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 continuing my proposed conversations and answering yours from message #18: which is my birthday number! :) Kerri, I hope you see the personal updates I shared in my "Carolyn" member folder. It would be fun if you guys set up your own spaces too, to keep track of or share whatever you like.

Back to the novel; going to England is not something you would fool anyone about. I believe Mrs. Padlow went and probably did have a cousin there. Since that nonsense about having "tea time" came up again which is a non-existant meal in Canada, she or the judge might have been from England. I think Dolly used to be in Kingston, Ontario and so were she and Annie. I think Toronto is our largest city and is near Kingston. No matter where you are, Toronto is our most major centre and a lot of people ended up there, even William all the way from Novia Scotia.

I dislike using "Murdoch" or anyone's last names, unless there is a Mrs. or Mr. with it. Hercule Poirot for example is Hercule and Aramand Gamache is Armand, of Louise Penny's novels. I note first names and mentally replace them if a last name appears; a cure for a misophonia type of irritation. This isn't a topic - I am only explaining.

There is a Canadian map at my blog's review database that shows you Winnipeg, Manitoba in the middle; Toronto, Ontario at the bottom of the image, and Halifax, Nova Scotia on the right at the bottom. I guess you need a slightly more detailed map to show Kingston but knowing it is in the vicinity and in the same province gives you the picture.

The details were left for us to presume but Mrs. Pedlow must have left the baby for her trip and retrieved her on the way back with a story of a lost cousin. We might imagine that a presumed or actual funeral was the purpose of her trip, without waiting for her husband to be free to join her.

Shirin, you are right that she was married and could say the child was Walter's. But he rather than society is the person from whom she hid the affair. The biological Father was his nephew. If you are sensing that there was no incentive to lie because she would have been relieved for Walter to divorce her, I agree. All she wanted was to be loved and to have someone with whom to share love, just like I do. Her Daughter provided that blessing foremost, happily for the two of them!

I thought she might as well dissolve her marriage and be free to marry the person she loved. Unfortunately, we found out that he had no feelings for her and didn't know about his baby until the end. He regretted that belatedly and left a letter so the wrong person would not go to jail. However, he was selfish to destroy the record book, notably after writing a letter to confirm the girl's paternity. Other people's birth records were in there who might want them in the future. That was needless and I had no liking for the jerk.

I disliked too that neither he nor Lily faced the music of their actions. Even had we sympathized with Lily about fearing the police, the point of a novel is growth. I wanted her to stop running under a fucking tree trunk and to learn that talking to the police is what grown-ups do. Had she not been the other criminal, I wanted her to enjoy her clean room and to teach George hygiene. I loved the husband of one neighbour for speaking-up about what he knew and defending Lily with compassion.

Kerri, I wondered what part lost steam in your opinion. Working it out here, I said that there was no carriage of justice for either murderer and that destroying sympathy for Lily was a weak red herring device.

I also find that hiding Mrs. Pedlow's pregnancy and the contstruction of her story was poor. The woman who kept and raised her Daughter should have been absolutely joyous. Even in a stale marriage, who cares? She had her Daughter and a comfortable living to themselves. Alternatively, had she wanted out of the marriage with or without the cold nephew, she could have announced the affair and received enough support for the girl. I didn't get the impression she was money hungry so her motive in the mystery held no water, to me. Be happy or get out: her dull personality made no sense.

I hated Annie and ended up loving her. It was sad that the Sister who wanted a baby, Millie, lost hers. However, it was redemptive for Annie to become the Mother she secretly longed to return to. I was happy Freddie was her boy. She'll clear him of worms, lice, fleas, and anxiety. He will never feel more cared for and loved, especially by a pair of strong street Sisters, willing to punch people out, haha! I like that he stays lower class with people who understand the mindset he has had: decent and pretty moral, safe, and protected. Freddie ought to inherit the house and valuables in it.

Kerri, as for the fourth novel that you noticed is very large, I smiled because I wrote about it in the "Carolyn" folder. I look forward to you reading a few of the message boxes. "Let Loose The Dogs" is one of my birthday gifts from my close friends this week-end! It is the story I most want to read: very personal to Will and his family.

