tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35402662789140196862024-02-14T22:45:41.465-08:00dosankodebbie's etegami notebookdosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.comBlogger731125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-74437582228452425262017-08-26T00:29:00.001-07:002017-08-26T00:29:17.798-07:00stamp people desk calendar (and give-away results!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBsVOqzSGaTUJISuYwgX3dB2_FhxFUfexDPEM4F8YQlrjoNuCSwAlDYQqEEZKYR02hpfhCxR27OFcoibrr8g911ExpKHBeOOgZ_Yp_zymFVkvhtbdV-uNcN-5kPR-ofRkb0KjCFo32aTE/s1600/calendar1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1239" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBsVOqzSGaTUJISuYwgX3dB2_FhxFUfexDPEM4F8YQlrjoNuCSwAlDYQqEEZKYR02hpfhCxR27OFcoibrr8g911ExpKHBeOOgZ_Yp_zymFVkvhtbdV-uNcN-5kPR-ofRkb0KjCFo32aTE/s400/calendar1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Stamp People desk calendar is now listed on my Etsy shop. Details are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/539354986/stamp-people-desk-calendar?ref=shop_home_active_1">HERE</a>. Thank you for your encouragement and feedback in the long process of making and selecting the stamp people who went into the calendar.<br />
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Joanne Tomooka is the lucky winner of the give-away, and will get a free Stamp People Desk Calendar at the end of November. Congratulations, Joanne!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeuuLqnlQdKA4_boI_leJFVMf3szN_tWOVRmlDrvyoh_JOygvZ_2WWDg0VKmBTqJZeQrEIZVKEMhaLHvVjF71d93HbyBBXldXZU6iX9c7e6JaX3M_Zk5rIx6bIBXR517r_VFKitI0arFr/s1600/caf%252C294x416%252C2018%252CVGhlIFN0YW1wIFBlb3BsZSA%253D.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeuuLqnlQdKA4_boI_leJFVMf3szN_tWOVRmlDrvyoh_JOygvZ_2WWDg0VKmBTqJZeQrEIZVKEMhaLHvVjF71d93HbyBBXldXZU6iX9c7e6JaX3M_Zk5rIx6bIBXR517r_VFKitI0arFr/s320/caf%252C294x416%252C2018%252CVGhlIFN0YW1wIFBlb3BsZSA%253D.2.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
While the desk calendar can be ordered from Etsy, the Wall Calendar version is available on my Red Bubble shop. It features a slightly different selection of Stamp People on gorgeous, silky-to-the-touch paper stock. Unlike the desk calendar, which will be listed only until November 10, the wall calendar will be a permanent addition to <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/dosankodebbie/collections/112093-etegami-calendars?asc=u">my calendar series</a> and can be ordered any month of the year, any year. You just have to be careful to set it to the right year and starting month before you put it into your cart.<br />
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Yes, I know it's still August! But winter comes early and stays long in Hokkaido, so we are already busy preparing ourselves and our homes to successfully endure the hardest 5~6 months of the year. Makes you want to move here right away, right?! Well, come for a visit at least. Really.<br />
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<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-21376632081252753352017-08-14T18:25:00.000-07:002017-08-14T18:25:10.953-07:00cover art <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfS1BoXRuUWZxyE91PUA6Uje8klw4oiRiok2zRiGogPrFTzeuV2nfDMM-2nO3jSUpt4R0F2WVMBeqArqWHaBjw_3X5eMrlN7oKH1YMYR090fiT7NgvQh56hLg9MVPlpXSQoHV4llU2Ufy/s1600/picasso+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="794" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfS1BoXRuUWZxyE91PUA6Uje8klw4oiRiok2zRiGogPrFTzeuV2nfDMM-2nO3jSUpt4R0F2WVMBeqArqWHaBjw_3X5eMrlN7oKH1YMYR090fiT7NgvQh56hLg9MVPlpXSQoHV4llU2Ufy/s400/picasso+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the cover of the Stamp People desk calendar, a horizontal image gives better balance than a vertical image. So I tried doing horizontal collages in the same style as the vertical cards, with a limited color palate matching the stamp being used. But, after several attempts along those lines, I feel in my gut that the cover art needs more dynamism and color.<br />
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So right now, I'm trying to choose between the two stamp people cards posted here. I did them on washi cards that are double the width of the ones I used for the inside pages of the calendar, so that I could fit more action and color without making them feel too cramped.<br />
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The postage stamps themselves (from old Czechoslovakia) are about twice the size of most of the stamps I used for the images on the inner pages. I could give you the full context that inspired my images-- passages from which I distilled the words used on the cards. But you can easily google them to track down the sources. Is that mean? heh heh<br />
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Anyway, if you have a preference for the cover art, let me know. I sure do appreciate all the feedback you gave me on which stamp people to use for the inner pages. I love it that so many of you are participating in this project.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYvI56EqWaQX_RdS-Wm1iLEI2y7PupmNy_dk1ai1uVNW_pbBMZ1DBeuGZdOb6n-FQk4veW5niOgM5DlDpr_mBHUNC218mUfsx-nX9rab89Nx8oV2mPFsldFsWYv3sFzGF5GdMAkjiLE1Z/s1600/pp%252C550x550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="550" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYvI56EqWaQX_RdS-Wm1iLEI2y7PupmNy_dk1ai1uVNW_pbBMZ1DBeuGZdOb6n-FQk4veW5niOgM5DlDpr_mBHUNC218mUfsx-nX9rab89Nx8oV2mPFsldFsWYv3sFzGF5GdMAkjiLE1Z/s400/pp%252C550x550.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ernest Hemingway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-53110703657006097472017-08-07T20:53:00.000-07:002017-08-08T01:46:51.824-07:00request for input and a give-away!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEZLCme8DTz928uN5pqrsKsXIBBWVWtE7v_KSKJMxxjRqpbGmzxwwfgJ8xb6H7duGWoEh3ytNhaX9BFRxCAHNlmfwzgONYCGOzenyqFRJfiUom40PTzahdCPE8FLpvO2Cq_foJFiJEfOY/s1600/flat%252C1000x1000%252C075%252Cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="752" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEZLCme8DTz928uN5pqrsKsXIBBWVWtE7v_KSKJMxxjRqpbGmzxwwfgJ8xb6H7duGWoEh3ytNhaX9BFRxCAHNlmfwzgONYCGOzenyqFRJfiUom40PTzahdCPE8FLpvO2Cq_foJFiJEfOY/s400/flat%252C1000x1000%252C075%252Cf.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm thinking of making a limited edition Stamp People desk calendar for
2018, and I need your help in choosing the images to go into it. Please
link to <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/dosankodebbie/collections/717705-stamp-people-series?asc=u">my portfolio on RedBubble</a> and choose your TEN favorite Stamp People images.
