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

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

Shirin, imagine a place where the oldest buildings, even grave stones, are maybe as old as the 1700s if we are fortunate. To be somewhere where things are really ancient, like Iran or England, is a wonder to Canadians. To stand in places that we heard about in history is unbelievable.

I think you live around well preserved structures all the time and I hope you look around everything you can. Someday when Iran gives free access to visiting women without confusing clothing rules etc, I would love to go there.

After starting in a modern city like Chelmsford, I was relieved to see an old place like Colchester, haha! That is why I was there and Ron loved everything. Like me, he did not grow up imagining we could afford to go anywhere in Europe and it meant a lot to us.

English is terrible to learn for people who are not born into it. "Squash" is the name of a sport and you are right that the word "squash" is a broad category of vegetables. Since we do not eat animals, we grow and love many squahes: white marrow, pumpkins, yellow straightneck, zucchini, acorn squash, buttercut, butternut, golden hubbard.... I would never throw or waste them. I cherish all our plants and our fruit.

I had a hectic day so please feel free to write your impressions. I love seeing your words any time. We need not wait for it to be anyone's turn. I am in chapter 13, where Ralph is missing and asking everyone to confess what is on their minds. Hercule can see everyone has thoughts they do not want to discuss.

Tomorrow, I will write you the character profiles at the beginning of my book. It is nice if we both can work with the same clues. Goodnight, my faraway friend. Or as we say in French, "Bonne nuit, mon amie a travers le monde". Hug, Carolyn.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was reelected and that is fine, even though the Green Party has always had an electoral platform that would benefit our country highly and move us forward ecologically. I like Justin and the Liberal party is our second choice. Prime Minister Trudeau called an election to see if he could get a majority government. It is harder to pass bills with a minority government; other parties filling so many House Of Commons seats.

I learned the outcome was not a waste of time, along with our issues being discussed and getting a good airing and everyone getting a good look at the new Green Party leader. Elizabeth May retired, except from her Member Of Parliament seat, which she won again and maintains. Apparently, instead of continuing in the term that he had, Prime Minister Trudeau has bought four additional years. I didn't know that it how it works, so this is fine.

Do you mean other series or the Robert A. Arthur series? Additional e-mails with other books I could do with finding. I makes me happy that ou are helping me look out for them, if their prices are all right. :)

It is lovely days here as well. I am glad you are promenading around your beautiful island. I am going outside in a swimsuit to water plants and read the Agatha Christie novel I am sharing with Shirin. I also thought of my dear Mom on her birthday and mentioned it to you and Shirin by e-mail. It was a happy day enjoying our surroundings.

Kerri, this is just a note that I heard about earthquakes in Australia and wondered if you are okay. Include it when you e-mail me. I have meant to ask what the distance is between your countries and now is a good time to know. Love, Carolyn.

On a personal note, Colchester was special and fun because it was the first place in England that Ron & I visited. We started in a town that was modern and I was disappointed not to see old buildings and atmosphere. I already come from a country whose society is only a few hundred years old, you know what I mean? We heard Colchester was nearby and took a bus.

My gosh, it had cobblestone streets and narrow alleys like we hoped and I bought my first postcards there. I always mail postcards on vacation. The internet does not leave such a nice, traditional souvenir. It even had a castle and a good one, with a gloomy voice telling a story from a wall! It was memorable and fun.

You know, I had just started chapter 3 and had retired to bed at page 26 last night. I round up the page numbers I record because I usually surpass them by the time I make another entry. It is sunny for the next few days, which is excellent for us, our gardens, and trees when it is nearly October. I went outside to read in the sun and finished chapter five.

When I started, I saw the "Mr. Parrot" you were referring to. The chapter about white vegetable marrows makes me smile because I grow them too. I thought you meant the sport called "squash" as a hobby. As vegetarians, we grow numerous squashes and other plants for food!

I doubt Hercule is retired because this is only the 3rd or 4th mystery of his series. I suspect he was hired by someone to watch the town. It is the sole reason for hardly talking to anyone because Hercule and French cultures in general are sociable. I hate that he referred to his dear friend, John Hastings as unintelligent. He is not. Hercule bragged too much about his training and experience!

Yes, Caroline's gossiping was one way to show readers what was going on. But it does make her personality ugly. I think Agatha wanted her to seem intelligent. It seems obvious that the nephew is the problem, except I don't think he would betray a man whom he viewed as a Dad. Roger raised him even after his Mother had passed away. Ralph looks guilty but I don't think the answer is the obvious choice.

How about his fiancé's Mother? Does she want to ensure her Daughter has money? Was it possible that because of the rift between Roger and his adopted son, that Ralph being Roger's heir was not guaranteed? How about Caroline, whom we would not suspect; the narrator's Sister? Is she happy snooping, watching how everyone leads their private life?

I have begun 30 pages, a nice introduction of the interesting place we are going to see, where everyone knows the old and new families. It sounds made up. I think their nearest town 9 miles away, "Cranchester" is inspired by Colchester. Believe it or not, it is a very old town in England that Ron & I visited and loved!

