Wordless Wednesday

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Heart Attack

Our doorbell rang at about 9 p.m. last Tuesday night. We went to the door together, sort of expecting a door-to-door sales pitch. There was no one there. But all these hearts were all over our front door!

I (volunteer) taught 8- to 11-year-old girls on Tuesday nights for five years. I have a different responsibility this year. It wasn't my choice, but I'm trying to make the best of it. I miss my girls immensely. So it was quite the thrill to see they miss me, too.

On the hearts they wrote about their favorite classes, such as dyeing yarn with Easter egg coloring and finger knitting, crocheting, weaving, looming, making fleece blankets for Children's Hospital, journaling and writing letters. They drew pictures of snowflakes and yarn. They wished me a happy heart day and a happy birthday. (They didn't forget my birthday this month!)

The wind was blowing, and some of the hearts were taking wing. My neighbors helped me collect them as they admired and read them. They wanted me to keep them on the door, but I was afraid the hearts would blow away, and I don't want to ever lose a single one of these. I want to keep them forever.

So I took them to work on Wednesday and put them up on my desk, to the delight of my co-workers.


This was the first time I've ever had a heart attack (although my dear, sweet husband did a terrific rose petal attack last year). I could get used to these fancy Valentine's Days! But now I miss my girls even more!

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Heartflake Monday

If you ever in your crocheting thought your craft doesn't bring love and sunshine wherever you send it, particularly when you send it anonymously, please listen to this podcast at about 49 minutes. You don't even have to listen to the whole thing. Just listen from 49 minutes to 50:05 minutes.

No, I didn't send those snowflakes, but I know who did. I made the snowflakes, and I sold them. I didn't know until later what they were being used for, or I never would have accepted a penny for them.

Comedian Heather Snow was approved for bone marrow transplant and was scheduled to leave for that procedure on January 2. But she died on New Year's Eve.

A celebration of her life will take place this weekend, and more snowflakes were purchased to be auctioned off in benefit of Dear Jack, an organization that helps young adults with cancer. When I learned what the snowflakes were going to be used for, I tried to return the money. The buyer said simply I wasn't charging enough in the first place. So I'll be making a donation in Heather's name.

This is what the buyer did with the snowflakes to be auctioned.

Heather wanted to do a comedy show to raise money for Dear Jack, but her illness prevented her from completing this item on her bucket list. At the fundraiser this weekend, Love, Hope, Strength will be swabbing cheeks for guests interested in donating bone marrow. How's that for making a difference from beyond the grave?

There is some language in the link I'm about to share, but if you'd like to learn more about Heather, Westword wrote about her last weekend.

I didn't know Heather, and my husband and I have never been to a comedy club. But both of us love to do what we can to help others. It's the best kind of love there is.

I had been trying to figure out what to write today, with Valentine's Day being tomorrow, when I learned where my snowflakes were going.

This story might encompass more love than anything else I could have composed for today.

Oh, and this is my 500th written pattern.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Amore Snowframe Instructions

Ch 34, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook to form top heart point (picot made); ch 30. Taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 12 sc, [2 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch] 4 times, [yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 5 times (3rd repeat will be through sc of picot to form top point of heart), yo and draw through all 6 loops on hook, [1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in each of next 2 ch] 4 times, 1 dc in each of next 13 ch; ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form heart bottom point.

Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below,[ ch 1, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 11 times, [ch 1, 1 dc in next dc] 11 times, ch 1, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1, [sk 1 dc, yo, draw up loop through next dc, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (dc dec made), ch 1, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 1, 1 dc in next dc] 11 times, [ch 1, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 10 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form bottom heart point.

Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp, [ch 5, sk next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 11 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch 1 sp (and dc dec), 1 dc in next ch 1 sp, [ch 5, sk next ch 1 sp, 1 dc in next ch 1 sp] 11 times, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 1 dc in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form bottom heart point.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over dc post directly below, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 2 times, ch 5, in next ch 5 sp work [1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] (shell made), [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 3 times, ch 5, shell in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 4 times, shell in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 4 times, shell in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 4 times, shell in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp] 3 times, ch 5, sk next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same ch as sl st, [ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next sc, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 3 dc in middle dc of next shell, ch 3, 3 dc in same dc] 2 times, [ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 3 dc in middle dc of next shell, ch 3, 3 dc in same dc] 2 times, [ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 1 dc in next sc, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sk next 2 ch 5 sp, 3 dc in middle dc of next shell, ch 3, 3 dc in same dc] 2 times, omitting last ch 3 and last 3 dc of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 to form bottom heart point.

