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

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

I am on page 336 in chapter 33. I fell asleep quickly with Petal & Angel but awoke with my glasses & lights and found the vigour to read further on. I'll be done tonight, so I hope Shirin chats and guesses with us a few times now and afterwards. Let's keep talking after we finish books and extend our fun, right? :)

I understand fear of racist repercussions. I don't think a good character is built nor contributed to society in a way that earns respect, by lying because avoiding follow-up questions and closing a case is easier for you. Could he not think of the help the victims need? I criticize a German labourer for doing the same.

It was wrong that Maureen Jennings had him drinking tea too. My relatives from that time period are German and ALL OF THEM and my Dad's cousins today, drink coffee. My Godmother even wants a cup in the heat of a summer day. I love that Will is introduced to all kinds of coffee and loves it, including the Turkish sort I have not tried. People might have a cup of tea occasionally. It bothers me that so many people, even those who are actually addicted to tea traditions, aren't drinking juice and water enough. My fridge is full of four kinds of juice all the time. I do not drink soda. Right now I have cranberry juice picked & made by Ron, organic mango juice, 13-ingredient green power juice, tomato juice, kiwi & strawberry juice, pineapple juice, apple juice, and orange juice. I crave juice for hydration, enjoyment, nourishment, and flavour.

Whatever differences from the shows, with increased Canadian content visually and logistically; we owe Maureen Jennings thanks for Canada's most beloved detective cast and possibly our longest enduring television show. It doesn't appear that Will is scientifically inclined yet and another treat for you to look forward to on screen are famous 1900s personages whom we meet in the fictional stories.

It is natural for us to think about computer technology because that advancement rose quickly and is in our faces. I have had penpals since childhood but appreciate the internet for meeting more of you and hearing from you more quickly. I'll get back to that letter next week and am glad it will be a happy one, Kerri! I look forward to Shirin's detailed responses to a few special letters too. Medical and other advancements do abound. When Ron's Brother had cancer, a type of chemo was introduced that does not damage hair. My Dad is alive because they could remove a bladder and use a bag.

Essiac Aboriginal herbs and Chinese / Indian energy medicine are old knowledge people need to hear of, which might have helped our precious Spirit. Alternative healing is rising. There are advancements in kidney help: food scented differently, so that cats aren't bored. However, I have read a contradicting study that kidney problems need protein and that it should not be reduced until the last stage. Cats might last longer with it, from the allopathic standpoint. Not including what I know now about clearing energy in the meridian pathways.

As a kid I remember microwaves, videotapes, CDs, DVDs, cordless phones, and answering machines coming along. Dad had a good 8-track collection, which preceded tape cassettes. I still want a Futon, the couch that opens into a bed; maybe the only way we could have overnight guests in a small house. Dentistry is better. Instead of metal, I use white cavity filler that is stronger and matches teeth colour. Actually, Julia & William of the TV show constantly introduce new medicine and gagetry. Pens come with their own ink and I don't know when pencils came out.

I have not made guesses about the mystery but sense it involves learning more about Peg's and Mrs. Wickham's pasts. Were you at the part where Will found the religious books in Oliver's bedroom? Not ticking off a religious person seems more likely than caring for his Sister, Dora, after marrying. We need to identify the man who asked Anna to pose as Oliver's fiancee and what stake he had on hiding the verdict. He was probably someone from Nathaniel Eakin's house, those creeps.

I guess it is next door to the vacant house: we think one of them killed Oliver, don't we? However, I sense the motive pertains to Mrs. Wickham instead of her Son and that Peg was only in the wrong place. I closed the novel where Will realized he should speak with her and told Nathaniel he was going to whether he liked it or not. I felt as relieved as you must, about him reaching her before they tried to impose an operation.

Enid made a very intelligent point about Will taking an interest because she was handy. People in that day & age, like external Anne Shirley characters, marry quickly because they can't properly explore without a commitment and tried early eligible options. George reinforced that astuteness: if Will is willing to pursue Enid at a different house, that will say a lot. I don't know when she lost her husband either. The first novel might have said. It occurred to me the only Welsh celebrities I know share her last name: Tom Jones and Catherine Zeta-Jones! I am loving George in the books too, despite physical and family differences.

