Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Seeing Double in Bulgaria's 'Twin' Village

RUDNIK BULGARIA : There may not be many reasons for visitors to stray to Rudnik, a tiny village in south-east Bulgaria, but once there they could be forgiven if they think they're seeing double.
This otherwise rather unremarkable miners' village of around 5,000 inhabitants gives new meaning to the term "twin town", with its unusually high -- and so far inexplicable -- twin population.
The phenomenon has yet to be scientifically investigated but the locals insist it has something to do with the water.
Tereza Todorova is a twin as was her mother. And both Tereza and her twin sister have given birth to twin daughters. Furthermore, their aunt -- that is to say, their mother's twin -- married a man who is also a twin. In fact, all in all, there are five pairs of twins in Tereza's family.
They are not alone: the official statistics show that a total of 56 pairs of twins have been born in Rudnik since 1944.
Last year, out of 60 births in the village, four resulted in twins, a ratio of 6.7 percent, way above the national average of 1.5 percent.
In fact, the village is so proud of its apparently special twinning powers that it launched an annual "twin" festival five years ago, a reunion to which every pair of local twins, both young and old, is invited each spring.
This year, two teenage girls in traditional dresses planted a tree in a small garden outside the mayor's office, while two Roma girls swirled around in their magenta dresses, impossible to tell apart.
"When I was married, my aunt, who has twins, told me not to lose hope if I didn't have twins the first time. But I wanted them so much, it worked!" Milena Slavova, a 29-year-old mother, told AFP, as her carbon-copy three-year-old sons Dimitar and Stoyan, dressed in identical khaki shorts and green T-shirts, climbed a nearby tree.
"Here it's normal, we are twins like many others... our grandmother was also a twin," say 59-year-old fraternal twins Urmuz and Amide Mustafa, two unemployed miners.
The Mustafas are Roma, and it is not only among the Bulgarian population of Rudnik that multiple births are common, but among Roma families too.
As a result of increasing use of in-vitro fertilisation, multiple births in Bulgaria, as in other countries, have surged in recent years. Last year, out of a total 80,956 births nationwide, some 1,181 pairs of twins were born.
But in Rudnik, which lies 15 kilometres (nine miles) south-west of the Black Sea port city of Burgas, the locals insist the twins are conceived and born naturally.
"Whoever drinks from Rudnik's mineral water, breathes the local air and stumbles over the stones in Rudnik, will definitely have twins," says Dimka Katelieva, who masterminded the annual spring twin festival.

Could be. Who really knows? I think if you live in Rudnik and you really want twins it just might happen. So if you want to go there and check it out....drink lots of water.

91 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:44:00 PM

    Hi sweetie

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  2. Anonymous9:45:00 PM

    I don't think I can handle more than one at a time.

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  3. Twins keep you hopping. You just get one to sleep and the other wakes up. You have to have two different schedules if you don't have much help, which I did'nt at first.

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  4. Anonymous9:47:00 PM

    Those little boys are adorable, I bet they are a hand full.
    I will stay right here til you find me.

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  5. I put a video on the other blog. I could put the wide screen up there.. Here I have to reduce the size of the videos.

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  6. Anonymous9:50:00 PM

    You loved every minute of it and still do, those twins have you wrapped around their finger.
    I was on Shrek and left notes and come to check and you had this one up...so cute.

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  7. I'm going to put the kettle on. It'll be quick. I'm in the hidey hole in the basement and there is another kitchen down here with a kettle.

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  8. Anonymous9:56:00 PM

    I watched it and I know we will have a lot of them. Is that page larger than this one???
    I know you are going to fix it to look nice like this one.

    I love our Header, it's just to cool.
    I tried to get a statcounter install all day. I have it install but it don't show and I contacted them and they will help me.
    I know all there of us had one install here, so we all could check where they was from.

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  9. I'm not too fond of the header on Starhooks. It has no 'wow' factor but it is one of about ten that I will try. Stop me when you see one you really like. I made it too short too. I used the dimensions from the old blog.

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  10. Anonymous9:58:00 PM

    I would love to have a basement,but no such luck.
    What color is your car?? Be sure to read your notes under Shrek.

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  11. Some of the things don't show up in the sidebar so I will have to use a different background. Blogger doesn't offer too many backgrounds.

