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 making good progress on 30 reviews and am gathering thoughts on what I will say about "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth". One thought will tie-in with relict populations and hidden crevasses of that life. It is inspiring that Jules Verne imagined with such originality, possabilities about Earth that has had many of us, I am certain, mulling over its plausability.

As for science: I would like to learn the difference between "relict population" and animals native to specific places, since this is new to me. New Zealand and Australia have birds and mammals no one else does. But countries are large, ample homes.

Maybe it means "rare and managing not to be extinct". Or an unusual combination of elements and landscape, like Carberry Sandhills working out that certain animals can live and reproduce there. Some definitions are "continue to live in smaller numbers than they used to have". Ideal weather and place work out for them in a narrow location.

I just heard a purple finch singing, who have been doing that a lot and they are beautiful, real songbirds! Earlier today, the gander turkey was stationed on the other side of a bush, where Marigold was going to the washroom! He was monitoring and squawking at her, until I crouched down to eye level and said "She is just taking a poo. Birds are faster at that than mammels. As soon as she is done, I will bring her inside". He walked back to the family and was satisfied, haha!

Wonderful. There are other conversations to enjoy. I hope an e-mail soon contains "my present arrived". I have hardly made any headway lately in "The Night Circus" but am well past the 250 point, where you have to know what is going on next.

While we are in the topic of our second reading collaboration, I should add that fresh subject I wanted to share. I am getting through my pile of reviews and one that is very special, a really important find, is called "The Sandhills Of Carberry". It introduced me to a word that describes the rarity of what Jules' characters found at the Earth's core. Leeanne said there is no such thing as suitable temperatures there but I had asked if she thought a crevasse could safely be hidden in between hot layers, which we haven't discovered. I am curious about your answer. :)

Whether or not it is possible, there is such a thing as a: "relict population" and Manitoba has one! The Carberry Sandhills are such a place! This means a place where plants, insects, animals considered extinct elsewhere, or which no longer appear in abundance elsewhere, continue life in this miraculously ideal spot. Somehow parameters work out in such a way that these species of animals and plants thrive or at least decent numbers keep being renewed here. I think the Galapagos Islands are a famous example, where climate and environment support specific life forms like no other place. Isn't it neat that the phenomenon of is real? Do you know of other real places, with "relict populations"?

See my review of "I Wonder Why Trees Have Leaves". I gave it to my niece & nephew when they were in town for my Mom's service this winter. I loved seeing them despite circumstances. My Mom would love me getting to enjoy them. I was impressed by how informative and advanced that book was despite being made for students and it is beautifully, whimsically illustrated.

Leeanne, many folks are cold because they are thin or have vericose veins. Of course there is a point at which everyone is cold and we just dress for the weather. :) There was a TV commercial a couple of years ago, I don't recall if it was for beer or Olympic games of some kind. The message was "Canadians don't wait for a nicer day before going outside"! Yes, certainly the +28 C lately has been beautiful.

Kerri, if all you thought of was the temperature: you would miss a special experience. Snow is magical, the whole world is a fairy land. There is a silence and stillness as if the world is at rest. Suddenly, you behold an uplifting demonstration of all the life that still scurries about in all seaons and in all weather. It feels good that not only people but numerous animals are here to witness the resting landscape and are busy in it.

New birds, after others have gone south with those Monarchs of ourse. Whitetailed deer and several all-season birds don't go anywhere, nor do these wild turkeys. Those guys walk about less, near someone down the road who feeds them as well. Believe it or not, we are "the south", a winter vacation, for northern birds from colder climes! It is wonderful to see the Pine Grosbeaks and Redpoles again, after the Rosebreasted Grosbeaks are gone; they have already left. Evening Grosbeaks can handle light winter and sometimes stay. Pine Siskens, Juncos, and Blackbirds are mid-season birds: they can handle the cold of spring, take off in hot summer, and return for a little of winter.