The only thing I like about Beatrice is trying anything for Arthur. Options are the better chance for success. I wouldn't say looking for cures tires anyone out but is worth it. I don't know anything about tuberculosis / consumption but you often refer to it. Do you have a special interest? You noticed details no one else did when we started the series. Fresh air, seeing birds and wildlife, and touching the grass under our feet is important for people and animals. I forgot that it must be contagious and wonder if Maureen did. Manitoba authoress Martha Brookes grew up near a tuberculosis hospital and wrote about it often, otherwise it would be unknown to me. I think I answered everything you contributed since July 8.

Some other point occurred to me that I will add it if it reappears. Now I will make a wild guess at working out this mystery. The method for reaching solutions that we read about and watch is going over what you know.

Mrs. Wickham / Wicken has a nice house but took boarders to supplement Oliver's income. Margaret / Peg was an orphan who became a talented dressmaker, urged to marry a widow. Her Son was recently poisoned and she hid in her bedroom because she believed it was on purpose. As a result, the family sent her to a sanitorium. She is cautiously asserting her sanity there.

What is the Eakin financial status? They have one young maid, Janet Curren(?). Do you recall the origin of her employment and why she cares about staying in that dismal place? I would get out. It is hard to please someone frustrated with you. I experienced that at a few jobs, disliked or not viewed as satisfactory.

The family is dissatisfied with each other. Do they care about being loved by their Dad / Stepdad, or is it about an inheritance? It is soon. He is old and as of chapter 33, unwell or harmed. Why did the married couples not move elsewhere? Do they have other jobs or are they financially tied to the household? Why not use the abandoned house for space and privacy? I think that is all and that the Lees and Anna are incidental. I am proud of Foon Lee's compassion and duty, for offering to help the police for the sake of victims and crime solving.

I think Oliver was only killed for being near illegal activity. My guess is that he heard Peg's call for help like Will and the German. I suggest he was answering her, like a good constable would. However, that would make his family connection coincidental. I wonder if there are connections, or if the closing chapters only explain Peg's story before Oliver strove to help her.

It is fun to talk daily, including the challenge of delighting in more to comment on than my follow-up paragraphs fit in. I hope to update the odds & ends now. It is a cloudy morning, when helpful sun & breezes are already challenged in the worst mosquito summer I have experienced. I run outside briskly. If there is work out of doors, we dress over every area despite the 30C heat, even up to net headgear!

Ron taught me and I observed on fun drives, that fish eat mosquito larva in lakes, oceans, and rivers. You do not want standing water in ditches and marshes. We are grateful for the rain for our gardens, plants, trees, and the safety of our forest homes overall. However, talk about surprising us with bites and itches, even in the house. I close the bedroom door in the evening so they don't hide there when I settle to read.

Thank you for continuing to support and encourage us. We are staggered by the wait of missing and hoping for our cat Son for five years. May joy abound around all of us right now and sustain the years ahead in great health, happiness, and in lightness.

Yes, Anne Perry is an English girl who has spent most of her 80+ years in Scotland. She is fantastic. She had a sad past about a mistake changing her life that makes me sorry for her, in a way other people aren't inclined to sympathize with. I read an interview that she believed she didn't deserve happiness and did not couple. I hope she forgave herself. Maybe she was always talented; or knowing fear, hardship, sadness made her a genius, compassionate, daring authoress. She connected with our precious Lovey and eased my pain that hardest week. Thank you for always acknowledging what I share, my dearest friend, Kerri.

A Sister was killed, whose loss was cried about in the most touching, realistic way I have read. Charlotte spoke of how this Sister taught her to read, do her shoes but that this loss must not compare to coming from the body of their Mom, the grief she must feel. I remember all the books that sympathized with me the next few times I read anything. Thank goodness I chose well and the right ones came to me. Gail Bowen's "Deadly Appearances" and Penelope Stokes' "The Wishing Jar" too.

I hope you know Shirley, Donald, Kiefer, & his twin Rachel are not only well known. They ARE Canadian. "The Ryans" are too: Gosling and Reynolds. Add the young new Muslim "Marvel Comics" actress, Iman Vellani and Simu Liu, who hosted the "Juno Awards" that I didn't watch. I caught him in a couple of sitcom episodes of "Kim's Convenience" and enjoyed it.