Hello, my friends! I would have liked to discuss the book every night or two as we were going along but am happy you each left a note a couple of times. Now we are selecting conversation fodder from the story as a whole and there is a lot here to peruse! Please propose topics you would enjoy us digging into.

Out of interest, what would you say amounted to a four star grade from each of us?

A topic of consideration that struck me is how clear it is, perhaps to you as well as to me, that the definition of morality was ass backwards. Let's focus on Dolly's primary career as a midwife. Presumably she served those who wanted discretion as well as those who couldn't afford doctors. Canada did not have federal health care until 1957. That is frighteningly recent and I don't know how other countries expect their people to survive without it. Putting abortion aside which Dolly took up after moving to Toronto and what an abusive, blackmailing bitch she was, I sense that people looked down at her for a low income, for not appearing in neighbourhood churches, and for being a widwife to the secretive or the financially stressed. Would you say so?

I propose that this implies not going to recognized churches, lacking a middle class income, not having babies in hospitals, and a job besides delivering babies for the secretive or financially stressed is considered upstanding or moral. Wow, everything is wrong with that, isn't it? In 1895 or any other time, I don't see any fault in struggling financially or providing childbirth delivery for others in such situations.

Spiritually, Dolly was a terrible person, we grant that. But I don't think any better of the preachy neighbours who frowned on people. That is amoral and even landlady Beatrice Kitchen is the same; just more soft-hearted. Dolly's neighbours would be truly spiritual if they prayed for the children left behind and wished Dolly to rest in peace. You never say of a death that anyone deserved it.

Fanatical religiousity makes me sick and I hope my middle Brother wakes up. Thank God my Dad has gotten gentler and can listen to other ideas presented lightly and cautiously. The hypocrocy is starkly obvious to the two of you too, in the characters of Maureen Jennings' novels, isn't it? It is an essential issue that Maureen portrayed well.

Not frowning on anything except the way Dolly and George treated people, I had the strong feeling of relief; that life would be better for Lily and Freddie after they died.

Shirin, I agree with you that making Lily the killer in one crime was a mistake by the author. It isn't out of the question for an abused person to snap and George was an asshole after all they had been through. They should have celebrated the ability to clean up that house and earn money without Dolly's negative presence. I don't blame Lily for screaming out a last straw "fuck you" to George.

However, I know what you are saying, Shirin. Maureen shattered our sympathy for Lily and not as a discussion of snapping if abuse goes too far. I think Maureen sacrificed the effort she made with her character only as a gimmick to fool readers with an extra criminal. I hate pointless twists dumped into stories and wish authors would understand readers only want stories with a flow that makes sense. Being uncertain how stories will go provides natural twists. She took time to contstruct sympathy and outrage for Lily's imprisonment, knowing she saved a deformed child.

Yes, George's autopsy confirmed the "age 13 or 14" that we imagined defined a working young man in 1895. I'll continue my topic suggestions in the next comment box.

I am so glad to hear you read my personal update and enjoy sharing it with me, Shirin. It is time for happy ones! :) Your friend, Carolyn.

Hello from our first cold night! I had a birthday gathering with two close friends. It was a wonderful visit, doing so much catching-up by talking that we skipped playing a boardgame or music. It was fun to watch them choose from my selection of books for their recent birthdays.

As for what they brought for me, I am so excited, I have to share it with you now! Ron's great gifts were above and I told him: "You know, those are among the top three books that I hoped to get the most. The next ones I would love to have are: "Bluecrowne" Kate Milford and "Let Loose The Dogs" Maureen Jennings. Well, that is exactly what my friends chose for me, plus a Taylor Swift album! I sure am happy with my fine selection of reading.

I hope Shirin, Kerri, & I keep on reading our series and get to this "Murdoch Mysteries" story soon, because it is about Will's family in Nova Scotia! It is going to be good! I can't help wondering if it went into the TV show. It is a very long book, nearly 500 pages and obviously must contain a number of storylines, perhaps between Ontario and Nova Scotia. Anyway, good-night from a happy birthday girl, in the true sense of the lovely words. Yours turly, Carolyn.

