tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12634991444323670122024-03-05T17:08:50.150-08:00Esther's BlogBlurbs from the life of Portland bead artist, Esther Libermanestherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-60507316010347850082017-10-24T02:08:00.000-07:002017-10-24T02:08:24.600-07:00PersistenceBack in July, I posted a picture of my beading board, with the caption "Okay, I'm Ready."<br />
I had all my beads picked out and ready for Jean Powers' annual "Secret Bead-Along."<br />
The secret is that you don't know what you're making. She sends out new instructions every day.<br />
Yes, of course you can actually see it all if you choose to download the whole thing at once.<br />
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However, the project did not proceed as expected! I sat down to start "Day One" and discovered that I had somehow missed the memo about the Prep Work! There was homework?!? Okay, back up and do the prep work. Yikes, there was a lot of it! That took over a week, so the rest of the world was basically finished before I even got to the starting line! (Or so I thought.)</div>
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During that week I created 6 little triangles and two barrels. It doesn't sound like much, but man! It took a lot of hours!</div>
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Okay, I'm behind, but I'm just going to do it on my own timetable. </div>
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It took a few days to complete "Day One," but it looked pretty cool.</div>
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Eventually all those triangles became this fabulous asymmetrical ball thingy.<br />
I think this was Day Two.<br />
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Day Three and Day Four were spent turning the barrels into these fantastic creations. Again, each "Day" took about a week. Thoughts of Biblical discussions were inevitable....</div>
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Then came some serious doubts and experimentation. It was time to make the rope. I have to admit I had a hard time understanding the instructions. I started about ten times. I came close to giving up a few times. But finally it "clicked" in my head. However, I could not find a color combination that pleased me. And by now, the blue beads were no longer in the picture.<br />
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After a LOT of false starts, I decided there would be 3 different ropes, and the project would turn into 3 different necklaces. None of the three would be the rope designated in the instructions. But two of my favorite attempts at the rope eventually became bracelets.<br />
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I did put all the beaded beads onto one of the ropes, just for the photo. </div>
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This is how the project was intended to look. It's nice, but a bit much for my taste.</div>
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After much exploration, I came up with three different ropes that I liked. </div>
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I would call these "Day 5, Day 6, and Day 7." </div>
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Each day took at least a week, plus many more "days" for the rejects..</div>
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The first is cubic right-angle weave with size 8/o beads. </div>
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The second consists of Superduos and size 15/0 beads.</div>
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The third is also CRAW, with small size 11/0 seed beads.</div>
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Along the way I discovered that I wasn't alone; many people were still chugging along, trying to finish this project whenever they could. We encouraged each other to keep at it, and continued to admire the new completions as they were posted on Facebook. People's color combinations were wonderful, and it was interesting to see how different people modified the project. </div>
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In the end, this Bead-Along took up WAY more of my time than I expected, but it was a great learning experience, so I'm glad I persisted and finished it!</div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-79367153698455558222017-09-23T17:19:00.001-07:002017-09-30T15:09:48.752-07:00ReJewvenation 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the Thirteenth year of ReJewvenation, a Jewish women's retreat at B'nai Brith Camp near Lincoln City. I've been meaning to attend for several years, but this year I finally did it! I chose an auspicious year to attend... in addition to the usual fun activities, the women running this event chose to celebrate this year's milestone with a Bat Mitzvah theme, including the opportunity for attendees to actually become Bat Mitzvah. This was truly brilliant!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was very impressed with the whole weekend. There were so many options for people to participate in, or not do anything at all, and the attention to detail was really remarkable. Also, unlike any camp food I've ever experienced, the meals were fabulous, and the snacks were beautiful and overwhelming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday afternoon, people arrived, checked in, and found their lodging assignments. Through some much-appreciate pulling-of-strings, I was assigned to the famous LindaSingerCabin. This is where it is tolerated for people to come dragging in at 1:00 am after a long night of Mah Jongg. But also... very close to the dining hall and main activity center!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you've checked in, received goodies, and unpacked, you find your way to the Merkaz (center), where the drinks are already flowing, and there is a lot of FOOD. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjMzMdUdAxB-ZyY0QHAZmdRIhWpYhyphenhyphencqHVfLltiNTxkugjHi254wtDc58nepkCX1ryt7d6EiAlwALHk9_7j-H3B0r_-mWTncmOrADyDjlgP78AFQxPYAq_H1N9_46ZA8lhlR1eHL9fbE/s1600/ReJew2017Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjMzMdUdAxB-ZyY0QHAZmdRIhWpYhyphenhyphencqHVfLltiNTxkugjHi254wtDc58nepkCX1ryt7d6EiAlwALHk9_7j-H3B0r_-mWTncmOrADyDjlgP78AFQxPYAq_H1N9_46ZA8lhlR1eHL9fbE/s400/ReJew2017Bar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLwhuhpvUeVCDNV6_-VH89C-WxBqQdN267oyzXSvo7hnQP4M1hEX5DCpiGHDWxLyBnc7O6HXeocSJcIjGJrS43sXqgZbl9P9jGSJv4VKkmDXCwEXYk2GPivRvTeW7nGRY6lSW2JNzps/s1600/ReJew2017Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBLwhuhpvUeVCDNV6_-VH89C-WxBqQdN267oyzXSvo7hnQP4M1hEX5DCpiGHDWxLyBnc7O6HXeocSJcIjGJrS43sXqgZbl9P9jGSJv4VKkmDXCwEXYk2GPivRvTeW7nGRY6lSW2JNzps/s320/ReJew2017Cheese.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The happiness in the air is palpable. ReJewv veterans are happily greeting old friends, while newbies are relieved to find each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In one area, women are learning to tie Tzitzit for Tallit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM2mrk76ntFyvybP26ArnG9pZLn5n_ZYURt5So7SrcGgPzmbVIq7PoJOT-yaxxn1MgPReDFP4OkEvUDQ7a_-_k2gACkxuJ15y_w6bRakGyl8Jns47jhjkuXDP5-4Fux0Clf2ZQ5dEhN0/s1600/ReJew2017TallitMakers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM2mrk76ntFyvybP26ArnG9pZLn5n_ZYURt5So7SrcGgPzmbVIq7PoJOT-yaxxn1MgPReDFP4OkEvUDQ7a_-_k2gACkxuJ15y_w6bRakGyl8Jns47jhjkuXDP5-4Fux0Clf2ZQ5dEhN0/s400/ReJew2017TallitMakers2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV5TcCKHDqF3rsqAc0szX2N9ipJs1C0TAXWQUtJCuXe2GCqzQs-WjyXp1i8BcAgXHA10M3COuBwuohVbFop8qz6s4d4UkGXexH1lkuLVtSdkxjjwh21X36xadM33_EcO6WUsfTQkrxGc/s1600/ReJew2017TallitMakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWV5TcCKHDqF3rsqAc0szX2N9ipJs1C0TAXWQUtJCuXe2GCqzQs-WjyXp1i8BcAgXHA10M3COuBwuohVbFop8qz6s4d4UkGXexH1lkuLVtSdkxjjwh21X36xadM33_EcO6WUsfTQkrxGc/s400/ReJew2017TallitMakers.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoaN-s5yRhzJSRHe5ep63hbk-Z2X0-qiS2AOY_tY6wfOsQaMO0N6YtTbFqWIFw0Qk1x9DMKO2-itbHtMr5ybt1t2csE_7Zy4PEi-kbxKMnwVH5PFFwYDsGfDJ8-X1v_yfnFF0uFCqBsQ/s1600/ReJew2017TallitHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoaN-s5yRhzJSRHe5ep63hbk-Z2X0-qiS2AOY_tY6wfOsQaMO0N6YtTbFqWIFw0Qk1x9DMKO2-itbHtMr5ybt1t2csE_7Zy4PEi-kbxKMnwVH5PFFwYDsGfDJ8-X1v_yfnFF0uFCqBsQ/s320/ReJew2017TallitHands.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a lot of pink decor, representing the very strong support for the fight against cancer, and also... there is chocolate everywhere!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9hvPi4EHyBCipq1BrMVBxY85pkkbw5q32Eu1FGBwr_Lf4U8urCX8RDZTXq5R6s6pC9KIgJI_WC4X81e201w0CEFvry06SLTjCwUmfiNRG11sA8Bjvy5tRFE3h7JccPMVTEl05MK54Ik/s1600/ReJew2017FlowerLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9hvPi4EHyBCipq1BrMVBxY85pkkbw5q32Eu1FGBwr_Lf4U8urCX8RDZTXq5R6s6pC9KIgJI_WC4X81e201w0CEFvry06SLTjCwUmfiNRG11sA8Bjvy5tRFE3h7JccPMVTEl05MK54Ik/s320/ReJew2017FlowerLogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKAYJ4BoZ8VKGAhfTNXSB45x70cSK1NoeS_JbAa-rfycnMrwvRW9DwzCzm7OGBJ9_QSM5GPjVX4zC4Hg6sSW9CUnZ7Jy6lM825qY7Uf_Ly3Y1Nj3QVaCMP88bdw2QWHqPx_4lXssTc3I/s1600/ReJew2017Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKAYJ4BoZ8VKGAhfTNXSB45x70cSK1NoeS_JbAa-rfycnMrwvRW9DwzCzm7OGBJ9_QSM5GPjVX4zC4Hg6sSW9CUnZ7Jy6lM825qY7Uf_Ly3Y1Nj3QVaCMP88bdw2QWHqPx_4lXssTc3I/s320/ReJew2017Roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOcC77Do09szPqHeuuNdBtwHZXgSJGdA6NPWfAZC2lkyFSmxPkb5WIGhn1qPjyi0ZXdXr3d0Sbu8qIdvUgiko4l9XfftCtY4iaPNx7zwxykj0m1KMK_te4F2wVWuoQ7hBwR2XD2pn0oQ/s1600/ReJew2017Chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOcC77Do09szPqHeuuNdBtwHZXgSJGdA6NPWfAZC2lkyFSmxPkb5WIGhn1qPjyi0ZXdXr3d0Sbu8qIdvUgiko4l9XfftCtY4iaPNx7zwxykj0m1KMK_te4F2wVWuoQ7hBwR2XD2pn0oQ/s320/ReJew2017Chocolate.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">At some point, there is a "Shabbat Walk" outside, wherein 80 women snake around a semicircle, greeting every single other person with hugs and Shabbat Shalom wishes. (This includes a fair number of non-Jewish attendees, who enjoy the moment as much as everyone else.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">From there, we all enter the dining hall for Shabbat dinner. This was my first real surprise. A buffet dinner that wouldn't be out-of-place at a restaurant, with a lovely salad bar and plenty of options for all special diets. And kosher! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89oIJy3P-buiM-j1EzeQoYoSt5Cd1C53etlBJ95ZcgHZUoMy9pKLUI8OBlPjgpV50NRM_wYyxVOU5rDvxtUHzlhO52P5S9nDWJL4qwOHTozShsUxdEsaMNpCBt2Y8TJA38Pim6p3EjwI/s1600/ReJew2017Challah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89oIJy3P-buiM-j1EzeQoYoSt5Cd1C53etlBJ95ZcgHZUoMy9pKLUI8OBlPjgpV50NRM_wYyxVOU5rDvxtUHzlhO52P5S9nDWJL4qwOHTozShsUxdEsaMNpCBt2Y8TJA38Pim6p3EjwI/s320/ReJew2017Challah.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K8lqpNFaqoQ4OOoop0qH6uie8GQsFUqjsF9fCOwhhNQ3L6BW3WLluxT12XHBvizDs-etHbIM5bfU5rrfr8dNodZEOclu14JkFbjUiOBh8AAtlDFG1cKsDZxDxtW4OTMf7MBoAI5tz94/s1600/ReJew2017Welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K8lqpNFaqoQ4OOoop0qH6uie8GQsFUqjsF9fCOwhhNQ3L6BW3WLluxT12XHBvizDs-etHbIM5bfU5rrfr8dNodZEOclu14JkFbjUiOBh8AAtlDFG1cKsDZxDxtW4OTMf7MBoAI5tz94/s1600/ReJew2017Welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K8lqpNFaqoQ4OOoop0qH6uie8GQsFUqjsF9fCOwhhNQ3L6BW3WLluxT12XHBvizDs-etHbIM5bfU5rrfr8dNodZEOclu14JkFbjUiOBh8AAtlDFG1cKsDZxDxtW4OTMf7MBoAI5tz94/s320/ReJew2017Welcome.jpg" width="249" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout dinner, people were winning prizes for.... umm.... I think just for fun. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">People also perused a large silent auction and raffle prizes that would end Saturday night. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl7wbjhItwI2F3C8zEsXhKvYbb1OEvdsNKyhezdDIJxAfmL52_iPT_4TekxxZuEaS_zOB5eT5uRHA137VT_e2WvsQv8lpAH5BsGV0W0tuyOpKtrrw2AjjW-dhkaKNpK8tMQZCtlAXhOc/s1600/ReJew2017LiceRoLinda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl7wbjhItwI2F3C8zEsXhKvYbb1OEvdsNKyhezdDIJxAfmL52_iPT_4TekxxZuEaS_zOB5eT5uRHA137VT_e2WvsQv8lpAH5BsGV0W0tuyOpKtrrw2AjjW-dhkaKNpK8tMQZCtlAXhOc/s400/ReJew2017LiceRoLinda.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After dinner, we enjoyed playing Mah Jongg in the new </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mah Jongg room. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HACbtZUBsfhn5dDnb-fkdW2LLurD_yavLFSnH-lmaYt8jbz4ducVD_uKP1VhhaP8i3gYNWJzzmKl6X25r1sOXpyXAT3EbApw0KIToG7F8z7yBeMhFPF1xaBj-OfmbbaxxxFs2D1Wk1k/s1600/ReJew2017mjRm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="811" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HACbtZUBsfhn5dDnb-fkdW2LLurD_yavLFSnH-lmaYt8jbz4ducVD_uKP1VhhaP8i3gYNWJzzmKl6X25r1sOXpyXAT3EbApw0KIToG7F8z7yBeMhFPF1xaBj-OfmbbaxxxFs2D1Wk1k/s640/ReJew2017mjRm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJbGqOEJE2RSRz7rUHk_kZDkqs9M1GINCPheRQLJkFbA_l8YRVO1209p0bBhErdfFt7exCGwm8f_rCpNMtfDdUkYs7wRcm9EfaFxqXfBdUvpuhzcHc54LYjPRkNy2zY_mdBAVGmCSQEY/s1600/ReJew2017AmyMilbertMJset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJbGqOEJE2RSRz7rUHk_kZDkqs9M1GINCPheRQLJkFbA_l8YRVO1209p0bBhErdfFt7exCGwm8f_rCpNMtfDdUkYs7wRcm9EfaFxqXfBdUvpuhzcHc54LYjPRkNy2zY_mdBAVGmCSQEY/s320/ReJew2017AmyMilbertMJset.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJbGqOEJE2RSRz7rUHk_kZDkqs9M1GINCPheRQLJkFbA_l8YRVO1209p0bBhErdfFt7exCGwm8f_rCpNMtfDdUkYs7wRcm9EfaFxqXfBdUvpuhzcHc54LYjPRkNy2zY_mdBAVGmCSQEY/s1600/ReJew2017AmyMilbertMJset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8E4OHxcnGVj5bugMS1n3fnTgabYg4FTwUBvmXAdIRDdRNv2DAX7kC78BMvGROHP0GlqEvTZ5cdcAmzj3EKSKTGUgLHXli70-bzrNWiuF9pLr7P1Fuaz6Ok3UxHUm2YFH6khSo8YMz4o/s1600/ReJew2017ELorangetiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1160" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8E4OHxcnGVj5bugMS1n3fnTgabYg4FTwUBvmXAdIRDdRNv2DAX7kC78BMvGROHP0GlqEvTZ5cdcAmzj3EKSKTGUgLHXli70-bzrNWiuF9pLr7P1Fuaz6Ok3UxHUm2YFH6khSo8YMz4o/s320/ReJew2017ELorangetiles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now realize there were many other things going on in other areas, but we were just fine where we were! We didn't actually play too late, because everyone was determined to wake up in time for Shabbat morning services on Saturday. Does that sound strange? You bet it does!! But the reason was that several of our friends were becoming Bat Mitzvah during that service. NO WAY we were missing that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(In the cabin, people snored a lot. It seems we all decided not to bring our C-Pap machines.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday morning arrived, we grabbed a bite to eat and high-tailed it over to the outdoor chapel. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Friends, this event was even more touching than I knew it would be. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIrcJ6v0GVIblAjurjv2REekV46JEtaETZIFUJE062L3PosfOCwE9BJ9b7_yINXQhBvaAqutjKCE1cpWYeNnqbAHfisTRjoe2AYHrwLxzECZWFX83SK9pVnnaf_ZE8JAY9ba7v5ypvZo/s1600/ReJew2017BBchapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIrcJ6v0GVIblAjurjv2REekV46JEtaETZIFUJE062L3PosfOCwE9BJ9b7_yINXQhBvaAqutjKCE1cpWYeNnqbAHfisTRjoe2AYHrwLxzECZWFX83SK9pVnnaf_ZE8JAY9ba7v5ypvZo/s400/ReJew2017BBchapel.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dorice Horenstein led the service. She's knowledgable, and kept it short and sweet, but still had a lovely commentary on the Torah portion, and a sweet personal blessing for each pair of women who came up to the Torah to become Bat Mitzvah. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4U1FPv4hgCoqpnG4e6GeLLjhsKWFwMu5hCvRXSTd-FvFQYxw8YxKeFcBZ5kmOOO7ThT7w0rRS74GTMVW5sUFLRmvk4SmdB_M9owZ83tienMxV_JAw3GB9Mz6gkYD0iICg4Ge6dByolc/s1600/ReJew2017BatMitzvahTallit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4U1FPv4hgCoqpnG4e6GeLLjhsKWFwMu5hCvRXSTd-FvFQYxw8YxKeFcBZ5kmOOO7ThT7w0rRS74GTMVW5sUFLRmvk4SmdB_M9owZ83tienMxV_JAw3GB9Mz6gkYD0iICg4Ge6dByolc/s400/ReJew2017BatMitzvahTallit2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">She talked about her Tallit, and encouraged the worshippers to share some of the Tallitot that we made yesterday. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKbhrQWtLy1PVaT7W4e-kHKdOmt_YIr5oWBJAzNtLw053YsoV6Zx_WhyphenhyphenXNq-mlV4JGvPK9kXMVh-QwdcYCC0JMgdZeFnj288OqK-yxSOl_UhVptUteNj22WED9PXBXQhJxYqJcXQdKWU/s1600/ReJew2017BatMitzvahTallit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKbhrQWtLy1PVaT7W4e-kHKdOmt_YIr5oWBJAzNtLw053YsoV6Zx_WhyphenhyphenXNq-mlV4JGvPK9kXMVh-QwdcYCC0JMgdZeFnj288OqK-yxSOl_UhVptUteNj22WED9PXBXQhJxYqJcXQdKWU/s320/ReJew2017BatMitzvahTallit1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My friends Julia, Dana, Ingrid, Amy, and Elisa became Bat Mitzvah, as well as my new friend Barbara. Another woman read from the actual Torah scroll for her first time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbMV7Vvy5smdsLzF9M6GfWG3OkYqSa7abIutr0VgfxLv8SV8bfPAe7PwkRcizJkp2B7ubcHDK26PmiyYefEIUzChq-duQYGcag950ZlRilCHWZplJo2wLhfMo6rEqUbYgDNmiEBdbaD4/s1600/ReJew2017BatMitzvahDanaJulia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbMV7Vvy5smdsLzF9M6GfWG3OkYqSa7abIutr0VgfxLv8SV8bfPAe7PwkRcizJkp2B7ubcHDK26PmiyYefEIUzChq-duQYGcag950ZlRilCHWZplJo2wLhfMo6rEqUbYgDNmiEBdbaD4/s400/ReJew2017BatMitzvahDanaJulia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This all gives me goosebumps. It's something I will remember for a long time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">After services, it was time for my first Chug (elective). I believe there were a lot of other things, like Yoga and kayaking, that were going on during the morning hours, and Chug groups had already happened, but you can't be everywhere at once! So for me, this was the first one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEzT4he9OFNAy2jZ-H5qb-BC_ckWAeIT51f014g22U2FgEHjqwQMJQLYJzBY31OMM2LoGudPh65D8upwLEbvLmomsDHBTOemZUkPLXF12tiU1_tLwgXCR9GWhOErvpNGevJA0TElVn2U/s1600/ReJew2017BeadClass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEzT4he9OFNAy2jZ-H5qb-BC_ckWAeIT51f014g22U2FgEHjqwQMJQLYJzBY31OMM2LoGudPh65D8upwLEbvLmomsDHBTOemZUkPLXF12tiU1_tLwgXCR9GWhOErvpNGevJA0TElVn2U/s400/ReJew2017BeadClass1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I was asked to teach beadwork. But each Chug is only one hour long, so teaching was not really an option. I chose a beading 'activity' instead... making earrings. I brought a lot of beads, and a bunch of earring supplies, and tried to figure out how to make this work. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf00RFkI6vEzj8anz4kfdqSzXHoikBUZl0hePwPxG-dvuNlvebBNOi4z3WxNxqF092iS9TSvyElJ4A-APFaIye-Rw8QTs2iAcxnhoaFq7IKjsHR-S_jR48Uj8qtujPOQf0_hs8r0XkLLY/s1600/ReJew2017BeadClass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf00RFkI6vEzj8anz4kfdqSzXHoikBUZl0hePwPxG-dvuNlvebBNOi4z3WxNxqF092iS9TSvyElJ4A-APFaIye-Rw8QTs2iAcxnhoaFq7IKjsHR-S_jR48Uj8qtujPOQf0_hs8r0XkLLY/s400/ReJew2017BeadClass2.jpg" width="355" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Quite a lot of people showed up for my class, so it was structured bedlam! But people always have a fun time with beads, so it was all good. I had them design their earrings, post the beads onto the metal pins, and leave them with me to complete. I had a second chug later in the day, so this ended up taking most of my day.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't get to participate in any other chug, which was frustrating, but I must say it was gratifying that all the women were so effusive in their gratitude to me. Also, they made some really cool earrings!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my first time trying to do a one-hour beading activity, and I learned a lot from it. Next year, we'll do it differently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The weather, by the way, was perfect on Friday and Saturday. People even played </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mah Jongg by the pool!! Sorry I missed that, but I had my representatives there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I missed most of the "Happy Hour" before dinner, but arrived in time for a few quick photos and a drink. Saturday night there is always a theme party and everyone dresses up for the theme. This year everyone was asked to wear what you would have worn to a Bat Mitzvah in the year you were 13. Some people actually still had their Bat Mitzvah dress, or wore the dress their mom wore to their Bat Mitzvah... I found it fascinating. Some people just dressed for the appropriate era. Lynn and I decided that mini-skirts and go-go boots weren't gonna happen, so we just went with generic dresses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner was a revelation: the whole thing was set up like a Bat Mitzvah banquet! It was gorgeous, and the food was banquet-quality. I was stunned. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdRfc02CdIQzihyphenhyphenBOaL69Z7jnJD-iIkqmwYgxUrmOqW-dhbPGmwpi_bTGTPpnRMGrcYkBCzFZDmuuL077WCMTBc_3aEc9LZ_LtOg7xqM0EP9n1YWRIxH-utx62SnWa-l6S6FnF6TEx1g/s1600/ReJew2017Banquet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdRfc02CdIQzihyphenhyphenBOaL69Z7jnJD-iIkqmwYgxUrmOqW-dhbPGmwpi_bTGTPpnRMGrcYkBCzFZDmuuL077WCMTBc_3aEc9LZ_LtOg7xqM0EP9n1YWRIxH-utx62SnWa-l6S6FnF6TEx1g/s320/ReJew2017Banquet2.jpg" width="252" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdRfc02CdIQzihyphenhyphenBOaL69Z7jnJD-iIkqmwYgxUrmOqW-dhbPGmwpi_bTGTPpnRMGrcYkBCzFZDmuuL077WCMTBc_3aEc9LZ_LtOg7xqM0EP9n1YWRIxH-utx62SnWa-l6S6FnF6TEx1g/s1600/ReJew2017Banquet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Also, people brought home-made cookies, for a most amazing dessert table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9w_pgbB4Zz89D2oiu7GEG2T3qo7aKCz-Xsk00ENkQuGCQpmFoFMxHS3zpRAhrhyphenhyphen5EYW5FhfX0A4YfZZLhDu7-fYxBrxtCw5eotEYmKY6d7XmrEiZgK9rKslvFpqt0wQEEztGnvFuz2c/s1600/ReJew2017cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9w_pgbB4Zz89D2oiu7GEG2T3qo7aKCz-Xsk00ENkQuGCQpmFoFMxHS3zpRAhrhyphenhyphen5EYW5FhfX0A4YfZZLhDu7-fYxBrxtCw5eotEYmKY6d7XmrEiZgK9rKslvFpqt0wQEEztGnvFuz2c/s400/ReJew2017cookies.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then there was music from all different time periods... it was amazing. There was a moving pitch for contributions, Havdalah, t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he auction was completed, and the raffle grand-prize awarded.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> After-dinner dancing & fun festivities followed, but again some of us retreated to the Mah Jongg room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38F9kFZkjS880BjgEFvYN4mzCBBBb_nJ1mJo9cP8nWrB6qnb6VEyi9Rf7iIaxorBWFRFzex5c0Jz0Ju_5Q-X4g99M3Vpo1WlutlaDzL4OQsdcZnqRz_79lgbUgBpL2A_6Jx_-3lo5B1Q/s1600/ReJew2017PhotoBoothRoLevi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38F9kFZkjS880BjgEFvYN4mzCBBBb_nJ1mJo9cP8nWrB6qnb6VEyi9Rf7iIaxorBWFRFzex5c0Jz0Ju_5Q-X4g99M3Vpo1WlutlaDzL4OQsdcZnqRz_79lgbUgBpL2A_6Jx_-3lo5B1Q/s400/ReJew2017PhotoBoothRoLevi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWkPoXNgAMv1t5eikbXhRfRWrJjItpM1cQCi_bzfV0USzNIm1O7ADcnksy82K8QVYoMAEgPtqAR9mbgExgqyw8Q5bHXzsqgHwFXowYv00N13dwXgoviYnAbnePVX1_dIsOEMMXClK5U0/s1600/wtwbSeptHandELb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWkPoXNgAMv1t5eikbXhRfRWrJjItpM1cQCi_bzfV0USzNIm1O7ADcnksy82K8QVYoMAEgPtqAR9mbgExgqyw8Q5bHXzsqgHwFXowYv00N13dwXgoviYnAbnePVX1_dIsOEMMXClK5U0/s320/wtwbSeptHandELb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IPB_1mIxbVxmzsiWVeFwPRlnKqnvDU7g53RAyy2dl1urYj5lQGlL0j118ww3xicdNLYT68-3YrPtki3BJG37gp1BQ0yXy7_UO8wp_LiRlDoio-rR4D9hbR0WUgNUgflc5PYV7d8y56A/s1600/ReJewRaceForCure.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="534" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IPB_1mIxbVxmzsiWVeFwPRlnKqnvDU7g53RAyy2dl1urYj5lQGlL0j118ww3xicdNLYT68-3YrPtki3BJG37gp1BQ0yXy7_UO8wp_LiRlDoio-rR4D9hbR0WUgNUgflc5PYV7d8y56A/s400/ReJewRaceForCure.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxYib52ikZIam8lsacDRlK4yX-jXIgA7Xry4cCEokgZb0Duz0ZqhgjrD0vJJFINlWrUKQfhDu3JUgAGEE9PBlMeDGhSaXlep2HbcYHhj1H46XTdfVX78WuNf9Rz4Xxk9uKE26zHyh8Ow/s1600/ReJew2017Walk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxYib52ikZIam8lsacDRlK4yX-jXIgA7Xry4cCEokgZb0Duz0ZqhgjrD0vJJFINlWrUKQfhDu3JUgAGEE9PBlMeDGhSaXlep2HbcYHhj1H46XTdfVX78WuNf9Rz4Xxk9uKE26zHyh8Ow/s400/ReJew2017Walk2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">T</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">here was one more Chug period, one last chance for yoga, acupuncture, personal massages, henna, and more. A fantastic breakfast, a friendship circle, and a little more Mah Jongg. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTEQwmUygh1DMWhJGtbfr0D7yHExIbUfm0HwP9rpvidoYrfy7oeYRGzY34DlA9yibvfk-v5L71ge82Zv0VWBNgfwlTPHFjyoNMdO0b90ZGcwFJSGux7OHiukY7rhkZj3Q9sbXWF7yS4o/s1600/ReJew2017Henna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTEQwmUygh1DMWhJGtbfr0D7yHExIbUfm0HwP9rpvidoYrfy7oeYRGzY34DlA9yibvfk-v5L71ge82Zv0VWBNgfwlTPHFjyoNMdO0b90ZGcwFJSGux7OHiukY7rhkZj3Q9sbXWF7yS4o/s320/ReJew2017Henna.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-KbhotTxVcZi06XJEr-ZrBfsWMKjLvQ32BqUScjAlBeG7DrUiS4Hb8GRhUHX1624KrkyIuq1js4pXuuYze8U0QyNALUCb-DVc_XRIjdIiNKH6ai2iP9_p4xv-0euMOxLABMo9xO8GFI/s1600/ReJew2017yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-KbhotTxVcZi06XJEr-ZrBfsWMKjLvQ32BqUScjAlBeG7DrUiS4Hb8GRhUHX1624KrkyIuq1js4pXuuYze8U0QyNALUCb-DVc_XRIjdIiNKH6ai2iP9_p4xv-0euMOxLABMo9xO8GFI/s320/ReJew2017yoga.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amid pouring rain, we all gradually packed up our cars, grabbed boxed lunches, and reluctantly made our way out of the camp, marking the dates in our calendars for ReJewvenation 2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">A weekend retreat serves many different needs for various people. Some of us go away to relax, some for the fellowship and fun activities. For some, it's the only time of the year they will touch a paintbrush or a kayak. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid35BwgT4HtqvmjIkbpfI7T9ub0ZATo84k_X39flnFcXqEw1reVtCJ7YGU-HDp4RccCpW8kpESyc0-64VejvdJx4rlGA4MENqCkx2ricBUpJXKaR0rx5LzUyg15w4Shv_voraX6FTdoqo/s1600/ReJew2017Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid35BwgT4HtqvmjIkbpfI7T9ub0ZATo84k_X39flnFcXqEw1reVtCJ7YGU-HDp4RccCpW8kpESyc0-64VejvdJx4rlGA4MENqCkx2ricBUpJXKaR0rx5LzUyg15w4Shv_voraX6FTdoqo/s400/ReJew2017Painting.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKHj9TWvH9mNd004jxzXq_eoma2pPmNIbk0-fE6Y-85corySWIts8gtDuP5rLaaEB9OJ6BdG3NVxKLuTiv2gSaGtXIg69fBkAmEoBlemk5_Jt7BwsxeOTkZer8ozWLJC0vZCPF_m7Qbc/s1600/ReJew2017kayak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKHj9TWvH9mNd004jxzXq_eoma2pPmNIbk0-fE6Y-85corySWIts8gtDuP5rLaaEB9OJ6BdG3NVxKLuTiv2gSaGtXIg69fBkAmEoBlemk5_Jt7BwsxeOTkZer8ozWLJC0vZCPF_m7Qbc/s400/ReJew2017kayak1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheooWJk6yMJtwzuqftRL5T11enh9OK0tO7rQutdzyThwXTrgL3N5isnGeQXwR0CMhnplWkIutbkgD6y8vuRVWeQg1x_W1rHBsDe7rn5Hyu0rj3vyLygh4x1CnVIOBT-4vkUwqSQs1URoY/s1600/ReJew2017kayak2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheooWJk6yMJtwzuqftRL5T11enh9OK0tO7rQutdzyThwXTrgL3N5isnGeQXwR0CMhnplWkIutbkgD6y8vuRVWeQg1x_W1rHBsDe7rn5Hyu0rj3vyLygh4x1CnVIOBT-4vkUwqSQs1URoY/s400/ReJew2017kayak2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The younger women in particular, seemed so very happy to have a few days to themselves, without having to feed or dress or bathe anyone. It's truly rejuvenating for everyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">It was difficult for me to squeeze in this weekend, between Micah's wedding, my new classes, and the upcoming holidays, but I'm really glad I did! Next year it will be a priority.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8NjUcxCsbbkY29fG8ODTix2bToswrgghmJnhjtfYI2Ki85OZgpgoRh01gr6ispr1SNf7f8BGwUBgzGlAfadPk36gadvmnOTl_Vhwcb4W11U5YbNWGD3_WJJFTBJR_I9tI8klSfw4-1g/s1600/ReJewv2018SaveDate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="511" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8NjUcxCsbbkY29fG8ODTix2bToswrgghmJnhjtfYI2Ki85OZgpgoRh01gr6ispr1SNf7f8BGwUBgzGlAfadPk36gadvmnOTl_Vhwcb4W11U5YbNWGD3_WJJFTBJR_I9tI8klSfw4-1g/s320/ReJewv2018SaveDate.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-71344619299934829132017-07-30T19:39:00.000-07:002017-07-30T19:40:48.388-07:00Gentlemen, and Ladies, Start Your Needles!<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, I'm ready.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zBK6TR6drCuVb0hlM6_TBtP2j1hFrhS8lreCFbG06iE3-zW_tBLpagUHJlr2TPNXyfrk7VYOQ-N2sbwEAVaFmTStQ5ubBpWtQZ7mbMlZZevOfuqtmSI5qsabUUa3X_o2wXeFRnDlvec/s1600/Beadalong2017Prep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1457" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zBK6TR6drCuVb0hlM6_TBtP2j1hFrhS8lreCFbG06iE3-zW_tBLpagUHJlr2TPNXyfrk7VYOQ-N2sbwEAVaFmTStQ5ubBpWtQZ7mbMlZZevOfuqtmSI5qsabUUa3X_o2wXeFRnDlvec/s400/Beadalong2017Prep.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jean Powers' Secret Beadalong started yesterday, but I've been busy getting ready for today's bridal shower, so I haven't actually started yet. However, I have my beads ready, and I've printed out the first two days of instructions, so I'll get started tonight. Stay tuned....<br />
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P.S. If you would like to join in, I think you can still subscribe. Follow this link:<br />
<a href="http://www.jeanpower.com/details/summer-2017-secret-beadalong/?mc_cid=8d2d4be5ce&mc_eid=442d361321">http://www.jeanpower.com/details/summer-2017-secret-beadalong/?mc_cid=8d2d4be5ce&mc_eid=442d361321</a><br />
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P.P.S. I know what you're going to ask: is it really a secret? Well, the main secret is that you don't know what the finished product will be. You simply follow each day's instructions. Also, people are asked not to share their progress online if they are a day or two ahead. (No risk of that here!)<br />
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P.P.S. This year's beadalong project requires familiarity with Right-Angle-Weave and Peyote stitch.<br />
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-45324051922577345892017-06-19T20:00:00.000-07:002017-06-25T16:43:05.529-07:00A Class with ClassI finished! This is possibly the fastest I've every finished a project after a beading class. This is from the workshop last month with instructor Kinga Nichols, hosted by the Portland Bead Society.<br />
It's a bead-embroidered bracelet called "Cathedral Windows, Broken." I love it!<br />
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The main reason I took the class was to work with Kinga. I've known her online for a number of years, and it was great to finally meet her in person!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkdkGsqBySEgrx5JNB8B1wYc1CwbOue7lfijuPO87f66-7LXxKZDW8q-D4vDKoV9enTo2RTENuQfiuCaRczR77faVIxcwjzY1TZTiVm5CooI6Xem5nQvEoEPWBZvjpwpvpVPtuvOcSNg/s1600/CathedralBrac4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkdkGsqBySEgrx5JNB8B1wYc1CwbOue7lfijuPO87f66-7LXxKZDW8q-D4vDKoV9enTo2RTENuQfiuCaRczR77faVIxcwjzY1TZTiVm5CooI6Xem5nQvEoEPWBZvjpwpvpVPtuvOcSNg/s320/CathedralBrac4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kinga is a fun person, and a wonderful teacher. Everyone enjoyed the class.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKz8qSS5ZDHPxpXWzROYJoqOeA7aXTLtw_SLD0nSfBdUSb2Xx9aa2RnxOQSXs7s1KLxuQKNdAOdF9ZaEBcEnB4B8sGcyf6bYS6kNxj1slbkliGXwROeUX4jkr5nY9GL_zVBsaG5Vl3jA/s1600/CathedralBrac1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="960" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKz8qSS5ZDHPxpXWzROYJoqOeA7aXTLtw_SLD0nSfBdUSb2Xx9aa2RnxOQSXs7s1KLxuQKNdAOdF9ZaEBcEnB4B8sGcyf6bYS6kNxj1slbkliGXwROeUX4jkr5nY9GL_zVBsaG5Vl3jA/s400/CathedralBrac1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will confess that I didn't expect to actually learn anything new in this class. </div>
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However, I was happy to be wrong about that! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oLw_P_-kQbxsr9eA7Ut68GqyqaM9q6yC9ZWwkxHzBziAcdj7JyEWSzaRlaDfiJkyTIuTz1b2z7cnipOEnaVc1vTRT1sXbBYnzdBTfsKBSN79pklsa3uTSt3FAtiqm-KGw3AApsFg3TA/s1600/CathedralBrac2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oLw_P_-kQbxsr9eA7Ut68GqyqaM9q6yC9ZWwkxHzBziAcdj7JyEWSzaRlaDfiJkyTIuTz1b2z7cnipOEnaVc1vTRT1sXbBYnzdBTfsKBSN79pklsa3uTSt3FAtiqm-KGw3AApsFg3TA/s400/CathedralBrac2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The class was time well-spent, and now I have this super cool nouveau-funk bracelet to wear!! </div>
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Thank you to PBS for making this class happen!</div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-37454136196901478762017-06-16T15:08:00.000-07:002017-06-18T15:10:23.088-07:00What is a Father?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY9YsSDx0PL305sDbiafj9MInra26tTz5xoDlsJGu_XztdpECLuUx1hfu-1ub4i5_3DidI8W4unH1OhxlqrrJJDz1eqBsKJy_3A76ch4qtnG209MCF5JNZNa19pUIqYHJbdnbbFHYTZw/s1600/DogDaddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="867" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY9YsSDx0PL305sDbiafj9MInra26tTz5xoDlsJGu_XztdpECLuUx1hfu-1ub4i5_3DidI8W4unH1OhxlqrrJJDz1eqBsKJy_3A76ch4qtnG209MCF5JNZNa19pUIqYHJbdnbbFHYTZw/s400/DogDaddy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">As Fathers' Day approaches, some are uncomfortable because they had no father, or didn't have a loving relationship with one. But there is still much to be said about fathering. On this day we honor WHOMEVER nurtured us, even if it was our mom, and we explore our own desire to nurture and care for others. Or maybe we've had to nurture ourselves... we can celebrate that strength! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #073763; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">We step outside the box, and find a way to appreciate all those who love, feed, protect, foster, rescue, teach, enhance, or encourage other living beings -- human or animal. On this day we celebrate the highest human virtue: LOVE.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">.</span></span>estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-31540422977285344342017-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:002017-06-25T16:51:04.935-07:00In the Early Morning RainI am not a morning person.<br />
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But for the right motivation, I will get up early, have Gershon drop me off downtown, and stand in the rain to watch dragon boats racing.<br />
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Lexi has been getting really into this sport, and I have wanted to go see it, but circumstances keep conspiring against me. But today I was going to do it, no matter what. And it was well worth my while.<br />
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We figured out a plan for me to attend the race and still get to a Bar Mitzvah later in the morning. Well, SOME of the plan worked out....<br />
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Since I've never seen any part of this sport before, it was all new and fascinating to me. My first job was to find Lexi's team, the Valkyries. Many teams have official-looking names printed on their tents... many with Viking elements, or river-puns. The Valkyries sign wasn't up yet, so I wandered around a little. Eventually I found them, and THEN they put up their sign.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOjSxSKRTdDh8yNINKOAaRrGJ7gfYRN7vxaF7-wrUbz4sSVHLrapw7vhuZDuB1V9b9NRQAR1BORFbved3KbPCDxd0C5o9fb0vfxfmpseXj0INbMSVj4LGZ19P3XTzsRbO8_yLf0LNIEc/s1600/ValkyriesSign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOjSxSKRTdDh8yNINKOAaRrGJ7gfYRN7vxaF7-wrUbz4sSVHLrapw7vhuZDuB1V9b9NRQAR1BORFbved3KbPCDxd0C5o9fb0vfxfmpseXj0INbMSVj4LGZ19P3XTzsRbO8_yLf0LNIEc/s400/ValkyriesSign.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In Portland, most teams are all-women, with a few mixed teams sprinkled in. I have no idea why; I'm sure somebody knows. But the result is an amazing female-dominated sport. I watched hundreds of incredibly powerful athletes prepare for their races... by putting on makeup (war-paint) and special jewelry, and braiding each other's hair! Lexi wasn't thrilled when I said it was "cute." That was the wrong word, but it was truly very touching. Women give each other moral support in a special way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB67gsTP8etZD2tBJnQ9xcv9WLcXP3FpQ0jRJcjkxdHwzaIxet0pPas6VkU9G21TmjSm11Yme7wLGDBrIleFERvLOBy9axsktn90J604Kx0w5ViWNxZa3PxptxnDmOdwv2nbASc_6OFds/s1600/ValkyriesLexi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB67gsTP8etZD2tBJnQ9xcv9WLcXP3FpQ0jRJcjkxdHwzaIxet0pPas6VkU9G21TmjSm11Yme7wLGDBrIleFERvLOBy9axsktn90J604Kx0w5ViWNxZa3PxptxnDmOdwv2nbASc_6OFds/s320/ValkyriesLexi.