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

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

I see that I replied to all the personal and show business parts of message #20. There is only one paragraph from Kerri to complete.

>I loved the way Anne grew and matured without losing her uniqueness or her dreaminess. I was so upset when Matthew died but it warmed my heart greatly when Marilla finally told Anne that she loved her. And by the end Anne was allowed her fashionable dresses, with no complaint! I had no recollection of her further schooling.

I was sad Matthew died and wish I knew if I would have been surprised; health problems that were mentioned. A Goodreads review divulged a year or so ago, that something sad went on with him, which was obvious. I spent the whole book wondering when it might occur. A 1908 book to be a blank slate for nearly all my life so far! I only ever saw one TV show about Diana imbibing wine. The hair dye; doesn't it wear out? Why cut the hair? Is short hair better than green hair? Go punk, girl! ;> After I read the first 3 books, which should be the major stories, I will be open to watching shows or films.

Marillia disappointed me a few times. The first was delaying telling Anne they would keep her. You also got the sense that it was to avoid a sour lady than a desire to adopt a daughter! The reader always knows she cares about and then loves Anne but thinks you are supposed to avoid spoiling with flattery. Had that era not heard of self-esteem? False flattery is a different thing. Self-worth comes starts with loving, affirming parents.

If I had children, I would refuse the "ferber method", however you spell it; a child crying in bed. My parents agree, who hated being pushed to try it with me in the 1970s, that a child should receive the message: "If I cry, you will come". People worry that this is why some children are reluctant to sleep on their own for awhile. So what, if it takes longer to spend a night alone and there may well be other causes! They are babies! The message you never want to give a baby, child, or person is that they will not be answered if they cry. To this day as an adult; if Ron upsets me, I feel unsettled until we sort it out. The upset does not diminish; perhaps the adverse effect of "ferber training"!

I love your review, Kerri, which seems to be from 2018 about how these stories are relatable to real life. Conversations about life can arise from any part of them. As I said in my review, waiting to find out if Anne won each educational entry and scholarship was so thrilling, I was on the edge of my seat!

Another interesting twist is Matthew being more in tune with fashion that Marilla. He noticed that the other school girls dressed differently than Anne and knew it was wrong. We should be unique and dreamy all of our lives, like you said. But we want to participate in society's reasonable, dignified traditions. Spirit faith is important to all of us but religions that require a certain dress for example; I always feel isolates people from the mainstream visually. If kids are wearing jeans, let them wear jeans. Heck, if Anne wanted puffed sleeves so much, what ever stopped Marilla from making them?

The only place Matthew let us down was not being bright about moving their funds, as soon as a bank hinted at instability. Loyalty to the original CEO was foolhardy and irresponsible. I did not like that ending to the story. It was sad enough that Matthew died. For them to be broke, when this was finally an olden days story about people who were comfortable set, let the wind out of my sails.

And threefold, Anne can't use her university scholarship in order to help their income. I hope she returns to university another year. However, my overall delight concluded in an easy five stars from me.

Drat, I keep writing the incorrect titles because I own the three of Jules Verne's that we have been anticipating. I just remembered where my 1965 paperback fo "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" is and am happy to report that it does not contain the word "abridged". It is the tiny sort of book that you could find during that time period, shorter in height than standard paperback length. However, its 316 pages should be the complete story.

I have "Around The World In 80 Days" too. Our selection works out well and gives me time to find the complete story of "10,000 Leagues Under The Sea". They are a dime a dozen in any thrift store, when we can go to them again. I did not realize I lacked an adequate version. A book about ocean life would be nice during southeastern Manitoba's heat wave, nearly +35C daily. But the rain is here and I should be cooled off enough to read about the Earth's core, haha!

Thank you for wishing me a happy Canada Day. :) When is New Zealand's birthday? I ordered "The Westing Game" new from Amazon Canada for only $8.90 CDN. It was a must, because it is the clue-solving type of REAL mystery (not a crime case) that enthuses and thrills me. I am still reading about Candian gardens and special nature locations, which I am sharing with Ron in his lawnchair as we speak.

I will curl up with "The Westing Game" and "Aunt Dimity And The Deep Blue Sea" soon. There is another way to feel cooled down, before flying into the core with you. Meanwhile, you are finishing the awesome "The House With A Clock In Its Walls" and another two books, it looks like. Wait a minute: you already read "Artemis Fowl"?

