User:WillowW/Scrapbook

A friend introduced me to Wikipedia in April 2006, and I felt as though I were waking from a nap, with warm sun on my face.

I'm terribly curious, so Wikipedia is like crack for me. There's also something — magical in sharing with your friends, and in learning from them in return.

I like crafty things, and making gifts for other people, although sometimes I get myself in trouble. I also like beautiful, symmetrical things, so I often write about fashion design and science.

Writing is fun, although words aren't tame; they never seem to say what I want them to. My favorite book is Middlemarch by George Eliot; when I read her words, the world begins to seem luminous, real and engaging. I love vivid, poetic language, ranging from Homer and Sappho to silly, fun stories like those of P. G. Wodehouse.

Although I've written some articles here, I still feel like a wiki-newbie, since I'm usually a clueless Chloe about how to do things. If you have any suggestions or helpful hints for me, please write; I would love to talk with you, or see your articles. Wikipedia seems like an echo of Eden, where nothing can truly hurt us and we have the chance to do good; we should help one another to make the world luminous.

And thank you especially for getting the ones in my user space. —Mira 10:56, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

Wow, my first BARNSTAR! :D Thanks, Mira! Willow 16:11, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

Although I should say, Aleena did all the work; I just helped out at the end, with a little moral support.

You deserve it Willow.
—Lady Aleena talk/contribs 18:45, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

You're very welcome. And don't worry, I gave Aleena one too. ;) —Mira 00:38, 16 July 2006 (UTC)

I'd like to thank you for working on mine too :) —Disavian (^talk/_contribs) 16:37, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, Disavian and, well, you all! :D It was fun and intense. I really like the feeling of Wiki-camaraderie, although there don't seem to be many fellow-editors in my favorite subjects. :( I'll check in every now and then to make things more tidy, to categorize userboxes that got missed or newly minted ones. See ya, Willow 17:49, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, Sadi! I was really surprised and delighted by your wonderful award. It means a lot to have earned your respect and I'm sure that we share a common goal — making Wikipedia as fine as it can be — even if we differ on how to reach it. I'll keep striving, and I'm sure that you will, too. :)

You might not fully appreciate how much your barnstar means to me. I love serenity and harmony; it makes me happy in a way resembling the joy of seeing something beautiful. Whatever it was that brought peace between us, I feel grateful for it. I'm sorry if I was hasty or inconsiderate in my edits.

As for how I learned so much science — ummm, I didn't? I know mainly knitting and sewing, but I have a really long memory for conversations with people I like, and I have a lot of smart, smart friends who seem to enjoy teaching me new things — maybe because I'm a good listener? Anyway, I happen to be editing science articles now, because I enjoy it and that's where it seems like I can help out the most. But next year I may be working on Bach fugues, Gothic cathedrals, Greek poetry, or horseback riding; it's likely to be kind of random. Luckily, there are as many forms of beauty as there are moments in time, and I have a wonderful wealth of friends. :) Willow 19:48, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, Outriggr! I really am just one person, although I'm a different person before I've had my coffee in the morning. ;) Wikipedia itself is a great stimulant; I think it pulls out the best parts of me, and I love being part of the community. :) Willow 13:37, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Sonnet III

Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!
Unlike our uses and our destinies.
Our ministering two angels look surprise
On one another, as they strike athwart
Their wings in passing. Thou, bethink thee, art
A guest for queens to social pageantries,
With gages from a hundred brighter eyes
Than tears even can make mine, to play thy part
Of chief musician. What hast thou to do
With looking from the lattice-lights at me,
A poor, tired, wandering singer, singing through
The dark, and leaning up a cypress tree?
The chrism is on thine head, — on mine, the dew,—
And Death must dig the level where these agree.

Copied by gentle Willow from the gentler Browning on 12 January 2007

Thanks so much, ≈ jossi ≈! Muy encantada, amigo! Your barnstar means all that more when I see how many times you've been honored for your kindness. Willow 21:39, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

She is a perfect person to write about knot theory.--Filll 17:35, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

Thank you both for a very moving Barnstar. The real pleasure of being a Wikipedian is the company of such wonderful, well-meaning people; your kindness makes me feel radiant, encourages me to spread my wings still further, until they meet on the other side of my little world, like Humpty Dumpty's smile ;) Willow 17:43, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

  Many happy returns on your 1st birthday and CONGRATULATIONS on a successful Britannica FAC! TimVickers 23:08, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

Hi there, Willow. Things seem to be going well over at Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Encyclopædia Britannica/archive2—which I am watching, so I noticed your comment, and, well... Happy First Edit Day! I think cake is somewhat overrated see you've gotten some cake already, so I hope you like crème brûlée... :) Fvasconcellos 23:11, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

You're welcome, and thank you for the kind words! Unfortunately my German is useless, so I couldn't quite make out the caption—something about yummy cherries? ;) Fvasconcellos 13:03, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

It means roughly, "You can really eat cherries with this girl," which is slang for "she's fun to hang out with." ;) Thanks muchly once again, Willow 13:15, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

Ditto, and thanks for all the hard work, you have quite an impressive list of articles under your belt. -Ravedave 00:01, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

yes, congratulations on the FA! -- phoebe/(talk) 05:42, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

After a gauntlet of 3 weeks of the FAC process, 750 edits to the article and almost 50 references later - you have helped make one hell'uve an FA. I have only given a barnstar to two other users in my three years on Wikipedia, and you my friend deserve my third. Thank you for all your work, and keep on editing! :-) JoeSmack ^Talk 17:52, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

 

