C. (Comment, never msg).’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2014)

C. (Comment, never msg).’s comments from the Gentle SPECTRUMS group.

With our household happily bathed, I am ready to write more. Our office faces west and there is beautiful pink in the clouds of our blue, fluffy sky. Sunset has begun at 9:34 PM. With the light only dimming, the pink is widening across our horizen and is beautiful. We waited long enough to talk about this conversation rich, science fiction story and I am game to continue!

Like you do, I love that the ending had a lot of room to imagine what happened. The novel did give a firm impression that Mr. Scientist thought Weena was gone and viewed it as set in stone. Was this an author's misstep, or should we believe someone who learned how to traverse time, lacked flexible thinking? Yes, it feels nice that we don't know what travels await the protagonist, so we are realistically alligned with the friend who witnessed his departure. I like that he demonstrated enough preparedness to bring a camera and planned on returning with proof of the places he visited, besides a special flower. Mr. Wells got that wrong though. Rather than write that this souvenir disintegrated, it is well known that pressing leaves or flowers into magazines or books, preserves them and scientists have additional ways!

Yes, the first few pages were a noticeable mouthful. I was entertaining Dad by reading this classic novel aloud! He enjoyed it until Mr. Wells got political. The science was as easy to understand as in "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" but the story was better when the narrating crammed less detail and was generous with space to picture and ponder a person's fantastic journey. I reread how you phrased it and grinned about you doing it simply: "when the storytelling began"!

Please keep jumping in with your questions and impressions, even if we write a one sentence question to contemplate later. There is so much I look forward to talking about with this novel that, like with our letters, a lot of short musings regularly will be easier and rewarding. :) Do you agree?

Thank you for using faster internet to research alarm setting mechanisms. When were church bells mechanised, or did someone ring the bell every hour for most of human history? I feel sure that it was old hat in Mr. Well's time. I think someone who invented time travel, would find automatic settings an easy thing to add along with it.

I have a lot to say about thinking vegetarians weak and that preyed upon people or animals do not save each other's lives. "Vegetarian" comes from "vegetation", plants generally. Giraffes might primarily eat leaves and grasses unless fruit, vegetables, and grains are availabe. It is hard to picture a place where only fruit grows but things we think of as vegetables are fruits, such as tomatoes. I don't know the author's disposition towards spirituality or nature in health. I do believe God and Mother Earth places us and animals where there is food upon which we will live. Maybe Mr. Science was a meat eater but he was as human as his frugivore (or whatever the word is) hosts!

Every country has unique wildlife and the plants and hydration with which to feed them. I suggest Canada provides the most diverse examples of God ensuring we are sustained wherever we live. Deer are large fellow mammals and I marvel that they all hide in nearby forest in large numbers. If you spent winter with us, where the growth of plants pauses or retires, you would wonder what on Earth deer ate. Any grass, leaves, buds, seeds, twigs, or unfrozen water they can find. I have seen them eat snow for refreshment too. These sweet animals gain much from the salt lick cube and humble piles of oats we give them, as well as leftover birdseed.

Black bears are so much larger, God created a hibernating capacity for them. They feed as much as possible up to the fall, make a good, secure burrow, and plug themselves with grass. They awake a little in mild weather but stay with their den. They give birth while they are semi-dormant and their infants nurse them. They want the sugar of berries that won't flourish until next month but at least the land is rich with green grass and leaves now.

If Mr. Wells understood the natural nutrition of a habitat, he would know they thrive on it at its best, instead of being diminished by it. It is a fallacy of the uneducated today that vegetarians are petite and omnivores rotund. Mr. Wells lived before the obesity of western nations, which has been a common issue for roughly 30 years, hasn't it? We understand better than he seemed to have, that slim people are healthy, with endurance.

Our solid friendship makes me comfortable venturing that I don't think humans were meant to eat meat. If I understand correctly, one part of evolution had a small DNA difference between animals and people. I think of tadpoles I have seen, who have developed legs and are almost finished their acquatic metamorphosis to oxygen breathing, land reptiles. I think of Monarch wings who are not ready to hate but whom I can see through a butterfly's chrysallis. I think of those wonderful butterflies afterwards, whose body is still the white striped one of their caterpillar form.

