Thursday, May 7, 2020

What We're Writing--Lucy Burdette


LUCY BURDETTE: What challenging times we are in! Nothing is yet normal in Key West--people are suffering because of not being allowed to work, only a few places are open for business, and all visitors who aren't residents or don't have work are stopped by the authorities at the top of the Keys. That blockade may sound draconian, but it helps us feel a bit safer. (Apparently, this is called a "travel bubble" and it's what New Zealand will be doing with its neighbor, Australia.) Everyone is scared but Keys folks are trying to keep a sense of humor, as you can see by this sign I found posted at the Schooner Wharf bar. And the one below posted across from the Courthouse Deli.




My concentration for reading is slowly improving, and I've insisted to myself that I will not waste this time searching the news for word about which superhero scientist will save us from this pandemic... So that means I am writing, albeit more slowly than usual. 

In order to remember what was happening in the 11th Key West mystery (partly set in Scotland,) I had to go back to the beginning and read all the through. I won't ask you to do that! But here's a little review since it's been a while: Hayley and Nathan have traveled to Scotland for their delayed "honeymoon" and in the end, invited Miss Gloria to go with them. They are guests in the home of Nathan's sister, Vera, and her husband, and this scene takes place on the first night of their visit.

I heard a soft tap on the door. 
“Come in.” 
Miss Gloria’s elfin face appeared. 
“Everything okay?” I asked. 
“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it? I can’t wait to see more of the countryside.” She paused, plucked at her topknot of white hair. “But I am a little worried.” 
I patted the bed beside me. “About what?” 
She crossed the room and perched on Nathan’s side of the bed. “It might sound silly. But I didn’t realize that Vera’s husband is a Campbell. I never asked you their family name.” 
“And that’s a problem because…?” 
“Because my mother’s people were McDonalds.” 
She stopped speaking, as though that was all I needed to know. But it explained nothing to me. 
“Say a little more about that?” I suggested. 
She heaved a troubled sigh. “My ancestors lived in the Highlands, in Glencoe where we will be going with Vera, I’m sure. It’s well known for being a thin place. And many of those same people were massacred by the Campbells. William’s people.” 
She looked so distressed that I needed to understand. Clearly, I should have been reading more Scottish history. “And how long ago did all this happen?” I asked. 
“In the 1600’s. But they wiped out most of the clan. And we have long memories. I still sense that loss right here.” She pressed her hand to her chest and I could almost feel her heart pounding like a little bird. 
“I can imagine how distressing that bit of history would feel,” I said. 
Though in truth, I couldn’t quite imagine getting that upset about something so long ago. On the other hand, I didn’t know the details of the massacre, and I was a lot younger than Miss Gloria. More concerned with the here-and-now, than my ancestors’ lives. This was likely a failing of my own. 
“Let’s get a little rest. We’re both exhausted. And then we can figure out what to do when we’re fresh.” I reached over to give her a hug.  

Though honestly, what was there to do? Demand reparations from our host, Nathan’s brother-in-law, for what his ancestors did four hundred years ago?  


Photo by Liz Acar

I'm inching along in the story and enjoying getting back into the characters' lives and seeing Scotland again, at least on paper! Meanwhile, the launch of THE KEY LIME CRIME is coming this summer. (I would love to have you pre-order...) I couldn't be more excited about the reviews! Here's a snippet from Publishers' Weekly: 

"Charming characters, an appealing setting, and mouthwatering bonus recipes make this a perfect choice for foodie cozy lovers. "

Are you thinking of places you'd like to travel once it's safe again? We really want to visit New Zealand:). In the meantime, be careful out there Reds--we love you guys a lot!

58 comments:

  1. Aw, I love this, Lucy! [I can’t wait to read the whole story.] Thanks for making me smile . . . .

    I know exactly where I want to go when we finally get to travel again: Virginia and Colorado, to visit the girls and all the grandbabies. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to being able to do that . . . .

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    1. Oh I can imagine how hard it is for you Joan not to be able to see all those wonderful children and grandchildren. Fingers crossed it comes sooner than we fear!

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  2. I have to admit I made a face when I heard an older friend’s maiden name was Campbell. Luckily her husband was the one to tell me and he just grinned.
    I’m having trouble picturing any travel in the near future. It just doesn’t seem likely and I don’t want to think about where I can’t go. But I’m ready to hear all about Hayley’s trip to Scotland.

