User talk:Gerda Arendt

Did you know ...

... that the 1979 German song
"Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt"
offers eight beatitudes
which include a blessing for living simply,
and another for daring to be kind?

15 November 2021

Archive of 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 + end · 2021 · blushing

16 November

Zu den heiligen Engeln
Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr Nun danket all und bringet Ehr (Erhard Egidi, organist, and choir)

November songs

take courage · encourage
Ubi caritas et amor Four Last Songs listen Vertraut den neuen Wegen

in memoriam

Aga Mikolaj Von guten Mächten für Jörg Mozart: Ave verum corpus für Helga Yoninah with psalms Jerome Kohl in Freundschaft RexxS and others who have just given up

15 November

St. Martin, Idstein women's choir: Veni, veni, Emmanuel Handel: Tochter Zion, freue dich Mendelssohn: Veni, Domine

9 November · Opernhaus Zürich

Verdi: Il Trovatore

2021 · take courage · encourage

take courage in 2021

calling heaven and earth to be glad

Welcome 2021! In the end, 2020 looked quite promising, and it's new year's resolutions can stay. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:22, 1 January 2021 (UTC)

My motto for 2021 is taken from a song: tell (announce) all in distress to take courage, as Isaiah wrote. Perhaps I should have just said "encourage!"

Today is my grandparents' wedding anniversary. They loved gardening and made a small summer paradise for us kids, with fruits, vegetables, potatoes, abundant flowers, especially dahlias, and a swing, - so garden will be a topic in 2021, as Beethoven was in 2020, today expanding Stonecrop Gardens. Ongoing: Bach, psalms, recent deaths, opera, Germany, and (my) places and songs.

I love collaboration, and can't mention all 2,500 whom I acknowledged so far, so thank just three of them for constant help: LouisAlain (prolific article translations), Grimes2 (language, sources and articles on request) and Yoninah (psalms and DYK). I make you (three) honorary members of WP:QAI, the project about article quality that I inherited, - more detailed plans are laid out (work in progress) on the project talk. The only reward for members is a monthly calendar image I took, such as the year's picture, - if you (all) want that, sign up ;)

I am proud that I could take recent images of music-making I enjoyed, and plan to do more of that. Off to Stonecrop Gardens. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:47, 2 January 2021 (UTC)

The image is taken from my second Christmas card, a double DYK of a Christmas carol and Psalm 148 that Yoninah and I made together. Today: Psalm 148 (Bernstein), in memory of her who was a blessing. · listen --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:31, 18 March 2021 (UTC)

QAI

I sent the following note to members and friends of QAI = quality article improvement, so here to myself ;) - I tried to give a good start to 2021 by updating the QAI project topics. Please check and correct, - did you know that you belong to project's few members from the beginning who are still active? Yes, I know, I joined as No. 6 when it was founded in 2012, No. 1 is blocked, No. 2 is banned (therefore we call the project also the cabal of the outcast), No. 3 moved away and back under a higher number, Nos 4 and 5 edit but do little project work. Here I am to keep it going, in fond memory of the legacy the founders planted. Precious and Impact are the project's prizes, and I offer monthly thanks to those who are active, - you who read this could be one of them ;)

Ongoing projects, besides writing and reviewing quality articles:

• improve Psalms articles
• improve Bach cantatas articles
• expand and source translations
• polish articles about people who recently died
• offer infoboxes
• perform gnomish tasks: spelling mistakes, unclosed new-line html (<br>, replace by <br />), {{ill}} instead of direct links to foreign-language Wikipedias, {{lang}} for foreign-language text, WP:Colons and asterisks by RexxS, navboxes, especially for operas which so far had sidebars, {{sfn}} instead of {{harv}}.

For moar private "happy new year" see here. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:10, 6 January 2021 (UTC)

Happy New Year

see also Season's Greetings

A barnstar for you!

	The Special Barnstar
	Hello, Gerda Arendt! You are receiving this barnstar because, according to this database query and this database query, you were the #6 most thanked Wikipedian of 2020 as well as the #5 most thankful Wikipedian of 2020, with 1716 recipient entries and 3629 performer entries in Special:Log/thanks. Thank you again for your contributions! Mz7 (talk) 22:00, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

thank you, without (lazy) click ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:18, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

Oh thankful, too. Now I get it! El_C 22:58, 13 January 2021 (UTC)

• I agree with this wholeheartedly. Gerda is one of the most amazing Wikipedians I have met in my brief time here. Always kind and always helpful. Please keep being who you are, Gerda, which is as close to perfection as one could get. --ARoseWolf (Talk) 16:22, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

  blushing with thanks, RoseWolf! - please consider to color you talk blue in your signature, - "red link talk" signals "new user", someone to greet with a first welcome ever, and that seems a bit misleading - if not blue, any other colour better than red - Alternatively, you could link "Wolf" to the talk, - nobody would misread that, I guess. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:28, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

  I'm sorry. It's supposed to be a rose pink hue rather than red. I will most definitely alter the color. --ARoseWolf (Talk) 16:31, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

  Is this better or should I just drop the "Talk"? --ARoseWolf (Talk) 16:36, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

  Like this better. Sorry for hijacking your moment. Not my intention in the slightest. Thank you for the tip and congrats. It's well deserved. --ARoseWolf 16:41, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

  YES I like that better, much better! I wasn't even "on" here, - household stuff, no moment lost ;) - Among the gnomish tasks further up, there's an essay by a friend (RexxS) about indenting, - good stuff. (If you need any help with templates, formatting, and even admin tasks, ask him. He just survived COVID so can take a lot.) I did indenting for you above. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:01, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Oscar Fritz Schuh

On 15 January 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Oscar Fritz Schuh, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Oscar Fritz Schuh created a new style to direct Mozart operas at the Vienna State Opera, focused on the psychology of the characters? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Oscar Fritz Schuh. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Oscar Fritz Schuh), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:02, 15 January 2021 (UTC)

my little contrib to Wikipedia 20 --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:52, 15 January 2021 (UTC)

Did you know ... that today, Wikipedia celebrates 20 years?

... that Oscar Fritz Schuh created a new style
to direct Mozart operas at the Vienna State Opera,
focused on the psychology of the characters?
(15 January 2021) ... that director Frank Stähle revived
the choir and orchestra of Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium
and conducted them in Mozart's Requiem
for the centenary of the Lutherkirche?
(15 January 2016)

... that it took more than half a century to complete
the Neue Bach-Ausgabe,
the second edition of the collected works of Johann Sebastian Bach?
(15 January 2011)

This is fab, well done Gerda! Nice article, never heard of the guy or half of the venues he worked at, so this was highly educational. Thanks! DBaK (talk) 21:49, 15 January 2021 (UTC)

While the first one was planned for the occasion, the second was a happy coincidence - I sang in that revival - and this last one just a coincidence, one of the articles LouisAlain began, as the one below. GRuban added the pic just yesterday, ot that one could also have been on the Main page, imagine. I love this team! GRuban, would you find a pic for Siegfried Palm as well? My second article, and Jerome Kohl (User talk:Jerome Kohl helped me understand that even if a reliable source says something, it can be wrong. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:51, 16 January 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Nun lasst uns gehn und treten

On 22 January 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Nun lasst uns gehn und treten, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that both Jochen Klepper and Hildegard Schaeder sought solace amidst the horror of the Nazi regime in Paul Gerhardt's 17th-century New Year's song "Nun lasst uns gehn und treten"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Nun lasst uns gehn und treten. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Nun lasst uns gehn und treten), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:02, 22 January 2021 (UTC)

The world needs more mensch

I see both sides, but you were right to bring it up. I only knew her through my watch list but I know she was a tireless and fair volunteer. Take care, Tiderolls 13:43, 22 January 2021 (UTC)

thank you, feel understood, and even where I sowed some fruit of response could be enjoyed (because, as I explained to one per email: the message of saying nothing may be correct but is too ambiguous) - I never worked with her on an article, but saw her go and come back several times, and saw her contributions that can hardly be overrated --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:52, 22 January 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Jerome Kohl

On 28 January 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Jerome Kohl, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Jerome Kohl, a music theorist of the University of Washington, was recognized internationally as an authority on the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, publishing a book on his Zeitmaße in 2017? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Jerome Kohl. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Jerome Kohl), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

Special congrats! El_C 00:15, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

This is wonderful. Well-deserved award. :)

Peace forever, Jerry. Antandrus (talk) 00:47, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

Friends, you made me cry.

Luigi Nono and Stockhausen at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse

In Freundschaft

Did you know ...

... that Jerome Kohl,
a music theorist of the University of Washington,
was recognized internationally
as an authority on the composer Karlheinz Stockhausen,
publishing a book on his
Zeitmaße in 2017?

(28 January 2021)

I looked up to Jerome from the day he came in my life (in 2009, telling me that was a eliable source said about Stockhausen was wrong, - it's still on the talk of Siegfried Palm, my second article), and I imagine our conversations - thoughtful, on a meadow - as pictured, in the spirit of Stockhausen's wonderful titles: In Freundschaft, Kontakte, Originale, Licht ... We never met. We edit-warred over Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik and Georg Katzer, but always with respect. (If you want a tedious task, change the now deprecated parenthetical references, in hundreds of articles.) We worked together on many other. He thanked me for links to performers of Stockhausen's music, and I tried to mention their relation to the composer on the Main page, see Wolfgang Marschner (intentionally in memory), and before.

Jerome remains an inspiration, for the world. I will remember what he wrote (about Karlheinz Stockhausen and William Waterhouse (bassoonist) who died within a few weeks in 2011, and Stockhausen had just acknowledged WW for a memorial book): "I hope that they have met again in the beyond and are making joyous music together." --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:50, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

A beautiful bouquet of flowers to celebrate the memory of a special person. Well done Gerda. MarnetteD|Talk 17:16, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Arik Brauer

On 17 February 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Arik Brauer, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Universalkünstler Arik Brauer (pictured) created paintings in Fantastic Realism, songs in Austropop, stage sets for the Paris Opera, and house facades in Austria and Israel? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Arik Brauer. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Arik Brauer), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 00:01, 17 February 2021 (UTC)

Congratulations

Your DYK hook about Arik Brauer and his wide-ranging artistic accomplishments drew 12,337 page views (514 per hour) while on the Main Page. It is one of the most viewed hooks so far during the month of February and has earned a place on the Best of February list. Keep up the great work! Cbl62 (talk) 14:13, 18 February 2021 (UTC)

Precious!

		The Good Heart Barnstar
		Thank you for your extraordinary work on Wikipedia and especially for your recognitions and encouragement over the years. All of it is indeed precious. --LilHelpa (talk) 13:34, 19 February 2021 (UTC)

Thank you for coming over. I remember how you helped me through a rough start in a foreign language environment, and am always pleased when I see your recognizable name on my watchlist. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:18, 20 February 2021 (UTC)

You are amazing

	Amazing Concerto Award
	Thank you for your tireless contributions to classical music, and for your tireless contributions in keeping readers informed. Your efforts are like a concerto; a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. I believe my choice of images is the picture that speaks 1000 words. Atsme 💬 📧 12:11, 21 February 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, lovely, blushing moar - will go to blushing! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:13, 21 February 2021 (UTC)

Yes Gerda, you "really put the T into turtle"! (And yes, I've often seen my role as very much like those tiddlers. Only joking! Martinevans123 (talk) 14:53, 22 February 2021 (UTC)

Did you know ...

... that a church's 1510
spiral of justice declares:

"Justice suffered in great need.
Truth is slain dead.
Faith has lost the battle"?

I worded the above in 2015 as a comment to my arbcom case, 2013, remember? Now a friend of mine is taken there, and I seem to have language difficulties to even see a problem. ... Drmies, we have this premature arbcase request where the step of personal approach was left out, and going to AN would mean about the same, no? ...

Regarding my troubles with arbcom: I like a composer with an infobox declared GA. This would not have been possible in the days we better forget. The opera sideboxes - which should have been the only topic in the arbcase - are disappearing nicely. I often said that the ultimate wisdom on arbitration was given here, and the ultimate ten rules (including choosing your battles) here. Can't be repeated too much. I choose not to go to the current arb case request, feeling sorry for the waste of time of all involved: all respected Menschen. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:58, 24 February 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Wilhelm Knabe

On 26 February 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Wilhelm Knabe, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Wilhelm Knabe (pictured), a co-founder of the Greens in Germany and a "green" mayor of Mülheim, participated in Fridays For Future with the slogan "Opa For Future"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Wilhelm Knabe. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Wilhelm Knabe), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

MANdARAX • XAЯAbИAM 00:06, 26 February 2021 (UTC)

for future - thank you for the update, Mandarax! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:01, 26 February 2021 (UTC)

RexxS

this user misses Flyer22 Frozen singing in defiance

this user misses RexxS (stolen from Bish 4 March)

Thank you for Wikipedia:Colons and asterisks, User:RexxS/Infobox factors, and the precious anniversary template that I use every day. I heard my song of defiance yesterday, and Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn, BWV 157 (I will not let you go ...) - dance music for a funeral - but let go. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:01, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

listen on YouTube --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:55, 12 April 2021 (UTC)

what we'll miss --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:58, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

for context: User talk:Hammersoft#Precious anniversary, or: before going to arbcom, try person-to-person talk, and then you hopefully don't have to go to arbcom - caution, long, in a nutshell (Hammersoft, 24 Feb, bolding by me):

I have a much simpler guide to arbitration. After spending many months working on it, cutting a word here, finessing a phrase there, I finally arrived at the final version. Here it is, the Ultimate Guide to Arbitration: Don't.

