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

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

I found that Anne got into no "scrape" on purpose. There were misunderstandings by Marilla and once, Diane's Mother. I was just revisiting your "Anne Of Green Gables" review, Shirin. It is dated April 2020 but you clarified that it was a year ago. For me, it is entirely new; including watching no TV shows, films, or plays.

Hi Shirin! Wow, you are motoring through this; your first visit already in chapter 11! You will join Leeanne, Kerri, and I in "Anne Of The Island" quickly. Was it long ago that you read "Anne Of Green Gables"? Are you reprising Anne's progress easily?

Yes, I too, love that Anne is still exactly herself; only more mature and much more free and independent, from ages 16 to 18! Yes, when it comes to the common expression "Don't do anything I wouldn't do".... If Anne were to say it, it would leave naughty Davy with a lot of leeway nonetheless. [shudder}

I don't like him because he is usually mean and disruptive on purpose, with no better excuse than being bored. Dora is wonderful and not given enough credit. Just because she doesn't demand attention by being a "shit head", doesn't mean her personality ought to be underestimated, nor her need for company, guidance, and learning ignored.

~Group reading proposals~ Kerri, Leeanne, and I are reading "Anne Of The Island" and conversing about "Anne Of Avonlea". Shirin and I discussed in messages #6-8, that we have 4 other books handy to enjoy soon. Patricia, in message #4, is keen to accompany me with the last 2 shown and seeks buddies for dark fantasy. Reply if you will join us. Add anytime to any conversations in our folders, about books you know.

"The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd" Agatha Christie
"The Diary Of A Young Girl" Anne Frank
"Cover Her Face" P.D. James
"Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone" J.K. Rowling
"The Starless Sea" Erin Morgenstern.

Hi Kerri! You know my story: I meant to start the first story of my "Anne Of Green Gables" set last year, especially knowing of several international Goodreads peers who adore it as a favourite. I could not remain a Canadian who had not read them. :) Hearing that my niece and brother wanted these directly from me, for which I hope they have waited; I decided to indulge in all three novels of this set. I think our savouring breaks in between have been just right: June, October, February.

After this, I could wait a year to continue, unless we find an irresistible, crazy cliffhanger in "Anne Of The Island". Since this is from 1915 and Maud's brief "The Alpine Path" autobiography is from 1917, I would read that next. If you and Leanne could acquire it, I would love to share that in unison, as usual.

I feel sacrosaint about not writing in books, in case someone should choose to give them to someone else. However, in certain instances it is special. In a revered or antiquated situation, I too love the personal treasure of someone's handwriting and message, evidenced and preserved before me across time.

I have begun Anne's third story but she is home in the first two chapters, not at her new university yet. I propose another "Anne Of Avonlea" topic that came mind while I was reading its portion about politics. First, here is how we are in Canada.

It is my suppositition that many countries have two major choices, "liberal" or "conservative" (also called "tory"). While leaders are the most important factors; the general idea is that party viewpoints are similar: liberals for dreamers and forward-thinkers and conservatives liking old status quos. I am very glad Canada has four realistic choices, especially if neither leader of the common two parties is appealing: the Green Party and New Democrats included.

The Green Party is still tiny but has over the last decade, under Elizabeth May, finally gained seats in the House Of Commons. We favour them and wish the new, black leader well. We certainly witnessed Jack Layton and his MP wife Olivia Chow, grow the NDPs. He very nearly got elected this decade, before dying of cancer. Even when they were small, the NDPs were responsible for getting us nationwide health care in the 1960s. We truly have four major options and I love it.

It occurs that based on Anne's personality and beliefs, she would not be a conservative, like this novel has her being! I wonder if you, Leeanne and Kerri, thought the same thing. I was also disappointed that Anne rather blindly asserted this keenness only because her dear Matthew had supported that political party. And we know Matthew was not a thinking, decisive person. It is obvious, just like a lot of farmers and other old folks do in Manitoba today, that they don't make a study of the leader who has a better platform each time. They keep repeating the seletion of the same political party.

