Sunday Stealing: The Gal's Meme, Part One
What’s your favorite word or phrase?
A. Interesting. It covers all bases from good to bad, and invites more conversation if desired, or stops it if not.
Tell us about a person who made you smile today.
A. My husband made me laugh when he zipped through the house buck naked at lunch time. He'd been spraying weeds and he stripped outside, washed his clothes down with the water hose, and then raced indoors to the shower. He is supposed to wear disposable special hazardous materials suits when he sprays weed killer on the farm, but he says he was out of them.
What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
A. Trying to wake up after a long night filled with crazy dreams that included my brother, a house in a canyon, an airplane trip, a bus ride, and a gun. I was having a lot of pain around 3 a.m., so it generally takes me a while to get going when I am having these more hurtful days.
What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
A. Making the bed after having stripped it and washed the linens. (I am answering this on Saturday.)
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
A. I like Halloween because of the decorations and the eeriness of it, as well as the legends that go along with it. I like the idea of a break in the veil of life and death, if only for a second. Death is such an intangible and unknowable thing - the ultimate adventure, really, which we will all experience but which will be a different experience for everyone. Okay, even I know that is getting strange.
Tell us about a visit to another country.
A. I went to Spain and France when I was a teenager, in the 11th grade (I think). We had to leave Spain a day early because there was to be a strike on the border of the buses we were supposed to take. We ended up on a train that went through every little piddling town in all of the country, and it was full of rural men and women who looked with great disdain at the American teenagers taking up space in one of the cars. There was a restroom on a train car about three cars ahead of ours, but to get to it, we had to go through cars filled with the locals. Two other girls and I attempted to get up to the restroom, but we were manhandled, for lack of a better term, by the men to such an extent that one of the girls scratched one man's face with a comb, and in retaliation he slugged me in the head, nearly knocking me unconscious. We finally got back to our train car and our tour guide just shrugged and said, "That's the way it is over here." I never told my parents about that.
What is the last thing you said aloud?
A. "You know you make the grass scream when you mow the yard, according to the article in today's paper."
What was the last thing you had to drink?
A. Water.
What are you wearing right now?
A. Jeans, a T-shirt, socks, underwear, new hiking/sneakers, new Blue Thing, my watch, and my eyeglasses.
What was the last thing you ate?
A. A peach.
Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
A. I bought the new shoes I have on. Still trying to find something that will allow me to walk without a limp.
When was the last time you ran?
A. I'm 53, overweight, and disabled. Take a guess.
What’s the last sporting event you watched?
A. NASCAR, I guess. I don't watch sports but I think my husband had that on last weekend.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A. Everywhere. I would like to see it all. I would like to see the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the hobbit village in New Zealand, the green hills of Ireland, the jungles of the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the deserts, the valleys, and everything in between.
Who is the last person you sent a comment/message to on Facebook?
A. My friend Teresa.
Ever go camping? If yes, tell us about one time.
A. When I was a child, my parents would take us camping. One time a bear backed into the tent and terrified my mother.
Do you think a tan improves your looks?
A. No. I don't tan, I burn.
Have you ever lost anything down a toilet?
A. Not that I can recall. I am sure that as a child I managed to flush a thing or two.
What is your guilty pleasure?
A. I don't have one. I do a lot of things I should not, like eat chocolate, but it is not a guilty pleasure. It's just what I do. After you reach a certain age, I think you're old enough to do whatever the heck you want (so long as it is lawful) without feeling guilty about it.
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in
Sunday
Stealing posts and leave a
comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by
them.
Sunday, August 07, 2016
Saturday, August 06, 2016
Saturday 9: Fortune Faded
Saturday 9: Fortune Faded (2003)
Because Janelle suggested The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) The song begins with a chess reference. Do you play chess?
A. Not in a long time.
2) The lyric also mentions losing altitude. Often airline travelers complain that their ears pop as the plane loses altitude. When you fly, does this bother you?
A. I haven't flown since 1993. I do, however, have an inner ear issue and doctors have advised me that flying would be, at the least, painful. I also have difficulties in vehicles when we drive up mountains.
3) Four of the original members attended the same school -- Fairfax High in Los Angeles. Fairfax High's mascot was The Lions. Do you remember what your school team (grade school, high school or college) was called?
A. My high school team was the Cavaliers. My college, which was an all-female undergraduate school, has never had a school team name. They do have colors: green and gold.
4) The band has appeared on The Simpsons. Which is your favorite character from the long-running Fox cartoon show?
