forte

forte - adv - in a loud, forceful manner

Yes Natalie, you are correct! This is the opposite of piano.

gemütlichkeit

gemütlichkeit – n - Warm cordiality; comfortable friendliness; congeniality.

Today's word illustrates what I've always thought a shortcoming of the German language. Be honest: does gemutlichkeit sound warmly cordial to you?

The word has been used ironically to describe H. Clinton's recent performance at the First Baptist Church of Selma, Alabama. In an effort to ingratiate herself with the Negro parishioners, the lifelong Yankee fan and future president spoke in her best Illinois southern accent. This I've got to hear - I'll be checking YouTube as soon as I get home.

On the subject of the forthcoming presidential dog-and-pony show, it looks like I'll be staying home yet again. None of the frontrunners are worth the powder and shot it would take to transport them to the gates of hell. Maybe that will change. (As my daughter would say, "Yeah, right!")

Today's Exquisite entry is Biondina (1879) by Lord Frederick Leighton (1830-1896). More than ever, I need beauty in my life. Out of respect for Natalie I bypassed the same artist's Flaming June (probably his most famous work) and Bath of Psyche. (Come to think of it, Natalie's MIA as usual. Maybe I'll be posting Renoir's well-padded blonde bather yet. Wolf, start checking out Domai; we may be back in business.)

corollary

corollary - n. - a proposition inferred immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof; something that naturally follows, something that incidentally or naturally accompanies or parallels

Isn't forte the opposite of piano? I was going to try and beat wolfjb to the punch, but couldn't find a proper definition. Am I crazy?