Don't. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:15, 7 March 2021 (UTC)

Today's little tribute: Vertraut den neuen Wegen - trust the new ways. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:53, 13 March 2021 (UTC)

... last line: Das Land ist hell und weit. The land is bright and wide. (written in 1989 in Germany's East, when it was dark and narrow.) Trust the new ways. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:51, 14 March 2021 (UTC)

, me too!! Atsme 💬 📧 18:31, 11 April 2021 (UTC)

Motivation barnstar

		The Wikipedia Motivation Barnstar
		For your ceaseless efforts to recognize and support Wikipedians, not just through your unending dedication to seek out and recognize good Wikipedians with the Precious award, but going even beyond that to recognize Precious anniversaries. There's no reason you would want to be spending time going to people's pages and recognizing their Precious anniversaries, yet you do it anyway. I don't know why you do it, it's not like you get anything out of it, but you're literally one of the few, if not only, Wikipedians who dedicate themselves to complimenting others. I suspect it's a thankless task, but it's a valuable one. What you do motivates people, it energizes people, and it makes people feel like they're a worthy part of the project and the community. I think you're an unsung hero of this project. Best, ~Swarm~ {sting} 10:11, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, Swarm, and how I need it right now, myself. - You are wrong though, twice: It's rather selfish because a round of checking what there is to be thankful for, at the beginning of the day, improves my mood, and I receive many thanks for the reminders, - almost undeserved because they are now so easy that RexxS made me the template where all I have to do is pick the right number. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:18, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

I'm sure we'd never want you to be "unsung", Gerda! Martinevans123 (talk) 10:27, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

slow Mozart is not bad for my mood - one of my missing friends was inheritance of loss --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:45, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

Well-deserved accolades from Swarm, Gerda!! You put the class in classical music. It makes sadness a bit more tolerable. I just learned about Yoninah, and my heart sank. I never had the opportunity to collaborate with her, but even so, it always makes me sad to learn a Wikipedian has died. Life is so short. That's why it's so important to be enjoy life to the fullest, and be kind to one another. Always take time to stop and smell the roses. Atsme 💬 📧 02:05, 1 April 2021 (UTC)

I smell wild garlic now! Thank you so much, Atsme, blushing deeper. Did you check out inheritance of loss? 2012, and still on my mind. Flyer22, Yoninah, RexxS - we are loosing those who established high standards for this project. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:12, 1 April 2021 (UTC)

I just wanted to drop by to echo everything that Swarm said - it made a difference to me when you gave me a Precious award, and I've since noticed your support of many others. Thank you for everything you do. Ganesha811 (talk) 15:09, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

Carmen

Carmen, illustration in Journal Amusant

Carmen is an opera in four acts which Georges Bizet set to a libretto by the team of Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on Prosper Mérimée's novella. When it was first performed by the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875, its breaking of conventions shocked and scandalized its first audiences.

The opera was originally written with musical numbers and spoken dialogue. Set in southern Spain, it tells of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the fiery gypsy Carmen, and finally kills her in a jealous rage. The depictions of proletarian life, immorality, and lawlessness broke new ground in French opera. Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance, unaware that the work would achieve international acclaim within the following ten years. Carmen has become one of the most frequently performed operas, with the "Habanera" and the "Toreador Song" among the best known of all operatic arias. The music has been acclaimed for its brilliance of melody, harmony, atmosphere and orchestration, and for Bizet's skill in expressing the emotions and suffering of his characters.

"... in expressing the emotions and suffering of his characters" - worded admirably by Brianboulton, and the apt image added by Voceditenore - great teamwork! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:57, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Andréa Guiot

On 8 March 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Andréa Guiot, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Andréa Guiot appeared internationally in French soprano roles such as Mireille, Marguerite, Manon, and Micaëla in Bizet's Carmen, which she recorded alongside Maria Callas in the title role? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Andréa Guiot. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Andréa Guiot), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (ie, 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:02, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

IWD II --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:08, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

Best Wishes for today, with respect (Women's Day ...)

... sorry I don't know how to put a flower icon now)

Liebe Gerda, Ich wünsche Dir alles Bestens für heute mit viele Respekt!(KIENGIR (talk) 14:01, 8 March 2021 (UTC))

Danke! Look around, two women the team (LouisAlain, Grimes2) worked for DYK, and a friend's article TFA - so far so good. Carmen mentioned again on the Main page also good. Missing a friend is not, - stealing the image from the TFA ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:42, 8 March 2021 (UTC)

I saw the recruitment advertisement tag at the top, how many women will join WP today? :) (KIENGIR (talk) 14:51, 8 March 2021 (UTC))

Good Job! Your hard work is very much appreciated. Panini^🥪 01:49, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, now going to praise you for your first TFA, - enjoy! - My work is not hard, - hard are the things I don't get done. I'd love more arbitration (example pictured), not what we know here under that name. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:38, 9 March 2021 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Role Model Barnstar
	For your daily efforts to spread positivity, to remember, recognise and affirm other Wikipedians. For your empathy, humour, kindness and unflappability. Reading your thoughtful Precious award dedication to me was an uplifting and affirming moment for me. Thank you for all that you do. You are a role model, to me and many others! Kohlrabi Pickle (talk) 04:00, 17 March 2021 (UTC)

blushing deeply: Kohlrabi Pickle, I try. Kohlrabi today, in the fridge already ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:30, 17 March 2021 (UTC)

Hehe, make some pickle out of it! Kohlrabi Pickle (talk) 10:13, 17 March 2021 (UTC)

Gerda, I wanted to share with you that I have created a mini-award to recognise and affirm members of the small community that works on Singapore-related articles. I hope I'm able to bring some of your positivity to this little corner of Wikipedia! Kohlrabi Pickle (talk) 05:01, 27 March 2021 (UTC)

That's a lovely idea! The recipient will know what the prize name is, I didn't ;) - I had to understand that the foreign language IS a prize name, and therefore the "(Wikipedia)" made some sense. What do you think of having s translation or explanation instead of the neutral "An award for you", and/or an image that connects immediately to Singapore? ... as the sapphire connects immediately to its photographer who passed the "earlier" stars of "awesome Wikipedian" for several years, my model ... (now blocked), or as the cherry connects to the one who gave it to me ... (then desysopped, and dead, but remembered). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:44, 27 March 2021 (UTC)

That's a great suggestion! Certainly I can do a translation of the award: it is essentially the Wikipedian equivalent of the Meritorious Service Medal, perhaps the equivalent of the British MBE. Maybe I'll put that in the header instead. Do you know anywhere where there's a list or collection of these kinds of awards that I can look at for inspiration? The cherry is indeed a very meaningful symbol. Kohlrabi Pickle (talk) 12:40, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Excellent! - see Category:Wikipedia awards, + navbox in it, and integrate yours when ready! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:46, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Thanks so much for all your help! Kohlrabi Pickle (talk) 12:49, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Your GA nomination of Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159

The article Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159 you nominated as a good article has passed ; see Talk:Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159 for comments about the article. Well done! If the article has not already appeared on the main page as a "Did you know" item, or as a bold link under "In the News" or in the "On This Day" prose section, you can nominate it within the next seven days to appear in DYK. ... Message delivered by Legobot, on behalf of Aza24 -- Aza24 (talk) 08:21, 18 March 2021 (UTC)

Thanks for the review, Aza! The article appeared on DYK, ... that Picander used one of the sayings of Jesus on the cross for an aria in Bach's cantata Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, BWV 159, for the last Sunday before Lent? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:27, 18 March 2021 (UTC)

No problem, and good to hear about the DYK. Your Bach DYKs always make the section more interesting...! Aza24 (talk) 08:35, 18 March 2021 (UTC)

This one was in 2011. I did it like Bach and wrote one every week then ;) - Most were approved by Rlevse who was then a pillar of DYK, as Yoninah was for the last years. I'll promised myself to bring Chichester Psalms to GA in memory of her, after today's little tribute, Psalm 148 (Bernstein). Psalm 148 was our last work together, and went to my Christmas card because she modestly declined to say something extra for the psalm, - she should have gotten that role model barnstar. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:43, 18 March 2021 (UTC)

Psalms (in memoriam)

Ps 82-85 (starting at 6m30, Ps 84 at 13m45, though really no reason to skip the introit by Tallis, which is top class as you'd expect). RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 16:50, 25 March 2021 (UTC)

Beautiful, thanks for sharing! - On Psalms, there's a question (somewhere in the beginning), about linking psalm recordings in Salisbury style, by a woman, in English. I don't know. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:34, 25 March 2021 (UTC)

Heard this while driving back home today. Another not particularly well known composer... RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 20:01, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Lovely! I like Zelenka a lot. I heard - in a concert for Reformation Day 1917, the 500 year biggy - one of his masses, combined with BWV 80. Today Graupner: great, a mature 1741 work, see above. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:24, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

1917? :) I just did a quick lookup but found only record labels (1) (2). I'll have to look up in more scholarly sources when I get the time. Even if I do, no hope of getting this up and fast through DYK for thursday, right? RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 20:28, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

sorry, typo, 2017 of course, when Reformation was celebrated 500 years, - life concert in Gütersloh, a relatives round birthday - was a nice idea to invite guests to that concert - Thursday is tough, but one can always try, - I nominated one for Friday yesterday, and another today --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:38, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

I have I penitenti al sepolcro del redentore, ZWV 63 for the time being. Will see if I can find better sources. RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 20:42, 28 March 2021 (UTC) - Now moved to mainspace cause I found a book which almost certainly (99.9%) does talk about this... RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 21:23, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Promotion of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1

Congratulations, Gerda Arendt! The article you nominated, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, has been promoted to featured status, recognizing it as one of the best articles on Wikipedia. The nomination discussion has been archived.

This is a rare accomplishment and you should be proud. If you would like, you may nominate it to appear on the Main page as Today's featured article. Keep up the great work! Cheers, Gog the Mild (talk) via FACBot (talk) 12:08, 26 March 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, Gog, you were mild ;) - It's planned to appear on 25 March 2022. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:57, 26 March 2021 (UTC)

Proud I am not, it's the work of many, and I appreciate the help of former editors, reviewers and contributors, especially Francis Schonken, Mathsci and Thoughtfortheday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:10, 27 March 2021 (UTC)

Thank you...

...for arranging such beautiful tributes on Main Page for Yoninah, as well as the Signpost remembrance. I wish I had something as lovely and comforting to offer as you always seem to, but I will have to make do with my thanks and my condolences. I know if I am shocked and griefstricken, it must only be that much more so for you who worked so closely with her for so many years. Truly, I hope those memories may be a blessing. Innisfree987 (talk) 21:27, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, - and yes, she was a blessing to last. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:29, 28 March 2021 (UTC)

Hey there!

I may be semi-retired these days but was thinking of you earlier. So this is just a quick drive-by messaging, to tell you that you are awesome and thank you for all that you do here!! :) - Alison ^❤ 04:03, 2 April 2021 (UTC)

Alison, blushing. I take it as a praise of teamwork. On the Main page now (on Good Friday): the Honan Chapel by Ceoil and friends, who invited me to it last year, and the above cantata, which I just heard and photographed, and nominated late, so could get to there only with friends making exceptions. I am thankful for that. I miss too many people (who died or have just given up, - I wrote He was despised in 2012 thinking not only of Jesus but what we do here to each other, and it still happens), so am especially thankful for each sign of life, like you coming over ;) I'd normally sing in choir today, and miss it, so try to interest some others in the music. Look around! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:26, 2 April 2021 (UTC)

Alison, when I added your line to the section, I read some again, and found treasures I had forgotten, from people who can't add, - overwhelming. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:44, 3 April 2021 (UTC)

Christ lag in Todes Banden (Christ lay in death's bonds), BWV 4, is a chorale cantata for Easter by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of his earliest church cantatas. It is agreed to be an early work, partly for stylistic reasons and partly because there is evidence that it was probably written for a performance in 1707. Text and music are based on Luther's hymn of the same name, derived from medieval models. In each of seven vocal movements, Bach used the unchanged words of a stanza of the chorale and its tune as a cantus firmus. Although all movements are in E minor, Bach intensified the meaning of the text through a variety of musical forms and techniques. He performed the cantata again as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, beginning in 1724 for his first Easter there. Only this second version survived, scored for four vocal parts (soprano part pictured) and a Baroque instrumental ensemble with strings and a choir of cornetto and three trombones. John Eliot Gardiner described the cantata as Bach's "first-known attempt at painting narrative in music" and "a bold, innovative piece of musical drama".

