THOSE WHO KNEW SOLE...

...also knew that she loved baroque music (among others) and especially Cecilia Bartoli.
I just listened again to one of her memorable recordings.
She's amazing. It's impossible to classify her. She one, unique soprano.
Here a link to one of her historical recordings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGvIGEkkqo

SOLE WAS THE BEST PART OF ME

She was all I wish I'd been and never was
She was courageous, adventurous, passionate, eager for life
She was compassionate
She was a generous soul
She was a unique person and anyone who met and knew her will forever remember her
Her name meant 'Sun' and indeed she was a sun around which so many people gravitated.
She loved people and animals without distinction.
Any living being was worth her attention.
Too soon was she taken away
But till we remember her
She's still here

WINTER TIME IS THE TIME FOR WHITE

White is the summa of all colours.
Sole loved white. She said it was a canvas on which you could paint or write anything.
I made some pictures of magnolia flower that - along with the lily of the valley - was one of Sole's favourites.
The genesis of a magnolia flower

IN THE SKY AND I THINK OF...

...Sole who loved flying all around our globe.

(Picture shot by me)

FAREWELL TO A GREAT MAN: JONAH LOMU

A Great sportsman and a Great Person

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypff0vx2FZo&feature=iv&src_vid=GrI_GW9DAfI&annotation_id=annotation_1346193657
Forever to be remembered

A FEW MOMENTS...

...of utmost delight
http://www.lastampa.it/2015/11/30/multimedia/societa/lazampa/lhusky-cerca-di-mangiare-ma-qualcuno-ha-deciso-di-disturbarlo-9zDXDaBSfTG8yVa3uDYSiI/pagina.html

LET'S JUST TAKE A BREAK AND ENJOY...

...some little good news.
My daughter was travelling to Paris and...surprise...surprise...she was met, at the reception desk, by a tiny, lovely bunny named Bebel. Bebel is a young bunny girl and is allowed to run everywhere.
But since she's a well-educated young lady, she just goes around the reception.
I think I know where to book my hotel for my next stay in Paris :-)

Sole loved bunnies.

REFUGEES?

http://resistancerepublicaine.eu/2015/ces-hommes-fuient-la-guerre-mais-y-laissent-femmes-enfants-et-vieillards/

L'ANIMAL EST UNE PERSONNE

http://avxhome.se/video/Format/documentary/animal_personne.html

ISN'T IT TIME TO DEFEND OUR BELIEFS ?

https://defendthemodernworld.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/she-told-us-so-the-brilliance-of-oriana-fallaci/

I never chose to be a christian. I don't want to become a muslim.
I just want to believe in a State where all people who live peacefully can reach equality.
I can't believe that this can be attained through bombings, rapes, killing of innocent people.
People who kill at random are not heroes but cowards who send forth other people but are careful to stay      away from risks

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE..REALLY ?

Was it worth killing Saddam Hussein and Khadaffi to allow IS to grow?
Was it worth sending thousands soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan to see that Afghanistan is being infiltrated heavily by IS?
Intelligence ?
Please read Reports by  Oriana Fallaci going back to various decades.
She foresaw all this and, at that time, she was despised by the leftitst 'Intellighenzia'.
Today, she's being re-published as her analysis - unfortunately - has come true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriana_Fallaci

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriana_Fallaci

https://defendthemodernworld.wordpress.com/2013/04/02/she-told-us-so-the-brilliance-of-oriana-fallaci/

A SPECIAL CHANNEL

...that Sole would have loved, without any doubt.
For lovers of classical music and...
Special recordings.
Rare clips.
Precious reminders.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYBvpjDd3Ya6Qv6QW04Oieg

NEVER BEFORE WAS I ASHAMED TO BE ITALIAN

With Mr. Renzi, PM, saying that bombs do not solve problems. I can accept that, but I want him to tell us what will stop the cruelty, the massacres, not only of our prople but also of all those who are in IS area

LET'S NOT MIX UP...

...terrorists and people who are bullied, slain, raped, tortured in the lands where terrorists are now in command. People from Arabic countries were civilized well before us, Western people. They taught us mathematics, medicine, and so much more, before Islam became a faith of destruction.
The problem, as usual, is religion and fanaticism.
Can we deny that the Christian Church killed millions and millions (whole civilizations in South America), milllions in Europe in Witch-chases, millions still in Europe, through Inquisition, in the name of orthodoxy?
The real enemy is religion, fanaticism, overpowering in the name of a god who should be merciful (in name) but is just an excuse to empower a few over a multitude.
Civilization? That can only exist if people reason with their own brain and not according to some Preacher's credo.

NOUS SOMMES LA FRANCE

MARX WAS WRONG...

.religion is not the opium of people. It's its cancer.

AND IN DAYS LIKE THESE MY THOUGHTS GO TO...

an unforgettable movie that was one of Sole's cult movies

I KNOW HOW SOLE WOULD REACT TO SUCH A BARBARIC ACT

LA FRANCE, PAYS DE LIBERTÉ
France that granted freedom to so many
Is now under siege
Freedom!Freedom! Freedom...

