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

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

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.

Kerri, thank you for starting us out! I love the same line, immediate enough in Anne's introduction for me to already enjoy too. McCartney & I will pick it back up in bed in a few minutes. All the Kitties like sleeping after eating early.

I have had a fun but odd impression at this early place. On one hand it would be nice - and in real life too, Lord please - to live in a place with happy personalities and environments; not grouches. However, I sense this is being portrayed with humour. When Anne said a stern looking Sister reminded her of Marilla and brushed it off, it dawned on me that this was acceptably normal to her. She looked on it with fondness.

You three understand I am not talking about a regular occurrence abhored for being unpleasant. The good Lord knows there is a such thing as frequent strife that we know is awful and do not accept as normal. I just mean Anne gets that some warm, loving folks don't have sunny exteriors, or are trickier to interpret as positive and warm.

The important thing is, it is not me living there. I am gearing up for humour among sour, stern, and delighful characters in what promises to be comedy! If the home, cat, natural environment, and community (except one family) are beautiful; I can't wait to read Anne's elaborate, excited descriptions thereof.

This has been a stressful week-end. McCartney & I will snuggle and read tomorrow. We are praying for his good health and trying out the variety of energy healing I have learned, with commonsense home care. Will try a holistic vet as necessary.

The other issue had a downslide, particularly out-of-place at this time. I must be happy, healthy, and confident while helping heal a Son we love very much. Our hopes, prayers, and efforts are high for our dear McCartney. Love, Carolyn & McCartney.

I am beginning this novel and am 11 pages in. I update my profile progress daily and encourage you ladies to as well. I think you are committed to writing progress here every day. If for some reason we do not, at least we could see where you are in daily profile updates.

I groan that Maud wrote another character disliking cats! May we please just enjoy cats and animals? Otherwise, I loved every inch of Anne's dialogue and humour. I look forward to discovering her new home as a boarder working as a school's principal.

I have no doubt we will keep loving William of the book series, even if the focus stays on a detective crime-solving tone. Actually, at first glance, Yannick Bisson's television William might seem more reserved and formal. I could not picture him leaping upon the stage to dance for an interrogation, haha.

I have probably not seen this series earlier than 2011 but believe his compassion is nonetheless clear right away too. Yes Kerri, we have years to develop nuances and personal touches with his work life. And yes, his colleagues and also the men's wives on TV are a huge part of the "Murdoch" ensemble. They later add a gay inspector and a black lady medical examiner. They pushed the envelope as much as they could for something like 1894.

William being a whiz at honing in on clues is part of the show's star power; using keen observation as well as commonsense about human nature and he brings his collegues in for discussion. They contribute equally, avoiding that "only Nancy Drew could solve it" sense that some shows and books have. Similar to Louise Penny's Chief Armand Gamache, William was haunted by getting things wrong a few times in his past and putting rules above what was right.

His inventiveness really makes his personality shine and show that little boy side we love in the novels. Also, while I will leave us to discover who he does marry in the novels, I will say that on TV, he is in love with Dr. Julia Ogden! He takes until about the year 2015 to marry her and is shy about it! It adds to his vulnerable side.

I noticed something interesting, looking at the first two season's titles: only one seems to be from our books, the sixth show called "Let Loose The Dogs". Therefore the curious with internet or DVD access could watch the first five and probably season 2.

I can't wait to read the next novel because I think it will have its stride and show us how much it will include inventiveness, humour, and the rest of the cast. Leeanne should read the PDF momentarily and decide if she is interested enough to borrow the first novel. A short wait, I think because either she will stop there, or only read one more to catch up to us.

Happy birthday to our wonderful, fun, dynamic, intelligent, beautiful friend, Shirin! With love from Carolyn & our Kitty family.

Good morning, Shirin! "Windy Willows" is the original with more text. Even though "Windy Poplars" is the North American version, it is we who are receiving the edit. Society thinks we are babies, never showing nudity on television unless it is late.