Thank you for writing, Willow—I did enjoy the latte. Since I am lacking the creativity to respond with an equally inspired picture and message, please accept these perfectly tasty Brussels sprouts! Now, the real surprise is that the barnstar I offered you some time ago was in fact a presentiment, an advance award for your successful EB FAC. (So you are a fan of counterpoint? I am listening to the Goldberg Variations.) –Outriggr § 04:42, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

It's a favorite piece of mine, too! :) When I first moved into my own place, I was playing Glenn Gould's version while I was unpacking. It was late at night, and kind of spooky; I was all alone and had drunk too much coffee; the whole house was bare and isolated far in the country. All of a sudden, I heard a man's voice singing along with the Variations, which completely freaked me out. Luckily, after a little investigation, I realized that I was hearing Glenn's own voice humming along with his playing. Whew! :)

I do love counterpoint. I like to make little contrapuntal pieces out of familiar nursery songs for my nieces, although I have a pretty limited repertoire of rhythms and harmonies. If I ever finish Nature and Knitting, I'd like to develop some articles on counterpoint and contrapuntal works. I tend to go for less well-known topics, so perhaps The Art of the Fugue or Pergolesi's Stabat Mater? Do you have any preferences or suggestions? Thank you again for the barnstar, which I've never forgotten, Willow 10:33, 15 April 2007 (UTC)

That's an interesting story (Haunted by Gould). If you'd watched Silence of the Lambs which featured the Goldbergs sometime before, I can imagine you being that much more spooked out. But I don't picture Willow and Hannibal getting along. :) Now regarding your question, I am a drive-by classical listener, so I can't offer much. Given your preferences, I expect the Well-Tempered Clavier is not obscure enough. So Die Kunst der Fuge it is. I can't wait! Good to see the sprouts are still fresh. –Outriggr § 04:04, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

I've never really given out awards – especially barnstars, now that you can get one for a few hours of anti-vandal work they've become worthless – but the work you've done not just on this article but elsewhere deserves recognition. Though I feel the Featured Article process is a bit tedious and uses up effort which could be better expended elsewhere, the thought that contributors such as yourself are actually producing high-quality content is just about the only thing keeping me here. If only I could do the same myself; sadly, it seems I am resigned to maintenance work (and if the outcome of this arbitration case is as I expect, I will essentially be denied reinstatement of adminship, so that's out, even if I wanted it). Anyway, I usually express thanks with the aid of a few copies of Image:Tournesol.png, so here we go:

– Gurch 15:13, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

Hey Gurch, thanks for the flowers! I don't think I've gotten a bouquet here before, especially one that blooms before my eyes. I'll soon put them in a vase, to preserve them.

I'm really sorry that you're feeling down. I don't understand how the arbitration case pertains to you, but you'll always have a home here; there'll always be something that needs to be done, don't you agree? :) It doesn't have to be something grand like Wikipedia; it could be something small, but worthy. Perhaps you might choose a neglected country, or a neglected disease, or a neglected person, and write something to honor them and make them more intelligible to the world

Please don't despair. Wikipedia has its foibles and disappointments, to be sure, but it is also self-renewing and combines gentle strength with high purpose. Jostling in the halls of Wikipedia, harsh or foolish people can call themselves to our attention so much that we miss the angel who glides softly past us, quiet and determined. That's when we should leave our small disagreements behind and walk with her to someplace better. Affectionately, hopefully, Willow 21:12, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

The angel who glides softly past us, quiet and determined – are you talking about yourself, there? :) I doubt I would make a good angel. Though I have been doing a lot of stuff quietly. Boring stuff, unfortunately. Re-organizing the top-level administrative and maintenance categories – in other words, the sort of stuff nobody else can be bothered to do. Not sure how much use it really is.

Anyway, if you're interested (probably not!), the arbitration case partly concerns Betacommand's use of automated tools to perform administrative actions at high speed without bot approval. This has always been against policy, but in practise has been tolerated as a last resort when dealing with large administrative backlogs. An arbitration ruling on the matter would end this, and since it has never been acceptable under policy, would bring past actions of this sort under question.

While I'm not involved in the case, if the Arbitration Committee finds, as seems likely, that such actions are unacceptable, that would also apply to some of my own actions – particularly a batch of around twenty thousand pages I deleted in October 2006. Whether Betacommand is asked to re-apply to Requests for adminship or not, I am not currently an administrator, and would have to request again anyway. Given that I also made a lot of controversial username blocks which were the subject of much discussion – on RfC and even as far afield as Slashdot – and ultimately resulted in a policy change, it seems unlikely that a bureaucrat would be willing to re-assign adminship without another full RfA. Given the current expectations of RfA, I doubt very much that a re-nomination would be successful. As I said before, I have no interest in being an administrator again, but the fact that my past conduct may be 'officially' unacceptable is the sort of thing I have to take notice of.

Now, any more comments like that, and I'll have to insist you stop writing articles and start writing poetry :) – Gurch 22:22, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for sharing all that with me, Gurch. I feel it as you do, but I wish I could help you see that this is not all we are; paths fork, people change, and we can grow and be other than we are. I sense that I will never be an admin, and you too will grow in new directions. The world is rich with possibilities and imagination, and there are many ways to contribute to Wikipedia. Willow 00:37, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Dear Cronholm,

Your letter was so moving, and of course I would be happy and honored to welcome you to Wikipedia! :) Rather than listing the tutorials and other resources at your disposal, let me point you quickly to the Help pages (which I find very good) . Then let's walk together through the starlit garden, listen in silence to the nightingale and the piper far away; and then let's talk with one another of more personal things that may be helpful.