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  12. Anonymous10:02:00 PM

    Just don't make it pink.
    FTBB is smaller than SK's I didn't know that.
    They have some more, but after Gil got me thare, I wasn't taking any chances of getting thrown into cyber space.
    and SK's was the first name I used. hahaha

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  13. I think it's a blue Jag with a cream interior, but I'm not 100% sure till the weekend.

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  14. Anonymous10:05:00 PM

    Take your time and do it the way you want to, you have an eye for colors...It may take us a little time but we are there now.

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  15. Jags and other classic European cars don't out-gas as much as oriental and domestic cars. They don't have as much plastic in them. Most new cars make me very sick and I can lose consciousness if I sit in them.

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  16. It's okay if the cars are three years old. They have finished out-gassing. If the car has formaldehyde in the carpet or upholstry that is very toxic to me.

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  17. Anonymous10:10:00 PM

    Oh sweetie that's so nice to hear, now Brian will sure get his yacht next spring, you both deserves the very best. I'm so happy for you.
    All I got today was a sheer black negligee without the panties.

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  18. I like the name Starhooks so I'm glad you made it work.

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  19. Anonymous10:17:00 PM

    My car is 5 years old, I don't think I will be getting another one soon and dad says the best car to buy is one that's been broken in and got all the bugs out...
    I am so glad the Rock is buying something that won't make you sick and pass out.
    Sweetie you have been through so much and can still find humor in life.
    We are tough, life throw us down and we bounce right back up.

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  20. Yacht-shmacht..we can't afford anything like that and even if we could he wouldn't get one if I had anything to say about it.

    I might spring for a newer boat but I'm not even sure he could handle that any more. If he is still kickin next year we'll talk about it.

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  21. Anonymous10:22:00 PM

    Dad says he's sorry he forgot what today was....Sis snicker and said he didn't forget, he's having me an outdoor grill/barbeque pit.

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  22. Things are better than they were. I had to live in a tinfoil room some years ago.It was either that or the plastic bubble. I chose the tinfoil room.It was bigger.It was tinfoil on the wall floor and ceiling and nothing in the room but two cotton pallets. Brian slept in there with me. He had to have a shower before he came in and he had to wear natural fabric(cotton or wool)

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  23. Anonymous10:26:00 PM

    Sweeie he will be up weel and kicking next year and diong his jiggly dance.
    Ain't you glad the Rock is not fat, if so, he would be going flop...flop...fizz..fizz...flop.
    Shit . I'm bad.

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  24. Anonymous10:29:00 PM

    I'm glad you had your babies.
    I bet it was painfully until you found out what it was.
    Could you go outside for a little while??

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  25. Anonymous10:31:00 PM

    I seen thee movie about the boy in the plastic bubble, wasn't John T. the boy, don't know how to spell his last name.
    John and his wife is expecting twins.

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  26. Yes, I only had to spend 12 hours a day in the room.If I hadn't got a bit better they would have made it 24 hours.

    Have you checked the Starhooks blog?

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  27. Yeah, it was JT. That was a true story.

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  28. Anonymous10:36:00 PM

    Yes before I came here and really like the video and yes we can have a lot of them
    You are right, we do have a big screen now for the videos. We are coming up in the world...HA !!

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  29. I like Jesse's beach-front home. I guess Sandra gave it to him.He did okay for himself.

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  30. No, I mean did you check it after that?????

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  31. Anonymous10:40:00 PM

    Everyone has fallen by the wayside and we are still here...now that's saying something for two part-time bloggers.
    We made it because we bring everything and anything to the table.
    I don't like message boards...everyone is trying to get one up.

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  32. Anonymous10:41:00 PM

    No...did someone leave a message??

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  33. Anonymous10:44:00 PM

    I will check it out, it might take me a minute or two, haven't learhed how to get around from one to the other fast.

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  34. Someone left a comment

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  35. Anonymous10:47:00 PM

    Thankyou sweetie and I mean it from my heart...:-)
    The one and only Cupcake....

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  36. This has been one m****r f*****g day. I had so much to do today and so many places I had to be. I came home wiped out at five and then remembered I had to take the boys to karate.We didn't get away from there till 9:00 and we still had not eaten.

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  37. Anonymous10:49:00 PM

    Your PIC is a damn bad speller, but who cares, I'm having fun.

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  38. Anonymous10:51:00 PM

    You want to log off so you might catch up and get some rest...I know what you have on your plate.
    I'm still looking for pepper seeds.

