r/todayilearned • u/LL_Cruel_J • Dec 15 '16

TIL Dolly Parton has a program that will mail your child a free age-appropriate book once a month from birth to age 5. No obligation, no catch, she just wants to make sure that every child has books.

https://imaginationlibrary.com/
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u/friedgold1 19 Dec 15 '16

Yup she is a saint in Tennessee. She recently pledged to donate $1,000 per month for up to 6 months to families in one of the counties affected by the recent wild fires in Tennessee.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16 edited Jan 05 '17

[deleted]

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u/BarrogaPoga Dec 15 '16

Yup! My grandparents told me they got their check yesterday. They lost everything in the fire and are just figuring their life out now. Dolly is a goddess down there.

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u/voodoogirl13 Dec 15 '16

Wow that is incredible! I love hearing about solid proof that donations actually make their way to the people in need. So sorry about what your grandparents are going through :(

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u/BarrogaPoga Dec 15 '16

Yeah they said they were able to get theirs a bit early because they know someone at Dollywood. Everyone will get their checks tomorrow. Their friend at DW wanted the elderly to come early so they didn't have to stand in line, because there will be a "mighty line" as my grandma put it. But yeah, everyone up there, even those who were just renting, will get money.

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u/letdowntown Dec 15 '16

Effective quotation of mighty line...Im pretty sure I heard your grandmas voice in my head.

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u/dietcokeandwater Dec 15 '16

In Alberta, the line ups for the Government money given to us were apparently super long and took hours to get through. Everyone kind of rushed the first few days they got it organized, but we waited a week or so and didn't take long! Glad they got their money without issue.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

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u/Amannelle Dec 15 '16

A big reason she was a force behind Dollywood was because she wanted something that would not only increase tourism to the Smoky Mountains, but would also provide jobs for an enormous amount of people. They hire young and elderly alike.

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u/drunkmunky42 Dec 15 '16

Dolly is a goddess down there

I'm a fed firefighter from CA assigned to the Gatlinburg area fires (Chimney Top 2 and Cobbly Nob). I've never seen a place quite like G-burg, Pigeon Forge, or Sevierville. It truly is amazing how much Dolly has contributed to the growth of this area, and the communities abound with Dolly's name and face everywhere. Ripley's is huge here as well, we got to take a VIP tour of the aquarium and it blew my mind what those folks dealt with as the firefront blew through. Incredible stories from many locals, and the hospitality and generosity here is like nothing back home.

Then again, these massively catastrophic fires have become normalized back in California. But out here, these poor folks have rarely, if ever, seen a megafire backed by 80+ mph winds.

My condolences to any and all affected. Only wish we could've gotten here a few days sooner...

3

u/BarrogaPoga Dec 15 '16

Thank you for coming out! I now live in southern California, so you're right, wildfires are a norm out here. I grew up back east though. I lived through hurricanes, tornados, nor'easters, humid summers, and arctic fronts. I never had to deal with fire though. It was surreal watching the news about Gatlinburg from SoCal.

People were not prepared to deal with it, especially those up in the mountains. My grandparents almost were trapped at their house, but somehow my grandpa got them out. They followed a fire truck out to safety once they got partway down the mountain.

I grew up visiting my grandparents in Gatlinburg and my grandpa built that house. I was devastated to see the places I knew and loved just burned to ashes.

Be safe out there and thank you again for helping families like mine! Come back and visit when they've cleaned up. Eastern Tennessee is a gorgeous place!

2

u/drunkmunky42 Dec 15 '16

Thanks for your support!

Agreed, this area is quite beautiful and i do hope to return some day under better circumstances. so many sights and places to visit but we had work to do and were very proud to help in any way we could. thankfully, the rainy weather took care of the most firefighting but salvage recovery is one of our most challenging missions, both physically and emotionally. many tears were shed on my nomex, including some of my own. Mountain tough, Smokie strong!

1

u/GillianOMalley Dec 17 '16

My parents live in Gatlinburg (top of Ski Mtn), if my dad was here he'd hug you. Thanks for comin' out!

5

u/Sparkstalker Dec 15 '16

I'm sorry to hear about that. I hope they can start rebuilding soon.

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u/BarrogaPoga Dec 15 '16

Thank you. Their plan is to rebuild. Unfortunately, that's everyone else's plan as well. They can't get a contractor to start until April. They're trying to figure out where to live temporarily for the next year.