I have another trail I am pondering. We read that Mrs. Padlow came back from England with the niece, meaning that she likely gave birth there. Did she pretend her own child was a niece? It makes no sense to give up her flesh & blood, then adopt a different one to ease her heart. I hope Maureen didn't get that wrong because I don't imagine a Mother's soul would be eased by anything but her own child.

On the other hand, why did Dolly write that "I did my best by you"? That goes further than saying "I hid the secret of your baby in the past". Would Mrs. Padlow pay money for something she could deny? An appointment in Dolly's book is not legally binding.

However, if she delivered money and saw her son in disgusting conditions, could she leave him? She doesn't give a damn about her husband and wouldn't the heart outweigh society in urgency? Remember that this is Canada, not England. What society we had was new and short-lived; not engrained. Ah but would Maureen have gotten that?

I hope Maureen didn't screw anything up and gives us answers to the mysteries that impress us, ladies!

I am in chapter 17. Will finally had his dance with ladies and got to enjoy his fresh skill and a new outfit for the occasion! I love all of those scenes with him as a real person; not only a policeman in these novels. I hope his landlady is good at getting a bloodstain out of his white slacks.

Shirin, thank you for reminding me that the creepy preaching neighbour (do something about your skin, for pete's sake!) saw two visitors to Dolly's house.

I myself also wonder how Mrs. Padlow knows Annie. We do not know Annie's connection with Dolly. We hope her niece is her Daughter and I wonder whose son Freddie is. He annoys me a bit. I know the child is traumatized and too young to think well but some kids are remarkable thinkers for their age. Often for children of abuse, or who spend a lot of time in nature, their intuition kicks in. Taking care of themselves is natural, not hiding in an empty house like he is at my point in the novel.

On the other side, kids who have received instructions or lectures from people, even unkind caretakers, go to adults when they are in trouble. When I was too young to think, I got lost in public. I probably only took one wrong turn close by and panicked but I decided not to get more lost by searching. So I followed a trustworthy looking lady, whom I knew would eventually notice me and help.

Freddie was familiar with his neighbours, even though they frowned on his caretaker. Also, he knew the police had been kind to him the last time there was a death at that house. I do not think Maureen portrayed things properly there. Lily on the other hand, was told she would be tortured in jail and cannot hear the reassuring tone of voices. Although she supposedly was a shrewd bargainer at the market and used to working for and with people.

With those criticisms of behaviour aside and lately, Maureen bringing up that stupid "tea" expression as if the non-British families had a meal like that in Canada; I am enjoying this novel very much.

Yes, you are right that Julia stays wryly amused at people's reaction to her high professional status in 1895, I think the year is. The more we see her, the better, although I understand she does not play the same role in the books as in the show.

In addition to adding your impressions and enjoyment, I think you answered my questions in the first post and hope Kerri does too, messages #7 & 8.

I am grateful to my friends and family for their love today. The good cheer is working wonderfully on my magical day and I am very happy. I photographed our snowy land and wildbirds around our yard on this day of pretty clouds today, upon which I was born. I thought of those not standing here visibly: my dearest Mom and cats Marigold, Spirit, and Love. Their faces have warmth have been close to me all week.

Afterwards, when Ron was home from work, we opened his card and presents and the were the items I hoped for the most! I could not be more excited by anything else! I am going to have fun clearing off my array of wish lists, in documents and on-line! Are you curious to know what they are? All right!

It is a new room spray (I love soothing scents) and a Selena Gomez album. In books, the in-store clerk was able to find three.... the top three books I have wanted! "Truly Devious Maureen Johnson, "The Inheritance Games" Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and "Haunted Manitoba" Matthew Komus!

I will be reading this this week, I tell you with glee! Woo hoo! I thanked my dear spouse, Ron, excitedly. Good-night, you all! The birthday girl, Carolyn.

Thank you for your birthday greetings, my friend Kerri! They are first in personal e-mail as well as here at Goodreads today. A few here also wrote early greetings, which are lovely.