Wikipedia holds many treasures and pleasures, and I hope that you will taste them all: the friendship of kind, smart and wonderfully well-meaning people; the flush of joy upon understanding something difficult at long last; and the warmth of feeling that you are helping people everywhere. Grace is in the air, faith the gentle tissue that binds us together. Occasionally I feel down; I sometimes lose my faith that I'm doing any good, or that I'm helping people, or that other Wikipedians even like me. :( I suppose that such thoughts occur to us all from time to time; yet remember, when Wikipedia looks bleak, that you have a friend in me and I in you. There is magic in such friendships, silver threads we may follow back to a bright place .

You may meet opinionated people here, sometimes imperfectly informed, or speaking dismissively. I believe in gentleness and compassion for all flavors of people, especially remembering my own limitations and failings. A person's true strength, in the real world and especially here in Wikipedia, is measured not by bending bars but by opening minds, don't you agree? We share a common enemy, ignorance; we should work together selflessly and serenely to banish it from each other and from the world outside. If another editor throws a javelin at you, remember that nothing can truly hurt us here; we're ethereal spirits in this ghostly little world, and javelins pass through us. ;)

Wishing you everything good that Wikipedia can bring, Willow 03:22, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Dear Willow, your beautiful words have moved me so much, I can hardly find the words to say. Indeed, we had never directly talked before; but I've seen you around, and your grace and kindness are a wonderful ray of sunlight that always makes me smile. There's no need for more words when just a "thank you", a smile and a virtual hug is enough to seal our newborn friendship. I hope to talk to you soon, little sunray ;) Love, Phaedriel - 22:49, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

In fairy tales, when a heroine must quest to find three things, they usually aren't so pleasant, nor the reward so great! ;) Warmly, affectionately, Willow 14:20, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

• A "thank you"
•  
  A smile
•  
  A not-so-virtual hug
•  
  A little sunray sealing a newfound friendship ;)

${\displaystyle Deareft~Willow!,}$  ${\displaystyle }$ ${\displaystyle I~muft~apologize~for~making~Jokes~during~your~Featured~Article~Candidacy.}$  ${\displaystyle 'Twas~only~the~Action~of~One~(perchance~among~many)~finding~himfelf}$  ${\displaystyle wide-eyed~in~the~Face~of~your~marvelous,~yet~baffling~Equations.}$  ${\displaystyle Quoth~~Unfrozen~Caveman~Lawyer~(q.v.),~'Your~Maths~frighten~and~confufe~me!'}$  ${\displaystyle I~am~grateful,~though,~that~I'd~the~Opportunity~t'learn~'ow~t'use~the~}$  ${\displaystyle \langle math\rangle ~tag~in~a~Manner~moft~Unfit~for~Adults.}$  ${\displaystyle }$ ${\displaystyle Please~do~accept~this~hand-written~Letter~as~a~Gefture~of~Reconciliation,}$  ${\displaystyle ~and~I~hope~you~will~feel~equally~free~to~add~fome~Paprika~to}$  ${\displaystyle ~any~Future~FA~Candicacy~of~mine.}$  ${\displaystyle }$ ${\displaystyle ~Sincerely-,}$  ${\displaystyle }$ ${\displaystyle Outriggr,~Esq.}$  ${\displaystyle }$ ${\displaystyle 3~May~(UTC),~AD~2007.}$ 

'Tis my delight that you came to visit, Outriggr, now and earlier! I'm surprised that you think any apologies or reconciliations are needed; I think warmly and highly of you and your contributions to Wikipedia, and to my adopted articles and lame-brained ideas in particular. I would be a sorry person, if my friendship could be shaken (not stirred) by silliness — I, who just wrote of affectionate elephants ice-skating on Lake Manjara at midnight. ;)

Besides, I perceive that you're ahead of your time, and one should never argue with a man of the future. ;) Willow 09:47, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

Aw shucks.

I'm just having some fun, and if my sense of humor runs mock-serious (as opposed to mock-mocking?), then for that, I apologize. No, wait, I don't. Argh. :) –Outriggr § 00:21, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you, Alan! I can't help but feel affectionate even towards vandals, so it's easy to keep my humor. I'm not afraid of anything they could do and, perhaps foolishly, I imagine that they might be won over to contribute to Wikipedia. So I feel more like a Mom trying to teach a much loved but imperfectly potty-trained puppy. I try to craft a special message for each one, so that they know they're loved. ;) Ta for now, Willow 16:06, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Hooray for WillowW Day! bibliomaniac15 01:47, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

I thought every day was willow day! -Ravedave 02:29, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you all! I'm kind of stunned, but also feeling blissfully blessed. Wikipedia is my own little glimpse of Eden, where well-meaning people care for each other and help each other to do wonderful things for the growing good of the world. I feel every day as though I'm bathing in magic and light, which is perhaps why I feel so radiant. ;) Willow 15:59, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Dear, dear Phaedriel,

I was so surprised and overjoyed by your gift and that breathtaking poem. It's one of the nicest things I've ever gotten; which is only fitting, since you're one of the nicest people I've ever met. :) If I were an angel, I would offer you in return a glimpse of paradise; but I think you've already had that. :) Instead, how about a little poem?

