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

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

Yvonne, this is not my year, having nothing to do with the virus as even a top 5 issue. 5 years ago, you supported me so well over Love's young passing from heart failure. You might know his brother, Conan, has been missing for 3 years at the present. 6 months ago, my Mom went to Heaven! Mini-strokes that kept occurring. Friends, books, comedy shows, and gardening are giving me the positive atmosphere I need so much. My other cats at home too, of course.

I wanted to let you know this news as a friend. I certainly remain game to talk about pleasant and light things as well. We are always happy when our American neighbours and those further afar discover our literature, musicians, and actors. Hugs, Carolyn.

Hi Yvonne, long time! How are you? Ah, how nice that we can add American friends to the list of those who love it. I am still on dial-up internet where I live rurally, so Netflix is not an option. I am a collector type who would rather have blu-rays, CDs, and physical books anyway. :) I'll bet TV will be more affordable after we can use Netflix.

I might have heard of Schitt's Creek before the great Eugene Levy visited Kelly Clarkson's talk show. However, that is where I learned it is a Canadian institution created by his son and joined by his daughter. Knowing the great Catherine O'Hara is in it as well made it a must see. It is compelling that my friend in New Zealand loves it and so does Elton John. Then again, he is married to Canadian producer, David.

After seeing several episodes, the earliest and most recent, I like it. Now I look for it on satellite dish every time it appears. Thank you Kerri, Kelly Clarkson, and Eugene Levy!

We have enjoyed chatting about television shows and need a forum dedicated to that. Here is a place to converse about television shows generally. If hearty follow-up ensues, please feel free to create a topic thread in a show's name.

Hi Leeanne! I knew Michael J. Fox voiced "Homeward Bound" but have not seen it. I said I read my Mom's paperback of "The Incredible Journey". It was comforting in terms of how well cats survive even better than dogs. However, it was not comforting enough for people missing cats more than the month that trio was. Gosh, a month felt like a nightmare at the time and by now, a year would have been great.

"The Cove" was not a book. We have such delightful movie and television conversations that I made topic folders for them yesterday! I said I could not bear to watch anything like "The Cove": an animal rights documentary.

Kerri pointed out the oddity of adopting as siblings instead of as a wife & husband. Nothing to do with the clear premise of expecting a boy. Kerri's question was whether or not agencies used to discourage anyone but wives & husbands to adopt children. I said no, as long as candidates were not single people. She made a good point about the extreme load of children likely making agencies less picky.

Marilla & Matthew would have treated a boy like a son. They chose that gender for the help but would have fallen in love with him. They discovered Anne to be indespensible as well. Are you going to reread the first novel before we indulge in the sequels?

Very simply, the bank Matthew used collapsed and I guess, could not pay back client's funds. I am so tired of stories of people struggling financially. I loved "Anne Of Green Gables" for being a story about a happy family's hopes, goals, and dreams. Losing Matthew suddenly was enough hardship. I looked forward to stories of Anne in university. But let's see what Maud did with the sequels.

Feel free to add your opinion now that you know what we meant. Kerri is still adding hers on this last point too. Have a lovely week-end.

On a home wilderness note: I have found a second monarch butterfly chrysallis outside this room! Also yesterday, a snake was suntanning on our sidewalk; something I have never seen garters do here! Later, two lady turkies brought their baby poults to tour our yard and browse for food! Generations of turkies have grown-up taking a walk to visit us. We are so glad they feel comfortably safe bringing their children here and repeating the family circle like this.

"Blast From The Past" from 1999, is one of my favourite films! I have not seen it in years and incorrectly pictured one actress as "Sally Fields". The Mother is Sissy Spacek. The Father is Christopher Walken, the helpful friend is Alicia Silverstone, and the hero is Canadian Brendan Fraser. Have a look in this group's photo album, for the photo I took of his Canadian Walk Of Fame star!

