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

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

Well, your "Pride And Prejudice" comment box is for discussing Jane Austen and tidbits you & I rolled out in that spot. Yes, it is handier to have a list posted in a topic for joint reading. Your eyes aren't playing tricks. I update it!

My young brother asked if I had L.M. Montgomery and if so, if I was willing to give her first book to his daughter from me. My niece at only age 9 has heard of and asked for "Anne Of Green Gables". I have 3-book boxsets and thus, am going to get grooving on the first novel. Being Canadian, I might start tomorrow. Do you have the series?

I am thrilled you are interested in Biruté's book, a Canadian among the trimates advocating for primates. I knew I needed to draw your attention to it when I saw the Fossey book on your wish list. I will wait for you on it, if you are enchanted enough to order it. This is one I doubt a second-hand New Zealand store would get in stock.

Here is my new list of books to read, starting in 2020. :)

Early in series: 1st Sue Grafton, 1st Nevada Barr, 1st Frances Fyfied, 1st solo novel in her name Frances Hegarty "Half Light", 4th David Handler, 1st P.D. James, 3rd Rex Stout.

Various: "Artemis Fowl" Eoin Colfer, "Pride And Prejudice", "The House Next Door" Anne River Siddons, "The Land Of Stories" Chris Colfer, "Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil", "All Creatures Great And Small", "Anne Frank, Diary Of A Young Girl", "Wuthering Heights", "Behind The Scenes At The Museum", "A Dry Spell" Susie Moloney, "The Winter People" Jennifer McMahon would be fun. I'll save that Phyllis A. Whitney hardcover for later. Haha.

Biographies: wildlife activist Biruté M.F. Galdikas "Reflections Of Eden", Kirk Douglas "My Stroke Of Luck", Goldie Hawn, Jeanne Cooper, Amy Poehler.

Yes, it is popular. I was introduced at a yard sale and found multiple copies until I picked my favourite condition. I am avoiding the film preview to go into the novel without the film's interpretive tone and without knowing what the story entails. I see you couldn't wait to read the "Harry Potter" début but if you were revisiting it, I am not deprived of another first-timer. ;)

I am glad you like the idea of being in this group, initially for the reading, because it is an ideal to transfer my reading list out of your "Pride And Prejudice" review link. Or if you keep it, at least not take up your review link with further conversation. It is nice to see I checked everything off my list in 2014 and to make a fresh list in 2020.

I will tell McCartney my Goodreads friend, Michelle, wishes him a happy birthday on his wonderful 20th today! Thank you for this! Ah, you have your Mom into your 50s: that is a gift. You seem northern, so you are returning whence you came?

Wow, that is a long-distance move. Closer to Manitoba. Thankfully, it is to a state or community that must be familiar. Everything that matters in your immediate circle is going with you! That is wonderful, Michelle, like things fall into place for all of you at ideal times, including your son's university! Yes, you shall be in our thoughts. Moving is a lot of work and you can be emotional about the home you are leaving, no matter what an upgrade the new choice is.

It was emotional leaving our apartment for this country house and land, also in August. Not only because we were giving up high-speed internet, hehe! Ron & I moved into our common-law union there, we obtained birthday boy McCartney there from my brother, at 3 years old. It was after our 21 year-old childhood cat lived her last year and died in bed at that apartment. Spirit, who looks like her, joined our family there. My bonds with places is strong. Our new life is exciting and a fresh, natural world.

sending positive energy your way...and hugs. ❤️

Michelle, you are so sweet and understanding as well. You are about my age. Do your parents still have lives on Earth? Yes, I impressed on people I comforted that it isn't done by saying "sorry" once. They will need checking on and possibly not begin to feel the loss and miss that loved-one until later, after the service ceremony. It makes a difference that you get this.

I invite you to read "The Joy Luck Club" with my friend, Kerri and I in July. Tell us which page or chapter you are at each day, so that we can discuss anything up to the chapter everyone has finished. If you already read books of our buddy reads, you are welcome to follow along or join our conversations. I am the hostess, Carolyn.

