Monday, July 19, 2021

Blogging is Forever

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS to our Rhys for winning the Agatha for Best Historical Mystery for her fabulous mystery The Last Mrs. Summers!!! Woo hoo!!!










JENN McKINLAY: I was reading an article about Twitter turning fifteen the other day and it casually referenced an article about Twitter’s arrival which predicted that it would be replacing blogging because blogging was dead. Deader than dead. I find this hilarious because Twitter is really just a micro-blog. Some would say a micro-blog of hate, rage, and intolerance, but I digress...

I am happy to report that we appear to still have a beating heart here at Jungle Red Writers, so it got me to thinking, what blogs or vlogs (yes, I’ll include vlogs because it is 2021) are you devoted to?  (Present JRW blog excepted, of course).


Here are my fave of faves: 


Humans of New York: It is exactly what it says it is. A blog devoted to the human beings who inhabit New York. It is brilliantly written and I have gotten so many story ideas and character studies from it. It's truly brilliant.


www.humansofnewyork.com

Adventurous Kate: A woman traveling the world alone and sharing how she does it. This blog is so much fun but it also helped me tremendously to write last year's Paris is Always a Good Idea and my upcoming August release Wait For It, both being stories about women who travel to faraway places on their own.


Bailey Sarian: This is a vlog that I stumbled upon about six months ago while researching mystery stories to use as inspiration for my books. Bailey is a former Sephora makeup wizard who decided to combine her love of makeup, mysteries, and murder (her mom was a 911 dispatcher) in a vlog. She debuted in 2013 doing makeup tutorials but busted out in 2019 when she started discussing mysteries during her tutorials. Brilliant, right? She now has over 10M followers on FB, 5M on YouTube, and 2.5M on Instagram. Plus, she's a hoot and she manages to keep her private life very private. Kudos, girl!

What about you, Reds? What are your fave blog/vlogs? 


LUCY BURDETTE: I feed my Paris obsessions with David Lebovitz, Dori Greenspan, and Secrets of Paris blogs. I love the Washington Post and New York Times cooking columns. And blogs about books and writing are too numerous to mention, but some I try to keep up with are the Wickeds, Maurice on Books, Lesa Holstine, Nathan Bransford… Oh and some on politics and Covid. Good lord, it’s no wonder I fall behind in my work!


www.wickedauthors.com

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Hmm. That is a good question, because..hmm. The New Yorker, certainly. Washington Post. NY Times. Career Authors. (yes, BSP) I tend to look at blogs when they cross my bandwidth randomly...not so many that I look at daily. 


 (And speaking of BSP: got to say--GO Jungle Red! I just checked our stats, and we’ve had NINE POINT THREE MILLION VIEWS! So--aw. Thank you, all.)  Eager to hear what everyone else is also reading!    


JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Yeah, Jenn, I remember when “Blogs are dead” was all the rage. But you know what? If you have a blog, you can’t be deplatformed, or censored, or hand your work over to a social media platform OR lose everything because it’s gone belly-up (MySpace, Friendster and Vine, anyone?) Now of course, the new hot thing is Substack, which is… blogging. Blogging you can get people to pay for instead of monetizing with ads. 


*Public service announcement: Jungle Red Writers does not charge for content, post paid content, solicit ads, have sponsors OR use affiliate links. Although the number of times we raved over Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, you would think we should get a kickback.*


www.whatever.scalzi.com



My faves? The Wickeds, John Scalzi’s Whatever, Phil Are Go! For hysterical photoshopped paperback covers, The Bulwark and the Daily Beast for political commentary (free and subscription content available.) Like Hank, I also tend to read blogs (and “Substack newsletters”) that cross my path on Twitter. I should really start keeping track of them; I tend to read a great article and then forget the author's name and so can never find it again.


HALLIE EPHRON: I used to follow Tom & Lorenzo, the “fabulous and opinionated” fashion and pop culture bloggers, but then celebrities stopped going out in fabulous clothes and the runway got mothballed. 


