Adar II 8

In view, then, of all the instructions in the said letter and of what they had experienced in that matter and what had befallen them, the Jews undertook and irrevocably obligated themselves and their descendants, and all who might join them, to observe these two days in the manner prescribed and at the proper time each year. Consequently, these days are recalled and observed in every generation: by every family , every province, and every city. And these days of Purim shall never cease among the Jews, and the memory of them shall never perish among their descendants. Esther 9:26-28. The Holy Scriptures according to the Masoretic text, Third Section, The Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1982. Crayon on cardstock; edited on IrfanView.
I have no sketches of Shushan . . . but have been thinking that would be a good idea if I can gear myself up to do that. Meanwhile, here's another image of Esther.

Here's something interesting. The Talmud line that some translate as "Be happy; it's Adar," has also been translated as, "When the month of Adar arrives, happiness increases." The Jewish magaine has a drash on this translation. If you're short on time, just read the last two paragraphs on that page. It talks about miracles of nature (e.g. Passover story) and miracles related to the way events unfold in our lives (e.g. Purim story). If you want to catch the real spirit of increasing happiness, check out this blog entry all about Purim in an Israeli school -- amazing fun!
I'm posting a noisemaker tonight . . . not because anyone mentioned whatshisname but because I have one more noisemaker that has not been posted. This clown-lips whistle can be held between the teeth. It sounds a bit like a siren.