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  39. Anonymous10:54:00 PM

    Have you fed Nana and Brian?

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  40. Anonymous10:56:00 PM

    I tried putting the photos up like you do.. see I'm learning.

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  41. Everyone is fed honey and this is my personal relaxing time.I enjoy it very much. I got my tea and my feet are up.

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  42. Anonymous11:00:00 PM

    I told Nan, between you and Gil I was learning how to do stuff and I was going to learn more since he will be spending more time at home by the end of the year.
    Nan says than will be nice to give you some help .. but all Gil wanted was not to forget how to open my legs, Nan is so crazy.

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  43. I am going to Niagara Falls in a couple of weeks. I really enjoy it there. There are a couple of nice little casinos there and a lot of other activities. I also love to just watch the falls or go in a helicopter over them or go right under them in the 'Maid of the Mist' boat. I go every few years. I first saw them when I was eight years old.

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  44. Anonymous11:01:00 PM

    Glad to hear,I know what's on your plate.

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  45. Nan is so funny. I really like her.I miss her chiming in while we're talking.She loves to tease you.She is more your sister than any of the others.

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  46. She never said why she stopped talking to us. I've always wondered.

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  47. Anonymous11:07:00 PM

    Taking a little Holiday will be might good for you.
    Niagara Falls is beautiful , now I have been to a lot of exotic places but never to Niagara Falls.
    How long will you be gone???

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  48. I saw Gina C's Playboy picture. Wow! She's gorgeous. She refused to do it nude though. She is a famous female fighter.It would be safer to be on her side in a cat fight.
    Her dad,G, was a well known football player.He said once that it was great having a family in the casino/hotel busines because when he retired from football he just stepped right into a new career. He's cute too. Looks like GL. You have a lot of celeb relatives.

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  49. Anonymous11:12:00 PM

    That's true because Sis is more a mother to me than a sister.
    Don't worry, Nan will be here putting her 2 cents in real soon.
    After daddy died I saw what colors some of them was especially Susan and Dan. Dan is the oldest...the old fart-ass.

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  50. We're going just for an overnight if I can get J to stay here.

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  51. Anonymous11:17:00 PM

    Nan is trying to get her stuff together so she can be free..
    nan says she left a comment on a post the other day..
    Not to worry she will be back.

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  52. Nan did leave a comment, She always make a lot of sense.

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  53. Anonymous11:22:00 PM

    Gina has never had any work done to her body...she is a very beautiful woman and nice to boot.
    All those damn italians look like they are in the mob and gangsters, now you see what we saw when they first came here.
    They scared the shit out of a lot of us.
    I talked to dad about the book today and he said let him think about it.

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  54. Anonymous11:24:00 PM

    I will have to e-mail you about what nan said so watch your mail-box.

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  55. It looks like they are mostly tall well built people and they have a distinctly tough Italian look.It could scare you if you didn't know them. I saw a picture of GL's parents(R and D) at their vineyard. D is a handsome man with his silver hair and nice smile and his wife R was a lovely woman, very attractive and she looked younger than him.

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  56. Anonymous11:35:00 PM

    Jeannie
    Nee just call me she is a pain in the butt.
    I will be back soon got so much going on I will be using Mom's PC.
    I too miss giving you the low down on Nee's musty butt but soon I will come out to play now I will have to find you two or just call Nee to see where you are.
    I will say goodnight and have a good one.
    Nan

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  57. I can't figure out what is going on on the ROV link.Just a lot of stuff flying at the screen.

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  58. I apologize for my PIC Nan. She shouldn't keep bugging you about it. I just can't control her. I guess none of you can control her...HA!!
    Sweet dreams girl...J

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  59. Anonymous11:41:00 PM

    I will have to ask how old she was, maybe they like young women[giggles] Betts is 54 and leom is 56.
    A lot of the ladies wanted Gil and when they found out he was after me, boy if looks could kill you I woulsd be dead.

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  60. Anonymous11:44:00 PM

    Shit Nan is watching USA until 12:00nd then she go to bed.

    Did you get my e-mail???

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  61. It's a pretty picture of them both. If you haven't seen it I'll put it in drafts for you to make a copy.

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  62. I checked a few minutes ago. Ill check again. Hold on to your choochie.