A. I have never watched it.
5) Bass player Michael Balzary, or Flea, cofounded The Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit educational organization for under-privileged children. Share a memory from music class in school.
A. I used to battle back and forth with another girl, Angie, for first chair in the flute section. The first chair person had the honor of playing the piccolo. Every six weeks, it seemed, we would compete for that chair. Generally it was one of the two of us in it.
6) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have played at massive outdoor festivals all over the world. Do you enjoy listening to concerts outside, under the sun or stars? Or do you prefer air conditioned indoor comfort?
A. Because people around here still puff on their cancer sticks, I do not go to outdoor concerts. (Cough cough.) I would if my fellow Americans would stop sucking on their nicotine and polluting my air, but since they haven't, I prefer inside concerts where smoking is now (thankfully) no longer allowed in this state - an occurrence which did not take place until 2009 when our soon-to-be vice president and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed smoking cessation laws. However, they are only effective if the concert arena serves food.
7) Red bell peppers are used in Giada De Laurentiis' popular Italian sausage, pepper and onion recipe. Would you prefer to have your portion served in a bowl or as a sandwich?
A. Given that I have ulcers, I would prefer not to have it all.
8) Red cayenne peppers are very hot. Do you enjoy spicy foods?
A. See above. Ulcers do not allow me to eat such things.
9) Random question: Are you a spender or a saver?
A. I'm a saver. Who needs all of that stuff? Better to put the money away so I don't eat cat food when I am old.
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Because Janelle suggested The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) The song begins with a chess reference. Do you play chess?
A. Not in a long time.
2) The lyric also mentions losing altitude. Often airline travelers complain that their ears pop as the plane loses altitude. When you fly, does this bother you?
A. I haven't flown since 1993. I do, however, have an inner ear issue and doctors have advised me that flying would be, at the least, painful. I also have difficulties in vehicles when we drive up mountains.
3) Four of the original members attended the same school -- Fairfax High in Los Angeles. Fairfax High's mascot was The Lions. Do you remember what your school team (grade school, high school or college) was called?
A. My high school team was the Cavaliers. My college, which was an all-female undergraduate school, has never had a school team name. They do have colors: green and gold.
4) The band has appeared on The Simpsons. Which is your favorite character from the long-running Fox cartoon show?
A. I have never watched it.
5) Bass player Michael Balzary, or Flea, cofounded The Silverlake Conservatory of Music, a non-profit educational organization for under-privileged children. Share a memory from music class in school.
A. I used to battle back and forth with another girl, Angie, for first chair in the flute section. The first chair person had the honor of playing the piccolo. Every six weeks, it seemed, we would compete for that chair. Generally it was one of the two of us in it.
6) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have played at massive outdoor festivals all over the world. Do you enjoy listening to concerts outside, under the sun or stars? Or do you prefer air conditioned indoor comfort?
A. Because people around here still puff on their cancer sticks, I do not go to outdoor concerts. (Cough cough.) I would if my fellow Americans would stop sucking on their nicotine and polluting my air, but since they haven't, I prefer inside concerts where smoking is now (thankfully) no longer allowed in this state - an occurrence which did not take place until 2009 when our soon-to-be vice president and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed smoking cessation laws. However, they are only effective if the concert arena serves food.
7) Red bell peppers are used in Giada De Laurentiis' popular Italian sausage, pepper and onion recipe. Would you prefer to have your portion served in a bowl or as a sandwich?
A. Given that I have ulcers, I would prefer not to have it all.
8) Red cayenne peppers are very hot. Do you enjoy spicy foods?
A. See above. Ulcers do not allow me to eat such things.
9) Random question: Are you a spender or a saver?
A. I'm a saver. Who needs all of that stuff? Better to put the money away so I don't eat cat food when I am old.
_____________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Saturday 9 posts and leave a comment. Because there are no rules, it is your choice. Saturday 9 players hate rules. We love memes, however.
Labels:
Saturday9
Thursday, August 04, 2016
Thursday Thirteen: Canning Companies
A blight came through and killed much of the tomato crop, and in so doing made the ground unproductive for tomatoes (even today it is hard to grow tomatoes here). The blight crushed the industry, and those who survived the blight then suffered after World War II from government regulations as big farming and packaging companies took over and put the smaller farming industries out of business.
The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum in Ferrum, VA currently has a display of labels from these many companies. Each little cannery had it's own label for cans and packing crates. These labels are all from my little part of the world.