In brief: this film is about being quarantined but using that time in the wisest way imaginable. A baby is born and grows up in a 1960s bomb shelter. Luckily, he has smart, keen, educated parents who spend time with him on a wholesome variety of skills.

They stocked it with educational and entertainment material, along with food, medical, and comfort supplies and they sure did put it to good use. Please see this film, as an inspiration and prompt, to grow and succeed at things we would love to do.

Many of us treasure, admire, and love city and country flora and wildlife that abounds, in our diversity of places all around the world. Some of us assist the tadpoles with hose water when a week is dry and some of us even get to behold the metamorphosis of butterflies! It is time we have a folder for a wonderful variety of updates. Name your region, climate, and passions!

Natural to us and regularly seen are whitetailed deer and wild turkies. Both species of Mothers are showing us their newborn fawns and poults now! Seldom seen at our home are black bears. Only once, I saw a Mom and her 3 cubs dash through our yard against the forest. Once our birdfeeders were visited by an well-grown juvenile. We only hang them outside by day.

The province of Manitoba abounds in so many birds, insects, and amphibians in addition to these gorgeous mammals; that individual topic threads might be in order.

I seldom see garter snakes but today, there was one sunning on the sidewalk in front of our house! I had only glimpsed one but them feeling through grass. I wish I knew which way this friendly guy went, because he disappeared when I was gone for a minute and might be in our front flowerbed. I don't want to surprise him or myself.

Yesterday, Ron showed me for my first time: a caterpillar chrysallis! It is their name for a cocoon. This one is of the great monarch. It is on the side of our house, right beside this room. Fellow-Canadian Leeanne told me today, what to watch for. I see the sweet little caterpillar tucked inside the bright green pod! I wish him a wonderful life journey! Note to indoor people: it only took a short tour outside our house to behold all this glory.

Many of us garden for food and are flower lovers. Many more of us treasure, admire, and love city and country wildlife that abounds, in our diversity of places all around the world. Name your region, climate, and your passions!

Southeastern Manitoba is in "Hardiness zone 3". Nearly being in Ontario seems to make a nice difference. We can plant by May 25, although it was hot and then frost appeared last this year. We can freeze at night in September, or stay warm into November. It is a bitch where there is both: a freeze in September, in a season that was otherwise warming and growing into autumn.

I grow anything that has time to bloom in our season: some fruit, herbs, a ton of squashes, lettuces, carrots, peas, potatoes, and corn. Just ask and I have probably planted it. I love planting flowers galore too, hanging and at ground level, in a wonderful variety of our home flowerbeds. The work, seeds, and time spent are worth it. I gather my own seeds wherever I know how.

I love to see life starting from seeds and considering purchasing plants a missed experience. I do not believe in eliminating any plants, no matter if it would let the rest of the row grow larger. Every seed, every plant, every life is valued by me and I cherish watching each of them appear, thrive, and grow.

Flea beetles have been a problem but we are getting a handle o n it with "Diatomaceous Earth". The powder gives small plants far more time to recover without flea beetles, than a spray. Even more important, "Diatomaceous Earth" is no threat to good insects.

Kerri, the name of the first film, where I recommend being introduced, is "Star Trek The Motion Picture". I explained doubting the 1960s show's old technology and early viewpoints of what outer space might be like, would give a good impression of the love and thrill the shows became. They got very good starting with the films and by film #4, you will feel thoroughly clued-in and invested. I, myself, have only seen a few original shows and am a major fan.

Please do me a solid never join those annoying, uninformed people who keep calling film #4 "the one with the whales". Lord have mercy, the title is: "The Voyage Home", because it is a modern, 1980s, hilarious trip to Earth! It is the most relatable Star Trek film ever made for these reasons.

While films #1 and #2 are to catch the cast from the beginning, "The Voyage Home" continues very closely from film #3. Spot underwent a resurrection in the previous film, which explains why they check on his memory and regular behaviour in the sequel.

Something interesting just occurs to me! In the very new shows "Star Trek Discovery", the ship doctor and in "Star Trek Picard", Jean Luc Picard experienced the same thing! The environmental or artificial resources are different.