I propose we start our first choice, the much overdue "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan, in the second week of July. After the Canadian reading challenge ends every June 30th, I have made a good push for Canadian literature, which makes me keen to read something else afterwards.

There are a few pretty Canadian photo albums that I started but decided not to rush for the 2019 challenge session. I am going to finish those, then I am eager for a couple of novels I know I will love. Highest on my list are "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin, which is on your list but which I don't guess you own. My next novel might be "Aunt Dimity And The Deep Blue Sea" by Nancy Atherton.

After the brief Canadian landscape albums and a few mysteries, I will be ready for classic or literary fare again and authors new to me. Following "The Joy Luck Club", I am keen on "10,000 Leagues Under The Sea" but notice today that I have an abridged copy. Does that matter? Does that make it much shorter? Key components would have to be in it.

If you have your "Artemis Fowl" copy, that might be fun after them, because the movie is out. It will be nice to clean up on some famous works I must read and also to take a swim in a modern science fiction or spy adventure pool for a change! Happy to have a friend with whom to read, Carolyn. HAPPY CANADA DAY!

First: HAPPY CANADA DAY to everyone, July 1st!

Now, for some "Anne Of Green Gables" discussions, before going to bed to read "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin, 1978. This is on your wish list, Kerri but you might not have it. This is a busy week but one discussion is due, starting with Kerri's comments in message #17 on June 25. My review is finished today, which I hope incites discussions there too! :-) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

>I do wonder that she appears to have nothing of her past life.

Did you mean mementoes, photos, and recards? She certainly has information about her parents and I never doubted that there was any subterfuge. I thought Anne was very fortunate for being raised mostly by a cleaning woman, who had known her and her family every day. She knew all about her folks. Was there anything you wanted to learn about? Perhaps we will, when we leisurely explore the other books. :)

>In most places it was quite hard to adopt a child if you weren't married.

I am certain this proprietal standard was not about marital pairs running a household. Agencies avoided adopting to single men and women. Marriage, although the popular sort of couple, was not required precisely. Just not two bachelors or bachelorettes.

I don't think Matthew and Marilla were compartmentalising a daughter differently from a son. It was about a sofa not being fitting for a girl. They would have loved any child they adopted. I think they viewed the adoption for what it was in concert with that: giving a needed home to someone who could use help. I do think we found out early enough that Matthew and Marilla were siblings. What took until the end of the book was details about Green Gables. It was their parents'.

>Interesting to consider the things that were omitted from The Bible, often choices made by people in power who would benefit from it. I recently read The Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom which follows a lawyer working during the reign of King Henry VIII.

This is a giant conversation by itself for another time. Please peek at my review of "The Jesus Mystery" by Janet Bock or "The Mystical Life Of Jesus" by Sylvia Browne. I caught-up on book reviews to hand in for the Canadian reading challenge that ends today and renews on Canada Day! When I have time for other books, still having our flowerbeds to plant at this hardiness zone 3 deadline, there is a fictional novel of topical interest to review.

"Mythos Christos" by Edwin Herbert, 2006. Iis about suppressed information about Christianity. His fictional story portrays Jesus not having been on Earth and I don't agree with that. But it includes information about Greek and Roman sun Gods being repurposed by own Son of God.

You bring up another great subject. I know a lot about the thin line of erroneous translating because I was a second, third, and fourth language student throughout school and university.

>I love that your parents let you do that! It's lovely to have memories like that to cherish.

My first Corey Hart concert in 1986 and it was surreal indeed! So was his appearance in 1996 and 1998. Although distracted by Mom being sick that night, it was emotional and wonderful to see Corey again in 2019. I listed several of his hit singles in a recent reply and hope you have heard of them.

>I agree, it's a sweep you away kind of book, interesting how exciting it feels given that it's a very simple story in many ways.