As for your part of the world, I have seen a few "Ghost" episodes and marvel at Rose McIvor's ability to conceal a New Zealand accent. I presume she has one. I don't know if I would have guessed she was putting on an accent, except it is too neutral. That way I think of putting it is that she sounds North American like a blank slate. There is no regional flavour of coming from anywhere. Otherwise she is perfect and the show is compassionate, original, and funny. There is the chitchat part updated.

I am on page 162 in chapter 26 in "Poor Tom Is Cold" Criticisms emerge in conversation first. Later, things we love are served like desserts at a party. I smiled about those same puddles!

We are in harmony that we love seeing a real, relatable person in him and not a hard-boiled detective front. In "Except The Dying", Shirin loved it when William splashed in his foot bath basin and imagined it was the Atlantic Ocean. It worked well for our introduction that we had just read "Shipwreck" from his childhood. As Mom would say, "I am chomping at the bit" to read the next novel, featuring a return to Nova Scotia. I guess my Mom has long used a horse expression. :)

I did not think the Eakins were nice enough to eldery horses either. Besides fooling someone into buying an older horse than served their needs and the sweet horses', forcing her to jump in discomfort was awful. Rabbit stew upset me too and I wish Maureen had shut up after naming the stew, if she found that factor important. We think of William as an animal lover.

I don't believe it was the gas boosting William's joie de vivre. I say it was the relief of a dentist healing his problem and releasing the fear of trying him out. What must it be like to try a procedure that is new, not old hat like dentists are to us. We grew up in a flurry of innovation so we could draw our own examples and it would be nice to recognize the many experiences that are new to us as well. What might you say they are?

I thought about what I would add in my first entry and am sharing it today, a trivia treat. Is dentistry a free coverage in Iran and New Zealand? It is not here and neither is medicine, which would have made life much better for Mom & Dad. Mom often delayed treatment and medicine she needed and look what happened. We lost her at 75 from mini-strokes and other health issues that might not need to be. Don't get me started on what I know now about even basic energy healing saving her. Her outcome was preventable. The Green Party wants free dentistry and medication for us.

The fun fact is that people delayed going to doctors too in William's fictional time, before the NDP (New Democrat Party) introduced medical coverage. It was introduced in the year 1957 and made official across Canada in 1966. That first NDP leader was Tommy Douglas. Her famous Daughter, Shirley Dougas (referred to in a joke on "Corner Gas"), married the also famous Donald Sutherland. She ascended at the same time as my Mom. You can see who Shirley's & Donald's twin children are: Rachel and Kiefer Sutherland! How cool is that? Kiefer's Grandpa introduced health care to Canada, even though the NDP have never held the Prime Minister's seat.

Anyone in William's time was brave to go to a doctor or dentist, not only for being new but wondering what it might cost. We hesitate to visit vets until we really feel pushed. I am waiting for health care provided for animals, who are family members for us today in 2022, with whom our financial plans are shared. Political programs matter, even if we have little taste for campaigns.

Yes, it is awesome that Enid Jones & William are open minded and interested in each other. I don't think he dislikes the boy. I think William is making notes on behaviour that needs to be improved in case he became a stepfather. He was willing to sit down a play a boardgame. What seems like rudeness in people is often shifted the minute we guide them appropriately.

I don't get women like Peg not going elsewhere, if speaking up didn't work. She did not choose a safe place to stay with her Son and I too, am appalled to wonder what happened to him. Actually, I know a Grandma who chose a benefactor for her children and it turned out poorly for her; something for private e-mail. Marrying for love, or a properly arranged mate is important.

Ron's folks were catholic but he wasn't into it and I used to be devoutly protestant but love life better without that too. We were open enough to ways in which religion didn't make sense and flexible enough to find our own way. I enjoy this about Maureen's books. I am curious if William is a scientist, or if the television series made that up. Yannick Bisson's character is a crafty MacGyver type, who is prim & proper and only opens up to people who know him. William in the novels seems more fun but probably because books make us privvy to his thoughts and feelings.

George Crabtree, played by the awesome Jonny Harris is very different. Leeanne & I can't get enough of his "Still Standing" comedy show and now Ron enjoys it too. He is single and slight, not large with 5 kids. Otherwise, his personality seems similar; smart, helpful, and trusted. Henry Higgins is minimal in the book and on the show. I wonder how he progresses in print. Inspector Thomas Brackenreid is definitely Scottish, colourful, and an assertive boss on TV but likes and respects William. We get to know his family and he is a key cast member, which is why his photograph is on the books.

