User talk:Littleolive oil



'''To honour SlimVirgin who is part of Wikipedia's fabric. Good-bye Sarah.'''





Met releases images/ Note to self
http://www.nbcnews.com/slideshow/met-digitizes-its-collection-releasing-350-00-images-free-n719661

February flowers
happy Valentine's! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:07, 14 February 2021 (UTC)


 * Thanks Gerda.... no flowers here yet, probably not in Germany either, but I always thinks it's down hill to Spring from today... I hope.:O)
 * no flowers here, actually one of the coldest days, great ice sculptures in brooks - the pic is from last year --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:21, 14 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Today, we have a DYK about Wilhelm Knabe, who stood up for future with the striking school children when he was in his 90s, - a model, - see here. - Thank you for your position in the arb case request, - I feel I have to stay away, but there are conversations further down on the page, in case of interest, - in a nutshell: "... will not improve kindness, nor any article". - Yesterday, I made sure on a hike that the flowers are actually blooming now ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:21, 26 February 2021 (UTC)


 * Yay for Spring! It's starting to warm up here too. I do love the winter when there's snow, but around about February it's time to move towards warmth.


 * As for the arbitration, I know the arbs are intelligent, and I assume honest, but I don't think the system works and certainly doesn't work without damage to many parties. When there is evidence presented in a request with out context, probably in good faith, or at least I hope so, then conclusions reached can be wrong. I'm afraid I've see this happen too often. Plus long term editors who've been through arbitrations in the past know what a negative impact an arbitration on there own well-being and won't or can't comment; they won't involve themselves for their own health. You can't be around this place involved in contentious situations and not antagonize some people but those situations are not reason to sanction anyone or suggest guilt that requires arb intervention at least not in a system where most arbitrations are run like courts of law and people are " sent to jail". I have seen arbitration where long term conduct was a problem but even in that case, and believe me the editor involved was no friend of mine, the sanctions may have gone too far. We've lost some very, very good editors in arbitrations when other remedies might have worked AND in some case those editors where set up, those of us "in the field", as it where, know what's happening and how things were slanted but the arbs aren't in that same position nor have those insights. Arbitrations are behavioral and are treated like "what's" when the "why's" should be considered as well.
 * I hope the arbs can see their way to move beyond appearances as presented by the requests and understand the repercussions of this arbitration. Littleolive oil (talk) 16:38, 26 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Amen. Did you see the gorgeous new guide to arbitration, Hammersoft's talk: "Don't!" - That's all. It could be so easy. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:48, 26 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Or only when everything else has been tried and then with a more human touch, like actually asking the editor or editors to answer to the specific situations and accusations, directly to the arbs, without the peanut gallery involvement. Littleolive oil (talk) 16:59, 26 February 2021 (UTC)
 * Did you see Hammersoft's reasoning? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:03, 26 February 2021 (UTC)
 * I just read the thread. I agree with and said some of the same in the arbitration with out his clarity. I don't see this though as the fault of the arbs but of the system which may have worked in the early days of Wikipedia but the encyclopedia is too big with too many dark corners and back rooms, and situations which arbs don't know anything about. It takes a big person to retract and RFA at this late date and face the person he was fighting with. But imagine what a precedent it would set if  did this, how it could save many, many hours of hurt and grief and change the course of how we deal with difficult situations. Rexx is not an enemy; he always, in my experience, will come back peacefully and discuss. In my early days he reprimanded me for something he thought I had done wrong, I think he was wrong :O), but he has never held that incident against me. I can't imagine that an editor like Rexx who really thought he had used his tools incorrectly would continue to do so. He is thoughtful and takes his Wikipedia work seriously. Why would he not discuss this further knowing how upset PR is in the right environment where neither was under threat. And honestly, PR is not with out fault in this. But this is what disputes are about and the way to fix and heal is not an Arbitration especially with out anything that bridges the controversy and the arbitration. The examples presented by Joe Roe indicate that there was no agreement in one situation suggesting Rexx had used his tools incorrectly; in one situation three admins agreed with the action. Why is that being ignored? There is admin agreement for the action but Rexx is using his tools incorrectly? That doesn't make sense. I find this heart breaking actually. If there's anything we've learned from the Covid crisis is how precious people and time are. Around a table and a meal I have no doubt this could be worked out. If so, then it is fixable here. Neither party has to admit to guilt just to fixing the situation and moving on. Littleolive oil (talk) 18:17, 26 February 2021 (UTC)

....and to make it clear. I don't think Rexx was at fault here beyond feeling frustration. The whole thing is a tempest in a teapot for which a hard working admin pays. Sickening actually. Littleolive oil (talk) 21:24, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