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  63. Anonymous11:48:00 PM

    We will be digging out of this crap for years to come. They are saying a lot of stuff is beneath the surface.
    I hear Canada is hot under the collar with us but I don't know what about, I just got the tail end this evening.

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  64. Still no email honey. I think you'll have to re-send.

    Craig is funny tonight but I'm not sure if the robot adds anything funny to the show.He's kind of annoying.

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  65. I'll check the Canada thing. I don't know what it could be.

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  66. Anonymous11:53:00 PM

    Yes I would like to have a copy.
    I know dad has a lot of pictures in Reno...he gave me a lot of R jewelry and I wlll keep it for Jill.

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  67. Anonymous11:54:00 PM

    Okay I will resend it.

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  68. Anonymous12:00:00 AM

    I just resent it.

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  69. I just got out of my jeans. That feels so much better.
    Brian got a cold off Jakey so he feels under the weather.So, I didn't get my jiggle dance tonight.
    HA! The things I tell you( and the whole world)

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  70. Anonymous12:04:00 AM

    I think Nan has a point, what you think???
    I thimk they will continue to drill in the Gulf and if Obama can't get a handle on this mess, he will be a one timer.
    They are throwing everything at him but the kitchen sink.
    I would not want my man to have that job, because there are too many bosses.

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  71. Got it, answered it.
    Have to p. Be right back.

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  72. There.I feel lighter. Did you get mine.

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  73. Anonymous12:16:00 AM

    They think you are one lucky lady, a lot of men just turn their backs after a few years and just look how long the Rock has been in love..5 kids and 9 grands.

    Sent it back.

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  74. Anonymous12:18:00 AM

    I sent you an answer.

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  75. Anonymous12:21:00 AM

    I know Jaye and the twins will stay for you to take a little holiday.

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  76. Anonymous12:28:00 AM

    Sweetie, our blogs have room for just one smart-ass and that's me.[giggles]

    I answered you.

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  77. That's 12 grands. I would tell you more about them all but it would have to be in private. There is a lot of shit going on in the family and I have decided to be more discreet when I am talking to thousands of people. J has given me hell so often for revealing so much on the public net.

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  78. Anonymous12:30:00 AM

    Where do the time go when you are having fun.
    PIC...I like things the way they are and I think it's nice this way and I would want it no other way.

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  79. Anonymous12:34:00 AM

    I understand and admire Jaye , wish I had listen to Nan about 4/5 years ago.

    I sent you one last e-mail for tonight...
    You are right I'm nosey ...but I'm no fool.

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  80. I will put that photo in drafts right now.

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  81. Anonymous12:42:00 AM

    it's nice to have someone looking out for us...you got Jaye and I got Nan.

    Check out my e-mail and tell me what you think.

    Shit we just got out the frying pan and we're not going to jump in the fire.

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  82. The picture is in drafts. There are a couple more of D walking around the vineyards looking at grapes.

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  83. Anonymous12:43:00 AM

    Check your e-mail before you put it in drafts.

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  84. Anonymous12:45:00 AM

    I know how to act when there's company around, i can be a very gracios hostess. hahaha

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  85. Yes, you are nosy my friend and I can relate to that because I am nosy too. Neither of us are fools. If we weren't nosy we wouldn't research and look things up all the time. That's what I do.

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  86. Anonymous12:47:00 AM

    Sweetie... I better let you get some rest so you will be bright eyed and bushy tail tomorrow.
    Did you give brian a toddy???

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  87. Anonymous12:50:00 AM

    You are teaching me to look things up, I don't get the rag mags any more and Nan looks for old stuff so she can give it to you.
    I just check out my sources and go from there. Thankyou.

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  88. I guess we should say goodnight. I know you have to keep those kids amused all day. I hope that is going okay.My kids drove me crazy on their summer vacation. They got bored so easily.
    So my friend I wish you a long and happy life. If I could grant you that, it would be the best birthday present in the world.
    Best wishes..luv and hugs...PIC

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  89. Anonymous12:54:00 AM

    When I married ,I really didn't know what I was getting into.
    But I got my babies from it so that makes me happy and now I have my man all the time.

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  90. Anonymous12:58:00 AM

    I just turn them loose in the back yard and they go for themselves,when it get really hot , they come inside.

    So good night sweetie and I will see you after twilight,

    Pleasent dreams ...HUGS & KISSES...PIC
    Kiss the ROCK...NITE

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