You make a good point about Sam avoiding a threat that readers are unaware of. I am not a fan of what people call an "unreliable narrator" and didn't fathom what it meant, until you suggested that. I follow what is written and like to think correct information can come from analysing it. It didn't occur to me that he lied to his Son, Foon as well as in court. I would rather Maureen do that for a plot reason, than Sam be weakly compliant to avoid answering questions.

My guess about the mystery is that the new information about Oliver's Mom and what we learn from Peg, are the solutions. It must be for a reason that Maureen presented but put off explaining what happened to the little boy. Before I fell asleep, William realized there was a reason Oliver hid his engagement from his iron-willed Mom, who spoke with the demeanour of someone who had managed servants. The house is hers but after the departure or loss of a husband, she rents the second floor. We also know from Oliver's childhood books that she is strictly religious, the opposite of the "marry anyone, screw anyone" Eakins. What does this suggest? I will think about these clues.

Anne Perry is spectacularly special to me. I was glad to try her and see that her writing, plotting, pacing, and character-building are excellent after collecting her books for years. You would love her, Kerri. Anne's work too is all about the policeman's family with humour and criticial commentaries on society in the same time period. The début is called "The Cater Street Hangman".

What glued me to her in a sacred way is that I was reading this introductory novel, the terrible night in 2014 that Love suddenly went to Heaven. He was our first baby to go but should have had 20 plus years ahead at that shockingly young age. I felt sick to my stomach each night I slept and each day I awoke, for a long time, until a vet told me heart failure couldn't have been stopped no matter how quickly we consulted a vet.

We haven't been the same. Three years later, today in the year 2017, was the last time we saw Conan. Today, it has been five years. Alcoholism crept into our family since then. However, as you know thank God, things are much better. As for Conan: we do not give up on good people, his love for us, God, Conan's tattoo, and the advertising you help with. May the prayers of friends never give up either. May Mom, McCartney, Spirit, and his Mom Marigold guide our boy home to us very soon.

Let's assume in this year 2022 that "marriage" includes any committed, common-law union. Religion should not dominate life but similar spiritual faith is essential compatibility between couples. It is nothing to do with society demanding that two people be catholic, protestant, black, or white even in Canada of 1900. Compatible core beliefs is how couples and to a degree, friendships work.

The way you choose, Kerri, is to defer to the more spiritual person. If one cares less about it, they would go with the flow of their beloved. William in the books and on television is a very spiritual person inside his heart but he is open to discussion on religious and traditional doctrine. Flexibility and clear thinking in place of blind adherence, is an ideal state. I could see him working with his Welsh lodger.

I continue to dislike Beatrice Kitchen very much. Doesn't anyone else see it? She is too blindly religious and only seems nicer than terrible external characters of these novels. She is bossy and pushy too. It comes across sweetly because William and Arthur instantly fall into step for her. I will acknowledge a few things to the service provided to lodgers and men of the time, hanging their coats and getting their suppers. However today, I would consider the focus on my goings-on overstepping.

My Mom babied me, rambling to my landlord that I was moving out for the first time, even though I was the age of you both! Like the two of you I believe, I was mature and only happened to live with my folks to save money amid university debt. The landlord treated me like a kid, the way I wanted to avoid. I didn't tell the well-meaning landlady to fuck-off but was firm on those few pushy instances.

This book told us or reminded us that Arthur & Beatrice had a baby for 3 weeks. It is sad that they lost him and they will forever be parents. But it takes a good decade to engrain the otherwise gross nickname of "Mother" to your wife. It disgusts me that Arthur calls Beatrice that. Those are my criticisms, along with any person being controlled by a spouse, such as being sent to an asylum or having an operation without agreeing to it.

It was bad enough that our government came close to demanding vaccinations, which is another intrusion on bodies and beliefs, no matter how anyone viewed the virus vaccine. I will never vote for Justin Trudeau because he attempted to do that.