March flowers
Today: Carmen for TFA (on my request), with Bizet's music "expressing the emotions and suffering of his characters" as Brian worded it. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:38, 3 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you Gerda. No flowers here yet. Might try planting sweet peas now, which never seem to grow here because although spring is coolish, summer is hot and they don't like heat. This is the gardening section of my user page apparently. Littleolive oil (talk) 18:36, 3 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you, - the pic is from last year, - I saw the very first of them today. - Can you please delete the thread above. It makes me freeze. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:38, 3 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Done. Littleolive oil (talk) 23:14, 3 March 2021 (UTC)
 * today (IWD): MMMM with a reference to Carmen again --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:43, 8 March 2021 (UTC)
 * ... and today Bach's cantata composed for today, - perhaps listen. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 10:49, 25 March 2021 (UTC)
 * The cantata became FA today, - this is a good recording. You can probably imagine of which emotions and suffering I talked above? ... and that was before it got worse - peace --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:29, 26 March 2021 (UTC)
 * ... and the first performance was on a Palm Sunday which is today, and Yoninah's obituary with the beginning of Passover today - putting some little ego-battles in perspective --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:07, 28 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks Gerda. Littleolive oil (talk) 15:31, 29 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you for what you said and did for RexxS --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:10, 31 March 2021 (UTC)
 * The case was designed, whether deliberately or not, so that we had to prove innocence rather than establish guilt. Guilt was immediately established by the very fact that the case was accepted despite RexxS'comment that he would take criticism seriously. It takes a very astute and experienced arb to see past that arbitration setup, and the low hanging fruit- a few diffs-to the less obvious and true crux of the issues. One cannot establish innocence with a few words and diffs especially when the arbs have it in their mind that the proof is in the diffs, and when context requires many more words than what was allowed, along with arbs who are willing to look to the more tedious context rather than diffs for truth.  It was a frustrating situation and ugly environment and one I hope to never have to deal with again. Whether RexxS ever comes back to Wikipedia and I doubt if he will, who would given the way the arbitration was set up, he deserved whatever I could do to support him, however small that is and was. He has given so much to Wikipedia; thanks to me not necessary; it's the very least I could do.  Littleolive oil (talk) 22:47, 3 April 2021 (UTC)

you've got mail
— Ched (talk) 19:01, 6 March 2021 (UTC)

Your analysis section at the evidence page for RexxS
The Arbitration Committee has asked that analysis be kept to around 500 words. Your analysis over multiple sections is over 950 words. Please edit your sections to focus on the most relevant analysis. If you wish to submit over-length analysis, you must first obtain the agreement of the arbitrators by posting a request on the /Evidence talk page. I understand that this is late in the day, but if you could shorten before the deadline that would be appreciated. Concise analysis is more useful for the committee in making its decision. For the Arbitration Committee, Dreamy Jazz talk to me &#124; my contributions 20:14, 13 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Dreamy Jazz, I made a short statement. Could I donate some unused words to Littleolive oil, who speaks for me? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:10, 13 March 2021 (UTC)
 * , word sharing has been previously frowned up by the arbitrators and at the moment simply donating words is not allowed. If you want to make the analysis yourself, you are free to do so in the next hour or so. Dreamy Jazz talk to me &#124; my contributions 23:06, 13 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Dreamy Jazz, you don't know me, right? I stay short, intentionally so. I don't analyze, I don't rebut, I don't judge. I will miss him. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:14, 13 March 2021 (UTC)

Gerda thank you. I've been able to reduce my statements.

For the arbs. It's impossible to analyze and rebut the amount of evidence/ analysis posted by some editors in 500 words. How can a single editor with a 500 word limit rebut several editors who are posting 1000 words each. Not sure what the answer is. Littleolive oil (talk) 22:56, 13 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you for trimming your analysis. I'll pass your comments along. Dreamy Jazz talk to me &#124; my contributions 23:10, 13 March 2021 (UTC)

Conventions for discussion thread formatting
Regarding [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests/Case/RexxS/Evidence&diff=1012111984&oldid=1012105744 this edit]: as unsolicited advice, please feel free to ignore the following, particularly if you're already aware of it. You responded to your own comment that started with  with a comment that started with , immediately following ProcrastinatingReader's comment that started with. Your first comment added a second-level unbulleted list item to a first-level bulleted list item. Your second comment changed the first level list to an unbulleted one, and nested two more unbulleted list items below it. This causes screen readers to announce the closing of three list levels (the third having been introduced by ProcrastinatingReader's comment) and the opening of three new list levels.

