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

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

I have thought about the need for a new feedback measuring scale. I am posting this to help people understand a misperception. The idea is that half stars or other decimals would double our flexibility. They would not. Follow this logic.

I doubt there would be 5.5. All we would gain is 3.5 and 4.5 for good ratings. Anything below would signify a negative, regardless of half stars. We need ten stars. They would give us wide gradients of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 for a variety of prioritization of books we like!

Books we love at widely varying degrees would no longer be stalled at 5 stars. Ten-star scales would most notably free-up the space of 3 stars. This grade collects the most poorly differentiated feedback: adequate quality that deserves more than 2 stars and great quality with a few criticisms.

Adding half a star to this logjam would not create significant space. Ten would be truly stellar. If you see the mispercption that half stars would double our freedom of movement, show them this link.

I am continuing in a separate message because they are easier to answer when not too packed. Do places in Canada, New Zealand, and Iran maintain strick social-distancing rules? I remain careful and vigilant because natural healing and immunity are for me rather than injections. However, Manitobans became relaxed about masks outdoors in the summer. Now, they are voluntary indoors unless businesses request them. There are no more number restrictions.

I said I zoomed through the beginning of Will's story in the PDF because I wanted to see if Maureen calculated dates accurately. Let's please avoid a cliché, dismissive argument "that age must have seemed old at that time" and properly think about it. The final novel calls William an old, retired man in 1917 but he would only be 56! His wife is no one I have heard of in the novels so far or the show.

He was born in 1861 and was age 12 in the PDF, which makes the year 1873. Murdoch Mysteries in the show are set in about 1908 and I think the books are as well. Thus, we meet William as a young man in his 30s. That seems all right, if Maureen did not calculate sloppily. Timeline is something I am careful about in life and in writing.

I got a lot out of reading "Shipwreck" and hope you three found its inclusion in our story reading valuable too. A look at FantasticFiction.com tells us it was published afer the book showcasing wartime in 1917. It succeeded the show's 2008 premiere by 3 years, allowing Maureen to write a sweet dedication to Yannick Bisson, whom I easily picture and respect as William in print and onscreen.

I look forward to new entries and ideas. Leeanne, it was okay to go along and enter any of the conversations as soon as you dropped your reaction off. I love your fresh enthusiasm and perspective. Kerri didn't find Amy annoying and Shirin was tolerant. Her lack of focus and manners are so aggravating in my view, I feel frustrated zooming through to check story details.

Maureen made excellent points about people needing to not mind being wrong and to learn correct answers. I know she was showing it is easy for an observant person to gather details about Amy's classmates and I think it was obvious we were meeting William's modern Great-Grandson. However, Maureen put too much build-up into a reason we didn't need, for telling the principal story. It is nice that William has smart, compassionate relatives who continue caring about justice.

I laud the mystery for being more interesting than usual. If it seems like there wasn't much to it or that questions couldn't be answered, maybe I am more detail oriented. It was solved clearly enough for me with the inanimate clues and the most valuable benefit of a short conversation with the survivor while alive. You see, I prize originality before anything. I love just about any mystery that is different from how they are usually seen. My favourite of all is "non-crime mystery" that is purely about solving puzzles. It never has suspects to interview because it is about solving mysteries, not crimes - so much more creative! That atmosphere was here, even though there were crimes aboard ship.

Yes, in English language countries, England followed by the USA are too often more visible in book settings and author contributions. It is annoying when bestsellers like Simone St. James and Victoria Abbott don't use Canadian settings. The late, great Lyn Hamilton took us to enthralling world locations we didn't see enough. However, the firm Canadian identity went with her and the antique store base was in Toronto.

I reached the point of seeking "anything but English or American content". Kerri has shown me that New Zealand is especially rewarding and I have loved Australia. That leaves Caribbean English speaking places to explore, which I see too little in novels. Thank goodness the Celtic countries are abundant, which are identifiable individually, not lumped as "the UK".