I love living in a place where the feeling and look of nature changes and we live in a whole other way. If you put the cold aside, it is something to appreciate and contemplate. It makes us grateful for the warmth and growing seasons, which aren't just always there. I know Leeanne appreciates these things too. Four full seasons are special about Canada, with different things to do. And if I read more when it is dark sooner and too cold, that is a good thing! :)

Kerri, I suggested Leeanne start because she wanted longer with our books previously and they are borrowed. Don't read too fast, now! ;> Leeanne, how long do loans last? I like "The Night Circus" very much. I usually only read at bedtime and might take another night or two to finish.

I was just thinking of you ladies watching "The Motion Picture" soon! I knew it would be a gradual introduction but it is briefer and more immersive than 3 seasons of goofy 1960s sound and visual effects. It shows the start of machine sentience. I hypothesized with friends that it depicts the beginning of the Borg. I imagine those beauty shots of the ship were out of sentiment. The film opened in 1980 and fans waited 15 years to see the franchise continue.

The second film has more action and a major event continues. I think you will be hooked by the third. Two famous lines come from the end of film two I think: "You have and ever shall be my friend" and "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

There are emotional events that grab anyone and you have befriend the cast in a couple of films. Then, everyone loves the fourth, "The Voyage Home". You recall is modern Earth and more relatable than any other show or film has been. Stop after film 6, the last before Patrick Stewart's crew takes over and choose what you would like to do next.

Chris Pine's world switches so much, it is nuts. It is great but the director phoned-in a parallel universe, to avoid staying true to details. It is not a remake with new actors. If you are eager to see it, finish the 6 original films and go for it! You will be equipped to appreciate the changes and they are doozies. Also, Chris jokes "Enough with the metaphors, Bones", a character trait we have had decades to laugh about.

Go ahead and start! I will be finished my intriguing hardcover of "The Night Circus" soon.

Leeanne and I haven't discussed the cold yet! But I think you are well-rounded enough to pick-up on that: 0 C is not cold. It is a dip in weather that can still belong to autumn, or herald a slight beginning of winter. Last winter was -20 C to -32 C. The day of my dear Mom's service at the beginning of this year was about - 35 C. There is a way to thaw and prepare a plot, the day a service is scheduled at resting grounds. On a happy note, it is my Mom's birthday today and I am remembering her positive date with a glad, light heart.

All our trees have only recently turned back to their multicolours. I read recently that this is leaves' true colour and look. Green is the temporary change for spring and summer watering and blooming. Leaves, trees, and forests don't change to multicolours: they are coming back to what they are under the green, after there has been a low temperature or frost.

I covered sensitive garden plants thrice: once, it only touched -0.5 C but twice last week, it was -3 C. Yesterday, it was +28.5 C! After writing to you all here, I sped outside and spent a nice time outside in my swimsuit! Because it has only frozen a couple of times and is warm - a nice rain is even forecast on my Mom's birthday - the leaves are at their fullest in multicolour, not falling yet. It is the best time to get photos, so Ron & I had better catch-up with anniversary and cat photo views today.

I wanted to reiterate that I have "Around The World In 80 Days" and even "Paris In The 20th Century". I am eager to have a copy of "The Mysterious Island" with "10,000 Leagues Under The Sea" and am open to the rest.

Ah, you waited to finish. I would love your thoughts along the way, so this isn't a reply to me, or overall summary. If you can think of things that stood out for you, please do have your turn in proposing them. I am all ears and eyes. :)

I wonder if you would mind re-reading entry #16, about the toddler drowning. I'm not debating that accidents occur fast, or how people think in retrospect. I critique the individual decisions before it: "They would not have done that". Especially the grown girl not raising an alarm as soon as the kid started walking. Any number needed to see where the toddler wanted to stroll and say: "No way". The Dad before catching a fish, the 14 year-old, the Mom was doing nothing but weigh down the blanket. I grew-up with a worrier Mom. Many mini decisions do not ring true.

I have been there, at half of that protagonist's age! My middle brother was maybe 3 and me 5. We drove to the United States for a short trip and were at a motel with a second floor. An outdoor, concrete balcony comprised the hallway. There was a good solid railing nearly our height all the way around. My parents were inside the door beside us but still wisely asked me to watch this daredevil. Still, I was suprised by the stupidity of what he wanted to do: climb to the tiny edge outside the balcony and hang on!