I wonder if Anne will broaden her views once she is in the free-thinking of all places: university! However, in 1915 the old folks who stuck to one party were in their modern day and there were only two choices, a hundred years ago. I am interested in knowing if, like my parents, there were always people who looked at the best candidate in every election, or if it is a modern scrutiny that developed later. Automatic repeat voters chose where they stood the first time, unless they followed relatives. I am glad we changed, to examine the person for the job. The conservatives are one party that will never suit me. But there are three others at every election from whom to choose.

Dearest Shirin, your care meant a lot, in my update when I made the sad, hard accouncement about our Spirit. Thank you for that. We begin in this community with books. However, many of us become friends and what that really means.

Yes, please jump into any conversation about any books you see here, that you have read. If you read the second and third Lucy Maud Montgomery novels a little later, there is no time limit to coming and speaking your mind, my friend. I am very happy this group has conversations of all kind lately. Animals, plants, music, movies, world news.... anything.

Good! Let me know which one you are in the mood for, Shirin. We are still discussing "Anne Of Avonlea" in the folder by its name. We slowed down a lot before Christmas. Then certainly, when I was taking care of our dear Spirit cat full-time; then the hardship of having lost him 3 weeks ago.

Therefore, if you do read the second novel soon, jump in and reply to our conversation.... and the same with "Anne Of The Island" when you are ready. Add to conversations of any books you have read, no matter how long ago our reading or yours.

Welcome, Shirin! I am happy you are here! Feel free to add your ideas, or make a folder for yourself in your name. I am glad you have "Anne Frank" and access to "Roger Acroyd". Do you own "Knots & Crosses" (Ian Rankin #1) and "Cover Her Face" (P.D. James #1)? I will read any of these anytime you like. I added "The Angel's Game" in message #3. Three of us are starting the 3rd "Anne Of Green Gables" tonight.

It is nice to hear from you, Patricia! Not one for Kindle or libraries, I draw from the glorious stock I have gathered at home over the years! If it is paranormal, mystery, Canadian, and a broad variety of non-fiction and classics; there is a good chance I own it, Patricia! Everything I list "to-read", I own.

I dislike war, evil, or sad and refuse anything portraying sexual assault or animal harm. I love the magical, mysterious, and quests. Your favourites might appeal to others who have slumbered in our group. :) I don't know a bigger YA fantasy fan than my wonderful young friend, Darce. She doesn't monitor the group but you could certainly visit her.

I have a good mix of fantasy: Daving Eddings, Guy Gavriel Kay (from Winnipeg!), Isaac Asimov, Ursula LeGun, Monica Hughes, Vicki Blum, Jodi McIsaac (all three Canadian).

Lists are fun and handy to make and need never be concrete. Many of mine are pushed back for years. They are nothing more than what I think I am in the mood to read soon. If I change my mind, I do. :)

I will be pleased to let you know about "The Philosopher's Stone" and "The Starless Sea" as they come up. Later this year, since they are hardcovers that I am rather savouring!

Here is my list of books in 2021. From the first list, I have scratched books we have read and series I am well into like Louise Penny, Martha Grimes, Elizabeth George. Please propose your upcoming reading. I gamely joint-read books I own but enjoy buddy-reading with whomever you wish. :)

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, 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", "Garden Spells", "Ready Player One".

Biographies: Margaret Laurence, Rita MacNeil, 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".

I have looked at the first of two boxsets my Godmother mailed me, soon after she, her Siamese cat, and my cousins moved to Prince Edward Island. Her handwriting at the front of the books reads "June 1986". It is odd that I didn't open them until last year, with friends Kerri in New Zealand and then Leanne nearby in Ontario.

I may have thought these would be complicated, scholarly classics because they were famous and well-reputed. I gobbled the fictional, American, Laura Ingalls ones at age 8. With saving them until I was ready a likely part of it; I knew they were beautiful sets to display that I would someday savour. They and my childhood cat, Thumbelina, accompanied me from childhood home to adult homes. After a 33-year delay, I love them and they are more wonderful than I imagined they would be! How uncanny! It is precisely in June 2020 that I started these!

It will be my pleasure to begin this third famous story, finishing my first childhood boxset with you tonight, Kerri and Leanne, and anyone who wishes to favour our journey with their company. I don't believe I would have enjoyed these stories any better at 13 than I do in my youthful, adventurous, eager, appreciative 40s. Your friend, Carolyn.

