“Lucy. Do you see what I see?”
“I do, Little One. Looks like a monster truck to me.”
“You are right. What the heck is it doing here?”
“Looks like they are going to plant the Boss’s birthday tree.”
“It is about time. Do they know what they are doing?”
“Yup. Mom went out there and gave them their instructions.”
“Why are they digging so much. The hole was already done.”
“The tree needed to have the best side out. That means making a diagonal hole out of a square.”
“Come see this, Lucy.”
“Coming.”
“It looks great, doesn’t it?”
“It sure does.”
“I have to wonder where those guys went.”
“Why? You think they’ll come back, Lucy?”
“You never know. Sometimes they do.”
“Why would they come back?”
“What if they dropped off the wrong tree.”
“You think Mom would allow that?”
“I suppose you are right. Looks like this may be here a while.”
“So we can relax and enjoy the tree?”
“I would say that is the perfect thing to do. After all, it marks the Boss’s eightieth birthday.”
“How much is that in dog years?”
“About eleven.”
“Woo wee. He’s got some mileage.”
“Keep that on the down-low, Little One.”
The tree does look great!
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Thank you, Liz.😊 I love it.
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You’re welcome, John. Will it bloom this first year or not until next year? The magnolias I had in Virginia were very well-established when we bought the houses.
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Not sure about the blooming, Liz. It was in bloom when we bought it back in May. They are supposed to bloom twice. I think the transplant will have an effect.
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You’ll keep us posted?
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For sure. 😁
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What manner of tree is it, John? Not that I could think of planting anyting that size in my 540 sq ft back garden. I am planning a tricolour dwarf buddleia once the new patio is laid next month. Then I’ll have to train Robbie not to bump into it!
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It is a southern magnolia. Gets big white flowers twice a year.
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I shall look forward to seeing it in bloom, John.
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Me too. Thanks, Keith.
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Wow! You gotta a pretty mature one! Love it. Can’t wait till it blooms next spring.
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It was a biggie. After all I don’t have forever to wait for it to grow up. Thanks, Dale. 😁
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Bite your tongue. But I get it… And hey, if we don’t deserve a biggie at 80, when do we?
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I agree.
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🤗
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😊
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Fine looking tree, John. Is the chair to the right behind it located so you can put your feet up in it’s lower branches? 😃
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I think The Producer would not be happy catching me with my feet in the branches. The real answer is the first level of branches are too high for feet resting. 😁 Thanks, Chris.
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The tree looks great! That was a big crew.
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I thought so too. Thanks, Jill. I guess it takes a few to get the tree in place. 😁
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The tree looks great!
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Thanks, Joan. 😊
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Never any secrets with the girls about is there. All those doggy years eh. The tree looks great there.
Hugs
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Thak you, David. I really like it.
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Hmmm… someone got you a great birthday tree! I wasn’t expecting one quite so large, but it’s a real beauty. It looks like a saucer (or Southern) magnolia. If it is, that thing is going to grow into a real shade provider.
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Yes it will. That mountain laurel and the oak will need to be trimmed in about five years. Thanks, Linda.😁
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Ha ha ha! So you are 11? Got a love math. The yard looks great!
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Thank you, Pamela. Yes only 11.
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Ya gotta love the girls – they tell it like it is!
All the best with your tree, John. Magnolias are outstanding!!
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Thank you, GP. I love it.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Head over to celebrate the arrival of a wonderful tree to celebrate the 80th birthday of John Howel.. You will be given a guided tour by two of his girls who might just be hoping for some cake too.. Happy Birthday John.. keep rockin’
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Thank you, Sally. What a nice birthday wish. 😁
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Love the tree, John – what a great present!
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Thank you, Teri. I love it too.
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Congratulations on your BIG birthday, John! (I’ll be hitting that milestone pretty soon, too.) I love your birthday tree! Did you know magnolias have been around since long before people? Fossils have been found from 20 million years ago! How cool to have one in your own backyard now! Can’t wait to see pictures of it in bloom, and I’m sure Twiggy and Lucy will have some delightful commentary when those flowers appear. Lovely post! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you, Marcia. Yes they will have much to say when the flowers arrive. 😁
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Awesome milestone birthday present. Can’t wait to see how it looks when it blooms.