Five years ago, when I improved this article, with the help of many, I thought of a dear person who had just died, Alison, and of the conductor who taught me the significance of the piece, and I knew sooner than Wikipedia that he had died. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:46, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Gerda! (I'm trusting it's Sunday when you read this.) I was wondering whether I should request an Image Review for the Mynors FAC. I've seen Buidhe do such a review for some candidates; I thought it might be useful to generate progress on the candidacy. Is it appropriate to ask them, or other editors who do these reviews (I've seen Nikkimaria do some), for a review? Or is is better etiquette to wait? All the best, Modussiccandi (talk) 22:27, 3 April 2021 (UTC)

Thank you and happy Easter to you! - I'd wait. More regarding Easter after sleep. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:37, 3 April 2021 (UTC)

• Hello and good morning to you Gerda. We may not always agree on everything we discuss, but I would still wish to greet you a Happy Easter this year and may the rest of the year be a good one for you. Greetings. Narutolovehinata5 ^tccsdnew 04:14, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

  Thank you, and also to you. Thank you for coming over! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:46, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

• Haec dies quam fecit Dominus. Exultemus et laetemur in ea. Alleluia! ([1]) Happy Easter! Appreciate your help with the DYK, amongst others. I should have more free time available in a few weeks so any suggestions of something useful to be done? Thanks, RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 04:19, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn, thank you for that one, true every day, and I just did. Last year, we thought of Penderecki's Haec dies quam fecit Dominus., - true every day. This year, we think of Yoninah and RexxS. May she rest in peace. For him, I silently hope for a resurexxSion. "Don't believe in miracles. Rely on them". (Mascha Kaléko)

Thanks. Makes me thing: heard this while driving this morning (FA suggestion for next year?); improvised on this (I've heard German tunes sung in French churches with the German lyrics, but considering even Latin is beyond my singers..., I had to content myself with improvising); and then heard this while driving back. Cheers, RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 21:49, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

I seriously thought about Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen, for the second day of Easter, for 2023 because next year we try the Morgenstern ;) - Christ ist erstanden: see above, The Song, no Easter without it, and Brahms connects both to Yoninah and Alison, - our conductor did it as his farewell piece. DBaK, we had a trumpet yesterday! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:57, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

RandomCanadian, we (Germans) have an Easter hymn, "Bleibe bei uns, du Wandrer durch die Zeit". Text by de:Peter Gerloff (who is User:Rabanus Flavus), music just says "William Henry Monk 1861". Of which hymn originally? Per the metre, "Christians, awake" would even match. Of course we could ask the author ;) - Imagine: I found it: "Abide with Me". Close enough. Perhaps it's even a translation. Next year. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:25, 5 April 2021 (UTC)

Es ist gar keine Übersetzung. Auch, es ist etwas seltsam, dass die Beziehung zwischen die zwei Lieder ist nicht bezeicht (z.B. [2] oder [3]). Though; the "Stay with us, for it is evening" theme is present in both songs (one as a direct quotation/paraphrase from the Emmaus story; the other as a more general prayer). The English hymn is also more commonly (but not exclusively) associated with funerals (somewhat anti-thematic for Easter?). Since you don't seem to have known it (I instantly recognised the melody), here's a good arrangement from Cambridge. Cheers, RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 17:01, 5 April 2021 (UTC)

Hello to Gerda and all! As my name was mentioned here... The evening and decease hymn Abide with me has been turned into German by Theodor Werner, a Protestant pastor, in 1952: "Bleib bei mir, Herr! Der Abend bricht herein". This hymn is in the Evangelisches Gesangbuch (Nr. 488). I had known this version already before, and I always liked the melody, but my "Bleibe bei uns", indeed, is not nor wants to be a translation, but refers to the Emmaus gospel. The Gotteslob (2013) contains another version "Bleib bei uns, Herr" (Nr. 94) with the Monk melody, destinated for evening prayers, but this one is not a translation of Lytes text, either. - Dux vitae mortuus regnat vivus! Österliche Grüße, --Rabanus Flavus (talk) 17:47, 5 April 2021 (UTC)

Danke, und ebenfalls österliche Grüße! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:53, 5 April 2021 (UTC)

Happy Easter! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:46, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

A very happy Easter to you Gerda. As ever you include something for me to learn from and that is much appreciated. MarnetteD|Talk 18:45, 4 April 2021 (UTC)

Yes, it has been a happy Easter for me. Christ is Risen indeed!--Epiphyllumlover (talk) 02:03, 5 April 2021 (UTC)

Le Sacre du printemps

la consagració de la primavera
Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal Barcelona, 2008

Le Sacre du printemps is a ballet and orchestral concert work by Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1913 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company, with choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky and stage designs and costumes by Nicholas Roerich. The ballet caused a near-riot in the audience when first performed, on 29 May 1913 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, but rapidly achieved success, and later became recognised as one of the most influential musical works of the 20th century. The score has many novel features, including experiments in tonality, metre, rhythm, stress and dissonance. The scenario is the celebration of spring by primitive rituals; in the end a sacrificial victim dances herself to death. After its explosive premiere the ballet was not performed until the 1920s, when Léonide Massine's rechoreographed version was the first of many innovative productions by the world's leading choreographers. Providing "endless stimulation for performers and listeners" alike, Le Sacre is among the most recorded works in the classical repertoire.

Article about Stravinsky's ballet by Brian Boulton, 50 years after the composer's death, Aza's idea, thanks to all. It had a scandaloous 1913 premiere - Aza's idea, thanks to all! The scandalous 2013 infobox discussion can be read, now with some smiles, in Archive 3. Don't forget: Rhythm is it! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:02, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Vertraut den neuen Wegen

On 7 April 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Vertraut den neuen Wegen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that a German theologian wrote "Vertraut den neuen Wegen" to be sung at a wedding in Eisenach shortly before the fall of the Wall? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Vertraut den neuen Wegen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Vertraut den neuen Wegen), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

— Maile (talk) 12:01, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

This - trust in new ways - was meant as a call to RexxS, hoping for a resurexxSion. Call to self, also. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:41, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

"The only real nation is humanity"

This is so true. If we all just adopted this principle and treated each other with just a touch more kindness and understanding the world would be just a little more sunshine and a little less clouds. And even when the storms came to disrupt our flow through life, the kindness of the songs we interact with in human form and touch our hearts every day would be the colours in our rainbows after the storms pass. I commend you, Gerda, for being one of those songs. My words of encouragement and reflection: You are you. You are Gerda, so just be Gerda. The wonderful soul and colourful song that you are. Uniquely gifted to fit in the niche of life you were so aptly designed to fill. You don't have to do another thing to be the amazing citizen of humanity that others and I see you as. If you never edited again you would still be a beautiful (barn..lol) star. If you never gave another anniversary stone you would still be a precious jewel. Nothing could ever diminish the bright light that is you and everything you have done and continue to do from the moment the colours of life touched those eyes just adds to the brilliance that is Gerda. --ARoseWolf 15:18, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

blushing redder than ever, but before more answer: fresh air --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:21, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

rosewolf, hike was good, food also, back to you: you touched a soft spot. "The only real nation is humanity" is a quote, - I quote Br'er Rabbit who quoted from The Lord of the Flies. He was No. 2 founding member of the cabal of the outcast. I miss him since October 2012, and every precious, and reminder, and flower greeting, is a little tribute. Much of what you praise is only a reflection of the light of others, see? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:45, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

We are influenced by other songs, there is no doubt of that. My song is directly impacted by my father's mother because she took the time to comfort and care for a scared and lost little girl that had given up on life. She taught me that I am a rainbow. That's the personification of humankind and really all life. You do carry parts of their song with you and it has become part of you but it is still you, distinct, individual colours and patterns that are yours. Influenced by others and life experiences but they belong to you. The fact you sharing them just means they are now part of us and we carry a little of your song and, by extension, their songs in us, and now we can pass them on. It's how the strings of our life bind us to each other, them to you, you to us, us to others and so on. --ARoseWolf 19:58, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you (Ched)

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for weighing in on the "Warning and Welcome" thread. Normally I wouldn't have troubled you, but it is a topic I know you feel strongly about. I also will quickly "welcome" a user if I see they don't have many edits, (provided they haven't shown themselves to be problematic). I think welcoming new users should be a priority, and I truly appreciate and admire all your efforts in that area. I've been sort of overseeing a new editor in the NASCAR area, and trying to help them along the right path. Example: If you look at Nascar9919's talk page, I think you'll see I haven't turned into some sort of unfeeling tough-guy that's just out to sanction people or get them into trouble. Anyway, thank you for your input on that page. Best always, — Ched (talk) 20:10, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, Ched. Look above, - I just fondly remembered the beginnings of "our" cabal. Please meet my friend (and recent member) with Italian and Alaska influences, and all connected with all. I have to expand an article, - please talk to each other and excuse me until done. (Sorry, no time to look at the other right now.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:16, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

I believe Gerda just introduced us, Ched. It is a great pleasure to meet you. Welcoming new members properly is essential to the encyclopedia and I also admire Gerda for this. I, likewise, commend you for taking a new editor under your "wing" and teaching them. --ARoseWolf 20:47, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

Tsistunagiska, Hello A Rose Wolf, nice to meet you as well. Always nice to meet another Native American, wolf lover, and husky owner/lover. Welcome to the project. Don't hesitate to ping me if needed, although my skill set is limited. Hope you have a great day and rest of the week. Best, Ched — Ched (talk) 21:12, 4 May 2021 (UTC)

— Ched and any other admin, please watch Ashleyyoursmile, I get pings that smell like vandalism. No welcome ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:07, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, Gerda Arendt. It's LTA Evlekis. They are back with their signature harassment and personal attacks. Ashleyyoursmile! 10:10, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Ched, I usually only wiki in the mornings. We basically have 24 hour daylight now so its easier to choose when I sleep and I don't sleep well anyway. We own 38 Huskies and about 16 Malamutes. I was adopted by wolves. I'm watching your page too, Ashleyyoursmile, if you don't mind. --ARoseWolf 13:14, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Now THAT is a lot of pooches to feed. Even my mom never had quite that many when she had her own Collie kennel many years ago. Back in the old chat-room days (Excite IIRC) I went by the handle of "Lone Wolf", and have often used that nickname for many venues. I've owned several Huskies and 1 Malamute what the heck was her name? over the years. Well, anyway - having worked a midnight to 8 shift for years, I can understand the challenges that come with the sunlight, but I've never been to Alaska (although I would loved to have been able to go back when I could). — Ched (talk) 18:14, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Ched, They are sled dogs and I could name them all but we would need a book as some have local Athabascan names and I'd probably need to get the transliteration for them in order to spell them. My lead dog is Little Jack. My team, minus one Husky that passed last year :-( , is the same team that was with Jack (been a sled dog trainer for 20 years and a guide in Alaska for longer and now our personal dog trainer and a sled team operator) and I when we were caught in a snow storm north of Fairbanks in March of 2018. I was suffering from a serious concussion (I hit my head on the brush bow when the u-bolt snapped and the sled flipped and Jack had broken ribs from hitting the handle bar and footboard. All we could do was pack the snow in around us and huddle inside the canvas covered sled wrapping ourselves in blankets. The dogs came back to our location because the dogs are trained to retrace their steps even in the worst conditions. We made it out alive because of the combined survival training of the the dogs and us. --ARoseWolf 18:57, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Tsistunagiska, Wow - that's a story that will live for a long time. Concussions can be very dangerous, so I'm glad you had the wherewithal to protect yourselves for the night. That had to be a very tense time. I'm glad everyone made it out in one piece. — Ched (talk) 19:40, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Ched, we never would have made the night. It was probably -60°f with the wind chill factor. Winds were about 45mph. It was probably only about half an hour to an hour but that's plenty of time to contemplate your death and review your life. In that time the snow had piled up over the sled and Little Jack dug in the snow a little to get to us. I had a pretty bad cut on my forehead and the cold kept it from bleeding worse so that was pretty good but I suffered from migraines for almost two years after that. The last migraine I had was early in 2020. I don't remember much after that as I was in and out of consciousness. I just remember waking up in a hotel bed in Fairbanks. Jack says he took me to the hospital and they checked me over but released me. We've pretty much healed externally but I've never really recovered from that and how can you? It's forever a part of me. --ARoseWolf 20:11, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Tsistunagiska, - Yep, I can see how something like that would stick with you - very scary time IMO. I could easily imagine a nightmare creeping in, and maybe for years to come. Glad you had Jack and little Jack around. — Ched (talk) 20:24, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

agree - talking of Jack, for a circle --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:29, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Ched Oh, I'd need to tell you the whole story for you to get the full experience but we can do that another time and place. I am putting together my journals for some future literary work, perhaps the "Memoirs of Asareel: The Alaskan rainbow" (lol). --ARoseWolf 20:35, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

over

Ched, I think the infobox wars are over. Happy day! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:58, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Glad to hear that Gerda ... that will make things much more peaceful. Cheers. — Ched (talk) 18:14, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you! - RoseWolf, just a short explanation: the infobox wars were first documented in 2005, example pictured from 2012, with two protagonists for the infobox, the before-mentioned Br'er Rabbit and Andy. They were accused of having driven the author off Wikipedia by that discussion. (I was on the other side, back then, imagine.) Br'er left us later that year, and I continued his work a bit. A 2013 example was Joseph (opera). It got an infobox today. (In 2013, Ched asked the arbitration committee to solve the disputes. They failed to even look at the problem, and made it bigger by asking us in the end to fight it out on every individual article talk. Short version. Long version here.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:52, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

I've had limited dealing with the arbitration committee and/or ANI but from what I have seen, admittedly the personal perception of a wiki-noob, they don't seem to be extremely helpful and actually hurt the encyclopedia more than help. True enough, there are disruptive editors who need to be dealt with but more times than not I have seen good editors who held a different perspective be eviscerated and destroyed because of a personal dislike, rather than actual policy. It's why I avoid those situations as much as possible. Nine times out of ten they are a negative to the encyclopedia than a positive. -ARoseWolf 19:51, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Just look at #RexxS or the Ultimate guide to arbitration: Don't. Seriously. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:08, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

Agree with that sentiment...Don't. --ARoseWolf 20:16, 5 May 2021 (UTC)

A project that doesn't need an arbitration committee would by great! - Tell me the 10 percent that were not a waste of time, please. One case that made life better for us users, please. - While the arguments about infobox opera (which is the only type of infobox the arbs should have looked at in 2013, because it was new and caused trouble when introduced) may have ceased, we still talk about CITEVAR (another waste of time) and whether the "based_on" parameter may mention a Bible story citing the Bible verse(s), or if it needs a secondary source to say so (another waste of time). I have no time today, but anybody is welcome. Thanks to Michael Bednarek for holding my position (but reverted as I write this). Still the same opera, of course. - In case you have extra time but want to do something productive: a peer review is open for Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, and another for my song of defiance (yes, not only death and fear, but arbitration also), - both not by me. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:35, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

I am sure all the members of the committee and most every admin here at Wikipedia are legitimately great human beings. But I can not fathom some of the logic behind decisions made. I used to just say that I don't know everything they know but I actually believe I know more than they know, in most cases, details not important as to how but we'll call it an intuition. The fact is that I haven't seen a single case, taken up, that wasn't, itself, disruptive to the encyclopedia and the community. One would think they are in a bit of a catch because no matter how they ruled there would be those in disagreement. True enough, but the decisions themselves seem disruptive and arbitrary, even more so than the process by which the decisions were made. --ARoseWolf 14:44, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