Then list them in order of your preference in a comment below. Name them
by the words in the title brackets (baby, cyclist, Lincoln, etc). This would
be an ENORMOUS help. THANK YOU.<i> (I also have some as-yet unpublicized images I plan to include, so the final selection will include some surprises.)</i><br />
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In appreciation for your help, I will put the names of everyone who leaves a comment into a deep bag and randomly pick out one name to receive a free Stamp People desk calendar by the end of this year.<i> </i>dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-52329618913330982382017-08-02T03:24:00.004-07:002017-08-02T03:27:47.491-07:00stamp people (the sparkler)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04P9AigOzES5JBM1RHQFmS3LT1aMyNg1Rkz-WcfDRWcGYpKy3R0iaaAD-3YCgpMZohFvlm1C_nVXEMhyphenhyphen4b4wDWS3vg1vRW3heffQD6ywxVv3xa9X3VsGlYL5DJfz0k2_nWo443-v77u9-/s1600/sparkler+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04P9AigOzES5JBM1RHQFmS3LT1aMyNg1Rkz-WcfDRWcGYpKy3R0iaaAD-3YCgpMZohFvlm1C_nVXEMhyphenhyphen4b4wDWS3vg1vRW3heffQD6ywxVv3xa9X3VsGlYL5DJfz0k2_nWo443-v77u9-/s400/sparkler+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">In Japan, August is the month for school vacation, cool cotton kimonos called <i>yukata</i>, hand-held flat fans called <i>uchiwa</i>, honoring deceased ancestors, telling ghost stories, and community festivals with folk dancing and firework displays. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I've always been partial to the hand-held sparklers called <i>senkou-hanabi</i> (incense sparklers) myself. When the sparkling ball at the end of the thin stick dulls and plops to the ground, we are reminded that summer (like life) does not last forever. Which is the sort of bitter-sweet, melancholic symbolism that delights the Japanese soul. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The writing on this Stamp People collage is in Japanese, and translates to: "When You Sparkle The World Sparkles With You." </span></span>You
can see that I tried to hide the hands on the postage stamp by adding
hair. But it doesn't quite work. Cute stamp though, isn't it?</span></span><br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-73746806395067101472017-07-25T19:03:00.002-07:002017-07-25T19:03:33.107-07:00stamp people (the baby)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLGT0BQjmpkdo-pJh3iSCKbrGKIx7q3D3QZ4uYuln4UMDJ1UtL_pQlK9GPGU-FljwlMxRhzpG4YLxffDiu3iUCksLYeHDcJU7Ho-cJCPIPXkM7ibx-_eu0VySTjC2HNU4XTedQkwMrnX0/s1600/GetFileAttachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLGT0BQjmpkdo-pJh3iSCKbrGKIx7q3D3QZ4uYuln4UMDJ1UtL_pQlK9GPGU-FljwlMxRhzpG4YLxffDiu3iUCksLYeHDcJU7Ho-cJCPIPXkM7ibx-_eu0VySTjC2HNU4XTedQkwMrnX0/s400/GetFileAttachment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was bound to happen. The Stamp People series has a baby! Little bit of a quote from Charles Dickens.dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-24583300083991090532017-07-22T04:57:00.002-07:002017-07-22T17:32:44.985-07:00stamp people (the siblings)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTHR5zf6DyY4Jgf2YMF8816qWA808kQp2klcQcRD7kmwfAeejY5CaX84yjoBhEoirR6kHp8czqAXkLRD1dSdmFyHDG4gFVMg-i-47IaYkHJs5eC08kG9Ug892nwXMmeWT1J_5bq6Tc2rk/s1600/flat%252C1000x1000%252C075%252Cf-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="763" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTHR5zf6DyY4Jgf2YMF8816qWA808kQp2klcQcRD7kmwfAeejY5CaX84yjoBhEoirR6kHp8czqAXkLRD1dSdmFyHDG4gFVMg-i-47IaYkHJs5eC08kG9Ug892nwXMmeWT1J_5bq6Tc2rk/s400/flat%252C1000x1000%252C075%252Cf-4.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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I thought I was getting my Stamp People obsession under control, but it reared its wild head again and dragged me down a tangent. This tangent resulted in a new crop of Stamp People inspired by each of my five siblings. The images posted here were all created from used postage stamps and old cooking magazines.<br />
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I'm the oldest of six, you see. My younger siblings are all unique and possess much more than one talent each. Such as my sister, the poet. My next sister, the chicken lady. My next sister, the sign language interpreter. My brother, the philosopher. And my youngest sister, the poster designer. None of them can be captured in just one image. So it's a safe bet that there will soon be alternate versions of the sibling series. Such as the last image I posted below, which was also inspired by my first sister.<br />
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It may be a while before I get back onto the main road of traditional etegami. But not too long. I think.<br />
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dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-14897813890246544812017-06-21T23:07:00.000-07:002017-06-21T23:17:39.235-07:00stamp people<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been two years since I first encountered <a href="http://jackilong.blogspot.jp/2015/02/day-922-invasion-of-stamp-people.html">Jacki Long's "stamp people.</a>" I was utterly charmed from the very start, and I couldn't wait to imitate her style. But the idea must have needed time to ferment deep inside of me, because I couldn't seem to act on my intentions. <br />
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Two weeks ago, I was dusting off a stack of stamp albums that remained from a long forgotten childhood passion. This led to the merciless culling of a box full of cooking magazines I'd meant, but failed, to throw into the recycling bin.<br />
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Suddenly, the time was ripe, and stamp people collages began popping out of me at the pace of one a day. It has been <i>LOADS</i> of fun.<br />
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The postage stamps themselves are rather boring as stamps go, but the men depicted on them rightly earned their places there, and their stories and characters are fascinating. So here I present to you my first crop of stamp people collages. From the top: Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, John Muir, Albert Einstein, and Johann Sebastian Bach.<br />
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Many more are on their way. Prints are available from my <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/dosankodebbie/collections/717705-stamp-people-series?asc=u">RedBubble portfolio</a>. <br />
