My Virtual Visit To Sweden

Hi everyone,
I just returned from a fifteen minute visit to Sweden, courtesy of Anita. I thought some of you might like to visit too. Her pictures are great. (To view some of them, you use the space bar and arrow keys.) Enjoy...

As for my book, I got very good news. When I returned my changes from the first edit, the editor liked them all and forwarded the manuscript to the copy editor. The manuscript just came back for the second time - this time it is formatted to publish. Awesome! I am now going through it for perhaps the last time!!!! Yes!!! Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not excited - ecstatic, thrilled and electrified perhaps, but not excited.

I'll keep you posted, but right now I am on page 65 of about 500. (The font size may change, but right now, the book is huge in its 6x8 inch format.) I've also been working on front cover designs and finalizing my photos and photo captions for this first volume. Thank you for your interest. I appreciate your many visits. I'll put editing progress updates in the side bar.

Answers to "Semi" Poll Questions

Thank you to those who took the poll as well as to those who just had a look but refrained from indicating their opinions. I hope you all enjoyed it nonetheless. Here are the answers.

From 110KPH/68MPH, on level ground, when I prepare to stop my loaded Super B Grain Truck, I let off the fuel: 2000 M before a stop sign

From 68MPH / 110KPH, a loaded Super B Grain Truck and its 2 Trailers, on level ground, can coast: 3000 M before rolling to a stop

A Super B Grain Truck & its 2 Trailers have: 30 tires

In Alberta, Canada, a legally loaded Super B Grain Truck & its 2 Trailers weigh: As much as 40 mini-vans

A Handful Of Stars Came Down

A lone spotlight burst upon the stage, revealing a shiny stand that held a unique looking microphone. Instantly, a profound hush settled over the sold out seats of the auditorium. Hundred of bodies silently breathed in expectation. There were so many people sitting around me, yet I could have heard a pin drop. An unfamiliar figure strode out of the darkness and up to the illuminated microphone. He began to speak. The sound was clear, but my eyes were still adjusting to the light. The familiar radio voice, I knew so well, reached out to me and I smiled with a mixture of surprise and delight. No preamble, no introductory act to warm up the audience, the tall, slender figure was the man I had come to see. He was live and in person and I had a forth row centre seat! Sound filled the theatre as he spoke, “Hello everyone,” the grey-harried man greeted, “I’m Stuart McLean and this is the Vinyl Café.” The first of countless cheers spontaneously thundered into life, filling the confines of the curved theatre with approval. The show had begun!

For over two hours, Stuart entertained us. He read three Dave & Morley stories, two of them brand new. I especially enjoyed his tale about the lottery ticket. In the story, an old man claimed to have a million dollar lottery ticket, yet he finally died without ever having scratched it to be sure. During the ten years the aged man had owned the ticket, he often asked his visitors what they would do with a million dollars. To his last breath, the old grandfather claimed that having a dream was more important that the money he would win, but he insisted that the unscratched ticket was a winner. The tale made me think – and those who know me, even a little, know that I like that sort of thing.

Intermingled with the wonderful stories, Stuart also presented a mini concert. Original and unique musical numbers were performed by Sheila & Amanda of the group called Dala, as well as a soloist, Danny Michel. The delightful musical score was rounded out by a brilliant piano piece performed by John Sheard. All in all, the evening was wonderfully refreshing. Following the grand events, I was privileged to meet all the performers. Greetings were exchanged and autographs obtained. Are we having fun yet? Oh yeah! I smiled all the way home!

Walking On Water

Hey everyone,
On March 1, 2008, Decon and I took our daughters, Tara and Amberle, as well as friends, Greg and Adam, on another snowshoeing adventure. This time, we went to Chinook Lake in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The day was perfect! This was Decon's and my third snowshoe trip (I haven't posted photos for the second one yet, but plan to.) Our group of six ended up tramping out about a 6 KM trail (about 4 miles) and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. At the far west end of the lake, after we all walked on water (OK, it was frozen but it was actual water), we boiled up some savory, sweet, hot chocolate. The snow was beginning to get soft, and this trip looked to be the last for this season. However, there is always next year. It was totally awesome!!! Here's the slide show.