Agree. The system is flawed, - the so-called evidence is typically a heap of memories of things that went wrong. I know only one case in detail, so am biased, but it drove me crazy when they wanted to ban my friend Andy (mentioned above) as if that would have helped. One of the arbs cited a diff when voting to ban (and it was the majority vote for that ban) where Andy uncollapsed an infobox that I had inserted in an article I had written. I bet that arb didn't read the diff right, and thought Andy had added that infobox, and never bothered to find out what kind of article that was, and if that was welcome or not. Just voted to ban. Kafkaesque. Otherwise a pleasant person, offering tea when you enter his talk. As you say, great human beings. - Don't get near. In case they call me again, I'll not participate. Do you know what I thought was the ultimate guide (until the more ultimate Don't)? Written by Raymond Arritt, missed much. Look! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:43, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

Oh wow, that was close to four years ago. I still lived in Haines and didn't even know what Wikipedia was. I'm not even sure I had internet or if it was then it was community internet (lol). I still have the same tablet though it's basically useless now. I wish I had been here to meet some of these incredible people. In regards to the arbs, being a great human being doesn't make you uniquely equipped to deal with the issues that arise. People, good people, have hurt me all my life. Most don't even know how or why they have hurt me. The majority act out of ignorance. They don't really have a solution but a solution must be found or they feel they will lose face. In the name of saving the castle they actually dismantle it stone by stone but because it's a slow process they don't even realize what they have done and most never will. But one day they, or those that follow after them, will remove the stone holding it all together and it WILL collapse upon itself. There may be portions that stand like the ruins of the ancient marvels of antiquity but the real substance and depth of meaning will have long left. The great halls of reason and understanding will have faded from memory. All that is left is the husk, a reminder of potentiality and what might have been. Common ground, collaboration, good faith, sharing of ideas and a genuine caring of others will simply be terms that one uses to make them feel good about life and themselves. But without the desire to fill in every syllable spoken and each letter written with the fullness of ones passion they will simply remain empty promises devoid of all life essence. Hope? I love the quote "Soulwork is not a high road. It is a deep fall into unforgiving darkness that won't let you go until you find the song that sings you home." I am sure that could mean something different depending on who you speak to but I find that encouraging. Life is dirty. Life is messy. You get damaged and cut and hurt and wounded. It seems like darkness is always lurking and ready to take you but there is a song, somewhere, somehow. The soulwork is finding it. There is a rainbow, even in the darkness. There is color, music, life, dreams that can lead you home. Here, in the middle of the madness that is this encyclopedia, I find songs. My hope is to be a song as well. --ARoseWolf 16:59, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

You are a song! - I haven't written my article of the day yet (about a nature reserve where I was today, and where the April flowers were taken last year), and the telephone is ringing a lot, so no focused response right now. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:28, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

I found a song, User:Geogre, to listen to ;-). I fail to listen to my grandfather sometimes. "When speaking truth use fewer words...there is less to remember." Yes, grandfather, but the words are inside me and if I don't write them down and share them I am going to explode (lol). Enjoy your time with your memories of nature and those April flowers, Gerda :-D. Write it down! --ARoseWolf 19:11, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

I know Geogre because RexxS rescued his images from deletion. Who will do that now? - Some day, I'll write my memories, but today, I just translate from the German Wikipedia. I'll find a way to include the flowers. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:53, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

Look, a start. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:10, 6 May 2021 (UTC)

Thanks to Andy who wasted more time and fixed the Bible reference. - I leave the April pic because Wild garlic is still blooming, seen yesterday, and chamomile not yet. Later today: expanding a park (pictured), thinking of a friend's birthday. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:07, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Looks beautiful. I have a brother in Dresden and one of the brothers that lives here in Alaska with me moved from München and brought his family. I am trying to finish up the few remaining redlinks for protected places in Alaska. Curious, why would Geogre's images get deleted? --ARoseWolf 13:02, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

The images were self-portraits so not used in articles. As if we had no other problems ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:08, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

ps: see User:RexxS#Geogre, and User talk:Geogre, - look for RexxS, how he defended all these proposed deletions, also of other images. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:16, 7 May 2021 (UTC)

Re [SlimVirgin]

We deal with life and death of SlimVirgin, an editor who was one of the pillars of the project. Particularly the use of templates on her pages.

To take you up on your comment, I just thought the placement was a misfire. It struck me as odd when I opened the page that I had to scroll down an entire screen to see the template, since in the future it'll be important that people looking for help realize they'll need to ask someone else, and the one on her userpage was also badly positioned (which I fixed). Nothing I feel all that strongly about. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 22:43, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Just saw your comment on my talkpage, we can continue there if needed. Sorry for any confusion. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 22:45, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

The Blade of the Northern Lights, how are my talk page watchers supposed to know that you speak about placing the "deceased" template on user and talk of SlimVirgin, and where? She left her user page like this. I think the template is out of style in whichever position. When I die, please no template, and no "deceased". - Edit conflict. We can also continue here, perhaps better for when I die ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:57, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

Apologies for the confusion. I just happened across them already being there, and repositioned them thinking they were just out of whack instead of not supposed to be there at all. Since I never knew any of this, I'm happy for anyone else to remove them; no objections from me at all. The Blade of the Northern Lights (話して下さい) 23:07, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

It doesn't matter where they are and it's certainly not worth the discussion. I placed the one on the talk page, couldn't make heads or tails of the markup and placed where it landed after a few tries but it was not the top of the list of things I was concerned about in the moment. If it can go to the top that's probably fine too, but fwiw it does look ok underneath that nice image. That said, zero preferences from the person who did the placing. Thanks to Gerda for hosting the discussion, best here than on that talk page. Victoria (tk) 23:29, 9 May 2021 (UTC)

@Gerda Arendt: If I have anything to say about it your wishes will be met. Wikipedia is very adamant that our user/talk pages don't belong to us, which is ridiculous by its very notion, and it may be the point at which I leave Wikipedia for good or am permanently banned but a person's preference should be honored out of goodwill. I lean heavily towards leaving their user/talk pages as is, myself. Archiving the talk page and adding a new section about them being deceased seems appropriate. That's my personal principles kicking in. --ARoseWolf 14:34, 10 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you. What do you think about the precise case below? Light green, intentionally so, and now contrasted with the black and yellow of the template? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:44, 10 May 2021 (UTC)

I'm probably not the one to ask about colors but since you did, colors, from my viewpoint, are living representations of individual states of mind, moods, senses and character traits. Beyond what the typical synesthete would say, because if I purely operated from that view I would never see her page the way you all do anyway, I can say that she organized and colored her page the way she wanted to be representative of herself. Deviation from that would be, in my view, a dishonor and disrespect of the individual. Let me say that I don't believe anyone here is intentionally doing anything to dishonor out of malice. But that's my personal view of the situation. --ARoseWolf 15:13, 10 May 2021 (UTC)

template and page style

Some related observations and thoughts, about user page and user talk page of Slim version, and in general, and {{deceased}}:

• SlimVirgin was conscious of the appearance of her personal pages.
  • She changed the image on her talk page from a sleeping woman (which she showed on top as long as I remember) on 19 March.
  • On 8 April, she added the image of RexxS on top of her user page, archived her talk page and added light-green background to both pages.
• I feel that the template is one of those falling into the category "don't template the regulars". Both pages would be perfectly understood without it, and have been understood by all those mourning. We could just add her pages to the categories the template automatically applies. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:17, 10 May 2021 (UTC)

I'm stunned...I didn't know. When did SV die? —valereee (talk) 20:50, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

We don't know exactly when Sarah died, early May, last edit 18 April. See WP:Deceased Wikipedians/2021#SlimVirgin. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:24, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

I gave her Impact - too late. Mentioning her statement in the arb case request in a link. Arbs should listen to women more. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:29, 13 May 2021 (UTC)

Such an amazing person. I cant agree with that last statement anymore than I already do. This whole encyclopedia needs to listen to women more. --ARoseWolf 15:33, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I completely agree! Bishonen, Littleolive oil, Montanabw, Atsme, Sarah, and I, later also valereee - we all said the same, actually the most experienced arb, Newyorkbrad, also said so, but these men - only men right now afaik - ignored us. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:45, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I honestly believe it stems from a familiarity with our own points of view. I have said, for a long time, that we all have a conflict of interest in every subject that we have ever had the smallest participation in. Conflict does not mean the opposition is my physical enemy. Conflict means opposing viewpoints are antagonist to my own. We all have interests and those become the subject of the conflict. So anyone with opposing or differing views, from all sides of a particular topic or subject, has a conflict of interest. That's part of being human. Passion for our interests, a very real state of being, is what drives our conflicts. I don't care if you are an arbitrator for wikipedia or a judge sitting on a bench deciding criminal and civil cases, you have a conflict of interest and I know most strive to separate their personal viewpoints from decisions made but that is an impossible task. It will never happen. It is impossible to have a completely neutral outcome from arbitration. It is impossible to have a truly fair or equitable result. It doesn't take a genius to review the notice board or arbitrary cases to see this is factual when it involves the review of human beings and their actions. --ARoseWolf 16:46, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

Tbh, RexxS did the exact thing he felt was the best option for him, he walked away. When confronted with the understanding that the system is skewed by its very nature because it is a human made system, and there was no way in hell he was going to get a fair shake, he reviewed his two options, stay and fight and subject himself to a grueling, bitter and stressful inquisition which would have resulted in the same outcome (I don't care what anyone else says, that case was decided before the evidence was provided because nothing provided was enough to alter its course much one way or the other) or walk away with even a sliver of dignity and respect, even if only within his own mind. The character assassination ensued about as I expected it would, of course, with the occasional nod towards a feigned respect of RexxS's contributions throughout the years, if for no other reason than to make the individual saying it feel better about the massacre of a human beings dignity they were engaged in. Sprinkle in a few ignorant and misguided comments about how you don't have to be an admin to still be a major contributor to the encyclopedia which sounded absolutely absurd when contrasted by the veracity by which every minute detail of RexxS's actions here were painstakingly scrutinized to find errors in judgement that are quite common among the species. The result was never in doubt. Even the comments by committee members about how their decision was going to be disagreed with no matter the outcome simply points to their unwillingness to admit the conflict of interest by which they entered the case. Its all to make them feel better and it is a common practice among humanity to do this. No one, from any side has acted outside what was expected from the onset. RexxS weighed his options and I believe he did it with great attention to the consequences, not from arbcom because anyone with enough sense and a willingness to actually see the truth of humanity would draw the same conclusions I have, but the consequences to an encyclopedia that himself and even the allies, opposition and arbcom members genuinely care about. He decided, with the outcome of little doubt, that the best thing he could do for the encyclopedia and himself was to walk away. Arbcom did not win, the opposition did not win, civility did not win, Wikipedia did not win, humanity did not win. All accounts lost. That's the result of arbcom when it deals with humanity. That's the result of conflicts of interest when the passion and the love of ones own views outweighs reasoned temperance. --ARoseWolf 17:16, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I said (Hammersoft talk) that the case would not improve kindness, nor a single article. Cassandre again. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:44, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

Spot on as usual. I tried explaining this with my ex-husband years ago when he felt I should be more upset over him leaving the way he did. My seemingly blasé attitude was not because his actions did not affect me. If he would have known me better then he would have understood that my actions were completely in character for myself. I point inward when tragic events occur. The normally talkative and bubbly personality turns to quiet reflection. Most likely I would withdraw like RexxS did rather than engage in defense of myself. If I am still talking then I haven't reached that point. --ARoseWolf 18:05, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I was quite bubbly in "our" case, but then understood the perfect guide, nutshell: "Arbitrators usually work from broad impressions and do not consider details, nuance, or context." and finally "You're completely on your own in interpreting any nuances or inconsistencies in the announced decision. While it is possible to file a request for clarification my experience is that the Arbitrators would rather gnaw their own limbs off than provide meaningful guidance to the implications of their decisions." - So, if another case came along, I'd just not participate. Waste of time. Did you read the fascinating bio of Raimund Hoghe? That's what we are here for. He who wrote the guide was also a Raymond in real life. We wanted him for arb. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:23, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I did read the bio. His life was quite intriguing to me. I often wonder if he knew just how impactful he was. I think most people are like that. We are our own biggest critics. You put me on to so many intriguing life songs. Now I need to go read about Raymond. I read everything. It fascinates me. I take my time. I digest all words and roll them around inside me hoping to fully understand the complexity of the individual(s) that constructed them. Sometimes this takes longer than other times. When I was first introduced to RexxS, by you, I spent the better part of a day or two just pouring over his talk page and user page, then I branched out to the case. I have spent a lot of time looking at it, just allowing the depth of me to consume each word to determine the motive and feeling behind it. EVERY word/action has its base foundation in feeling and a state of being. The colors help me but its still my human personality that determines how I see it to a degree. I can own that it is initially tainted by the lens of my own system of colors and sounds. But then I take time to filter it through my understanding of humanity from the experience of life, just life. The results are as neutral and objective a conclusion that I can possibly determine. --ARoseWolf 19:03, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

Raymond Arritt - I miss him every day, although we chatted only once a year, for Precious anniversary. I had no idea what he did for the environment, until he died. - He is quoted in my edit notice, note to self. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:09, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

I will pick up with Raymond later but he seems to be another song that I would have liked the personal interaction with. --ARoseWolf 20:27, 18 May 2021 (UTC)

As a bloke (albeit not a particularly stereotypical one) I can empathise with the view that "This whole encyclopedia needs to listen to women more." In fact, I'd go a bit further, and say that this whole encyclopedia needs to listen to the widest and most diverse set of people that it possibly can. It will ultimately make the encyclopedia better. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 16:03, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Good point, and no contradiction: I don't mean don't listen to men, and see, the three in my edit notice are all men. For Alazi, I didn't know for a while - because of the image on the user page of a naked woman looking at herself in a mirror, but of course a man's view, and because of saying that man/woman is way to simple - and I actually liked not to know and both possible, and both good - but on one occasion he said something like "of course I'm a man or I could take this shit better". How I miss him. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:04, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Life here in wild Alaska doesn't care if you are a man or woman. That's one of the reasons I love it so much. There is one law...survive. You know where you stand and you better mind your step. My sister-in-law and I were driven off the trail by a pack of wolves while we were out on a ptarmigan hunt once. I cared not that we were saved by men. I love the diversity of the sources of knowledge here. I agree that we should listen more to them all. --ARoseWolf 17:20, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