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMDNspjOL225MAtptvnf1ylSM1lThuH5LBi1tvFZqQoaQ_vudpcaPkWB_lqEANRn0h46l9Nf_6AAaXlg7Mawz6fK5S-VUPMGfqmRHfPY_GbA8O3aOAbkn_i3q1nGtoU3aduPmCURQz9Y/s1600/ValkyriesBraid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMDNspjOL225MAtptvnf1ylSM1lThuH5LBi1tvFZqQoaQ_vudpcaPkWB_lqEANRn0h46l9Nf_6AAaXlg7Mawz6fK5S-VUPMGfqmRHfPY_GbA8O3aOAbkn_i3q1nGtoU3aduPmCURQz9Y/s400/ValkyriesBraid.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6Lx71eVAd6yt-Ikb1QXZ0DH4U-Zi1AOeAKo4MU_y8d5FVkdWuMC6sE8A1R0HF-8T6c78r-3JM96_Dlvr_Ou9lVfk6vv3QM1KwPqhBQOswKy4T_STf5WM5ZgasZ3fUqulG2G7ORRe5y0/s1600/ValkyriesWaiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6Lx71eVAd6yt-Ikb1QXZ0DH4U-Zi1AOeAKo4MU_y8d5FVkdWuMC6sE8A1R0HF-8T6c78r-3JM96_Dlvr_Ou9lVfk6vv3QM1KwPqhBQOswKy4T_STf5WM5ZgasZ3fUqulG2G7ORRe5y0/s320/ValkyriesWaiting.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, it's a whole world I know nothing about. It's a Viking thing, so there are Viking elements everywhere. Also references to water, like those incredible fish-scale leggings. Some of the teams are cancer survivors, which is very inspiring. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQCl2dPIZH4XkSKoUJFbIVOFRFI-t7n6oiOvWT_nZuhJZCiJlsq8cJ2XrVEUnlVivrONLqapccyXzb4dANiQ7eG3bcOUxPsxDMYNnoCElrbQr243GMU20b_tAzZCDZnG0t6lSwy2wB2s/s1600/ValkyriesHorns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1302" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQCl2dPIZH4XkSKoUJFbIVOFRFI-t7n6oiOvWT_nZuhJZCiJlsq8cJ2XrVEUnlVivrONLqapccyXzb4dANiQ7eG3bcOUxPsxDMYNnoCElrbQr243GMU20b_tAzZCDZnG0t6lSwy2wB2s/s320/ValkyriesHorns.JPG" width="260" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss8_Mb0rtsyAwH-5UZTeEuYZ2mUSuTbjWqKfIOTP-A6wqbNPQFOpzdFwO2SE0NdnITiHCEpCk6paEgrMowRVF2reqchOtzHmzphvoRacAzf-1GZHD3VszfYipEsp8JLCgXFFor0BeSY8/s1600/ValkyriesAx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss8_Mb0rtsyAwH-5UZTeEuYZ2mUSuTbjWqKfIOTP-A6wqbNPQFOpzdFwO2SE0NdnITiHCEpCk6paEgrMowRVF2reqchOtzHmzphvoRacAzf-1GZHD3VszfYipEsp8JLCgXFFor0BeSY8/s320/ValkyriesAx.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD0x-6FQHp86VWibrGAh8IEIBVAPUCldGjB5HpUbKzV1k-H34I6V8zflaMwlxTSTE78A5NJxG5kzNok2DV-PsOCPIcootefZ_vhERJL3sFBaXbSurRWBSY_jeg8xRUOJtAQES2UOvfgU/s1600/ValkyriesMale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOD0x-6FQHp86VWibrGAh8IEIBVAPUCldGjB5HpUbKzV1k-H34I6V8zflaMwlxTSTE78A5NJxG5kzNok2DV-PsOCPIcootefZ_vhERJL3sFBaXbSurRWBSY_jeg8xRUOJtAQES2UOvfgU/s400/ValkyriesMale.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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Like any sport, there's a lifetime of practice involved. Often this is made possible through the loving support of family members. I loved seeing husbands, children, and parents of the athletes cheering them on. It's hard to see, but the hands in the lower left of this photo are family members cheering madly as our team grabs that flag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVICGhFR8IZAr2LrhxpiYs1nHG8wCO2WbX08mn3KJ46zAFAZdB14efHKr3Jvf6DpqOgQ4X5Xqhz9p6R_QHjOv-1ES27o_Tnn7_ChHOOYKOWGamYxknHcaJrcvYib3jYkojSRfGqSn-1oY/s1600/ValkyriesGrab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVICGhFR8IZAr2LrhxpiYs1nHG8wCO2WbX08mn3KJ46zAFAZdB14efHKr3Jvf6DpqOgQ4X5Xqhz9p6R_QHjOv-1ES27o_Tnn7_ChHOOYKOWGamYxknHcaJrcvYib3jYkojSRfGqSn-1oY/s400/ValkyriesGrab.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's also interesting to watch a team sport which is entirely about the team. There are not any stars; there can't be. Since my own (spectator) experience with sports has mainly focused on basketball and track, this is a new concept to me. I can see why she loves it. While you do explore your own capability, you are very much part of a spiritual whole.<br />
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The races ran later than planned, and I completely missed the Bar Mitzvah. I felt bad about that, but it was a memorable experience which I won't soon forget.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog3iVz5d6UwXvgt-WFwpDKwWoTkowLMnEeVFmg-dIzjesDD6Qq3-vpfzyvfDzzaR3d6CLwfVDVfCzMYa3KfXprvcRm7fINzxs25il0rTRDjKUDRR_kll7218dmJVSjJVg32IrnTGPnZ0/s1600/ValkyriesApproach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-48759225346799510562017-05-31T15:40:00.000-07:002017-06-25T15:47:51.440-07:00Tassle Lariat <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl2EPiuW2AGEPio7As44_ueFIetwl1UCLQu5vqV2ukpPlklmzaQv8M29eWqrZcU4gD1I4eoKyunDeiIHz_x_p0vUomL1YW9C4djBDf8_M9uptsNRFTI9uPU2pmEXw8m3F5R5GfwXZ-lY/s1600/TasselLariatTangLim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGl2EPiuW2AGEPio7As44_ueFIetwl1UCLQu5vqV2ukpPlklmzaQv8M29eWqrZcU4gD1I4eoKyunDeiIHz_x_p0vUomL1YW9C4djBDf8_M9uptsNRFTI9uPU2pmEXw8m3F5R5GfwXZ-lY/s400/TasselLariatTangLim2.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div>
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I FINALLY finished this amazing project from Helena Tang-Lim's class last summer. Working on it on-and-off between other things, it took nine months. Sort of like having twins <g>!! </g></div>
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Helena's projects are always stunning, and most of them take a REALLY long time to complete. I am wrestling with this, because I sometimes feel it takes too much time away from my own creations, and yet I always learn from the process. </div>
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But for this moment, I will just allow myself to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. </div>
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If you're a beader, you may want to explore Helena's website... she has some beautiful kits and workshops. <a href="http://www.manek-manek.com/">http://www.manek-manek.com</a></div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-51255605288063533042017-05-29T13:35:00.000-07:002017-05-30T15:01:40.752-07:00This is What They Died ForThis weekend our nation observes Memorial Day, when we honor the memory of soldiers who gave their lives in battle to protect our country and our freedoms. It is a long weekend, granting many people extra time off from work, ostensibly to turn some attention to our national memory, and also to celebrate and practice those freedoms we hold dear.<br />
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So, how do we observe this weekend? Some people go to cemeteries to honor their own loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. Others gather with family and friends to spend precious quality time together. Some go to houses of worship. Many go shopping.<br />
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<span style="text-align: right;">Personally, I go to Seattle. </span><br />
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Each year Gershon and I attend the annual Northwest FolkLife Festival in Seattle, which runs for 4 full days every Memorial Day Weekend. It is the most amazing celebration of life, of heritage, of diversity that I know of. Over 5,000 people perform, and a quarter-million people attend. In attendance and onstage are every imaginable ethnicity, age, skill level, gender, and body type in the world. There is music and dance and poetry from almost every nation on earth, and food vendors offering sustenance and treats from across the globe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2dJtjkg4wTYkm-MqsOHJ4LIY9rjLdkQAnlIoSxBMHm7MQFKkefCVsjvZEC8QXREyX_KAOtuaWJxzJByijv6dnCUMn3GGX_Eo4oqG99P_5hpmNEl1FzWXawGVgZi-xGMgZyaAxZdtmPc/s1600/FolkLifeWide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="1014" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2dJtjkg4wTYkm-MqsOHJ4LIY9rjLdkQAnlIoSxBMHm7MQFKkefCVsjvZEC8QXREyX_KAOtuaWJxzJByijv6dnCUMn3GGX_Eo4oqG99P_5hpmNEl1FzWXawGVgZi-xGMgZyaAxZdtmPc/s640/FolkLifeWide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This incredible festival of music, dance, poetry, and theatre is a microcosm of America. I sat and watched a Philippine fiddler perform Scandinavian music, saw Hawaiian dances performed by every possible ethnic group, and sat with a recent immigrant from Vietnam who proudly watched her daughter play violin with a Balkan street-band. We saw white people playing African music, and black people singing Croatian ballads. Many music and dance schools come to perform, and the pride of parents watching their children and students learn the arts of their own heritage can't help but move your heart. This is what they fought for.<br />
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There is also ample opportunity for attendants to participate. At every turn, there are huge crowds on their feet, shaking to Brazilian music, learning Polynesian steps, enjoying Zydeco dance with live musicians. There are American sing-alongs and African drum circles. Pregnant women dance, while new fathers feed their babies. There is life, and movement, and song and joy. This is what they defended.<br />
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America's best self is what our martyred soldiers fought to defend. Our loving country, which welcomes the tired, poor, and tempest-tossed to join our society. Our diverse country, where you do NOT have to lose your heritage in order to become a proud American. Our vibrant country, whose national mosaic becomes more beautiful with each new immigrant who takes the oath of citizenship. This is what they died for.<br />
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There are places in the world where you could never see something like this event. Diversity is not celebrated, not permitted at all. Religious freedom isn't allowed, expressing your true identity is harshly punished. Wearing shorts in public? No. In some countries, even their own native music is forbidden.... it is only being preserved by people far away, at events like this. Freedom of self and expression is what our soldiers fought and died for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhN2JbrZlXQWqDABpoPOYV_lPiGRAPTIaZHZ_81c1xPh8aPkWtiRhs8CHFxhCME96lVcxv7DAp-TvQENWaWpqMbV3aiTR8y7s0K2cSULqgo5Gm-EAZps02idGSePaRVS9zJiWJWoJVgk/s1600/folklifecrowds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhN2JbrZlXQWqDABpoPOYV_lPiGRAPTIaZHZ_81c1xPh8aPkWtiRhs8CHFxhCME96lVcxv7DAp-TvQENWaWpqMbV3aiTR8y7s0K2cSULqgo5Gm-EAZps02idGSePaRVS9zJiWJWoJVgk/s640/folklifecrowds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We live in troubling times. Sometimes we feel that our way of life is under attack, from within and from without. There is much talk of deploying our military to "defend our freedom." But we need to be very clear about what that means. For what reason do we send our troops into harm's way? For what purpose have they volunteered? What have our brave soldiers fought and died for?<br />
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All those noble men and women weren't fighting to defend hatred, bigotry, or xenophobia, even though some of them may have felt those things. They also didn't lay down their lives to enrich banks or oil companies. They were fighting to defend our national ideal of true freedom for all, to give us more time to try to achieve it. We haven't accomplished it yet, but we're still trying. It is a difficult goal, one that has never been truly realized anywhere. America is the last, best hope for that ideal. With gratitude to all who fought and died during this struggle toward our goal, let us honor their memory and work hard to make their sacrifice count.<br />
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I go to Seattle to remember. Where do you go?<br />
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-482865249984640112017-05-23T21:00:00.000-07:002017-05-30T16:19:43.680-07:00Beading With KingaOn Sunday I got to take a beading class with Kinga Nichols! I have known her online for several years, but it was a treat to finally meet her in person! She is a free-spirit, and many of you are familiar with her fantastical beadwork creations. Well, it turns out, she is a lovely teacher as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdlgPogjOU4c_nFeZX-6seEyzYv4mu3WZmpajK_QuJQ7wI0abEDNLYo-7FGjtBeLmZKevLNzrKy9EFv0TG1F91oeG-ro_EZ5owYSIlbeOtbODvFlRu4I4fBM9bXXIGgWMkW-XlRA2OU/s1600/PBSclassKingaNicholsSelfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPwdlgPogjOU4c_nFeZX-6seEyzYv4mu3WZmpajK_QuJQ7wI0abEDNLYo-7FGjtBeLmZKevLNzrKy9EFv0TG1F91oeG-ro_EZ5owYSIlbeOtbODvFlRu4I4fBM9bXXIGgWMkW-XlRA2OU/s400/PBSclassKingaNicholsSelfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kinga taught three workshops for the Portland Bead Society this weekend. I took one of them, entitled Cathedral Windows, Broken. Kinga's emphasis is always on doing what feels right to YOU, and getting outside the traditional "box." So we have a pattern to follow as a starting point, but are given the freedom to use it however we want. Here is the sample of this project. All kits were the same, but they won't all look the same when they're finished. <br />