To avoid this additional overhead for those using screen readers, and to prevent a more verbose output for those using the visual diff option, you can follow the conventions described at. RexxS has a essay, Colons and asterisks, and I have my own, User:Isaacl/On wikitext list markup, that also cover this. In a nutshell: use the same prefix as the comment to which you're replying, and then add the character of your choice to it. If you had actually intended to reply to ProcrastinatingReader, this would mean keeping the prefix for that comment and adding a colon to it, like this:. If you did mean to reply to your comment, then a prefix of, the same as ProcrastinatingReader's, would follow the convention. isaacl (talk) 19:29, 14 March 2021 (UTC)


 * Thanks. I see what you are saying. I was responding to PR; I'm not sure why I didn't follow the convention which is something I do know although not why its done that way. I will look over the essays. Thanks. Littleolive oil (talk) 22:01, 14 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Prefixing a response with  characters as a visual indent is an old Usenet/plain text email convention, which I presume influenced the Wikipedia culture of using an additional nested list level for each response, thereby mimicking the appearance of indent levels. It's questionable how much sense it makes semantically for the underlying HTML (maybe you can consider each comment as a creating a new subthread, and thus a new list of comments). HTML's strict hierarchy isn't a great fit to represent comment-reply structures while also trying to imitate the older indentation convention. isaacl (talk) 22:39, 14 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Same comment from me. I fixed one of your comments here, as did here (I tried to move this, but couldn't figure out where to put it), and I'm too lazy to fix the rest. Can you please stop adding comments in the middle of other editor's, or in the middle of other discussion threads, and indent the responses correctly? It's too difficult to follow the threads otherwise. The WMF's new Reply Tool might help: go to Special:MyPage/common.js and add    -- it gives a reply button that takes care of indenting for you. ProcrastinatingReader (talk) 23:30, 17 March 2021 (UTC)


 * I saw WhatamIdoing's comment as three separate comments although not signed and very difficult to respond to specific to each comment. Her opening comment was placed in the middle of the thread so confusing. I agree my postings were confusing; I apologize. Littleolive oil (talk) 23:34, 17 March 2021 (UTC)

(Echo) notifications
Regarding [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration/Requests/Case/RexxS/Proposed_decision&curid=66918209&diff=1013850153&oldid=1013842236 this edit]: note just changing the user name in a pre-existing comment won't trigger a notification, if that's what you wanted to do (I know some people just like to have a pointer, whether or not a notification is generated). Notifications based on mentioning a user on a talk page will only work in a freshly signed comment and not one that modifies any existing text. The easiest way to also ping someone when just fixing a single name is to include a link to the user's page within the edit summary. isaacl (talk) 20:25, 23 March 2021 (UTC)


 * Ok. I had no idea. I can add a note and re sign too which should work. Thank you. Littleolive oil (talk) 20:35, 23 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Yeah, see the link I provided for the exact details. The criteria are there to try to avoid spurious notifications, like for typo fixes. (Not sure if some of the criteria are there to help prevent notifications when archiving.) isaacl (talk) 20:45, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

Happy Easter
You may be interested in the TFA on Easter Sunday that played a role in my life! ... and my silent hope for a resurexxSion. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:30, 4 April 2021 (UTC)


 * Thank you for caring. Littleolive oil (talk) 15:06, 4 April 2021 (UTC)
 * On this day in 1742, He was despised was performed for the first time, and when I wrote it in 2012, I didn't only think of Jesus. Andreas Scholl sang that for us, - you are invited to a Baroque stroll. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:31, 13 April 2021 (UTC)

Feedback request: Wikipedia policies and guidelines request for comment
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Precious anniversary
I hope your break gives you rest and tranquility. Thank you for having tried the impossible, - it must have been exhausting. Look at a beautiful Main page, perhaps: all pics about nature. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:28, 11 April 2021 (UTC)

Memories on the Main page today, Psalm 115 thinking of Yoninah, Christa Ludwig and Milva, - voices that made the Earth a better place. Sad that the psalm hook didn't appear on Earth Day as planned, but better pictured and late than going unnoticed ;) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:05, 26 April 2021 (UTC)


 * Thank you for your continued thoughtfulness and kindness, Gerda. A sad day for Wikipedia, saying good bye to Sarah. Littleolive oil (talk) 03:33, 9 May 2021 (UTC)


 * Yes, see my talk today, and look for her name. - Top: it's rare that a person is pictured when a dream comes true, and that the picture is shown on the Main page on a meaningful day. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:53, 30 May 2021 (UTC)

Thank you
I believe I'm something of an unwelcome presence at the talk page in question, but I wanted to thank you for the post you made at G's talk page; it has given me some things to think about going forward. Primefac (talk) 21:12, 13 April 2021 (UTC)

RfC on racial hereditarianism at the R&I talk-page
An RfC at Talk:Race and intelligence revisits the question, considered last year at WP:FTN, of whether or not the theory that a genetic link exists between race and intelligence is a fringe theory. This RfC supercedes the recent RfC on this topic at WP:RSN that was closed as improperly formulated.