I too instantly loved Will, Father Keegan, and their towspeople. We learn a lot about Will's childhood in a few sentences. It is rewarding that the TV show refers to it, even if it changes Will's siblings a bit and the book will draw return William Murdoch to Nova Scotia and his Dad in "Let Loose The Dogs", which is a very thick novel, as well as a season 1 show title! I'll bet it is a story that is continued over a few shows.

This brings me to asking, Leeanne, if you will soon borrow "Except The Dying" and if you like it, catch-up the sequel "Under The Dragon's Tail". We are poised to read "Poor Tom Is Cold" as soon as you are there. The thick personal story back to Nova Scotia, of which we are in high anticipation, succeeds it! I wonder if Father Keegan is alive for William to revisit too and if the show duplicates what would be a beautiful reunion.

Go go ahead and read the link Kerri provided, Leeanne. You made a guess. I see Kerri knew it it spoiled nothing because details were trimmed out. It isn't a scene or storyline but conversations and details shortened in North American copies. Shirin, let us know which information you have.

Our conversation becomes: were they cut for being considered gruesome, or to shorten dialogue, in favour of story flow and pace as editors do for films?

As I always do, you three friends have me enthusiastic to reply to a lot of what you contributed and I look forward to writing it. I should shovel the end of the driveway, a stamina and muscular exertion I am unused to, where the plough went by and made a wall at everyone's driveway. You would think remunerated contractors would be courteous enough to dip inside each driveway to carry the snow with them.

Ladies, I look forward to seeing what we figure out together. One aspect of the internet I dislike is instant information, cutting off the need to talk. So, let's talk! What do we think the differences are? Kerri: what were your guesses, at what might be contraversial in 1936? You have the advantage of the only text with which you can know with certainty. We can only be detectives with the text that remains.

All I saw were two places that might be construed as ladies being a little touchy feely with each other. We know nowadays that there is a spectrum and anyone can have an attracted moment with the same gender, without putting a lesbian label on it. In any case, these two moments were left brief. One was with Hazel and I think the other was Rebecca's first evening at Green Gables.

We are certainly receiving the snowfall and there were high winds, even in our forest. They didn't go as high as forecast and we did not lose power. However, the cats & I had water ready and replaced the tub water this morning with a hot bath.

The wind and possible slipperiness have necessitated closed highways. Locally, no one will get out until driveways are shovelled (sigh, I have never had to do that) and our roads ploughed. The volume of snow falling overnight and daily would surprise anyone from countries who is unused to the landscape changing magically when you awaken and look out the window.

It had melted a lot. There were high drifts and basic ground snow around the yard, with a lot of grass opened up. There were many puddles for whitetailed deer and birds to drink in dips all around the land. Now the snow is as high everywhere, as the piled paths were. The white landscape is absolutely level as far as the eye can see and it is still snowing. This is manageable and nice. I am glad there were no damaging or power interrupting winds.

I hope for e-mails and book discussions to enjoy. Besides topics the three of you add for our reflection, we have arrived at the best part: sifting out what is different about your "Windy Willows" edition!

I am here, Kerri! I would be glad to have a little conversation at the group or in e-mail. You know I am in the storm with Angel, Petal, and dear McCartney's life form. I doubt the satellite dish would work and the sky is dark but I would read at the window.

I did my preparation work of gathering water, stowing things solidly around the yard, doing laundry, dishwasher, and cooking a couple of dishes. I will cook or bake a little more and have a lot of cleaning to do. With the floors vaccumed and mopped, I can turn to organizing the papers sitting around.

I left a lot to discuss about "Anne Of Windy Poplars / Willows" and will add and reply more, so please keep our conversation going. Please see the weather alert I pasted into the "Canada" folder. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

How nice to sit through possibly the "worst blizzard in decades" by myself, eh? However, I am prepared. I did our big shopping trip, will go to town for more birdseed and drop off our recycling. If you don't see me log-in each morning by about 10:00AM central time, that would mean the power was out. I pray that would not be long, so we can run taps to drink, cook, bathe, and flush the toilet.