Well met, Leeanne! That doesn't limit our "Anne Of Avonlea" conversation. Forgive the slowness proceding with it. Another good meaty point occurred to me that I think we will dig into with ease. I probably have a few more thorough answers to all that you and Kerri shared last. I am just finishing Anne Perry's delightful 12th novel, "Belgrave Square" and would be happy to start this tonight.

The best way to do buddy-reading is to indeed write our on-the-spot thoughts actually as we are reading. If you ladies like our method to headline a chapter so we may say what we wish, without spoiling terrain for anyone not there; it worked well for me. When not withholding our reading impressions as they are ongoing, we avoid summaries that might as well be reviews. It is fun to guess at the pages that lie ahead, don't you agree? :)

I propose that if we find ourselves galloping at lightening speed, we try popping in with "along the way" notes at important intervals, at least when we have reached halfway; or mentally noting them to record later. What do you say?

My brother, with so much to catch-up with me in our rare letters, hasn't confirmed he still wants my copies for his Daughter, perhaps presuming nothing changed when I asked if it could wait. However, I believe I have spaced out the wait for myself long enough and am eager to see what the university months and years bring for Prince Edward Island's fun, moral, eloquent heroine!

One thing more: in alerting you that I will make a new book folder, it occurs to me to ensure you know that you are always entitled to create your own reading and personal folders and threads, about whatever you wish. All 25 members certainly may but I hope it goes without saying to our regular contributers. :) With gladness, Carolyn.

I have only seen a little of Christopher Plummer's impeccable body of work over my young years but every theatre or film fan knows him from somewhere. He is first, a Montréal raised theatre veteran from the 1950s in Stratford, Ontario; a world theatre festival renounded for launching the acting greats.

Being ill one night, gave his fellow Montréaler "Henry V" understudy a break in 1956. Ten years later, the iconic "Star Trek" TV show was headed by him: William Shatner. In 1991, Christopher joined the cast's 6th film, "The Undiscovered Country". Unsurprisingly, his role was memorable. Christopher possessed the core skills of projecting his voice without a microphone and gathering audiences in to listen raptly.

He ascended at home to the afterlife today, "the undiscovered country", at age 91. It is thankfully harder to be sad about a finished physical life, when people or animals have attained a ripe age. There is no despair about that. I am naturally, thinking of my dear Spirit with reluctance and difficulty, who was only 16 1/2 3 weeks ago. There are many loved-ones and great ones where he has gone, like my Mom and childhood cats. Humble Christopher himself is a great animal-lover, which instantly earns more of my respect.

A short note from me for now, working through the unexpected grief of our Spirit. 16 1/2 is young enough that he shouldn't be gone for perhaps 10 years and also so long, that we can't envision living without him. Someone so important ot us too. The support of you both means everything to me and helps enormously.

Leeanne, thank you for continuing our pleasant discourse with another fabulous addition of your thoughts and reactions. I am happy to read the third book when you are comfortably able to obtain it. I recall that Kerri owns the first trilogy at least but little seems to close in New Zealand.

It might have been me, who said she wondered if Anne was getting married in the last chapter but perhaps Kerri did as well. I am glad it is neither Anne nor Diana, although marriage in a close community won't detour friendship. However, we are starting to enjoy them as being young, with just enough independence to have their own say and I'll bet we would all like that to continue. I am most excited about the university days of the third novel.

I also have thought to ask Kerri, as a veritable island girl, if she thinks the lack of maritime impressions are only our perceptions, as land-locked ladies. Does it feel like an island to Kerri, who might look for things other than discussions of sailing craft? What else makes an island, an island?

I recall one more note: you referred to Anne's Nova Scotia origin and thought she should have walked the beach there too but it is larger and a lot of it is inland. I am a big fan of that province, Oak Island and so much more about it and it is the sole Maritime province I have visited. Inland, it reminds me of dear Manitoba.

Leeanne, I love the idea to highlight characters. I have expressed frustration that it is harder to discuss books we have all finished as general summaries, instead of engaging in a buddy read by sharing small reflexions as we go along. I am more in tune with your answers than you expected and mine might support you.

I feel similar to Matthew as to Miss Lavendar. I love them both and think they are bright spots and highlights to the novels they are in. However, there are sides to both of them that are cowardly or indicative of lazy ineptitude.