I finally finished reading Ray's talk page, every archived word of it. I am absolutely convinced he was one of the coolest guys to ever live. How can I miss him even though I never exchanged words with him? But I do. I have copied the ten points no doubt written by Raymond at some point and expressed through his widow. I will incorporate them into my philosophy on life. It's already pretty close to that anyway. --ARoseWolf 18:01, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

I do like his support for Clinton as President. See also my remarks at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2019 February 25#Wikipedia:Dramaboard. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 19:53, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Oh! I wrote that! (WP:Ignore all dramas). I'd completely forgotten. -- Yes, I miss Raymond. We had hilarious conversations, including by email. I regret not getting to meet him in "real life". Antandrus (talk) 20:05, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

@Antandrus and Ritchie333: The amazingly beautiful jewel that is Gerda has put me on the trail of quite a few amazing life songs as of late. I miss them though I never got the opportunity to interact with them but I do have their words and their colors find a way through to me. Each of you were impacted by them and an impact always leaves something behind so part of them is part of you. In that way I do get to meet them through each of you. On top of that I get to listen to your unique songs while improving this project which is pretty incredible for me. --ARoseWolf 20:23, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Tsistunagiska, However, WP:Ignore all dramas also says, as a welcome footnote, "We're still an encyclopedia, and we still need your help." I'm never going to run out of articles to improve, and having taken 150 articles to good article status, the next goal will be to take that total to 200. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 20:40, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

Absolutely, Ritchie, yes. And Tsistunagiska, in one of those haunting synchronicities in life, I delivered almost exactly your thought, in some of your words, when I gave the eulogy at a memorial service not long ago. We often underestimate the impact we leave on others, sometimes by a lot. You put it really well. Antandrus (talk) 22:01, 19 May 2021 (UTC)

impact - thank you! - (May I introduce Dreadstar to you, RoseWolf? ... who helped me to 'ignore, ignore, ignore" in 2012) --- I need help with translation. Wo Menschen sich vergessen, that phrase, and the the refrain "Da berühren sich Himmel und Erde, dass Frieden werde unter uns". There heaven and earth touch each other so that peace may come (become? grow? be? develop?) among us. - "werden" is hard in English. "Es werde Licht" (from Genesis). - "Menschen" is hard. "sich berühren" is hard. "Himmel" is hard. - And all too long for DYK. I'll probably just say that it was the openening of the streamed service for the ecumenical open air service opening the Kirchentag in Frankurt, planned as a giant meeting in an arena, now instead on a parkdeck with four singers, with the skyline somewhat as pictured above. You saw the skyscrapers right and the Paulskirche left, under a blue sky (Himmel) on Ascension Day (Himmelfahrt). Wo Menschen sich vergessen, where people let go of their ego peace may come. Antandrus, you said that recently, - back to impact ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:32, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

@Ritchie333, Antandrus, and Gerda Arendt: my grandfather loved the phrase Finché c'è vita, c'è speranza - While there is life, there is hope. He slipped me a piece of folded up paper about a week before he passed and told me to hold on to it, that I would know when the right time to read it was. Every time I went to unfold that paper something stopped me. It kind of slipped from memory in the weeks, months and even years that followed. My grandmother didn't handle losing him well. She became more and more sick and the dementia started taking over her life. To add to it, my uncle and aunt (adopted parents) died in a car accident almost a year after he passed. We both didn't handle that well. Her health continued to deteriorate at a rapid pace to the point where she required 24 hour care so I pretty much moved in with her, probably what ended my marriage. One day, she was quite lucid, she called out to grandfather and I don't know if it was the way she said his name or not but I instantly remembered that letter. I ran home and found it and brought it back to my grandmother and as I sat beside her I opened it. At the very top in his handwriting, Finché c'è vita, c'è speranza. He wrote about his life, losing his parents in WW2 and finding my grandmother in Italy and so many memories . Some things I had heard before, somethings I hadn't. He was never one to share many feelings but he poured them into this little letter. He told me what that phrase meant to him. Paraphrasing: "Life doesn't end with death so long as we continue to live inside those that we have impacted." There is always hope so long as the life essence of the earth remains. We are but a string, a note, a melody. One instrumental in a vast ocean that is a symphony of great voices. Our song is unique and important but together with other songs it is the continuation of life and thereby hope remains. --ARoseWolf 13:18, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

That's beautiful. Thank you. Antandrus (talk) 14:37, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

... yes, and just what I need - singing my song of defiance of death and fear (see top). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:55, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

Your story makes an important point - behind each Wikipedia editor is a real person with a background and story to tell. I've had ups and downs in my life too, I just don't feel like expressing them publicly on-wiki. So thank you for wanting to be open about yours. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 18:30, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

A personal reflection: When you bathe in a stream in the middle of nature and live in a house with very few doors then you quickly learn that your life experiences are not really just your own. Our journey is meant to be shared. Our story is meant to be told. Our song wants to be heard. Who am I to deny it? --ARoseWolf 18:38, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

You listen to my song, wonderfully! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:00, 20 May 2021 (UTC)

Sometimes it takes me a little while but I do hear most Songs that I come into contact with. Everyone thinks "conflict" is an evil. I don't view it that way. Conflicts that turn toxic can hurt us and that's why we need filters. We all spin at different speeds. Sometimes we collide causing damage to each other. Other times we find the right Song that helps us repair damage to ourselves. Still other times there is damage that can't be repaired, like a deep scratch on one of those old vinyl records we love so much. It sounds like skips and bumps. Momentary pauses in the Song that is our life adventure. We keep moving though. Keep growing. Keep experiencing. Why? Because life is worth it. The journey has value. I will say that if going through everything in my life lead me to edit and improve this encyclopedia just to meet some of you and share in the beauty that is your Song's then it was absolutely worth it. Dreadstar was an interesting one, different, but equally magnetic. I am very glad they found depositories in which to pour themselves into while they were here. It left an impression on so many. --ARoseWolf 13:43, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

yes, thank you! Dreadstar was an actor, with an IMDb entry, DYK? And such a good friend. He stayed in email contact after he left WP, being desysopped for bad reasons (sounds familiar?) The last email was Christmassy, saying how much he cherished the friendship. The news of his death was a shock, not only for me, as you can see on his talk, which we restored against his will. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:37, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

I could tell there was a bit of acting in his approach, particularly early in his talk page. I am not surprised he was desysopped, one of the reasons I always pause before endorsing my support of a candidate for admin. I want to say, "Whatever you believe in, pray to them cause you are going to need it". However, I think most will do well, just stay uncontroversial, something I find hard to do (lol). I noticed his talk page was restored against his will. In this case I feel it is justified. So many can learn the perfectly flawed magnificence that is Dreadstar on Wikipedia if they will simply listen. --ARoseWolf 15:49, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

He was a rather uncontroversial admin until he protected a featured article for a week because of an edit-war about the hidden notice (!) to prevent an infobox. He was called to task for having protected (no more) while involved. Kafka, all the time. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:01, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

I agree. Seems like such a frivolous and trivial thing to be attacked over. I have read some of the ferocity from all sides in the infobox wars. Not picking a side and rehashing the issues of the past but to lose so many good editors over this, beyond the affect being dressed down and desysopped has on individuals, deserved or not, is simply mind-boggling. --ARoseWolf 16:41, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Yes, people can get very dug in over inconsequential things. I think that once one's ego becomes over-involved, the inconsequential can seem more consequential than it actually is. The world's wisdom traditions all recognize, among other things, that where one's ego is involved, one suffers. Personally I am trying to back away from such conflicts, and there are many such (not only on "infoboxes"). Spending time in nature gives one valuable perspective, I believe. I think I will go outside today. :) Antandrus (talk) 16:53, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

Antandrus, I edit while being outside a lot right now for that express purpose. It looks like rain later today. Dark clouds overhead. I will always recommend walking away from enflamed situations here. That is sage advice for us all, self included. I have let myself become over-involved in situations and generally there was an irrational response. Once I was able to reset I could see that and make adjustments. --ARoseWolf 17:03, 21 May 2021 (UTC)

The problem with the "infobox wars" is that several of the major players on the "anti-infobox" side are people I would consider friends. If consensus is now that articles should have an infobox in order to be considered properly developed, I can get behind that as long as it closes the debate. As for getting "dug in over inconsequential things", I think the other thing to realise is we all have different views on what is important, and all it takes to have a blazing row is to have two editors with strong but diametrically-opposed views that nobody else cares about. I think my current bete noire that I get annoyed about (but no more than that) is people putting frivolous tags on articles (something I know Antandrus has commented on in the past), which makes me wish back to simpler times when WP:SOFIXIT was widely practiced. That said, it does happen if you look closely; when Smirkybec got stuck into improving O'Connell Street with me and actively helped out at the GA review, I thought "hallelujah, collaborative editing's not dead yet!" Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 10:00, 22 May 2021 (UTC)

Today, I came across Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Underwater diving in popular culture, which looks heading for a "delete" close. Who's a good editor who can help rescue diving articles? Ah, RexxS. *sigh* Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 13:50, 22 May 2021 (UTC)

(quick stop here, feast days and company:) The infobox wars are dead. GFHandel made an edit today, after 9 years!!! Turn to articles. Celebrate with friends. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:43, 22 May 2021 (UTC)

Ritchie333 thank you so much for tagging me in, reading the whole conversation I feel amongst friends here :) I miss Rexx too (I'm lucky enough to see him IRL from time to time, always a joy to chat with). Here's to more editing with friends! Smirkybec (talk) 19:44, 22 May 2021 (UTC)

Welcome, Rebecca. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:35, 22 May 2021 (UTC)

May 1455

		Reform, renewal
		"...& alle othir there that willed the reformacion thereof"

Thank you, SN! Reformation is a work in progress. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:09, 2 June 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Philipp Harnoncourt

On 30 May 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Philipp Harnoncourt, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Philipp Harnoncourt (pictured) initiated the restoration of a Gothic chapel with a triangle floorplan, originally dedicated to the Trinity and reopened on Trinity Sunday 2020? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Philipp Harnoncourt. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Philipp Harnoncourt), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 30 May 2021 (UTC)

He stood for something useless but not senseless ("nutzlos, aber nicht sinnlos"), and especially meaningful today, on Trinity Sunday. He inspired many to help, and restored a building that was meant to be demolished more than once back to its original message, at an "impossible location". It's rare that a person is pictured when a dream comes true. - If you understand spoken German: there's a lecture by him on YT. The opening, on Trinity Sunday last year, is also available. For a quick glimpse from that opening: [4] - Matching: Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. Thanks to all involved, making exception after exception! - If you still have time, there's Gott Vater, sei gepriesen for the day, "reconcile what is divided". --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:47, 30 May 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Christa Ludwig (writer)

On 12 July 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Christa Ludwig (writer), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Christa Ludwig, known for fiction for young horse-lovers, received a prize after her novel about Else Lasker-Schüler's late years in Jerusalem was published? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Christa Ludwig (writer). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Christa Ludwig (writer)), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

— Maile (talk) 00:03, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

This was written thinking of memories. She introduced me to Rilke, Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge. Today, I also remember Frank Stähle's birthday who introduced me to Mendelssohn, Elias, remember. I am thankful having listened to Fidelio this weekend, in concert, with dear people. - I need help with Psalm 86 and about 100 other psalms, missing Yoninah, in whose memory I added Jerusalem to this hook. - Waiting: expanding holocaust survivor Esther Béjarano and tenor Rainer Trost, and both have to be today, and all the things I'm behind remebered or forgotten. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:21, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne

On 16 July 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that for the morning song "Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne", the poet found a new metre, and the composer a new melody, to reflect the many meanings of "rising"? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 12:02, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

• Congratulations--well done! Drmies (talk) 13:16, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

  Thank you, Drmies. One of the songs I received for last year's virtual birthday singing. The cousin who "gave" it to me, hesitated because of the line "... lagen darnieder" (... were down), but rising from being down in more than one sense is what the song - and life - is about. We just met last weekend, - once a year ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:24, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day!

Happy First Edit Day, Gerda Arendt, from the Wikipedia Birthday Committee! Have a great day! History DMZ (HQ) † (wire) 01:48, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

August songs

Thank you! I hope so, it's also - coincidence - the birthday of Franz Harnoncourt, or Harnoncourt-Unverzagt, and unverzagt means unafraid - coincidence. He is the brother of Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Philipp Harnoncourt and Karl Harnoncourt, and I wish I could find enough about their sisters Juliana and Alice for articles. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:59, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Can't find more than that Juliana married Herrn Theiner and they had 5 children. Other relations: Alice Harnoncourt (sister-in-law), Alice Hoppe-Harnoncourt (niece), and Ladislaja Harnoncourt (mother). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:26, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Always a pleasure to cheer up Wikipedia's cheer-leader, and apologies for the fluorescent yellow in my W-B-Day greeting (oops, I did it again) History DMZ ^{(HQ) † (wire)} 03:14, 3 August 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, and I also did it again, giving the candles a chance and the flowers ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:25, 3 August 2021 (UTC)

Yay!!! Happy Wiki-birthday, beautiful! You have been a brilliant light from the beginning. --ARoseWolf 15:50, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, dear song - I thought of you when walking outside, - will get to flowers for you after food! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:05, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

A very happy Wikibirthday Gerda!!!! I can't think of a better compliment than ARoseWolf's so I will just say that thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of people have benefited from reading the articles you have worked on. Many thanks! MarnetteD|Talk 16:24, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

And another -- happy wiki-birthday Gerda -- Wikipedia is a much finer place with you around -- keep on keeping on, and writing wonderful stuff. Antandrus (talk) 16:46, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, all, and Ched below, _ I remember the day quite well when I wanted to fill a red link, and the article was deleted within minutes ;) - subject now played for my real birthday, pictured, as you know. The plan is to repeat that next year, with hopefully more listeners. You are invited! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:05, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Thank you for what you have done in the 12 years in Wikipedia. Grimes2 (talk) 07:29, 3 August 2021 (UTC)

Just stopped by ...

to wish you a Happy Wiki-Birthday — Ched (talk) 17:49, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day!