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The other two workshops were a pendant and her famous Fish bracelet.<br />
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Kinga also gave a lovely presentation to the Bead Society at our monthly meeting tonight. She talked about the development of her approach to beadwork, including the evolution of her iconic fishes, and ended with the same message about the importance of being true to yourself. It was wonderful!</div>
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Once again, thank you to the Portland Bead Society for helping us to expand our horizons and grow as artists!</div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-72188507592242458122017-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:002017-06-14T17:01:56.837-07:00Happy Mothers' Day, Owl-Style<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4193581338790021752" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">The owl games in Portland are finished, but today was Mothers' Day, so there was a little more fun to be had before I mail them off tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">The owls came with us to Mothers' Day breakfast at the Multnomah Falls Lodge. It wasn't their kind of food, so they just hung out and watched politely.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">After the festive meal, Gershon and his mom walked up to the falls, and I stepped inside the visitor center to get out of the rain. Guess who was there?!? A big, life-size owl up near the ceiling, just ready for the perfect photo-op!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Later in the afternoon we went to a performance of the Bach Cantata Choir, and the Owls were very well-behaved. Not a single hoot (maybe because they were zipped up inside my bag?). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Finally we went home, packed up the tiles, and said a fond farewell. Tomorrow they travel to the far-off land of Louisiana. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">It's been an awesome experience!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6_8cPzIfBLuGku0gEEob2L1aTvk_GDm1lKSoBDVYxNqOeKPdfGktsBnns88sEzTjcveX9trU0Q87-WKA1zLb-VHDREUqALRqkICsDZ7tJuVcV4GgLGzBgTqx-wlrw9g9qHmGXa0NMls/s1600/FarewellOwlMJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6_8cPzIfBLuGku0gEEob2L1aTvk_GDm1lKSoBDVYxNqOeKPdfGktsBnns88sEzTjcveX9trU0Q87-WKA1zLb-VHDREUqALRqkICsDZ7tJuVcV4GgLGzBgTqx-wlrw9g9qHmGXa0NMls/s400/FarewellOwlMJ.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6_8cPzIfBLuGku0gEEob2L1aTvk_GDm1lKSoBDVYxNqOeKPdfGktsBnns88sEzTjcveX9trU0Q87-WKA1zLb-VHDREUqALRqkICsDZ7tJuVcV4GgLGzBgTqx-wlrw9g9qHmGXa0NMls/s1600/FarewellOwlMJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6_8cPzIfBLuGku0gEEob2L1aTvk_GDm1lKSoBDVYxNqOeKPdfGktsBnns88sEzTjcveX9trU0Q87-WKA1zLb-VHDREUqALRqkICsDZ7tJuVcV4GgLGzBgTqx-wlrw9g9qHmGXa0NMls/s1600/FarewellOwlMJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6_8cPzIfBLuGku0gEEob2L1aTvk_GDm1lKSoBDVYxNqOeKPdfGktsBnns88sEzTjcveX9trU0Q87-WKA1zLb-VHDREUqALRqkICsDZ7tJuVcV4GgLGzBgTqx-wlrw9g9qHmGXa0NMls/s1600/FarewellOwlMJ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></a></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-83357126412287822652017-05-13T19:00:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:57:34.534-07:00Two By Two<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8332325023159080408" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Day 3 of the Portland Owl Odyssey: Couples' Mah Jongg</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBvWCItmu0KBDpRBlbnT9G11Wa8_X7t1Z3YKgJM9Ecp_eGCyMYKgEqZ12byimUZZsTaQHm_ls-ry1VtKROOjJ87EmaTe458iG8t1V0BMvWba3C1tqD6I-UMOM6pE3Fjbql3UBdX3-Clg/s1600/2kissingOwls.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBvWCItmu0KBDpRBlbnT9G11Wa8_X7t1Z3YKgJM9Ecp_eGCyMYKgEqZ12byimUZZsTaQHm_ls-ry1VtKROOjJ87EmaTe458iG8t1V0BMvWba3C1tqD6I-UMOM6pE3Fjbql3UBdX3-Clg/s320/2kissingOwls.png" width="260" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDX7njSYeeYDX5wAeopgRUH2VDgG6e-cAZE1SOr6wNEgP9ypQSI82PMn_rPWBGD6LVpR4TRr0JwDpbhtVvPN4PhZZ4aICxspWQjwTKUEqWI1Nx6WZgikD_v1g7YRfjy1_YxhT9XPWPs/s1600/2snugglingOwls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="500" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDX7njSYeeYDX5wAeopgRUH2VDgG6e-cAZE1SOr6wNEgP9ypQSI82PMn_rPWBGD6LVpR4TRr0JwDpbhtVvPN4PhZZ4aICxspWQjwTKUEqWI1Nx6WZgikD_v1g7YRfjy1_YxhT9XPWPs/s320/2snugglingOwls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH90FAttJ6nKKpXJIfPmIsUPI5xu9ykiUdgBd9Y8n2VVi9NbYM1od_ZNAQLXnckETktFRgInD2amXH9w5i2nEGb129s_hIYe9-RmHPJRL9ci8BfVvgPoY2xW1dy7J_E7qsDf5LOqMl3CI/s1600/1BarnOwls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="500" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH90FAttJ6nKKpXJIfPmIsUPI5xu9ykiUdgBd9Y8n2VVi9NbYM1od_ZNAQLXnckETktFRgInD2amXH9w5i2nEGb129s_hIYe9-RmHPJRL9ci8BfVvgPoY2xW1dy7J_E7qsDf5LOqMl3CI/s320/1BarnOwls.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH90FAttJ6nKKpXJIfPmIsUPI5xu9ykiUdgBd9Y8n2VVi9NbYM1od_ZNAQLXnckETktFRgInD2amXH9w5i2nEGb129s_hIYe9-RmHPJRL9ci8BfVvgPoY2xW1dy7J_E7qsDf5LOqMl3CI/s1600/1BarnOwls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My last group with the Owl set played Saturday night. This is a group of 6 couples who play monthly. We've been playing together for 11 years, and have become a tight group of friends. Once or twice a year we go to the beach for a Mah Jongg weekend. Each of the couples attending added to the theme by bringing owl stuff... a solar-powered owl toy, a framed owl picture, owl masks, and owl earrings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">I issued the same one-bam challenge to this group, but it was really hard to achieve. Finally one of the husbands won, and went over to choose a prize from the basket. He didn't hesitate, chose a pair of owl earrings, and presented them to his wife! OMG, so sweet! (I urged him to take a second prize for himself, but he declined.) Later his wife made the BIG HAND, picked it herself, and of course it included a one-bam. So she got $1.20 from each player, plus a prize from the basket. Did she choose a prize for hubby? Ummm... no.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">It was a lovely, comfortable evening with old friends. Everyone enjoyed the Owl set, the prizes, and the owl snacks. It's one more sweet memory that we share.</span></span><br />
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-40097182290122319472017-05-13T14:57:00.002-07:002017-05-13T14:57:21.820-07:00Happy Mothers' Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">On Mothers' Day we honor all women who nurture... not just our own mothers, but all those who love, feed, protect, foster, rescue, teach, enhance, or encourage other living beings -- human or animal. On this day we celebrate love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"><br /></span>estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-41448127614244337242017-05-12T10:00:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:50:47.072-07:00Class Is In Session!<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5992688227898839863" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RL8qWq8MD6jod_LED5NAPDz9lDyJU5vg6qHnsiV0VzeieDRwmBoEXI5tUM31B3kREXnZhbGB05-d1iV-0rMarGiE333Qi4nChR4ckiaAelQRjJTQxn6SHPGcYZrYHxHL7HvC9tjwqvU/s1600/owlprofessor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RL8qWq8MD6jod_LED5NAPDz9lDyJU5vg6qHnsiV0VzeieDRwmBoEXI5tUM31B3kREXnZhbGB05-d1iV-0rMarGiE333Qi4nChR4ckiaAelQRjJTQxn6SHPGcYZrYHxHL7HvC9tjwqvU/s320/owlprofessor.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="287" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #882222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second group to play with the Owl set was a group of my Mah Jongg students, who came over to my house on Friday morning. They are new to the game, still getting the hang of it, and it was sweet that they brought homemade cookies and fruit salad.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNHQky96fcUeFtMHsGgjm3CVR2LwZdi9fVoT2wjZcJQz8G6TF26THb8QghhCeUc9CURvmYgPfjA_70l1iSMcB4B3N9d_jeWD3wO_N7zxaC41_hvsupdGSVQdmdsfP2ZDKYTLcd28Xaxc/s1600/mj12may2017food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNHQky96fcUeFtMHsGgjm3CVR2LwZdi9fVoT2wjZcJQz8G6TF26THb8QghhCeUc9CURvmYgPfjA_70l1iSMcB4B3N9d_jeWD3wO_N7zxaC41_hvsupdGSVQdmdsfP2ZDKYTLcd28Xaxc/s400/mj12may2017food.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><br />For a moment, I was disappointed that so few people showed up, but as is so often the case, it worked out perfectly. We spent quite a few hours chatting and playing, in a low-pressure environment, with a charmed Mah Jongg set. And Dana joined us later in the afternoon. The conversation was amazing. It almost seemed like the Owl freed us to speak of personal things... health issues, families, politics, pride and fears. And as it was unfolding, something important was being born. One of the women was clearly hatching a BIG idea for a win-win sort of event. If & when it happens, I'll let you all know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span>I offered the students a similar one-bam challenge, but the prize was a pair of Owl earrings. The student who won was happy about winning, but even more exciting about her Mah Jongg hand!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN4foGTmnjX1j3clI3ko0e2IILH1LkxdFfiXlKACk3seZfnY5cJB5neX11uzKohn6QJ3LQHBodfR5ctCmygQh0YXTBXDOX1uSuyzYGJGdK81_xq3OwzcvyBUxf8aatiEkYSCrKGq_I6U/s1600/mj12may2017juliemahjCrop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN4foGTmnjX1j3clI3ko0e2IILH1LkxdFfiXlKACk3seZfnY5cJB5neX11uzKohn6QJ3LQHBodfR5ctCmygQh0YXTBXDOX1uSuyzYGJGdK81_xq3OwzcvyBUxf8aatiEkYSCrKGq_I6U/s640/mj12may2017juliemahjCrop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">I started out this day kind of bummed, but in the end it was very fulfilling, and I will always remember it.</span></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-12482732439357666432017-05-11T19:00:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:50:24.988-07:00Thursday Night Flight With The Owl<div class="date-posts">