I just knew there was no way he would hang on and that he was more likely to stumble his grip or stance. I didn't know if he would try to walk around or bounce and only saw useless danger. I also knew he was stupid enough to argue with me that he should do this pointless, perilous thing. I didn't wait to see how it would go. I screamed for my parents to come so they would settle it right away, instead of leaving me in a situation that might be terrible. MIGHT.

Any 14 year-old would have said, "Ma" or "Pa", look at what he is trying to do" and any of them would have stopped that nonsense immediately. They would not begin to let the toddler walk there. They wouldn't wait to see if he could do it safely. Or they would have said "Pa, watch, he is coming to you". Even when the kid first fell, the girl didn't exclaim and seemed to take ages to announce where he was!

I wasn't referring to Rich not knowing Chinese customs. The point of the book is that there are offspring who don't get it. I found Rich a smart mouth overall. I can't tell if he thought he was being funny or if he is so presumptuous. Most cultural manners don't call elders by first names unless invited, nor are grabby with food. His conversation approach was neither attentive nor gracious.

Modern couples share expenses. Ron & I did. There is pride in bringing your half, without counting who makes what, nor who eats what. The grocery bill was whatever it was. There came a time when he proposed smaller increments because our salaries differed greatly. Early contributions came in handy: now he lets me work on writing! Of course artistic goals pay nada, while you slowly work on the process.

For the fictional couple, the stringy food bill for icecream she never ate, was the last straw of other things that I agree were unfair. No credit for dreaming-up his businses? Sure, there is a difference between an idea and the person trained to do it and establishing it financially. I sure do disagree with the reasoning of the story that she couldn't move up because she was the owner's spouse. She was trained and talented in her own expertise.

This reminds me of Rob Lowe being kept out arbitrarily of all the raises on "The West Wing". I know they originally wanted to avoid a big name actor but that excuse was belatedly stretched thin; the only reason I can figure out for being ostracized. They did select a compelling, big name actor; who is probably the initial reason people watched, until they loved the show.

Yes, I was jubilant for a cheated on spouse keeping the house she loved in. The creep thought she was settle for anything he asked in divorce. She could cite being cheated on if she had to but speaking-up firmly was enough to halt him.

There is a lesson in wanting your child to know she can be great at the piano, versus being pushy. There is a diffference between wanting any of one's children to succeed but you shouldn't use them as bragging rights against friends. There is the whole topic of wisdom and profundity in the Chinese way. But there was inequality of gender or class, abuse, and hardship that no race should ever see. I think we saw clearly, without using life experience, that there are wise and shallow people on either side of the oceans. It isn't about being Chinese or North American. That is what it is called, not leaving Canada out by saying "America" or "American".

I gleaned that we should have alive, wakeful, attentive spirits in any life we lead; paying attention to teachings, intuition, or wise customs that can serve us. Ditch practices that are unfair or harmful. We want comfort, safety, some ease but appreciate everything and look beyond the external eyes. What are your take-aways, Kerri?

I loved the end but wanted to spend time with the girls. Amy Tan milked the emotional wave of the outcome and got me to tear-up; something you rarely see with me and novels because I choose happy ones! However, I would have savoured that happy-cry wave better, had we spent time with the three girls and Jing-Mei's Dad. I like winding down and closure details.

A big question I looked forward to asking you to help me answer please, is: Now that we have the outcome of Jing-Mei's family, did we need the stories of all 4 families? I am unsurprised that you remembered this one thread but am thrilled that this was new reading for you, as it certainly is with me, my friend!

This week is good enough. I finished "The Joy Luck Club" and am reading "The Night Circus". I thought perhaps you rented more than one book at once. I didn't find out when I asked previously: how long do library loans last?

Multiple conversations are my pleasure. Kerri & I are winding down "Stories I Only Tell My Friends" in e-mail. Out of the public eye so topics can be as personal as some books require. We are just starting to rave about "The Joy Luck Club" in this group. We will have volleyed it back & forth a nice bit, by the time I start "Anne Of Avonlea".

