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

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

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.

Happy ninth birthday, to our precious kittens today, September 7th! We pray Conan is home soon, from wherever he has been missing from home. However we have faith that he is all right and will get home when it is safe. Or he may seek the right helper; someone who knows what to do with his tattoo, to reach us on his behalf. Conan is nine years-old today, too. We are spoiling the girls, Angel and Petal!

We remember their brother Love, with all our hearts, who lived for four very happy years. Happy birthday to our four precious kitties, who were so tiny and whose arrival we remember so well; we can't believe it was nine years ago. We love you, kitties! Always, your Mom, Marigold and Ron & Carolyn.

Their birthday was made very special, by my Mom making her first trip to our home in the country with Dad, since she got out of long hospital care. What a joy to have my Mom enjoy them, be there for us, and to have healing from a visit with us and our cats, too. They crowded around Grandma and were excited to see her! My Dad always enjoys our kitties, too.

We were cautious with Mom and her walker but what a wonderful improvement to have her here. There is no rush about getting better: relax and heal right. I wanted to share this happy day with my friends and reading community.

I wonder how many people know: we Canadians have two of my favourite authors to thank, for having our own "Crime Writers' Association": co-founders Howard Engel and Eric Wright. I read that Howard died last month, at age 88, when I was writing my delighted review last night, of his eighth novel, "There Was An Old Woman". That title expresses an idea of his creativity, whimsy, and originality.

Here is a wonderful article discussing what he meant to Canadian literature and to future authors. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment...

Hello! I have gotten onto my Wordpress blog only sporadically; enough to makes some updates with relief, not to write new posts. Wordpress support stopped-short of helping me figure out the bizarre error, or combination of glitches which slow internet doesn't improve and Google Chrome does not reply. However, my local computer store is helping. We will try to collaborate on this next week and I can bring things for him to see in person, if need be; a great asset.

If you are seeing this, which I hope you are: please e-mail by November, that you want to be in the year-end prize draw. I draw as close to December 1 as possible, so you can choose an item in time for me to beat each year's postage hike. Participating is all that matters, not how much you read, so it makes good sense to do the draw.

Replies also show that I have an audience eager for activities. With visible interest, I would find a way to roll one out soon. Otherwise, I would wait until access to my blog is a stable constant. I am popping-in again to spark conversation and to reassure you that I am always on-hand, watching for comments; however lack of blog posts might appear.

I want to write a note about our second-eldest cat, also a son to us: Spirit! As you see in my new profile photo, on July 19, our dear tabby turned 15. Happy birthday, to our dear Spirit! We remember him being a tiny baby whom we brought home to McCartney, when McCartney was only 3. :)

Monday, July 1st was CANADA DAY. It was not the best portion of personal life here but thankfully not the worst either. I am sorry my Mom has been in the hospital for weeks, most recently with pneumonia but I understand it is normal to take a long recovery. I know she will recover and say so to her, however worried our other family members get. We are strong and positive!

It is important to particpate in holiday cheer and to wish it to others, too. I hope my countrywomen and countrymen enjoyed our Canada Day long week-end and had happy ones! Mom loves the flowers from our home and I will bring her more, as long as she needs to be away to recuperate.

Happy nineteenth birthday to our dear McCartney today!!!! We love you, McCart! Our darling Siamese is being fed everything he likes and is served first. I took in-door lounging photos, which are superb for him but tend to be mediocre shots. We'll go outside for birthday pictures when Ron is home from work.

With all our love,
Conan (returning soon), Carolyn, Ron, Spirit, Marigold, Angel, and Petal. Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

WHAT TO DO WHILE I WAIT TO GET BACK ON WORDPRESS AND POST ANEW.

Some of you keen to join this year's challenges had not signed-up. Others have not started adding to our review pages. Now is a good time! I wrote a welcome post that didn't get any replies. Have a read: everything's in there. If there are questions, obviously e-mail or leave a note at this group (not private Goodreads messaging).

Don't forget that you should tell me if you want to be in the December prize draw! It is for everyone who signs-up, except that we ensure the prize goes to someone who is interested and still playing along. It confirms participation: it doesn't matter how much you read, or if you write reviews. All 2019 books count, no matter when you signed-up.

Finally, for an extra name in the draw: try guessing this year's "My Kind Of Mystery" book logo! It doesn't matter if you are in groups other than my mystery one. We have a good standing in "My Kind Of Mystery" this year but "Celtic Coasts", "Gentle Spectrums", and "Ethereal" need to build a little more, before I return to one draw for each theme. Thus, you all have a crack at the mystery.