Your participation is welcome. Thank you. NightHeron (talk) 22:48, 3 May 2021 (UTC)

June flowers
my thanks in pics and music --Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:28, 21 June 2021 (UTC)

added: missing SlimVirgin, and RMF festival opening --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:31, 29 June 2021 (UTC)


 * Thank you Gerda. I miss her too, as well as Rexx. One a loss we could not have prevented one we could. Littleolive oil (talk) 00:22, 5 July 2021 (UTC)

GOCE June 2021 newsletter
Sent by MediaWiki message delivery (talk) on behalf of WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors at 12:38, 26 June 2021 (UTC).

Justin Trudeau
Hi, I noticed that you recently edited the Justin Trudeau Wikipedia article. Please read the Justin Trudeau talk page, and join the discussion. Thank you,Peerreviewededitor (talk) 05:27, 26 August 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you for joining the discussion. I like how you mentioned that we should stick with what the sources say. I'm a little curious as to why you removed the warning label on the JT page. These were zero sources backing up the various government programs in the Covid-19 section of the article. On the other hand, I added many sources describing the PPE shortage related to the funding cuts to the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile, the failed CanSino deal which delayed Canada's acquisition of vaccines, and the Telford contract where Trudeau's chief of staff's husband's firm received a government contract to administer the rent subsidy program (these programs are usually administered by the public sector). I don't like it when the discussion devolves into whether additions are positive or negative. I did not make the claim about "poor judgement", that was another editor. I'd like to focus on whether the specific additions are based on what the sources say. Can you please respond to these three topics: 1. PPE shortage, 2. CanSino, 3. Telford Contract, in their respective areas on the JT talk page? Peerreviewededitor (talk) 01:20, 28 August 2021 (UTC)

The content can be sourced and probably is in “mother” articles on the topic. I have very poor internet resources right now or I would add the refs.myself. It’s not puffery to add factual content that can be easily sourced. Nor is content that happens to be positive puffery. I don’t have the internet connection for awhile to add the refs, but I will as soon as I can. As for the content you tried to add, again, I’d have to look at it later but from what I remember you are weighting the content too heavily. When editors are desperate to add pejorative content and remove more positive content just before an election I become very uncomfortable.

28 August
Today, Teresa Żylis-Gara, the second soprano to impress me on stage, died, - long live the memory of her beautiful singing, remembered with thanks. 28 August 2013 was a special concert day: look. After Hillbillyholiday gave me a tree. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:47, 28 August 2021 (UTC)
 * I'm so sorry Gerda. Littleolive oil (talk) 00:32, 29 August 2021 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!
Thank you for this kindness. I am just returning home and able to connect online on a consistent basis. So sorry I couldn't help you with your article. Best wishes. Littleolive oil (talk) 02:46, 21 September 2021 (UTC)

Peace Day
Thank you for your spirit, - a rich harvest! On Peace Day Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:15, 21 September 2021 (UTC)

Thank you Gerda.Littleolive oil (talk) 16:02, 22 October 2021 (UTC)

September 2021 Guild of Copy Editors newsletter
MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 16:44, 30 September 2021 (UTC)

Thinking of you
Hope you are well! - I think of reflection looking at the water. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:47, 26 October 2021 (UTC)

Today: memories in friendship --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:08, 28 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Gerda, thank you for asking. I am doing very well. I find myself busy with my studio and I suppose because Wikipedia has become such a disappoint and heartbreak for me I don't have the same impetus to do much here. I have also been in Canada for several months in an area where I didn't have a good connection so didn't edit much there; we went across the border just after it opened and I spent time with family and the ocean making up if that's possible for time lost during the pandemic. That part of Canada had early one been very stern about controlling the pandemic so by the time I got there it was very safe with only a very few identified cases. The area is a fishing area and there is a tendency to just get the job done. Wearing a mask is a pretty simple action not worthy of too much complaint when there are snow drifts 6 feet high with blizzard winds and power that goes out. That's difficult, a mask not so much. I saw my older daughter, I hadn't seen in 2 years and that was important too. I hope you and your family are well riding out the troubles. Littleolive oil (talk) 04:19, 29 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Thank you, understand. What I'm doing is pictured if you click on songs - yesterday's not yet added, so keep checking from time to time. Two choirs singing again, keeping distance rules, which has caused heartbreak in one of them because only about a third of the members could perform the Rossini concert. The other conductor split the group in three small ones performing at different occasions, three services in November, three in Advent, perhaps three on the three days of Christmas. No concert (anyway) until fall of 2022. Today's DYK hook is about an ensemble I heard, with the first singing at the festival since 2019. We had to say something else for DYK, but my picture is in the article, and please enlarge it for the spirit! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:17, 29 October 2021 (UTC)