Tʉasʉ tʉnikwʉ?etʉ̲ sʉmʉ?a nʉmʉku

Tekwa?eku wihnu kwasikʉ

nʉnʉ waahima?eyu̲,

Oyetʉ tʉbitsi tsaa nʉʉsuku?eyu̲, :D

Nami Willow 11:08, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Dearest Willow, I am completely in awe of you after the wonderful poem you gifted me - in my own language! There is much, much I'd like to tell you, and ask you, and yet I don't know where to begin. So let this be just a warm "thank you" for the wonderful surprise, and a promise of a lengthier message through our emails tomorrow. Love you friend. Have a wonderful weekend! Phaedriel - 23:22, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Marʉawe, patsi Phaedriel! I just wanted to give you something special for the moving poem you gave me and, more generally, for the warm rays that you send out to other Wikipedians. It was a gift to myself as well; I love learning new languages and, being so new and fresh to me, nʉmʉ tekwapʉ was that much more appealing. In my brief brush, it seems like a beautiful language; I would be very happy if you taught me more phrases or sayings now and then (haamee!). Please go slowly, though; I'm the student in class that everyone has to be patient with. I'll hunt around here for some books that I can learn from as well. :)

ʉra, nami Willow 16:39, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

Congratulations on another richly deserved FA, Geometry girl. I decided to commemorate the occation by breaking the Wikipedia rules on image layout ;) Have a nice trip! Geometry guy 11:41, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Indeed it is well deserved, I read the article three times, realized the depths of my ignorance, and decided that I will never learn all that I would like to learn in this world. A beautifully written article fully deserving of its status. Congratulations once again! Cronholm144 12:21, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

P.S. What's next?(just kidding, now is the time to rest on your laurels) ;)

Congrats, babe! TimVickers 16:15, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Way to go! Gnixon 19:33, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you, but you all have only yourselves to thank for how well the article turned out. In the beginning, the article was formless and void... and then you came along. :) Isn't this the best part of Wikipedia, working together, shoulder-to-shoulder with the best and the brightest, the kindest and the gentlest, the wisest and most eloquent? I count myself blessed and look forward to many, many more fun articles with you all. :) Willow 16:48, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

Hello Willow, it is great to see you editing some more, after a few busy and maybe stressful days. You are one of Wikipedia's most valuable assets, and I don't say so simply as my own opinion, but also as an observation of the way almost every wikipedian reacts to you. I know you have felt misjudged and disappointed recently. It is the nature of this electronic beast: everyone has a nerve which can be triggered. I have been going through not so easy times myself, but have found the enthusiasm of other wikipedian's very therapeutic, especially the newcomers who see people like you (and maybe even me, on a smaller scale) as an inspiration. Why not take someone under your wing and watch them flourish: it is very rewarding, as I am sure you know. Geometry guy 22:06, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Dear, dear Geometry guy,

I was just going to write you! :) I'm really touched by your beautiful and moving letter. I recovered pretty well with my friend and her family, and then I came home yesterday to a dazzlingly beautiful garden and everything was right with the world. Luckily, I'm blessed with a quick-healing spirit; happiness and laughter well up from a deep spring below. The lively, chivalrous banter between you and Cronholm also did wonders to restore my good humor; I laughed for joy! :) I hope only that I keep enough seriousness to meditate and learn from my mistakes.

I'm a little ashamed that I wasn't more deft and diplomatic last week. I was feeling out of sorts and low all week anyway and, suddenly, all these problems sprouted at several articles dear to me: the renewed edit war at photon, the sweater curse, and even Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector. Unfortunately, the sweater curse hit me squarely in my insecurities, that I'm a dumb knitting girl that nobody likes, as silly as that may seem to you. :( I was terribly dismayed that I couldn't make peace, no matter how hard I tried. But I hope that I bowed out gracefully, and that the article will benefit from my absence; everyone brings a new perspective, which can only improve the article. I think Tim and Awadewit have made wonderful contributions already, which seem to have been well-received. It's like stone soup, no? ;)

I'm not sure about adopting someone, since I feel so clueless myself most of the time. I would worry about anyone relying on me. But I'll think about it; I do like people a lot, and would be glad if I could help other Wikipedians somehow. Willow 22:50, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm so happy you have been refreshed by some time away and your garden, and even by the banter of knights and squires. Would you like to join the order? You are surely worthy, but I need to find a good picture first: I'm sure there are some in Tolkein! Your adoption anxieties remind me of many young parents. I find that it helps to have grandparents to back me up. There must be an admin who has known you for some time. For me it is User:Oleg Alexandrov: I turn to him for advice and admin support whenever I need it. He is an extremely nice guy. If you have not met, I'd be happy to introduce you! Geometry guy 23:17, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

I already added you to the working list of Knightly Wikipedians, as a Princess, for all your wonderful contributions here. Feel free to edit you kingdom. I made it and equality and calligraphy for of all of your beautiful writing and wonderful spirit;).--Cronholm144 23:29, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you both — you're the best anyone could wish for! I feel a little awkward to be a princess, though; how about scullery maid first class? ;) Warmly and affectionately, Willow 02:12, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much, Angus! :) I really love working with everyone at the Biochemistry WikiProject; they're so smart and nice and I'm learning a ton of stuff, especially about RNA these days. I'll send you a longer "thank you" a bit later; I'm racing against time at the moment, I have to head off to work soon! Thanks once again, Willow 22:18, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

P.S. The name "Angus" is awesome and just oozes coolness; you should say "thank you" to your parents! ;)

Was going through the new pages section, and all the articles over there were created by you. The nonsense articles were deleted, but all your articles were there. Keep up the excellent work --Agεθ020 (ΔT • ФC) 22:12, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Thank you, too! :) Gotta run, really, Willow 22:18, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Hi WillowW!