Matthew warmed up and impressed us by taking control of things, like Anne's adoption and clothing style. However (pardon Manitoba frankness), he fucked up being complacent about who his Dad knew, not taking his money out of an instable bank. They were never destitute but they used to be comfortable or well off. He annoyed me in the beginning by obviously going too much of his life without thoughts or opinions besides the routine. His ride from the trian station with Anne drove me nuts: "Gee, I never thought about that". What do you think about?! I loathe the over-opinionated. Kerri has heard things I won't repeat in public about politics and religious crazy relatives. But I loathe people with no colour to the thoughts and feelings they express.

I came to love Matthew's character as much as anyone. He expressed it lovingly and bloomed. However I don't miss him because he is a character. Not my Mom who died in real life, which I have a hard time believing. I accepted that he got written out of the series much earlier than I would have liked and am glad they remember him often.

I can't stand the neighbour's ex-wife. Ginger did not "have to" die for them to reconcile. It happend that way in a freak accident that had me annoyed at the authoress for contriving it. Show children an example of couples meeting halfway. I do love the man, for seeming grouchy but being loveable and wanting friends.... and for being a bird-lover way back in the 1900s!

I am a loveable, friendly person who has made international friends since I was little. I used to live in apartment buildings. I'll bet my neighbours with noisy dogs think I am a grouch. That is what you get for keeping a problem between us, instead of getting to know a great person who has been next to them all these years. It is the result of someone who has excused all the crap she will accept. The rare time they have spoken with me face to face, I am sure I have surprised them.

Miss Lavendar is a wonderful figure for staying as young as she likes and pursuing any passtime she wishes; truly needing to go no farther than home for a life of pleasure. However, a wistfulness reveals that she isn't content being single but she didn't do a damn thing about finding anyone new, or reconciling with her beau before he gave up. By the time you are 30, you learn to seek someone else, or sort out what you want. Is this where you lacked respect for her too, Leeanne?

Wistful "life didn't go my way" shit doesn't hold water on things you can do something about. Besides that, I love her. I wondered if there was a twist with her being Paul's biological Mother, because they are so alike as dreamers. However, it seems that there are many of us. Like Nancy Atherton series fans, I still cherish my main stuffed animals into adulthood.

Charlotta is fine but strikes me as an imitator, regardless of age. We should all have firm desires and hopes of our own; not wish to emulate anyone. I have about the same beliefs and interests as I did when I was tiny.

Yes, Matthew would love Dora but would love Davey too! He better than anyone, knew what it was like to be a boy who needed to spend energy moving and investigating. The personalities and lack of composure people have as adults is not what we were like as kids. Matthew might have run amuck too.

I wondered how many Monarch raising steps were life-saving, versus something Leeanne enjoys; just wishing to clarify. She said the danger was loss of milkweed habitat and ants threatening eggs. It sounded like hatching is as far as it needs to go indoors and metamorphosis is unhindered outside.

I am glad you saw baby lambs, Kerri! I seldom see them in Manitoba. I tend to be sad driving past baby cows, however precious they are because these are animals some people consider food. I haven't considered anyone food since 2006. You can't release a bunch animals, you have to educate.

The easiest, cost-free way of changing the mindset is to ask everyone we know to stop using the word "owner" about our own pets. That makes a huge difference. Kerri, please don't forget to transfer everything you said about "blue chicks" from the "Green Gables" thread or repeat it here.

It was great hearing about the white squirrels, Leeanne! "Exeter", is a place I only know in England. Driving across that country was frustrating because everything closes at 5:00 PM! You either skip attractions or lose a night staying over to see them. I insisted on learning to drive ourselves, with an automatic gear shift thank you very much. Why is the UK in the dark ages? That way little animals or unexpected places could be enjoyed as we saw them and a good thing we only booked lodgings when we knew where we were stopping.

I don't think Ontario has bigger squirrels than our large varieities. We both have a variety, except on black or white here. At our home the small brown sweethearts are standard. I am stunned that New Zealand has no squirrels. I thought they are a common animal that live everywhere across the world. I could open my door and show you one now. Our cats are trained to keep them off the birdfeeders, knowing they won't catch the squirrels. I exclaim: "There's a squirrel!" and any of our beauties will volunteer to charge out the door.