Paroles de Ma FranceDe plaines en forêts de vallons en collines
Du printemps qui va naître à tes mortes saisons
De ce que j'ai vécu à ce que j'imagine

Je n'en finirai pas d'écrire ta chanson
Ma France

Au grand soleil d'été qui courbe la Provence
Des genêts de Bretagne aux bruyères d'Ardèche
Quelque chose dans l'air a cette transparence
Et ce goût du bonheur qui rend ma lèvre sèche
Ma France

Cet air de liberté au-delà des frontières
Aux peuples étrangers qui donnaient le vertige
Et dont vous usurpez aujourd'hui le prestige
Elle répond toujours du nom de Robespierre
Ma France

Celle du vieil Hugo tonnant de son exil
Des enfants de cinq ans travaillant dans les mines
Celle qui construisit de ses mains vos usines
Celle dont monsieur Thiers a dit qu'on la fusille
Ma France

Picasso tient le monde au bout de sa palette
Des lèvres d'Éluard s'envolent des colombes
Ils n'en finissent pas tes artistes prophètes
De dire qu'il est temps que le malheur succombe
Ma France

Leurs voix se multiplient à n'en plus faire qu'une
Celle qui paie toujours vos crimes vos erreurs
En remplissant l'histoire et ses fosses communes
Que je chante à jamais celle des travailleurs
Ma France

Celle qui ne possède en or que ses nuits blanches
Pour la lutte obstiné de ce temps quotidien
Du journal que l'on vend le matin d'un dimanche
A l'affiche qu'on colle au mur du lendemain
Ma France

Qu'elle monte des mines descende des collines
Celle qui chante en moi la belle la rebelle
Elle tient l'avenir, serré dans ses mains fines
Celle de trente-six à soixante-huit chandelles
Ma France

ONCE AGAIN FANATIC IGNORANCE...

...ASSAULTS OUR LIBERTIES.

Once Again we state that they will never prevail.
Never
Never
Never
Liberté,
Liberté chérie...
Plus que jamais
Aux Armes Citoyens !

ONE OF HER FAVOURITE TOWNS: TOULOUSE

She loved France (of course she did: she was partly French!)
And she was so keen on the South of France, especially Toulouse: the violets, the Capitol and above all Claude Nougaro: a great artist that can't be translated since his rhymes are purely French. But his jazz rythm can be understood by anybody who loves music.

...and New York by Nougaro !

BREL - DANS LE PORT D'AMSTERDAM

BREL - UN AMOUR DE SOLE

SOLE NEVER FAILED TO CELEBRATE

...Halloween. She did it playfully, joyfully and made it so much fun for everybody.

A GREAT BEAUTY

Sole loved Antonio Canova's works. I'd say she even was a Canova's aficionada if such a term could exist. I recently learnt that a special exhibition of a masterpiece called 'The Venus of Leeds - La Venere di Leeds' can be viewed - exceptionally - at Antonio Canova's museum.
I travelled there, in the mild hills north of  Treviso and discovered a world of beauty: amidst the museum with a record of the main works of the great Master, there she was. The Leeds Venus, in a scenery worth of the greatest World's Museums. In a square room, each wall has a mirror in 'Empire' style reflecting this beautiful Venus thousand-folds. Moreover, she's placed on a pedestal that, in its turn, is based on mirrors.
Oh, the beauty of it all....
And I was the sole visitor on that Tuesday morning.
Wherever else, Paris, London...there would be an endless queue of visitors.

AMAZING GRACE

No title could be more appropriate for Sole
She was graceful
She understood and shared grace in other people's souls
She loved all
She loved One especially..her Captain, her Chosen Love

JULY 12TH, 2015

Frantisek Kupka - The Wave 1902

Today, Sole would have been 40. I'm sure she would have been her usual lively, vibrant, warm, joyful and funny self.
With love to you, Sole... Anyone who met you still feels a great void.

WATERLOO - TWO HUNDRED YEARS - NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Waterloo ! Waterloo ! Waterloo ! morne plaine !
Comme une onde qui bout dans une urne trop pleine,
Dans ton cirque de bois, de coteaux, de vallons,
La pâle mort mêlait les sombres bataillons.
D’un côté c’est l’Europe et de l’autre la France.
Choc sanglant ! des héros Dieu trompait l'espérance ;
Tu désertais, victoire, et le sort était las.
Ô Waterloo ! je pleure et je m'arrête, hélas !
(From Victor Hugo - L'Expiation)

Is the world still so afraid of history that almost no main site (hey Google...where are you ?) mentioned this historical anniversay ? For better, for worst, Napoleon had a vision of a united Europe. Means, at that time were not diplomatic. Nonetheless, he was two hundred years ahead of our European Community dream. And it's still a dream.
Vive l'Empereur !

RAPPERS ? NEVER...BUT...