Are you reading in Persian? I imagine your novel starts with a character list? It already suggests why some might be suspicious.

First impressions: We meet Roger Ackroyd and I really like him. I am sorry for the title of this book! The protagonist is a doctor, John. I wish I could say I liked his Sister, Caroline. She is crafted to seem intelligent but spreading information is careless. I dislike gossips. Too bad, we want to see strong women in 1926, eh?

Shirin, I see you have finished with David Gemmell. I finished "Chappy" and a kid's mystery I hurriedly read afterwards. I would like to start reading "The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd" tonight. Is this is a good time for you to talk about it a little every evening? We will probably read it quickly so I want to join you when you are available.

There you are! I look forward to your birthday tradition details in e-mail. :) It would a relief to receive a sympathy card regarding Spirit and also Marigold prior to my birthday mail. Naturally, send those when you can.

I see myself diving into the story "Mystery Of The Stuttering Parrot" immediately. Even if I want to collect certain cover artwork eventually, I am elated you helped me read this mystery, since I was a child borrowing books from the school library.

I prepared your mail on the day of your birthday in my time zone, Kerri. You were thought of all along. It will go into the mail on Monday, tomorrow, when Ron & I are in town to vote in our federal election. Go, Green Party!

Shirin, birthdays are the first information I look at on profiles, when I meet someone. When we need to remember, it is there. :) Then when some of us make friends, I write it with their address in my spreadsheet, or physical address book. That is why I am testing your addresses soon. In March, I will mail a card.

Your university address lacked a street, which I found on-line. I see what you previously called a "post office box" at home, you must have meant a "postal code", which you called it in a later e-mail. The two addresses are clear to me now and ready to use.

I will look sometime to see if the David Gemmell's our friends gave us belong in a set, or were written on their own. As for Agatha Christie, here you have the atmosphere of long ago but thankfully for me, not false historical fiction. We are going to see what 1926 was really like, the year Agatha published it! Your friend, Carolyn.

Sunday sounds perfect, Shirin! Last night, in honour of Kerri's birthday today, I started a New Zealand book she gave me for my last birthday, called "Chappy". Today she has joined your age!

I will continue while you are in university. If I am not finished by Sunday at bedtime, I don't mind pausing "Chappy". It is a special book that I want to savour leisurely. There was beautiful writing and tone in another New Zealand present from Kerri, called "The Whale Rider". I love getting the flavour of the countries of my friends. Next, we shall visit England together in the past, to help Hercule solve a mystery in 1926.

I am finished the Martha Grime novel. You seem to have 3 novels going, unless you did not set them as "finished". Please tell me when you are ready to read "Roger Ackroyd" with time to talk about it daily. I have small things I can read meanwhile.

The best part of buddy-reading is to guess about stories while they are unrolling for us, do you know what I mean? Talking about the whole story afterwards is like a review. Let me know when you are available for a few days. :) Your friend, Carolyn.

New Zealand has always sounded beautiful to me and it was unbelievably Heavenly in the films of "The Lord Of The Rings". Whether standing, sitting, swimming, horseriding, or breathing the air; you have a lovely home. Your birthday is my priority and I want to reassure you that your special mail will not be forgotten.

I am sorry to be late putting it together. I came home from my Dad's place with a cold from him and it took two weeks to shake. I am slow catching-up here. When your mail is ready, I must tidy up around the house, go through my dear Mom's items, pick from the garden.... I am also going to send test mail to Shirin soon. Please know your birthday mail is coming.

I have reviewed this short story with happy thoughts of both of you. Here is my link and I will look at each of yours soon, to ensure that I have remarked on them right along with you. Love, your friend, Carolyn. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Good morning, Shirin. I like to clear other books up first, so let me know when you are doing the same. I will take maybe two more nights to finish my Martha Grimes novel, unless I make good progress today. If so, I can read a shorter book afterwards.

"Roger Ackroyd" is so early in this series, it will be fine for you. I liked the first, loved the second, then disliked the next couple of Hercule Poirots. However, I loved the books in between that had nothing to do with him, hahahaha. We will see if he redeems himself in this story and adventure.

When my friend, Shirin, has a few days available to discuss book updates every night: we are going to read the famous Agatha Christie story "The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd"! Anyone keen to read this may join us. I read all of Agatha Christie's works in order and have arrived at this novel.

I like to be surprised about which protagonists each story features. I know this contains Hercule Poirot, whom I happened to get very tired of in the last few novels. I hope he stops sounding like a know-it-all and that Agatha got rid of references to "little man". I liked him in the first two novels, so it may be that the next few were weaker stories. This is supposed to be an excellent one, so I am keen to hop aboard it.

Thank you for remembering our babies, who have turned 11 years-old yesterday! Conan too, wherever he is for now. We also include their Brother, Love, in our birthday wishes: all four kittens born on this very special day that brightens our lives.

I am sad that Marigold ascended to the afterlife at such a young age, that her kittens will match her 11 1/2 in half a year. It emphasizes how brief a time she is getting. Spirit is away too soon at 16 1/2 too, considering how happy he makes us and how dearly we wish he could be here as well. Especially Love, gone in 2014 for more year then he lived.