I think a stage where we were part animal, had leftover killing habits in cavemen. There were vegetarian (vegetation) societies who thrived in good health and long life but we hear little about them. In 300 AD, the gospel book was designed to convince everyone who might have advanced past a killing mentality, that we were supposed to hunt. The words "have dominion over" was mistranslated from the Hebrew word "yorade". It truly means have companionship WITH the animals!

I think H.G. Wells was an 18th century omnivore with prejudice drawn from lacking natural health & wellness education. You said you would decide after you read his sociological ramblings, if you agree or disagree with him that fighting is a purpose that keeps our brains working. I disagree in the utmost. Our souls were moulded in the universal womb of peace. We are meant to be happy, curious, eager, enlightened, inspired, helpful, fair, and loving all at once. Happiness and peace are our birthright. When we no longer need fight for it, our intellect could explore other paths with complete freedom. I know for a fact that stress is a distraction that slows me down and which can make people ill.

I admired many things about Mr. Wells' work, including aspects I knew he was among the first to write about. However, did you feel a lack of creativity that surprised you? I did. When Marty McFly had returned home, in a panic, from his first time travel trip; he immediately reasoned out that he could save Doc Brown by returning to the mall parking lot 10 minutes earlier. It was not early enough to warn him about being shot but thankfully, he had read Marty's warning letter.

You finding the peacefulness of England in 8000 AD errie surprised me. It is an odd reaction to me, so it must derive from a film you saw that played jarring music when that landscape was introduced. We remember feelings more than details. There was danger underground

More than ever when discussing sexual feelings, parenting roles, and parity of careers; our society of 2024 has learned there is a spectrum of colours and categories that are individual to us all. It felt unintelligent for someone of Mr. Wells' repute to dump his characters into utter frugivores and carnivores, sweet and aggressive, good and evil, living in the light versus hunting at night, pretty versus ugly.

I admired the guy for imagining what a year 8000 society might be like but disagreed with his musings. I know cats better than anyone, whose preditory aspects I curb. Mice or birds might stand still to avoid further injury by spurring a cat with movement but they fly off if they get a clear chance to escape. I helped them escape countless times. Some mice or birds fought back. In a few occasions, an animal looked like they were bravely bracing for death and were relieved to receive help they had not expected. Animals in a family will certainly, boldly chase away preditors and save their child, sibling, or relative.

I think they have an understanding to flee a preditor if everyone needs to evacuate rapidly. If there is time to help without much risk to their survival, they will. Not saving a drowning woman, where there was no hunter, was stupid and false, wasn't it! If working in streams was a regular activity, they would teach safety procedures and understand dangers. Water, earth, wood, air, metal, and fire are basic elements and these 8000 year-old peasants lived in a rudimentary environment.

I do not know if they were related or if they had monogomous rituals. They were enough of a close community to eat and sleep in the same room. I do not think there were individual houses, or they would not share a dining and sleeping room as a group.

I will not believe humans lost the basic DNA of emotions. Mr. Wells showed fear in the dainty humans, not only for themselves but in Weena urging Mr. Science to avoid the tunnel. They were also described as laughing and being joyous all day, to counteract staying indoors at night. Yes, I winced at that visitor wasting matches. Anyone knows to save them when we travel in our own time and landscape, including at home!

I knew that Mr. Wells was writing them as prey animals, whom he implied lacked the mentality to lift a finger to help Weena. I caught his nuance. It was not about being weak around a stream they regularly used. It was only Mr. Science's bias that vegetarians were weak. Too many people have been led to believe that it is acceptable to eat some animals as food. I refute this wholly. However, most people know animals do not want to be killed or eaten but tell themselves God approved of a certain amount of sacrifices. Cows would break fences, walls, and get away if they knew what the meat industry planned.

The people who rented the place next to us when we arrived, had chickens briefly. We had nothing to do with them because we did not jive and kept a polite distance. We did not know when those chickens would be murdered and thankfully, could not see that terrible act. I heard their fear and felt it in the air. This author knew diddly squat about animals if he thinks any living creature of God, accepts being killed and would not help others, if he could. I have seen tiny birds race after much larger ones, squawking at them to not bother their nests again. Our dainty Marigold stood up to male cats and a dog and our dear, bold Spirit was impressively brave, as is our Conan.