Just drop by to let you know I am working in the translation into spanish of the Equipartition article. Cronholm144, called to my attention that you are one of the "alma mater" of the english version CONGRATULATIONS I THINK IT IS A FANTASTIC ARTICLE (although that category still doesn´´t exist in the WIKI ;-)).

I would like to tell you how much fun and learning I am doing in translating it (although I guess it will take me some time as it is rather long). Bye, CHAU, HASTA LA VISTA, URUK SPANISH WIKIPEDIA

¡Una qué sorpresa encantadora! :) Gracias por su letra, que era tan llena de amabilidades como una granada es llena de semillas. Para mí, éste es uno de los placeres más dulces de Wikipedia, de trabajar con los redactores como Cronholm y de formar los artículos provechosos que se gozan alrededor del mundo. ¡Buena suerte con su aprender y la traducción de la teorema de equipartición! Espero que usted se sienta libre hacer cualquier pregunta, a que me placería contestar, si puedo. Ahora me estoy preparanda para viajar por algunas semanas, para visitar a mi hermana y para mirar a su graduado de la universidad; pero volveré de junio el 10. ¡Gracias de nuevo por su letra y su conocido, Uruk! :) su cariñosa Willow 10:01, 27 May 2007 (UTC)

WillowW: I just wanted to pass along that I am super impressed with what you've done with the Equipartition theorem article. I had originally identified Geometry guy as the party responsible for the huge turn-around in the article. He corrected me — and I can now see by digging deeper into the history — that you are the contributor largely responsible for completely revising the article. Many months ago, I added a link within the Thermodynamic temperature article to the Equipartition theorem article. At that time, I found it to be very wanting and tried to make an easy-to-understand first paragraph that was accessible by a wider audience. I immediately caught flack by another contributor or two. After they were done making their changes, what remained was entirely techno-talk lifted seemingly straight out of an advanced textbook (worthless for Wikipedia's purposes in an introductory paragraph). I hardly wanted to link to it. I am amazed at the quality of the article as you've now got it. The article clearly has benefited from a single good shepherd who has obviously worked hard to produce an outstanding article. Absolutely outstanding work! Greg L (my talk) 04:53, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much, Greg! :D That article was a little strange for me, since I hadn't intended to make it into a Featured Article; I just meant to dash off something quick as a stop-gap measure. But all these weird angles and connections seemed to spill out of my brain onto the keyboard and into Wikipedia; and once they were there, I was more-or-less committed to polishing them to avoid embarrassing myself too much. The result still wasn't good but, luckily, many friends came to the rescue, especially the knightly G-guy who took a fancy to the article and made it FA-worthy. Thanks again for your wonderfully nice note and keep up the good work yourself, Willow 12:59, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

I am astounded at the number of complicated articles you have written, in fields in which you have a limited background. I am more impressed with the number of articles you have shepherded to FA status. Even more incredible is that you have done it with many fewer edits than I have made, while you have contributed to more than twice as many articles as me! I managed to get one article to GA status and that was not easy, so I know how tough it can be. Maybe eventually I will get a few more GAs and FAs now that I understand the process a little. However, you are like some sort of machine! You just crank out the articles, and they are home runs, over and over! I am totally blown away...Sorry I just had to gush a little.--Filll 23:34, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Thank you so much, Filll! But you're way too nice to me; you should appreciate more the legions of smart, friendly people who graced those articles with whatever fineness they possess. There's a little danger for us all in counting too much; angels do well to count our footsteps and our keystrokes, but we should not. There are qualitative treasures in the world as well as quantitative ones, no? Beauty, patience and the joy of two spirits communing spring to mind, for example. :) I haven't forgotten your inebriated bees; and I'm sure that magic will flow from your fingers as well as from mine. Affectionately as always, and with a second heartfelt thank you, Willow 10:29, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I am glad you remember the inebriated bees. I do plan to rewrite that article to improve it a bit more. Also the article evolution as theory and fact is being slowly rewritten, and I am trying to clean up Frere Jacques and a few daughter articles (although that is like cleaning out the Stygian stables). I do have a scattering of other articles that I feel I have contributed to, like hot spring or Botafumeiro or Saint Pierre and Miquelon, but my articles are mainly on geography or history (with a few biographies thrown in for good measure). They do not begin to compare to yours. I should be contributing in my own scientific area of expertise, as you do in knitting and design, but somehow I never really have delved into those articles much yet. I just hope that I can contribute to this impressive enterprise in some small ways. To all the naysayers out there, I would point to the increasing number of positive reviews of Wikipedia articles that are showing up in the media and academia. I have even personally noticed an improvement in many articles during my stay here. It is sort of incredible, that it just keeps getting better, bit by tiny bit.--Filll 13:02, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Oh, no, please don't be, Nami Willow... a beautiful wonderful, awesome, hard working, brilliant, sweet, shiny, extraordinary, marvelous, exceptional, superb, terrific, sensational, fantastic person like you deserves all the joy in the world.... maybe a little poem to help you smile...?

How about another one? :)

And if that still doesn't work...