Winter storm warning, southern Manitoba: hazardous winter conditions are expected. A major spring storm in southern Manitoba begins overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning and lasts until Friday morning. Widespread snowfall accumulations of 30-50 cm accompanied by northerly winds gusting 60-70 km/h make zero visibility at times, in snow and blowing snow. A Colorado low will move towards Minnesota Tuesday night bringing a heavy swath of snow through most of southern Manitoba.

The snow will start early Tuesday evening near the international border then push northward throughout the night. By Wednesday morning heavy snow will be falling in much of the area as the storm continues to northward. Strong northerly winds will develop with this system and persist into Friday morning as the low slowly pivots through Minnesota on its way into northwestern Ontario.

For the City of Winnipeg and points southeastward, a break in the snow may occur on Wednesday afternoon or evening before snow re-intensifies overnight into Thursday. 15 to 20 cm is likely by Wednesday afternoon, with a further 15 to 20 cm likely with the second area of snow overnight Wednesday through Thursday and Thursday night.

By Friday morning, widespread snowfall accumulations of 30 to 40 cm are likely. Travel will become increasingly difficult as the day progresses Wednesday, with widespread highway closures a near-certainty. By Wednesday evening even travel within communities may become impossible as the heavy snow and strong winds continue and more of the same is expected on Thursday.

Do not plan to travel - this storm has the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades. Stock up on needed supplies and medications now. Power outages are likely, rural areas in particular should be prepared for extended outages.

Conditions should begin to improve on Friday as the winds taper off and the heaviest snow moves into northern Ontario...although the clean-up after this storm will likely last well into next week.

Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas. Heavy snowfall accumulation combined with strong winds may cause damage to trees or other structures. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays.

Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to MBstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #MBStorm.
• Source: Environment And Climate Change Canada https://weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html

And Shirin, regarding our precious McCartney gone to Heaven and missed so badly only a week ago: God bless you and thank you. Your grateful friend, Carolyn.

I have arrived at "Year 3", chapter 1, page 200.

If we will soon breeze to the end of our books, which we are at leisure to do, let's please preserve a few notes off-line or on-line, while we are on the journey. I recommend recording our views first, so they are new and not about what anyone notes. Then in a separate message, make our rounds of replies: what say you?

I think we mainly meet lasting, important series figures. It doesn't matter if some of them appear briefly in one volume or another. However, I will grant Leeanne that Hazel was a page waster that were thankfully short. She is a bitch we could do without. I reassure you, Shirin, that everything unpleasant works out quite early for everyone. You must have stopped playing your CD or audio file at a less pleasant spot and waited to reprise and move the story forward. Good moments abound.

I don't think there was a clamour of advertising in the early 1900s: only stores, letters, and radio. Letter-writing types about books they like would have to be numerous and I can't see authors scraping together material for that reason. If Joanne Rowling in the age of accessible media and unbelievable fandom, did not continue "Harry Potter"; who would? I give credence to our other suggestions. Maud must have had ideas for more of Anne's life, more storylines, or wanted to thoroughly realize character references. My guess is that ideas were there and fan affection might have encouraged her forward. That is different from being the reason Maud wrote more.

It will be easy and fun to see for ourselves in the succeeding books! They precede 1936. If they contain Elizabeth, Katherine, Dusty Miller, and Rebecca who also quickly became likeable to us.... it will be a pleasure to see their enduring influence. :)

Leeanne, we know Elizabeth's Dad accepted an overseas job and lost his wife. Except local fishing, life at sea is always about trips that require time for returning home. On those trips, does he not meet other parents, children, babies, widowers? I thank the good Lord that our first thoughts are not our only or concusive ones!

In 8 years, he should have visited, written, or understood he was lucky to have a Daughter and living connection to his wife. Even parents who are disinterested or unfamiliar with offspring at first, send mail or visit out of duty or curiousity. Then of course, he would fall in love with Elizabeth, see her needs firsthand, and disapprove of what Leeanne astutely called neglect, if not abuse. Scaring a child with stories of crows and allowing them to sleep in fear of the dark without relieving it, is inappropriate.