ACE2021 questions
I have hatted your questions 2-4 to Beeblebrox for not being questions. If you have concerns about an arbitrator's conduct or the conduct of the committee as a whole, there are many places you may raise them, but the question pages are for questions, not comments disguised as questions. GeneralNotability (talk) 20:53, 21 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Please note from the arb election pages

"Responses to questions by that candidate (including answers, requests for clarification, etc)"


 * I am relatively fed up with accusations of bad faith. I responded as best I could to Beebelbox's questions to me. You removed my response which hides my response to questions the candidate asked of me. What's going on? And I didn't disguise anything. I am asking some arbs how they will deal with concerns many editors have with arbitration. The arb election is the place to do it, so that I can see if the arbs have the same concerns I do. That's how one determines who to vote for. I believe you are interfering wrongly, but after the last couple of days of false allegations I shouldn't be surprised.Littleolive oil (talk) 21:05, 21 November 2021 (UTC)

My sympathies. It was clearly a question. A well crafted one, since I think we both appreciate, all be it perhaps from different directions, that questions that don't leave a candidate with any way to answer truthfully and look good, are a useful tool at election time. Beeblebrox can and should be able to defend the decision of ArbCom to view the RexxS case as something that couldn't be realistically passed back to the community for resolution. That is literally the role, to explain such things to an often upset and angry community. Its a matter of fact, after all, that RexxS had already broken his RfA promise to do better, and nothing had actually happened at the community level. And RexxS certainly seemed content to conveniently forget this promise (or similar past statements, such as this idea he was reluctant to even accept the tools if it was going to be a contentious award). I personally found his reluctance to let six months elapse after his most recent personal attack delivered on the eve of his candidacy (calling another editor a prat if I recall) to be quite alarming. I certainly don't subscribe to the idea that ArbCom have sole purview over Admin conduct, but really, where was the evidence there was any appetite to address these matters anywhere else? Popularity and conviviality outweighed policy at every turn it seems. Shades of Fram influencing decisions, perhaps, although I do appreciate the significant differences, and genuinely mean no offence there. Slim was a good person, and I saw what others saw in her last postings, the raw emotion and sheer regret, and apparently want to forget now. FromTheDepthsOfDarkestMoo (talk) 14:34, 22 November 2021 (UTC)
 * For clarification regarding the revert I had made, the poster above is a blatant sock, and I saw it fit to remove obvious trolling by the sock. That said, as Littleolive oil has reverted me, I'll let it stay.  Java Hurricane  16:38, 22 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Thank you. I tend to let things stay on my talk page whether I agree or not. But thanks for watching and the action. Littleolive oil (talk) 16:49, 22 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Have you considered simply reposting the question in an unambiguous form? I feel like you're rewarding a bully by simply letting the matter drop. I would do it on your behalf to save you the stress, but part of the system here is making sure the victims suffer for questioning authority. Advocates are strictly prohibited. It's a shame, but the causes are known and well documented. Maybe it will change in time, but surely not while ArbCom is composed of people who get away with doing what he did to you. In extremis, you could stand. Be the change, and all that. KongPingWut (talk) 17:42, 24 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Also, as I'm sure you know, but if not, SlimVirgin did post publicly about the pain and stress Wikipedia caused her in her final months. There was a dispute with David Gerard over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes article, and she was clearly upset by how it was handled. ArbCom isn't directly to blame for that, but if you look, there's not a lot of difference in the arrogant and dismissive way Gerard spoke to her, and the way Beeblebrox spoke to you. This is the effect of having such people in power. KongPingWut (talk) 17:51, 24 November 2021 (UTC)

ArbCom 2021 Elections voter message
Thank you for analyzing my question, under my "dangerous thoughts" where I moved it for context. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:25, 27 November 2021 (UTC)

memory of SlimVirgin pictured again --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:42, 29 November 2021 (UTC)

Thank you Gerda. Littleolive oil (talk) 02:37, 30 November 2021 (UTC)

December 2021 GOCE Newsletter
Distributed via MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 15:02, 6 December 2021 (UTC)

Cary Grant/Rita Hayworth
I also said she had a small role, which is the case, and the person who accepted my change seemed to agree. 142 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.112.235.125 (talk) 20:47, 24 December 2021 (UTC)

in friendship
Thank you for being around! - Happy new year, in friendship! - One of my pics was on the Main page, DYK, and even made it to the stats. - In this young year, I enjoyed meetings with friends in real life, and wish you many of those. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:59, 7 January 2022 (UTC)