I'd make an exception for these guys !
http://www.lastampa.it/2015/05/05/multimedia/societa/lazampa/cat-party-la-festa-pi-pazza-quella-dei-gatti-cKJpRo466lx7tv4uFmasTL/pagina.html

YOUTH AND AGEING

I often think of Sole.
She died in her prime, in her most glorious years, having been born in 1975.
I often think of her and envy her.
She'll never get old.
She's in our memories in her most vibrant self, full of projects, curious about everything that happened in our world.
She despised one-minded people.
She despised those who can't understand others' reasons.
She was so open to anyone who could talk and argue reasonably about one's beliefs.
She said her mind had been shaped by her mother's teachings: open to all reasonings but judge with your own mind.
I miss you, Sole !

In my mind ...

In my mind, you appear to me.

Oft times unexpected, but welcome always.

Some stray event or random occurence will lead me to you.

How I wish so very much to reach out and find you there.

Someday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Rjn1EI7MQ

ST. PATRICK'S DAY...

...was never forgotten by Sole. And I guess it'a also a special day for Her Captain Zaphod
Another little thing that brings her back in memory

REDHEADS IN ART

Renoir again !

WHEREVER YOU ARE

You're never forgotten !

Arthur Hughes (1863-4)

SOMETIMES PROTESTS COUNT

Update on previous announcement by Blogger
"
Dear Blogger User,

This week, you received an email telling you about some changes we were making to the Blogger Content Policy. In that email, we announced a change to Blogger's porn policy stating that blogs that distributed sexually explicit images or graphic nudity would be made private.

We've received lots of feedback about making a policy change that impacts longstanding blogs and the negative impact on individuals who post sexually explicit content to express their identities.

We appreciate the feedback. Instead of making this change, we will be maintaining our existing policies (http://www.blogger.com/content.g).

What this means for your blog:
Commercial porn will continue to be prohibited.
If you have pornographic or sexually explicit content on your blog, you must turn on the adult content setting (https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/86944?hl=en) so a warning will show.

If you don't have sexually explicit content on your blog and you're following the rest of the Blogger Content Policy (http://www.blogger.com/content.g), you don't need to make any changes to your blog.

Thank you for your continued feedback,

The Blogger Team
"
So, as far as this blog is concerned, nothing will change, as it has always been submitted to the 'adult Content Setting'

Today is a good day :-)

A FRIEND LEFT US

Mr.Spock, so rational always.
Thank you Leonard Nimoy for the entertainment and for the lesson you taught: acceptance; friendship, open-mindedness.

CENSORSHIP IS GAINING GROUND

I received this message from Blogger:

Blogger no-reply@blogger.com via scoutcamp.bounces.google.com	9:04 PM (20 hours ago)
to me

Dear Blogger User,

We're writing to tell you about an upcoming change to the Blogger Content Policy that may affect your account.

In the coming weeks, we'll no longer allow blogs that contain sexually explicit or graphic nude images or video. We'll still allow nudity presented in artistic, educational, documentary, or scientific contexts, or where there are other substantial benefits to the public from not taking action on the content.

The new policy will go into effect on the 23rd of March 2015. After this policy goes into effect, Google will restrict access to any blog identified as being in violation of our revised policy. No content will be deleted, but only blog authors and those with whom they have expressly shared the blog will be able to see the content we've made private.

Our records indicate that your account may be affected by this policy change. Please refrain from creating new content that would violate this policy. Also, we ask that you make any necessary changes to your existing blog to comply as soon as possible, so that you won't experience any interruptions in service. You may also choose to create an archive of your content via Google Takeout (https://www.google.com/settings/takeout/custom/blogger).

For more information, please read here (https://support.google.com/blogger?p=policy_update).

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

(c) 2015 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043

Needless to say, I'm more sorry for them than for myself. That nudity must be seen as offensive says enough of those who are judgeing. Blogger is evidently subjected to some hypocritical powers. Sorry for them. I'll migrate to some other place :-)

REDHEADS IN ART

Jean-Léon Gérôme 

I'M AGAINST...

I'm against anyone killing whilst taking god - any god - as an excuse for his/her killings of innocent people
I'm against anyone trying to silence the cry for liberty of religion, of thinking
I'm against anyone speaking of religion and all the while killing innocent  in the name of that religion
Did history teach us nothing ?
People who kill innocent people are just killers.
Just that.
Killers.
Evil.
Guilty.

THE TYRANNY OF FACEBOOK

I'm not in Facebook.
I never will be.
I strongly dislike being unable to give a vote on some book or novel unless it's on facebook.
When it happens I'm faced with such choice, I don't only avoid voting but I cancel the author/publisher from my favourites.
A publisher should have the decency to have at least 2 or 3 possible poll sites.

IF YOU FEEL A LITTLE LOST...

...in regard of Middle East politics, this map will not help a lot but will maybe make you smile

REDHEADS ARE SO SPECIAL

LIBERTE'. EGALITE'.FRATERNITE'