Round 6: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * [ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 4, 1 sc in next dc picot] 2 times, ch 7, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, 1 dc in n3xt ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 7, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 4, 1 dc in same ch 3 tip, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last ch 3 of final repeat; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 5; bind off. Weave in ends.

I typically like to add my blog Easter eggs a few weeks or months after a snowflake pattern is released. But this one is applicable to tomorrow, so now you know, there are Easter eggs buried throughout my website! Here's a new favorite!

Amore Heart Frame Instructions

Ch 33, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook to form top heart point (picot made); ch 30. Taking care not to twist ch, sl st in starting ch.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 11 ch, [2 dc in each of next 2 ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch] 4 times, [yo and draw up loop through next ch, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 5 times (3rd repeat will be through sc of picot, holding picot pointing toward center of heart as you stitch through sc, to form top point of heart), yo and draw through all 6 loops on hook, [1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in each of next 2 ch] 4 times, 1 dc in each of next 11 ch, 2 dc in next ch, 1 dc in same ch as sl st at start of Round, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form heart bottom point.

Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 9 times, [ch 1, 1 dc in next dc] 7 times, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, ch 1, [sk next dc, yo and draw up loop through next dc, yo and draw through 2 loop on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook (dc dec made), ch 1, sk next dc, [1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 4 times, sk next dc, [1 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next dc] 2 times, [1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 8 times, sk next dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 1] 10 times, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 tr in 2nd ch of starting ch 5 to form bottom point of heart.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: 1 sc over post of tr directly below, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, [ch 5, sk next ch 1 sp, 1 sc in next ch 1 sp] 12 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch 1 sp (top point of heart), [1 sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 5, sk next ch 1 sp] 10 times, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in bottom of heart tip, ch 5, sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Funny

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Fingers Crossed...

The 2017 Ride the Rockies route was announced at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday. Last year we'd decided we would hotel it instead of camp because I want a real bed after a very difficult ride. And because we both prefer private showers as opposed to the shower truck, although the couple running the RtR shower trucks are awesome and do a great job keeping the trucks clean.

I told one of my co-workers, who did the 2005 RtR with us, we'd decided to hotel instead of camp because I'm getting old. He said that's not getting old; it's getting smart.

We didn't enter the lottery last year due to a family wedding. This year, we're not sure if The Lizard can get the time off.

But that didn't stop me from making as many (cancel-able) hotel reservations as I could at 9:05 p.m. Saturday night!

I tried to go as fast as I could, or I guess as fast as my internet could take me, but by the fifth host city, there were no rooms left. Typically, concessionaires book up whole blocks of rooms in advance, and it's impossible to get a room at all unless you go through the concessionaires. I got four of seven nights, though! I've tried doing that in the past just for the most difficult stages, one or two days per year, and I've never been able to get rooms before! I'm so excited that we might not have to camp except for a few nights!

On Tuesday, I checked again, and I found a cancellation in the 6th host city, and I snatched it up! It's another room with cancellations available. So if the Lizard doesn't get time off, we aren't out anything.

Except the cost of the ride, that is. We've decided we are going to move forward and throw our hats into the ring, and we'll find out on March 8 if we've been drawn. I'll keep checking the two remaining towns until then.

We LOVE the route! We really hope we get drawn and we can ride! Even though Lizard said, "Taking the year off last year and not doing any organized rides was pretty fun..."

First stop: Alamosa


Day 1: Pagosa Springs via Wolf Creek Pass


Day 2: Durango


Day 3: Durango Loop


Day 4: Ridgway via Coal Bank Pass, Molas Pass and Red Mountain Pass, the third-most difficult ride I've ever done, but in the opposite direction this time


Day 5: Montrose with an optional out-and-back


Day 6: Gunnison via Blue Mesa Reservoir and Cerro Summit


Day 7: Salida via Monarch Pass

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Wordless Wednesday

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Mole Goal

Most of my non-working, non-sleeping hours last week were spent trying to finish up this year's PDF snowflake booklet to benefit the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

But not Tuesday.