Man, do you ever have fun catching-up to do: anyone not into Star Trek yet. Just please start with original characters and cast to understand the root's flavour. I look forward to seeing you enjoy this detail, jocularity, and sharing: when you at last enter this topic.

Music is dear to my heart and is a fabulous way to get to know a friend or relative. "Who do you like" gives us conversation in common and tells us a little about each person. Some of my favourites since childhood, unchanged, are: Corey Hart, A-ha, and Chris DeBurgh.

I prefer pop, rock, and melodic dance music (not too robotic or programmed). I add many old and new artists all of the time and love introducing people likewise. Just like books: the age of publication doesn't matter. There are always gems to acquaint new.

Just for fun: I divide a line for old and new Madonna music after her "Bedtime Stories" album. That was new compared to replaying so many of her standards during a delay of anything new. But the album "Ray Of Light" ushered in a whole new sound and attitude. Madonna was growing and made us music to dance along with it.

Here at last, since we love conversing about it, is a place to rave about Star Trek: its beloved actors, iconic characters, and enthralling range of television shows and films. I dub "Star Trek - New" the range of shows and films starting with the remake films starring Chris Pine and onward.

There are so many options of new life surging into this fan world, there is plenty of space (see what I did there) to divide it into old and new categories! I love Chris Pine and crew, love "Star Trek Discovery", and was unprepared to be so blown away by "Star Trek Picard". I intend to blog about this wealth of new adventures to accompany visually.

Thankfully, the futuristic, new territory of "Star Trek Discovery" season 3 was filmed long ago. I don't know why premiering it delayed so long. I only understood that they wanted the newest show, "Star Trek Picard", to air with some time in between them.

Here at last, since we love conversing about it, is a place to rave about Star Trek: its beloved actors, iconic characters, and enthralling range of television shows and films. I dub "Star Trek - Old" the range of all the shows and films: starting with the "Original Series" and stopping after "Star Trek Enterprise".

Since we love to converse about it so much, including in relation to literature: here is a place to dive in on favourite actors, films, and general celebrity news. Mixed or brief remarks work well here. If you foresee talking about a film a lot, go ahead and make its title or series name a topic.

Oh, the rest of our conversation is here! That is nice! Yes, Brendan Fraser is out of sight and we have discovered, he is sadly part of the "me too" Hollywood abuse, among men. I think he spoke up before this helpful movement and got blackballed. I may be mistaken. You didn't see "The Mummy" and other movies, ironically with Dwayne Johnson, just when he stopped being called "The Rock"?

I am a "Jumanji" fan too but Lord, do I have to make film and TV conversation threads, haha! Well, this all ties into Jules Verne. Did you not see "Back To The Future III", where Doc's kids are named after him? I agree with your Dad that anything can be called a classic, if it is beloved popular culture. My Dad loves films and music too.

We have exactly four milkweed plants there, so no worries, haha! We will be lucky if there are leaves left before they flower. My one question right now (until I have your e-mail) is: do they weave their cocoons right on those plants, or go elsewhere after they have eaten enough? The dwindling space can't last, can it?

Spirit leaps at butterflies wherever he sees them around. Sadly a "kill because it moves" behaviour. I hope that doesn't extend to eating them but I don't think so. I have found deceased, dear dragonflies. I will watch and deter Spirit as much as always.

I think our terrain must not be ideal for milkweed if it is new and sparse. What do they prefer? We are clay, sand, and marsh. I think bought seeds finally worked out. Don't worry, we would not pick special wildflowers like that.

Our girl, Petal, nibbles on the odd houseplant but it isn't a worry. There is rhubarb with giant leaves at our back door and neither Petal nor anyone has interest in it; also toxic. I will be vigilant around the milkweed too: if the caterpillars leave anything!