The same as you did, Kerri, I loved the original idea of Mr. Science being afraid to stop his craft. I think a few steps ahead of a few years would be more interesting as a first trip, to have the answer to questions that are helpful to your life. I would later travel a little ways past my estimated 100 year lifetime, to see what my kids, Grandkids, and homeland did next. 8000 years were too extreme to relate to anyone and this is true of going very far ahead in general. You astutely reminded me that time window stories are usually interested in the past. That is probably because we want to see people and places we have heard of, isn't it? The same goes for the future nearest to our lifetime.

Most notably, the past is set but the future is changeable. How do we know what we see is what will unfold, in the various ways individual life forms choose to do things and in the unmeasurable ways we surprise ourselves? Isn't it true we can't see what happens, unless we are exploring one potential outcome to one path or action? If Mr. Science returned to save Weena and visited after she had met him; it seems like that would have impacted her unmotivated society tremendously well.

A question I keep asking you, Leeanne, and Shirin is one I wonder if you think about: do authors sometimes not think broadly or thoroughly enough, or do we trust them with the details they painted? I think we can skip the argument that Mr. Wells was first to write of a time machine (that I am familiar with) and say that if he invented this much, TRAVELLING IN TIME with it is a no-brainer.

Mr. Scientist (why was he unnamed?) should have looked for Weena, before he fled to his machine. Yes, torches worked for thousands of years in forestland if handled carefully. Making a fire that would catch trees was stupid. You reminded me the protagonist was tired but did the author forget a scientist knew the working of wood and fire? When he retrieved his machine, he could have planned the best strategy and reversed events straight away. If he felt desperate on his first trip to verify that he returned home, I understand that. Then get Weena. You & I understand time is fluid.

I am using the present tense because I mean it in real life. We do not know how to time travel but I believe members of the afterlife, like an angel or guide, can take us there if they felt it was important or special priviledge to show us something meaningful. We do feel time change based on our perceptions. Positive versus negative moods, such as joy versus fear, are one thing that changes it. When Petal took awhile to come home last night, the minutes felt like hours. Those 3 hours felt like my life that is becoming happy, had suddenly hung in a balance that could turn out dreary instead.

When she was home, the strain left and I stopped crying after I hugged and talked with her. I relaxed with a dose of "The Office" and in no rush, went to bed.

I have felt time pause and be very clear. I know every inch of my last hours with Candy 2, Thumbelina, Love, Mom, Spirit, Marigold, and McCartney. If I could reach out and change what happened, I know exactly where and when events became urgent. Hanging by the phone all day, waiting for news about Spirit in particular made me feel sick. It was the week I learned the first few Donna Eden methods: for him. I used them and was calmer than I would have been. I helped ease Spirit's comfort and health too.

I have felt time freeze. Life is carrying on but a part of my heart, soul, and mind have stopped on July 13, 2017 at 2:35 PM: the last time I saw Conan. I wish I had let him go outside or to the library the day before, after seeing how disappointed his face was. I had to go to my parents' place and he did not get out of bed soon enough to play outside. I should have let him frolic next door at least. The next day, when I let him out, he did not return. It hurts to know when I could reach back and change something but not know how to do it. I am comforted knowing he is alive, that Jesus will bring him back to me, and that time will at last be unstuck from 2017 when he is home. The years we missed won't mattter, next to the many more we live together in good health and happiness.

I have felt time fly fast. Board game and music night with friends, including those not in my circle anymore; nights out on a dance floor with great companions and music, unforgettable concerts in front of legends I admire (you have my concert list on your memory stick)! Sailing Loch Ness, standing in front of Stonehenge, walking through Tintagel and going "Wow, King Arthur's castle is real"? Climbing three Mayan pyramid sites in a week. Seeing the Hollywood sign in person for the first time.

Corey Hart recognizing me from autographs that 1996 morning and reaching his hand out to me from his stage, even though I had not been reaching up at all.... It is one thing if a crowd of people raise hands and a celebrity slaps them as he walks by but I did not! We all have wonderfully good times and feel the energy to dance, sing, play, hug, or talk on and can't believe the sun has set.