You are the friend mentioned in my review, with whom I agree Anne's personal wishes and triumphs sweep us away; not matter that they aren't adventure stories. By now, I'll bet you loved seeing her and Diana herself, befriending the Aunt Josephine she thought was crochety. Yes, the simplicity of triumphs and goals is vivid and life like indeed. Sure, Prince Edward Island would be wonderful to visit. If you come across the ocean, don't forget "friendly Manitoba", where you have a friend! :-)

Finally for this first section contributed by you, Kerri: I agree that I love a person whose personality shares clear enthusiasm for likes and dislikes. I know a lady in my town who doesn't have a favourite singer, actor, or TV show. It drives me nuts, as being too generic and "blah", that she only listens to the radio and information talk shows. You know a person best if they have a favourite singer, actor, author, film, or TV show! Thanks to these very things, I am making wonderful friends.
Yours, Carolyn on the even of Canada's birthday.

Hi Leeanne: happy camping to you. Your travelling wi-fi is faster than our home dial-up internet. Do wish us happy gardening! I am too hot to do much today (+35C!) but Ron accomplished a lot. A chance to catch up is fine with me.

If "no one you know" watched past the first two series: they aren't fans! It is not other series lack depth and excellence. There is a Star Trek for everyone's moods but real fans try them all out! :-) "Voyager" was my favourite but Ron & I really enjoyed "Enterprise" afterwards, however briefly and less its cast gelled together. However, "Deep Space 9" was emotional in a whole other way and brought mystical lore into it.

Do you watch the new "Discovery" too? We are more excited about it with every season. I was hardly interested in "Picard" but it blew our minds. It ties all of the previous cast members who are still alive, together; including from "Voyager"! It is timely: about prejudice igniting fear and war, of synthetic life; Commander Data's android types.

Maud's autobiography is entitled "The Alpine Path: The Story Of My Career" 1917. I want to hear your butterfly story someday, Leeanne: how you ended up raising butterflies. If you prefer to e-mail, it is: RiedelFascination(at)Gmail(dot)com. Drive and camp safely!

Kerri and all interested parties: I am keen to read this long-awaited book anytime beginning in July, that you like. I am nuts to read non-Canadian books every time the previous year's reading challenge ends in June. I will treat myself to a few new books or others I am excited about first. Let me know when "The Joy Luck Club" might fit in with books you are enjoying. Likewise for "A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth".

Very happy to have you, Leeanne! Please don't say any more about Maud. I have her autobiography and will read it soon. I love knowing the personal connection with your parents and yourself. Getting to know friends is why we start conversations about literature, televsion, and animal love like we three have.

I wonder where you got the idea "Voyager" wasn't popular. It was huge: I followed it from the day it aired and it is one of my top favourites. I always say there are people who only watched the original series and "The Next Generation"; not because the other shows weren't popular or as good. It is because folks who only watch those two aren't big fans, haha!

I haven't mentioned the later series to let our island girl get her feet wet. :) Kerri, it occurred to me in bed last night (I look forward to these conversations) that you could watch the three seasons of "Enterprise" any time. It is the last show until recently but it depicts the crew before Captain Kirk; when a space travel program was starting. Begin with the 6 original films as we said. Then watch "Enterprise" or "The Next Generation". It will be fun to find out if you watch release or timeline order!

Kerri, you confirmed that you have a three-book boxset like me but I was curious about when. After planning to read it with me, or recently anyway? I am thrilled you know of Corey Hart: that is good enough! He has lived in Nassau, Bahamas, for years with his family and his children took tennis lessons in Florida, USA after they got older. He has tons of hits. I know the feeling about recognizing songs, except that I always want to know who it is and where they are from. "Never Surrender", "Boy In The Box", "Eurasian Eyes", "Black Cloud Rain", "She Got The Radio", "Sunglasses At Night", "Dancing With My Mirror", "Dreaming Time Again" (most recent).

I figured you would mention the coutroom drama in which David Schwimmer plays Mr. Kardashian and here he rocked but I am not interested either. I am excited, however, to note the other film you mentioned. Yes, I know the opera singer film was called something like "Florence Foster Jenkins" and need to urging: it has been high on my Amazon Canada wish list for a year or more!

I have seen Matthew Perry in several other things and am happy that as per interviews, he is naturally funny and intelligent as his Chandler character reflects. Exactly like Mike Fox truly is funny, intelligent, and well-spoken. I hope you enjoyed the story of Matthew's upbringing in Ottawa, with his Mom working for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. :)

I think I covered the fun segues. Next time, I will answer book messages 17, 20, 22. It is lovely to have Leanne's memories of loving it. Perhaps you will read the other two with us. I like a palate-cleanse between authors and Kerri seems to agree. By August I will want to read the second book, perhaps sooner because my brother asked me if my niece may have them. The second three-book boxset can wait and be a future treasure.