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">The Owl set has finally landed in Portland, and the time has come to play with it. It's a beautiful Chinese Bakelite set, with stylized owls on the one-bam tiles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0uuRvV9JBL3kKsGQaSFJbZF55iRlSmKgf2FPH_rF0JPjOinHP0JZcWedrr0DKegJq63VkOCg_F5qIf0_kfWMAuUAXmk99gaDrV1poCiv-4XD1OaCUlzirMobtv_Y4c6izno8tdW3_NI/s1600/mjOwlSetCHarli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0uuRvV9JBL3kKsGQaSFJbZF55iRlSmKgf2FPH_rF0JPjOinHP0JZcWedrr0DKegJq63VkOCg_F5qIf0_kfWMAuUAXmk99gaDrV1poCiv-4XD1OaCUlzirMobtv_Y4c6izno8tdW3_NI/s640/mjOwlSetCHarli.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD26-axu0SywdhtoymOLSa19jooLi3ziMZyuYRybFTcWjQ-Z9iPi7pCUukmu8fJSIgnCMnJoZtjJB6XltUYqTgftAAKitTn5RlQxvvQp1cVWEi0cIOnlZ5Gp_Hyn7scdCCOxXKRa-_qA/s1600/mjOwlTileCropTight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAD26-axu0SywdhtoymOLSa19jooLi3ziMZyuYRybFTcWjQ-Z9iPi7pCUukmu8fJSIgnCMnJoZtjJB6XltUYqTgftAAKitTn5RlQxvvQp1cVWEi0cIOnlZ5Gp_Hyn7scdCCOxXKRa-_qA/s200/mjOwlTileCropTight.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="151" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span>Different groups have different relationships with this game. This weekend three different groups will be playing with the Owl set, and I will be writing my observations about each one.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuK1W6giD73JLiUvpMaOJjJEFN_gvFdcRYPMLebYh2-Czc1ygfkjp5FYYs7Ro_O56Zqw5zTouG7kcMyoL6rc8RJiBjMEBQIiSaRuqNuQJi9J5Y5j3AyS1WbIdhoF2fXsu-QU_s8GvQUM/s1600/mj11may2017cousins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuK1W6giD73JLiUvpMaOJjJEFN_gvFdcRYPMLebYh2-Czc1ygfkjp5FYYs7Ro_O56Zqw5zTouG7kcMyoL6rc8RJiBjMEBQIiSaRuqNuQJi9J5Y5j3AyS1WbIdhoF2fXsu-QU_s8GvQUM/s400/mj11may2017cousins.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><i>The official Owl Odyssey poster is accompanied by various "cousins" of the Owl tile, watching over the festivities.</i><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Our weekly group has been playing for many years, and the tiles give us a familiar anchor, putting us in a comfort zone from which we can share, vent, grieve, rejoice, and be crazy. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: #882222;"></span>It doesn't really matter what kind of tiles we play with. But at the same time, we can appreciate a beautiful or special set. We started the night with Shehecheyanu, as we always do with a new or special set. The Owl set brought some people's attention to the beauty and art of the tiles themselves. I could see one person clearly falling in love with my 'French Ivory' set. I love watching the relationship between the people and the game, and how it has evolved over the years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Table #1 has the visiting Chinese Bakelite Owl set</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMOl183gOWVD_1cK_WfEc3HYUoNsoXsMFYa7-Y_g4R6TArgahpicu3obaJqaBNpLfl6wbX7eL6VTgeAZTOFwystKA9vSqbKtfoEt5HFCSVjqhnT4BctoL0iicru90RmS6G2EpZ_sYz2M/s1600/mj11may2017Table1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMOl183gOWVD_1cK_WfEc3HYUoNsoXsMFYa7-Y_g4R6TArgahpicu3obaJqaBNpLfl6wbX7eL6VTgeAZTOFwystKA9vSqbKtfoEt5HFCSVjqhnT4BctoL0iicru90RmS6G2EpZ_sYz2M/s400/mj11may2017Table1.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Table #2 enjoys my beautiful French Ivory set<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFFqF4cGsxShmwGTvpWaflKaMTuT42GB9d82J8CwM00akIt6MG4xrHsPxbT0OtCMYyMDVq8U3pP6XJbBFyZOz72TkEbIQC8B_9Nx-V38Dw5Z9tf3Om9N0HTso71Zixmo2DJxCQTh53A/s1600/mj11may2017Table2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QFFqF4cGsxShmwGTvpWaflKaMTuT42GB9d82J8CwM00akIt6MG4xrHsPxbT0OtCMYyMDVq8U3pP6XJbBFyZOz72TkEbIQC8B_9Nx-V38Dw5Z9tf3Om9N0HTso71Zixmo2DJxCQTh53A/s400/mj11may2017Table2.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Table #3 has my own Chinese Bakelite set, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">with those crazy Chinese Empress jokers</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB758DZuMDqSYxZzWzsyqux0WM9vl3dqgNeTp2ISvQ2BeJZByWLW6rnzqtkrGT-9ICxSf9fTJLr2P4NCzK2tRqav6eOAmwFUBoxdCMjGnOwbJTRRrdUa7hgMnyEPufBaja7p6VuXX_N8/s1600/mj11may2017Table3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB758DZuMDqSYxZzWzsyqux0WM9vl3dqgNeTp2ISvQ2BeJZByWLW6rnzqtkrGT-9ICxSf9fTJLr2P4NCzK2tRqav6eOAmwFUBoxdCMjGnOwbJTRRrdUa7hgMnyEPufBaja7p6VuXX_N8/s400/mj11may2017Table3.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmM7dmlUzG3BK7HYglvrd_dE6jXuJmDkdCY4Lai-5f8a3StWCdfvjh5Dgw8JbjDO6ilbqV0NUXMGh6bbhmkVHYuefMpMLT5YaQJC8Mrl1gxfnGY6b_q7hRQyQPfd0737UX0HLJX-5sTpM/s1600/mj11may2017Table3b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmM7dmlUzG3BK7HYglvrd_dE6jXuJmDkdCY4Lai-5f8a3StWCdfvjh5Dgw8JbjDO6ilbqV0NUXMGh6bbhmkVHYuefMpMLT5YaQJC8Mrl1gxfnGY6b_q7hRQyQPfd0737UX0HLJX-5sTpM/s400/mj11may2017Table3b.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Dana wore her one-bam t-shirt for the occasion!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiOiVykhrMeCiF98kyqofY96bVHedGY0ZZ7y1zTUZMXpmhMHJW6nNJKrx3uq0Xy4Z1_9Rpjb4UXFvT2YIdpORxuVcHJQVgbgF6jBihN7Ez0Q2KIbB_cZbkvNXrvE1EE3WKklvlaUIf_w/s1600/mj11may2017DanaShirt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiOiVykhrMeCiF98kyqofY96bVHedGY0ZZ7y1zTUZMXpmhMHJW6nNJKrx3uq0Xy4Z1_9Rpjb4UXFvT2YIdpORxuVcHJQVgbgF6jBihN7Ez0Q2KIbB_cZbkvNXrvE1EE3WKklvlaUIf_w/s400/mj11may2017DanaShirt.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="267" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Special Owl dice for tonight's games</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrV0VpFCzftLjFzggJdpmnKAk01XtBrPADXpuE_7Imo74WD1ZhGxiQnz2ndB8wCLrQPEqlb84JokGaDDwrEGB3qlf8w4IW-AL07WEUEuZPiByI_HBeBktipSj-ohEsToG3ohn8As27GY/s1600/DoubleOwlDice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrV0VpFCzftLjFzggJdpmnKAk01XtBrPADXpuE_7Imo74WD1ZhGxiQnz2ndB8wCLrQPEqlb84JokGaDDwrEGB3qlf8w4IW-AL07WEUEuZPiByI_HBeBktipSj-ohEsToG3ohn8As27GY/s320/DoubleOwlDice.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">In honor of the Owl tiles, I issued a special one-bam challenge. Anyone who makes Mah Jongg with one-bam tiles gets an extra prize from the goody basket. Even a single one-bam will get you a prize. It's harder than you might think! We had 4 winners.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxEyhCIeUAg5BGtTab4pRkgSzAagol2A4ZxzwoxI-Qn87bsDcZdnZv3XG7sRohLFptbi5jaKVHDkd_R4kU8WUKO3lhiTZBXq6zYrXigNq6kNYJprD6xLAG9GdXjFkswpqs8OZi0DVcTI/s1600/mj11may2017owlprizes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxEyhCIeUAg5BGtTab4pRkgSzAagol2A4ZxzwoxI-Qn87bsDcZdnZv3XG7sRohLFptbi5jaKVHDkd_R4kU8WUKO3lhiTZBXq6zYrXigNq6kNYJprD6xLAG9GdXjFkswpqs8OZi0DVcTI/s400/mj11may2017owlprizes.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxEyhCIeUAg5BGtTab4pRkgSzAagol2A4ZxzwoxI-Qn87bsDcZdnZv3XG7sRohLFptbi5jaKVHDkd_R4kU8WUKO3lhiTZBXq6zYrXigNq6kNYJprD6xLAG9GdXjFkswpqs8OZi0DVcTI/s1600/mj11may2017owlprizes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">For various reasons, some of our group couldn't be here tonight. But Carolyn checked in with some crazy text-messaging...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hPWLoMM8ZFbUDO-imcClfSNUB5yr7jhD3ffyQHVNFzAxDIa1vmUsnrdH5Ja2fTrsUaFTCrhQnM1N9ZZMttDj_mtN2G5sPCFLf8mVgCWmS76hdL08n5g9Ej-NIL_XsmzVe6s-Vy3qSdU/s1600/movingOwl1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hPWLoMM8ZFbUDO-imcClfSNUB5yr7jhD3ffyQHVNFzAxDIa1vmUsnrdH5Ja2fTrsUaFTCrhQnM1N9ZZMttDj_mtN2G5sPCFLf8mVgCWmS76hdL08n5g9Ej-NIL_XsmzVe6s-Vy3qSdU/s1600/movingOwl1.gif" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /> </span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY00rmJqrsgXpzV3Eqae7WuJKGzy4Agw7sZjduvoPhcor2kQCXLhvyGNKlwDU243vfypooiKo61b3ZBXT5Q1JCg5rSrcNBLuMffv1APJdEbVsYq0CYO7Ovy9UG0g2f0nBpvW_wB2m8QM/s1600/movingowl3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY00rmJqrsgXpzV3Eqae7WuJKGzy4Agw7sZjduvoPhcor2kQCXLhvyGNKlwDU243vfypooiKo61b3ZBXT5Q1JCg5rSrcNBLuMffv1APJdEbVsYq0CYO7Ovy9UG0g2f0nBpvW_wB2m8QM/s1600/movingowl3.gif" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffHxDi27ZFa4CqEho6Pj2pnlkvHDtGDnqV43dzzOj6I9zAtfgQUb3p4N7tjzRUby1ign5PMChyphenhyphendGb60Qha-EwMRtu8w4V7J2y_xk3aJxmLsKqnVvaJDETFl7Oo0IFSMrM5iXI6m-XDvQ/s1600/movingowl2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffHxDi27ZFa4CqEho6Pj2pnlkvHDtGDnqV43dzzOj6I9zAtfgQUb3p4N7tjzRUby1ign5PMChyphenhyphendGb60Qha-EwMRtu8w4V7J2y_xk3aJxmLsKqnVvaJDETFl7Oo0IFSMrM5iXI6m-XDvQ/s320/movingowl2.gif" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">There was another fascinating element to tonight's Owl game. We had a guest player who lives 2000 miles away, and whom we had never met before. But Mah Jongg brought us together, and now we have a new friend! Alice West Sadaka lives in Ohio, but she's</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"> in Oregon this week visiting her son, and she mentioned on Facebook that she wished she could come play with the Owl set. So I invited her, and she came! Sometimes modern technology is an incredible thing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9HthOkI-Xpx-gyRUb8J_lJNgFYMDBjf9BDVW6su_fZIdv7801CDhyphenhyphenK36wX8r_J_YJem_DNPr1um1lYLNTJ0bViR0ijv1grYjAEDhzutXDTmCjbuV27owLv1zEN7I5pNWPXi2n_OWz8g/s1600/mj11may2017AliceSadaka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9HthOkI-Xpx-gyRUb8J_lJNgFYMDBjf9BDVW6su_fZIdv7801CDhyphenhyphenK36wX8r_J_YJem_DNPr1um1lYLNTJ0bViR0ijv1grYjAEDhzutXDTmCjbuV27owLv1zEN7I5pNWPXi2n_OWz8g/s320/mj11may2017AliceSadaka.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="292" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">We all had a great time, and she brought me some lovely presents. She hustled us a little bit, winning an awful lot of games, but she made me feel better about accumulating Mah Jongg sets, because I only have ten... she has about 20! It was an amazing little chapter of this Owl Odyssey.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78f0cTukcSNGXc8EDriPEC1b7uW7lgGfnrQLe2e7RZhbjix-QMeXRCwCudnVylLrjjeeXBO0Wk617g8TLOT6Mg9olf2lsX5G1kqMyQUgMUOrD5t0ORUBIbE8eGJMLaq8-wJJFa5hshe8/s1600/mj11may2017giftsfromAlice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78f0cTukcSNGXc8EDriPEC1b7uW7lgGfnrQLe2e7RZhbjix-QMeXRCwCudnVylLrjjeeXBO0Wk617g8TLOT6Mg9olf2lsX5G1kqMyQUgMUOrD5t0ORUBIbE8eGJMLaq8-wJJFa5hshe8/s320/mj11may2017giftsfromAlice.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">We also received these little rub-on tattoos from the group who had the Owl set before us. That group in Santa Maria, California had a giant BBQ last week on Cinco de Mayo, with 40 people playing Mah Jongg! </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">They claimed the tattoos brought good luck. </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Not sure if that's true, but it was a sweet gesture to send some to us. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">So let's see... the set originated in China, lives in Virginia, and we have representation tonight from California, Oregon, Ohio, and Washington. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Mah Jongg is universal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx4ko33-n33O4xwpkQd1XharkPpc1N5c0fqf6eJdMao4cUSJQ8YSEQ8CuW6fnDAl89lzmML81YJW3vVrYpgqHmEkLE5Juni8tDTsnIb6eV97gpjbCOVkUjxDmFzBEL0yuforz609gPOg/s1600/mj11may2017fiestatattoos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx4ko33-n33O4xwpkQd1XharkPpc1N5c0fqf6eJdMao4cUSJQ8YSEQ8CuW6fnDAl89lzmML81YJW3vVrYpgqHmEkLE5Juni8tDTsnIb6eV97gpjbCOVkUjxDmFzBEL0yuforz609gPOg/s320/mj11may2017fiestatattoos.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="235" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Tonight's players:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Esther, Sue, Emily, Dana, Kim, Julie, Julia, Elana, Ro, Alice</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifgQx4BMLW08vg3crlxOydMVCBJeFXq2UzD66GzXjdDb6jZgN5xy2RbQUp6HBTXAub7qBZbF4azmgx6o8ylD3LXQkUMMDO6KSHHaLEAzqQg46HK70h3kZDt1CBmtYqPOSuuPQVyW1voI/s1600/mjOwlSetCHarli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifgQx4BMLW08vg3crlxOydMVCBJeFXq2UzD66GzXjdDb6jZgN5xy2RbQUp6HBTXAub7qBZbF4azmgx6o8ylD3LXQkUMMDO6KSHHaLEAzqQg46HK70h3kZDt1CBmtYqPOSuuPQVyW1voI/s400/mjOwlSetCHarli.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10rUZpupL02jv5TtfBIXeX6GGgzByfogFAFMRB8SUGhn8ZCqxA5MFxZOFVwvp2h38z8_5sLnV-iS-tIj5kTciOFx24s8jkME_1e07DF5wtvlwl4Z8Z7BWOL0jBcYJxCsjsIKy3cYJ_NQ/s1600/ELchinesebakeliteTiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10rUZpupL02jv5TtfBIXeX6GGgzByfogFAFMRB8SUGhn8ZCqxA5MFxZOFVwvp2h38z8_5sLnV-iS-tIj5kTciOFx24s8jkME_1e07DF5wtvlwl4Z8Z7BWOL0jBcYJxCsjsIKy3cYJ_NQ/s400/ELchinesebakeliteTiles.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyLsQswo57spevzqYTWnvVdtyJGL5CdjXmYeEEFSe9Ef4X5_Gs1n1yzStUg2jDzcP0Km3WnueFLRdtWs1jZgOBrmbWAVC47NbxnLiy5Kq5npjWiIGxTZ-xBjuSJXMKGPpNgc6BDKA00/s1600/EstherTilesFrenchIvory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWyLsQswo57spevzqYTWnvVdtyJGL5CdjXmYeEEFSe9Ef4X5_Gs1n1yzStUg2jDzcP0Km3WnueFLRdtWs1jZgOBrmbWAVC47NbxnLiy5Kq5npjWiIGxTZ-xBjuSJXMKGPpNgc6BDKA00/s400/EstherTilesFrenchIvory.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-77151980737567329042017-05-10T23:30:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:11:12.952-07:00What's NOT Gonna Happen<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1300922306196387416" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I had all these ideas for places to go with the Owl tiles. Maybe even play some hands at the Chinese Garden. But as it turns out, it will just be a series of gatherings at my house. Which is NOT a bad thing!<br /><br />Here are some of the iconic Oregon places I considered....<br /><br />Portlandia</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRV5fy7L20bTaKqGx9-Wp1Y_GqVjkAywAfwQ0YiW1BRG1AuMz6QRmAJPj8hf63m7EYVghvd9wneFys5v2X2G9MA1E4_32T1eDRurXe6ZxYUmfs45HCljt_MWXSRU0PZJwJO0jeBU6HEI/s1600/portlandiaOwlTile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRV5fy7L20bTaKqGx9-Wp1Y_GqVjkAywAfwQ0YiW1BRG1AuMz6QRmAJPj8hf63m7EYVghvd9wneFys5v2X2G9MA1E4_32T1eDRurXe6ZxYUmfs45HCljt_MWXSRU0PZJwJO0jeBU6HEI/s400/portlandiaOwlTile.