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I’ll have photos for sure.
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Betty Smith would approve of your choice. And a magnolia is a much better choice than a chinese sumac, aka tree of heaven. Now it is three fingers time. Cheers !
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Thanks, John. Good idea on the three fingers.
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Some mileage, indeed, my friend. 🙂 Congrats on finally getting the tree. I had to chuckle at the typical work crew. Two doing the work, the others standing around. 🙂
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The two were the digger expersts. The others will do the heavy lifting. It makes a funny picture though. Thanks, Jan.
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I’m glad you are still celebrating your birthday, John. Applesauce! That magnolia is huge to plant. Just gorgeous. I hope you get lots of blossoms. I felt stunned when this post made me realize how long we’ve been blog buddies… nearly a decade. You’re still a bright star of my blog family. Hugs on the wing.
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A decade???? Wow. This gives rise to the adage, “Time flys when you are having fun.” Hugs, Teagan 🤗
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A tree is a great present, and it looks really good.
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Thank you, Craig. I think it looks healthy too.
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Two guys to install and four to supervise!! The tree looks great and will do well. Lots of shade for the pups soon.
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Thank you, Darlene. These guys look like every work crew I’ve seen.😁
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All over the world too.
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Hahaha. Universal productivity.
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May you have the greatest times under the birthday tree! 🙂
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Thank you, Annette. What a nice wish. 😁
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Beautiful Magnolia…and it’s perfect for celebrating your well-traveled “mileage.” 💗
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Hahaha. Thank you, Gwen. It has been a wonderful trip. 🤗
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The tree is gorgeous, John. And the girls are going to love the shade. I think it was the perfect way to celebrate the “miles.”
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Thank you, Staci. I think it is the best way. 😁
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Congratulations, John, to your birthday (tree). That Magnolia is magnificent. I hope it will do well. We have a Magnolia as a birthday tree, too. We had it planted last year for Mary’s daughter’s 40th. For ourselves, we don’t plant birthday trees, but a Christmas tree for every year we have been living here.
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Thank is a nice thing to do, Pit. This is the first birthday tree but 80 is a good year to do it. 😊
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🙂
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Wonderful birthday gift, John! Now the challenge will be getting enough water to it?
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Yes it has to have 20 gallons everyother day. We make sure it happens. Thanks, Becky.
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It will be worth it!
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Yes indeed.
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Beautiful tree – I like that it is big enough for you to enjoy now and don’t have to wait around for it to grow. Producer did a great job of having it positioned just right! It is a great addition to that part of your yard. I like the low maintenance of your yard. Happy birthday to the Boss!
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Thank you, Jo. We are adding one more low. maintainence feature. Artificial Turf due to be installed on 7-22. 😁
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That’s a very nice birthday gift, John. It’s a beautiful tree. Good that Lucy and Twiggy are girls, I’d hate to see how a male dog would welcome it to the yard. I like the thought of you having some mileage, but I hope you still have plenty of miles to go. I’m laughing a bit at them having to dig a different style hole in order to get it just right. Someone powerful is in charge.
Happy Birthday.
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She stands at almost five feet and weighs in at 95 pounds. It’s Super Producer. Thanks, Dan.
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Tough little number.
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When we were dating we were fooling around and somehow the words ,”Go ahead give it your best shot,” came out of my mouth. She knocked me over withone punch to the arm. I never said that again.
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Hahaha – You learn well, grasshopper.
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Indeed.
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Happy Birthday, John! That presents looks like a considerable improvement on socks and after shave…
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Yes it is quite an upgrade. Thank you, Alex.
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A good looking tree, John, and a beautiful remembrance of your special day. 🙂
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Thank you, Lori. It is. 😁
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Great looking tree!
Congrats.
What kind of tree is it?
And how often will you have to water to ensure it makes the transplant?
and have the dogs baptised it yet?
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Thanmks for the questions, Cynthia. It is a Southern Magnolia. It has to be watered every other day with at least 20 gallons of water. We have female dogs so they pretty much ignore the tree. 🤣
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Happy watering! That’s a great tree to have.
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Thank you. 😊
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For me, the pups steal the show. Look how curious they are!
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They are very curious. Twiggy is the worst.