Thank you, it was lovely, see above. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:22, 2 August 2021 (UTC)

3 August ... continuing the memories: 3 August was the day I was named awesome Wikipedian by Rlevse, and Brianboulton by Neutralhomer, - I always liked that coincidence. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:11, 3 August 2021 (UTC)

4 August ... the day that Jerome Kohl died, as we learned much later - In Freundschaft. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:25, 4 August 2021 (UTC)

Congratulation

		The DYK Medal
		Congratulation for being No.1 in "Wikipedians by number of DYKs". Grimes2 (talk) 09:42, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

A truly amazing feat! (applause) —Kusma (talk) 10:25, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, both! If #2 still had any interest, I could not have done it, but now he's learning German instead ;) - Seriously: it's easy. In 2015, I decided to leave the infobox circus (due to health reasons) - longish discussions for very few articles by very few editors with a specific taste for a clean image instead of information provided for "idiots" - and turned to writing one simple short article every day, - typically not "attacked" by those (with one exception in 2018, which didn't go to DYK - rather no DYK than show an article without infobox). As I feel some urgency to tell these news, they resulted in almost as many DYK, some 200+ for several years, which accumulated nicely. Thanks to LouisAlain who comes up with many more than one topic per day so I can choose, and Grimes2 who serves references and new articles like magic, it's wonderfully easy! Do the same, y'all, don't care about the infoboxes in articles that others wrote, - write your own instead, in collaboration. You'll miss things like this - just discovered, but you will not miss much. To more good news and knowledge - today's plans a woman who wrote children's books and a soprano - and thanks to all who help! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:38, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

Congrats!!! I'm amazed it took so long I haven't contributed to DYK myself in over 6 years! I thought Cwmhiraeth in particular would have had about 3000 by now! † Encyclopædius 14:45, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

Congratulations! A stunning achievement – Aza24 (talk) 23:05, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Teresa Żylis-Gara

On 29 August 2021, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Teresa Żylis-Gara, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. Stephen 06:54, 29 August 2021 (UTC)

Polish songs. Listening to her gave me an idea of what singing can mean. I saw her in the role that Gramophone mentioned as the beginning of her international career, and as the Met's Mimi (when a fireman had to extinguish the real fire in the fireplace burning Rodolfo's poems), and as Manon Lescaut, still credible as a young girl at age 60+, and still with that pure intensity. Ave Maria. If you want more, an admirer's Halka.

Thanks to Grimes2 for immense help with references, for her and others! This article will become GA some day, promised. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:44, 29 August 2021 (UTC)

Wonderful voice. Grimes2 (talk) 09:23, 29 August 2021 (UTC)

thinking aloud: we should change to sfn references - POD? - years for recordings? - split discography, with more detail? - more reviews? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:40, 30 August 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Omas gegen Rechts

On 7 September 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Omas gegen Rechts, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the protest initiative Omas gegen Rechts (Grannies against the Right) was awarded a prize for civil courage by the Central Council of Jews in Germany? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Omas gegen Rechts. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Omas gegen Rechts), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:03, 7 September 2021 (UTC)

support, and thinking of Yoninah --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:27, 7 September 2021 (UTC)

Did you know ...

... that the protest initiative
Omas gegen Rechts
(Grannies against the Right)
was awarded a prize for civil courage
by the Central Council of Jews in Germany?

7 September 2021

DYK for Leo Kestenberg

On 10 September 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Leo Kestenberg, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Leo Kestenberg, a concert pianist, initiated a large-scale reform of music education in Prussia, but had to flee the Nazis first to Prague and then to Tel Aviv? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Leo Kestenberg. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Leo Kestenberg), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 00:03, 10 September 2021 (UTC)

another thanks to LouisAlain, and thinking of Yoninah --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:14, 10 September 2021 (UTC)

A gift for you!

Hi there! As a thank you for being an excellent sport at DYK, and for always having interesting nominations, i got you something! I notice that often times your nominations are approved a bit late because you're behind on QPQs—so if you find yourself "lost and alone, or... sinking like a stone", feel free to use one of these three emergency QPQs (i do understand if you don't want them, of course)! Remember to use them sparingly, and happy nominating! theleekycauldron (talk • contribs) (they/them) 21:47, 14 September 2021 (UTC)

That's a gracious gift, which I'll use in cases of emergency, such as the next attempt to get something on the Main page in three days ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:53, 14 September 2021 (UTC)

very exciting! :) i marked the talk pages on all three noms, saying that they're donated theleekycauldron (talk • contribs) (they/them) 22:29, 14 September 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Protestant Church, Borgholzhausen

On 18 September 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Protestant Church, Borgholzhausen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the Protestant Church in Borgholzhausen features a 1501 carved stone altar with scenes from the Passion of Jesus? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Protestant Church, Borgholzhausen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Protestant Church, Borgholzhausen), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

 — Amakuru (talk) 00:02, 18 September 2021 (UTC)

The church was also a site of the family reunion, after Fidelio: (by chance:) a baptism service, (by chance:) with the first singing of the congregation (by chance:) of the song that was given to me most, including by myself, which was also sung at my parents' wedding anniversary at the same location, again six stanzas (but not all the same). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:29, 18 September 2021 (UTC)

ps: not by chance, I wrote the article on the anniversary day. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:47, 18 September 2021 (UTC)

Celebrate 3 October

St. Bonifatius, Wiesbaden Rossini: Petite messe solennelle

3 October is not only our national holiday, and this year also the Erntedankfest harvest festival, but also the traditional concert day in St. Bonifatius, Rossini today, the first concert after Stabat Mater in 2019. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:16, 3 October 2021 (UTC)

A great experience! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:14, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

The Matthew Passion as opera

Jonathan Miller trained as a medical doctor, but first made his name as a professional comic. He later turned his hand to directing theatre and opera; and I've just remembered this 1994 TV performance, which I was delighted to find on YouTube. ("O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" isn't acid enough for my liking, but it rarely is. It should cut right through the texture, and come as a jolt.) Narky Blert (talk) 18:18, 16 October 2021 (UTC)

will see later, thank you --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:22, 17 October 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Hilf, Herr meines Lebens

On 20 October 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Hilf, Herr meines Lebens, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the first prayer of "Hilf, Herr meines Lebens", a Christian song written when its author was age 85, is not to be on earth in vain? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Hilf, Herr meines Lebens. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Hilf, Herr meines Lebens), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

— Maile (talk) 00:03, 20 October 2021 (UTC)

... praying that I'm not on earth in vain. In the AN case driving away LouisAlain, I felt what I said was in vain. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:10, 23 October 2021 (UTC)

DYK for La Passion selon Sade

On 24 October 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article La Passion selon Sade, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the title of La Passion selon Sade, an opera by Sylvano Bussotti (pictured with star Cathy Berberian), caused a scandal at its premiere and had to be changed for the next performance? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/La Passion selon Sade. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, La Passion selon Sade), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Vanamonde (Talk) 00:02, 24 October 2021 (UTC)

From an archived thread: Br'er Rabbit, RexxS, LouisAlain, you are my friends, and I am sure that Wikipedia would be better with you than without you. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:22, 17 October 2021 (UTC)

LouisAlain, this article is dedicated to you! Scandal seems to fit better than a hymn ;) I miss your inspiration, translation of cultural topics you found in obscure corners, good spirits, thankful heart. Thank you for literary context from Kafka to Schopenhauer. You others: please give me some of any of these because I thrive on them. I believe it's a scandal that we found no constructive way of collaboration, - I felt so talking in vain in the AN thread. Au revoir, and for a hymn after all, there's Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen, and telling you and myself: "go on with life, have a laugh, don't get too upset". --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:49, 24 October 2021 (UTC)

DYK for In Freundschaft

On 28 October 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article In Freundschaft, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that In Freundschaft was composed in friendship by Karlheinz Stockhausen as a clarinet solo for Suzanne Stephens (pictured), and later adapted to the instruments of other friends? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/In Freundschaft. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, In Freundschaft), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:02, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

In Freundschaft - let's live it, in memory of Jerome Kohl. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:29, 28 October 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Telemann)

On 31 October 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Telemann), which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, a motet by Telemann, was performed and recorded in 2017 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Telemann). You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (Telemann)), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:03, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

change the climate

31 October, and I don't think of Halloween. Firstly, it's a dear person's birthday who gave me a song about not being afraid, leading to this year's motto of courage. Secondly, from early youth, it was Reformation Day, singing "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott", written after Psalm 46. I makes me now think of my dear friend who worked on the psalms. When I see the pumpkins, I think of a dear friend whom we lost on 31 October 2010. When I see peanuts, I think of a dear friend who made his last edit to me on 31 October 2012. He thought about reformation, - first link on my user page. He was missed by a dear friend who studied climate change, today's featured article, with an image reminiscent of a pumpkin. Be my friend: reform - change the climate, to more kindness - then celebrate. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:56, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

Wenn das Brot, das wir teilen

Thank you very much for starting an article on Wenn das Brot, das wir teilen. It's such a beautiful hymn that conjures up cherished childhood memories. Modussiccandi (talk) 11:37, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

It's great any age ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:27, 31 October 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Johannes Schröder

On 1 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Johannes Schröder, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Johannes Schröder composed an oratorio honouring Katharina Kaspar, who became a new saint in 2018? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Johannes Schröder. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Johannes Schröder), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 00:02, 1 November 2021 (UTC)

He will be our next Kantor at St. Bonifatius. He was the organist for Laudato si' (oratorio) in Limburg and Frankfurt. (In Limburg, the program book said so.) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:34, 1 November 2021 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Teamwork Barnstar
	For your contributions to In Freundschaft. I guess your friendship, loyalty and resilience deserve more, but this is with what I come up with for now. Paradise Chronicle (talk) 05:52, 1 November 2021 (UTC)

Blushing, Paradise Chronicle, and I love your prose! DYK that my first barnstar was for resilience? Here's to some of my lost teammates: I wrote Franz Kafka with PumpkinSky. I wrote Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227 with Francis Schonken. I wrote Leo Kestenberg with LouisAlain. I was helped a lot by RexxS and Br'er Rabbit who made the Sanddunes Sunrise image. Isn't it enough that precious editors die? - Please: review Jesu, meine Freude. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:34, 1 November 2021 (UTC)

I wish one day I could come up with what happened with my block in the German Wikipedia. Today, it is like a blessing to me and a real one, one you can't imagine. I looked at Jesu meine Freude and from an observers point of view, it looks fabulous, it has so many details. Paradise Chronicle (talk) 08:42, 1 November 2021 (UTC)

That it is like a blessing to me is more to say that the English Wikipedia treats me much better than the German one. In the German Wiki the indef. block came after 8 valid edits and was reconfirmed after my appeal for an unblock due to difficulties for the access to the Wikipedia library more than a year after my indef. block. Today I see the block there as a blessing and I am not interested to edit there anymore.Paradise Chronicle (talk) 14:18, 3 November 2021 (UTC)

In November, I can offer some reading, - three feast days in a row, reformation followed by All Saints' and All Souls. On All Saints, we sang in choir in a mass - a 2021 first - and rehearsed (with the other group) for the next such thing next Sunday. All Souls is the birthday of the subject of my first article who will play a major concert on 14 November. Yesterday we "celebrated" the first DYK for which LouisAlain laid the base in a German sandbox. Today: another one from the recent deaths. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 4 November 2021 (UTC)

Proxying for a community-banned user

Hi Gerda Arendt, I've noticed via de:WP:AA that you are currently proxying article creation for a community-banned user, LouisAlain, by inviting them to edit your dewiki userspace at de:User:Gerda Arendt/LouisAlain and then taking their work as the base for article creations such as Frédéric Blanc. I'm very skeptical towards this, generally opposing the practice ("banned means banned"). As I'm unsure about the community's opinion regarding this specific case, I'd take the matter to a discussion at WP:AN if it continues. Best regards, ~ ToBeFree (talk) 13:17, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

I have collaborated with LouisAlain for 10 years, and a few admins representing "the community" won't stop me. My first GA was for for a blocked user, another GA was for a banned user. I am here for content, and I make what LouisAlain supplies, my own. Look above for his name. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:12, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

WP:PROXYING: ... unless they are able to show that the changes are either verifiable or productive ... Grimes2 (talk) 15:20, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

There's a big "and" after the quoted part, and I'd prefer to have a community discussion about this. I've started one at Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard#Gerda_Arendt_proxying_article_creation_for_community-banned_user_LouisAlain. ~ ToBeFree (talk) 15:21, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

And Gerda's 'independent reason' is her commitment to improving the encyclopedia. You know, WP:HERE. Any other concerns? Mr rnddude (talk) 15:32, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

(edit conflict) I was not understood in the AN thread. I said LouisAlain wasn't adding fake references, and wasn't understood. I said that Wikipedia should be thankful for his contributions and wasn't understood. I said that every editor is a human being, and wasn't understood. I better don't go. I strongly believe that Wikipedia would be better without the whole thread, which didn't promote kindness, and only one article afaik. I am here for the content, and when someone is willing to spare me the trouble of a translation, I am thankful. It's no dangerous new content, but content from a different Wikipedia made available here. The following is by a banned user. I am with the outcast.