...how about a whole shower of flowers, all just for you? :)

Please, don't be sad, sweetie. Your efforts are much, much appreciated and valued, and even if some fail to grasp the great value of your intentions, I know I speak for many of us when I say, you're simply too good and wonderful for some people to understand. Never forget that. Don't let them get you down, dear Willow! We love you! :) Love, Phaedriel - 11:05, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Now I'm really crying, but for happiness. P) Forgive me if I can't come up with words to say how grateful I am, or how I love you in return. I was just about to add, "I hope you forgive me my shortcomings", but I know that you will, patsi. Let me reflect some of your light, like the Moon does for the Sun; your own words hold double for you! :) nami Willow 11:20, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

Hi Willow, I've put a photo of one of my kittens on my userpage. Tim Vickers 19:33, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

They're so cute! :) Is that Loki? He has interesting coloring, grey with brown streaking, no? I've introduced my kitties to yours and they say "Hi" to the young sprouts. :) Now I'll have to add Kitten to my watchlist. Willow 13:27, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

Can I just say that I had to look as well? I love kittens - yours is very cute, Tim. I once had a roommate who had the most adorable kittens named Watson and Crick. Awadewit | talk 13:53, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

No, Loki is black-and-white like his mother, that's one of his sisters. Sadly, now all three sisters have left my house to go and live with their adoptive families. I'm down to two cats and the house is feeling very empty! Tim Vickers 22:14, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Squeee! He's cute! :) Someday I'll borrow a camera and photograph mine as well; the last time I did, they wouldn't sit still for me, so all that I got were blurry images. :( Luckily bears are more placid and willing to sit in one place contentedly. ;) Willow 22:03, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

For my friend Willow. (I wanted to find a picture of someone actually falling off a wagon, but apparently those are rare.) Awadewit | talk 22:16, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

From Anne Thackeray's review of the works of Jane Austen, published in the Cornhill Magazine in 1871:

"And so now and then in our lives, when we learn to love a sweet and noble character, we all feel happier and better for the goodness and charity which is not ours, and yet which seems to belong to us while we are near it. Just as some people and states of mind affect us uncomfortably, so we seem to be true to ourselves with a truthful person, generous-minded with a generous nature; life seems less disappointing and self-seeking when we think of the just and sweet and unselfish spirits, moving untroubled among dinning and distracting influence. These are our friends in the best and noblest sense. We are the happier for their existence,—it is so much gain to us. They may have lived at some distant time, we may never have met face to face, or we may have known them and been blessed by their love; but their light shines from afar, their life is for us and with us in its generous example; their song is for our ears, and we hear it and love it still, though the singer may be lying dead."

• I immediately thought of you when I read this quote, except for the dead part. :) Awadewit | talk 07:30, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Now I'm not blushing, but weeping and smiling at the same time. :) I'll treasure the quote, as I do your friendship. You've been wonderful to me and for me; I'm sometimes lost in dreams and the clarion light of your reason reaches me like the beam of a friendly lighthouse greets a ship on wine-dark waters. The face of all the world is changed, I think, over the past six months (so short!) and I foresee that our friendship will only mature and sweeten with age. :) But you have to promise to forgive me my failings! Willow 10:29, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Have a small barnstar for creating about eight squillion enzyme articles. Thanks – Gurch 02:40, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

It is so nice to hear from you again; that's the best award, Q! :) Thanks for the B-star and hoping all's good with you, Willow 02:45, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Wow. I was coming here to give you one; the sheer amount of articles you created has me tired! Congratulations, and thank you! I'd been putting off creating that one (for 5-HT₃ antagonist and dolasetron) for a long time. Fvasconcellos (t·c) 00:55, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Firstly, my apologies. I didn't notice you had written to me in the Spelling Variant discussion a week or so back until I came to archive it. I really didn't intend to ignore you but the discussion was becoming increasingly superseded by events so I think it's best to leave it lie. One point though on your remark that "the concept that there’s only one right way to spell a word isn’t natural", Brits have two main spelling systems. --ROGER DAVIES ^TALK 08:25, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

Secondly, (and you can always use it as a paper weight) ....

Thank you, ROGER! I'm really touched by your barnstar, which I've never seen before; I'm rather fond of languages (more people to talk to, yeay!) so the Rosetta stone holds much meaning for me. :) I hope we'll continue to exchange letters and also that you won't think me improper if I indulge my childhood's yearnings for elegance by using British spellings (as best I can) whenever we write. Also, there's no need for apologies at all; I sensed how things were going over there and wasn't offended in the least. Your attention was better bestowed on the others, methinks, and I was anyway still nervous about my double presumption of giving a friend's advice. I pray you, good sir; if this shadow has offended, think how haply we have wended. ;) Willow 09:45, 10 November 2007 (UTC)

[Chuckle] As you will. I can never get used to the idea of British spellings being either particularly elegant or particularly upmarket (too familiar to me I suppose) though that might explain reluctance to use them (inverse snobbery). Have I hit a nail upon the head here? Incidentally, I'm working on a sortable list of BrEng>AmEng spellings for ease of transliteration purposes.--ROGER DAVIES ^TALK 12:00, 11 November 2007 (UTC)

I know just what you mean! When I first started learning ASL, I was just hypnotized by how elegant and beautiful it was. (80 <- Willow agog) With each new thing I learn, though, I focus less on the handshape and sweep of gesture, and more on getting to know the person I'm talking with. I don't feel any loss, though. Indeed, it seems an improvement — there are more beautiful things within than without, don't you agree? :) Willow 12:54, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

PS. By freak coincidence, do you know sign language? I'm really struggling to understand this message, which seems tantalizingly interesting, but beyond my powers at present.