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    1. It is hard to imagine, but we are staying optimistic. Not in the near future, but maybe next year. And while we’re waiting, armchair travel, right?

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  3. Looking forward to reading The Key Lime Crime, Lucy, and to visit Key West virtually.
    The book is in my mountain pile of ARCs for June.

    I have travelled to Scotland twice but only in the larger cities (Edinburgh and Glasgow) and would love to go back to visit for rural areas in the future. The main memory from one trip is that we had to go to the woolen mills to buy sweaters since sleet was falling in August (!) and we were freezing in our summer clothes.




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    1. We had the same thing happen grace. We thought we were well prepared with our rain coats and layers, but the first week was freezing. We all bought scarves and sweaters!

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  4. I love that snippet, Lucy! I can't imagine holding a 400-year old grudge, but I look forward to reading about it.

    I'm not sure I'll ever want to get on an airplane again! Next week Hugh and I were going to be headed out for our London and Ireland trip. This weekend was to be the Wicked Authors annual in-person retreat, this time on Cape Cod. I'm glad I went to visit my younger son in Puerto Rico at the start of March, because I might not see him in person again for another year. sniff.

    The first place I'll go when I can is forty miles away to hug my little great goddaughter who calls me Auntie. A Whatsapp call just isn't the same.

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    1. It’s very hard to be separated from the people we love! It’s so sad about your Ireland trip in many ways, from Sheila to the dream trip itself. We were supposed to be going to Ireland in September. Another time, I’m really looking forward to it

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  5. The excerpt is very intriguing, long held antagonism must be very depleting to the soul.
    I ordered Key Lime 'crime on Nov 21, which seems like an eon ago. Are the weeks flying by for anyone else? They are for me, and that's when I know what day it is. I used to measure the week by the arrival of the Sunday NYT. Now I look out the front and watch for the garbins to be moved to the street.

    Sad, isn't it.

    I just said to Julie last week that it is time we returned to Key West. The last time was more than 15 years ago, but we used go go every couple of years, always stayed at Duval House. I like being there For the Christmas parade. However the first place I'll go is to see my kids in Texas. Then we will start planning trips. Mostly driving trips I think, now that Julie is retired and we are down to one dog and one cat who could come along. Planes haven't held much appeal to be for years except as the only convenient way to get to Europe. And Julie gets very seasick, so a ship is out of the question. We shall see.

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    1. Thanks for a pre-ordering Ann! I’m glad to hear you are planning lots of trips. We may have to think about all this travel a little differently, but on the other hand won’t there be lots of things we will appreciate more once we get through this horrible time?

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    2. Ann, if you come to Texas hopefully I will get to see you, too!

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    3. Of course, Debs. But isn’t it about time you came to see me? Lol

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  6. Your pictures made me smile and your snippet made me look forward to The Key Lime Crime. I already love Scotland and your friendly characters. I often read about the feuds in Scotland and I'm curious about what is to come next to Hayley and Miss Gloria.
    As for travelling, for now, being able to visit my daughter and my brothers Is more appealing than going far away.
    I just need to travel with books.

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    1. Thank you Danielle! I hope you get to see your beloved family soon. We also want to see our grandchildren in California, sigh. Meanwhile, lots of FaceTime!

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  7. My first husband's family was from the hills of Tennessee, Scots-Irish, with exceedingly long clannish prejudices and prides. The ex used to say his relatives often had "more pride than sense". Sounds as though you've captured this mindset perfectly here, Lucy/Roberta!

    While I miss my children terribly, that is not unusual, since they all live so far away, in Virginia, Michigan, and now Oregon, and we have had long, fun Zoom sessions several times now. But as soon as it's safe, I intend to drive the hour to my brother's house and hug my 90-year old mom (she lives with him), who I have not seen since her birthday party in January. This is the longest we've ever gone without seeing one another, and I really miss her.

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    1. Oh Karen, that is very hard about your mom. I keep thinking I’m glad that we saw a lot of our relatives in February before this all went berserk. And I love the comment from your ex, I may have to use that in this book! I will make a note to give you credit LOL

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  8. My great-grandmother was a Campbell. I'll read your book to learn what the ruckus was about in 17th c. Scotland.
    Our May 2020 trip to Dordogne and SW France was postponed till next year. Happy to count everyone in my family healthy!