Every day, we lose what the wrongly blocked would have given that day. And a little bit of our souls.

nb: User talk:Wehwalt#Sanddunes Sunrise

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:34, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

Recommend you stop proxy editing for LouisAlain, or most likely the administrators will block you. Don't shoot yourself in the foot. GoodDay (talk) 16:06, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

I agree. Grimes2 (talk) 16:16, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

(another edit conflict) Would Wikipedia be better without Frédéric Blanc? RexxS simply left instead of going to arbcom. Interesting idea. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:17, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

I would rather do without Blanc than you. Grimes2 (talk) 16:22, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:25, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

A nonchalant approach won't be overly helpful to you, in this situation. GoodDay (talk) 16:41, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

"nonchalant" seems to have a different meaning in English. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

A small gift for you

I have slightly expanded and added a few references to Notre-Dame d'Auteuil, the church where Frédéric Blanc is the organist. I wish you well. Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 03:54, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, Jim, much appreciated. Can you tell folks on AN to please take comments about the Blanc article to that talk page? - Going to sing in choir at "my church" today, first time since 8 March 2020, - I want to focus on that. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

The community

Hi Gerda, I just wanted to let you know that I firmly believe that the vast majority of the community welcome your contributions, and that indeed it's more often the AN hawks who cause the same community to become demoralised as a result of their holier-than-thou attitudes. A lot of wiki-lawyering going on in that thread, just goes to show how widely things can be interpreted, and the community could learn from that and address those issues, but sadly there's much more determination to damage individuals than solve the root cause. I think if you just indicated that you'd give more time and effort to more appropriately sourcing any BLPs you write, then the matter should be dropped. All the best to you. The Rambling Man (Keep wearing the mask...) 08:59, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, and for the clarification you offered. I was away singing, and am quite in the mood of Sonne der Gerechtigkeit. See above if you haven't what I wrote about #change the climate, which was of course in response to an AN thread that left me missing a faithful friend. Such things don't matter on AN, I understand that much. I'll do my work today, - it's Sunday, I want to add the record of the service, write my article of the day (about a hymn about courage), respond to FAC questions (the article written substantially by a now banned editor which causes problems because he can't answer question, and I often couldn't read his mind, - you are very welcome to review my song of defiance), finish writing about the music we sang today, think about the Reger request below. LouisAlain was ultimately banned because he tried to defend himself, and I don't want to follow. #RexxS didn't defend himself (whom I miss daily). Draft for a later defense: Of course the creation of Blanc was pointy, pointing at the loss of an editor who devoted his lifetime of several years to this project, and instead of thanks, got banned. I think controlling his translations by experienced editors was the intention of the AN thread, in the beginning at least, and that's what I can offer. Better than him adding uncontrolled as IP, imho. The article content and most references are not at all by him, but by the authors of the German article, which was cited for attribution in the first edit here. LouisAlain's contribution was the translation, so there is no proxy addition of content created by a banned user. - I did a translation from German yesterday (as often), but for Blanc, most refs are in French which I don't read. It made sense to ask the French native speaker I know best. I don't see "blog" in the references, but a news site for music, a record label, a book publisher, and concert organisers, but I could be wrong because - as said before - I don't read French. Did you know GFHandel ("I wonder what's happening outside ...?")? - Now to Sunday music. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:39, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

I think we all know that many individuals have been treated like dirt as a result of the arcane process, wikilawyering and hawks that circle the drama boards around here. I have complete sympathy that you'd want to keep working with those who were productive content editors. I hope you continue regardless of this unpleasant interjection in your contributions, perhaps with a lesson learnt that a few more RS applied to the articles in question would probably suffice. Please do continue to be kind, to offer kindness to others, I can assure you most of us serious content contributors take it in the spirit with which is intended. The Rambling Man (Keep wearing the mask...) 15:26, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

I've no desire to have you blocked/banned or topic-banned. But of course, you already know that. GoodDay (talk) 15:40, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

yes I know --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:42, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Follow up

While asleep, I missed the opportunity before the section was closed to formally oppose the proposed ban. The best outcome to this issue is expressed by Mackensen (that you will reconsider your approach). I would expand, though, on the this in what ProcrastinatingReader asked (that you desist from doing this in future) to asking you to be more cognizant of the effects the blocked and banned editors you support have on other editors and content review processes.

As an example, I don’t see you issuing prizes or awards in memory of Gimmetrow, who was a stalwart in the maintenance of the FA process (GimmeBot preceded FACbot, and was also more thorough in that it also closed *all* content review processes), yet was hounded off by one of Davenbelle’s socks (your friend Alarbus when he was Merridew). I would ask you to reconsider your general approach to support of disruptive users. You talk on this page (and frequently everywhere) about things like “promoting kindness”, but seem oblivious to the unkindness spread by editors you support. You state that “every editor is a human being”; can you extend that empathy to those who were hounded by your disruptive friends? You state that “I am here for the content”, but how can we be here “for the content” without being here for the editors who write and maintain that content?

You miss RexxS; who doesn’t? Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/RexxS His skills are much needed in my editing area, and I got along with him in spite of some of the trends evidenced by others in the ArbCase. If you need to know why even I could not defend him in that ArbCase, you only need to look at his last five contributions. EVEN AS he was under scrutiny in an ArbCase, this was a post he made to a new user. How could I have defended that kind of behavior? He tells an inexperienced user to “get back under your bridge”. Do you suspect that maybe RexxS knew which way the wind would blow if someone had revealed that diff on the ArbCase? (No one ever did: I cannot say if the arbs found it on their own, as it is easily noticed in his final five contribs.)

Naturally, it’s your choice, but I encourage you to stop promoting and defending your blocked socking friends. And everytime you use RexxS’s name in the context of these discussions, you leave the impression that there is some similarity between his editing and those of your socking friends (there is not). The “prizes” you spread in the name(s) of these socks you are so fond of are quietly removed from their talk pages by many editors, who have been here long enough to remember the disruption, without archiving them on their talk pages. They are not always wanted, and are often a disruption in the form of bad memories of unpleasantries. Each time you present them, you are insulting editors who were hounded by your socking friends. Please take this into consideration, and alter your approach to supporting sockmasters. You can’t be “promoting kindness” as you support those who weren’t. Ditto for the current banned user. SandyGeorgia (Talk) 13:38, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you for your thoughts, - on my way out, but I'll reply, possibly tomorrow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:28, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Sorry, SandyGeorgia, that I didn't get to a response sooner.

Gimmetrow: If you tell me that Gimmetrow would appreciate being called Precious by me, I'd do so, but I am not sure, per what you said about some editors not enjoying the recognition by me representing a group of ooutcast. I'd like to see an approach that doesn't rest on memories of editors long gone not having been good to each other.

Precious: I inherited the award, and I tried to give it to anybody improving article quality, regardless of groups and circles. For a while, I marked entries where reminders had been deleted, to not make the same mistake again. When Worm That Turned had concerns, I "forgave" all even those who had hurt me or a friend, which of course resulted in unwanted reminders (but it's so easy to just revert if not wanted, no?). There are some for whom I remember (SchroCat, for example), but my memory is fading, - let's face it.

RexsS: I am sorry to not have been clear enough that I had no intention to compare LouisAlain to RexxS by mentioning the latter's name, but only to explain my reservation to appear at the AN court, as he didn't appear to arbcom, announced before the case was even opened. Had LouisAlain done the same - not tried to defend himself - I think he'd be topic-banned and still with us. That makes me sad. I can't help that some of my friends are no angels, but I'll still miss them. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:14, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Gerda, thanks for the response; I understand you not being able to respond sooner, and hope you enjoyed your first-time-back singing.

My best guess is that Gimmetrow does not enjoy revisiting these painful memories any more than I do. I considered Rlevse a friend and was completely and utterly taken by surprise at how he reacted when I first approached him about rectifying the Grace Sherwood copyvio issue in 2010. I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would react as he did, or expected him to join forces with Davenbelle, a most disruptive sockmaster, to bring down FAC in ways that FAC has never recovered from. Seeing how FAC has floundered since and because of what they did is most painful to me, and being given awards in the names of these two editors is insulting. You were not around (I don’t think?) when all of that happened, so I can’t expect you to be aware of how it felt to see so much work undone and disruption furthered by editors hiding behind socks. I just wish (and imagine Gimmetrow also would wish) that you would stop honoring this past disruption.

I have seen lately that you have taken a different approach of using other images that do not trigger these unpleasant memories; I think that a good idea.

On the sapphire award, the other factor for me is that I don’t believe the article behind it warrants the FA star; it is a further reminder of deterioration in the FA process that occurred as a result of Rlevse’s and Davenbelle’s disruption. But that’s just my view. Strictness in acceptance of involved supports at FAC has waned, and prose reviews beginning after our strictest prose reviewers were chased off have been deficient. Beginning around (maybe?) 2015, FAC saw a lot of buddies pushing their buddies articles through FAC, and that trend continued through at least 2019. It remitted a bit in 2020. I haven’t looked at 2021, but hope that has stopped, although the rancorous tone of the FAC talk page does not give hope.

I am not parsing what you are saying about SchroCat above, but please don’t feel a need to tell me more, so even more unpleasant memories are not triggered over here. I have found over the years that “forgive and forget” comes easier and easier, but a few over the top editors seem firmly lodged in my memory.

I guess the main thing I am asking you to remember is that we all have friends we miss in here—those who were treated unfairly by the community, or by admins, or by even the arbs—but others in the community will disagree with us, and we should avoid rubbing salt in old wounds if we can. You wear your heart on your sleeve about these departed editors; I force myself to silence out of both a desire to move on from bad memories, and respect for those who may have had a different experience than mine. But it remains for me particularly distasteful to read the false statements about Raul654 on FAC talk, knowing well and good that he was not as anyone claims, and the well-respected FA process that he built was brought down by socks and has never recovered.

Be well, regards, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 19:35, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you for taking the time, and I will think about it. Short reply for now: I remember that you and I both posted on Raul654's talk back then, and don't remember conflict. I remember having been impressed by Alarbus, not knowing anything about Jack Merridew. - I just returned from the first trip to Switzerland in a long time, and would now like to collect a few memories, mostly in images. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:02, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

I read a bit more on Raul's talk, interesting discussion also with RexxS, including about friendships, and I said (December 2012): "I would like to turn to a future". Still the same: how can we - missing friends who had a hard time with each other but are sadly not active, disappointed by friends - go on to a future with less friction, while not ignoring the past? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:28, 11 November 2021 (UTC)

One bit bit remembered on a hike: SchroCat is one of the editors for whom I'll remember that a precious reminder is not what they want, and thanks for a TFA "unwanted". If you know other names where I'd rub salt in wounds please let me know, just names, and I'll find a way. For you, I'll just use the calendar pic instead of the sapphire. Please: only people who edited during the year after their last reminder, - I check for contribs since the last reminder now, which should already eliminate some unwanted heartache. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:10, 11 November 2021 (UTC)

A quick response re your “not knowing anything about … “ part. THAT is precisely why socks can be so disruptive— they prey on the unwitting, abuse of our Pollyanna good natures, and wreak even more havoc when we accept and enable their behaviors. I think that is the main message about this other new blocked editor (whose name I forget … ) Best, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 20:09, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

(edit conflict)I should be on break but instead I am here riveted to this discussion because I think, personal opinion alert here, that Sandy and Ritchie and Gerda and Dennis and Iridescent and ToBeFree among so many others are amazing people beyond your contributions to the encyclopedia. Also, you are here. I empathize with Gerda, yes I like her, but I like Sandy too and empathize with you. When Gerda sys she misses LoisAlain, she doesnt miss his imperfections. I think she would be the first to say she wished he hadn't done what he did. Lois was advised not to comment so much at AN and accept where his faults might be. He chose a different path. In regards to what Ritchie said below "he threw kindness, tolerance and respect completely out of the window and lashed out at everybody". This is the central issue with me beyond what he did as a disruption to the encyclopedia. I can stand up for the human being that is Lois and empathize with how hurt he could be by the process while also condemning his disruptive and unkind actions. Yes, I harp on civility a lot, and I am willing to be criticized for that. Maybe it's because I have seen so much of the opposite in my lifetime and I feel there are better approaches to how we can conduct ourselves, idk, but I know it isn't just an afterthought that we can choose to put on or take off when we deem it appropriate here. It is literally a cornerstone of the encyclopedia and community. Lois was wrong. He violated that pillar but he wasn't alone and isn't alone. He was just more egregious and vocal in it. After which he was wrong to then threaten to sockpuppet, incivility in itself, just to cause disruption. That's why he was community banned, in my opinion. Had he simply apologized for his mistakes, of which there were clear ones, and said he would do better, he would have most likely still been topic banned, justifiably in my opinion, but still been here. His incivility, regardless of how others treated him during the process, some of which was his own perception but some was questionable, could not be overlooked. I still miss my interactions, albeit brief, with him. I miss many others through my reading of their contributions and archives here. I adore Gerda's kindness and her sensibilities. I wouldn't and don't want her to change that aspect of who she is. --ARoseWolf 20:43, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

• I would just echo Sandy's sentiments. Our thoughts aren't too far off each other here. I think you have to be a little practical in understanding that others aren't going to like you doing this, the way you are doing it. I suggest a change of tactics that is more agreeable. Kindness matters, for sure, but also respect the majority that take issue with your current approach. I've stayed out of the discussion, nothing I can say to change or improve things there. Here, I would recommend a touch of contrition and a review of your methods. We want you around, but you have to be realistic as to which way the wind blows. Dennis Brown - 2¢ 23:10, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

  Thank you, will make a statement. I didn't look at the discussion on a Sunday with the first singing in choir at my dearest church after 8 March 2020, - AN is not good for my health. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:12, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

  Let me add myself echoing what Sandy and Dennis are saying above. While "If you're a really excellent historian but you're just not able to work with others, we should help them -- go and make your own website, release it under Creative Commons license and we'll try to use some of that material" is WMF diktat—which may be where you got the idea that this kind of thing is acceptable—that relates to situations like Ottava Rima or The Rambling Man where nobody seriously questioned the accuracy of the editor's work but they were banned from Wikipedia for other issues. This situation is qualitatively different to (e.g.) when I proxy-pasted Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard and took "treat this as if I wrote it myself" responsibility for the edits. LouisAlain was caught red-handed faking citations; as such, if you're copy-pasting then you're taking full responsibility for those edits, and if any of those citations turn out to be faked we'll treat you as having deliberately faked references, even if you were completely unaware. Since the articles in question often relate to living people, this is one of Wikipedia's few absolute red lines and we'll have no alternative but to consider blocking you even if you were acting entirely in good faith. ‑ Iridescent 07:47, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

  Thank you for advice, I said in the AN thread that it will not happen agaim. Off to travel, more later. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:26, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

Late to this discussion too, but I want to endorse what Sandy and Iridescent say here. As you know, I think kindness, tolerance and respect go a long way round here - who doesn't? - but I supported LouisAlain's block because he threw kindness, tolerance and respect completely out of the window and lashed out at everybody. I'm not putting up with that, especially when combined with a track record of falsehoods on Wikipedia (accidental or otherwise). I think the problem is you sometimes come across as wanting to rescue articles because they were created by a banned user, which is subtly different from what I want to do, which is to rescue articles because I think they're worthy topics to expand and improve and put in the encyclopedia irrespective of who wrote them. I don't care who wrote them, as long as the end result is an improvement in main space.