The positives are numerous, pleasures difficult to name that are built into reading this book, if that makes sense to you. Like you Kerri & Shirin, I am interested right away and love all the scenes about William. I like the same families and people you do. Sam pisses me off for cheating on his wife and assuming sexual needs and loyalty are different from one gender to another. The mystery is unique and touching for being a fellow officer.

Sam annoys me anew for jeapordizing the truth by thinking it easier to help the coroner close a case fast, instead of discover why a woman was masquerading as Oliver's fiancee. I understand that minorities were not believed respectfully enough but our strength and wholesome character needs to be shown. We lead and teach by example, not by keeping a misconception running amock. Any guesses about the mystery?

All right, some pages to talk about! Like Shirin indicated, there were no observations, then Kerri was too far ahead for us to comment. Did you only have a short session before ending up ahead? I am in chapter 22 now, on page 222 serendipitiously and can read and expand upon what is here. Short bits all along the way are ideal but I understand riding along on a burst of reading when the wind carries us.

In this year 2022, let's take for granted that "marriage" means any committed union, such as my nearly 22 years with Ron. My goodness, that makes five serendipitous connections of the number. McCartney was nearly age 22, in this year 2022, it is mine & Ron's 22nd anniversary next month, and I am on page 222 in chapter 22 of our shared novel. Are there meanings to derive herein?

Yes Shirin & Kerri, this novel is a heck of a lot better than the previous two. Immediately, Maureen Johnson loses a star for using the image of murdering a cat to prevent pregnancies. She must have read too much Lucy Maud Montgomery after her Canadian emigration. I will not abide the word "have to", hating if people use it regarding euthanasia or murder. LIFE AND HEALING ARE CHOICES!

I see too many disagreeable personages even though this is a fictional murder mystery. Other fiction like Anne Perry's succeeds at making up cases without adding too many assholes, nor focusing on their viewpoints overmuch. Segues like William's experience at the dentist, with Enid, at home, and at work are awesome because it is he we should follow. Too many other narrations slow the pace and interest for me. We should obtain everyone's information from William, with a minimum of flipping around. Having Peg's perspective makes sense and she should be the only other narrator.

I agree this novel is a lot less digusting and contains fewer assholes than Maureen's previous ones. It still feels too English, not Canadian enough, and old-fashioned. My old relatives from the early 1900s were coffee drinkers, all of them. As a writing aside, I hate "backwards" and "forewards" without S and "whether" used without "or not". It is a British thing but I feel "if" should be employed, except when "or not" is included.

When you watch the television show, you'll enjoy how Canadian and modern the early 1900s look, sound, and feel. They shouldn't feel primitive or removed from us, as Maureen makes them sound. This is the first novel I've read since deciding I would enjoy the television show as often as I wished and only avoid episodes derived from these books. We were wise to start without knowing the show because it is far superior but I have maintained the ability to separate them as a different set of characters and stories.

I think I hear thunder, which can be ruinous for dial-up internet modems, so I will continue later.

I fell asleep with Angel & Petal after a few pages, so tonight will be my earnest start. Xoxo to my wonderful friends. You know better than anyone else that it is time for me and my family to have fun! So let's pick out a lot of fun books together. I put several on that buddy 2022 suggestion list. :) Silly, light, glitzy, bright.... anything that brings a smile will do.

Okay, let's start tonight. Shirin, are you good to go as well?

Good morning, Shirin! I reprised the cats & dogs energy medicine book I started with our precious McCartney in March. It makes me feel better in memory of him, Spirit, and Marigiold to continue my lessons and for our remaining children. I will continue it while Ron & I are enjoying the week-end.

Monday night, let's start "The Big Four"! :) I will seek my cover in this database. Thank you for wishing us a happy Canada Day. I wonder if you read "The Stone Angel" yet or something else like you planned. Love, Carolyn.

Shirin, if Kerri gets back to us this week and says she is free, we will read "Poor Tom Is Cold". If she says she is busy, or does not get back to us, let me know you are free to start "The Big Four". Happy Canada Day to everyone! Sincerely, Carolyn.

That would be great, Shirin! July 1, which you know is Canada Day, gives us a lot to look forward to. Life is getting better here and I pray the same for you, my dear friend. Love, Carolyn.

Dear Shirin, thank you for remembering McCartney with us. It makes me glad to have friends like you. Love, Carolyn.