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lewis & Clark trail's end</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfTG5kuSBB2bMpM6kHv0Gi0KCCUJbEcnRzXqkJ1-d-4tHaFsdLnHUjqwswCLGLGHFVuvTMLr3106VyFvcVsE3Rxr8QmoxyATfeKqK6tINXB_O5F8Lu43DBtamj3MBIsIQKc4jVIzg0rU/s1600/LewisClarkTrailEndOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfTG5kuSBB2bMpM6kHv0Gi0KCCUJbEcnRzXqkJ1-d-4tHaFsdLnHUjqwswCLGLGHFVuvTMLr3106VyFvcVsE3Rxr8QmoxyATfeKqK6tINXB_O5F8Lu43DBtamj3MBIsIQKc4jVIzg0rU/s400/LewisClarkTrailEndOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Made in Oregon store</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9r2ggsGolu0qpmhNlptLBg7423tsKO08PtSeijXPYGehHjVMW319iDji-vVoyZhi6J3HLEi1pF-JTVm3hmaVB7xpbwzpNI3qat8IDuBHD0hBjX5th-nGFUODOt4gGhx3FaNV12SQS7o/s1600/MadeInOregonStoreOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9r2ggsGolu0qpmhNlptLBg7423tsKO08PtSeijXPYGehHjVMW319iDji-vVoyZhi6J3HLEi1pF-JTVm3hmaVB7xpbwzpNI3qat8IDuBHD0hBjX5th-nGFUODOt4gGhx3FaNV12SQS7o/s400/MadeInOregonStoreOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Rose Garden Arena, oops I mean Moda Center</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SLzs5CxEWWYeG-KxbpQIIztPLITZRl8fsUUKXJTpoPX4WoJxu9Xz1Iq5PHuczOn9hSRvMNg1xiuuydeGTkIt7_UbjkF4R6UmZsNaXuS1KeuxZDH9-7SqCpdszLJ1e8NVl2QKkpRvPvk/s1600/moda-center-Owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SLzs5CxEWWYeG-KxbpQIIztPLITZRl8fsUUKXJTpoPX4WoJxu9Xz1Iq5PHuczOn9hSRvMNg1xiuuydeGTkIt7_UbjkF4R6UmZsNaXuS1KeuxZDH9-7SqCpdszLJ1e8NVl2QKkpRvPvk/s640/moda-center-Owl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Neveh Shalom</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUa4dgCyJmztW_tPPFwFhltTYmWzjKnFAxGp8lXka6uBdwGpHxUpiZeMFRT17TwrfHZhaFuXse66f9li64CQVRmeIQOsmbD22_W_82Z163NKOR0VDOzWAz7V4w8AsUancpFAa6gV1LYQ/s1600/NevehShalomTabletsOwl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUa4dgCyJmztW_tPPFwFhltTYmWzjKnFAxGp8lXka6uBdwGpHxUpiZeMFRT17TwrfHZhaFuXse66f9li64CQVRmeIQOsmbD22_W_82Z163NKOR0VDOzWAz7V4w8AsUancpFAa6gV1LYQ/s400/NevehShalomTabletsOwl.jpeg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Nike Campus in Beaverton</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LPUoKXghx0YNzT2W50xlAwCOVHjmsbqtZ6mCpJbnhgzhrReeYp9Z1b201NqflIXEL4eNixZMY6BrQrsuC33oE2kg3I0v7BasmY6ZP7nfhAOUaUe1ioryFNMlFPyoKDDT0xhWy4vo9Io/s1600/NikeCampusOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LPUoKXghx0YNzT2W50xlAwCOVHjmsbqtZ6mCpJbnhgzhrReeYp9Z1b201NqflIXEL4eNixZMY6BrQrsuC33oE2kg3I0v7BasmY6ZP7nfhAOUaUe1ioryFNMlFPyoKDDT0xhWy4vo9Io/s640/NikeCampusOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Oregon Convention Center</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj589O84wP40SqMZzR7oSwmGWQqu7AxaP7Vax7HvGdWStI7VC7M_jV6mMGuJA6AbW7AxAaZRXe-ukBgs-PUeXqPxmexqxhm7Se4R3BDwkIk1aRIYaSj1LOuMLb4VUVl5LHtEB8AgpLfmhY/s1600/oregon-convention-center-Owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj589O84wP40SqMZzR7oSwmGWQqu7AxaP7Vax7HvGdWStI7VC7M_jV6mMGuJA6AbW7AxAaZRXe-ukBgs-PUeXqPxmexqxhm7Se4R3BDwkIk1aRIYaSj1LOuMLb4VUVl5LHtEB8AgpLfmhY/s400/oregon-convention-center-Owl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Pioneer Square</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySntyByPUgxvvYtfB04HQUEnKnuIKXJGWBMc7sRT_466YG0i-XqVrTnjFrTIu2Gs76MZkzPMGsu7Pnv_c4SY15ERbbqoFYLIaOsnposivFbkqXU6VFgHBntdTB_m9YfuJpZXgbo6XzO4/s1600/PioneerSquareOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySntyByPUgxvvYtfB04HQUEnKnuIKXJGWBMc7sRT_466YG0i-XqVrTnjFrTIu2Gs76MZkzPMGsu7Pnv_c4SY15ERbbqoFYLIaOsnposivFbkqXU6VFgHBntdTB_m9YfuJpZXgbo6XzO4/s640/PioneerSquareOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Chinatown Gate</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWpzjQ8xvwTvZZtTRbvLtKwSGShEXLMN5SgzfXtSXX4v-FWajnMZq3IHlhE7czrKGBCbKtlUHWERnKdIbgn6_af-MpEEQIuiU1ajgRgvBFeCJU6SWbHVG3p_Frsv-Anddn8R3OvA9Cw/s1600/portlandchinatownOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWpzjQ8xvwTvZZtTRbvLtKwSGShEXLMN5SgzfXtSXX4v-FWajnMZq3IHlhE7czrKGBCbKtlUHWERnKdIbgn6_af-MpEEQIuiU1ajgRgvBFeCJU6SWbHVG3p_Frsv-Anddn8R3OvA9Cw/s400/portlandchinatownOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Lan Su Chinese Garden</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG0JZx7cudsmAUnQW2GiKZYJl94cPJb6DpKh7pAJvg7AMMAXITtLlj0-w8PFHb-xF9ZU7QRopnK1ATe1jVHxPlEer9RvOlJdf9mxu1lbQVxu2km0fNS8mytgDy7UHjE1qw3WbybLwESg/s1600/LanSuOwlTile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG0JZx7cudsmAUnQW2GiKZYJl94cPJb6DpKh7pAJvg7AMMAXITtLlj0-w8PFHb-xF9ZU7QRopnK1ATe1jVHxPlEer9RvOlJdf9mxu1lbQVxu2km0fNS8mytgDy7UHjE1qw3WbybLwESg/s400/LanSuOwlTile.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Portland Timbers Game</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7IBvTQBPe8PHbreGha7N8DHnmcdlvbRXM4rREPtVhHF5JhI8UIr1_9TS13lor9RNkEfhj4_E4IEmW9rNbAhaNpNuL4tg0FlPXsZ5wsjRMIiSf4Xc14lex8pLMaBPuINmvkRZcINss5A/s1600/timbersgameOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7IBvTQBPe8PHbreGha7N8DHnmcdlvbRXM4rREPtVhHF5JhI8UIr1_9TS13lor9RNkEfhj4_E4IEmW9rNbAhaNpNuL4tg0FlPXsZ5wsjRMIiSf4Xc14lex8pLMaBPuINmvkRZcINss5A/s400/timbersgameOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Powell's Books</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPEvwsFVDj8nag7uY7-2xj-VNLhDJBKA51-DYy4NEza_yHwg_X8G_ERHuQYWEcM3jocmCd4sqOEhJqq0MgdNzwdjTUI4vF4RFSEtiF83BUcKzemBM-4ES1u0iGltR7ZDMlp2EUG19-kc/s1600/PowellsBooksOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPEvwsFVDj8nag7uY7-2xj-VNLhDJBKA51-DYy4NEza_yHwg_X8G_ERHuQYWEcM3jocmCd4sqOEhJqq0MgdNzwdjTUI4vF4RFSEtiF83BUcKzemBM-4ES1u0iGltR7ZDMlp2EUG19-kc/s320/PowellsBooksOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="236" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Stumptown Coffee</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrL0SKDaztEec1jFfqIrsQ5uq7NszGF2H7CeLW7Wy3Qc3-vZvAO5CNwuzoHGAV7nAMfkrQrKXXLHpkoIlz2GkpDrQq2DHs4gaCGU-uS6sifmohdGfgxfYvqmzTTI4KJMeaNQO82yh1dU/s1600/StumptownCoffeeOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrL0SKDaztEec1jFfqIrsQ5uq7NszGF2H7CeLW7Wy3Qc3-vZvAO5CNwuzoHGAV7nAMfkrQrKXXLHpkoIlz2GkpDrQq2DHs4gaCGU-uS6sifmohdGfgxfYvqmzTTI4KJMeaNQO82yh1dU/s400/StumptownCoffeeOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Voodoo Doughnuts </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2x7VDPNU6vZBnGjjU5GTuN2Gq_ZSS6KDg3BdYsA0mrRYjiPJUOJsyVRjKGCQSFQJWjrEkhXFvUCxPQzA0G_fmCnw7AW1Pe7BSrRXzr1P5x2SNmoxJHIdrKdLgcLMFzG5Q_g6SeRVy50/s1600/voodooDoughnutsOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2x7VDPNU6vZBnGjjU5GTuN2Gq_ZSS6KDg3BdYsA0mrRYjiPJUOJsyVRjKGCQSFQJWjrEkhXFvUCxPQzA0G_fmCnw7AW1Pe7BSrRXzr1P5x2SNmoxJHIdrKdLgcLMFzG5Q_g6SeRVy50/s320/voodooDoughnutsOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Food Trucks!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhX90JKEZs_FsHwchByiGjN-jzzuhpFuZhenYDNYmDgP05KeU1Kljn2jMpsmUUAcRJR4kH6VGldZPLkccyKpbsORRN4N5HQB_brruFYsYID4f3lmx4DC2EPHfEr6bQCC0WCnZaxLMjKc/s1600/foodtrucksOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhX90JKEZs_FsHwchByiGjN-jzzuhpFuZhenYDNYmDgP05KeU1Kljn2jMpsmUUAcRJR4kH6VGldZPLkccyKpbsORRN4N5HQB_brruFYsYID4f3lmx4DC2EPHfEr6bQCC0WCnZaxLMjKc/s640/foodtrucksOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Portland has a lot of fun places to take visitors!</span></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-8844757886137673832017-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:06:05.925-07:00Excitement Mounts...<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2599940941171332883" itemprop="description articleBody" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting ready to host the Owl tomorrow, I set some things on a table and walked away. Come back to find Gershon has added a sign. Do you think he is mocking my enthusiasm? LOL!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-I7JQzbRVmGekiG0EX5UnIJh4IPb6KhHIdFs6EMFqey2Qksh3Q7gKSePBdGfx1346cb9vPH7nr4r_-f9xYh024oHERwvUSveG3iRju3MZ3Urco6vek6SLCqxuByDcV-2s_I2maLRQRE/s1600/OwlHQ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-I7JQzbRVmGekiG0EX5UnIJh4IPb6KhHIdFs6EMFqey2Qksh3Q7gKSePBdGfx1346cb9vPH7nr4r_-f9xYh024oHERwvUSveG3iRju3MZ3Urco6vek6SLCqxuByDcV-2s_I2maLRQRE/s640/OwlHQ.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-29539985704268693442017-05-09T10:00:00.000-07:002017-06-25T15:18:26.255-07:00Preparing for a Weekend of Owl Mahj<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7957148996848942706" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 520px;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">You know me... sometimes I get a little carried away. But hey, that's how I roll! I ordered some little owl snack plates online, plus some Owl molds. None of the molds were the size I expected, but I forged ahead. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijykvZYa1-Cficb62a17xiG7inOEJfmYP1zqHzNejUx9BbTM0Dsso1RdqjZDbSIzB2mkoGQzTfa3yTM_vg4vcFwo5C-WIixKYO3QFB3b82AxmJAOiW7_HYVhfTPAUdzikuP5432sEDRLE/s1600/mj11may2017owlplates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijykvZYa1-Cficb62a17xiG7inOEJfmYP1zqHzNejUx9BbTM0Dsso1RdqjZDbSIzB2mkoGQzTfa3yTM_vg4vcFwo5C-WIixKYO3QFB3b82AxmJAOiW7_HYVhfTPAUdzikuP5432sEDRLE/s320/mj11may2017owlplates.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="302" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I decided it was time to learn how to temper chocolate, so the molded owls would come out nicely. Turns out... tempering is a pain in the tush, and I probably won't do it again. But I must say, the chocolate came out glossy and smooth, just like it should. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGnG444JdaWBc26QRKnQGF4uFAB8HVdE6nHF5aG7C1mx1QWe9Og0q7zoph8-9KqfdxLPDyPERvMyu2TWfAJCq9wJ8SBhhCZsLKMf1Ip-tH4mHKVsjOBkLARUVYcuVdGScy3H_hbiOQUI/s1600/mj11may2017owlChocolates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGnG444JdaWBc26QRKnQGF4uFAB8HVdE6nHF5aG7C1mx1QWe9Og0q7zoph8-9KqfdxLPDyPERvMyu2TWfAJCq9wJ8SBhhCZsLKMf1Ip-tH4mHKVsjOBkLARUVYcuVdGScy3H_hbiOQUI/s400/mj11may2017owlChocolates.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="352" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After some misadventures that I won't discuss, I found a video online that showed how to make these cute pretzel chip owls. The video is just a few minutes long, and and is taught by two adorable little twin girls. Too fun! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8KkMiKxDaE" style="text-decoration: none;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8KkMiKxDaE</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I found a beaded owl pendant online, and figured out how to make it myself. Not sure what I will do with it afterward, but it was great fun to wear it throughout the Owl games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">I also found this veggie platter online, and had to make one myself. I really didn't know if it would turn out, but it did! Gershon and I had a bet about how long it would take to prepare. He won; it took 53 minutes. Now we're ready for a weekend of Owl Mah Jongg gatherings.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ddbb99; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBzrvi_TEDtPZue28B33U1UXusKE8Hd-2UEvm3v8LDUA-RiuxKVV6WOzBpKPuaCAqIBA4yATrc1potdOQh1lGRxeAdNoK0-ydiFbh6ovbEEJvSYd1LD7sgBd8l4z9XTUIeBhNEasCK5g/s1600/mj11May2017veggieOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ddbb99; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBzrvi_TEDtPZue28B33U1UXusKE8Hd-2UEvm3v8LDUA-RiuxKVV6WOzBpKPuaCAqIBA4yATrc1potdOQh1lGRxeAdNoK0-ydiFbh6ovbEEJvSYd1LD7sgBd8l4z9XTUIeBhNEasCK5g/s400/mj11May2017veggieOwl.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="337" /></a></span></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-18468455435472023402017-05-08T15:58:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:09:23.632-07:00Seeking a Friend For The Owl's Arrival<div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Owl's cousins went with me today to the Audubon Society gift shop, looking for goodies for Thursday night, and we found a new friend!</span></span></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-18359105439081201952017-04-26T13:27:00.000-07:002017-06-25T16:22:18.982-07:00Beading and BoatingI just finished this bead-embroidered pendant necklace for a fundraising auction. It's for The Valkyries, a dragon boating team here in Portland, Oregon. My daughter-in-law is very active on their rowing team. The wings are part of their logo. It will be part of an auction event next month. I hope it brings them a lot of money! (Click on one of the photos to see more detail.)<br />