One more fun addition: I saw something awesome very recently, on something like a food for America fundraising telethon. In a live show, hosted by Jack Black: Ben Stiller, Courtney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow solve a series of clues and challenges to get out of a massive escape room studio! It was great to see them working together and I love Ben Stiller and Jack Black we well.

I will return soon, even if it isn't today. The Canadian reading challenge's year ends on June 30th, because as Kerri might know, Canada Day is July 1st. I finished "Ghosts Of The Titanic" with Marigold in bed this morning and will breeze through another brief nature book or two, then review them in time to submit to Shonna's blog.

Most importantly, Ron & I need to get cracking on planting flowerbed flowers so that we don't miss Manitoba's season for them to bloom and flourish long enough. This ain't New Zealand, haha. Sincerely, Carolyn.

It is my pleasure to reply to you, Kerri. I wonder if there was a note I didn't see. I didn't know anyone had ascended. I am sorry. Did you know him like a Grandpa? My Mom's Grandma had a second husband who existed all her life and was her Grandpa. I hope this gentleman whom you honoured yesterday was not married to the Grandma who is grieving a kitty. She needs all the joy she can have right now. I hope you gave her my respects and do the same for this step-Grandpa.

I will separate our general conversation from our book discussion. The personal part first here. Later, I will reply to both of your messages about "Anne Of Green Gables".

I am curious if you know of Corey Hart, Canada's "Justin Bieber" of the 1980s and early 1990s? I saw him for the fourth time last year. My Mom had bad pneumonia and it was a scary but healing night. I was overjoyed to tell her about it after the concert let out and cherish one of the most beautiful, laughing visits we ever had. I was practically a baby when I first saw Corey. On his second visit: my parents joined me! They heard me play his records often enough that they are fans. :)

I am surprised and thrilled you have seen the Simon Helberg film that I haven't bought yet! It goes as low as $10 CDN at Amazon.ca but not when prices were low on books I was ready to buy, so I will wait for the blu-ray to drop again. We get free Canadian shipping at $35 CDN of new items. I am glad you & I favour Matthew Perry too. He was born in the US but grew up in Ottawa, Canada's capital, where his Mom worked for Justin Trudeau's Dad! On the episode in which Phoebe tried to teach Joey French, I was thinking: "You know French, Matthew"! Lisa Kudrow did the pronunciation and flavour of the language extremely well. I like and admire her, just not her character in early seasons. She produces the US version of the ancestry show "Who Do You Think We Are", which I love. My Mom & I are passisionate about personal history. I love David Schwimmer's character and acting too, as you know and must see more with him.

I wondered what you meant by "bread" because I didn't recall mentioning toast or anything. I sometimes eat a bun outside in a lawnchair. However, I revisited my conversation and see that I shared baking my special, delicious pumpkin loaves! I am no breadmaker. These are something easy to do, which we use with our abundance of home-grown pumpkins. We vegetarians often use squash vegetables in dishes in lieu of meat, like pastas and Ron's vegetarian lasagne. But they make great desserts too.

Yes, it is easier and a sufficent summary, to introduce yourself to the original Star Trek by watching their 6 films. Haha, I have to laugh at your note "someone named Bones". I am glad there are New Zealand actors for you to be proud of. You see my Canadian pride loud and clear too. But "someone named Bones", is the doctor of the original Star Trek show and one of the captain's best friends! Dr. Leonard McCoy is the most famous and important regular character, after Captain Kirk and Spok!

After them, the other regular, important, and endeared characters are communications officer Nyota Uhura, played by the beautiful, black Nichelle Nichols. Montgomery Scott is the engineer famous for the saying I hope not to hear again ("Beam me up, Scotty") and beloved Asian pilot Hikaru Sulu, played by George Takei. This actor, William Shatner, and Nichelle Nichols (now age 87!) are alive from this 1960s cast.

Watch up to film 6 and begin "The Next Generation" show, with Patrick Stewart. You will be hooked. When you finish this show, watch the other four films. The first, film 7, combines both of the casts. Then, you are ready for "Deep Space 9": with black captain, Benjamin Sisko. This one is a wormhole guarded by a Star Fleet space station, instead of a show about a travelling ship. You meet a lot of new aliens and their planets on this show, in a place where all this new culturalism congregates.