If it takes much longer to get back onto Wordpress, I will start a clue here. Apologies to members who are not using this group but everyone can read what's here, whether or not at Goodreads. There is my technical update, reassuring you I have not forgotten about hosting fun, seasonal activities! I look forward to it. Yours sincerely, Carolyn.

Hello, chat group and reading challenge group members! How are you? I thought I had better warn you that I cannot get any Wordpress websites to load lately; my own or any others. I asked Ron to verify at work that my website does work and he confirms you. You, yourselves, are often adding links to the review pages, which I enjoy.

Even though the pages are always open and self-serve, I certainly intend to roll out the fun activities portion of our four reading groups! Just when I was gearing up to update some posts, a storm hit my dial-up modem last week. I replaced it the next day and have a UPS battery device protecting my whole phone line and computer now. But I have been unable to load Wordpress since; the page I was on when a storm zapped our modem.

It must be a network or software glitch but I could try phoning Wordpress. Our connection speeds are slow but websites should hang on until they load; not time out. I can't find an e-mail address for them. My internet service has not gotten back to me, so I am figuring out how to get Wordpress working again, myself. There is a great techie at my computer store whom I might call. I have my own thinking cap and other options.

I have deleted Google Chrome cookies, logged in and out of Google, rebooted our computer, checked firewall settings. In case there has been a glitch that I am unaware of - I have found my share of flukes - I might set our PC back to the last "recovery point". If that doesn't work, I definitely need tech support from anyone game to take the time. At least I can help isolate what must be fixed.

Hello, members and friends. I always say "my kind of mystery" is the non-crime kinds: more interesting, versatile, and mysterious: the root of the word. As a child, it thrilled me that a real mystery, not a legend far away in someplace like Egypt, existed right here in Canada: Oak Island, Nova Scotia well to our country's east.

I will write a blog post. What I will summarize quickly is that a very clear pit with a pulley above it, was discovered in 1795 and a number of clearly manmade layers within it. Anyone with an inventive plan, who had money to put together, has continued exploring it; except that early 1900s companies lost the original location. It has a water booby-trap that "searchers" have tunneled around too much, to try circumventing it. The Restall family in particular, lost lives in 1965 during their work.

After Robert Restall and his son, Bobby died: an inspired contractor and military vet took up the search and bought a home and land there. He is the longest Oak Island treasure-hunter and was joined by his son, Dave. I learned about this legend in my favourite kind of book, about unexplained mysteries, when I was about in grade 8 and wrote a school speech about it. I found my book and wrote this review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

When I learned a few years ago, that searchers, Rick & Marty Lagina, were excavating the Oak Island mystery CURRENTLY and AIRING it on TV for us to behold: it was like striking gold for me! I bought Darcy O'Connor's history book in anticipation of the show and that is where I learned all about our legendary Daniel Blankenship. It was wise to immerse myself in Oak Island education because I understand everything and everyone the show refers to. My review is here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The episode that has closed the sixth season, because the Canadian coast needs working in during summer and fall, was filmed in October. I am stunned and sorry to hear that Dan Blankenship has passed away, at age 95, on March 16, 2019! Our condolences to his son, Dave and the rest of their family; as well as to the Lagina brothers and the Oak Island family. We are fans and honour a unique, inspired, strong, and hard-working person! Sincerely, Carolyn.

I hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick's day! It fits my reading theme, "Celtic Coasts" but my family has always celebrated, because it is one of our family names. It is like it is for us! I phone my Mom, the rare time we have not gotten around to cards and fun trinkets and wear green.

There isn't much else to it except playing Irish music (Chris DeBurgh, Enya, the Cranberries, the Corrs) but giving a holiday attention is what counts and then, it is not just any other day. How about all of you? It becomes my spouse's birthday next, so we got busy with cleaning and family party-planning soon after. I might as well make a public note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAR RON!!!! :-)

I await a few folks saying they received my Christmas cards but a new occasion greets us. Happy St. Valentine's Day to all of my people! If you are hanging out to chat, I love it.

If you intend to join my relaxed, fun challenges, as you are about to see: please hit the sign-up buttons at my blog pages soon. Put a blog post or a Goodreads shelf as your website, into the linky buttons. This gauges that enough folks are in "'Ethereal", "Celtic Coasts", "Gentle Spectrums" to do what I intend.

It also matters that you subscribe to posts at my blog, or catch their links here. We can only play if you see them. Enjoy your evenings of romance, family, or friendship!