Ron & I share the bathroom and he needs a turn, so I had the bath I delayed. I will be sure to reread everything we wrote and answer the rest. Let's both do that, without waiting for turns. It will shorten waiting gaps in our time zones. Popping in whenever something occurs to us, will feel more rewarding and fun. :) It is similar to shortening conversation points by writing as we read a novel, rather than tackling all of it afterwards. Your friend, Carolyn.

I love it. I am glad you let yourself flow. This is exactly what I hoped for! You flit on different things and when we are near the same scenes, your take is new to me anyway. I have a lot of writing to do and also topics to propose of my own. Thank you for an enjoyable entry and freeing me to get going. :) I have a ton of cleaning house today, especially after April's booksale and GREAT garage sales this week-end. I will pop back in to start writing by tomorrow for sure.

I have been very keen to chat since April. This is great entry, on my input so far. I am eager for you gush out your impressions from the beginning. Can you write whatever you thought and felt, as if I had not typed the first message? I enjoy being surprised by your creative, intelligent insight and your humour! :) By tomorrow, I will reread your first entry and with pleasure, follow-up on topics that come from you. You write great stuff, which is why I avoid writing first and want it to flow.

I awaited reading in progress reactions but I guess you zoomed through the novel. I am ready for your thoughts! :) I didn't know or care about a 2002 version, so discuss anything you want.

One of many subjects for us is that in Uncle Fred's favourite film, I remember Weena appearing to accompany her friend on the time machine ride home. I was young and that was my sole impression. I like the novel less for her not presumably perishing in a fire the jerk caused, him not verifying she was alive, nor using his time machine to avoid losing her!

Hi Kerri! You see what I mean, this kind of novel gives us a lot to talk about. I hope you propose conversations and your impressions, including in our first post. Replies are rewarding but I love being fed new ideas even better. I regularly delay to ensure you have space to lead. I want the fun of being shown new outlooks! I will reply to what is above soon. Add your reactions so far. I hope this book is your first focus, because it was already 1.5 month old to me.

I am happy you have written review comments for me, positive words and conversations that are recorded into m writing pieces for me to treasure too. I am opening goodreads to see 19 notifications and it is a thrill about a quantity I have never had before and I know they will not be mere like button clicks: hooray! Do you have a time window list?

I added Alexander Key to message #12 in preference order, as another time travel novel. An ecstatic review reminds me that I loved it. It is annoying that no one commented as of 2016, on that especially great review of mine either. I was pleasantly surprised to find an elevated vocabulary and images with words that I wove therein!

Hi Kerri, I am glad you are back so I can begin chatting about this novel. It is 1 1/2 month old in my memory and I wanted to share impressions as fresh as yours. Maybe you could have slipped in a few chapters, then prepared for the TV shows. Not being told what was going on and how long to wait, was the only source of discomfort. Checking every day for 1 1/2 was a drag. ;)

I love your responses and am excited to find many new subject propositions from you! You have literally given us a lot of wonderful FOOD for thought! I will reply soon. First, I put a lot of excitement and research into providing my list of time window books. I especially look forward to you reaction to those.

It is good to talk literature with you. I look forward to reprising our e-mails too. I have a spare "The Root Cellar" to give you, if Janet Lunn's classic interests you.

Yes, my friend, Maureen cited problems with profiles. I replied I was glad it was not an issue of slow-speed, the natural conclusion. I can't uncheck "notify by e-mail", a default Goodreads should never impose on comment communications! I want "notify only" and immediately set my reviews that way. It is a bad arrangement, that it jumps to "notify by e-mail" when the first friend comments on reviews.

I am glad I can post and edit reviews. I am on a roll, finishing my Canadian reading group ones! Our year ends on June 30, before Canada Day. Your friend, Carolyn.

Canadian paranormal mysteries with time windows, enjoyed except the last three.