The labels were very colorful and unique. |
Each farmer created his own design and brand. |
Many of these family names can still be found in the area today. |
The labels described the product as "mountain grown" or used some other descriptive advertisement. |
This explains how the canneries grew and then collapsed. |
Farmers also grew and canned apples, sweet potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. |
This is what a cannery looked like. Many of these old buildings can still be found in the area. |
These labels were used on packing crates. |
A tree of cans with the labels still attached. Each one is different. |
Three local cans from my community. |
The collection is on display courtesy of Mr. Charlie Woods, who has generously donated his collection to the Blue Ridge Institute. |
Many of the labels were made in nearby Bedford by the Piedmont Label Company. It is still in business under another name. |
Labels:
Botetourt,
History,
Local,
Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, August 03, 2016
The Crooked Road
In far southwestern Virginia, there is a "trail" called The Crooked Road. It runs through 19 counties and 54 towns, and starts in Franklin County. It totally misses most of the Roanoke Valley, though, and runs south of the city.
As you can see, it follows a path from Rocky Mount, down into Floyd and makes it way around to the camel's head part of Virginia. There are not many cities down in those directions, though there are lots of towns and communities. Here is another website about it: Click This Link.
Roanoke has an interesting music scene; I don't know why it is not a part of this trail. Maybe it is not rural enough.
In any event, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, which is located at Ferrum College, has a display about The Crooked Road.
Over the weekend, we took a ride to the Institute to see what we could see.
The Crooked Road exhibit was mostly placards with information about various types of music and some famous musicians that lived in the communities along The Crooked Road. You may be familiar with Ralph Stanley and June Carter Cash, to name two.
We enjoyed our tour. The Blue Ridge Institute was smaller than we anticipated and the room with The Crooked Road exhibit in it did not seem to be well humidified. I had hoped to see a collection of musical instruments - old guitars, dobroes, banjos, tambourines, harmonicas, or whatever - but none were in sight. The docent on duty said they had a large collection of items in storage; it is a shame they could not be displayed.
Rocky Mount now has a new place for musicians called the Harvester Performance Center, and it is attracting many recognizable names to its performances. It seems to be quite the draw for local folks interested in music.
Anyway, take a jaunt along The Crooked Road sometime - I don't know what you'll hear, but I imagine it will be genuine.
As you can see, it follows a path from Rocky Mount, down into Floyd and makes it way around to the camel's head part of Virginia. There are not many cities down in those directions, though there are lots of towns and communities. Here is another website about it: Click This Link.
Roanoke has an interesting music scene; I don't know why it is not a part of this trail. Maybe it is not rural enough.
In any event, the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum, which is located at Ferrum College, has a display about The Crooked Road.
Over the weekend, we took a ride to the Institute to see what we could see.
The Crooked Road exhibit was mostly placards with information about various types of music and some famous musicians that lived in the communities along The Crooked Road. You may be familiar with Ralph Stanley and June Carter Cash, to name two.
The display was nicely done, with lots of information and photographs. |
I confess I was a little disappointed that there were no actual musical instruments in the room. |
However, if one had the time, there was plenty to read and study. |
Virginia has a deep history of music, with roots in Irish, German, and Scottish sounds. |
Virginia's music is one of banjos, dulcimers, ballads, and blues. |
Some of the sounds were heard all over the nation. |
Bluegrass didn't have its own festival until 1965. |
Gospel, bluegrass, country music, folk songs - Virginia is for music lovers. |
Rocky Mount now has a new place for musicians called the Harvester Performance Center, and it is attracting many recognizable names to its performances. It seems to be quite the draw for local folks interested in music.
Anyway, take a jaunt along The Crooked Road sometime - I don't know what you'll hear, but I imagine it will be genuine.
Tuesday, August 02, 2016
Still Here
I'm still here but I have been walking around watching the world and can't figure out my thoughts about the things I see.
When it all comes straight in my mind, hang tight.
In the meantime, here's a quote from Gandalf.
When it all comes straight in my mind, hang tight.
In the meantime, here's a quote from Gandalf.
Labels:
Miscellaneous
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Sunday Stealing: Gongerling
Sunday Stealing
The Gongerling Meme
Cheer to all of us thieves!!
1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)
A. A walk-in shower with grab bars, a kitchen with cabinets low enough for someone who is 5' 1" to reach, a two-car garage, a man-cave, a library, and a home office. That is more than one thing but I'm answering the meme and that is what I want.
2. What is your dream car?
A. A Toyota Avalon.
3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog.