I suspect Petal is only interested in greenery when she is indoors. Her sister, Angel, is a bad one for peeing in plants during the winter, as if she misses using soil in the great outdoors. Cats are fun and intelligent, with their own personalities, which you have the gift of witnessing too.

How long is the caterpillar period? There were 4 at first, then they disappeared and I hoped birds didn't grab them. A day or so later, I saw tiny ones. Now a week or so after, there are 6 big ones. Are they the tiny ones already grown-up? I will let them live their own life cycle. I don't know what their eggs look like.

Yes, buddy reads in my small experience anyway, is about reading as you usually would. Pop in when you have time to say: "I made it to this page" and remark on something generic, until we see where everyone else is. Then we know which scenes it is not a spoiler to discuss. Wouldn't you say so, Kerri? Just let us know when you have the novel. We can easily read books on our own until then. We are going back to the 1800s here! Science fiction is rare for me but the movie has made me very keen.

Yes, I knew Michael J. Fox was in "Homeward Bound". My Mom had "The Incredible Journey" and you can bet that a short time after Conan disappeared, I needed to hear about 3 pets getting home. That they were only away a month does little to hearten me. Their success through the vast Ontario wilderness, worse than the nothingness west of us, is very heartening.

Just a note that I referred to Christopher Walken of "Blast From The Past" and "The Dead Zone"; not Christopher Lloyd. Again, I wonder about your age. I like knowing at what stages new friends fit into my life but also, why you only saw the "Back To The Future" trilogy so recently.

Yes, I knew full well that 2015 was "Back To The Future Day" and celebrated it! The second film is my least favourite because it is a carbon copy of most of the first. My brothers, cousin, and I know this trilogy by heart: my favourite of all time. Any of us could be a stand-in for any role in it and would leap at it gladly!

I will have a look at "Heartland" again soon and it repeats all the time. As long as I get outside for a while today. We are beginning to be able to pick our garden food! It has been herbs, salad, kale, and Swiss chard. It was peas and yellow beans for the first time: today, green beans.

I have wrestled with whether or not our neighbours are uncaring, or you know how you have had the same problem with someone for so long, they think you are just picky? I wish I felt comfortable having a clearer conversation with the ones on our east side. We hear every sound the dogs make: therefore move where you cage them, or bring them in the house quickly.

The ones on our west are trying to save a buck. They know an anti-bark training collar will do the trick but instead of seing where they can rent, or asking their sons to buy one as a gift; they left it at "can't afford it". It has gotten better on both sides and I have learned to have gratitude for every positive thing.

Jules Verne is the huge French author who not only wrote "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" but "10,000 Leagues Under The Sea", "Mysterious Island", and "Around The World In 80 Days". Kerri & I are huge Michael J. Fox and "Back To The Future" fans. You may recall Jules Verne being mentioned in the third film and indeed, Doc Brown and his wife naming their sons after this author!

You can get Jules Verne at any second-hand store and thrift shop but it is touch and go to find such places open, even in Manitoba. The minute I find out a few are open, I am bringing a mask and having a heyday.

Thank you for sharing your vacuum story. I need neighbours like that: where you say something once and they are immediately respectful. We have had hugely intrusive disturbances from a child of each dog family too. Yes, it is better than it used to be on all counts. In the city, you have to monitor your noise and you had a caretaker, building owner, and city laws to back you up if the lady had not been nice to deal with.

Our animal control law is new and only covers disturbance by dogs. How do you ask someone: don't they think their 9 year-old has grown-up enough to never again shriek every time she goes outside? The kids on the other side moved and I pray he doesn't blast a guitar amplifier ever again when he visits. Turn the speaker away from us was all we asked. In the country, people think it is the land of "do whatever you want". No, we are a community of neighbours affected by sounds the same way. Who doesn't let in a dog that wants to go inside anyway?

The whole personal story I told about saving the personal records he stressful week Conan went missing: imagine coming home from that important rescue mission, to find a baby missing? All I wanted to do was relax, after saying good-bye to our family home and feeling uncomfortably racing to save what should be. The ability to breathe right has been put on hold for a long time.