We are nearly identical in progress and in thoughts! I am at chapter 12 and after a bath, will cozy-up with more of this book on my birthday! Reading before bedtime is seldom something I do but today is about happiness, self-care, fun, and indulging in the best of life. That means reading, standing under the Chickadees' birdfeeder flight path, and peeking under the blankets of towels and sparkling snow, to see living flowerbeds.

I love that you wrote different notes and I find that I am entirely in accord with them. The health observations about coal last time and smoking around Arthur this time are not ones I made and wonder how you are so tuned into them. I guess they wouldn't be bad ideas but it didn't pop up for me. I too, love Arthur. He hasn't put forward a conversation in our book yet but I look forward to his intelligent, humour, and compasssion myself as well.

Do you want to know William's love interest in the television series? I was excited to see Dr. Julia Ogden introduced because except for the main actors appearing on the covers, I did not know if Julia would be in the books! I was told by an Ontario Goodreads pal as you know, that William's personal life in the books is different from the television show. I see that already, by his remark that he had not had sex. I have not met his landlords on TV because he had his own home in the stories I saw from later seasons.

Whew, is season 15 ever a doozey! They have a couple of creepy episodes, including for Hallowe'en and there was even an escape room! Julia and other strong career women are remarkable on the show and I have to agree with that feeling you get, in this book!

Yes, this is an even better book that the short story and premiere! I like dislike Dolly and George, just as you do and said I disliked all the tertiary characters in the first novel. Why do we love this one more, do you know? Maybe because it is a straightforward murder that Maureen Jennings focused on solving right away. Perhaps it took the first novel too long to show an English-sounding mansion and the boardinghouse trio, before getting to the point. It seemed too diluted by awful characters, whereas this one hones in on the action despite a yucky environment.

I love a story about Mothers and their children and think my heart went out to knowing what became of that prologue birth. I think the so-called niece is the lady's own Daughter whom she kept. I feel so sorry for that era in which she married just to have a husband, he was as old as her Dad and even if any age could be attractive, they had no spark. She DID fall in love with and produce a child with his cousin but feels obliged to keep her hollow marriage. How terrible and pointless to what LIFE is for, that society would frown on her keeping the loves of her life! Is it not all about who we meet and love and adopt as family? I am relieved this has changed.

I think the synopsis is a spoiler. William only knows Dolly was an abortionist in chapter 11. The whole novel seems to be a treatise on the forms of sex: inappropriate or vile, acceptable but either stale or loving, passionate without marriage, and natural urges without any. You know what to say if anyone thinks this is a "cozy mystery", haha!

On the subject of urges, William is just mentally considering anyone available. We all want a boyfriend or girlfriend at some point and wonder who a good option might be. Serious intimacy is not what I look for so early in knowing anyone, however. I don't get people who just have a booty call. This is your health and potential lineage we're talking about and for me, I only want to bond within a loving, monogamous union. So does William but for super religious or people of the past, marriage was their only avenue to sex, so they married young and soon after meeting.

Any of us can check the early chapters for the boys' ages, although William is probably going to ask them. My impression is that he presumed a boy of about 10 needed to work at poverty level, whether or not it was wanted for children. Freddie might be about 8. He might sound younger than he is because he has been scared into staying silent and not exploring even the rooms of his house, never mind pondering life. I would call George 12 if William referred to him as nearly a man.

My favourite part about this book is that William is very much a loveable, whole person to us with a home life and private talents; not a dry police officer. I think the first novel shared that just as much, would you say so? However, for some reason, I love this novel so much more. If we aren't seeing more of William's personal side that before, is it funnier? Why am I even more engaged and entertained? I do know that when he jumped onto the stage and was a proper dancer, it brought a wonderfully dramatic flair and I can only imagine Yannick Bisson must have duplicated that onscreen! The original seasons are a mystery to me.

It is terrible that Lily was abused even in adulthood. Could she not go to her Dad? We were told she ran away from police without the ability to hear what they had to say, because her Mother committed the mental abuse of saying she would be tortured and killed by police. She has not had the pleasure of meeting William and thinks she needs to hide for her life.