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    1. Yes Margaret, that’s what really counts. I won’t tell Miss Gloria about your family lineage…

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    2. Lucy, you never know...there may be a Campbell in Miss Gloria's family lineage....

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    3. My great-grandmother was too, Margaret, and she was a terrible woman. Not that that signifies anything. My granddaughter and her husband came home from a trip to Scotland, and Stacey related the story of the awful slaughter that took place in the 1600s. She was truly horrified to learn that her very own family was part Campbell.

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  9. I can just hear the thing! It’s great, so touching and realistic, too. You are so terrific, I just love the voice!
    I saw a story on TV about the blockade of Key West – – so bizarre. But understandable.
    And I love that you can escape into your writing! Luckily for you, and luckily for us Congratulations on that amazing review!!

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    1. Thank you for all that Hank! It is a bizarre occurrence when you sit and think about it. I think the same thing is going on with other islands— block them off if possible. Otherwise with all the visitors we usually get, we would be sitting ducks

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  10. Thinking that is exactly what I need right now - an armchair escape with Hayley to Scotland! I know things will all work out but it will be such fun going along for the ride, with no downside.

    I cannot even imagine Key West being sort of a ghost town but it seems like a wonderful place to ride out our troubles.

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  11. Looking forward to some relaxing, fun reading--thanks, Lucy! And the funny photos always give me a chuckle--so thanks for those, too. My ancestors included many Sots-Irish, too, and I'm happy to read anything set in Scotland and Ireland.

    The first place I want to go is out to eat with my sisters. Just to eat someone else's cooking and to be with all of my sisters in one place.

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    1. Flora, dinner out with your sisters sounds like a wonderful’s first stop! I’m pretty tired of cooking too...

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  12. Lucy,

    Holding a grudge for 400 years seems a bit excessive but there are times when that old adage "forgive and forget" is played far too fast for my own tastes. I don't immediately forgive someone who does me wrong. In fact, I'm from more of the "Remember and hold a grudge" school of thought.

    People should EARN forgiveness, not just have it handed to them. When I was forced out of coaching basketball over a serious disagreement with the board, two of the 3 people responsible for that had been "friends" for decades. One of them I'd even coached with on the same team for a couple of years. I didn't speak to either of them for 5 years. They'd done me wrong so why should I forgive them is how I saw it.

    Then my mother died. They reached out to me to make sure it was okay to come to the wake and pay their respects. That broke the ice after that five year silence. We're still not close or anything but we talk when we run into each other on occasion, which is a far cry from where we were for five years.


    My writing isn't fiction like everyone else here but it does give me the escape of having something else to focus on other than the continuing health crisis. At least for a couple of hours. I figure it takes an hour to listen to an album and another hour to craft my short articles and then edit them. I'd like to say that it takes longer but these aren't academic treatises I'm writing here. But the escape is worth it before I dive back into the "real world".

    If you want to watch a movie that is Scotland-related, you can check out Robert The Bruce on On Demand now. It's not historically accurate or anything as it is set during a winter when history doesn't know exactly what he was up to it seems, but the guy playing Robert The Bruce is the same one who played him in Braveheart. It was an entertaining movie overall though.'

    As for places I'd like to travel, they remain the same (Ireland, Scotland, England and Hawaii) as they always have been. But I don't see me ever getting to any of them...regardless of a global pandemic.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation about Robert the Bruce. We saw his tomb when we were over there last summer. I am glad that your friends reached out to you when your mom died, that’s such a hard transition and you need everyone in your life at that moment

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  13. What a fanTAStic review! Lucy I think Key Lime Crime is your best ever. And as for me, ‘travel’ will be going to the supermarket (haven’t set foot in one since early March) the bank and the post office ... talk about your adventure travel 😝

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    1. Thanks Hallie, I was super happy with that one! And I love your adventure travel list. I know you want to see your daughters and grandkids to

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  14. Roberta/Lucy, thanks for the snippet of your next book! Irwin and I toured Scotland last year with Natural Habitat Adventures, the company associated with World Wildlife Fund. We had a fabulous trip, great food, great lodging, great hikes, great wildlife viewing, spectacular scenery and lots of good Scotch. I had a wee dram every evening!