A great, fresh point came to mind about that one we shared together and when you have had a breather, I will add it. There is no limit to thoughts that occur to anyone. I don't know about you gals but I usually read at night, which is why I hope I don't sleep too soon and love to go, go go with books! :-)

Now about "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth". I am glad you love buddy-reading, Leeanne and that you joined Kerri and I. I hope to hear you are caught up with "Anne Of Green Gables" soon. I want to have read book two this month, although conversations can be added to indefinitely. Not only is it fun to share impressions along the way but it is true that we pick-up on different things.

My translator was so inept, which perhaps got corrected for Kerri like the non-existant "September 31", that he or she shifted Gräuben's identity! She was clearly named the professor's Daughter, which made me go "ew", considering his nephew lived with them and was treated like a son, outside of being a science field colleague. After the men were home from the centre of the Earth, Gräuben was called a niece, I believe. Get it straight, man! That concludes criticisms.

It is worth saying again, that we three are lucky for this book to be new to us, after being a famous classic written two-hundred years ago. I am glad we recalled few film snippets and that our reading experience was fresh and not mired in comparison.

I have the Pierce Brosnan DVD "Around The World In 80 Days" but don't remember it and will refrain from re-watching it until I read that story. I am happy that "Ten Thousand Leagues Under The Sea" is completely unknown to me, except knowing that it entails a famous Captain Nemo. I would have thought he had sailed a boat, until seeing "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth II" but still know nothing more. I can't wait to procure an unabridged copy and will give the short version I have away. I also know to insist upon a named translator. I am also interested in "The Mysterious Island".

I have one new discussion addition to "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" that has occurred to me but will let you both catch-up on the above two threads first.

Ah yes: I must tease Leeanne with "what kind of Canadian feels cold"! I walk around in my nightgown checking the yard in the morning, in 0 C. You know how cold chambers got popular a few years ago? Apparently cooling yourself off, presumably muscles and joints generally, is very good for our health. Some sickness or trauma is aided by cooling the patient. Gloria Estefan attributes her complete recovery from a bad bus accident to the snow and cold that fell into it that day. Well: I figure that a stroll in cool weather for several minutes is the same as what health nuts pay for. I feel good after: it is nice and fresh! I'm not thinking about it anyway, when I am checking kitties and plants.

As for hot places, I reiterate my similarity to Leeanne in volcano-visiting. I would not live anywhere where there was a 1% chance of a volcano activating for thousands of miles. But I would visit one that had not erupted in a couple hundred years or more. I would have faith that it would not reoccur the day I took a hike in and out of it. Additionally, I believe tremors and other scientific readings forecast volcanic eruptions at a reasonable time frame in advance. A cautious part of me would limit a camping hike to a week but I would take a brief hike, climbing in and out, with confidence.

I am happy to get back to answering both of you in this wonderful conversation thread. They are all ecclectic and a pleasure. I'll jump in and encourage you, Leeanne, that Canadians know French better than we expect because we are always immersed in it. Not only did you take classes: snippets are around you in stores, on TV, and on the reverse of every product in or shipped to us. You likely read and understand it far better than finding the words to speak it, like most people in their secondary language and onward. And Ontario is a great place to learn and practice more any time!

When you are used to conjugating nouns with the idea of memorizeing them as arbitrarily female or male, Spanish becomes easy. I could speak it in school but really fine-tuned it in university. German is harder because it isn't a romance language, has a third neutral gender, an additional accent and array of alphabet pronunciation, and verb tenses to drive anyone up a wall.

Thankfully languages are my gift, at least for the basics and our family bloodline inspired me to learn it. So did Falco's music! I only took a few years and am not fluent but a Grandparent and a couple of relatives lived long enough for me to practice with them. This is enough about myself in public. I reiterate that for caution's sake, I hope you wrote down my e-mail address. Then will I know your e-mail address, Leeanne. It is cool that your inlaws had family gypsies. I thought they tended to be Spanish, Italian, and Roma but am no expert.

Now let's converse about "The Joy Luck Club". Do you have any observations? My openness to letting a book show me what it is, is serving me well in seeing that this is not a novel. They are memories that don't seem to connect with the others' stories but thiey imperceptibly acquaint us with the friends in Jong and Suyuan's orbit.