 * Thank you Gerda. I have missed many friends for over two years now. One day. Soon. Littleolive oil (talk) 23:33, 9 February 2022 (UTC)
 * good to have you here, and your empathy --Gerda Arendt (talk) 09:08, 10 February 2022 (UTC)

Thank you for your support! - Sunday flowers and sounds, don't miss the extraordinary marriage of the beginnings of the theme of Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, and Prayer for Ukraine - here! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:37, 27 March 2022 (UTC)

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Always precious
Ten years ago, you were found precious. That's what you are, always. Thank you for constant supportive empathy! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:14, 11 April 2022 (UTC)

Ukraine day today: Maks Levin DYK, expanding Kyiv Symphony Orchestra (have tickets), and creating Anthony Robin Schneider, the bass who could be heard opening the singing in Beethoven's Ninth twice on 10 March 2022, live in Frankfurt, Germany, and recorded in Auckland, New Zealand, singing "Freiheit!" (freedom) instead of "Freude" (joy), in a tradition started after the Fall of the Wall. In case of interest. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:29, 25 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Thank you for your always thoughtful kindness. Happy Easter Gerda-Happy Spring. Littleolive oil (talk) 14:44, 17 April 2022 (UTC)
 * thank you, enjoying both, more on my talk, - going outside right now --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:46, 17 April 2022 (UTC)

Dove sono (Where are those happy moments ...?) - concert with Kyiv orchestra and Aleksey Semenenko (quite a story!) tonight, Symphony with war and peace in the subtitle --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:27, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

GOCE April 2022 newsletter
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May music
I like my talk today (actually mostly from 29 May - I took the title pic), enjoy the music, two related videos worth watching! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:07, 31 May 2022 (UTC)

Thank you, Gerda and now, quite suddenly, it's June. Littleolive oil (talk) 02:17, 9 June 2022 (UTC)

June GOCE newsletter
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Today
Today is a birthday. Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:13, 30 June 2022 (UTC)

Hi Gerda. I apologize fr taking so long to reply. I haven't had computer access for several weeks and may lose it again. So nice to hear from you. Hugs! Littleolive oil (talk)

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October music
Thinking of you, thanking one! -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:19, 9 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Thinking of you too. Fall in Germany. Beautiful. I love Fall anywhere, though. Hope you are well! :O)
 * thank you, and yes, more details always on my talk, - another pictured DYK (but not pictured by me this time): look at power work tensions (if you translate) --Gerda Arendt (talk) 12:56, 13 October 2022 (UTC)
 * today's DYK: two facts from the two concert of this years Rheingau Musik Festival I liked best, both a cappella singing. If you follow the songs, you see a circus, where I performed singing, and in the end the whole tent joined for Dona nobis pacem. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:26, 19 October 2022 (UTC)
 * who shall separate us? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 14:54, 22 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks Gerda. What a magnificent church! (Littleolive oil (talk) 16:40, 22 October 2022 (UTC))
 * Thank you, - leaving the month with reformation and a cat treat --Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:10, 31 October 2022 (UTC)

Guild of Copy Editors' October 2022 newsletter
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Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving - Bach said it in music for peace. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:48, 24 November 2022 (UTC)


 * Happy Thanksgiving to you Gerda.Littleolive oil (talk) 23:06, 24 November 2022 (UTC)

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Guild of Copy Editors December 2022 Newsletter
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December music
Thank you for gnomish work around DYK! - We sang Charpentier's delightful Messe de minuit pour Noël yesterday, which was on DYK the day before, - a first for me. Today, pictured: the soprano of our choral concert of the year. More in the context: User talk:Gerda Arendt, in case of interest. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 17:43, 26 December 2022 (UTC)


 * Thank you, Gerda. Your life seems so filled with music. I do miss singing the Christmas music, as a child, Gregorian chant, the high masses, and all of the Christmas carols old and new including the Canadian, T'was in the Moon of Winter Time. Littleolive oil (talk)

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February songs
fresh flowers for you! - My story on 24 February is about Artemy Vedel (TFA by Amitchell235), and I made a suggestion for more peace, - what do you think? -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 18:02, 24 February 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks Gerda. February is a good time for flowers.Littleolive oil (talk) 18:23, 27 February 2023 (UTC)
 * Thank you. What do you think about Robert le diable, and my suggestion? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 00:24, 28 February 2023 (UTC)
 * today: two women whose birthday we celebrate today, 99 and 90! --Gerda Arendt (talk) 11:49, 28 February 2023 (UTC)

Transcendental Meditation
Hi! I had recently added the following content to the Transcendental Meditation page - ((( "The organization has also been criticized for using celebrity endorsements for marketing and commended for its presence in mass media and for its global spread." ))) I noticed this information was deleted. I was curious as to why. The information is coming from a reliable source/ book and was written in a Neutral Point of View in accordance with Wikipedia policies. Thanks in advance! Whitestar12 (talk) 05:03, 16 March 2023 (UTC)


 * The content from the "book" looks as if it was taken directly from Wikipedia; the words in many cases are the same. We can't source to ourselves. The fact that the writer of this textbook plagiarized Wikipedia in places or at best summarized the Wikipedia content is a red flag in terms of sourcing.