    As for the long memory thingy, don't get me started! I understand Miss Gloria's point better than I wish I did.

    Roberta, I have been reading. Reading tons. I am a slow reader, a word reader, if you will. But, I am plowing through books like there's nothing else to do. Your series, I'm all caught up, Rhys's Royal Spyness series, all caught up. Jenn's Hat Shop series, all caught up and now starting book 5 of her Cupcake Bakery series. I've started the S.W. Hubbard Adirondack series. I've read Julia's latest and also James R. Benn's Souvenir, a haunting story of a soldier told in three time periods. WOW. I'm caught up with Arlene MacFarlane's Murder, Curlers and...series and love her sense of humor! I've listened to Audible during this time, too, including one of Deb's books, one of Rhys's and just finishing listening to Billy Boyle and loving being read to. I've sampled a couple of other writers, as well, but my New Year's resolution was to read Reds! My plan is also to reread Deb's books since they are among my favorites, ever and they are all here in one spot. I am pre-ordering all of your (Reds) up-coming books and have a book of Hallie's and a book of Hank's and another 2 of Rhys's books in the Kindle.

    I baked your coconut cake this past weekend, to rave's, (thanks Honey) and have been dining on food from our favorite restaurants at least once a week. I have tp and there's some meat in the freezer.

    When this is over, we will travel to Boston and to Delaware to hug those grandsons and hug them some more. Then, we'll see what the world looks like and plan a vacation to somewhere to see wildlife and great scenery again. So, when you start to plan your trip to New Zealand, give me a call;-) We are not kvetches, nor are we schlepps.

    Stay safe and well. Keep writing, Reds!!

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    1. Judy, I am so glad to hear that you are successfully reading. And we all really really appreciate being at the top of your list! We will stay in touch about New Zealand whenever that maybe

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    2. Judy, you are the best! we all wish there were more readers like you!

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  15. My first travel will be to the coast. It's only 30 minutes away on a good day, but since I don't want a citation and am such a goody-goody, I've not even taken a simple drive. After that I should visit my sister in Oregon but not until it's safe, she one those pre-existing conditions people and I don't want to be responsible if she gets sick.

    Miss Gloria gets to go to Scotland before me? Well, I guess that is okay, she has lived longer than me. Can't wait to see Scotland those the eyes of the Key West gang. I just remembered a snippet about Nathan learning about ale or was it whiskey? Some kind of adventure with his brother-in-law.... Hmm....

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  16. Australia and New Zealand have long been on my list. As has Wales ever since I found Rhys's Evan Evans mysteries.

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    1. Mark, I visited Wales and it REALLY looked like the Wales in Rhys Bowen's Constable Evans mysteries. Loved Wales! I want to go back someday.

      Diana

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    2. that's a good list Mark, it's good to dream. I want to see Wales also!

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  17. I am looking forward to traveling to both Scotland and Key West via your next book, Lucy. It will be fun, and I don't have to worry about packing! Double bonus :)

    As for my own next actual trip -- to the cottage for what we call the May Long Weekend (or Victoria Day, in honour of Queen Victoria). It's the third weekend in May and, traditionally in Canada, the first weekend of the summer camping and cottaging season. We will travel there and back and not stop along the way for gas or groceries; we will be self-sufficient and keep to ourselves. #CovidTravel

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  18. Lucy, the Scottish novel sounds wonderful. I so look forward to reading that one! I already ordered the Key Lime Crime novel from my favorite independent bookstore (most of their books are thick tomes, but they had your book in stock so I was able to order your book). Yes, there were sticky situations between the McDonalds and the Campbells because I am trying to remember which clan was working for the British Crown against the Highland uprisings. And with the Outlander series, I have been reading more about Culludoen. I have a weird story for you. I was in Edinburgh for a history conference and I was reading History, though I was not specializing in Scottish history at that time. We all were in Scotland during Easter season that year and we went on a tour of the Highlands, including Culloden. When we drove near the site of Culloden, I started crying. I didn't know why I suddenly felt very sad and started crying. I wonder if I felt the spirits of the people who died at Culloden?