Poems, Knives & Soft Wood

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have not posted for so long. (Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.) I have been my usual busy self, but I have occupied my spare time in pursuit of art. In the month of February, besides writing a cool poem called, "Feeling Froggy" for a local party, I have already completed two more pieces of my West Coast Art - and have loved every minute of the creation process. (I'll post the art soon.) Something that has been swirling through my "want to do" list is wood carving, and as of Feb 23, I tried it. In bygone years I have taken out my pocket knife and whittled, but prior to the day before yesterday, I have never tried any actual carving. I must tell you that the procedure is awesome!!! I want to push my style of West Coast Art to the next level and use wood as well as paper. The whole thing went something like this:

Early Saturday morning, while the house was quiet, I rummaged through some old things and laid my hands on a couple of ancient woodworking tools (that I had no idea what to do with). I located my x-acto knife and then procured a small chunk of scrap 3/4 inch thick cedar from my garage. Taking a deep breath, I drew a simple design with a pencil and began to cut. As the seconds passed, and the x-acto knife sliced along my pencil lines, I took courage. It actually looked pretty good! One of the old tools was a miniature version of a chisel and it effectively worked to clean out areas between the lines. In under an hour, I had a finished design!

A mid-day trip to the local House of Tools found me the proud owner of a new tool, and before I retired for the night, I had carved a second design in a scrap piece of 3/4 inch poplar! Are we having fun yet? Oh yeah!!

PS. I also put a set of multiple choice questions along the right edge. Don't forget to vote!

An Awesome Sailboat Adventure - In Progress!!!

Several years ago, Glenn Wakefield had a dream. He wanted to circumnavigate the planet earth in a small sailboat - alone! His dream would set him on a steady course to set a world record - well at least it is in progress. (But I think He will do it!)
According to Glenn, "The record I wish to set is to be the first person from North America to sail single-handed nonstop, west about, for which there is no speed record."
Any of you who read my blog and enjoy adventure, will want to check out Glenn's website. He is just about half way around the globe and I expect that he will complete his epic journey as planned. Glenn plans to arrive back at his home port of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in July 2008. Go Glenn!!!

Remembering President Gordon B. Hinckley

Virginia H. Pierce, daughter of Gordon B. Hinckley, made this sweet comment at his February 2nd funeral: (The first few minutes of the funeral service is music, and the entire broadcast is about 90 minutes in length. You can also visit the church's website for more info - ie. press releases, about the church, etc.)

Virginia H. Pierce said this about those who worked closely with her father: "There is nothing so touching to the human soul as to see men and women of great power extend private, thoughtful and quiet kindness."

In my life, President Gordon B. Hinckley has been a profound influence, leading me by example as well as inspiring me with the spoken word to try to stand a little taller and be a little kinder. While I have sometimes forgotten his wise council, I have also sometimes succeeded in practicing it. My small successes continue to give me hope.

Several years ago, when President Hinckley last visited our area, he took a few moments of his precious time to shake the hands of my son and a few of my son's friends. Over the years, I have observed Pres. Hinckley and greatly appreciate that kindness to my son as well as his many other influences on my life and the lives of my wife and children. I knew Gordon B. Hinckley as Prophet of God - a man to listen to and a man to believe. I will greatly miss him. In my own life, I wish I was half the man he was, yet because of his stellar example, I have hope to do better. I think that if I stand a little taller and be a little kinder, for a long enough period of time, perhaps I will get there too. Here's hoping! Now its time to go to work - one step at a time.

Snowshoeing Up A Storm

High Tech versus Traditional is what it all came down to on Saturday, January 20th, 2008. That morning, my friend Decon & I headed for Waterton National Park. The town of Waterton, nearly abandoned for the winter months, proffered an ample supply of the white stuff to tromp in. In fact, the place where I wanted to park my car was covered by about two feet of snow! I parked along the road.

The day was not very cold, perhaps –5 Celsius (23 F). We chose the trail leading to Bertha Falls and strapped on our snowshoes.

Under foot, the thick blanket was powder and perfect. The day was dim from thick cloud cover, but not a breath of the area’s usual wind rustled the tenacious evergreens or kissed the barren bark of the hardy deciduous trees and bushes. The place was hauntingly gorgeous.