“Who Is Frances Rain?” Margaret Buffie 1987
“Ghosts Of James Bay” John Wilson 2006
“The Root Cellar” & “Double Spell” Janet Lunn 1981, 1968
“Tunnels Of Time” & “Tunnels Of Terror” Mary Harelkin Bishop
2000, 2001
“The Olden Days Coat” Margaret Laurence & Muriel Wood 1979
“Time Ghost” Welwyn Wilton Katz 1994
“Ghosts Of The Titanic” Julie Lawson 2011
“Alison’s Ghosts” Mary Alice & John Downie 1984
“The Stone In The Meadow” Karleen Bradford 1984
“Yesterday’s Doll” Cora Taylor 1987
“The Shadowy Horses” Susanna Kearsley 1997

Time window stories I have read from other countries’ authors are these.

“Time For Andrew” & “The Doll In The Garden” Mary Downing Hahn 1994, 1989
“The Sixty-Eight Rooms” Marianne Malone 2010
“The Forgotten Door” Alexander Key 1965
“Tom's Midnight Garden” Philippa Pearce 1958
“The Ghost Belonged To Me” & “Ghosts I Have Been” Richard Peck 1975, 1977
“House Of Dark Shadows” Robert Liparulo 2008
“Dearest Grandmama” Catherine Brighton 1991

You planned to read this soon after Anne Perry. Please update me. I tried to read it close to you, a month ago. I wrote great topics while I was enthusiastic and the story was fresh. When you start additional books, I am puzzled. I would love to savour Anne's début with you too, while both stories are fresh for us.

Kerri, I see you dashed through a number of books after Anne's. If you have become uninterested in "The Time Machine", I will stop checking for updates. I was excited about a number of topics for conversation in early pages. We aren't reading in tandem but it is more fun to share thoughts close to my reading.

My entry is entirely from the early pages of the novel. Anyone who has read a few chapters can chime in.

I asked: if your copy has “The Man Who Could Work Miracles”, I would enjoy talking about that original story too. Everyone is welcome to discuss books we have posted, any length of time ago.

I often find that we need ten star grades, which go much farther than halves and are not equal like people imagine. I loved the creativity of both stories but after needing to remove a couple of stars for some justifiable, fair criticisms; there were only three stars to give. That amount does not match how much I admired and appreciated the depths of discovery and inventiveness in both stories, which will make our reviews and conversations important.

One conversation aspect I propose is that I would enjoy drawing comparisons of time and place travel stories. In most of them, no machine was needed. I can only think of "Back To The Future" as an alternative. This vehicle is instantly different for being able to drive and for being in the digital age that could program a return to Doc's & Marty's origins. In most stories I know, a special location or circumstance brought a protagonist into another land, or a different time at the same place. Once characters knew what the threshold or impetus was, it was not spontaneous but all they needed to do was walk or touch that place.

The most recent I read were memorable Canadian novels. I disliked the last two but most of these are lovely and poignant. This is my preferrence order.

“Who Is Frances Rain?” Margaret Buffie 1987
“Ghosts Of James Bay” John Wilson 2006
“The Root Cellar” Janet Lunn 1981
“Tunnels Of Time” Mary Harelkin Bishop 2000
“The Olden Days Coat” Margaret Laurence, Muriel Wood 1979
“Time Ghost” Welwyn Wilton Katz 1994
“Ghosts Of The Titanic” Julie Lawson 2011
“Alison’s Ghosts” Mary Alice & John Downie 1984
“The Stone In The Meadow” Karleen Bradford 1984
“Yesterday’s Doll” Cora Taylor 1987
“The Shadowy Horses” Susanna Kearsley 1997

Time window stories, I will call them, I have read from other countries’ authors are these. I am talking about stories in which a characters sees or strolls in windows; not novels merely including other times.

“Time For Andrew” and “The Doll In The Garden” Mary Downing Hahn
“The Sixty-Eight Rooms” Marianne Malone 2010
“Tom's Midnight Garden” Philippa Pearce 1958
“The Ghost Belonged To Me” and “Ghosts I Have Been” Richard Peck
“House Of Dark Shadows” Robert Liparulo 2008
“Dearest Grandmama” Catherine Brighton 1991

As I look forward to you taking over and giving me ideas to have fun considering, as well as joining in the angles I propose; I will remark on an early part I can guarantee you have passed. This story being published in 1895 makes a difference in programming. There was nothing digital and I don't know if analogue clock alarms could be set yet. I think getting bells to ring when the clock hands reach a certain spot, entails simple mechanics. If that is true, programming is possible.