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<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-2708775990322592722017-06-03T21:47:00.001-07:002017-06-03T21:48:50.859-07:00carry the sky <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcASQ2KBzrBxQclEJJaqkjhN0gnIOfOlypEWWFaA8rtshYB5OUjCQDfLbLCmZ-m7ShKJeSlvQjdxtSeMwZ9LXf1SZTnzlu3vLsvoPg0e2aoVmJwB5mH5g6rhnnqZzehhYI6hqZUU4XHuHB/s1600/bluebird.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="630" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcASQ2KBzrBxQclEJJaqkjhN0gnIOfOlypEWWFaA8rtshYB5OUjCQDfLbLCmZ-m7ShKJeSlvQjdxtSeMwZ9LXf1SZTnzlu3vLsvoPg0e2aoVmJwB5mH5g6rhnnqZzehhYI6hqZUU4XHuHB/s400/bluebird.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_(mythology)">Atlas</a> of the bird world. Kind of.<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-42243122487205946432017-05-27T00:43:00.000-07:002017-05-27T00:44:38.132-07:00made-to-order drink coasters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoxefTxGArXsNpnKqzJ1VFoZEgTmktsdqb7sMfFKG42IE30DiqzhrtGbLGp4e5fPt4KcTZGd57T5gQDZiTC2rxKRh4la0wz5Y5LC5jfNsVohD4wG4iCJDtIHmVuzOir4PSTr9zOnyJSeq/s1600/coasters.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="844" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoxefTxGArXsNpnKqzJ1VFoZEgTmktsdqb7sMfFKG42IE30DiqzhrtGbLGp4e5fPt4KcTZGd57T5gQDZiTC2rxKRh4la0wz5Y5LC5jfNsVohD4wG4iCJDtIHmVuzOir4PSTr9zOnyJSeq/s400/coasters.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyBtnZsyyUCi1tB9Z-7Edl6SF122uso34fNXwvzafKV3a92eoEOhqEMiYvRG-9XEx7IT1lWAVMf1ALOMVLL8TrQ6K4_-DnySOMnMwwpOCcabddDR0wja1rPy5f3VKZehL9a1dZipnfucZ/s1600/coasters+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="924" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyBtnZsyyUCi1tB9Z-7Edl6SF122uso34fNXwvzafKV3a92eoEOhqEMiYvRG-9XEx7IT1lWAVMf1ALOMVLL8TrQ6K4_-DnySOMnMwwpOCcabddDR0wja1rPy5f3VKZehL9a1dZipnfucZ/s400/coasters+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've been busy this month with made-to-order etegami coasters. <br />
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One customer wanted a specific set of American songbirds, a subject I am not familiar with. Another customer wanted a specific set of flowers that were favorites of her mother in the UK.<br />
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Custom orders are time-consuming and materials-consuming, because I always end up rejecting so many completed pieces before I have a set that I am satisfied with and not ashamed to accept payment for.<br />
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But work like this forces me to research and compose and paint a lot of subjects I wouldn't ordinarily attempt if left to my own whims. And I do so love to learn new things!<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-90707738313863401542017-05-03T18:29:00.000-07:002017-05-03T18:32:30.291-07:00towel brush koinobori <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF87GOOVcF8sbnRaQLbCfsqjB9v7OiN3zwBEpXIRjHZ3vumIRF3-bwfksVndCS5dWT04b9wP5SaHRNbvIUVwHgAB7c1-AP-1Ozw3YRPAPUMoU0dDwsmF5z29cFlL5jY_L1nHQFWM2EdaFR/s1600/mikotoba+2_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF87GOOVcF8sbnRaQLbCfsqjB9v7OiN3zwBEpXIRjHZ3vumIRF3-bwfksVndCS5dWT04b9wP5SaHRNbvIUVwHgAB7c1-AP-1Ozw3YRPAPUMoU0dDwsmF5z29cFlL5jY_L1nHQFWM2EdaFR/s400/mikotoba+2_2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This big-eyed blue fish is my latest <i>koinobori</i> etegami. Koinobori are carp-shaped windsocks that are flown from flag poles for
Children's Day Festival, symbolizing parents' hopes that their children (especially sons) will grow up to have perseverance, strength, and
courage. I used a "towel brush" instead of the standard writing brush for the lines in this one. A towel brush is made by fastening a bit of terrycloth towel around the tip of a chopstick. It has the advantage of being
hard to control and gives me the awkward lines I love so much. The
writing says: "<i>The Word of the Lord is my Lifeline</i>"<br />
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Below, you can see two more koinobori etegami out of the many I've painted in past years:<br />
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dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-29916433915694271412017-04-26T16:01:00.001-07:002017-04-26T16:04:21.694-07:00golden week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In Japan we are about to enter Golden Week, when four national holidays
are concentrated in a period of seven days. The last of these holidays
is <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Day_(Japan)">Kodomo-no-hi </a></i>(Children's Day, sometimes called Boy's Day) on May 5.<br />
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Traditionally the festival celebrates the healthy growth of boys --girls having been covered by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinamatsuri">Hinamatsuri Festival</a> on March 3, which is not a national holiday. It is
celebrated with displays and food that symbolize strength, perseverance, and bravery. These symbols include
ancient samurai helmets, the Japanese iris, <i>kashiwa-mochi</i> (sweet sticky
rice wrapped in an oak leaf), <i>chimaki</i> (sticky rice wrapped<span class="text_exposed_show">
in bamboo leaves), and most famously, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koinobori">koinobori</a></i> (carp-shaped windsocks)
that are traditionally flown from flagpoles set up next to the house for that purpose. </span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">These etegami are works-in-progress, but I'll try to post a few completed versions soon. In the meantime, you might like to do a search on this blog for earlier etegami inspired by Children's Day. (Use the "search this blog" box in the sidebar).</span><br />
dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-32983916184923849862017-04-05T15:58:00.001-07:002017-04-05T16:22:29.131-07:00more fun with etegami frames<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It started with a frenzy of decluttering, except that I got distracted by some old Japanese songbooks that were destined for the recycling bin. Without a clear idea of where I was headed with it, I cut some of the colorful pages into strips, and wove them together into mats. I glued them to pieces of corrugated cardboard cut out in rectangles and circles, trimmed the excess paper, and brushed some glossy sealer over the woven paper surface to anchor the strips. After that, my mind went blank, so I set the project aside for the next two months.</div>
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Then, last week, a surprise package arrived from an etegami friend in southern Japan. It was a picture frame she had made from layers of corrugated cardboard. You can see it on my <a href="http://mailartgallery.blogspot.jp/2017/03/fumiko-koga-japan.html">received mailart blog</a>. I was too lazy to imitate her design, but it did give me ideas for what to do with my unfinished paper strip mats. </div>