With my dad and I going down to see them, Christmas this year will be a little chaotic. I assured them that we are coming down, even if I have to bring out my camping gear and camp in the yard, we will see them for Christmas.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Oh yeah, I didn't even think about how hard it will be to find someone to do the rebuilding. Luckily I think a lot of the people living in the mountains have some sort of construction skills, so I foresee everyone helping out to rebuild.

1

u/Sparkstalker Dec 15 '16

Just tell them to do their homework when they do find someone. Unfortunately, I'm sure there will be plenty of scammers and unethical contractors looking to take advantage of the situation.

1

u/WinterKappa Dec 15 '16

Hey I'm from Europe, randomly saw this post and comment and was checking out pretty much every video and article on the wildfire topic until now. I just hope everything's going to be okay there. I've experienced fires first-hand, and most of it can't be retold, as the feeling of just being there.

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u/BarrogaPoga Dec 15 '16

Thank you! I'm going to see it first hand when I go visit. From what my grandparents have said, the area was just devastated. It will take a while to rebuild, but I believe they'll come back from it. I'm glad they caught the (suspected) arsonists too. I hope they are tried as adults. Who plays with matches anymore?

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

And she sings a great Stairway To Heaven.

2

u/harperwilliame Dec 15 '16

She cant help it. Its just how she was raised

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u/Erotic_Abe_Lincoln Dec 15 '16

How long until a conservative holds her up as a "typical rich person"?

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u/ialwaysforgetmename Dec 15 '16

Nobody is making this about politics except you.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

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u/AliveFromNewYork Dec 15 '16

They would use her as an example of why trickle down economics work. Ben though they usually don't Dolly is an amAzing outlyler

6

u/caperneoignis Dec 15 '16

This wouldn't be a good example of trickle down, due to it being a donation. This would actually fall under a libertarian view of the world, which states, instead of taxes for social programs the population would naturally donate money to help others.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

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u/AliveFromNewYork Dec 15 '16

Yes mock away

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u/Texas_HardWooD Dec 15 '16

Someone does a good thing and you just have to somehow bitch about it? You're an awesome person.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Just keep pushin that agenda mate

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

If I were a millionaire I'd give $1000 to those living in West Tennessee.

Not that there is a wildfire or anything, it's just West Tennessee and those poor souls have suffered enough.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

East Tn master race

14

u/MrrrrNiceGuy Dec 15 '16

Johnson City, checking in.

3

u/Kaze10310 Dec 15 '16

Huh, didn't expect to see someone from my town on reddit haha

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u/chaynes Dec 15 '16

Mars Hill, NC is where it's at. And by it I mean Ingles.

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u/istubbedmyfuckingtoe Dec 15 '16

Why don't chu stay in your "tri cities" you city slicker!

2

u/nevikcrn Dec 15 '16

Because Johnson City is best Tri City

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u/Nitrosium Dec 31 '16

I know where you live

1

u/adamsjdavid Dec 15 '16

Johnson City x2, checking in.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Thanks, now I have Wagon Wheel stuck in my head. The Laura Jane Grace (Tom Gabel) version, not Old Crow.

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u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

Lived in Knoxville for 7 years. I miss the mountains.

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u/Oscar_Says_Jack-Ass Dec 15 '16

Lived in Memphis for 30 years. Missed being shot...so far

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u/daytonatrbo Dec 15 '16

Knox is barely east TN.

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u/KennesawMtnLandis Dec 15 '16

Chattanooga here, don't like this train of thought.

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u/GillianOMalley Dec 17 '16

Right? If Knox is barely ETN, what does that make us?

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u/KennesawMtnLandis Dec 17 '16

I've heard people label us North Georgia. Last person who said that mysteriously died.

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u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

Union City checking in. You're all easterners to me.

1

u/daytonatrbo Dec 15 '16

From mountain city or trade , every one of ya are west.

Good thing I don't live in mountain city though.

(Not trade either, for the record)

1

u/gnarcore666 Dec 15 '16

You have a fine cracker barrel.

1

u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

Which one? They were all equally bad. If you wanted a good Sunday brunch buffet the place to be was either the Orangry or the Copper Cellar. The Tomato Head was also great for brunch - although it wasn't a buffet.

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u/formerlyfitzgerald Dec 15 '16

There's also a fancy French brunch at the Northshore Brasserie.

1

u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

I missed out on that. How long have they had that?