I think I have coloured in my thoughts so far. I want to make it easy for Kerri, Leeanne, Shirin to go along and comment on whatever catches your fancy, as well as delight me with your new notes. That is; the funny, clever Shirin who needs a break from mysteries containing crimes, will delight us again soon. ;> Girl, you see why I prefer mysteries that are about adventure and clue solving, instead of crime. They are more fun!

Kerri, thank you on behalf of our family and of our darling McCartney Hendrix. Your understanding and supportive, encouraging, healing, soothing words mean a lot. I wish it weren't for the fourth time in two years but thank you and God bless you for your friendship. Love, your friend, Carolyn.

In Leeanne's first notes in message #15, I know we harmonize with her beautiful reflection about how good and wholesome it feels to be touring along with Anne inside any of her stories. I love this story as much as I hoped and usually love well developed sequels better than début novels, no matter how special they are.

I dislike seeing angst or anyone in trouble, or people like Marilla before they were loveable. So although the début was famous for meeting Anne, Matthew, and other special moments, I am glad to be past the negativity and uncertainty often coupled with childhood, when we are under the charge of humans who cannot always accurately understand our preferences and feelings. Had volumes #2 and 3 not contained bullshit about killing animals, which I am sorry to see volume #8 does that I might not buy; I would have favoured each of them.

Besides meeting special friends and having especially memorable and well-written moments, Anne acquainting her parents in their house and through their letters is the shining moment I would not have missed. I deem it an error that Anne was cared for in her hometown by one or two families and probably visited the house close to hand and should have mementoes set aside from her from day 1 but that milestone glows nevertheless.

Otherwise, I am glad to put her youngest years aside and enjoy the same person as a young lady in charge of herself, who is not "Shushed to death" as Rebecca observed of Elizabeth. I disagree with reviews that claimed Anne does not feel like herself and these don't have the magic of the famous novel. I call that "homesticking"; not stepping past the boundary of the popular, introductory story. If I were an authoress or singer and people could not stop talking about that one book or song, as if none of the newer work mattered, it would be a fruitless attitude and I for one, love and appreciate fresh, bountiful supplies of fruit. :)

Most of the people and friends she met on the side have faded for me. We were astute in our perception that some of them were needless scenes and characters. We could have been briefly told that Anne was a substitute teacher somewhere else and dated someone else, before she fell in love with her lifelong friend; with whom she is not rushing.

I have very recent photographs of our McCartney & all three cats posing beside my Anne boxsets. Then I gladly gave the first set to my niece in Toronto.

I have a sole complaint of volume #4, since I amply vented about Elizabeth's guardians and Pauline's bossy Mom (seriously, who wouldn't yell at her after a point, to let her walk outside without observation?). Cyril learned how he came across and Katherine learned how to be a friend. Even the briefly acquainted Jeremy calmed down in hard times and recognized the need for family & friends. I only feel short-changed that we have solely met new people and not received dialogue and one-on-one moments from Gilbert, Marilla, and Dora during Anne's brief holiday with them. A hug, kiss, and short scene apiece would do.

I think Anne feeling nervous about guests, for example, her composure asking and bringing Katherine home and breaking anything was exclusive to volume #2. Well, she fell into an outbuilding roof of the ladies with the plate she needed but they wanted to dismantle the roof anyway. However, Kerri & I are in agreement that some devices are predictable. As long as they are positive ones.

Like Leeanne and all of us I am sure: I love Elizabeth, Allen, Rebecca (no tyrant afterall, as I wrote). I find Chatty too concerned and touchy as a grown woman about what her Sister thinks of her wardrobe, skin regimen, and suck. Wouldn't you tell your Sister to step off and mind her business? Is she so inclined about approval that she imagines disapproval that is untrue, or is this another relative show needs to step off? I haven't witnessed the bossiness. She is a stick figure so far who hasn't had dialogue. Do you notice? If they sidestep Rebecca's opinions, both Sisters seem softer than they ought to be. Yes indeed, Dusty Miller cat is pampered and happy.