Saturday, June 13, is our dear McCartney's 20th birthday! That is a big deal for a cat, like turning 80 for people! It is highly possible and common but it is impressive and a blessing nonetheless. My Mom recently missed age 80 by 5 years and previously, our beige Love died from heart failure at barely age 4.

Our Marigold has been diagnosed with kidney failure at age 10 but thankfully is going strong. We are very excited to celebrate our McCartney Hendrix this Saturday and must share that! Here is a photo with him and one of our watermelons. Love, Momma Carolyn. https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

Please feel welcome to add personal topics that you would like to share and photos in the group photo album too. Birthdays, difficulties where we may lend support and compassion, fun ideas and insight about yourself: getting to know you is always of interest to me.

Hi everyone! I hope you are all right during the "stay safe, stay home" world pandemic of spring and summer, COVID19. Because we are safe in Manitoba, this worry pales in comparison to the definite, direct physical loss of my Mom in January, just 5 months ago. I thank everyone already offering support and understanding. My Mom's ascension, followed by Wordpress not working well anymore on our slow internet, are the reasons I am not running my four challenge themes this year.

May the ban be lifted soon, across the world, on people being with loved-ones in nursing homes and hospitals. Manitobans in nursing homes can now visit outdoors and I hope, for patients able to be taken out, that this is true of hospitals too. Being able to see, hold, talk with, and hear my Mom all that she & I needed meant everything to a peaceful conclusion to our time together here.

I know full well that Mom will always be alive in her true spirit form but it is physical separation that humankind grieves. For care and boosts that is upcoming, it is always appreciated. Mourning doesn't go away the first couple of years and care continues to be needed. That is what friends are for and I always consider my peers here, people I want to know better. :) Yours sincerely, Carolyn.

I seldom buddy read, an easier way to tackle books I might not read so easily. It equally brings fun to books I am eager about. I wanted to let you know my friend, Kerri and I are reading "The Joy Luck Club" Amy Tan and "Around The World In 80 Days" Jules Verne, stating in July. I also propose "Artemis Foul" Eoin Colfer, since I have numerous copies of this series. A film of this youth science fiction adventure comes out tomorrow!

If you would like to read along, tune into the topic thread made for each book and tell us which page or chapter you stopped at each day. When each person has checked-in, raise any conversation or reaction that comes to mind, based on the earliest chapter we all finished. People who already read these are welcome to visit and chat along with us. Your hostess, with prayers and love for a safe, happy, prosperous summer: Carolyn.

Thank you so much, my dear Sue. It is wonderful to hear supportive words from you. I am only sorry they are recently close for comfort, as the saying goes. My respects to your family and your in-laws. May they heal as well.

Books are a respite for people like us. I will still look for wrap-up posts and comments by January 31. After the emotions and work we put into formal life send-off services, we are uplifted by little normal entertainments. Xoxo, Carolyn.

I have serious personal news that might prompt replies and I am happy about that. But people don't seem to look at friends' profile instructions, to double-check that they want things like direct-messaging and recommend button-sending. I avoid cringing to receive them, by clarifying I do not like them. Reaching me by e-mail, this group, or commenting publically on my profile are easier and my pleasure to receive.

I love hearing that several of you want to continue rejoining my various four reading group themes. I have kept at them since launching them in 2014, even in two lean membership years. I considered taking a break next year, because Wordpress is hard to access. Prairie Online dial-up internet in Manitoba won't reply by e-mail and have only voicemail. Not being able to call directly, when I seldom have a phone plugged into my landline, is a piss poor way to serve anyway. They should acquiese to my request that they e-mail back, or tell me when someone might pick-up their sole phone number.

I can use Wordpress but can not tell from one day to the next when it will load and my slow connection rejects photo uploads of over 100 kbs. Not easy to work with but my year resumes in February and I had time to give it thought.

Five days ago, my precious Mom died. This is the biggest change of my life. That adds too much to struggling with unreliable, cumbersome internet. I had better take a break and just read and write reviews. With love, Carolyn.