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My original idea had been to display my etegami on the "mats," the four corners of the etegami held down by elastic string threaded through the back of the mat, much like the typical etegami frames sold in Japanese shops. But now I'm experimenting with the possibilities presented by layering two or more sheets of corrugated cardboard with a window cut into the top layer, giving the frame some depth. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjCTlyX-_hg3ZzKmCLe4ENbpSjerC6OruPzmSPwwKR_NcuDYCNIgtN3dT0h6P1y8VcEEaSOWc36Smu_CXSB9X7SoRi6eqS-WosrZPtkkT-IYQ95jNkOmkFu9L2lGBnDqle5FxM4SdhJ8I/s1600/chickenframe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjCTlyX-_hg3ZzKmCLe4ENbpSjerC6OruPzmSPwwKR_NcuDYCNIgtN3dT0h6P1y8VcEEaSOWc36Smu_CXSB9X7SoRi6eqS-WosrZPtkkT-IYQ95jNkOmkFu9L2lGBnDqle5FxM4SdhJ8I/s320/chickenframe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">righthand etegami affixed to top of mat;<br />
lefthand etegami nestled in a hole cut into the mat</td></tr>
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dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-79783756801966608792017-03-20T21:11:00.001-07:002017-03-20T21:43:55.951-07:00an ode to the tax code<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4C1NvYbOlJo6uIbjGFO-j1mxHCi7pIQKKTYe7qVb9C38rJE0hIYPVGeIbJ-8HakSN693bh_UgfR0Zpu1KmpIHYN4F4qbD769YYmWrsF-hLuqsosHITXdHCOkXl-dEBEQ19HjmjUioCXJ/s1600/rainbow+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4C1NvYbOlJo6uIbjGFO-j1mxHCi7pIQKKTYe7qVb9C38rJE0hIYPVGeIbJ-8HakSN693bh_UgfR0Zpu1KmpIHYN4F4qbD769YYmWrsF-hLuqsosHITXdHCOkXl-dEBEQ19HjmjUioCXJ/s400/rainbow+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ode to the Tax Code</b></span><br />
by V. Patschke<br />
<br />
There is hereby imposed<br />
on the taxable income<br />
of every individual<br />
(other than a surviving spouse<br />
as defined in section 2(a)<br />
or the head of a household<br />
as defined in section 2(b))<br />
who is not a married individual<br />
(as defined in section 7703)<br />
a tax<br />
determined in accordance<br />
with the following table.<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
not over $22,100<br />
Your tax is:<br />
15% of taxable income.<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
Over $22,100<br />
but not over $53,500<br />
Your tax is $3,315<br />
plus 28% of the excess<br />
over $22,100.<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
The spectrum of colors in the rainbow<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Indigo<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
A 100-piece symphony orchestra<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Flutes and violins<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
Geometry<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Triangles<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
The gift of superpowers<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Invisibility<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
A bountiful feast<br />
followed by mouthwatering desserts<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Indigestion<br />
followed by a period of fasting<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
Eight hours of sleep<br />
with lovely dreams<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Loud snoring<br />
with two trips to the bathroom<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
Unconditional love from family and friends<br />
Your tax is:<br />
Less frequent letters and<br />
fewer phone calls<br />
<br />
If your taxable income is:<br />
Peace and prosperity<br />
Your tax is:<br />
A period of political chaos<br />
and discontent<br />
<br />
In applying rulings<br />
and procedures<br />
published herein,<br />
the effect of subsequent<br />
legislation,<br />
regulations,<br />
court decisions,<br />
rulings, and<br />
procedures must be<br />
considered.<br />
All taxes are due<br />
on the 15th of April.<br />
In the event of late payment<br />
A 25% fee<br />
and 25 grey hairs<br />
will be applied.dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-30295640560289098102017-03-17T21:36:00.000-07:002017-03-18T13:46:07.374-07:00the fascinating world of niboshi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeqbcMN8x8h45pDBJ-cYLpgA4HjXilFHtrFN9ptMp2vS8BjWRgSHsezY-9WPGrSoElpdTu_m8mv1uN1crms2XeCfLEsubbIC7eAVsTvbR5YJMHH9GbnEF_adtOsjxBs3qg0s-6X9IlK9F/s1600/niboshi+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeqbcMN8x8h45pDBJ-cYLpgA4HjXilFHtrFN9ptMp2vS8BjWRgSHsezY-9WPGrSoElpdTu_m8mv1uN1crms2XeCfLEsubbIC7eAVsTvbR5YJMHH9GbnEF_adtOsjxBs3qg0s-6X9IlK9F/s640/niboshi+1.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div>
You can hardly discuss Japanese cuisine without mentioning <i>niboshi</i>, the dried baby sardines used in making one of the most common varieties of <i>dashi</i>, the ubiquitous soup stock that flavors such a great variety of Japanese foods.<br />
<br />
Here's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niboshi">Wikipedia link</a>, but if you just google <i>niboshi</i> (also called <i>iriko</i>), you'll find so much more information than Wiki offers about this little package of big flavor. <br />
<br />
Even so, I wouldn't have been inspired to paint an etegami of these bone-dry, misshapen creatures if I hadn't met someone on Instagram who lives and breathes <i>niboshi</i>.<br />
<br />
When I say she lives and breathes <i>niboshi</i>, I mean she's stuck in a room full of them all day, every day. It turns out that she married into a family that produces <i>kanbutsu</i>, a catch-all term that means dried foods used in traditional Japanese cooking, such as vegetables, seaweed, noodles, and fish. I get the impression that the main product her family business deals with is <i>niboshi</i>. For seventeen years she has sorted thousands of these dried fish each day, picking out the occasional rock or wrong sort of fish that gets overlooked during the several stages of preparing these things for the market.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjbvobY6JJFFxbtFbY1X6oaKqyD75GpZOF3Dz8-YluubyRaxQyYIK-vq3KmB6YByA6PQVa2wl7kngOW_LQdgNFOi5RItp0AnGY1dJxMu_6hk8j7U2CgZXcjlpXE6GSggJj6eTVZwRUzCo/s1600/51KUnOdsE6L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjbvobY6JJFFxbtFbY1X6oaKqyD75GpZOF3Dz8-YluubyRaxQyYIK-vq3KmB6YByA6PQVa2wl7kngOW_LQdgNFOi5RItp0AnGY1dJxMu_6hk8j7U2CgZXcjlpXE6GSggJj6eTVZwRUzCo/s200/51KUnOdsE6L.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015XN8EG?tag=japanesekitch-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0015XN8EG&adid=12S4TY8GVKPM7GTJGEPH&">a typical bag of niboshi</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As is true of so many businesses that produce traditional products, the customer base of my friend's company has aged and dwindled without being successfully replaced by the next generation-- a generation that prefers Western food culture. Other companies in the same boat have tried attracting younger customers by developing westernized versions of <i>niboshi</i> recipes and printing them on the backs of their packages. But cooking is not a talent my friend feels she has. Alas.<br />