They only hibernate in the coldest of the cold, unlike chipmunks. This is a detail my review tore apart in the second or third Louise Penny novel, "The Cruellest Month". She gets summers right but her idea of real cold and frosty spring is surprisingly off, including when frogsong is loudest. Things that are true from Manitoba to Quebec and about certain temperatures, which cannot be brushed off as regional. Anyway, they are the only two novels that didn't get five stars from this fan.

Here is a summary of replies, in addition to what I already furnished above. I did hope to receive birthday wishes my mail, e-mail, or on my profile but was glad to finally have them here too. I will be working on Christmas cards and packages soon, although ouf family birthdays are ongoing until March. I have honed and learned since Mom started me on cards at age 8, how to time all this internationally.

I guess the prairies were complacent about being low traffic about most things, which did not pay off with the coronavirus. Since just before my birthday (which annoyed last minute card-buyers like my Dad, haha), Manitoba is closed to all but essentials. I am for not essential places closed but not closing departments inside stores that are open. If you are there, you might as well be able to buy what is available. However, I think this was a prevention tactic against "black Friday" shopping crowds, that was days away.

Thrift stores are allowed to reopen (book shopping!) and the Christmas aisles of stores, which is good because Ron wants to replace some of our outdoor Christmas lights.

I am going to put the replies about squirrels under the animal headings. It seems like jumping around but you will thank me later. I shudder to scroll through the "Anne Of Green Gables" thread, where all conversations were clumped. It is worth piecing conversations together, if there is a folder for them. I don't mean friendship-building, homey additions about family and general things.

We ask for continued prayers to retore Spirit's good health, safety, and longevity, He is going through another low eating period, which is frightening to a parent while it lasts and a relief when it is resolved.

It goes without saying that I can't look at any virtual tours or videos. However, there is somewhat faster internet on the horizon. I saw on one episode of "Schitt's Creek", I think the one in which Moira wants nude photos of herself on the internte for posterity, a comment about rural internet. Stevie said at the front desk: "Hold on a second, this is only a step up from dial-up".

Thank you, Leeanne! I believe I await some birthday mail still to come and am giddy like a child about that! Having your greetings a week afterwards, still in November, makes me happy and aren't belated to me. I love stretching the joy, fun, and pampering of me! :)

Yes, Spirit is well and so is Marigold, who revealed kidney issues this year despite her young age. Prayers for them all and we have gratitude that these prayers have been answered.

I look forward to answering all of you guys's wonderful "Anne Of Avonlea" comments soon. My brother has not answered my question that he did not buy my niece the first boxset anywhere else. I presume he is waiting for mine but until I know otherwise, I hope to read the third novel by the second week of December. You have treated us to a lot to say about volume two for now.

I'll elaborate personal bits at e-mail. Thankfully Spirit is better to our relief. Thank you for this quick note and naturally I am happy receive additional birthday wishes. I will tell you by e-mail when my birthday mail arrives. I think there is some to anticipate from a few people, thus I am still celebrating all along November! Mine must be in New Zealand for you by now but please don't spoil the answer here. I have been eager to have your reaction to those particularly poignant contents in e-mail too! :)

This could be under celebrities as well as Canadians. I saw on the news that a hero from the Winnipeg Jets, my home city NHL hocky team, died of stomach cancer in August. Dale Hawerchuck was a star for the Jets when I was a kid and his name is very familiar to me.

I don't know hockey players now but back when I knew a few and even had a poster, a few hockey cards, and autographs; Dale's name was common in households, even of non-sports fanatics like myself. That is how big his name is across the National Hockey League. I am sorry to hear he has ascended to Heaven, only a year younger than my spouse. His son, Eric, gave a wonderful talk on a clip the news has featured this evening.

My newly minted angel Mom will be thrilled to welcome Dale and show him around the fluffy white cloudy place of love and peace. Here is to you, Dale, in my best super loud Winnipeg cheering voice that newscasters talk about all around North American. You can hardly conduct interviews in a wild Winnipeg arena. "Go, Jets, go! Go, #10, go"!!!!!!!!!! There are 10 exclamation points in my cheer.