For example, I thought Waverly was a bitch but sympathized with her whenever she told her stories. I am unsure if her fiancé Rich is a sarcastic ass, or the caring lover she describes. Her Mother, Lindo was inappropriately pushy but has her good moments too.

I guess the modern parts are in 1989 San Francisco when this collection was published. Either way, the couples married in the 1940s and 1950s, therefore I love that the St. Clair's have an Irish Dad. I am sorry that gentleman died when his Daughter is about 40 but she is lucky to have a nosey Mom straighten out her husband, Harold. Sharing things down the middle when their incomes are injustly uneven, when his restaurant theme company was her brainchild, gets my gall. However they remain together.

I feel terrible for the Hsu's for losing a toddler. Accidents are never wanted but at the same time, am I furious because it was unnecessary and stupid. Amy Tan didn't convincingly convey to me that this accident and death could have happened the way she wrote it. I have radar for behaviour and incidents that don't ring true.

The Mom wasn't doing anything that justified asking her 14 year-old to stop a fight. She was right there and would have instantly done it. The girl could have spoken-up and pointed to the toddler on the ledge immediately and asked someone with more authority to bring him down, or said "Look over there. I have to go and get him".

When half the boys were old enough to take charge of the boy, I didn't see the 14 year-old being stuck doing it at all, instead of being with her sisters. Aslo, their Dad was closest on the ledge. He would have seen and called attention to the toddler before he was busy with a fish, or brought his son beside him.

Oh Kerri, it didn't occur to me that you would look for Corey Hart's video. Just like that, through today's internet, a new friend in New Zealand has watched a bit of my childhood favourite! As you know, I finally saw him again the night my Mom was sick on June 18, 2019. Yes, this is quite a power ballad with a gorgeous melody that is unforgettable and the brisk-paced horse video does it justice. "When the world is cold with no one to hold, I can only see Eurasian eyes"....

The Patrick Swayze work I am determined to see is a mini series: "King Soloman's Mines"! I don't believe he mentioned this or could reasonably everything in his autobiography. Angry dystopian like "Red Dawn" and American war like "North And South" aren't for me. However, when looking Patrick's acting up, treasuring hunting adventures for adults is exactly for me! It is clearly a famous mini series that other actors have done before but his evokes just the right adventure and mystery mood.

For book discussions, I like to chat about how we are feeling as reading goes along. I think that is our intention but in "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth", it took so long to find out where each person was, a couple of us finished. I see additional posts were made in that thread, which I missed because there is a second page. I look forward to answering Leeane and anything new. I myself, have a new observation.

For "The Joy Luck Club", I'll paste a simple observation I made in my Goodreads update.

I got through a good portion of this book. I am uncertain it is a novel but a short story collection instead. It seems that we rejoin the apparent protagonist to seek twin sisters in China. However, the family history of each of the four "Joy Luck Club" Mahjongg players seems to be important. I enjoy the disjointed short stores and immersion in a great variety of Chinese culture but hope we finish the lead story.

Yes, I loved Patrick's book and getting to know him well. A part of me pictured his tough "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing" characters, even though I love "City Of Joy". I learned he was much softer emotion-wise and compassionate than anyone would dream. He truly helped the sick in India before filming my second-favourite film there.

I estimate that our plants can be covered for about 4 days before needing time in the sun. Two days is normally the maximum to get through frost nights, until it is winter for real. In that case, I keep plants going until there are no more +0 days.

Your mention of Arabian horses brings one of my favourite Corey Hart songs and videos to mind. I don't know what kind they are but the video for "Eurasian Eyes" is all about horses and very fake-looking woodland; one thing I laughed about.

Plants are covered with quilts, blankets, sheets, towels.... anything that will fit over every leaf, of every sensitive row of plants. I will leave them covered until tomorrow morning. They have two days of warm nights, before being covering again two nights. It is a fine dance of ensuring their protection and that they see the sun in between. I will continue until nighttime temperatures are no longer above zero.