    Interesting about Nathan's sister's name Vera. I thought of Vera as an English name, not an American name. Good question about Nathan's brother in law who is a Campbell. Is he a good person? I was reminded again of our tour in Scotland when a member of our group was from Germany. Our Scottish host was teasing the German because he pointed out the sites that were bombed by the Germans during the Second World War and he told the German "Thanks for bombing us because now we have ugly buildings to replace the old buildings". The German, who is mild mannered, apologized for the Germans bombing during the War.

    What is Nathan's brother in law like? Is he aware of what happened in the past and is he ashamed? I was thinking about someone who asked Finding Your Roots to leave out some information because he was ashamed to find out that an ancestor owned slaves!

    My ancestors came from Scotland. My family tree includes Both the McDonalds and the Campbells. We also have the Grahams, the Gordons, the MacDiarmids, the Ramsays and the Galbreaths in my family tree.

    When I think of Miss Gloria, for some reason, I think of the actress Gloria Stuart from the movie the Titanic. I would think that Miss Gloria is the forgiving type, unless I'm mistaken?

    Stay safe xoxo

    Diana

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    1. I think the Battle of Culludoen was around Easter? I think it was the 360th? anniversary of the Battle?

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    2. Diana, what an amazing story! I bet you were feeling those spirits, and that is exactly what Miss Gloria is wrestling with...I love your questions too. Making me think more deeply. thank you!

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    3. Lucy, thanks! Wondering where in Scotland the setting will be in your book. Looking forward to reading :-)

      Diana

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  19. Lucy, I forgot to mention where I would like to travel to when things are "back to normal"? I think life as we knew it before COVID19 will not be the same afterwards? Where would I want to travel to? I want to travel to Canada again. I want to travel to Iceland for the mystery conference (Krimmensen ?). I want to travel to Scotland again. Love England but right now I feel scared to visit England with the Brexit stuff. Maybe I will be OK since people in England thought I was English?

    Never have been to Spain nor Portugal nor Greece. Would love to visit these places. Alexander McCall Smith the author often has a tour to Botswana and I would love to join that too!

    Though I have been to Kobenhavn several times, I have never been to Tivoli Gardens and would love to visit that too.

    Diana

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  20. Lucy, sorry for being late to the party today. I actually got out to the garden center at Lowe's, masked and gloved, and loaded up a cart with all sorts of things that I can't actually plant until after this coming weekend, when we are dropping down into the 40s! That is unheard of for May in north Texas. Anyway it was my first big excursion in public, other than a doctor's appointment last week, but I think with the open air and everyone (almost) wearing masks, hopefully it was okay.

    I love this little snippet, love the comment about the "thin" places. Anyone who's been to Scotland will probably have felt them. And the MacDonalds and the Campbells! So much drama to mine there. I can't wait for this book!

    First place to travel, whenever the world gets back to "normal", whenever that may be, London, of course. I miss it terribly. But I can't imagine being on a plane for ten hours anytime in the foreseeable future.

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    1. Deborah, I was late to the party too. I love this little snippet too.

      Diana

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    2. No Debs, a long trip like that would feel so scary. Have fun with your plants once the arctic blast goes by. xox

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  21. I'm late to the party, too, but I wanted to say I LOVE the pictures you posted from local businesses, Lucy, and I cannot tell you how much I wish, as I sit here typing wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, a flannel shirt, and a wool sweater, that I was at least quarantined in a place where I would want to pick up a delicious tropical drink. It's dropping down to the forties for Debs - we're struggling to get out of the forties in Maine!

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    1. Julia, I am late to the party too. I love the pictures too!

      Diana

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    2. I know, we are so lucky to have been able to get out and enjoy the days. I know spring will come to Maine and be glorious!

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  22. I love how well the Keys are handling this - with humor - always the way to go in my book. Also, I am so thrilled for your Scotland book. Love, love, love. And those memories are long. My uncle, Donald McKinlay, was our family historian and he felt the clan feuds as deeply as if he lived in the highlands back in the day and not Yonkers. LOL.

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    1. Jenn, is it okay to ask which clan McKinlay was? I remember the stories about the clan feuds.

      Diana

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    2. I may need to pick your brain for clan war details Jenn!

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  23. Travel? I can't even imagine . . . the new(er) Prius that replaced the old one in March hasn't even been on the highway yet. In my mind, though, and through books, I've traveled to so many places, and I am eagerly anticipating this trip to Scotland. <3

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