I often edit if I see a typo, or words that bump to a line by themselves. I don't like it visually and shorten something. You returned right away upon my first draft. Would you mind re-reading message #16 to see the new things I added? That is easier than cutting & pasting the new parts into a new comment box. I love the conversation you added! I will reply to your message #17 after you have seen the #16 inserts.

We differ in "The Big Bang Theory". I love the dynamics a baby brings to Leonard and Penny. They are wonderful with each other. It is about time Amy paid attention to style. This is coming from a Manitoban, who dresses for environmental comfort (hot, cold, mosquitoes, horseflies). I cannot stand Rajish; even more than I dislike Bernadette’s "Look, I am cute. Now, I am yelling". She reminds me of Miss Piggy. Rajish is useless on the show. The actor is a sweet person but his chattiness is annoying in real life too. If you pair him in an interview with someone quiet, like the greatly talented Simon Helberg; Simon hardly speaks and he is the one I am keen to hear!

It is neat to see how shy he is and what a wonderful actor the opposite personality makes him. The episodes where he does famous impressions blow Ron & I away. I must buy the blu-ray of his film with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, which looks hilarious. I will follow anything Simon does.

Howard, Leonard, Sheldon, Amy are wonderful protagonists. I would replace Rajish and Penny. Bernadette normalizes Howard, gets and loves him. He becomes a fabulous husband and Dad and completely mature, instead of a giggolo.

On "Friends", I found Joey useless and only liked Phoebe gradually, notably the David stories. I could not watch the early episodes where she cleared her throat. I favour this cast in this in order easily: Matthew Perry (Canadian!), David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox. I think I left you a note in another conversation that I met Courtney Cox early in her career, on one trip of a lifetime to California.

The original Star Trek, memorable and ground-breaking, can be cheesy because the demeanour and technology are old (Bill Shatner is Canadian!). I have not seen many. I recommend dipping your toe in with the films, featuring the original cast. Stop at “Undiscovered Country”, the last of them alone. Then watch a few old episodes, or begin with “The Next Generation”, in 1987.

Boredom or lack of relatability should not be the way you are introduced. The films are a wonderful and short way to make this pioneer cast’s acquaintance. Don’t confuse their films with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, who remake the characters and premises. They are fabulous but save them for later.

Did you see message #14? If chatting runs to a good length, I separate the book conversation. From now on, perhaps I can leave you to look for more than one paragraph. I guess I wait through the time difference in anticipation again, to know if you have replies or additions to the conversation in message #14.

I am at page 272. With Ron en route to work and the cats settled from the breakfast they have with him, I am returning to bed with this book! Yesterday, I baked the loaves that our company didn't need on Father's Day and delighted Ron. I am having a piece with coffee now: mmmm!

Yes, Anne is a wonderful character like you said: funny, morally strong, intelligent, not prissy. She is wholly relatable. A lot of "scrapes" came of Marilla not saying she reused a bottle of some ingredient, or laying her scarf atop her brooch. Yes, the writing is exquisite. I wondered how much my 9 year-old niece would observe and enjoy. I am glad you loved this as a 10 year-old. I wonder what you picked out at the time.

It was fun talking about shows. "Modern Family" just ended this year, therefore all of the kids are grown. The only "nearly" is Lily, who started as a baby! She is a full teen. Even little Luke and Manny, are in university or at jobs at least. Hailey unfortunately married to Dylan, whom I loathed. However, Alex finally has the science professor whom I like best but it is annoying that we don't get to continue on, watching them together. I did not take to the personality of Joe, Gloria's and Jay's little son. I loved Adam Devine and can't believe a young actor would leave a show that is so good.

Shows often work out their best storylines when ending. In "The Big Bang Theory", I was tired of Bernadette yelling at Howard and playing bossy girl and was bored with Penny's jokes about Leonard not being cool, or not relating to his science and private interests. The had a few episodes about her being nicer. Then, in the final few episodes, what do we find? Perhaps I had better leave it for you to watch. I thought the whole world watched the finales of this popular show. But even Amy improves her wardrobe; they covered everything! I did love the whole courtship suite of "Friends" shows with Mike, Phoebe (whom I generally liked little), and David. Paul Rudd has done well.

