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

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

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.

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.