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Thank you so much, Luisa! Good move with the decision on cards - that's a great idea! Jim's received the same card from me for Valentine's Day for the last three years - it's the love heart pictured in this post - and the fact that I've never written in it means that I COULD also use it for our anniversary.....! Thank you for the idea!

399 years is quite some time - what's your secret?

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🤣 Even Bilbo Baggins stopped celebrating after his eleventy-first birthday...! And you're right: you don't look a day older than 250! 😉

Actually that is rather romantic, isn't it? The same card, I mean. I remember reading a newspaper story once about the same card being exchanged between a pair of school friends - now elderly ladies - every Christmas - or perhaps birthdays? - for decades. Such a lovely idea!

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Gorgeous post ❤️ I’m wowed already by the writing and community I’ve found here. The images are beautiful!

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Thank you so much, Claire! 😊

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And, of course you also do linocut block prints! (I have supplies just waiting for me to use!)

I think we may be long lost twins. Or, I definitely want to be you when I grow up! 💛

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Awwww, Amanda! Twins! 😊😊

My brief foray into lino printing (in fact I used vinyl, because it's cheaper and much easier to cut!) has resulted in a grand total of two pictures - LOL! One is a portrait of my husband (sounds more impressive than it is) and the other is this love heart.

Those two projects were part of the 'Wanderlust' mixed media online art course I took for the first time in 2020, and then their subsequent one in 2021. This year's course is already underway, but if you're interested in dabbling in mixed media art journalling I'd recommend getting your name on their mailing list because they do other shorter courses throughout the year, including free ones. I absolutely LOVED it.

Do have a look if you're interested: https://www.everything-art.com

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Love this and your artwork! Going to have a go! 💜

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Thank you so much, Claire! 😊

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❤️ Oh Rebecca, your sincerity just cut right through my cynicism about this holiday. Thanks!

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Feb 11, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Yes!!

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Well said, Tom! I think we can all agree:

We readers ❤️ Rebecca!

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I'm so pleased, Tom! 🤣

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Aw, this is sweet. Back atcha.

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Thanks, Mark!

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Sweet

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Thank you, Susan!

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Feb 11, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

This is the best valentine I’ve gotten since elementary school! 💕

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Oh Jillian, that's so lovely!

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Very nice, Rebecca, but may I suggest a couple of small changes, ones to make this piece more like that of a 'proper' writer, ie one who, like Ziggy Stardust, makes love to their ego (cf https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/a-writers-life-1)?

To readers:

Well done for displaying such good taste and intelligence by reading my stuff.

To writers:

I don't have time to waste on rubbish, so either keep up the (so far) good work or I'm gone.

Hope that helps 😁

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Ah, nothing like a little cynicism to go along with the love--it makes it all the sweeter. 😀

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🤣

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I’m opening this again on Tuesday as it will be the best Valentine of the day! You’ve just made up for all those years I spent anxiously waiting at my desk with my shoebox plastered with glue and construction paper with a little slit cut in the top waiting for my classmates’ valentines. Would I get the pretty ones, the ugly ones that were clearly the bottom of the barrel..er package of 24 mass-produced cards with their tiny envelopes? Would I get any at all?

This Valentine is worth more than all those and more. Thanks, Rebecca. I ❤️ you, dear Writer.

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I'm glowing to read this, Holly - that you so much! I love the sound of your shoebox awaiting whatever might be posted into it by an adoring classmate... happy memories!

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Feb 11, 2023Liked by Rebecca Holden

Awww, Rebecca. What a kind thing to do! You are truly a sweetheart. ( You are MY sweetheart.) I send you love from California and a thank you for this lovely tribute. I felt like you were writing it just for me. ha ha ha

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Sharron, that's such a lovely thing to say. Thank you!

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Rebecca! We love you. Sweet and beautiful post today. Thank you for showing up each Saturday and sharing your words here. It's a joy. Happy weekend.

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Awwwwww Julie, thank you so much for reading! It means the world!

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Write on Rebecca!! :)

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A message of hope. Let's hope folks engage by commenting--changes my day every time that happens--and even better than a 💝. Even comped folks often only like when what we all need is the engagement you salute here. Well-said, Rebecca.

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Thanks, Mary! Feedback is so valuable, isn't it?

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❤️ Love you right back!

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Awww, shucks! 😊 Thanks, Alicia!

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What a wonderful post, Rebecca. I love the sentiment as well as the artwork. Your kind spirit radiates not just in this post, but in all of your posts and comments. I feel very fortunate to be able to read your newsletter every week as well as your comments on mine. Happy Valentine's Day Sweet ❣️

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You're so kind, Sue - thank you! Happy Valentine's Day!

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This is so lovely, Rebecca. I appreciate your writing so much. ❤️

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I'm so glad, Cayly! Thank you!

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