When the scientist, unnamed and called the "traveller", demonstrated his pretty vehicle model to supper guests, I wondered immediately why he did not program a return, instead of wasting the lovely little model. Did the capacity to program simple clocks not exist, or was this a failure for this to occur to an otherwise broad thinking author? It would be an even more superb demonstration to see the little model reappearing in a minute. It needed only to be fitted with an analogue clock to achieve programming capabilities. On the person-sized machine too, there were only two levers, I think, for the scientist to press forward or pull back.

Another question I would enjoy considering is: are the majority authors who needed no machine, more original and creative? At least those few who work out explanations for their travelling windows, or who build complex purposes and results therein? I make an exception of our favourite film because its machine and travel parameters are explained in memorable detail. Was Mr. Wells thinking inside a box, for believing a scientific vehicle was necessary, instead of a Holy place in nature? He certainly had little control of the vehicle, which stayed in one spot, except the speed of time elapsing.

I suggest that what was most thought provoking about his novel, besides whether or not he was first to publish a story of a window in time, were his musings on how humans developed or declined. My disagreements of them are part of what came down to my three star decision but I liked that he considered the effects of society's decisions. He had a blatent prejudice of the strength and health of vegetarian living, which is not limited to the year 1895. Do I look diminutive to you? I also disagreed with his notion that fighting or dealing with negativity is needed to maintain our intelligence. This author's commentary on what makes or breaks society is where my Dad's delight dropped and I proceeded with the story myself, at night.

Goodness gracious, peace must and will certainly reign, as our healthiest and wisest state of being! It is small minded to suggest that banishing war would dull anyone's mind. There is much to do in our joy, freedom from conflict, and in our places of peace.

I finished this book because Dad was in the mood to hear reading when I stayed with him last week. We finished about 6 chapters together and then I found time to finish it gradually at night.

I made this discussion heading last year and we can sput it to good use. It wasn't spoiled after all by a review I saw. I just wish she had not said anything about any contents. What is most jarring is a more positive, clearer difference from my small recall of the classic film.

While not quite buddy-reading, I invite you & Shirin to read this at your leisure and then comment afterwards. I will do the same. It occurred to me that this really is a book to talk about, ask questions and opinions of one another, and remark upon together.

If you have it, my copy includes a short story “The Man Who Could Work Miracles” is also conversation inducing. I wound up with three stars apiece for various complaints or omissions. It is not for lack of originality, intrigue, or impressive settings and premises in both stories. Love, Carolyn.

I might delay reading Sophie Kinsella with you because I will be going to stay with Dad next week. I will watch for e-mail daily on faster internet. If he is interested, it might be fun to read "The Time Machine" with Dad. It is his Brother's favourite movie. You might read that novel along with us! Love, Carolyn.

I will happily read this, when you want to laugh and be on-line regularly to talk about novels. I would even be happy to dive into these humourous escapades after my present Martha Grimes mystery, if you felt ready to. Love, Carolyn.

Kerri, I am content to read this anytime you want to. Shirin is still interested but on a lower priority. I understand that means she doesn't mind if she reads it herself in the future. I would like to read it soon because some stupid reviewer spoiled it! I reported them to Goodreads with the "flag" button.

You understand that most of what you hide is not a spoiler according to me, therefore this reader went too far if it is coming from me. I don't suppose it is a question and answer solution novel like a mystery but maybe there is a mission whose outcome we want to read about. Nothing detailed is spoiled but what they find in the future should not have been blurted out. Way too many people think reporting what's in books is a review, a literal "book report", instead of describing how you feel about it and naturally, drawing examples.

The sooner I read a book I have saved without knowing anything about it for 50 years, the sooner I will stop being mad. It will become a story I know and have impressions about. With Shirin opting out of Sophie Kinsella and lowering the priority on this, I am game to read either, when you feel well enough for regular on-line contributing.

