it deserves! Happy blogging!
Smiles,
Anne
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Your Welcome! JBC!
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