<br />
So. What can <i>she</i> do to help out the family business? She thought about all the funny-looking fish and other odd things she comes across while sorting <i>niboshi</i> every day, and it occurred to her that people might get a kick out of seeing pictures of them on Instagram. At least it would help publicize this traditional food product to those who are unfamiliar with it.<br />
<br />
That's how her <i>Niboshi Monster</i> photos were born. She finds fish babies -- not just sardines but other sea creatures that get mixed in and have to be sorted out-- and she arranges them into scenes that tell a story. I'm totally hooked on them, and eagerly await each new photo. <br />
<br />
The best I can do is share the following photos-of-her-photos, but you can see them much better if you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/asano2003/">click here</a> to go to her page on Instagram.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqJMJ54E-XbJKx4T1zMMJ6KE2QKP254TtTAE6awVl4Du42dAVSUqf0FtB-BKGznjk1a54aTkT2pDLRj8kZOYJEpOHq9phEq8uXPAeMiIjSBZnKYzQyKDcIjaloKxOlmFFtoYW65R17iIR/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqJMJ54E-XbJKx4T1zMMJ6KE2QKP254TtTAE6awVl4Du42dAVSUqf0FtB-BKGznjk1a54aTkT2pDLRj8kZOYJEpOHq9phEq8uXPAeMiIjSBZnKYzQyKDcIjaloKxOlmFFtoYW65R17iIR/s400/IMG_0957.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby sardines attack baby perch of some sort (<i>Apogon semilineatus)</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1AkjhhpoqIHVqhGL6W24TA9yBr5TffbPOZEI-pFyuSzjjSEU69z5uINBVUmLvDyFqiXa3iDiJKcvrsvdTJ0YKkWuWBVMd9LESNfhdyjzxfEc2_kZNN6gwabeNtHTQjAhW8i9pfFccyo1/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1AkjhhpoqIHVqhGL6W24TA9yBr5TffbPOZEI-pFyuSzjjSEU69z5uINBVUmLvDyFqiXa3iDiJKcvrsvdTJ0YKkWuWBVMd9LESNfhdyjzxfEc2_kZNN6gwabeNtHTQjAhW8i9pfFccyo1/s400/IMG_0961.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby perch of some sort (Apogon lineatus?) blowing fish eyeball "bubbles"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9_8flT0tF2xBNOS5ha1w4JDwYQqrkf-MgGLcGb60aGrbwzpzr_42dwZb6ovuw_ychBrHA63RhU9_gvfgbZP_SpNxm__R2tSxgP8whvugmOeYSUbTbQfU35Yq35JW0-uNgh-JbybnBvFa/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9_8flT0tF2xBNOS5ha1w4JDwYQqrkf-MgGLcGb60aGrbwzpzr_42dwZb6ovuw_ychBrHA63RhU9_gvfgbZP_SpNxm__R2tSxgP8whvugmOeYSUbTbQfU35Yq35JW0-uNgh-JbybnBvFa/s400/IMG_0965.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby barracuda with fish eyeball "pearls" on scallop shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-70828628190479918762017-03-12T19:23:00.001-07:002017-03-12T22:01:28.598-07:00hokkaido in mid-march<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKJvO851isjPqnabhPVxN3Os6PfmGZ8WR8hBZ4vi_1u5h8ZOwwRDq4uDivSJZQPlh_bHWcFNXgPtveyLHHp0SHkoyIjrq6av9fviVXb3h6jwOWaSuGhaCB1wi1XEuGEraIpZB6WaCgSOd/s1600/17191240_10212496438428696_2554988377640358200_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKJvO851isjPqnabhPVxN3Os6PfmGZ8WR8hBZ4vi_1u5h8ZOwwRDq4uDivSJZQPlh_bHWcFNXgPtveyLHHp0SHkoyIjrq6av9fviVXb3h6jwOWaSuGhaCB1wi1XEuGEraIpZB6WaCgSOd/s400/17191240_10212496438428696_2554988377640358200_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Since you don't look out of my window every day like I do, you probably can't tell that this is a photo of spring. But take my word for it; it contains many significant differences from a photo taken through the same window in winter.<br />
<br />
For one thing, the heavy cover of snow has broken up enough that you can see an exposed corner of our garage. For another, the four long legs which hold up the blue-green kerosene tank are still hidden in the snow, but the tank itself is no longer buried.<br />
<br />
And most importantly, some of the branches of our huge but temporarily squashed hydrangea bushes are sticking up out of the snow. If you look carefully, you will see that there are leaf buds on the otherwise bare branches. It may be two or more months before the leaves actually unfold, but the buds are <b>definitely</b> there.<br />
<br />
Welcome to March in Hokkaido.<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-55349373346575966862017-03-05T16:27:00.001-08:002017-03-06T13:30:16.464-08:00if you look really hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZmvQQpueQaCDmdMoEMRaZ7ceKjM64t3DGA_cXGTYX8EUXSF2uUbNnbAAId5kv0N3FSEAuIZr0AQMhh8c6JMZtTyIaeNp2YOLIdF7QERPIIb5QJADYwqGeSEEehNaKBOVLln2Vb2QuASw/s1600/saturday+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZmvQQpueQaCDmdMoEMRaZ7ceKjM64t3DGA_cXGTYX8EUXSF2uUbNnbAAId5kv0N3FSEAuIZr0AQMhh8c6JMZtTyIaeNp2YOLIdF7QERPIIb5QJADYwqGeSEEehNaKBOVLln2Vb2QuASw/s400/saturday+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our part of Hokkaido is still covered in a white, white, white blanket of snow. By early April, the snow will have melted enough to make out buds of crocuses and butterbur peeking out through the thinning crust. But for now, there is no sign of anything green, anything growing, anywhere.<br />
<br />
<i>Wait! Wait a minute</i>. I take that back. Look real hard. Reeeeeaaaaaal hard. Are those buds I see on the otherwise dead-looking and utterly bare branches of the bushes, half-buried in snow, at the very back of the garden furthest from the window?<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-81777068616178007402017-03-04T14:20:00.002-08:002017-03-04T14:27:45.813-08:00the lost month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH5eaiGDbMQziaeLnWffE8csWKaAtf5hcAK7ahqi5OBThosJl2_Q0UgGxixe6d8fsf8LgddXGGnCCEU0kUjuW4lbAiYBArCYLfY0ncjO-aAgqX7fDvL82xhzlxxCZS9xivZ2-d0_LwLmR/s1600/thursday+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH5eaiGDbMQziaeLnWffE8csWKaAtf5hcAK7ahqi5OBThosJl2_Q0UgGxixe6d8fsf8LgddXGGnCCEU0kUjuW4lbAiYBArCYLfY0ncjO-aAgqX7fDvL82xhzlxxCZS9xivZ2-d0_LwLmR/s400/thursday+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
I don't know where February went. I can't remember ever missing a whole month of posting on my blog before. I was on a reading rampage-- and when I finally came up for air, it was March. And I feel wonderfully re-charged. <br />