I look forward to following-up about Rob Lowe and ourselves personally in general. Patrick Swayze ascended today in 2009. I finished his book yesterday evening and loved every inch of it.

Speaking of important September dates, if your gift is slow at reaching you, at least you will know on your special day that it is coming. Xoxo, Carolyn.

I will look up Waitangi Day and love hearing about what friends of the world celebrate. I was glad you loved "The House With A Clock In Its Walls" as much as I do. I have more to talk about in our chat of "Stories I Only Tell My Friends", as my latest e-mail said. However, I am ready to read "The Joy Luck Club". Something nice and cultural like this is just the ticket for me today.

I am sad it is our first frost night, even if only by a little. I was wise to cover carefully last night. I flew out this morning, seeing our outdoor thermometre at -0.5 C, to cover a little more. May all of our plants do well and still grow and produce as much as they need to. There are a couple more frost nights in the week, with warm days & nights surrounding them. Keeping on giving plants a boost is worthwhile.

Thank you dearly, Kerri and Leeanne, for wishing our dear children a happy tenth birthday! I thank you on behalf of Angel, Petal, Conan wherever he has gotten so far, and in memory of our precious Love. As we wait for Conan, who received words of love telepathically, as well as our dear Love; Angel and Petal were pampered very much. Of course, so were their Mom and our senior boys, who are Dads to the kittens.

I walked around house and land for beautiful family pictures of the birthday girls and all of them. If anyone wondered how to celebrate a cat's birthday: it is well-wishes, songs, treats, and photography. :-) I need a photo of me with the birthday girls, which Ron will do today. We need some for ourselves for last month's anniversary. We aren't selfie people - I don't find that good quality. A self-timer on our digital camera is great.

I am glad you have "Artemis Fowl" loaded, just as I snatched the chance to re-purchase "The Joy Luck Club" and "Where Nests The Water Hen" (Manitoba's Gabrielle Roy for myself). When I find my invisible copies, I will compare the two, keep my favourites, and put the others in my gift / sell pile.

Leeanne, answering in bulk is swell. I am glad we remember what we talk about! Do you have the e-mail address I gave you awhile ago? Just like you with age, I too am cautious about divulging past a certain limit in public. Happy to tell you more about past job experiences if you drop me a line. So, does your Mom no longer have the book set?

Let me know when you have your "Anne Of Green Gables" and "Anne Of Avonlea" copies. I will get grooving as soon as you say so. I want to give my trio boxset to my niece, if my brother confirms he has waited for it directly from me. I like a break in between authors and need to read the third as well before Christmas mail time arrives.

Kerri, when you get a chance, please sift what you wrote about blue chicks out of the Anne conversation. I was fascinated and would love to find and follow it up in the wildlife thread we have. :) Leeanne, I am happy you went camping again. A different or new spot? Happy wilderness, outdoors days for us while it is warm! Yours truly, Carolyn.

My surprised pleasure to supply a guide for you too, Leeane! Wow, a few people discuss loving "Deep Space 9" but you are the first person I know to favour "Voyager" and any show further than that!

I reassure you that if not in order, "The Voyage Home" is the best place to begin because it is the most relatable ever made: the modern day 1980s on Earth! It is also more based on humour than any other show, with a poignant mission involving whales. What more could animals ans Star Trek lovers dream of!

After the 6 films about the first cast, I would go into "Star Trek, The Next Generation". You will know why it is beloved and get to know an eclectic cast who are deservedly iconic. The first cast shot with such old technology, it can't help looking and sounding cheesy; even though the stories and morals are profound, or it wouldn't have built the foundation its enduring foundation. Save those for when you feel like you are a fan.

Next, you might continue with "Deep Space 9", or jump right into "Voyager", because you have familiarity with it. "Enterprise" can fit in any time too, because its timeline precedes Kirk and Spok but release order is very nice. Aspects of lore and history that used to be small, referred to vaguely, was built over all the shows into cohesive, complete storylines. They are nice to follow even if they are subtle and contributed to the big mosaic Star Trek story we have today. I am thrilled that the shows are continuing and tying into the earlier ones, including "Voyager"!