A. I really don't have one, but I'll go with Amazon.
4. iPhone or Droid, which do you want/have?
A. Since I have neither, I really wouldn't care which I had, so long as I had one of them.
5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
A. Color, read, play the guitar, go for a drive, call a friend.
6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.
A. I would rather shop in an office supply store than a clothing store. I suppose most people don't hate office supply stores, but I could spend hours in there.
7. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. A writer. A musician. A geologist. An archeologist. A mother. I achieved the first, partly the second, and none of the last three. Although I do have a small rock collection.
8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?
A. It would depend on the show. I would like to go on Survivor just to lose weight! But I can't think of any that I would really want to participate in.
9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)
A. I tended to be a teacher's pet and loved most of my teachers. In grade school, my favorites were 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade teachers. In middle school, my favorites were my English and math teachers, and in high school my favorites were my algebra teacher, my geometry teacher, and my English teacher. I am still in contact with my algebra teacher and English teacher. I occasionally see my middle school math teacher. I don't know how many people remain in contact with their old high school teachers, but I have. Gosh, I loved school.
10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?
A. Steal Fort Knox, cash in the gold, set up a trust fund, and hand out money to everyone who needs it. Yes, I'm a Robin Hood.
11. What were you doing 10 years ago?
A. Let's see, 2006. I would have been writing nearly full-time for the local newspaper, though doing it freelance, visiting my grandmother in the nursing home, taking care of my house and husband, and probably bitching about the heat.
12. By this time next year, I . . . hope I am more in control of my life and body and feeling healthier and less puny.
13. What is something that you need to do but you've procrastinated on?
A. Clear clutter. We're not hoarders but I have lots of books that need to be donated to the library and papers that have accumulated over the last several years while I have not been well. We've lived in the same house for almost 30 years and stuff finds its way into corners and onto shelves. Sometimes you need to clear out the drawers.
14. Which fictional TV show character you would shag anytime?
A. Shag? Good grief. None of them. Now, I would go have lunch with pretty much anybody, but I ain't doin' no shaggin'.
15. What is your greatest pet peeve?
A. People who say they are going to do something and then . . . don't, quickly followed by the generally ignorant who believe that because they have an opinion it is right up there with factual information. Opinion does not equal fact. Sorry.
16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?
A. Well, round trip, yesterday we went to Ferrrum College in Ferrum, VA to visit the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. My husband wanted a day of not-working and it was too hot to do anything that wasn't inside. The drive was 56 miles one way.
17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
A. I use them both frequently; I could not say which I use more.
18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
A. My husband calls me Sweetie Pie.
19. What are you dreading at the moment?
A. Nothing, really. It's going to happen anyway, no point in dreading it.
20. Do you have a meme you think we should steal? (Yes, an old trick. But c'mon now. I gotta give it
a shot. It's a lot harder to find memes now. But it's ok to answer "You're lazy" and call it a day.)
Here's something that I've seen on Facebook - maybe you can use pieces of it. And while I'm at it, I co-host THURSDAY 13 and we welcome new players, if anyone is interested. (Hey, if you're gonna ask me to do your job at the least I can toss in some free advertising.)
44 Things You Don't Know About Me...
1. Do you like blue cheese?
2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
3. Do you own a gun?
4. What is your favorite flavor?
5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit?
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
7. Favorite movies?
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
9. Do you do push ups?
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
11. Favorite hobby? Hobby?
12. Do you have A.D.D?
13. What’s the one thing you dislike about yourself?
14. Middle name?
15. Name three thoughts at this moment:
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
17. Current worry:
18. Current annoyance?
19. Favorite place to be?
20. How do you ring in the new year?
21. Where would you like to go?
22. Name three people who will complete this?
23. Do you own slippers?
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
26. Can you whistle?
27. What are your favorite colors?
28. Would you be a pirate?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
30. Favorite girl's name?
31. Favorite boy's name?
32. What’s in your pocket right now?
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
34. Best toy as a child?
35. Worst injury you have ever had?
36. Where would you love to live?
37. How many TV’s do you have?
39. How many dogs do you have?
40. Does someone trust you?
41. What book are you reading?
42. What’s your favorite candy?
43. What’s your favorite sports team?
44. Favorite month?
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
The Gongerling Meme
Cheer to all of us thieves!!
1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)
A. A walk-in shower with grab bars, a kitchen with cabinets low enough for someone who is 5' 1" to reach, a two-car garage, a man-cave, a library, and a home office. That is more than one thing but I'm answering the meme and that is what I want.