I can't wait for Shirin to share her notes and to know what each of you thinks of what we have been pondering so far. Honestly, we see William more as a person and at home than at the police station and I enjoy every moment with him. I am now invested in the woman, her Daughter, and returned love. I hope the "niece" is her Daughter; that she was loyal enough to make-up a way to keep her. If not, I suppose it is Freddie. It makes me wonder how the boys got the surnames they have.

Ladies, I want to invite you to boot it as fast as you like. Just please leave notes daily as best you can because sharing progressional impressions and guesses along the way is the best part. Worry not where we are. I think a chapter heading is ample to let us decide if we are ready to read each entry. What do you say?

I am starting chapter 6 and am going to read as much as I can tonight. There are additional special books I would like to fit into my birthday week but I don't believe jumping into other worlds interrupts our conversations, does it? Yours warmly, Carolyn.

Chapter 5 finished with a lovely feeling of front steps with William, Arthur, Beatrice and other neighbours enjoying the night air. They all sing an old song together and it is just the sort of lovely touch that makes William feel like a friend. As intelligent and morally firm as he is in police work, Maureen Jennings's pockets of personal life keep him relatable and easy to like. His Mom often sang the song the neighbours sang and he shared a happy childhood memory with all of us.

Ladies, get ready to rumble! Actually, let's get ready to cool ourselves off with fans like old-fashioned women because the beginning couple of chapters of "Under The Dragon's Tail" are adult! If you struggled to wonder quite what I mean by "standard mystery", my favourite genre tone, this novel is the clearest example.

It is no "thriller / horror". It describes dirty households and people, details about murder scenes. However, it is not disturbing or scary. At once, it very clearly is more adult and serious than the "cozy mystery". This is why I remind people that if there is a light and heavy tone of literature: lighter or heavier than what? "Standard mystery": don't forget the middle original source they come from. I like that we know that the contents won't be terrible but furnish a serious, adult story to consider and discuss.

I am nearly at chapter 4. Does anyone have any idea where the boys are from and why Dolly was not clear about their biological Mamas so they at least had that history and connection to them? Don't we owe children birth information?

Unfortunately, I wonder if they are stupid. When they gave their names to William after reporting their carer's death, they knew their first and last names and they were different. It is like they do not think and live in a daze. Lily is a mystery entirely.

I dislike multiple narrators, especially all of these are unlikeable or disgusting, including the boys. Having little money and working hard does not mean you don't rinse yourself and clothes. Even if either of you favour parcelled out narration, Shirin & Kerri, doesn't it feel like a bright light and relief whenever William enters? Those chapters positively glow and I am always entertained in them.

I am entertained with a grin about William acknowledging sexual urges and being ready to forge a new relationship, even though he misses his fiancée. I guess then and in some cultures today, you do not contemplate any physical fun until official marriage. Values are also personalized individually within cultures, naturally.

Now then, don't let me steer the conversation by being first. I am only jotting down intitial reactions. I'd rather the two of you take me wherever your minds went. I am at page 48. I shall enjoy BEING age 48 for two more days: woo hoo!

I embrace and celebrate my birthday with excitement, the gift of aging and continuing to live healty and well and I also fondly honour the age I am about to surpass. I have a feeling fun mail will start to arrive beginning today! Happy mail coming later is wonderful too. Let the happy celebrations, fun, friendship, and love not narrow into one day, right my friends? Hugs, Carolyn.

My review for "Except The Dying" is fresh off of the press. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I was re-reading something you wrote earlier, Kerri, about the annoyance of updating software. I have asked a few people for a few years if they have a Windows 8 CD they could give me. No one did or they were using it. It is too much for me to download and I like to have an installation CD on hand anyway. The computer shop from whom we buy those dial-up modems said it was not worth it and that we ought to go to Windows 10.

When discussing our PC another time, they asked for the specs and realized Windows 8 is the most recent version we can have, which is fine by me. This is a good PC with lots of memory space. However, Windows 7 is no longer supported and I have imagined there are things that would work better if I upgraded that little bit. I am back to asking for everyone to be on the lookout for a spare Windows 8 CD. My thanks.

Friends: a question of what you like best, because I cannot decide myself. I have edited and trimmed this list each time we have read a book that is on it. Do you like that tactic, or does it keep an old list dragging to the bottom of the topic thread?