We plodded purposefully up the trail. It had been ages since either of us had created such giant footprints. I wore my old wood and rawhide snowshoes and Decon wore his new, high tech Christmas presents. After some unsteady minutes, I finally got my snow-legs and progress began to be rapid. Well, at least for a few strides.

Without warning, my left leather binding gave way. The binding was old, but I had come prepared. In seconds, I produced an old leather bootlace from my pack and had it looped and knotted in place. It was as good as new!

Decon & I moved foreword again, stopping here and there to catch our breath and to take some beautiful photographs. Without the slightest breeze, the place was like an expansive tomb, complete with a thick layer of white sound silencer and a huge frozen lake protected by mighty, snow-capped mountains. To call the wondrous scene ‘peace giving’ was an understatement!

Things went well for a while, but soon, a strap on the outside of my left toe tore free. Argh! I dug into my camera bag and produced two short lengths of nylon twine. They were just long enough to make the repair. Off we tromped again.

Tranquil vistas followed by serene, soothing scenes, burst upon us. Tiny mounds of pure white snow adorned the evergreen bows along the trail, perched like sculpted puffs of albino cotton candy on the green. Towering above us, the steep mountain slopes were spread with a thick layer of conifers dusted in icing sugar. On we strode in awe!

All of a sudden, we heard voices. The area was well travelled in the summer time, but in the dead of winter, we thought we were alone. Two girls, ladies actually, emerged from the trees along the trail ahead. Decon and & I moved off the path to let them pass, visiting briefly with them for the duration of our unexpected encounter. We were on our way to visit Bertha Falls, and one young lady told us that the picturesque waterfall had been named after her Great Aunt. Wow! What were the odds of meeting such a person in such a remote location?

Decon and I moved upwards while the girls headed down. How cool would that be to have something so notable and beautiful named after a member of your own kin? A sweet family treasure to be sure!

As we hiked along, the alpine chill seemed to settle upon us. The visibility gently shrank and tiny snowflakes began to sprinkle down. I had packed my stove and my thoughts lingered on the hot soup I would soon be sipping in the snow.

Finally, we reached the frozen waterfall. It was so snow-covered as to be unrecognizable as a falls, but both Decon and I remembered a hot summer’s day when we had enjoyed its splendour with some of our children. Just below the falls, a stout wooden bridge spanned the silent stream. Its deck and railings were filled to overflowing with piled snow. It looked like a whipped cream display gone wrong!

I dug out my fuel bottle and hooked up the stove. It lit without a hitch. Next, out came the soup and I returned my chilled fingers for the pot. “Oh no!” In my haste to get out my door, I had left the pot sitting on the kitchen table! Lingering anticipations of salty soup silencing my shivers slipped away in a split second. Decon just took the disappointment in stride. “Did you bring anything else to eat?” He calmly queried. I had, and we both munched cold sandwiches as we took turns warming our fingers and palms over the radiating stove. After a few minutes I laughed about the whole thing.

Without the warmth of hot soup in my belly, I set up my camera and tiny tripod on one of my snowshoes and we immortalized our frozen selves. The snow was heavy now, and the camera’s flash highlighted every flake between the lens and our chilled bodies. Streaking flakes obscured our images a little. The day was waning, so I quickly gathered up my strewn belongings: the stove, fuel bottle, the plate to set the absent pot on, the thick, flexible foil (that protected the intense flame), and my tripod and camera. By the time I had everything stowed, my fingers were beyond numb. The temperature was plummeting, and the weather was definitely changing for the worse.

In silent concentration Decon and I retraced our giant steps. We’ve hiked together more times than I can remember, and it seemed we both felt the gravity of the impending weather crisis. On we trod, hurrying, but not panicked. Suddenly I lost my footing and down I went.
An inspection of my snowshoes revealed that my old, reliable leather bootlace had broken in several places. With the trailhead more than two kilometres away, I was out of rope tricks. Fortunately, Decon had some rope in his pack. We quickly cut a chunk and I fastened it where the spent lace had just been. Off we went – again.