We four will wonder why a chunk of Maud's writing was deemed unsuitable for youths or adults. If you want the original, switch. If you are content with your Persian audio of "Windy Poplars", I will try to finish the healing book soon. Maybe I had better read by day, so I don't fall asleep after only a few pages in bed.

Aw, that is nice! We remember she had a spring picnic in a secret meadow for her 16th or 17th birthday. Happy birthday to our fictional Anne Shirley!

How do you Kerri, Shirin, Leeanne, feel about us reading different versions? I don't mind. Who has my version, "Windy Poplars" and who has "Windy Willows" besides Kerri? We have her to tell us when there is content our North American (not just "American" please) copies omitted.

I am glad to leave out abuse of people or animals if that is was removed. If something else was banned, it lends a conversation topic automatically. I hope you all propose topics. It gives me the opportunity to be delighted, surprised, and broadened. Please don't ever hesitate to lead our conversations. :-)

When we hear from Shirin and I am finished "The Healing Energy Of Your Hands", I will happily revisit Anne Shirley with my circle of friends. Unless I get grooving this evening, I think I need another two days.

I ask please, that "available" means we write progress daily and reply to what is posted. Those periods are brief, to react and guess about stories we are discovering part by part. Thereafter, we are reflecting on books as a whole and it isn't the same.

I am frustrated to linger a week on a book but am back on track with this new healing one I like very much. It is a highly regarded instruction book from 1993. May the three of you also enjoy finishing the books that are presently the focus of your intelligent gazes.

Do you three want to be surprised in each format, or do you want me to describe some key differences between "Murdoch Mysteries" in books and on TV? The shows I see are from sporadic years because you get whatever airs on satellite dish, like on cable. I do not know the show by season or in sequence.

The episodes I see once in a while are all fantastic! There are some large story arcs we go back to as well as many individual mysteries. They are all original and compelling.

I know whom William marries and snatches of his single and coupled life. This is what I wonder if you would consider a spoiler to know, or interesting. I am discovering the books along with you. I think I will know how to describe their atmosphere and tone by the third novel, "Poor Tom Is Cold". The show is mysterious, funny, intelligent, and William is portrayed as a science genuis. It is personal and creative instead of a detective or police sort, even though the main setting is their police station.

He solves a lot of cases in the style of "MacGyver", a 1980s TV show I enjoyed. I have not watched the remake. "MacGyver" was using anything on hand in an emergency and I think another message was making do without a gun. "Murdoch Mysteries" is about using the latest innovation of their time period and William inventing some technology too, making it always feel modern. It also succeeds at always clearly looking and sounding Canadian. I hope the books continue to be less confused with the English style.

The only thing I know about the novels is that William marries someone different from the TV shows. I think this is the only area I will find hard to separate, because I dislike this person in the novels but feel that his choice on TV is a match made in Heaven. Otherwise, there is no comparison between the two and enjoying both is easy. Nevertheless, I think we are creating an advantage for ourselves by reading these first and starting the series from the beginning later. Ladies, I wish we could all be together at one of our homes to indulge in it!

I thought of you all last week. The first "Murdoch Mysteries" show I saw was on, for me to relish from the beginning. It is sad but special: a good man who kills the murderer of his cat. He had to be jailed unfortunately but George Crabtree was very sympathetic as a pet person. The only witness to the human killing was "an idiot savant", a lady who only communicated via the perfect models she built of their neighbourhood.

What a first show to see and have me falling in love with it. I love the fluid, artistic way the camera is used too. No wonder it has been on for 16 seasons.

I see the the actor playing George Crabtree (with a Newfie accent that is rare for me to hear!) is a stand-up comedian. I will have to find his acts. I regularly see Yannick Bisson in two car insurance commericals. I enjoyed him in a few of the TV movies with Candice Cameron Burre, of Charlaine Harris' "Aurora Teagarden" mysteries.

I'll follow-up on "Murdoch Mysteries" under our 2022 buddy-reading folder and on McCartney in e-mail. He is well. You never know who reads groups. We want private lives out of sight for safety. God bless you for asking about us as always.