 * Sources are not NPOV. Wikipedia content must be. To explain: NPOV refers to our articles not to the sources. We must represent reliable sources per their place in the entire body of  reliable sources on that subject/topic. Sources themselves are not chosen because they are negative or positive towards a subject but per their reliability. They are then added per their relation to other reliable sources, per their weight in relationship to other reliable sources in the article. If a topic has 12 sources on one aspect of the article and only one on another we would probably add more on the 12 sources and less on the one source. Check out WP:NPOV, WP:WEIGHT, WP:RS to start but its worthwhile to wade through all of our policies and guidelines.


 * I edit very little these days so don't have the time or inclination to add content but I'll keep an eye on the articles in case there are problems. Best wishes. Littleolive oil (talk) 15:29, 16 March 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your prompt response! I am familiar with the NPOV policy and have read through our policies and guidelines. I was referring to the Wiki article and the content I had added when referencing the policy, and I think I meant to say that the source looked "reliable." I was unaware that the book/article written by the author had plagiarism. In the past, I have seen content on Wikipedia that was taken word from word from a book/ article. Typically I have not seen plagiarism from Educational institutions using the .edu domain. However, that is not to say that there may not be plagiarism. Just curious, has this source previously been used? Just wondering if that's how you know that this book/article plagiarized from Wiki versus the other way around. Lastly, appreciate your involvement & thoughts! Whitestar12 (talk) 11:39, 18 March 2023 (UTC)


 * Sorry to delay in responding. I hurt my back and have been very, very inactive. I've been involved with the TM pages for over 15 years and wrote some of it so I recognize the content in another source. It's not really plagiarized so much as the product of a method of using a source with slight word changes and order of information to avoid actual plagiarization. There may be other sources for the content but I just don't have the time to do that kind of search. The content sourced is not critical so I have no problem with leaving it out. Just an opinion. Littleolive oil (talk) 17:56, 26 March 2023 (UTC)


 * This is an example of actual plagiarized content.

From the source

''The TM technique involves the use of a silently-used sound called mantra, and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day. It is taught by certified teachers through a standard course of instruction, which costs a fee that varies by country.''

From the TM article

''The TM technique involves the use of a silently-used sound called mantra, and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day. It is taught by certified teachers through a standard course of instruction, which costs a fee that varies by country.''

Littleolive oil (talk) 18:22, 27 March 2023 (UTC)

April songs
11 years precious, DYK? - Did you see the great story of Marian Anderson on our Main page on Easter Sunday? -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 06:57, 11 April 2023 (UTC)

My story today, Messiah (Handel), was my first dip into the FA ocean, thanks to great colleagues. - a few pics added, one day missing --Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:12, 13 April 2023 (UTC)


 * Such a great article for such beautiful music. So nice to hear from you. I hurt my back quite badly and am just starting to get back to normal. That, with a puppy who came to stay on Christmas Eve has kept me away from Wikipedia and very, very busy. Woof. Thanks for thinking of me here, Gerda. Littleolive oil (talk) 19:30, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Best wishes for your health - and the puppy. Woof. - Messiah was a FA in 2011! It's on the Main page now, OTD. I loved the Marian Anderson story, which also has a nice infobox side story - see talk and history. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:04, 13 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Today is the 80th birthday of John Eliot Gardiner. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:15, 20 April 2023 (UTC)

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Effects of meditation
Hello - on my talk page, you said: ''I see you removed content from the Effects of Meditation article. The article as written, and if you're interested in MEDRS and NPOV it might be worthwhile looking through the article, is that each section on different forms of meditation was about the effects in a more general way than just specific result-identified research. The summary on the studies you removed have a historical context and are not being used to prove or support any results. I'm not attached to the changes you made, they just don't seem consistent with the rest of the article. As a note: The Ospina meta analysis was withdrawn for historical purposes only. It's used in a few places in the article.''

The only sources I removed were 1) the Freeman which had no useful content to it; 2) a 1997 primary source; and 3) a 2004 funding report which had little interest for the "effects" of meditation.