It’s not a blog but close - The Conversation, a New York Times opinion column that used to feature David Brooks (conservative) and Gail Collins (not conservative) in a very interesting back and forth. So refreshing, people from different spots on the opinion spectrum cracking jokes and talking about substantive issues without insulting each other. I like it less well now that Brooks has taken a leave and Collins is writing with someone a bit less tart. 


And every once in a while Facebook serves up a new Randy Rainbow musical spoof. Also not a blog but irresistible.


www.randyrainbow.com

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I read David Lebovitz, too, because, Paris AND food. I subscribe to Mark Bittman's new blog/project, The Bittman Project (a bit redundant there!) which is a community driven forum on cooking and eating sustainably. Then there's Vorcaciously, and Bon Appetit's daily posts. Also Eater London. (I'm seeing a thread here…) And I subscribe to three newspapers. Honestly, even making a dent in the Sunday New York Times takes up way more time than I actually have. On a sillier note, I follow a vlog called Thatcher Joe by British YouTuber Joe Sugg. It's sweet and funny and always makes me smile, which is a good thing after even skimming those newspapers.


RHYS BOWEN:  I confess to little time for reading blogs after I’ve tackled the daily newspapers. I do love Career Authors and enjoy Travels with Twist as she is a good friend. I read the Daily Om and sometimes the Daily Beast— the first to calm me from the second!


JENN: I agree with Rhys. It's all about balance.


So, how about you, Readers? What blog/vlogs fill you up?




76 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. If I’ve read Jungle Red Writers, I’m a happy camper.

    I do try to keep up with some of the author blogs and reader blogs along with a couple of cooking things . . . but there’s only so much time in a day and I could easily find myself reading blog after blog after blog . . . so I try to keep a bit of a limit on it . . . .

    Congratulations, on your Agatha award, Rhys . . . what wonderful new!

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    1. I know - there are so many great blogs. I have to be very discerning.

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  3. Thanks to two of you for mentioning the Wicked Authors! Jungle Reds has been our inspiration from the start. And I always begin my blog day here. #LongLiveBlogs

    Nobody mentioned Heather Cox Richardson. I read her daily post for my hit of political news nestled firmly in well-informed history.

    How is a vlog different from a podcast? Because I've add a weekly watching of the new Sisters in Crime podcast to my schedule, with Julie Hennrikus interviewing various SINC members. She's a great interviewer and it's fun to learn new things about the authors.

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    1. Cancel my last question - V means video, obviously. I hadn't had enough coffee when I wrote that!

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    2. LOL - I think the master of the vlog is John Green. And there's another one I enjoy. Goodness, there's so much out there. But also, I do love the Wickeds - gives me a chance to go home to New England whenever I want.!

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  4. While there are blogs I might catch here and there due to a post being shared around, the main blogs I follow or read regularly are (not including here obviously): The Wickeds, Bolo Books and Dru's Book Musings. I recently started following a Youtube channel by a guy named Brendon Snyder who does videos talking about rock and metal music. That's been a pretty good ride so far.

    Beyond that, I don't know if I follow any other regular blogs. Ever since I stopped writing a sports blog I did a few years back, I definitely have been less into anything that isn't mystery related.

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    1. thank you for the shout-out.

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    2. The mystery genre does have the best, imho. Dru's Book Musings, Lesa's Book Critiques, and Kittling Books by Cathy Cole - all great stuff.

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  5. Luddite alert - this is the first I have heard of vlogs. Yes, you may all visit me under my home rock. Seems I've been living there for a while :). Definitely going to look those up - I've been looking for something to listen to while I crochet. This sounds perfect - mental bon bons.

    In addition to REDS read Maine Crime Writers, Writers Who Kill, and Wicked Cozy Authors on a daily basis. I've bookmarked several of the suggestions made in this blog and looking forward to expanding my horizons.

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  6. The only other blog I read every time it comes out is Amanda’s blog : Five Years a Writer.
    As I travel on my own, I’ll give a try to Adventurous Kate.