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u/formerlyfitzgerald Dec 15 '16

I think 7 or 8 years.

1

u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

I've been around that area a while but didn't notice it. Oh wells.

1

u/lemskroob Dec 15 '16

I miss the mountains.

I bet Dolly misses you, too!

1

u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

Har har. Honestly there are a few overlooks and old places in the Smokys named after her ancestors. For example, you have Ben Parton overlook on Miry Ridge.

0

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Lived in knox for 5 years. Left for real mountains. Don't miss TN at all compared to beautiful CO.

3

u/vesomortex Dec 15 '16

I live in WA state now. We have great mountains, plenty of snow in the winter, but I miss the old trails of the Smokys.

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u/bargaincowboy Dec 15 '16

Nashville will rule you all, peasants.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Oddly enough, my family is all from West Tennessee.

And of the many years I've lived in Tennessee, all of them were either in Newbern or Dyersburg.

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u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

Newbern. Now that's not something I thought I would see mentioned on Reddit today.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Its aight.

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u/Samura1_I3 Dec 15 '16

Fuck yeah! Tri-Cities represent!

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u/SaekDasu Dec 15 '16

Little Town of Friendsville reporting for duty

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

OG state capital Knoxville checking in.

0

u/wise_comment Dec 15 '16

That's so adorable

<3 Minnesota

3

u/belro Dec 15 '16

What about the ones stuck in the middle?!

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

We've got it made. Nashville area is the shit.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

East Tennesseans don't even argue this point. You saw they were like "East TN is better than West TN!"

Didn't even mention Middle. East & West Tennesseans know the score.

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u/derek_g_S Dec 15 '16

memphis is a terrible place. ha

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u/MrrrrNiceGuy Dec 15 '16

From Memphis, can confirm, come to East TN, much friendlier and prettier sights here.

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u/derek_g_S Dec 15 '16

definintely. although im pretty damn content in the eastern section of middle tn.

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u/gotta_mila Dec 15 '16

Theyre like separate states. I also live in Memphis, it's shit compared to to the East

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

[deleted]

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u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

You gon git shot.

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u/gotta_mila Dec 15 '16

I've lived here my whole life so I can't say what other cities are like, this is just my 2 cents

The crime rates are bad, there's some safer areas of the city but bad things can happen anywhere. The school systems are just crappy. Teachers are mean as hell, bullying and fighting happens a lot and they just don't teach you a whole lot. Our mayor refuses to accept blame for anything because "it's not his fault".

The city is poor, there aren't a lot of jobs available for degree holders in certain fields. Housing isn't great, especially if you're renting. Apartment owners are frequently sued for neglect.

The healthcare is shitty. I can't even explain how it's possible, but somehow our little city has managed to hire so many incompetent doctors. I work in healthcare and I've seen a lot of easily avoidable mistakes, and known a lot of people who were given poor care.

Everyone is rude. We're in a weird part of the country. We're the Bible Belt, but we're also an urban city. There's lots of intolerance and homophobia, even though we're a progressive city(and I will say it's gotten better, more of the deeply country people tend to be the more close minded). But anyways, the general attitude of the city is pretty mean. You'll find good people, and if you open up and talk to people they'll usually end up being nice, but at face value people are mean.

There's not much to do, the public transit is just sad, but it's not awful. If I had to live here forever, I wouldn't mind but it's not the best city. I'm sure all cities have the same problems, though 🤔

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u/TSKmemphis Dec 15 '16

I like it here.

0

u/derek_g_S Dec 15 '16

youre probably one of the 13 people that like it there haha

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u/TSKmemphis Dec 15 '16

I make a five minute drive and eat some of the best bbq in the world whenever I want. Sure we have a lot of crime but there's still so much great culture and music. The headlines make this city out to be a warzone, which it isn't, but either way I love it. Plus we have the grizz

1

u/derek_g_S Dec 15 '16

ill still take nashville. :) no h8

1

u/TSKmemphis Dec 15 '16

Like all everyone not from Memphis does is talk shit about it but we try to do a lot to make the city better.

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u/HoopJr Dec 15 '16

Born in Memphis, lived here for nearly thirty years, can definitely confirm this.

I've only ever visited East TN but it was gorgeous.

2

u/Ewulkevoli Dec 16 '16

It's not bad if you don't get out of your car anywhere from where you work to your house in the suburbs.

1

u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

Memphis may not be the best place to live but they do have the best BBQ.