We are slowly trying to focus on the happy things. We celebrate birthdays over several days: waiting for kind-hearted messages like yours to come in, taking photos which will soon include Ron, me, and McCartney with them. I got a few shots before it rained yesterday and a few indoors but we want those individuals with them and a group pose of the cats. Your friend, Carolyn.

Thank you for your caring, supportive, positive replies on personal subjects always.

I found a good price for the third "Murdoch Mysteries" novel and there are a couple of copies left for you, Kerri darling! https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/978...

Oh, there is something else I meant to say. I saw on TV yesterday that Lucy Lawless is a New Zealander! I have not seen "Xena" but certainly, the whole world heard of that show. I believe it was in the 1990s. I suppose it was filmed there as well. I don't recall her having an accent so I wonder if she suppressed it for her show. Anyway, it is nice to know another famous person and source of entertainment from your country. My sample was short. Is there distinction between New Zealand's and Australia's accents?

I don't know about Shirin but I know you and many other friends binge read. I like taking a break between authors and try savouring three a year. I don't want to blow through authors or series I love, if they don't have many published items or are gone.

I find I am unlikely to get bored or irritated with one writing style if I read others things in between. I truly believe my pleasure and can be impacted by several of one author's books in a row. It doesn't mean I'm not eager to return quickly, so long as I cleanse that palate with something else for a little while. :) It doesn't matter if I love them and am not outwardly annoyed with anything. The best way I can explain is getting used to a certain voice or environment so as to be lulled by it, not treasuring the nuances and freshness of it as well as a break gives us.

I certainly have a lot of new goodies from which to choose: before and after our summer shopping trip and a few excellent on-line scores. Yes, being back with Ron & our Kitties is divine! The girls & Conan celebrate their first birthday without Marigold in the world on September 7. I prompted Dad to have a card prepared for them that I brought home, as well as a late one for Marigold & McCartney.

Ron & I read Marigold's to her spirit via putting her framed livingroom photograph in front of us and having that moment with her. McCartney, thank the good Lord, is here to see and receive his card in person and so are the rest. I got Dad to do a sympathy card for Marigold as well. Ron & I will look at it another day. It is recent enough. Our girl had a great birthday in January with Spirit still here. It is a tradition for my Mom and now Dad, to give our cats cards to keep as lifetime mementoes.

God bless you as usual for giving me readership, my friend. There are no reviews yet; some of the ones to do are from April. I haven't written in awhile but I am home from my Dad's place, to catch up on various things.

Candace Derksen's story is my Mom's paperback. Barbara Stoppel's is a PDF you can read for free, written recently by the main police officer who reopened her case in 1999. There is sadness but the stories also teach about hope, never giving up, and that there is value in prevention. Both have a "police suck" element but you learn what you can do better. Ron told me that Barbara precipitated a law here that a youth or a female, whichever it is, can't work alone at night.

I was happy to come home to our cats and our dear Ron. I also came home to a wonderful set of 9 books from a recent Awesome Books order. "Under The Dragon's Tail" is among other excellent ones whose covers and colours are smiling and shining at me! I can wait a little bit.

I think Shirin & I should finally indulge in "The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd", which is one of Agatha's most famous and most enjoyed from what I have heard and seen. Then, I would love to read the beloved classic, "The Time Machine" with whomever is game and has a probably easily scored copy.

We are so careful about embarrassing or interefering when it might not be warranted, that it takes ages to go to feel sure that someone needs help. How long do we watch unknown cats until we take their photo, ask around, and realize they might need help home, like our Conan? Four years! Who knows how many places he has been.

One time, we heard horrible sounds from our ex-neighbour's house. We knew they might be embarrassed if we called the police. No one, least of all me, predicts being in an altercation of tempers or alchohol gone wrong with even trusted people. After it is over, anyone would prefer no one had seen it but at the time, how do we know someone wouldn't be accidentally hurt or killed?

Ron begged me to phone the police on the woman's behalf many years ago. Things had subsided by the time police got there and the people blew it off as an unnecessary call. They never spoke to us again but I couldn't have called myself human, if I had not offered the help.

The "Stoppel" PDF is free at the website I provide with the book record, In 1981, Barbara was fortunate that a lady working nearby found the locked door odd and they could see a suspicious guy through the bright windows. Her husband arrived soon to pick her up from work and did something about it right away. But he did not see a small rope tied around her neck. By the time police took it off, she had been strangled for several minutes. She lived for 9 days but died. One nearby police car offered to come right away but was turned down!! Some outrageous rule was cited, that a car from a certain district needed to handle it!!

Candace's story is in a professionally published book by her Mom. In 1984, they knew she was about to come home from school and were certain something was wrong. They called police, who wasted days insisting that she must be a deliberate runaway! Who does that! Her Dad searched the path she took home. Had the police done their jobs instead of being idiots, or had the Dad ventured to look 500 meters from their house in an abandoned shack by railroad tracks; Candace would not have frozen.