<br />
Oh, by the way, I started an Instagram account if you're interested. @dosankodebbie<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-59535274400294718772017-01-26T14:20:00.004-08:002017-01-26T14:20:30.894-08:00dear calligrapher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span><span data-offset-key="3ju7f-0-0"><span data-text="true">Considering that the modern etegami movement was born from a rebellion against the restrictions of traditional Japanese arts-- particularly calligraphy-- I was a little surprised when a website called <i>Beyond Calligraphy</i> asked me for an article introducing etegami to calligraphers. Click <a href="https://beyond-calligraphy.com/2017/01/10/introduction-art-etegami/">HERE</a> to see the result. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwutGbY8Z3z4WPB0UNktCuFUVMCZNkLXS4lV13-5XXjtSed5C84BZm1v6A6lIyY9Ca6UZfuHgvVnq2KcWVA-YlWlBlMGE6TcQIvCHa4UxhDVnUzwf4BdVzEPSeL6Nqqs_2Rx6cwjFIjf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-01-27+at+6.50.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwutGbY8Z3z4WPB0UNktCuFUVMCZNkLXS4lV13-5XXjtSed5C84BZm1v6A6lIyY9Ca6UZfuHgvVnq2KcWVA-YlWlBlMGE6TcQIvCHa4UxhDVnUzwf4BdVzEPSeL6Nqqs_2Rx6cwjFIjf/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-01-27+at+6.50.07+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span><span data-offset-key="3ju7f-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></span>dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-32288770497311797552017-01-16T19:34:00.000-08:002017-01-16T19:34:30.780-08:00so many elbows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qPRGKbQ-k7op55zjq96IB7SBORxAFP6EqEx5k2ct8oJ1NULR063SjP3esBzEkjcjxiuz_gUciwy6QyLHCtVcj8oTKlBgZz3p09qWFMIsgoryRgXhMVOw-Ge9TsmkxaVq275kcCMyxGhj/s1600/shoulders.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qPRGKbQ-k7op55zjq96IB7SBORxAFP6EqEx5k2ct8oJ1NULR063SjP3esBzEkjcjxiuz_gUciwy6QyLHCtVcj8oTKlBgZz3p09qWFMIsgoryRgXhMVOw-Ge9TsmkxaVq275kcCMyxGhj/s400/shoulders.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Where I’m From</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strong style="font-style: inherit;"> </strong>a poem by Vicki Patschke</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I’m from family </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A family of eight</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Or eight times eight </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When you counted the heads</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of friends and visitors</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And always the pets —</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dogs, cats, rabbits, </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">guinea pig, hamster, mice</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">parakeets, turtles, snails</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and one bow-legged duck</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our family of eight</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Squeezed into cars</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And crowded trains</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shoulder to shoulder</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Elbow to elbow</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Heart to heart</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At happy crowded tables</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We passed the potatoes</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Helped with homework </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And dealt the cards</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Instant friends</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Instant foes </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always racing</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To finish first </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To claim the sofa</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To claim the last bite</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always sharing </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hand-me-downs</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of used clothes </span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of thumb-smeared books</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of opinions and advice</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our family of eight</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now grown and scattered</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With empty spaces between us</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Separated by gaps</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of time and place</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of experiences</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of philosophy</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But wherever we turn</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We will always be</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">From our family of eight</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shoulder to shoulder</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Elbow to elbow</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Heart to heart</span></div>
<div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-83734538430015145842017-01-15T03:42:00.000-08:002017-01-15T04:02:45.613-08:00gorgonzola<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mO-v6V_qpOwWu4P6Dzhy3et4enovPCKCMVlLTFn2Uln-LgIR2XMn6tqfbLtP_i76ZtgPLym6dFB3Ahm1YOp6CJak9TucMNCnIVaklnQU42ce3Xby67EhuMYKU0g9DNoAuUbAdSGPwmsg/s1600/salad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mO-v6V_qpOwWu4P6Dzhy3et4enovPCKCMVlLTFn2Uln-LgIR2XMn6tqfbLtP_i76ZtgPLym6dFB3Ahm1YOp6CJak9TucMNCnIVaklnQU42ce3Xby67EhuMYKU0g9DNoAuUbAdSGPwmsg/s400/salad.jpeg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Gorgonzola</b></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> a poem by Vicki Patschke</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stepping up </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to the counter </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I declare my </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">menu choice. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Gorgonzola salad, please.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Gorgonzola?” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Yes, Gorgonzola.” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A wondrous word</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">so guttural </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">so satisfying </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the tongue. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I use my </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">deep, throaty voice</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">enunciating </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ever so </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">slowly</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “<i>GOR. . . GON. . . ZO . . . LA</i>.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">emphasize </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">just one syllable. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“GOR-gonzola.” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Gor-GON-zola.” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Gorgon-ZO-la.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I savor the sounds. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They tantalize my tastebuds </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and tickle awake my fantasies. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
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<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are the </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bold brash brazen </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">syllables </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of Greek gods, goblins and </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dragon conquest.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The young barista </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oblivious to my glee</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hollers back </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">toward the kitchen</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“One Gorgonzola salad!”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“With vinaigrette dressing?” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a voice calls in reply.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Yes! Vinaigrette,” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I say, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stretching out the word. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“V I - nai - G R E T T E </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dressing. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the side </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of my GOR-gon-ZO-la salad, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">please.”</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-65134262317602192982017-01-08T16:48:00.000-08:002017-01-08T16:59:12.839-08:00full of beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7t6D1k0p2Icy1uCs87DZtfC0cERPqd3WrUPJORrYaGYq71izirQNsMNfW2e3-NNlemfh9Rcr5qYpoHqupiLzALUUKImLAL-oQuI75VD0U2LiRTB-T8DptDy7jL6pFEfdkkJyHF8CW141/s1600/beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7t6D1k0p2Icy1uCs87DZtfC0cERPqd3WrUPJORrYaGYq71izirQNsMNfW2e3-NNlemfh9Rcr5qYpoHqupiLzALUUKImLAL-oQuI75VD0U2LiRTB-T8DptDy7jL6pFEfdkkJyHF8CW141/s400/beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
T<span class="_Tgc">he news and variety shows on Japanese TV today are all showing video clips from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_of_Age_Day">Coming of Age Day</a> (<i>Seijin no Hi </i>)
ceremonies that are being held over the long weekend in cities and wards across Japan. <i>Seijin no Hi</i> is a Japanese holiday held annually on the second Monday of January to celebrate young people who have reached, or will reach, the age of majority (20 years old) between April 1st of the old year and March 31st of the new year. </span><br />
<br />
Turning 20 in Japan means that young people may legally
smoke, drink alcohol, and marry without permission from their parents-- and it also means that if they commit crimes, the law will judge them as adults, without the various protections allowed to minors.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, publicly-held Coming of Age ceremonies are not infrequently disrupted and ruined by drunken and disorderly 20-year-olds. Most years I grumble about the current coming-of-age generation and-- fairly or not-- I lament the plummeting manners and sense of "kids these days."<br />
<br />
Today, however, I am drawn to how <b>full of beans</b> these rambunctious ceremony-disruptors are. By April, how many of them will be wearing suits and grimly kowtowing to their bosses in personality-stifling work environments? How many of them will be able to hold on to their mischievous inclinations and channel them into socially constructive endeavors?<br />
<br />
Today I find myself blessing the newly-20 year-olds, hoping with all my heart that they will survive and thrive and deliver way more than anyone ever expected. <br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-12964771950760165622017-01-07T17:05:00.000-08:002017-01-08T14:10:23.695-08:00let them eat grass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwemJO7pO2w312mCFWOWyUcdxe8TqeUb8ICWTR7-Fg7IoEjts4zWbSH92nJt_HlavU074kIk7I3fo3lWvEZX9o5RnKMncQrQz_kYsKv2ip0_Tyllm3mXIit5rrd0L5ZbsAYyYsdkHnxig-/s1600/soup.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwemJO7pO2w312mCFWOWyUcdxe8TqeUb8ICWTR7-Fg7IoEjts4zWbSH92nJt_HlavU074kIk7I3fo3lWvEZX9o5RnKMncQrQz_kYsKv2ip0_Tyllm3mXIit5rrd0L5ZbsAYyYsdkHnxig-/s400/soup.jpeg" width="377" /></a></div>
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It's customary in Japan to eat a rice porridge called <i>nanakusa-gayu</i> (literal translation: seven-grass rice porridge) on January 7th, the Festival of Seven Herbs. You can find a chart that lists which seven "grasses" (herbs) go into the porridge at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanakusa-no-sekku">this Wikipedia link</a>, which also explains that "<i>The seventh of the first month has been an important Japanese festival since ancient times. The custom of eating nanakusa-gayu
on this day, to bring longevity and health, developed in Japan from a
similar ancient Chinese custom, intended to ward off evil. Since there
is little green at that time of the year, the young green herbs bring
color to the table and eating them suits the spirit of the New Year."</i><br />
<br />
