Omar Khayyam's Quatrains (Rubaiyat)

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery in Jerusalem of a rare inscription on 12th or 13th century pottery: part of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat! To read more about this interesting news, please have a look at Dina's photoblog, Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo.

Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat is one of the few books that I've brought with myself to the U.S. from Iran. It was actually a gift from two of my friends, Bahador and Javad, when we met each other for the last time. I hope to see them again. This wonderful book has the English translation of Khayyam's Rubaiyat in addition to the original Persian poems with lots of miniatures all around the book.

I'd like to present this book with all its lovely poems and amazing miniatures to my lovely friend, my dear aunt, Dina, and all her Israeli's and Jewish people. A small gift for her to celebrate the Purim festival. Happy Purim!

Click on photos to enlarge to see the beautiful details of the miniatures.

It's Almost Spring

Counting down for the new year!

Nowrooz (meaning 'New Day') marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (the start of spring in the northern hemisphere), which occurs on March 20 this year.

The term Nowrooz first appeared in Persian records in the second century AD, but it was also an important day during the time of the Achaemenids (c. 648-330 BC), where kings from different nations under the Persian empire used to bring gifts to the emperorof Persia on Nowrooz.

Down to Portland

Inside Downtown

The Portland Telegram

The Portland Telegram Building is a historic building in Portland, Oregon. It formerly served as the headquarters of The Portland Telegram, a now defunct local newspaper founded by Henry L. Pittock. The red-bricked and terra-cotta structure culminates in a colonial-style clock tower.

Persian Rugs, Ali Sharifi

Ali Sharifi Rugs, Inc., direct importer of authentic hand made Persian rugs individually selected by Ali Sharifi, carries the full spectrum of Persian rugs from the traditional classics treasured for generations to premier quality, contemporary, handspun Fars wool, vegetal dyed genuine Persian Gabbeh.

What is Persian Gabbeh?

The word “Gabbeh” means “unclipped” in Luri, an ethnic group of Iran which has resided in Southwest Iran for centuries. Historically, these rugs, used domestically for flooring and bedding, were coarsely woven of long pile and of very heavy construction. Introduced to Western markets within the past two decades, these designs offer simple elegance by sparingly incorporating traditional design motifs from various tribal groups in the region, utilizing the lustrous and iridescent wool that the Fars region is justly famous for, and dyeing with only vegetal dyes. Some pieces have natural undyed wool integrated into the design as well, an extra touch found in genuine Persian Gabbeh.



Ali Sharifi Rugs, 1011 SW Washington Portland OR 97205

Roman Style Windows

Ron Tonkin, Auto Dealer

SW 12th and Main Street

Pink Tower, Made in Oregon