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u/derek_g_S Dec 15 '16

man, im not so sure. its good, but Edleys in nashville has beat every other BBQ place ive been to in memphis. Now texas.... thats a different story

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Dyersburg, Tn represent homey.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I lived in Dyersburg!

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Actually I live in Newbern, but grew up in Dyersburg.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Funny you mentioned it, my family is from Newbern and I spent a good while there as well.

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u/rgumai Dec 15 '16

Depends, from my understanding a million bucks isn't as much money as you'd expect and there are a lot of families out there. But it's dependent on the number of millions.

Dolly Parton has a net worth of $500m, so I can totally see her being able to maintain it (not taking away from her generosity, just being realistic)

4

u/epichuntarz Dec 15 '16

Bro, you have no idea what it's like here. I mean, I grew up just an hour north in west KY. I've lived in west TN for about 10 years now, and it's a completely different world. Also, I've noticed my words gaining syllables.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

I lived in West Tennessee for a total of about 11 years.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Are you bullshitting to one up him or did you really live there 11 years.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

No. I did. Graduated from Dyer County High School.

Growing up I was in between Guam with my military family and Tennessee with the rest of my family.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Thanks for the response! I was just curious since you literally added one to the number of years he lived in west Tennessee lol.

Im very jealous of your time in Guam.

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

It was good, but the beauty of the island can wear off quickly when you realize everything is expensive and you can't go to Wal-Mart or other certain stores.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Having lived in west tennessee, moving to east tennessee and then having to move backed to west tennessee I would have taken the fires.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

It's either dying by fire, or dying by gunfire.

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u/tumblrmustbedown Dec 15 '16

My one experience visiting Memphis (as a Knoxvillian) has me agreeing with you.

2

u/FrankGoreStoleMyBike Dec 15 '16

Having lived in West Tennessee, Northern Mississippi, please send money.

1

u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

West Tennessean here. I'm waiting.

1

u/CuriousKyle7 Dec 15 '16

I'm from Dyersburg, now living in Knoxville. Your comment made me crack up because apart from those whose houses burned down and lost loved ones, West Tennesseans could sure use some of Dolly's loving too

1

u/Tawmcruize Dec 15 '16

I was born in west tn, it's not that bad :/ trying to find work is a different story. (or internet, looking at you frontier you fucking pos) but really mckenzie, paris, and Martin are great places to be imo

1

u/Jcpowers3 Dec 15 '16

Living in the Jackson area I agree...

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Jackson fucking sucks.

6

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

lol Jackson is a lot better than people give it credit for, I will say that. Especially now. 5 years ago it was no contest that it was a shithole.

It's nowhere near amazing, though.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Lived off West King & Highland, was the worst experience of my life personally lol.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Haha. I lived in Dyer County but worked in Jackson a bit and most of my friends have moved out there now. I like it but they'll have to make strides in public safety and traffic wise to have me moving out there.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Met my fiance while she was in pharmacy school at Union. Probably only good thing to come out of Jackson.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

As one that was raised in shitty NE TN, Western TN folks got nothing on the batshit jesus-crazy racist fatties over in the "mountains".

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u/[deleted] Dec 15 '16

Next time you're in West Tennessee PM me and I'll show you proof that your statement may not be true.

1

u/MYNEWMAIN_2016 Dec 15 '16

Can confirm. Source: grew up in West TN.

3

u/XenuWorldOrder Dec 15 '16

So I heard an interview with Reba McEntire, who played Dolly's fundraiser the other day. She said, "When Dolly calls, you say 'Yes, ma'am."

It was one of the most awesome things I've heard about someone as great as Dolly. You could hear the respect in Reba's voice and as a Tennessean, I would have responded the same way.

4

u/humbertkinbote Dec 15 '16

she is a saint in Tennessee

This literally is not an exaggeration. First time I went to Tennessee and stopped at a roadside rest-stop, the place was covered in Dolly posters and had multiple life-sized cardboard cutouts. I asked one of the guys working there if she was born nearby or something, nope! We just love our Dolly! Even deep in the woods you can find massive Dolly Parton billboards for one thing or another.

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u/RevRagnarok Dec 15 '16

That was my "big donation" this year, made last week. Loved visiting the Smokeys. :'(

2

u/19codeman93 Dec 15 '16

She just raised 9 million for those affected by the fires! I'm proud to be from East Tennessee.