Kerri, I don't know how far fan reactions got in the 1910s but if Maud's idea came first, she knew she had an audience. Both mine and your ideas sound like they hold water for me: Maud decided she wanted to know and share how Anne's middle years went and indeed, that references to them boded well for full sketches. Then, after 1936 the chronology was arranged in the bookset.

I am glad we are not diving into "House Of Dreams" like the readers of 1917 did. We would not have seen Anne accepting and dating Gilbert and building some experiences. I dislike old courtship portrayals, diving into marriage. I love seeing Anne independent and having an adventure away from home, like Kerri does and only want a few thorough looks at her in Avonlea at her present stage.

I see the novel is divided into three parts. I am at "Year 2", chapter 7, page 162. That is 62% of the book.

In my morning peeks of my three best pals' profiles, haha, I see Leeanne is at "Year 3" and Shirin is at 40% and we need to hear from her. In one or two more whirlwind bedtimes or wherever your favourite place is for pleasure reading, we could finish this book. I would like the pleasure of all of us talking about it, giving guesses, reactions, and proposing subjects while it is in progress.

I need the thrill of being surprised, inspired, and guided to new thoughts too; so please speak-up beyond answering what others write. Love, your friend, Carolyn.

I have been savouring another great topic. If Leeanne or anyone read the answer, leave it out for now, please. I would like us to muse first. Afterwards, we can have the answer. Imagine we were there when the first novels were released. Why do you think chapters #5 and 7 were afterthoughts? They were surely shuttled into story order before we were born. The obvious conclusion is that Maud skipped to “Anne’s House Of Dreams” and “Rainbow Valley” originally. Do you think fans beg for the story preceding those years, or did Maud feel moved to create them and fill in her character wholly?

“Anne Of The Island” 1915
“Anne Of Windy Poplars” 1936
“Anne’s House Of Dreams” 1917
“Anne Of Ingleside” 1939
“Rainbow Valley” 1919

Knowing small parts of Maud's life from reading “The Alpine Path: The Story Of My Career” 1917, I see her in her work. She went to the same university and loved carving a path for her fictional friends to be educated, have careers, and not leap to accept the first marriage proposal. She must have felt like Elizabeth, having a Dad she did not seen in her daily household.

With a writer's eye for myself and as the sharp readers we are for detail; do you find that Maud repeated plot devices too much? When a politician wanted to ruin the countryside view with road advertising, he backed down because Anne accidentally gleaned information about him. So too did the Pringles. What a bullshit idea that because one relative did not get the job Anne earned, all of them would act like bullies? As if all of them would be alike or care about it!

I love that Anne is well-liked, intelligent, and confidently herself but also nervous about confrontations and difficulties that would disturb any of us. Not everyone likes her even if they should, not everything goes her way the first times she tries to approach challenges and we can relate to this in real life.

I appreciate moving forward quickly to the action in letters, like the Canadian novel "Sleeping Giants" but enjoy it best when we settle into the story's on scene narrative. I am glad to contribute to our conversation after an awful two weeks. I hope you enjoy the subjects and am eager to read your new ones. Your friend, Carolyn.

I am closing chapter 15, towards page 121.

Leeanne / Kerri / Shirin,
I am moved by your loyalty in not finishing the book before we could discuss it "in situ". Do keep proposing topics. I shall spark that back up now.

I hovered between 21 and 30 pages as I struggled with sadness over seeing the last of our McCartney's life. Naturally cats being treated well in any reality and story matters to me greatly, as it does to the three of you. This is our Son. Thankfully, the story's Rebecca only mumbles about chasing after Dusty Miller.

Guys, I think it is stupid to not separate a first from last name and do it easily! Otherwise, I am a kindred spirit with Anne and am imaginative like she is. Rebecca has not been the horror she was built up to be, which was needless of Maud. Besides the "Aunts" needing to tell her to fuck-off when they want an animal or houseguest, she is a sweetheart whose strong opinions and reactions I enjoy.