Above you have said you will listen to what has been said and will make a statement. Please do. Otherwise you are running the risk of getting blocked; the blocking administrator could turn around and say "well we tried talking it over with Gerda before but she just did not get it." I don't think anyone wants to see you blocked, but as you're more than aware, we do it to stop disruption on the project, not to brass off established contributors. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 12:51, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Not sure what you mean, Ritchie333, two days after the thread was closed, and some reacted to that below. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:14, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

I mean, do you understand the seriousness of what Iridescent posted above? Do you understand that when you rescue an article from a banned user, you take total responsibility for it, and if it turns out to have serious, possibly libellous issues in it, you can be held responsible? This recent comment would seem appropriate; "In regards to the “do no harm”, harm is done when people who don’t know someone go onto someone’s page that was randomly created for them and put the wrong name and wrong Birthday and incorrect and incomplete information. That is harm done to a person or a public figure. Misinformation is always harmful." Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 13:20, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

I understand that I am responsible for what I edit. In the specific case, most of the references and the content were not by LouisAlain, but by the authors of the German article (created in 2009) that he only translated. I checked the references, and found them not great but serving a purpose. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:03, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Okay, that addresses my concerns. I think part of the problem is that pertinent issue got drowned out at ANI by the drama and name-calling. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 14:37, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

I'm sorry

	Flower bouquet
	A huge AN thread was probably not the kindest way available to resolve the dispute. I'm sorry for the stress caused by the experience. ~ ToBeFree (talk) 19:38, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

(And I do, since July 2018, keep the Precious diamond in kind memory as one of the many ways the community shows it's made of humans, not robots. I understand others' concerns about the award's history, but it was, and is, a welcome gesture to me. 🌈) ~ ToBeFree (talk) 19:47, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

thank you - had no internet on the train today --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:36, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

Late to the party as usual, I was off most of the weekend doing fun things in real life, and only nipped on Saturday evening to bit of article rescue for Women in Red while I was waiting for Mrs 333 to get home from a late shift at work. I haven't read through the AN thread which has been and gone in absence, but we really need to be better at containing drama, instead of letting it explode. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 12:46, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you. I also haven't read through the latest AN thread, and enjoy a vacation day, so will not today, - at least I managed my last-day DYK nom, and now look at my song of defiance for FAC. Everybody is invited, - quality articles are what we are here for! Anybody up for a source review? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:53, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

FA mentoring

Jeez, it seems I miss everything going on with you sometimes—I'm getting exhausted just reading that AN thread, I'm sorry that you had to go through it.

I'm told that you're someone who can provide help in getting an article to FA—could you help me with SLAPP Suits? Totally fine if not, I know it's not within your comfort zone. theleekycauldron (talk • contribs) (they/them) 04:54, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

There were two AN threads, and one of them hurts me. As said above, sometimes I read my edit notice loud to myself. Today, however, is a vacation day. Short advice: check out in my 2021 archive what I told others (two successful, one gave up), about peer review and image alts. Compare your article to similar topics. See you later, which may be tomorrow, and if again no editing in the train, late tomorow. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:42, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

... or today: theleekycauldron, I read through the article, and have some comments, - where would you like them? Your talk? Article talk? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:17, 11 November 2021 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

The Resilient Barnstar

Sadly you deserve this. Great to see you here Gerda. It feels terrible when a lynch mob forms around one of the people who represent the pleasure of editting on this project. Have you noticed that you are about 40 DYKs off 2,000. I get this total by adding up all the DYKs that you have done and the 250 or so where you nominated another person's article. Seperating out these into two different totals was a big mistake. So stand tall with a choral crescendo to accompany your determined resilience. Victuallers (talk) 09:29, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you! My first barnstar was for to resilience, DYK? In this case, I simply didn't look at WP:Great Dismal Swamp which helped a lot. I'm on a short cultural vacation, but have an hour or so. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:53, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Hello!

Hi Gerda! I've been a huge fan of your work on wikipedia for a few years now! The amount you have contributed to pages on J.S. Bach, Reger and Mendelssohn is astounding and incredible! One possible request, have you thought about creating a wikipedia page for Reger's 'Die Nonnen', it's an amazing piece where recordings are easy to come by on YouTube, but I woulnd't even know where to start with trying to analyse it!

FlyingScotsman72 (talk) 21:10, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

I'll think about it. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:44, 6 November 2021 (UTC)

We may of course not anylyse but have to find a reliable source of someone who did it. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:04, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

I see, thanks! FlyingScotsman72 (talk) 18:13, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

Apologies for the page-lurking, but if you have access to ProQuest, there are some interesting dissertations on Max Reger's choral works compiled there. Hal peridol (talk) 16:03, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Feel free to add what you have, watch Die Nonnen. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:22, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Hans Clemens et al

1941 Los Angeles Voice Teachers

I got your ping in the edit comment here, and couldn't figure out when/where that image was published, so can't be sure of its copyright status. But! I found this wonderful image of 12 people, which includes Clemens, and am 98% sure we can use it. While that issue in the Los Angeles Times was copyrighted in 1941, I am fairly sure that copyright wasn't renewed - I looked in the most likely years for it to be renewed. I'm not an opera person, as you know, but I know you are - could any of those other 11 people also be people you're going to be writing articles about? Especially Lazar Samoiloff, that name seems vaguely familiar to me, but we don't have an article for him. I found a couple of others that are spouses of people we have articles about, interestingly enough. Apparently if you're marrying a famous person, you could well become a voice teacher in 1941 Los Angeles! --GRuban (talk) 23:42, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, and 4meter4 may be interested --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:24, 11 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you Gerda for your excellent contributions to the article, and thank you GRuban for the image.4meter4 (talk) 14:30, 11 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Andreas Reize

On 12 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Andreas Reize, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Andreas Reize assumed the post of Thomaskantor as the first Swiss and the first Catholic since the Reformation? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Andreas Reize. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Andreas Reize), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 00:02, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

.. the 18th after Bach, DYK? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:23, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

A cup of coffee for you!

Thanks for your well-wishes, you said it was my seventh anniversary of editing Wikipedia medical content. I am still going strong and editing as much and as quickly as I can. Thank you. Blue Rasberry (talk) 21:26, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

(talk page stalker) My seventh, too! Hope you don't mind if I join you for that coffee. –♠Vami_IV†♠ 21:42, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, both! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:50, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Gott hat mir längst einen Engel gesandt

On 13 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Gott hat mir längst einen Engel gesandt, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the 1996 song "Gott hat mir längst einen Engel gesandt", with text by Eugen Eckert and music by Thomas Gabriel, began as part of a rock oratorio about Daniel? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Gott hat mir längst einen Engel gesandt. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Gott hat mir längst einen Engel gesandt), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 00:03, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

thank you - we sang it on All Saints' Day, the composer worked in Idstein (before I was there) - Aga Mikolaj died, and I'm sad --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:21, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

ITN recognition for Aga Mikolaj

On 13 November 2021, In the news was updated with an item that involved the article Aga Mikolaj, which you nominated and updated. If you know of another recently created or updated article suitable for inclusion in ITN, please suggest it on the candidates page. PFHLai (talk) 14:04, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

another article we have thanks to LouisAlain --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:11, 13 November 2021 (UTC)

just listen --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen

On 14 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that "Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen", a German song based on Irish toasts, was ranked fourth in a 2021 survey of favourite hymns? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Möge die Straße uns zusammenführen), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 00:02, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

yes, please, may our roads make us meet again, - often sung at funerals, but true for the living who are separated --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Gerd Ruge

On 14 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Gerd Ruge, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Gerd Ruge received a twelve year entry ban to the Soviet Union for having helped his friend Boris Pasternak financially? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Gerd Ruge. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Gerd Ruge), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 00:03, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

thank you, Grimes2 and Ktin --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:35, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Willy von Beckerath

On 14 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Willy von Beckerath, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that Willy von Beckerath, after studying at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, depicted Johannes Brahms at a grand piano (pictured)? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Willy von Beckerath. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Willy von Beckerath), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:02, 14 November 2021 (UTC)

DYK for Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt

On 15 November 2021, Did you know was updated with a fact from the article Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt, which you recently created, substantially expanded, or brought to good article status. The fact was ... that the 1979 German song "Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt" offers eight beatitudes which include a blessing for living simply, and another for daring to be kind? The nomination discussion and review may be seen at Template:Did you know nominations/Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt. You are welcome to check how many pageviews the nominated article or articles got while on the front page (here's how, Selig seid ihr, wenn ihr einfach lebt), and if they received a combined total of at least 416.7 views per hour (i.e., 5,000 views in 12 hours or 10,000 in 24), the hook may be added to the statistics page. Finally, if you know of an interesting fact from another recently created article, then please feel free to suggest it on the Did you know talk page.

Ritchie333 (talk) 00:02, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

... daring to be kind --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:10, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

Q to Beeblebrox

Me and RexxS in happier times....

Hi Gerda, sorry to be a pain in the tail but I reverted this good faith edit because it didn't ask a question. As you can see from the relevant case page, I recommended that Arbcom decline the case and thought that RexxS exhibited no more than mild incivility, that was running rampant throughout the world during the start of COVID, and I agree with SV's comment " I want to add that he is one of the most genuinely kind editors I've had the pleasure to encounter. You may not get fake politeness from him, but you have found a friend if you ever need one." which I can wholeheartedly endorse from personal experience having met him in the pub several times. It would be nice to see if somebody can suggest a constructive action that has a reasonable chance of RexxS returning and contributing to Wikipedia, but I don't think that's it. Sorry. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 11:40, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

Ritchie, I don't think you understood. I wanted to know from Beeblebrox if the next time an appeal such as Sarah's - "every editor is a human being" - came around (regardless which case) he would listen. I don't know if he didn't see that appeal then, or saw it but it didn't change things for him. I thought that was clear without a question mark, also that without an answer, I'd not vote for him, or any other who accepted the case, before or after Sarah pleaded, because even arbs may change their mind and should follow the complete request discussion. The relevant discussion happened on Hammersoft's page, urging the one who filed the case to withdraw it, but - as we know - in vain. How may I word my censored question? I want arb's who listen to people like Sarah (knowing that there's no one like her), probably women ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:33, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

I would go with "You accepted the RexxS arbitration case, despite many users including SarahSV suggesting it should be declined, not least because "every editor is a human being". Can you explain how it is acceptable to take action that causes long-term editors to quit the project, and what we might to do mitigate this?" Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 12:37, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

That could be your question ;) - I want only Sarah's, not the others, to keep things "übersichtlich" for someone (unfamiliar with the case, and again, it's not about that particular case) who wants to put the candidate's answer in context (and would have to read only one, not the others). - Let me think a bit, first I have other things to do. My design was to ask candidates not involved in that case: Would you have listened to SarahSV's appeal to decline the case? (with a link), but its a silly question for someone who obviously didn't. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:44, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

How is this?: "You accepted the RexxS case. I would have listened to SarahSV. In a similar situation, would you perhaps change your mind?" (see also User:Gerda Arendt/ACE 2021) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:39, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

Yes, that looks fine. Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 14:31, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

Had a minute or two and popped on to edit a little more on List of Alaska Native tribal entities. I see things are lively as usual and they haven't shut down the dramaboards yet...pity. I think Ritchie offered excellent advice in just ignoring. Hopefully the advice is taken. I may just ignore AN/I's existence going forward. I briefly looked at Beeblebrox's candidacy. I'm indifferent to arbcom if I'm being honest. I think they do best when they go unnoticed and do little to nothing. But I'd say the same about community discussions on AN/I. It would be more effective if there was character restrictions and a set-in-stone format for complaints and discussion that is strictly enforced. I love open discussion as much as the rest but the longer a discussion goes and more open it is the more likely to see the heated exchanges that are not complimentary to building a better encyclopedia. Makes ignoring other's comments that much more appealing. The temps have cooled a bit (-21f/-29c right now) and the snow is piling up already with another light dusting (snowing now) but the winds are staying low for the moment so no blizzards. The sun wont creep over the hills to the South until after noon if at all. We get a limited view between the mountains and hills in the valley along the river. It's really dropped in the sky and sunrise is around 10am with sunset around 3;30pm these days. Rolling towards the winter solstice and complete darkness. We put the generator in maintenance mode when we sleep or are not working during the limited day hours. Wood stoves are cranking out the heat so it stays a tolerable 42f to 45f in the house, for now. Anyway, just wanted to say hi to you both. I'll get to improving that list for a few hours and then I'm off again for a time. Be safe! --ARoseWolf 14:32, 15 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you, and you appearing is like spring, because I was afraid we wouldn't meet you until spring! I'll take foggy pictures today, wait and then see. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:33, 16 November 2021 (UTC)