'Fraid not. I can just about spell. --ROGER DAVIES ^TALK 23:27, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

Oh well, that's all right; I suppose that I'll actually have to learn something now. ;) I'm pretty impatient to know what she's saying! Willow 00:07, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Hey:) Nice article work. Thanks for adding new articles to wikipedia. Its well appreciated. Cheers!--SJP 01:13, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks very much, SJP! :) Willow 01:16, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

No problem;) Keep up the good work!--SJP 01:17, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

You're really sweet — thank you! :) I see that you're doing good work at Wikipedia as well. I must confess, though, that I'm getting tired now and my wrist is hurting; I may have to stop for the night. :( I just wanted to do one set of enzymes from every major class before I fell asleep and took to "knitting up the ravelled sleeve of care" in my dreams. ;) Tomorrow's another day, although I'm hoping to get off to the library as well. Ta ta for now, and more power to us both, Willow 01:31, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

I try to be really friendly..leave nice messages, leave smiles, give barnstars, welcome new users, etc. Wikipedia can sometimes be a stressfull place...I try to counter that. Cheers!--SJP 11:26, 13 November 2007 (UTC)

A barnstar with my very own protein picture; how thoughtful! :) Thanks, Sir B! My feminine wiles are at your disposal in your bid for world hegemony — as long as you're very gentle and sweet-natured while doing it. ;) Willow (talk) 19:07, 20 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm patrolling Special:Newpages, and your "yet another fascinating hydrolase" comments are cracking me up! (A welcome respite from the "Joe Bloggs is a loser" fare...) Hang in there! Cricketgirl (talk) 17:27, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

In regards to that...

Thanks so much, you two! :) I was a little shy about being too colourful with my edit summaries, but it seems that I got the level just right. :) Back to work, hi ho, hi ho, Willow (talk) 17:54, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

You two have encouraged me to unfold my wings again to flash a little colour now and then in my edit summaries; please let me know if it seems too much or unprofessional! :( They're kindly meant, just a few friendly and (I think) harmless shout-outs to some people who have worked very hard for Wikipedia, and whom I like very much. :) Willow (talk) 18:26, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm sorry to hear that you think anything is beyond your powers - clearly you need some of these... I'm pretty busy at the moment with uni, although I've had a day off today and indulged my Wikiholism. I'm more of a gnomic being than an article-creating-sort-of-person, but I'll definitely keep an eye out for those colourful edit summaries! I'm absolutely overwhelmed by everything you seem to have achieved on the 'pedia... all I can say is keep going! Cricketgirl (talk) 20:05, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your nice note of encouragement, Cricketgirl! You're really good to spend your day off on Wikipedia; more often than not, I spend my work-days working on Wikipedia — naughty me! ;) The knitting world can be kind of slow sometimes, so I don't feel too bad. Good luck with all your studies!

There are so many powers that would be useful, don't you think? I think I would like more empathy and plant growth powers and maybe healing factor as well. I can imagine that you might want super-speed to keep up with your studies! :) Anyway, back to my enzymatic Elysium but happy that you stopped by again, Willow (talk) 20:29, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

And thank you also, Shalom! I love your user-name; now I can truly say, boker tov, shalom aleichi: "the day is good, Peace is with me." ;) Willow (talk) 17:54, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

Thank you very much, jj137, for your heartening message! But I think I can't have done a very good job with those articles, if you can't understand them. :P Please let me know your favourite(s), and I'll try to spruce those up when I get a breather! :) Willow 02:10, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

Thank you, D — it's a beautiful barnstar, one of the nicest ones I've ever received! :) I'll try to keep adding things useful for everyone, although I have to confess, these enzyme articles are also a kind of Christmas present for Tim, who dreamed them. Willow (talk) 19:41, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

All too often I find myself confronted with childish bickering and edit warring. Your kind and well meaning words have given me immense hope in wikipedians and have reminded me to always be kind in my discussions with others. As such, I believe you deserve:

Wow, you are really nice, Tom! It was so nice to find your kindness waiting for me as soon as I logged in. :) I agree, there can be tiresome debates at Wikipedia; but I believe that, more often, it's just that people are being nitpicky for the sake of the reader, which can be a good thing for improving an article? :) Thank you again, Tom, your barnstar made my day, Willow (talk) 16:43, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Hi Willow, I'm sorry I've not contributed further at Problem of Apollonius yet. I hope I can next weekend. You and I both seem to be having a difficult time in relation to Wikipedia at the moment, so I just wanted to let you know that I believe Wikipedia is blessed by the good fortune of your contributions. Neither of us can do everything, and we have to say no sometimes, but I know this is hard to do. I'm sorry you've removed your name from a couple of lists recently, but I completely understand. You are one of the reasons I find Wikipedia such a beautiful place. Thank you for the inspiration, love, and best wishes, Geometry guy 21:54, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

I've also left one more comment at the FLC which needs addressing :) Matthewedwards (talk · contribs · count · email) 06:23, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

I took care of part of your comment, Matthew. Cheers to you both. – Scartol • Tok 11:04, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Cheery cheers indeed! Thank you, Matthew, for your lovely barnstar, which made me see rainbows beyond those even here. :) And thank you, bestest friend, for always helping me when I need it most. :) Willow (talk) 18:16, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Speaking of helping... You know that Louis passed, right? (hint hint) I'm actually not in any rush, and I know you've got many other irons in the fire. Just thought I'd send out some feelers to see how you're feeling about the article, and if there's anything you'd like me to do on it.

I don't know if I ever got back to you on the list of her publications. I feel about it like I feel about the Einstein list -- it looks absolutely tremendous to me, and I'm in awe of the amount of work you've poured into it. I wish I had something more constructive (or definite) to say about it. – Scartol • Tok 19:36, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

That's alright, Scartol, don't worry about the list. Time is as plentiful as smiles in a quiet yarn store, and I've had a lot of fun doing it; I don't remember doing any work. ;) It's nowhere near done, though, and I'm a little uneasy about its being linked on Emmy's page; but I'm hoping that the good advertising of your most excellent article will draw some real experts to it. Unfortunately, they seem to be rather shy, don't they? Unless maybe it's the Willow-curse again? My own ambition is to really understand each of her papers, and then be able to craft a blurb about them in that last column. I made pretty good progress, enough to write something general, but I'm aiming higher. Her work is so strange, so different from anything I've ever seen or thought of before, so alien to my everyday experience; I swim in metaphors, whereas she seems to have been exactly the opposite in her thinking. Einstein's field equations were much easier to understand — well, and easier to find good teaching resources and kindly teachers for.