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The team logo:</div>
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.estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-64715348839372615572017-03-20T15:50:00.000-07:002017-06-14T16:09:07.576-07:00The Owl Odyssey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fnoxHK1Kcwv7iaTMoO53kAgkqqRhrIE80OA92gkuTtF8HPEsTDW-WHIfFmA6WYNSyDYOjoobbaOyZtbwGr7e4TBqJc-Q9TCkcHxqzG9DW_FZtJcQCV1-KVIqsXiNnmLv9PpifSJY18Y/s1600/mjOwlTileCropTight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1213" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fnoxHK1Kcwv7iaTMoO53kAgkqqRhrIE80OA92gkuTtF8HPEsTDW-WHIfFmA6WYNSyDYOjoobbaOyZtbwGr7e4TBqJc-Q9TCkcHxqzG9DW_FZtJcQCV1-KVIqsXiNnmLv9PpifSJY18Y/s200/mjOwlTileCropTight.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Many of us have ordered stickers and replacement tiles from "CHarli" (Carol Ann Harper) online. But recently she posted that she's not doing any tile searches for awhile, because of some exciting new project of hers. Well, she </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;">has revealed what the project is, and</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> WE'RE GOING TO BE PART OF IT!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">You can read her description below (everything below the pictures is HER text). But here's the short version: Carol Ann is sending her Mah Jongg set (with owl </span><span style="font-size: small;">one-bams)</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> around the country for individual groups to play with. Each group sends her pictures and descriptions of their adventures with the set. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">I applied to be included, and have been accepted. If I can schedule it right, I'm hoping to he able to share it with both my weekly group and my monthly Couples group. This is going to be waaaay fun!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">For more information about the Owl Odyssey, and CHarli's </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">owl-bam MJ set, click on this link to her website: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.owlodyssey.com/welcome.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.owlodyssey.com/welcome.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: inherit;">Here's a clearer pic of owl-bam tiles. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">The Owl Odyssey is an on-going adventure story for our wonderful mah jong community. Friends sharing our passion for the game and the love of collecting. One continuing theme discussed with my friends in emails, over the phone, and even over lunch is, "What stories would we hear if this set could talk?" or "I wish I knew who had played with it, and where it has been". </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Just days before Christmas of 2016, something happened that inspired me . . . </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">I own and love a unique Owl Bam mah jong set. My vision is for this set is to fly around the world, be played with by all of my mah jong friends and just maybe, some soon to be new friends. It would travel from city to city, foreign lands and back again, all the while collecting stories from its encounters. As Mark Twain put it, <em>"How far we travel matters far less than those we meet along the way."</em> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">This Owl Bam set will answer that question of "who", "what", "where" and "when, with a documented record of its travels and all the friends who shared in it's story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">If you are interested in playing with this set, sharing the set with your group and your story with the rest of us, this is all you need to do...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Tell me your story of why this Owl set should visit you. Be creative. Happy, uplifting and fun stories are encouraged. If the Owl loves your story, the Owl will come and visit your group. Let's have some fun and make history!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">The scrapbook will chronologically document all the stories, photographs, and trinkets. (please take pictures of your group playing and send it to me via email). If you have something you would like to contribute to this Odyssey, it should be "posted" (snail mail) directly to me. Who knows what will be added to this story and collected along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">At the end of its journey, the set will be auctioned off, the highest bidder will be awarded the Owl Bam set and the scrapbook complete with all the mementos. What a treasure to have a documented history. 100% of the proceeds will go to a charity which will be announced at a later date. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">The Odyssey started on Christmas Day 2016. The Owl spent the holidays with a large extended family in Lansing MI, next it was played with by a group in Lansing and from there it went to another family members group in Harrisburg, PA. The set is now back in parliament and waiting for its next destination.</span></div>
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estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-55366834234896472462017-03-15T18:03:00.000-07:002017-04-24T18:13:02.285-07:00Chatelaine's HeirloomLast summer the Portland Bead Society hosted a weekend of awesome classes with international instructor <a href="http://www.manek-manek.com/" target="_blank">Helena Tang-Lim</a>. We had a great time, and the projects are very impressive! Also very time-consuming. Well, I finally finished one of them during our recent PBS Bead Retreat. Here is my completed Chatelaine's Heirloom. I made one small change to Helena's pattern: I added magnetic clasps to the necklace strap, so it can be converted to wear without the pendant.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFJUVewYiLuM4OsD-cCdCjZODfSk00mnbRIerDMtHUE4nffSvtQEQ4LM_Ubwwi4fWwzqEgKWIsZ-WwVYsmlnoCTbYihXiuGkH8lVHm8cf7E95hVVJtKOdOrewKwUpvEJpcAHP-wk5CNc/s1600/Chatelaine1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFJUVewYiLuM4OsD-cCdCjZODfSk00mnbRIerDMtHUE4nffSvtQEQ4LM_Ubwwi4fWwzqEgKWIsZ-WwVYsmlnoCTbYihXiuGkH8lVHm8cf7E95hVVJtKOdOrewKwUpvEJpcAHP-wk5CNc/s400/Chatelaine1.jpeg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB39V2UfgAMbqyz7L6touSqzD0IircDU2IonPz57ifbpoZ9FPkbtgv4aCT88DMoDY1i1qRxiHdrYdHQr5u1fIjlPMd6Pw1WZ6kgVGScUdZxCNxzs8etnH95OqTXcQ-JaeOqJoqh7h0Ies/s1600/Chatelaine3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB39V2UfgAMbqyz7L6touSqzD0IircDU2IonPz57ifbpoZ9FPkbtgv4aCT88DMoDY1i1qRxiHdrYdHQr5u1fIjlPMd6Pw1WZ6kgVGScUdZxCNxzs8etnH95OqTXcQ-JaeOqJoqh7h0Ies/s400/Chatelaine3.jpeg" width="303" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7zVt8fj54F11xXh4G_RXASvb-xhgBobQRkLMER8RW8y4TjlzeMTqrQEo7ucZcIZAEPvQtCxZa-qJ_zb7r1WRi4f1OiYz-04SCbf8Laady5yZ8aWt-NBG2pSrUrp54iUlKexfuhyH8NM/s1600/JAM2017a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7zVt8fj54F11xXh4G_RXASvb-xhgBobQRkLMER8RW8y4TjlzeMTqrQEo7ucZcIZAEPvQtCxZa-qJ_zb7r1WRi4f1OiYz-04SCbf8Laady5yZ8aWt-NBG2pSrUrp54iUlKexfuhyH8NM/s400/JAM2017a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-iPf2D-CyhSkBJ2p6fOED_PfUH0MGamYtqNanY3FV5qQWpHo8WnujikZ0twOtYAryYrraJiIP9NgX4MyIRUj-uJyIIvH3OEKKolFNOi7XYKsWqZ72zWfp9mpTD7AqtYHZM8ryqHSGok/s1600/JAM2017b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-iPf2D-CyhSkBJ2p6fOED_PfUH0MGamYtqNanY3FV5qQWpHo8WnujikZ0twOtYAryYrraJiIP9NgX4MyIRUj-uJyIIvH3OEKKolFNOi7XYKsWqZ72zWfp9mpTD7AqtYHZM8ryqHSGok/s400/JAM2017b.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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In addition to our weekly rotation of artists, this year we have introduced a new element to JAM. This is the debut of our new charity project "<b>6 x 6 for $36</b>." Twenty-nine of our member artists have created artworks in their own media on small "cradle-board" canvases measuring 6" x 6". They are all for sale for $36 each. Artists are all donating half of the sale price to our new Scholarship Fund, and many have chosen to donate the entire sale price to the Fund. A number of these sold on our opening night, but there are still quite a few left to choose from. Come find yours soon!!</div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-81776389460137848582017-02-24T22:30:00.000-08:002017-05-13T14:36:51.499-07:00In the Beginning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi90ZEFusQiBP40bpCxX7klmLTSMLf9L-7nbK3JySR0QmisVLk-BdyUIlQWR8_6MWXjX1cmb9udiQlYzXIgNQngV6rerRrj6sTygkeVQjrkna1JbGj0iVSwa4zUFAivkkBB-deMm0yyE/s1600/OriginalHillyerEarrings.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi90ZEFusQiBP40bpCxX7klmLTSMLf9L-7nbK3JySR0QmisVLk-BdyUIlQWR8_6MWXjX1cmb9udiQlYzXIgNQngV6rerRrj6sTygkeVQjrkna1JbGj0iVSwa4zUFAivkkBB-deMm0yyE/s400/OriginalHillyerEarrings.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I haven't worn these earrings in ages, but decided to wear them this evening. I bought them 23 years ago, and that started the whole thing! Susan Hillyer, the woman who made them, came to deliver them, and I begged her to tell me how to make them. The rest is history. Over the years I have re-strung them, replaced the faded seed beads, and added new ear-wires. But the pattern and the materials in the fringe are all from the original pair. And I still love them!</div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-73603352500964745822017-01-25T22:09:00.000-08:002017-04-24T22:19:07.793-07:00Bead L.O.V.E.In a time of so much hostility, Marcia DeCoster and some other beading luminaries have started something called BeadLove, and it's off to a running start with a communal project creating the letters for the word LOVE in beadwork. Each week, Marcia published the pattern for another letter, and we all followed along. I got off to a late start, but caught up and now I've finished all four letters. I'm not sure what I'll do with them, but it's been a lovely experience, especially seeing what so many other leaders did with the same pattern!<br />
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Here are my letters, and a link to the site where you can see the others.<br />
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<a href="http://lovebeadlove.blogspot.com/2017/01/bead-love-by-marcia-decoster.html">http://lovebeadlove.blogspot.com/2017/01/bead-love-by-marcia-decoster.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OBjPa4_xn0ZhDzqRgHpC9wMFlcC7LDIXxDScWCeqFlM6S6mvVhw_i2J46scvqjI05Mh39U5W67zpCk8xAK_eFmu9D72A5nC_YWtIHn9IMptRE0hTeBeD-jVeVln6ZD_CrAB-AZD0gTA/s1600/LoveLetters2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OBjPa4_xn0ZhDzqRgHpC9wMFlcC7LDIXxDScWCeqFlM6S6mvVhw_i2J46scvqjI05Mh39U5W67zpCk8xAK_eFmu9D72A5nC_YWtIHn9IMptRE0hTeBeD-jVeVln6ZD_CrAB-AZD0gTA/s400/LoveLetters2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1263499144432367012.post-71033086915293462802016-12-12T12:00:00.000-08:002017-04-24T18:29:11.975-07:00Worth a TryA couple of friends and I did a 2-day pop-up show at a local brew-pub, Baerlic Brewing. No charge for the space, so it was worth a try.<br />
Lesson learned: beer drinkers don't buy jewelry, but they do like glass plates and wooden trays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAKAW-fMX565P8zsydnIqW1McVnSSlOnaIXOY4jo4tQoSzWTOgjlltp4PwhwZttY_btdXWebD0yiTEI8kCCVT9CS47jQQ0iAcy2LUL2b8EbI8fVnwAjaq35ciS0fAY0ELF_nf3L_wPQk/s1600/baerlic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAKAW-fMX565P8zsydnIqW1McVnSSlOnaIXOY4jo4tQoSzWTOgjlltp4PwhwZttY_btdXWebD0yiTEI8kCCVT9CS47jQQ0iAcy2LUL2b8EbI8fVnwAjaq35ciS0fAY0ELF_nf3L_wPQk/s640/baerlic1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, one young couple was very cute... the young woman really admired a fairly expensive bracelet of mine, and later when she went to the restroom, the young man hurried over and bought it for her. It made my day!<br />
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<br />estherbeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18268187279763266876noreply@blogger.com0