On Tuesday, my beloved Lizard took the day off to take me for my annual mammogram, as well as a bone density screening and a mole screening.

When all was said and done, we still had three hours of daylight, so we took a little ride up Waterton Canyon. Such a thrill, now that The Lizard is working every weekend. We don't get many chances to ride together these days. So even though I'd just had four moles removed, we decided to take full advantage of the time together.

About two hours after we got home, the anesthesia wore off, and I had a three-ibuprofen sledgehammer pounding on my eyebrow. The doctor had told me my arm would feel like road rash. It never hurt, except for during the numbing shot. I wonder if having real road rash just a few inches from where the two moles had been caused the new mole hole to seem like no big deal.

The next morning, my eyebrow was significantly better; felt as if someone had taken a bite out of it. Well, I guess someone did...

That mole had first appeared maybe the day before Thanksgiving. I was so annoyed when I realized it wasn't another zit (which also is annoying, but at least zits go away) because it was on my face. I couldn't stand it!

The blasted thing grew and grew and grew every day. To me, it was uglier and uglier and uglier every single day. It was the first thing I saw when I looked in the mirror, and every morning, it had a degree of redness to it. I assumed I scratched it in the night. Because, by golly, it itched! Sometimes, it even hurt!

I did a bit of research around Christmas and learned people my age aren't supposed to get many new moles, unless they have excessive sun exposure.

Well, during an event like Ride the Rockies, I certainly do get excessive sun exposure. But I use sunscreen. Particularly on the arm where two of the other now-removed moles once resided. My family physician had been checking that pair every year because he didn't know at first it was two instead of one, and they were asymmetrical, a naughty no-no. Once he realized they were not quite twins, he continued to check them because of the color of one.

My family physician retired about three years ago. I did my annual exams only at my new gynecologist each year since then. I was dragging my feet picking a new family physician. I never asked the gynecologist to check my moles. So I was about three years overdue.

The new mole didn't get excessive sun exposure. My sunglasses, which I wear whenever I go outside in daylight, completely covered that area of my face. When riding, my helmet provided even more sun protection.

I didn't like this new mole. Not one bit.

I began the search for a new family physician in earnest, then noticed in the beginning of January that the new mole on my eyebrow was hard and scaly. And still growing astronomically. (To me.) In just six weeks, it had grown larger than the soft, non-troubling mole at the top of my nose that has never given me any grief since it first appeared in my teens. Back before I wore sunglasses. Back when it was okay to get new moles, as long as you kept an eye on them.

My new mole had become scary. Terrifying, actually. I knew this was not the appropriate behavior for a safe mole.

I made an appointment for the same day as my mammogram and bone density test because I'd already been able to take that day off.

The bone density test and mammogram procedures went without a hitch. I'm still awaiting results (perhaps today!), but I don't expect any complications this year.

My new family physician asked the story of my newest mole three times. She suggested we just go ahead and take any moles that concerned me, which I found so refreshing! I love this new attitude toward moles! Just take them. No sense in worrying about them. Those suckers on my arm would be history! No more worrying!

My new doctor asked if I'd be okay with a scar above my eyebrow. I told her I don't even wear makeup; the scar would be preferable to what seemed to me the blimp-sized aberration this mole had become.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay with a scar? I'm concerned about this mole, and I don't want to waste any more time trying to get you in to see a dermatologist, who might be able to leave you with less of a scar."

Her statement got under my skin just a bit; I'd already been worried. That's why I made the appointment. To have a doctor concerned about this mole, too, was a bit unnerving. Oh, well, it would be gone in a few minutes, and that would be the end of that. Three stitches later, we were on our way!

As we rode our bikes, I felt a million pounds lighter. I have been trying to lose weight, and I've actually had a bit of success. But the weight off my shoulders, or more specifically, my arm and my eyebrow, was palpable. I felt so free and so liberated!