I appreciate your work on the article and will continue to watch for revisions. Good luck! Zefr (talk) 20:03, 20 May 2023 (UTC)


 * Yes. As I suggested, the entire article strays a long way from a purely, effects of meditation. The 1997 primary source has historical perspective but is an iffy MEDRS source, for sure, so I have zero issues with removing it. If we are looking at the research on mediation which despite the article title is the emphasis in the article then there's a lot that should be removed. The Freeman source summarizes the beginning of TM research an as such is significant, especially in a historical sense of the research. That content could use more explanation in terms of its importance and in order to make it pertinent and meatier. However, your edits are fine with me, whether I agree with them or not. It's unlikely I'll do more on the article. I just don't have the time but feel free to have a go at it. It could use the scrutiny! Littleolive oil (talk) 20:19, 20 May 2023 (UTC)

Guild of Copy Editors June 2023 Newsletter
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July music
Great music (in June: three great RMF concerts)! - My story today is very personal: the DYK appeared on Wikipedia's 15th birthday, and describes a concert I sang. I was requested to translate the bio into German for a memorial concert ... - see background, and we talked about life and death. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 22:19, 12 July 2023 (UTC)

On today's Main page, you can find a cantata that Bach first performed 300 years ago, and an iconic saxophonist from East Germany. Also: a bit about the history of QAI on my talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:41, 18 July 2023 (UTC)

While today's DYK highlights Santiago on his day, I did my modest share with my story today, describing what I just experienced, pictured. I began the article of the woman in green. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:02, 25 July 2023 (UTC)

Today Jahrhundertring, and I'm listening to Götterdämmerung from the Bayreuth Festival (pictured), - the image (of a woman who can't believe what she has to see) features also on the article talk. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:38, 31 July 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks Gerda for keeping in touch. I've been out of the country with very poor connections and now that I'm back it's taking a few weeks to get caught up on household/family/pup/town/internet business/stuff. My Wikipedia editing is spotty at best these days, but it's always so nice to hear from you. Littleolive oil (talk) 07:33, 30 August 2023 (UTC)

Septermber GOCE newsletter
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Guild of Copy Editors December 2023 Newsletter
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December greetings
Thank you for your kind message to me. I wish you merry festive days and a peaceful New Year. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:17, 26 December 2023 (UTC)

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February music
Thank you for the precious award you gave me years ago! - I was on exciting vacation, see places if you are not afraid of peaks ;) -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 13:05, 8 February 2024 (UTC)

Thanks to Seiji Ozawa. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:59, 12 February 2024 (UTC)

The image, taken on a cemetery last year after the funeral of a distant but dear family member, commemorates today, with thanks for their achievements, four subjects mentioned on the Main page and Vami_IV, a friend here. Listen to music by Tchaikovsky (an article where one of the four is pictured), sung by today's subject (whose performance on stage I enjoyed two days ago). --Gerda Arendt (talk) 16:25, 20 February 2024 (UTC)

more music and flowers on Rossini's rare birthday --Gerda Arendt (talk) 15:58, 29 February 2024 (UTC)


 * Thank you Gerda for the lovely "notes" always so uplifting. I haven't been around much, a very busy, crazy winter, a nasty cold, and then new baby in the family have kept me so busy and pretty tired. Spring is here though. I hope you're well. HUGS Littleolive oil (talk) 01:32, 20 March 2024 (UTC)

April music
My story today includes Organ Eras. -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:29, 11 April 2024 (UTC)


 * Gerda. Your stories are an amazing collection of knowledge on music. You have done so much for Wikipedia in the area of music. I was so delighted to see selections of music embedded in the articles; the reader can actually listen to a sample of the music while reading an article. Thank you! Littleolive oil (talk) 03:46, 15 April 2024 (UTC)
 * Thank you, - I try, Spanish music today: the last of six RD articles in one week is now on the Main page - yesterday a great recital with many anti-war songs by Jewish composers whose music was banned by the Nazis. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:27, 18 April 2024 (UTC)
 * images of a flock of sheep that I met by chance on the 300th birthday of cantata Du Hirte Israel, höre, BWV 104 --Gerda Arendt (talk) 19:45, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

May music
Today's story mentions a concert I loved to hear (DYK) and a piece I loved to sing in choir, 150 years old (OTD). -- Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:45, 22 May 2024 (UTC)


 * Thank you Gerda. How are you doing? Spring, almost summer here and a 4 month old baby in the family, to cherish. Not much Wikipedia time anymore for me, but I see you continue with your immense contributions. Hugs. Littleolive oil (talk) 12:29, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
 * Congratulations to the baby! - My talk is quite open about my doings ;) - Today's story is about Samuel Kummer, one of five items on the Main page - more musing on my talk --Gerda Arendt (talk) 23:08, 30 May 2024 (UTC)