The visibility dropped to about two hundred feet, making the panoramic view of the lake feel like we were standing in a large room with drab, windowless walls. It was just the trail, a few visible trees and us under a sky full of fluffy snowflakes. When we reached the place where the trail widened and Decon and I had plodded side by side on the way to the waterfall, I stopped for one final photo op. Cold fingers or not, the fish-shaped tracks in the virgin snow just looked too good to pass up!

With about a kilometre between us and our destination, I absentmindedly glanced down at my feet. “Not again?” The rope that had replaced the worn leather lace had nearly cut its way through the leather that held my toe. The whole binding appeared to have just a few more steps before total breakdown. I stopped and dejectedly unstrapped my oversized paws. It was no longer a snowshoeing trip for me.

Like walking on a vast waterbed, I slogged into step behind my friend. The trail was already packed down several inches by several sets of snowshoes, but I still had trouble. Every few steps, without warning, one of my booted feet would sink into oblivion. I tried to keep up with Decon, but slowly but surely, he pulled away. With my shiny wood and golden woven rawhide across my shoulders, I pushed on.

For fifteen long minutes I slipped and slid, constantly fighting for balance. Up the hills and down the slopes the trail twisted and turned. Finally, the car came into view.

It was covered in at least two inches of fresh snow! Unreal! I got the doors open, brushed it off and dumped my pack and snowshoes into the trunk. We paused for one final photo. Decon stood beside the “Bertha Falls” sign while I snapped.

With that, the adventure concluded, and as always, not everything went as planned. Funny how adventures and life can be so similar. Oh, did I say that the adventure was over? Well, only almost!

Our retreat from the newly whitened mountains was slow. I drive a double trailer, 82-foot monstrosity for a living, so a car usually seems pretty easy. However, not everyone I caught up to shared my feelings. As we overtook civilization, the two-lane road became more and more thick with traffic. Soon, I gave up trying to pass people. I was overwhelmingly outnumbered.
Now ordinarily, returning late from a jaunt in the mountains was perfectly fine. In fact, it happened most of the time. However, all the slower going created a problem. I was supposed to use the car, which was really my wife’s car, to pick her up from work at 7pm. I had dropped her off there at 7am and should have easily been back when she finished at 7pm. Well, I tried, but in the end, it was 7:45 before I rolled, or rather slid, into her view. Diana wore an “I told you so” expression, but successfully kept it under raps; masking it with a relived smile. On the way home, she had to hear the saga. Diana eagerly listens to my narrations and descriptions, but is secretly glad that it is usually only one of us that experiences them.

(For more photos, check out the slideshow. Other slide show links are now in the side bar too.)

More Photos

Hi everyone. I'm not feeling very well today, and have missed most of my day's work sleeping. It happens. One of my readers asked me to post more pictures, and I listened. Pictures truly are the universal language, and I hope those who read my blog - English speaking and not, will enjoy them. So... here are a few more of Pointer Island Lightstation.

These were all taken in the summer of 1975 by one of my younger sisters, Amy. This first one is looking South-Southeast from the helicopter pad. This next one is also from the helicopter pad, but my sister moved about thirty feet to the right.These last two shots are taken from around the corner of the big house at the end of the helicopter ramp and landing (in the centre of the above photo). The two photos, below, are mirror images of each other. The railing, in the left foreground of the bottom shot, is the same railing in the bottom-centre of the top shot (where the white gate is standing open). Also, in both photos, you can see the garden netting over my Mother's garden boxes.

What Is Going On With My Writing Projects?

Today, Autumn Ables asked some good questions. It appears that I have created a little confusion. Sorry. I will endeavour to explain what on earth I am doing with my writing projects.

The fiction novel I began for nanowrimo 2007 is called "In Ravenscrag's Shadow". It is an adventure novel and is only partially written, but I have a completed outline for the entire book. I completed its conception, invention and nearly 15,000 words in the month of November. (I was trying for 50,000 words but needed sleep.) Once November came to an end, so did my work on that fiction piece. My publisher is aware of the 15,000 words, but my publisher has never published a work of fiction. (ie. I'd probably need a different publisher.) I have plans to publish "In Ravenscrag's Shadow", but "plans" are all I have at this point. I may publish the book a chapter at a time on my website (when it is up and running). It was extreme fun to write the first part of this fiction novel, and I will definitely finish it. I may wait until nanowrimo 2008 before trying to reach the 50,000 word goal, but if I get time, I will complete it sooner.