I'll look over Emmy right now, and then turn to Geography and ecology of the Everglades — join me there? :) BTW, I'm really proud of myself, I designed a totally new pair of toe-up socks for knitting; I can't wait to try them! :) Willow (talk) 20:12, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Yay, toe-up socks! (What are toe-up socks? Do they force one's toes to point upward? Like foot binding? I sure hope not! WillowW, the cruel torturer of feet?) I'm willing to throw my eyes on the Everglades article (being a Floridian, I feel an obligation), but I owe Awadewit a GA review first. Tell Moni that I'll be a pre-FAC copyeditor if she wants one. – Scartol • Tok 20:33, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

No one deserves it more. – Scartol • Tok 15:36, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Indeed. I concur. --Moni3 (talk) 16:03, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm just glowing and radiant; thank you all! If you look northwards, you just might be able to see a new aurora. :) Kindness and comfort must be in the air, methinks, for my garden surprised me this morning with a single, perfect, blood-red strawberry when all her sisters were pale and wan — as I was before. The world is strange and beautiful, and awfully nice to me. :) Willow (talk) 18:29, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

This is seriously the greatest barnstar I've ever seen. Definitely agree with what Scartol said above :) --JayHenry (talk) 01:10, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

We made it – huzzah! I know you have plans for further improvements, so please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. Thanks again. – Scartol • Tok 20:16, 22 June 2008 (UTC)

Thank you so much for your kind note! It was hard work, but very, very gratifying with my bestie Scartol. Fond memories indeed, Willow (talk) 07:26, 3 October 2017 (UTC)

I'm delighted! :D Thank you very much for your kind note. Willow (talk) 07:07, 3 October 2017 (UTC)

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 05:15, 4 May 2017 (UTC)

Hello WillowW. I'm reaching out because I see that you created Wikipedia:WikiProject Textile Arts back in 2007. Would you mind if I did some maintenance? I've started archiving links to inactive project pages and providing current suggestions of what participants can do — apologies for not checking in with you first! If you're still active here on Wikipedia, would be glad for the chance to collaborate on this WikiProject. Enby (talk) 21:17, 26 August 2020 (UTC)

Dear Enby,

On the contrary, I'm delighted to hear that others are taking WP:TA higher and better — please do, with my blessing, and thank you for inspiring others to do likewise!

When I started WP:TA, I had high dreams and did the best I could with the technical skills and equipment I had back then. But I was all too aware of my shortcomings and of how much there was left to do and improve. Software and cameras have improved dramatically in the past 13 years! :) My life has also changed considerably and, alas, I won't find the time to do serious editing in the near future. But I will stop by now and then and make a contribution.

One small favor: I started dozens and dozens of textile articles, mostly technical ones about various techniques and principles of knitting. I was, however, surprised by one particular article that seemed to arouse strong negative emotions in some editors who otherwise had no interest in textiles: the Sweater curse. I find the topic charming and notable enough for WP, which is why I documented it. If you could watchlist it, keep an eye on it, or perhaps even improve it or add some more up-to-date sources, I would be very grateful to you. The poor article is admittedly not in the best shape, but it could yet be much improved, I believe. Thank you and good luck in everything! Willow

Willow, this article has made my day. "Charming" is just the right word. A quick Google turns up some more recent sources that look promising. I'll gladly add to Sweater curse and keep an eye on it. Looking forward to seeing you over at WP:TA whenever you're able to drop in! Thanks for the encouragement. Enby (talk) 20:42, 28 August 2020 (UTC)

You are recipient no. 2606 of Precious, a prize of QAI. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 21:16, 1 June 2021 (UTC)

Hi Gerda! Das ist so lieb von Dir — herzlichen Dank! Dein strahlender Juwel und warme Worte sind mir um so kostbarer, weil sie schöne Erinnerungen von Phaedriel und unseren Gedichten erweckten. Ich freue mich sehr, dass Du diese schöne Tradition weiterführst. Scheint die Sonne, so gedeihen die Rosen, oder? So können auch Wikipedianer durch inspirierende Wärme erblühen. LG, Willow (talk) 07:42, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

blushing, thank you, made my day, and the roses just began to bloom - great to meet you! - Phadriel was unbelievable, picking a poem for each, and the ones I checked matching the person! (PumpkinSky, SlimVirgin ...) - Rilke for you seems also an excellent choice. Do you remember the image? --Gerda Arendt (talk) 07:54, 3 June 2021 (UTC)

I'm very glad. :) I remember the image well: it was a picture from a web-comic No Rest for the Wicked. Phaedriel knew somehow that was (well, and is) my favorite web-comic — perhaps I had alluded to it? — and that made her gift all the more joyful for me. The poem that Phaedriel chose for me was also perfect. Although I wish that Phaedriel (and the web-comic) would come back, I'm grateful for the memories and gladdened to think that she and the web-comic's author are out in the world, making it more beautiful. It's also lovely to think that Phaedriel's daughter is now fourteen; time does fly, doesn't it? We've all been busy. Willow (talk) 09:31, 3 June 2021 (UTC)