I racked up 20 Charity Miles in Waterton, and I felt as if I was on top of the world.

Two days later, I got my first results.

That eyebrow mole was indeed basal cell carcinoma.

Last week's moles were the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth I've had removed over the years. The eyebrow mole was the first bad boy I've ever had. All of the rest were just moles.

I am so relieved and so thankful I was able to get rid of this nasty bump. And I guess now I'm glad it was on my face. Would I have noticed it if it was anywhere else? Would I have paid attention?

I don't know.

I have strict instructions now to pay close attention to all my moles, and I am to report any new moles as quickly as I can.

I can live with that.

Literally! I. Can. Live. !!!

I will live to see another day. I will live to ride again!

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Snowflake Monday

NOTE: Formal fundraising on Snowcatcher has been paused. I haven't had time to create a new snowflake pattern booklet, and we don't know if or when we will be able to participate in organized charity rides again. If things favorably change, I will announce such in a new Snowflake Monday blog post. In the meantime, the previous eight booklets are still available, and I will do my best to respond to requests for them in a timely manner.

Welcome to the third annual Snowflake Day!

There is indeed another special snowflake project. I was hoping to enter it into the tenant art exhibit at the building where I work in downtown Denver, but a head cold kicked me to the curb most of the month of January. I missed the deadline. I attended the open house and reception kicking off the month-long exhibit last week, and I decided I should go ahead and try to enter the piece in another show.

As a result, I'm keeping this new project under wraps until it gets accepted into an exhibit, at which time you'll probably feel the earth move, because I'll be pretty darned excited!!!

Meanwhile, use your imagination; the snowflakes in this year's fundraising pattern booklet are featured in my latest work of art. And even though I didn't finish the work of art in time for one specific show, I do still have a reason to celebrate snowflakes today.

My new PDF pattern booklet to benefit the fight against Parkinson's Disease is here!

This new PDF booklet includes 20 of my past snowflake patterns modified to serve as photo frames. Because nothing's cuter than putting a grandchild in a snowflake, right? And you remember I have tons of grandchildren now, right?


Today's snowframe pattern is modified from a button snowflake I introduced a few weeks ago. Back then, Pop Goes the Button was a catchy name, but today's pattern has no button. How about Pop Goes the Booklet?

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflake frames you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Pop Goes the Booklet Snowframe Instructions

Foundation Round: [Ch 10, sl st in 5th ch from hook] 5 times; ch 5; taking care not to twist work, sl st in starting ch; ch 2, 1 dtr in same ch to form 6th ch 5 loop of Round.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc over post of dtr directly below, pull hook out of loop (dropped loop) and insert in 2nd ch of starting ch 2, insert in dropped loop, pull dropped loop through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 (starting popcorn stitch made), * ch 3, sk next 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, sk next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch 5 loop, pull hook out of loop (dropped loop) and insert in top loop of 1st dc of this 5/dc group, insert in dropped loop, pull dropped loop through top loop of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 3, popcorn st in same ch 5 loop; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last popcorn st and last ch 3 of final repeat; ch 1, 1 dc in top of starting popcorn to form 6th ch 3 tip of Round.

Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 3), 1 dc over post of dc directly below, * ch 5, in next ch 3 tip (between popcorns) work [ 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc]; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 5, in next ch 3 tip work [1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc], ch 2, 1 tr in 3rd ch of starting ch 5 to form 6th ch 5 tip of Round.
NOTE: Binding off here makes a cute little 3-inch snowflake.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.


Round 3: 1 sc around post of tr directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 7, sk next ch 5 sp, 1 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 5, 1 sc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc and last ch 5 of final repeat; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 tip of Round.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of tr directly below, * ch 4, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 5 dc over Round 2 and Round 3 chains, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch 5 sp, ch 4, 3 dc in next ch 5 tip, ch 10, 3 dc in same ch 5 tip; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 3 dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Friday Fun

TOMORROW!!!

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Wishful Thinking

We started putting into The Wave lottery again in August. We threw our hat in the ring every month. The lottery is for dates three months out. We were hoping to go again in cooler weather. We didn't get drawn.

Our red rock dreams will be just dreams. We'll put in again next August.

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Wordless Wednesday

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