Presently, I am on page 187 of 261 pages in Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off – Volume I. My editor has returned the manuscript with her recommended changes and I am reviewing them - making further changes where I think they are needed, but mostly just going with her recommendations. I hope to have the entire book completed within the next two weeks. After that, the manuscript goes back to the editor so she can review my changes. I think that she reviews it again and either accepts my revisions or makes new ones. Then the manuscript comes back to me to review a second time - and so on until we both agree on everything. Then the book goes to an editor who checks for grammar and spelling. Then, if I understand it right, the manuscript goes to the printer. At this point in time, I do not have a tentative publication date, but it is anticipated to occur in the neighbourhood of March 2008. My publisher is anxious to complete the project, but is more anxious that it is done right. I feel the same way.

My full time job demands a lot of me, and I have to sleep some of the time too. (I drive a double trailer semi, hauling grain so that cows can eat and do what they do.) However, I make good use of any down time I have by pulling out my laptop or a notepad. I was able to get through over 30 pages of editing today while I waited to unload, load and get a tire repaired. (So far this year, my semi has run for nearly 50 hours - and I took the 1st off.) It is a challenge to get writing things done, but a challenge I usually enjoy - its always an adventure.

I hope I have clarified a little. Thank you all for your interest. I will keep you posted (no pun intended) on my progress, but please feel free to ask about anything that you're not sure about. Talk to you soon!

Serious Editing In Progress

Hi again, it has been much too long since I last greeted you all.

On December 18, 2007 I received my edited manuscript back from my editor - all 250 odd pages of it. At first I felt overwhelmed! Next, I went to work, checking the highlighted recommendations and adding or subtracting anything I felt necessary. My editor asked me to consider striking five of the weaker stories from the book, and at first, that distressed me greatly! Cut up my baby? Well, after stewing for days about the idea, I still could not decide what to do. I wanted to keep them all, but felt great respect for this unexpected opinion. After all, my editor wasn't born yesterday! Finally, I had an idea that proved to be the linchpin. I sat quietly and read over my Table of Contents, trying to feel each story in sequential order. As I progressed from one title to the next, feeling the changing moods of the entire volume in just a few seconds, I was surprised to find myself agreeing with the editor. Soooo! In Volume I, I will be cutting the five recommended stories - sorry. If this first edition does well on the book shelves of the world, I have the option of inserting those five stories in the second edition or adding them to Volume II or III.

And speaking of Volumes 2 & 3, on Dec 11th, I got an idea for a fourth volume. When I began leaving the lighthouse to attend high school (in various places), I had many experiences while attempting to integrate my socially backward self into society. Living in isolation created a social-misfit-default-setting that I have spent decades trying to re-write. I thought there may be some public interest in this struggle, but for sure I will eventually write these stories for my family - whether I publish them or not. My concepts for volumes 1-3 are all limited to lighthouse events.

To date, I have edited Volume I up to page 130. The work is fun, enlightening and emotionally charged. I often wonder how a stranger will feel when they read a chapter that pushes unbidden tears into my eyes. I hope that all my readers will feel as I felt at the time of the described events. It was such a pleasure for me to create this book, and I hope it is enjoyed by a great many people. Thank you for your interest. I sincerely appreciate it!

The last 500 visitors to my blog are from all over the world - have a look. Totally awesome!! Thank you all for dropping by for a visit. If you enjoy my blog, please tell your friends and family - because there is much more to come!!!

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Jamaica, Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines. Poland, Singapore, Spain

Australia: Queensland, New South Wales

Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia

United Kingdom: England, Isle of Man

United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington D.C., Wisconsin

CHRISTMAS, FAMILY, WORK AND EDITING!!!!