No family should miss three loved ones a year or two apart. However, perhaps hanging out with friends and doing joint reading cheers you up; like you, Shirin, and Leeanne did for me. Love, your friend, Carolyn.

Shirin, it is nice to have answers to our short questions. I hope you help us finish talking about "The Dream Thieves" too. Yes, we are fans of this series but that is the reason I want to take a break, to read "Lament". If it turns out I love it, great but if I do not, it gets an older book is out of the way. There is only one sequel, called "Ballad". No matter what, I have our series that I love waiting for me, to finish on a positive note.

I will be very happy to have "Opal" in English soon. If Kerri & I read "Lament" as a break, we wondered if you would join us or if you would wait until we go back to the Raven Boys series.

I look forward to but am in no rush to read "The Time Machine", which is short. If you are unavailable for some time, thank you for saying you won't mind skipping it.

I never read romance novels. I love humour and I am a woman. I am not being prejudiced about the term "chick lit", which I usually avoided too. But after several years of hell and hardship, it is darkness and violence I refuse. I want to smile, laugh, have fun, and read something that is not serious. You know where we will be if you find yourself in the mood to join us, my friend. :) You have let us know not to plan on it.

I enjoy autobiographies by myself. I don't ask anyone to join me. However, please never call actors who write their own stories a "non writer" again. Matthew Perry is among THE BEST authors. There is a scornful assumption that because someone acted first, they can't discover they are born authors. Every author had a different job first! I said that in my review of Michael J. Fox's first autobiography "Lucky Man". The attitude "It is only a celebrity" makes me angry. IT IS A PERSON TELLING THEIR STORY.

Maud Montgomery, Maggie Stiefvater, Anne Perry, Maureen Jennings, Ian Rankin had different jobs before they dared to write. What if David Gemmel washed dishes? Does that prepare him for being a better writer, than Matthew Perry's SKILL and TRAINING at professionally reading and performing in the English language? Matthew constantly wrote scripts for fiction shows and movies.

Mike Fox loved writing and playing guitar in school but became an actor. It turns out, he is an even better author than actor and that is impressive. His autobiographies about his life, Shirin, are so good: I love him better than any author, INCLUDING FICTIONAL ONES. I dare anyone to read one page of Mike Fox's and to deny the quality of a born, masterful author who is also funnier than anyone I have ever seen.

I remind people that all authors had different jobs. "Celebrities" are not a low species. They are people. Matthew Perry was an exceptional writer and Matty & Mike Fox are my Canadian heroes. I feel good seeing any of Mike's pages, a positive experience that leaves me feeling inspired. He has a way with words that amazes me.

In remembrance of my Mom and Grandpa: Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!
We also send love on this day to our missing orange cat, with an Irish name and happy, strong energy to match it. With love and good, Irish Spirit, Carolyn & our family!

Shirin, Kerri & I would like to read "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" and "The Time Machine". If you are uninterested, we can proceed. Please tell us.

You know our cat, Conan, took a vacation from a rare confinement at home. We have always known he is alive and wants to be home with us. When he originally received prayers and well-wishes; he had just set out for this one time trip.

Cats don't travel in a Manitoba winter. Bunking in and enjoying new friends, made him appear "satisfied as is". Every spring, I know Conan has the strong pull to return but needs assistance. I believe he sensed danger in places, like loose dogs. In about late April, the trees & leaves will provide enough cover for him to make his move.

His hosts stopped looking for us, if they ever did. Conan needs encouragement while he is young, to leave and seek other help. The person who at last, looks for his tattoo or picture on-line, might be a short trip away. THE TIME IS RIGHT!

Please send our Son, a joint psychic push of encouragement. Please pray together with us, for Conan's protection and guidance all the way home to us.... or to a savvy helper!

His family medical history makes our unique spiritual care important. My Mom believes in the power of combined prayer. Thank you and God bless you, from Conan's family!

* (Please never private-message. Comment boxes are what I use). *

Shirin, can you catch-up soon? Kerri & I have conversed all we can without you adding to it. A note about whether or not you are interested in "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" or "The Time Machine" will be appreciated. If you were uninterested, it wouldn't matter if you were busy and we could read those ones. :-)