2. What is your dream car?
A. A Toyota Avalon.
3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog.
A. I really don't have one, but I'll go with Amazon.
4. iPhone or Droid, which do you want/have?
A. Since I have neither, I really wouldn't care which I had, so long as I had one of them.
5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
A. Color, read, play the guitar, go for a drive, call a friend.
6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.
A. I would rather shop in an office supply store than a clothing store. I suppose most people don't hate office supply stores, but I could spend hours in there.
7. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. A writer. A musician. A geologist. An archeologist. A mother. I achieved the first, partly the second, and none of the last three. Although I do have a small rock collection.
8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?
A. It would depend on the show. I would like to go on Survivor just to lose weight! But I can't think of any that I would really want to participate in.
9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up? (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)
A. I tended to be a teacher's pet and loved most of my teachers. In grade school, my favorites were 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade teachers. In middle school, my favorites were my English and math teachers, and in high school my favorites were my algebra teacher, my geometry teacher, and my English teacher. I am still in contact with my algebra teacher and English teacher. I occasionally see my middle school math teacher. I don't know how many people remain in contact with their old high school teachers, but I have. Gosh, I loved school.
10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?
A. Steal Fort Knox, cash in the gold, set up a trust fund, and hand out money to everyone who needs it. Yes, I'm a Robin Hood.
11. What were you doing 10 years ago?
A. Let's see, 2006. I would have been writing nearly full-time for the local newspaper, though doing it freelance, visiting my grandmother in the nursing home, taking care of my house and husband, and probably bitching about the heat.
12. By this time next year, I . . . hope I am more in control of my life and body and feeling healthier and less puny.
13. What is something that you need to do but you've procrastinated on?
A. Clear clutter. We're not hoarders but I have lots of books that need to be donated to the library and papers that have accumulated over the last several years while I have not been well. We've lived in the same house for almost 30 years and stuff finds its way into corners and onto shelves. Sometimes you need to clear out the drawers.
14. Which fictional TV show character you would shag anytime?
A. Shag? Good grief. None of them. Now, I would go have lunch with pretty much anybody, but I ain't doin' no shaggin'.
15. What is your greatest pet peeve?
A. People who say they are going to do something and then . . . don't, quickly followed by the generally ignorant who believe that because they have an opinion it is right up there with factual information. Opinion does not equal fact. Sorry.
16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?
A. Well, round trip, yesterday we went to Ferrrum College in Ferrum, VA to visit the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum. My husband wanted a day of not-working and it was too hot to do anything that wasn't inside. The drive was 56 miles one way.
17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
A. I use them both frequently; I could not say which I use more.
18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
A. My husband calls me Sweetie Pie.
19. What are you dreading at the moment?
A. Nothing, really. It's going to happen anyway, no point in dreading it.
20. Do you have a meme you think we should steal? (Yes, an old trick. But c'mon now. I gotta give it
a shot. It's a lot harder to find memes now. But it's ok to answer "You're lazy" and call it a day.)
Here's something that I've seen on Facebook - maybe you can use pieces of it. And while I'm at it, I co-host THURSDAY 13 and we welcome new players, if anyone is interested. (Hey, if you're gonna ask me to do your job at the least I can toss in some free advertising.)
44 Things You Don't Know About Me...
1. Do you like blue cheese?
2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes?
3. Do you own a gun?
4. What is your favorite flavor?
5. Do you get nervous before a doctor visit?
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
7. Favorite movies?
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
9. Do you do push ups?
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
11. Favorite hobby? Hobby?
12. Do you have A.D.D?
13. What’s the one thing you dislike about yourself?
14. Middle name?
15. Name three thoughts at this moment:
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
17. Current worry:
18. Current annoyance?
19. Favorite place to be?
20. How do you ring in the new year?
21. Where would you like to go?
22. Name three people who will complete this?
23. Do you own slippers?
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
26. Can you whistle?
27. What are your favorite colors?
28. Would you be a pirate?
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
30. Favorite girl's name?
31. Favorite boy's name?
32. What’s in your pocket right now?
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
34. Best toy as a child?
35. Worst injury you have ever had?
36. Where would you love to live?
37. How many TV’s do you have?
39. How many dogs do you have?
40. Does someone trust you?
41. What book are you reading?
42. What’s your favorite candy?
43. What’s your favorite sports team?
44. Favorite month?
__________
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Labels:
SundayStealing
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