Can you think of other alternatives? Another way is to maintain this comment number position as a history perhaps. Then, I can occasionally re-post a cleaned-up list.

Here is our list of book ideas for the year 2022.
May update: please see "Message #20" for our master list from now on. I will still subtract finished books from here.

Series: Sue Grafton 1, Nevada Barr 1, J.K. Rowling 1 (yes, I am last to indulge), Frances Fyfied 1, "Half Light" novel in her name, 'Frances Hegarty'. David Handler 4, P.D. James 1, Rex Stout 3, Agatha Christie "The Big Four", Carlos Luiz Zafón "The Angel's Game".

Various: "Pride And Prejudice", "The House Next Door" Anne Siddons, "The Land Of Stories" Chris Colfer, "Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil", "All Creatures Great And Small", "Anne Frank, Diary Of A Young Girl", "Wuthering Heights", "Behind The Scenes At The Museum", "A Dry Spell" Susie Moloney (Winnipeg!), "The Winter People" Jennifer McMahon. I'll save the same Phyllis A. Whitney title for later. "The Starless Sea", "The Dreaming" Barbara Wood, "The Wizard Of Oz".

"Artemis Fowl", "Treasure Island", "The 39 Steps", "Black Beauty", "The Time Machine", "The Mysterious Benedict Society", "The Maze Of Bones", "Lady Of Hay", "The Kitchen God's Wife" Amy Tan, "Prelude To Foundation", "The Phantom Tollbooth", "Garden Spells", "The Dragon Rider" Cornelia Funke, "Eragon", "The Raven Boys", "The Wind In The Willows", "The Canterbury Tales".

Biographies: Margaret Laurence, wildlife activist Biruté M.F. Galdikas "Reflections Of Eden", Anne Murray, Kirk Douglas "My Stroke Of Luck", John Candy, Melissa Gilbert, Goldie Hawn, Jeanne Cooper, Amy Poehler, Elton John "Me", Susan Boyle, Brooke Shields "Then Came The Rain", Nicole Richie, Chelsea Handler.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I am carrying over our proposed buddy reading books into a fresh, new topic for the year 2022 so that folders are not clogged. I think it leaves a nice diary of stories we shared together in its particular year: what do you think?

It is November, my birthday month: yay! If we read anything from our list this year, we will keep it in the original "Buddy Reading" folder. If I missed any proposals that have not been read yet, please add them here. This is your group as well as mine: participate any way you like without asking.

To quiet and new members: hello! Please suggest books you plan to read in the months ahead, that someone might read with you in tandem. I deal in only physical books and thus draw from what I own rather than pulling them out of the air. However, our home library is rich in abundance, variety, and heart. Buddy reading is not required to include me. Maybe your selections will shake other members awake. :)

Be well, be happy, be healthy, and safe. Your friend, Carolyn.

What beautiful things to say, Shirin. The snow is coming down fluffy and fast. Someday I hope you both visit Manitoba's seasons - and me for yourselves. When it is safe politically, I would love to explore Iran and when it is affordable, New Zealand. We relish the weather and landsacpes of our friends across our world.

Kerri, in addition to the general New Zealander questions posed in my e-mail letter, you have me wondering where the cut-off is for countries whose summer is opposite to our winter. You will not be very cold, so it is fine if a little rain or breezes pop back in through your season change.

All right, Shirin will let us know when her Persian copy has arrived. If we can slip in Ian Rankin before then, it depends on how avidly I go to bed and make progress with Cliff McNish's ghost story hardcover. So much to read, so much fun with friends!

P.S. If you have the PDF of Colin Cotterill "Hidden Genders", I would love to try his new series. I am ordering the first two novels.

I mean the nighttime low of -1C of course. It is very warm for November in Manitoba. When I came home from the hospital 48 years ago, there was a blizzard and my Dad & Mom had to drive carefully. Right now as I write, we are only having our first snow on November 10. :) Here is comes swirling! I wish I had fast internet to take a little video clip and show you but I have still photographs of course.