It has been awhile since my husband has had any free minutes to post so i thought i would do the honors. Our Christmas was wonderful. We missed our oldest daughter and her family but were able to have all the other children here to celebrate. We spent time together just talking, laughing, singing and of course eating. This time of the year is the time that both my husband and i feel the closest to your Saviour. We tried our best to reach out to others and share the joy of His birth though deeds and song. We both love to sing and were able to do so in our Church service and also at two Senior's homes. In between all this was work for both of us. I work full time with a 12 hour shift in a Senior home and of course Davis just works hours and hours driving. Just a couple weeks before Christmas, Davis received his manuscript back from the editor and he has been pouring over it every free second he has. So everyone can see between Christmas, Family, Work and Editing there was no time to post. Now i have to get back to taking down and putting away all my decorations and once again try to keep the Christmas Spirit in my heart all year long, without the beautiful reminders i have enjoyed all month. Happy New Year From The Writer's Wife.

More Photos

I have been mostly working hard at my full time job, but have squeezed in a bit of photo scanning.
The editor, for "Three Seconds On, Three Seconds Off" has been changed, and while that slows things down a bit, it is also positive. I understand that the new editor is awesome! I still don't have an ETA for publication release , but that will come soon.
So far, my business card is being well received. A warm welcome to all the new visitors!
I thought I'd share a couple of the pictures I have just scanned. The shots are (1)from 1964, probably right after Christmas, and (2) the fall of 1979. In 1967, my youngest sister joined our family, but in '64, there were just five of us.

A Christmas Poem

Yesterday morning, I awoke early and staggered into the bathroom. It was still dark out, but somehow, covered with the cobwebs of sleep, I had a thought. It was like a tiny candle at the other end of a long, dark hallway, but I saw it none-the-less. It was an idea for a poem.
Now you should know that I write poetry, but not on command. Sometimes, I have poetry-moods - when I write several masterpieces, followed, of course, by poetry droughts, when I wonder how I ever wrote anything poetic, and cannot imagine creating anything new. Well... the drought is over...
Oh, and if anyone would like to use my copyrighted poem for non-commercial use only, you may copy it, print it out and have fun. Here it is:

A Lamb's Tale

By Davis Bigelow

I slept in the field,

That night, when they shone.

Their heavenly light,

Was brighter than dawn.

I heard sacred words,

But had to remain,

Away from the child,

On Bethlehem's plain.

The shepherds all left.

I trembled in fright.

Would I be quite safe?

In the dark of the night?

Silence was rent,

By my a little lamb voice.

I'd have looked for the Christ,

If given the choice.

But such was my a lot,

To wait for the word,

That my Shepherd would tell,

Later on to my herd.

I 'ner saw for myself,

Though I lived, oh so close.

I could choose to believe,

Or be deaf like a post.

But my young Shepherd friend,

Was honest and fair.

I hung on his tale,

'Bout Bethlehem there.

The night Christ was laid,

In a manger with hay.

The night God came down,

For men's souls for to pay.

I felt in my heart,

That the tale was right.

My ears heard the truth,

And my heart filled with light.

Like me, some men are.

Their eyes never see.

Some hear just the words,

And believe, just like me.

 

My New Business Card

First, I'd like to welcome all the new readers. I hope you enjoy my blog. My website still isn't quite ready, but soon. I am trying to animate the introduction screen, using my new logo. When I say "I", I mean Josh, (my daughter, Amberle's boyfriend). He does computer animation, so I left the task in his capable hands - or is it his mouse?

My adventure to Red Deer, this past Thursday and Friday, ended well. Thanks again to everyone who helped out with that. To reload, for my return trip, I had to drive south-east for an hour and a half, so I didn't get home until late. But I did get home!! :D

My website may not be ready, but I have finally completed my business card. I spent hours playing with logo designs! Last night, when I went to pick up my repaired truck - (I do hope it stays working this time!) - I took my business card to get printed. For those of you who only visit me online, here it is - larger than life of course.

Oh, there is one more matter to tell you about. Sadly, I never got to 50,000 words written by the end of November. :( Considering my extremely busy life, writing over 14,000 words in 20 days seems pretty good to me. The good news, however, is that I am going to finish the novel to see if it really will be 50,000 words in length. :) Maybe I'll save the rest for next November. I have a five page outline , so I should, in theory, be able to shelf the project and begin again right where I left off. I am considering publishing the novel on line - perhaps a chapter at a time on my website, but the ideas are still swirling. Anyone have a recommendation for me? (If you wish to get in touch with me, but don't want to leave a comment here, you can go to my profile and email me.)