Springtime in Frankfurt - Open Post

By Patrick

We need a new post, but I am not really in the mood the write something about politics right now. We had beautiful weather today in Frankfurt, just the right weather to take some pictures. Spring has arrived, and I hope that my photos will "get you in the mood." 

I heard that in other parts of the world the weather is not great right now, but I do hope that we will all have a lovely summer in the end. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Click on pictures to enlarge (or right-click and open in new tab, for full-size).

Open Post - And now for something beautiful!

By Patrick

We do need an open post, and we do need it fast. We also need a break from Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and all the other ugly faces of the wingnuts. We do need something beautiful, right now! What could it be?

What about a nice selection of photos I took in Venice in 2012, when Kathleen and I visited Venice, met up with Leadfoot and her daughter Bella and had a fantastic, unforgettable holiday!

Back then, I already posted some photos, but why not again? There is hardly a city on earth more beautiful than Venice. Let's not forget the pleasant things in life. I hope you like the idea.

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BONUS:

As we are having a cultured open post: An example of America's best and brightest, violinist Hilary Hahn, playing Brahms in Frankfurt.

This is where the concert took place - the "Old Opera" in the center of Frankfurt:

The inscription on the front of the building reads: "To the True Beautiful Good."

Open Thread - Let's Talk Food or Whatever

by Ennealogic

It's been some time since I posted, and as HIG noted, it takes a lot of time and effort to do so. What I can do is open up a new thread for comments, no need to keep on topic, until something stunning happens that inspires one of us to take that time and effort to create a post worthy of Politicalgates!

We all like to eat and many of us like to cook. And in the Eastern US where I live, it is springtime and garden time - so I offer here a video featuring Food Network star Justin Warner about building a kitchen (salad) garden.

I am about to get planting myself, after tending pots and planters of herbs over-winter in my bathroom under a grow-light.

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Hard to go wrong with that mix!

Open Post - Crosby Stills Nash and Young

By Kathleen

It's time for a little Deja vu........

Patrick and I love us some Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and now would seem to be the perfect time to indulge in a little healthy rock idealism. Enjoy.

Carry On.

In the face of despair we have no choice but to carry on......I just love the harmonies at 1:58. "Carry on, love is coming, love is coming to us all!"

 

Teach Your Children Well 

"Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park" by Diane Arbus

I searched quite a few youtube videos and finally fixed on the following one because at the end it best explains Graham Nash's motivation for writing the song. In an interview Nash explained that he was prompted by a photograph taken by Diane Arbus, titled "Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park" as it caused him to reflect on the messages that society imparts to its children. As a parent and teacher this song still resonates with me  just as strongly as it did when I first heard it.


 

Woodstock

Still my personal favourite and it is blasting out as I type. The ending of this video is golden, not to be missed.

"Well I came upon a child of God, he was walking along the road

And I asked him tell where are you going, this he told me:

(He) said, I'm going down to Yasgur's farm, going to join in a rock and roll band.

Got to get back to the land, and set my soul free.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon,

And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

Well, then can I roam beside you? I have come to lose the smog.

And I feel myself a cog in something turning.

And maybe it's the time of year, yes, said maybe it's the time of man.

And I don't know who I am but life is for learning.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon,

And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon,

And we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong,

And everywhere was song and celebration.

And I dreamed I saw the bomber jet planes riding shotgun in the sky,

Turning into butterflies above our nation.

We are stardust, we are golden, we are caught in the devil's bargain,

And we got to get ourselves back to the garden."

Feel free to comment as usual. Love and peace

Open Post - Politicalgates Anniversary Competition Winner and a Pictorial Ode of Leadfoot's Desire for Levi Johnston

By Kathleen

The winner of our competition is Maelewis who has, I am sure you will all agree, perfectly described the spirit of Politicalgates. 

Thank you Mae. Please contact me via email regarding your prize. 

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Maelewis's comment:

   

When Politcalgates announced its first anniversary, we were encouraged to write something about what Politicalgates means to us-- serious, funny, or anything in between. The exchange of information about the Susan Komen Foundation is an example of one of the many reasons that I read and participate here.

We might have been drawn together, initially, trying to find the truth of Sarah Palin's wild description of her Wild Ride. As she continued to influence politics, speaking words without substance, we found others who shared our feelings about her. We could laugh at Sarah Palin's Alaska, laugh at her clothing and wig choices, laugh at her very public family vacation, her twisted version of history, and feel sorry for her children. Sarah brought us together, but PGates has become much more.

Politalgates also represents spirit of contribution. We owe great thanks to the people who spend so much time writing and researching topics of current interest-- history, politics, social issues. This has become a forum to increase our knowledge and awareness, especially in these days of newspapers and magazines cutting back. The exchange of ideas from people around the world and from different backgrounds is like participating in one of those exciting discussion groups. All views and opinions are welcomed and respected, well, with the exception of one person from Brooklyn. The comments written here are thoughtful and well written. (Every time that I see Wasilla in the Feedjit, I want to wave and thank Sarah for bringing us together).

The Komen issue is an example of something else that PGates provides-- resources, places to take action, background information. With so many eyes scanning the internet for the latest developments, I always feel in touch with current affairs. There is one more thing that PGatres provides, and that is a sense of community. We are thrilled when a daughter becomes engaged. We want to support those who are suffering from serious health issues, or going through a serious, emotional family crisis. There are recipes, words of encouragement, and humor, great, witty, clever comments and pictures. It is exciting to read so many spirited contributions, and the Kormen story is just one of many issues that reflects all of the ways that PGates affects us. Here's to sharing more great years together.

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Leadfoot_LA has an offering of a different flavour to share with us. It is a what I can only describe as a pictorial ode of her desire for Levi Johnston, who our gal met up with last year at his birthday bash in Las Vegas. Try not to blush too hard.

 

Despite Leadfoot's wandering eye we all know that her heart remains constant and true.