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  7. I'm on Writers Who Kill with Kait, and otherwise, tend to read newspapers on-line instead of blogs and vlogs: in the NYT, I love the "which would you chose?" real estate feature and Modern Love column. In the Washington Post, the Friday live write-in with Carolyn Hax (so many great character ideas), Adrian Higgins on gardening, and Jura Koncius's interior design pieces. Food columns and book reviews in both.

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    1. I love that real estate column Margaret! It's the first thing I read on Saturday

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    2. A new joy I just found is Zillow Gone Wild - not so much a blog as both an FB/Insta account but sooooo good.

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  8. I read Amanda's blog too, highly recommend it to you all. Maybe she will post a link here? I also read 7 Criminal Minds several times a week. It's worth the while. It has an interesting format, different than this one, but still good. Some of my favorites -- that aren't here -- appear there. Josh Stallings, Jim Ziskin, Cathy Ace, Terry Shames, Catriona McPherson, and a couple others whose names escape me. There's not a lot of "audience participation" for some reason, but it's always a good read.

    Aside: If you haven't seen "Promising Young Woman", you should.

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    1. Here is a link to my blog. Thank you for the shout out, Ann and Danielle: https://fiveyearsawriter.blogspot.com/2021/07/where-are-rats.html

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    2. Thanks, Amanda! I'm now subscribed!

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    3. Promising Young Woman is on my list and thanks for the list of blogs - will definitely check them out!

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  9. Bug Squashing Party? What is BSP? Now I am feeling so out of the loop and ignorant. I will definitely be looking into some of these blogs and vlogs. I think the only other ones I follow at all are all author blogs.

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    1. Blatant Self-Promotion, Judi! LOL.

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    2. I didn't know what it was either - LOL! Thanks for asking!

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  10. This is the only blog I read daily. Now that I have subscribed to the Wickeds, I read that a few times a week but at least skim it. 7 Criminal Minds is terrific, but I only get cued to it when FB sends me a link to a Jim Ziskin post. I read several author newsletters including Jenn's and Edith's. I am still reading 3 or 4 books a week, and listening to at least one on Audible.

    As for newspapers, still not reading much of them. Very frustrating to see what I think is biased coverage and disgusted by the link between that and ethnic attacks all over the country. The media could be a bit less holier than thou on such things, as though they have no influence. Geez!

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    1. Thanks so much Judy! Newsletters are work so it's nice when readers enjoy them.

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  11. Yeah, no. Blogs are not dead because reading is not dead -- and never will be. In fact, there is so much to read that I despair of ever having enough time to read all that I want as widely as I want in all the various formats that exist these days.

    JRW is my daily blog read. I follow Career Writers and drop into a host of others, loving the variety of info, tone and style available out there these days. I also love podcasts but don't have (or make) the time to listen to as many as I would like.

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    1. That should be Career Authors: https://careerauthors.com/the-parts-they-dont-tell-you/

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    2. I need to subscribe to Career Authors - thank you!

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  12. Blogs: JRW (natch), Wickeds, Chicks on the Case, BOLO Books, and Dru's Book Musings. I may read others when I see links, but I don't really follow them.

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  13. Congrats to all....yes, blog are occasionally pronounced dead and yet yours as well as mine keep chugging right along despite expert analysis that says they are dead. Weird how that happens.

    Kevin R. Tipple

    Book Reviews and More
    https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/

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  14. Jungle Red is my first stop of the day, even if I don't leave a comment, but beyond that . . . I'll be honest, I don't read, watch, or listen to too many blogs, vlogs, or what have you. Partially because I'm often struggling to come up with the once-a-week entry for the Weird Blog, the posts my sister and I trade off on for our indie pub company, Weird Sisters Publishing. I don't know how you ladies do it here, with seven posts a week, week after week. Of course there are more of you, and you can drop in a few guest posts when someone is promoting a new work. (Thank you for that, by the way.). It's no wonder you're known industry-wide, and hailed as one of the best blogs ever!

    Big congratulations to Rhys on the Agatha!