Thank you for wishing our dearest McCartney happy birthday, Kerri! Words from us, friends, and family is the way to honour someone who isn't here in a body. We miss our boy like crazy and wish we had caught his health fast enough to hit 22 years. We strive to feel McCartney and our other loved-ones all around us.

I am free to read anything I like as of Canada Day, July 1 and won't be striving to reach an end of challenge quota. I must stop prodding Shirin each time there is something to look at in the group. I told her several times that we write a little something regularly. We will trust in her interest in catching-up.

Happy 22nd birthday to our dear McCartney for June 13. I am glad I reminded everyone before I was off-line and of course am grateful for all the sunshine that is possible to come our way, garding the cat Son we so recently miss. I'll share most personal details in e-mail. It was a good service from Ron, Angel, Petal, & I. Timmy sent his blessings from out-of-town.

Shirin does not see activity at the group unless I leave a message to direct her and you sound too busy to group read. Why force it? I will take a couple of days to finish "The Stone In The Meadow". Unless you & Shirin let me know you are free to converse and buddy-read, I will start "Bone Dance" by Martha Brooks afterwards. I have to keep hopping before the Canadian reading theme ends in two weeks. I look forward to knowing when your schedules are looser. :)

As I wrote in Amy Tan's thread, I love that you are seeing "Murdoch Mysteries" television ads. I just watched today's airing from 2010 and it was especially excellent, when William meets Anna Fulford in England. I have blown the idea of not watching it until we finish the novels. I only avoid storylines that seem to incorporate Maureen's books, which were probably all in 2008, the first television season. Xoxo.

Me too, Kerri. Sunday night I guess storms ate my modem, even though I shut it off after using it! It was recommended to unplug it from the phone line as well, good grief! We are always fortunate to find another internet modem. Ron bought it after work Monday and brought it to me Wednesday, tonight.

I started another Canadian book and would rather give you & Shirin more time to be less busy anyhow. It is nice that you are seeing "Murdoch Mysteries" television ads. Please keep me posted on your commitments to your Aunt.

Join Kerri & I in the near future for a cultural adventure with the wonderful Amy Tan.

Join Shirin & I for Agatha Christie's 1927 mystery case, a buddy read coming soon.

Our Siamese Son, McCartney, shared with my Brother, has been honoured by a service that we have just finished. It lasted an hour like it did for Lovey (August 2014), Spirit & Marigold (May 8 & June 24, 2021). Angel & Petal were with us for him at both the library service and outdoor singing, talking, and laying to rest with nice fresh gravel. We put all of our hearts, memories, tenderness, and feelings into it.

We can properly wish his soul, without any unfinished business on Earth, a happy 22nd birthday this Monday, June 13th. You know how much we wish we had caught his brief concerns to make this wonderful age in time. He was 1 1/2 month short but we will celebrate our dear boy nonetheless.

With all our love to you in our joint grief: your Momma Carolyn, Dad Ron, and children Angel, Petal, and Conan in absentia.

Hi Kerri! I could tell you were busy or with internet challenges, because there have been news updates to e-mail about. The sombre one but one of relief and respect, is that Ron & I are holding our precious McCartney's service this Saturday, in two days. It is 3 days ahead of his 22nd birthday. Now we can think of him and celebrate him properly, with his physical body laid to rest.

Would rather e-mail about this but might as well share with all my girls. You all know my e-mail address for supportive replies or messages for our McCartney. I will feel all of you with me that afternoon and of course Timmy too. His family might send a letter to read for McCartney's service and go with him afterwards.

I am reading "The Root Cellar" by Janet Lunn, an awesome piece of Canadian work I missed as a child in 1981. On our memorial week-end, we have gardening and yard work that Ron is finally able to help with. There is rain Saturday night to finish ahead of.

If we don't start Maureen's book me until Wednesday, is that a freer time for you, Kerri? How much you read is less important than how regularly you write and reply. :) With love and gratitude to all of my caring friends around the world, Carolyn.

Shirin, you took a long time to find a new home. Please e-mail me and tell me what's up. You also have my happy e-mail update yesterday. Your friendship and support mean everything to me.

I have looked forward for about a month to know how you like the new buddy reading list in message #20 of "Suggested Buddy Reading". This is under the folder heading "Items Of 2022". Love, Carolyn.