Ron & I have our Star Treks and plenty of them. We love the new "Discovery" and are nuts about seeing what futuristic or time-travel wonders season 3 brings. But we were mind-blown at how good, emotional, and nostalgic "Picard" is. The whole word who had the smallest interest in any of the Star Treks watched that. It brought the well-known franchise full circle, while "Discovery" is exciting for being unknown and new.

Now to follow-up your reply: we easily agree that biology ought to have nothing to do with loving someone firmly, in regards to the former Mrs. Thomas. Gosh, she knew Anne from birth and it was precious that she could be told all about her parents and their house for eight years. Were there photographs and mementoes?

We understand Mrs. Hammond giving Anne up after two years, when her own children were redistributed as a result of her husband's passing. You will find Anne's experience with their three times triplets was very fortunate, further than being a funny comment. What I don't get is Marillia not showing attachment. Moments come when she knows how much she loves Anne and shows humour more often. I like her a bit more at each such advancement. But it pissed me off that she said nothing in response to Anne pointing out their anniversary.

An odd thing for me that maybe made it odd for Marilla and Matthew to act as parents, was discovering that they are siblings instead of spouses! It is fine for siblings, relatives, and friends to make homes together but I have not heard of anyone but spouses adopting children; unless they thought of their adoption as an employee for hire. It would be hard to call siblings Mom & Dad.

Canada didn't have slavery or indentured servitude, except possibly contracts finished out by British here, before we became a nation of our own. I don't think our orphanages were of the poorhouse or workhouse type in England. However, you must be right that they were full or instituionally bland and children were released anywhere they could be.

Marilla was a christian but not rigid. That was Mrs. Barry's tack, until help from Anne put her in high favour. That religion generally and to this day, recommends no boasting or vanity. I am even aware in non-fiction and fiction I have read recently, that Emperor Contantine directed which books went and did not go into the gospel, published by him in 365 AD. He wanted only sections that portrayed Jesus as suffering and having no fun; something you noticed.

Marillia was only concerned about being humble and not speaking ill of others. Her silly personality kept Anne in plain dresses. I have seen no indication that Marillia and Matthew had a low income. Like all parents, Marilla was reluctant to let a 13 year-old go anywhere but begins to cautiously. I am awed that my parents let me, at that age, attend my first Corey Hart concert with only same-age friends! But it was the night of my life and like Anne, I drank it up and cherish it 100%.

My favourite incident and new character is the befriending of Diane's great-aunt Josephine Barry. I love the lesson about our approach changing someone's entire demeanour. Ron caught me asleep when Anne and Diana visit her in Charlottetown, the capital city. I am awed that without having a mystery, spirits, or magic: I am swept away by this book and excited to keep on reading.

Hi Kerri! That was a great goal but I remain at 250 pages. I treated myself to several "Friends" episodes last evening because I need comedy to end the hard year I have had. I prefer the late seasons of shows and they are our satellite dish's reruns lately. I won't tune in unless: on "Friends", Chandler & Monica are about to propose, it is after Leonard & Penny's wedding on "The Big Bang Theory", and at least the year 2016 on "The Goldbergs" and "Modern Family". I recently like "Fresh Off The Boat" and any era is a fresh treat for me.

So.... I fell asleep after a few pages last night. Ron's voice snapped me out of falling into a reverie that I could feel, still holding my book and asked me if I was awake. I said yes but closed the book. My reading glasses needed cleaning to see well at that hour and I wasn't going to get up to do that.

I told Ron that I will take a calming, soothing day today: I will garden a little and read a lot. I am enjoying this book so well, (except for Maud's terrible old-world reference to lunch as any word but lunch, the biggest peeve!), that I know I will want to finish it, unimpeded by sleeptime.

I have been chomping at the bit (you know horse expressions) that my main points in message #7 were missed, the one occasion you have time to comment. They remain my only ones, except to add one thing and to read whatever you propose to discuss when you have time. I am well past page 250 and might finish this wonderful book tonight.

I was astonished that Marilla didn't make a splash when Anne reminded her that it was their anniversary. When her only reply was sending Anne to borrow a sewing pattern through "the haunted wood", I thought it must be a ruse to prepare an anniversary surprise for her. I generally like Marilla but loathe her for that and the nonsense about only needed 3 plain dresses. Even Matthew could tell it wasn't right that Anne wasn't as fashionable as the other girls.