Pauline's selfish Mother needs to be told to fuck-off and get a brain, by Pauline and also bolstered by others, so she knows her behaviour is abnormal and unacceptable! I know these things from personal experience with one of my Brothers. Pauline hasn't spoken up at all but it would need to be clear that hers isn't the only "Are you kidding me?" reaction to letting a 45 year-old lady sleep in her own damn bed and go out.

Obviously, I was appalled by Cyril's tyrany over his family, although I always feel the oppressed should be the first to speak up and get reinforcements afterwards. Of course I was happy to see him put in his place by his family, after Anne got them started.
It takes an intuitive, brave friend to step forward into the breach of nonsense and shake people out of stupidity.

I have not read Sara Crewe but have heard of "The Little Princess", one of the few classics I don't own. I will keep it in mind when I am second-hand book shopping again.

Here is a question for discussion: Do you think lack of hugs, kisses, patience, and fun for Elizabeth is a type of abuse if it does not break a law? Do you think people ought to speak to her guardians about meeting her needs and sense of security better? You sure as hell don't say fucked-up things, like a crow might bite her.

What Dad at sea doesn't write to her and come into port annually to visit her? Have you spoken to anyone about treating someone better? Are you an intuitive, brave friend? I sense that most people don't intend to be unkind and don't know this is how their actions come across. My Mom was a good one for politely suggesting how to do things more nicely and effectively.

I will move the next subject to another comment box, the third today. I have to trust you all to look for new entries when you come by. I don't like packing comment boxes full and often divide them.

I look forward to you raising topics for us to share. I love what Leeanne & Kerri have quoted, both of them loving Elizabeth as much as I do. I enjoy most of the other personages myself.

I wrote shocking news about my paused reading, in my personal folder. You are all welcome to make yours under "Meet The Members". McCartney suddenly went to the afterlife exactly a week ago. Hard enough that he is the third cat, all crossing over naturally, in a year. You see our gorgeous, sweet McCartney is in my profile photograph following Marigold, Spirit, & my Mom.

I finally tried to resume reading last night. For a change, I did not fall asleep mentally and emotionally exhausted. after two pages. With Angel & Petal snuggled into each side of me throughout the night and morning, knowing we need each other with all our hearts; I read past 100 pages. I will resume our conversation and hope you pick-up with me in e-mail and get me past the hard topics. Love, your friend, Carolyn.

I am sad to announce our precious McCartney suddenly went to Heaven at home at the end of March 23, 2022. He was 3 months from his twenty-second birthday.

Instead of thinking age 21.9 should be good enough, people should know how sorrowful and hard this is. We have lost 3 cats in a year, the earlier 2 younger than McCartney, preceded by my Mom. These big deals should be endured 10 or 20 years apart.

He had no medication his whole life, only had trouble very recently. We started learning-in-progress energy healing and were set to see a new holistic vet, a compromise. Allopathic vets did nothing for Spirit or Marigold. His concerns seemed to be from arthritis. We gradually became worried but were unprepared for him to go.

Support, understanding, love, and friendship are needed. Three cats in a year! May our loved-ones stay and the problems go away. Love, Carolyn & McCartney's whole family.

Kerri, naturally I would have replied to you in e-mail if a letter isn't seen here. However, I like showing where we left off, that I appreciate what you wrote and the fun behind it. I look forward to continuing "Murdoch Mysteries" as soon as Leeanne reads the PDF and makes a decision about reading the first and second novels.

Kerri, I think you missed the previous offering and only looked at the last. Unless you planned to touch base in e-mail. Will reply to your Anne part in message #13 soon. Thank goodness McCartney is better today. :) May Thursday's scheduled phone consultation pan out well for the other issue.

I wrote an update in an important book I am starting: "Four Paws, Five Directions" that arrived at my house last night, from my childhood friend who knew of our need! Updates are easy to miss. I said I need to dig into the holistic "Traditional Chinese Healing" book right away. It is a God-send! Rereading parts from Donna Eden's are invaluable too! I will fit in bright Anne reading and will join you girls in commenting whenever I can. Your point is wonderful that taking in Maud's beautiful descriptions is the soothing way we need lately to end each day.