Kerri, your message is lovely and there will be more to say soon. Meanwhile, I look forward to an e-mail all about your birthday. Remember that whatever I updated cancels out the former e-mail. We have turned to the good and the happy. :) I am curious if sympathy cards for Spirit & Marigold already went but no rush on cards or presents. Part of the pleasure is looking foward to them.

I am reading an excellent new hardcover novel from Ron last year, called "A House Of Ghosts" and like it already! If I whiz through it and finish in only a couple of days, Shirin, we can start "Tooth And Nail" right after it. If you are free to move onto "Under The Dragon's Tail" next, we will read that together with Kerri around Monday either way. I look forward to sharing a birthday buddy read with two of my closest friends from this site: such a nice way to spend my special month! Hugs, Carolyn.

My Dear Friends, November, my birthday month has a tration for me: I treasure all of it in ancitipation of the 18th!

I watch for cards and gifts by mail, e-mails and thoughts from family & friends, sweet words and attention from Ron, and dearly loved pastimes at home with our cats. One tradition, cozy at home with all of them, is to indulge my favourite genres & authors!

Thus, I am happy to return to the tantalizing world of "Murdoch Mysteries" with you, my friends any time; as well as that of Ian Rankin's "John Rebus". I also plan to read Erin Morgenstern's "The Starless Sea" and the second of Kate Milford's mystery masterpieces, "Ghosts Of Greenglass House".

How is your weather where you live? It is still green, bright, and warm here; including at night, which only goes to about -1C. However, tomorrow we are expecting rain that might turn into snow. If it does not, Thursday, which happens to be "Remembrance Day" for Canadian soldiers, will yield our first real snowfall of the year. We have only had a few flakes but snow has always heralded my birthday, if it did not precede it.

Don't worry: the garden plants are picked, retired, or transplanted and everything portable is inside the house and library. Rain water has been gathered and moved just today, to where I can save the pails for a few months. The library building has no plumbing and it will let me refill the cats' secondary dish and water the plants with ease and good health. Our bright, colourful, vibrantly living flowerbeds have been protected as needed and shall be covered in earnest tonight. Your young & happy friend, Carolyn.

Yes! Louise Penny was just on "The View"! She co-authored a US political crime novel with Hilary Clinton. Louise did us proud by not taking long to identify herself as Canadian. Even better, I am thrilled she told everyone that today is Thanksgiving Day here. For the first time, an American talk show wished Canada a happy Thanksgiving!

The media blares American elections for 2 years before their voting day. We just had an election last month on September 20. Anyone know that? We hear all about the US Thanksgiving on TV shows for a month and they send gifs to each other, which is sweet. But I do not see, even among fellow Canadians, a peep about our turn at the holiday.

This was very nice of Louise Penny to bring attention to. It was also very special to see that Whoopi Goldberg is a fan of Armand Gamache's series. Aren't we all! Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends, like I said earlier in the week.

Yes Shirin, I love not only secondary and tertiary characters. I primarily am saying I prefer different lead characters and books from average readers. For example, everyone loves Hercule. I prefer so far the books that do not contain him. You like him but have a creative mind that is appreciative of creativity, something new, and whimsy. You will love "The Man In The Brown Suit" and "The Secret Adversary"! Read anytime, for they are the first novels of their mini series.

Dorothy Gilman, famous for a "Mrs. Pollifax" spy series. I waited years to start those and was in love with her standalone stories, for adults and youths. She was a remarkably whimsical, original authoress and I have some of her books that are rare.

I wrote the conversation above this morning and a tiny power surge ruined my dial-up modem! Luckily, Ron & I were already going to Winnipeg and someone helped us find one place with an internet modem to give us! We have no Smart phones, telephone book, and no other way to look things up, you can imagine. We are grateful for the help today. I pasted everything to upload what I was saying to you.

I think I might enjoy reading "The Big Four "in January. Do borrow it from a library so you read it thoroughly in Persian. Is the library near you? I like to picture where you live and how you spend your day. Before that, any time you have P.D. James handy, I would love to read "Cover Her Face". I do not recall which format you have this first mystery of hers in. Your friend, Carolyn.

Happy Thanksgiving to our fellow Canadians this long week-end! Yours sincerely, Carolyn.