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Happy Birthday, dear John! Happy birthday, dear Magnolia! Hurrah!🥂🎂
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Thank you, Dear Maria. We are all happy the tree and me.
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I hope this little tree will bring you a new turn of youth, dear John! The dog inspection is on duty…as usual.😊😊😊
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Yes dog patrol continues. Thanks, Maria.
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😊
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😊
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😎😎😎
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Yay! It’s beautiful 🙂 Happy birthday tree!
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Thank you, Denise.
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Awesome! 🎉🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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Thank you, Bette. ❤️
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Ah, ha, ha! Those girls are too cute❣️ The tree looks amazing. It’s big too. How long before it blooms? Remember, eighty is the new fifty!😘
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Some are blooming now. I think this one has to get over the shock of transplant. Thanks, Vashti. I agree on the Eighty is fifty. 😁
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Good for you. 😀 ❤
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😊
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What a fantastic birthday present, John. The tree looks gorgeous. I love how excited the girls are about it. I’m excited, too! 🙂
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Thank you, Mae. We are all excited here.
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What a great present! Something that everyone can enjoy. Congratulations on making it to a new decade. Well done, John!
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Thank you, Pete. 😁
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Wonderful present, John. May you and the tree grow old together.
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I think that might be “older,” Audrey. Thanks.
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Have the girls watered it yet?
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Hahaha. They are not much for “open ground” watering. They need to feel the security of the lawn based recepticle. Short answer – no. 😁
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Happy birthday!
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Thank you, Sharon. 😊
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What a beautiful magnolia tree, John. Happy Birthday. Much ❤ to you and your girls. xXx
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Thank you, Jane. Much love to you. ❤️
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Happy Happy Birthday once again, John! What a gorgeous tree. I know Magnolias can be considered “messy,” but I love them — and this one looks to be in an ideal location. Before long, the girls will have a nice, shady spot to chill in.
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It is rather messy but I love it. Thanks, Debbie.
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What a fabulous gift to continue your legacy John. Happy Birthday to you! 🙂
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Yes. The idea of a Magnolia is a great one.
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Gorgeous!
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Thank you, Debby.
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Welcome John
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😊
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What a great looking tree, John, and love the dialogue too! Can’t wait to see the blooms! Happy birthday again! 🎂🎉😁
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Thank you, Lauren. I love the tree.
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A tree for your birthday is the best gift ever. I’ve had three and they’ve all lived and thrived.
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That is good, Roberta. This is my first and I might be so bold to say, probably my last. 😁
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That is one of the all time greatest birthday presents. Genius, really.
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I agree. It will still be there when…..oh wait. Let’s no go there right now.Thanks, Marc.
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We don’t go there.
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Yes indeed. 😊
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The tree looks great … looks like it was always there! And 🎈Happy B-I-G 80!!! 🎈 But, wouldn’t you be 560 in dog years rather than 11? I always thought you multiplied by 7 … ???
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In this case you would divide the human by 7 to get dog. If you wanted to know how many human years a dog has lived you multiply the dog by 7. If you want to know how many generations of dogs a human has lived you multiply the human years by 7 and then divide by life expectance of dog. Let’s say 12 years. In my case then 80 times 7 is 560. Divided by 12 equals 4.1 generations.
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Ohhhhhh … yes … I had it backward! And I’m an accountant??? Thanks, John, for clearing that up for me!
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I was a finance concentration in grad school. Being able to find the common units of measure is the hardest part. 😁
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Really? I had no idea! By the time I got to grad school I had changed from a finance/accounting direction to Political Science … surprised, aren’t you?
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No surprise there. 😊
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LOL!
Happy 80th!
Let me rephrase that! Happy 11th! 🎉🎂
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Thank you. Of course if I go around telling people I’m eleven someone will start a gofundme given the state of my body. 😁
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Hahahahaha!!!!!
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😁
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A beautiful addition to the back yard. However, in the words of Stephen King, “Sometimes they DO come back!” 🙂
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Let’s hope not. 😁
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It’s a beautiful magnolia, John. Good thing you have the girls on alert. And, happy birthday. 🎈
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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Happiest of birthday greetings, Butch. Love the tree. ♡
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Thank you, Audrey. 😁
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