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    1. thanks for the kind words about the blog Gigi, it is a lot of work, but we love the company so much!

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    2. Hi, Gigi - thanks for always being here. I know what you mean. I have a blog to write for tomorrow and have NO idea what it will be about. Eep!

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  15. Lesa's Book Critiques by Lesa Holstine has been my go-to blog at the beginning of each day, and I've been reading it for years. It was such a thrill to meet Lesa in person at the 2014 Left Coast Crime in Monterey, and spend time with her again at the 2016 LCC in Phoenix. Looking forward to doing it again in 2022 in Albuquerque. Besides Lesa's wonderful reviews, Thursday is devoted to talking about what we're reading, and she's built quite a community of and friends and responders. She has also invited several of us to blog on our favorites of the year--another thrill. I am proud to consider her a friend. Of course, I always read JRW every single day.

    I also receive The Modern Mrs. Darcy's (Anne Bogel) blog by email each day and listen to her wonderful podcast, What Should I Read Next, every Tuesday.

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    1. Oh, shoot, I forgot about Lesa's, and I also read Modern Mrs. Darcy.

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  16. Blogs I read on a daily basis: The Wickeds, JRW, Chicks on the Case, Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers, Maine Crime Writers, The Stiletto Gang, BOLO Books, and of course dru's book musings

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  17. I wish I could read all of the ones mentioned, but I absolutely cannot allow myself to subscribe to anything else. I've been trying to reduce my email, too--the inbox is a such a time killer!

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  18. Hallie, I also adore Randy Rainbow!

    And yes, I have been frequently tempted, but I am trying to keep the number of paid subscriptions down. Between intriguing substack newsletters and shows I want to see on things like Apple Plus and HBO Max, I could wind up having subscriptions as the second largest item in my monthly budget!

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    1. Julia, ain't it the truth! I'm resisting HBO Max and Apple TV but the battle may be futile...

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    2. I have to admit that we wait until a whole season is available and then take a free week of whatever and binge. So far so good

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    3. Another vote from me for Randy Rainbow although, without 45 to kick around, he's having to retool his subject matter. Love him!

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    4. You have to subscribe to Apple TV just for Ted Lasso - it is the BEST!

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    5. I know, Jenn. I can't wait for the new season.

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  19. Well, let's see. Dru's daily posts. Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Travels with Twist. Word Wenches. Tim Cotton and/or Bangor Maine Police Department. Nextdoor Digest to see what's going on in our neighborhood, serious and inane. I may just scan to see if I really want to read it that day. Sometimes I am just not in the mood.

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    1. Oh, yes, Mystery Lover's Kitchen!!! I'm an alum. I love that site.

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  20. Scalzi’s Whatever and Tressie McMillan Cottom’s Essaying on Substack

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    1. I have got to get up to speed on substacks. Wow! I had no idea.

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  21. A certain type of blog has died due to social media - the personal diary type blog. When I first started blogging, I had many friends who had those, and they were all the rage. That went away more with Facebook than Twitter. Personally, I just use Twitter to promote my blog most days.

    Obviously, I am leaving out blogs like JRW, which are very different from the diary type blog.

    I always feel like I should read more blogs when this comes up since I have one of my own. But there just isn't time to read all the great blogs out there. Most of my daily stops have already been mentioned, including Chicks on the Case, Wicked Authors, Dru, Bolo, and Lesa. I will pop in to The Stiletto Gang every so often. I try to stop by I Wish I Lived in the Library occasionally since Kathryn is so faithful in commenting on my blog.

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    1. I have to catch up to the Stiletto Gang! Thanks for the reminder.

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    2. I should have mentioned Carstairs Considers!

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    3. thanks for the shout-out and I should have included yours as well.

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  22. Sorry I am Late to the Party. I slept in this morning.

    Jenn, the makeup and mystery vlog looks great! I am glad that it is captioned. I had a very frustrating time trying to get captions for a virtual mystery conference last week to no avail. Yes, I asked for captions when I registered. Lesson learned: From now on, I will have to get confirmation from a virtual conference that there will be captions BEFORE I pay $$$$ to register for the conference.