Your Great-Grandma would be pleased that your family values the wealth of personal records she persevered in making and storing for you. You know the work it took me, nearly alone in 6 days, to sort through everything to save what was important or useful.

You gave your impressions on "Anne Of Green Gables". Let us know if you have comments about what Kerri or I wrote. For example, I think it was overmuch for Marilla & Anne to be rendered poor, on top of losing Matthew. There could be great sequels of stories without making an excuse, as I deem this, to keep Anne in Avonlea.

Kerri made a remarkable point about not needing to worry about spoiling an orphan. I added: especially a child so clearly appreciative of everything. The natural reaction, without her good attitude, is to pamper an orphan to make up for years of going without. I think it was a mistake by Maud in portraying realistic human nature. Kerri does not. I think the added drama about a bank tanking with their funds was excessive. You and Kerri let me know. Authors aren't perfect. :)

Hi Leeanne! I am happy to share our road to vegetarianism, which started after the ascension of my childhood cat 14 years ago. It is a great story and I will make another topic folder for it.

Because I am in the minority against euthanasia, I am careful that no one interprets any intent to debate. The majority view is prevalent enough. Thanks for asking for mine. Our issue is people being so automatic about it, they assume it is the way pets "have to" die. It demonstrates a frightening lack of it occurring to them, that natural death knows when to arrive all by itself. There are a few rare situations I might respect. But this act is not conducted with rarety.

9 times out of 10, this decision rears in occasions when people would not decide the same with a human relative. Homeless or unidentified animals. The birth of offspring. The inferior, disposable attitude that is allowed by law, is what bothers us terribly. A life is a life; we merely have different roles, needs, and goals. We say: "If we would not order the death of a daughter or son, we will not with a pet".

I was disgusted by a guy where I worked, who ordered the killing of a cat they had had for years, just because his son had grown allergic! This is family: you deal, or rehome as an absolute last resort. A loved-one is not disposable!

A former friend of mine ended the life of a cat who thought of her as a Mother, for hissing and growling at her new husband, in their new house. She "had tried everything" and wouldn't give Sylvester to the friend who offered, because "he might bite the children". Death over "might"? I wouldn't blame the poor dear if he did bite: he was distressed! We overlook worse in humans! The hearty pre-teens didn't care if they "might" be bitten and have several cats. I wanted nothing to do with her again.

"Heartland" is on our satellite dish daily and the one I saw, had a husband and wife arguing over the usefulness of acupuncture. Meanwhile, a little girl did a jump race and fainted afterwards. It may have been from 2015. I see why Chris Potter left the "Good Witch" series: he is busy there!

Reading novels would be a longer investment of focus. I would rather catch another show on the satellite dish. I did see the aspect of a woman giving horses alternative therapy. If it is usually about alternative therapy helping horses, I would enjoy that, if it isn't "will they make it" in every episode.

I know what you mean about catching the wrong introduction and I am nothing, if not fair. :) If it isn't for me, that doesn't make me less proud that it is a lovely depiction of priarie Canada. Well, Alberta differs from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which is why I treasure shows that depict us, even more sparingly. The rest is in the next comment box.

Hi Leeanne & Kerri! I would like to start "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" after the book I am reading. Above, I estimated by Monday. But if "The Westing Game", which I savoured and bought new, is my cup of clue-solving tea like I hear it is, I would excitedly finish it quickly. I am thrilled you want to join us, Leeanne. Let us know when you can obtain a print or e-copy.

Kerri, I said I was surprised by how much I liked the sequel with Dwayne Johnson, since Brendan did not continue as the Dad protagonist. I specified that it looked like it was going to be silly (giggling pecs). Brendan had stopped acting due to being blackballed by Hollywood, for speaking up about past above, if I understand correctly. Leeanne, I have no idea of your age but he is a well-known Canadian star, with a place on the Walk Of Fame in Toronto. He did all those "Curse Of The Mummy" action films, even though he is the cuddly, comedic type.