It is enjoyable to see spiritual openness indeed, even though Marilla is rigid about prayer being a certain way and church and Sunday school needing to be attended. My main questions are in message #7. I wonder what you think of those? Do indeed present thoughts that came to you as well, in your reading and which page you are at.

Before I finish preparing for company, one more note to mull over and everyone who wants to chat about "Anne Of Green Gables'" first book. About how attitudes and behaviour cannot be blamed on the times they are in. People have attitudes no wonder what the popular concensus is, or they don't.

I have read with pleasure to page 100 and will only continue tonight. Anne's impressions of her first time in church and Marilla's private reaction to them, admitting that the girl gave voice to things she has felt, were very heartening. Religion especially in older days, was about following the rules of religion and religious texts, instead of the heart of what spirituality ought to be for.

Anne, very perceptive, reported to Marilla that the minister spoke without passion. "As if God were so far away, that the minister hardly bothered to address Him". She had less good to say of the Sunday school teacher to whom she got assigned. For Maud as a lady in 1908 to write these observations, Anne to speak them, and Marilla to echo them, uplifts me. Religious robots and intolerance are not dependent upon modern times to be dispelled. I love knowing that people always knew where the heart and soul belonged.

I can offer a little start of impressions about this endeared book. I am glad you are taking your time. You seem to be a fast reader. I am at page 72. First, no Canadian I know called an orphanage "an asylum" but who knows what 1908 was like. I hope it is common-knowledge that Anne told us her history and Marilla and Matthew consented to keep her. If they had not, there was a chance of going to a grumpy lady, whom Anne would have dreaded. I do have comments about all of this.

First: didn't orphanes, no matter how full, check to ensure children go to loving people? Didn't they take it seriously if the fairly old child, herself, was against a candidate? Were they really allowed to be sent away as workers, instead of loved children in a family?

Secondly, in Anne's story, she said her parents had no relatives because they were from out-of-town. Was it hard to contact her relatives out of town?

A cleaning woman knew Anne since birth. But despite raising her from 3 months to 8 years, the lady's Mother refused to look upon her as family when times got tough and the cleaning lady and her biological children moved in with her? What kind of person doesn't consider a baby you raised, family? Thus, Anne ended up with another family from around their town. I understood them giving her up after two years, because this woman had to separate her own kids among relatives when times got tough.

I am glad to have family here on Earth and one of my parents. I will pamper Dad, my Uncle, and cousin who is a Dad. It is sad that we are in the same boat with our Moms ascending recently. We sure can understand and enjoy each other. Having my brother and sister-in-law over too will be nice. Cleaning and preparing is work for us, in a small house storing a lot of things but company gets us acting on it.

My other brother is in Toronto, a Dad himself. My niece wants my "Anne Of Green Gables" books it seems, hence I won't wait long before reading the next too, of my first of the 3-book sets. I like different authors cleansing my pallette between books.

I am glad you can join me and are excited! As I wrote above, this Canadian book is timely, not waiting for July. I am lucky to finish a chapter before I fall asleep, in the throes of major cleaning and some shared cooking and baking with Ron. We are welcoming rare company for Father's Day.

We like our house neat for family company, which is a challenge in a small size with lots of items from my Mom and planting peraphernalia packed-in. But my sister-in-law and uncle are seldom here and his son and Grandson are celebrating with us too. Uncle Fred's wife ascended to Heaven the year before, so both brothers are on their own. My cousin and his son have never seen our place, hence a good extra clean-up.

Also, I can't let this week-ends forecast electrical storms blow out another dial-up modem and can only go on-line if I don't hear much thunder. Relax with this, as I see Maude's book is worthy of and don't read fast. I am at page 47 and see why her writing is memorable: the skill and beauty are the first things I noticed!

I focus on Canadian authors and literature in June because it is when Shonna's reading challenge concludes. It runs according to Canada Day, July 1, to start anew. Therefore, I am free to begin reading L.M. Montgomery's famous novel today!

Please hop in to discuss any section I have completed each day. Yours sincerely, in the Manitoba rain, Carolyn.

I will finally read this Canadian classic novel. If you would like to join me: ready your copies! :) My guess is, most conversants will discuss this story by memory of having already read it.