Surprise! At my blog, I am offering a "Christmas Clue" contest! The prize is the same: a choice from my list of second-hand books and other options, like plant seeds and greeting cards. The surprise is: you do not need to be in my challenges to participate! This is open to everyone: Goodreads friends, blog subscribers, and everyone keen who sees this! My post is here.

The deadline is December 27. Please communicate there, or by e-mail. Merry Christmas, you guys! Your friend, Carolyn. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2019/1...

Challenge members: please read the following close-out summary post! You have my thanks if you are subscribed to my blog and will see it without prompting. However I cannot tell, without having comments to the previous update.

In this post: I direct you to the linky buttons for reviews and wrap-up links: be they blog posts or Goodreads shelves. I reveal the "My Kind Of Mystery" logo! And, since no one e-mailed asking to be in the year-end draw and I do believe most of you are interested: I provide a second chance to do so. But please note, to avoid mail price increases: I ask for a fast turnaround by Christmas Eve.

I'd love a comment at the blog post later and understand that we have more time in January. However, e-mailing that you want a draw is quick. My e-mail address is in the post and sign-up pages. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2019/1...

It will be fun if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup today! My Mom is from Hamilton, therefore we are happy if the Tiger Cats win too. Both of our cities have needed to win the championship since the 1990s, so this tournament is special!

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY TODAY!!!! I changed my picture a few days ago, to again show a newborn portrait with my parents. What is more, since my Wordpress blog is working for me on good old November 18th, I shared a funny story I have been meaning to tell! I bid you to enjoy it here. Your birthday girl, Carolyn.
https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2019/1...

Tomorrow, October 21, 2019: a woman has a chance to be elected Prime Minister of Canada! We admire Elizabeth May, her platform matching our ideals inspiringly. I shall cast my latest vote with pride tomorrow evening! She isn't only about protecting animals and the environment, although they certainly matter to me. My parents would be much relieved by life-saving medication and dental care covered by our health plans.

People who liked her and her badly-needed platform since 2006, were automatically shy about "using a vote on a small party". No so tomorrow! There is such a shake-up, every face new except Elizabeth's and Justin Trudeau's: that we look forward to watching on TV, which way our election will go! Make it a good one, fellow Canadians!!!! *Hug!*

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to my Canadian friends, today and tomorrow! May we all be blessed, happy, and at peace. (Work with us, neighbours' dogs!) May we all be in long-lived good health, and may all our prayers be answered! Your friend, Carolyn.

Hello gang! I was able to write a post yesterday, asking how you are doing and providing an overdue update at Wordpress. I hope everyone reads it because it is part informational and part an invitation to discuss any aspect you would like to share.

I tell you I am here, despite technical issues preventing access to Wordpress, past a few hours per week! Sometimes it just works and then poof. In case you wonder, my dial-up comes from a scarcely-run company who does not answer their phone and I have no call-back number. They appear to refuse to e-mail me back.

The main point is that everyone who would like to be included in a humble but fun year-end prize draw, just for being a member of any of my groups, simply needs to e-mail me by December 1. I draw early to beat the new year Canada Post price hike and drawing has nothing to do with how many books you read.

Furthermore, I give clues to help you guess this year's "My Kind Of Mystery" logo! Everyone is invited to play to win an extra year-end draw entry, no matter which group you are in! Also, you are encouraged to link-up review URLs (or titles via comment box) if you have not started yet. My best, Carolyn. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2019/0...

I am glad to wish a happy birthday to my Mom! I described above, that after being in the hospital, was mobile enough to visit my kitties on their ninth birthday. It means a great deal and is an answered prayer, for my Mom to have her birthday.

Ron & I visited her Sunday, pampering my Mom with great home-grown food and flowers as gifts. She loved the attention, treats, and our singing of "Happy Birthday" with Dad. I showered her with love by phone and sang it to her again on her actual birthday date yesterday. I see her getting better and she agrees she feels that way every week or so, therefore her family is pleased and relieved.