    Rarely have time to read blogs/vlog, let alone maintain my own book blog.

    Favorites are JUNGLE RED WRITERS and Ellie Alexander on YouTube with many delicious recipes and captioned virtual chats.

    Thanks for the recommendation, Jenn. I am going to subscribe to the makeup and mystery vlog.

    Once in a while I like to watch the vlogs from DOVE FILM/TV a Sign Language news channel from Denmark and British Sign Language news from another Sign Language channel, both on Instagram.

    Speaking of Twitter, I mostly follow Authors and Royalty. And only Civilized Politicians.

    Diana

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  23. RHYS,

    CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR AGATHA AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL MYSTERY. That category was the most difficult for me to vote for because ALL of the authors/books nominated were Wonderful!!!

    Diana

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  24. I think that reading blogs will always have an audience, as the next best thing to reading books is talking about them. The Reading Room blog that I started over ten years ago has evolved to reflect my love of mystery/crime reading. It's seldom I have anything but that genre on my blog now.

    As far as blogs I follow goes, Jungle Red Writers is usually the first place I go online every day. I love the authors, the content, and the community of it. Then, I tend to be very loyal to other book bloggers, and while not reading their blogs every day, I pay close attention to them. These bloggers are friends, and I like to support my friends. These include Kaye Wilkerson Barley's Meanderings and Musings, Aubrey Hamilton's Happiness is a Book (lots of Golden Age), Lesa Holstine's Lesa's Book Critiques, Kevin Tipple's Kevin's Corner, Dru Ann Love's Dru's Musings, Kristopoher Zgorski's BOLO Books, and Mark Baker's Carstairs Considers. I have long list of reading blogs on the right side of my Reading Room blog home page. I also have the web sites and blogs of favorite authors listed, something I need to update, as some authors, like Lucy, have revamped their sites.

    I think of my blog where I review books and do author interviews and other book related postings as a way to support and promote all the wonderful authors I read, and, of course, it's lovely when the authors stop by to comment on a review I've posted. I review the Jungle Red authors whose books I always love. I am starting to read Jenn's books (and I apologize for not getting to them sooner because you are a fabulous writer). As other reading bloggers will tell you, it means a lot to us when our friends and author favorites stop by our blog and become a follower or subscribe. I'm in the beginning stages of revamping my blog. My amazing friend Erin is going to do this for me, and I can't wait to see how she improves it. I'll probably be moving from Eblogger to Word Press, but for now and probably quite a while longer The Reading Room can be found at https://www.readingroom-readmore.com/

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    1. Thanks for the shout out, Kathy. I really appreciate it.

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  25. Kathy Boone Reel kindly told me about this interesting thread. I see several blogs mentioned that I check often, including Kathy's blog The Reading Room, https://www.readingroom-readmore.com/; Kevin's Corner, https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/; and Lesa's Book Critiques, https://lesasbookcritiques.com/.

    One that I especially enjoy is Clothes in Books by Moira Redmond, http://clothesinbooks.blogspot.com/, in which she dissects the fashions depicted in mostly Golden Age mysteries. It makes for fascinating reading. Remember that luscious scene in The Marriage of Mary Russell in which Mary frantically searches her closet for something to wear to her last-minute marriage? I was happy to bring it to Moira's attention. What did the suit Mary finally chose look like? As it turns out, nothing at all like I thought it did.

    I can't imagine that blogs will fall out of favor any time soon, as long as one of us has an opinion about our latest read.

    Regards, Aubrey Hamilton Happiness Is a Book, https://happinessisabook.com/

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    1. Aubrey, I glad you visited the blog here and commented. The Clothes in Books is one I'm not familiar with, but it sounds fascinating. I'll be looking it up. Thanks.

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  26. I can't believe I forgot to mention The Reading Room! Which I always read!!!

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  27. Thanks for the shout out! I love Randy Rainbow! I shouldn't have read this because now I have so many other blogs to check out!

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