Yesterday it became clear that my husband had come down with a serious chest cold<i>, </i>so I made a thin version of a smooth green vegetable soup I often make for him. And since it also happened to be the day of the Festival of Seven Herbs, I made a game out of including exactly seven green plants in the soup. Specifically: spinach, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiso">shiso leaves</a>, parsley, green onions, celery, broccoli, and iso-nori (a laver-like seaweed that grows on rocks), all blended into a base of chicken broth. It isn't seven-herbs rice porridge, but it's really quite tasty. <br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-67086061748422072702017-01-03T17:28:00.001-08:002017-01-03T18:47:36.817-08:00a chicken-y new year (2)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnatwQSn35G7YDg4etIz2SnL6qj55X334ehKRYitfQoVZ7blsgfvlDNSVqWtZLK9OXS7C6A4gH2-XXCziTYIA54HTmFtaMBOKMO9GpVA7_2XmrZcR2T7scwe5983gur48Rrlh3pvZJ2GjO/s1600/postmark+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnatwQSn35G7YDg4etIz2SnL6qj55X334ehKRYitfQoVZ7blsgfvlDNSVqWtZLK9OXS7C6A4gH2-XXCziTYIA54HTmFtaMBOKMO9GpVA7_2XmrZcR2T7scwe5983gur48Rrlh3pvZJ2GjO/s400/postmark+3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLTnZZ4OYpBbIM52VtjS2AOgj3O9qnHrYcp_Kdy3Y55iI7Rl48UThXmhPQl9MdrU03F7lW6SlygVYvY381ZL-N0jhgcsVauB5YfUL7p6VU9v05bASSENk08HJRnEJcapR8F-NELZCKMtO/s1600/postmark.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLTnZZ4OYpBbIM52VtjS2AOgj3O9qnHrYcp_Kdy3Y55iI7Rl48UThXmhPQl9MdrU03F7lW6SlygVYvY381ZL-N0jhgcsVauB5YfUL7p6VU9v05bASSENk08HJRnEJcapR8F-NELZCKMtO/s320/postmark.jpeg" width="164" /></a>Every year the Japan Postal Service offers postcards pre-printed with specially designed postage stamps and cancellation marks depicting the zodiac animal of the new year. These postcards are meant to be used for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings (<i>nengajou</i>). According to the Chinese zodiac, 2017 is the year of the rooster-- although in
Japan, we prefer to broaden the term to include all chickens. <br />
<br />
You may remember a<a href="http://etegamibydosankodebbie.blogspot.jp/2014/12/bridging-12-years-with-stamp.html"> post from two years ago</a> about this very tradition. In fact, it wasn't until that year that I began to pay attention to the design of these stamps And when I started paying attention, I began noticing some delightful things that increased my already high admiration for the Japan Postal Service.<br />
<br />
This year, my favorite of the pre-printed stamps depicts a rooster taking a selfie with his smart phone, a happy young chick hopping at his side. The cancellation mark depicts the same rooster in a pose of Zen meditation-- seated in the traditional manner, eyes closed and head slightly bowed-- while the chick plays the role of a temple priest brandishing the wooden stick that is used to remedy lapses in concentration. I was impressed with this clever combination of the new and the old in Japanese life, and I hope it amuses you too.<br />
<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-19036846326447982682017-01-03T16:26:00.001-08:002017-01-04T01:23:54.360-08:00a chicken-y new year (1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNeAAFOeg8qw2nxGsorXSguPC5X1_hFK_2MQjSZMhmXsv8mK5l-7lDmJwCLOskFpFnJJ0bdX7LVT2SeZh2EEMeyFTw8ojk0XVaTsjEBR_6vbhKYye_mvWeK84grDlw0dBQ29iPFAPX8VY/s1600/postmark+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNeAAFOeg8qw2nxGsorXSguPC5X1_hFK_2MQjSZMhmXsv8mK5l-7lDmJwCLOskFpFnJJ0bdX7LVT2SeZh2EEMeyFTw8ojk0XVaTsjEBR_6vbhKYye_mvWeK84grDlw0dBQ29iPFAPX8VY/s400/postmark+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are a few of the chicken-y etegami I made to send out in time for
New Year's Day delivery. I've written often on this blog of the Japanese
custom of sending New Year postcards (<i>nengajou</i>), so rather than
repeating myself here, please check out this post for an overview of the history and tradition of <i><a href="http://etegamibydosankodebbie.blogspot.jp/2014/01/new-years-day-in-japan.html">nengajou</a></i>.<br />
<br />
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2017 is the year of the rooster, but in Japan, we don't limit ourselves to roosters. Our New Year's cards and decorations are clucking and peeping with hens and newborn chicks too. Even chicken eggs, or birds other than chickens.<br />
<br />
The photo (below) shows just a few of the big stack of <i>nengajou</i> I found in my mailbox on New Year's morning. Some of the cards depict auspicious subjects other than the zodiac animal of the year: for example, plum blossoms, red-crowned cranes, <i>Otafuku</i> (a plump-cheeked, smiling woman said to bring luck and happiness), and --of course-- Mt. Fuji.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIaXv2wUVRUYZfe5jnuGWZxgWjsRIpf4tzYtiy6GrVwy__Bl9trROICbjUibHJEpD0JUav_Ve4HixGWJy1Z0tvLxy4Ysr5WbBwsUc_f_JI8Usd7rE6sWsBteIrqrvxDdIHNHbS7mwdMb/s1600/postmark3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIaXv2wUVRUYZfe5jnuGWZxgWjsRIpf4tzYtiy6GrVwy__Bl9trROICbjUibHJEpD0JUav_Ve4HixGWJy1Z0tvLxy4Ysr5WbBwsUc_f_JI8Usd7rE6sWsBteIrqrvxDdIHNHbS7mwdMb/s400/postmark3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most of the <i>nengajou</i> are printed on postcards with pre-printed lottery numbers on the addressed side. The post office announces the winning numbers in February. I often have at least one winning number in my pile that qualifies me for the smallest prize of collectable postage stamps.<br />
<br />
When I was a child they used to give away television sets and bicycles for the top prizes, but I never knew anyone who was that lucky. The hand-painted <i>nengajou</i> I receive from my etegami friends, which I value the most among all the cards I receive, are not painted on the pre-printed lottery cards (which are not absorbent enough for etegami). But there is a second way to participate in the lottery, and that is by affixing to your own hand-painted card a special New Year postage stamp printed with a lottery number.<br />
<br />dosankodebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04357411708254011194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3540266278914019686.post-16957478986204680842016-12-24T22:59:00.003-08:002016-12-24T22:59:49.561-08:00christmas and hanukkah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0nQNZfxkMo4eYELrwbl5E5_nS3402evci3XXVUDRQTDECSA274ZkB0JQMYVvlDNA3UTF02IX4jArGaFmeSEeuIxCdBdpumIvVjsXWMiKQ9MA-C_SHnovID5T743vtwL5TgxwZkjXw2Mh/s1600/papergc%252C441x415%252Cw%252Cffffff.2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0nQNZfxkMo4eYELrwbl5E5_nS3402evci3XXVUDRQTDECSA274ZkB0JQMYVvlDNA3UTF02IX4jArGaFmeSEeuIxCdBdpumIvVjsXWMiKQ9MA-C_SHnovID5T743vtwL5TgxwZkjXw2Mh/s320/papergc%252C441x415%252Cw%252Cffffff.2-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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