American Christopher Walken is a huge mega star, one of the greats. My favourite of his is in "The Dead Zone" by Stephen King but he is famous for so much stuff that not all of it is my cup of tea. Sometimes a hero, sometimes a bad guy; he can play anything. He is in one of the most famous "Saturday Night Live" classic skits ever made; which even I know, who never watches that show. Look up the expression "More cowbell"! Even Howard Walowitz immitated Christopher Walken during one of the D&D game nights on "The Big Bang Theory". Anyway, that scene in "The Dead Zone" chills me, the way he screams. The protagonist (I have and must read Stephen's novel) can tell envision an important part of a past or future by touching someone. A man insists on sending kids outside to play hockey on an iffy day. Christopher's cry is a poignant movie moment: "The ice is going to break!!!"

Yes, you guys should easily find "Blast From The Past" anywhere really. I never think of downloading from the internet because I can't have things like Netflix and YouTube would just be too much for the slowest internet speeds of dial-up. I would buy the blu-ray from Amazon Canada. But if you can grab it on-line like Kerri is, do Leeanne. I am glad your Mom loves it. I am sure my parents saw it too; just the sort of good-hearted, creative film we love. The protaonist is like an eager newborn baby exploring the world for the first time, who is suprisingly skilled at all kinds of things you don't expect; thanks to his parents not wasting time in that underground shelter under all their years of quarantine. :-) Feel good fiction at the max and yes, Kerri: perfectly timely to be inspiring right now! I must look at the price of that blu-ray.

Sorry about the horses in the rain, Kerri. We are having rain again but need it. It means no threat of forest fire and our garden being taken care of for us, instead of using the hose, less adequately than rain amounts to. The tadpole and minnow ditch is full again.

I meant to tell you Ron recognized Monarch caterpillars and milkweed plants outside this very office window. I get to witness them working in their various stages, for the first time! The plants, without flowers yet, had not been there before but knowing they weren't weeds, I left them. Suddenly Ron recognized them. We tried planting milkweed a few years ago and I guess it can be awhile before they take. One cat kills butterflies but fortunately, this is a northwest house corner that he and all the cats seldom use.

The mention of Canada's Brendan Fraser supplies me with a nice segue into a recommendation and inspiring conversation that I have been very eager to propose. During a time of a world quarantine, there is no more relatable movie than: "Blast From The Past"! It also stars Christopher Walking and Sally Fields as the parents.

How many of you know this film? It is about an American family in the 1960s, when a threat of war spurred many to build backyard bomb shelters: steel rooms stocked with years of food, medical supplies, and amenties. The scientist Father believed that the ground would be contaminated by a bomb for about 25 years and set a timer to lock them in. There was no war but a crashed aeroplane scared them into taking residence.

One aspect of this California film really makes it a compelling conversation piece about what to do with time. It is quite a study in the human ability to focus and learn, if we give ourselves that chance. The Mother goes into a 25-year quarantine pregnant. Their son has never seen the Earth! He learns about the sky and the ocean from books!

It is enthralling to watch the Mom teach the boy manners and etiquette and professional dancing. It is invigorating to watch the Dad teach him German. This is the perfect film to demonstrate for us plainly: what can we learn, now that we have ample time?

It need not be all YouTube videos. We can put aside our computers and develop skills for ourselves. Reading more of my books, all physical copies, is one thing I do. Food and flower gardening is another. We finished them, including my flowerbeds. Rain came right afterwards and all of those seeds are set in motion!

This is an invitation to members and future friends, to join us with Jules Verne's classic story! I am going to read a couple of other novels before I begin. I will slate "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" for after the week-end. If you have a copy, can obtain it, or already read it: please jump in anytime.

I enjoyed the Brendan Fraser (Canadian!) film and was surprised to like the Dwayne Johnson sequel years later, which I thought was going to be too silly. It is high time that I try on the classic novel itself for size!