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

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

Our fourth group is here! Welcome back, to MY KIND OF MYSTERY 2017! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/mykind...

Review pages, with all those linky buttons, need time but everything is ready to read and to invite you to rejoin! Xoxo, Carolyn

It's here! Our sign-up page for this companion group's titular home! I give you: Gentle Spectrums 2017! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/gentle...

Don't miss looking up. I wonder how many of you notice that all of our group information and brand new Gentle Subjects are renewed here too!

ETHEREAL 2017 is ready! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/ethere...

These are the nuts and bolts. I need to create review pages and two more challenges, so that they are all properly referenced. Here is something you can look at. :)

CELTIC COASTS 2017 is open! http://cmriedel.wordpress.com/Celtic-...

There are no review pages yet and there are three reading group themes to go. However you can see the new logo and sign up for this one. Yay! Here is to a wonderful year!

It was higher time I wrote a general article and I enjoyed it. My subscribers who have nothing to do with book groups will appreciate it. I hope they are still tuned in to look! Anyone who has been getting to know me would like it, so come on by. It shows my infamous library outbuilding (yes, my unread books have their own building)! You see pretty McCartney (16), Conan (6), and Petal (6). There is a glimpse of my music collection and even our Christmas tree. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

Honourable mention this month: the four kittens' small Mom turned 7 years-old on January 7! This was a case of gauging her age in concert with an elderly vet's observation, when she was 10 months old (and already a Mother). Pinpointing the right month, we gave her day 7 to match her four kittens' birthday, September 7. We have had Marigold since she was eight months old (a young age we did not dream), four days before the loves of our lives were born. Happy seventh year, Marigold! We love you!

I am going to post the 2017 sign-up / home posts for Celtic Coasts, Ethereal, My Kind Of Mystery, and Gentle Spectrums soon. We don't begin anew until February 1. I am sure most people are too frankly busy for website updating and reviews, until well into January like I home. Therefore even if you would like to run your reading along January to December lines, you have the relief of not needing to update the four groups with me until later. Even after February, I keep the linky buttons open. Why not, right?

I do know that most people browse for challenges in December and we hoped for many more participants this year but I am usually too busy November and December. What's more, changing from XP to windows 7 means the software I used for the logos is no longer functional for me. The update is that I did find something that will work!

This is after a two-week cold snap (suddenly it is above 0 C, which is UNHEARD of in January), several Christmas storms, and a recent power outage. I don't mind being without light but our well doesn't pump into our plumbing without electricity. That's right: six hours without running water. Before my daily bath! I was mighty pissed that day. I keep rainwater pails just in case and go figure, in the Canadian prairies of a January: it is frigging raining! I tell you, only WE know how to dress for all weather.

Please stay tuned for those fresh posts. Perhaps if each of you attracts some eager people, our membership will rise anyway. :) Yours Truly, Carolyn.

I have been busy November, over my birthday and over Jesus's. :) January finds me swirling with no less to do on all fronts: home, writing, and family. I assure readers of my genres and themes that my RIEDEL Fascination quartet: Celtic Coasts, Gentle Spectrums, Ethereal, and My Kind Of Mystery will definitely reprise this February 1st!

Further to being busy, I have a glitch of the kind only Bill Gates can answer for: the software I used last year to put text on those necessarily eye-catching logos, does not work since Ron & I switched to Windows 7! With slow-speed internet, searching out and grabbing some other software is no fast task. I will figure something out, after the crazy bout of housecleaning I need to finish today, including receipt-finding.

If you know which themes you would like to join without awaiting a logo, it is only a matter of e-mailing me. :) I regret this delay and wanted better advertising by propping up this year's shingle earlier. However you will all be very helpful advertisers with your your posts later. For now, please tell any paranormal, mystery, Celtic-lovers you know: Carolyn is hosting again this year and only needs an e-mail! :) The new address again is: RIEDELFascination{at}Gmail{dot}com.

Happy new year 2017 to all of my people! It means a lot that you are in this group, that you read my Wordpress blog in particular, and any reviews I write because I do it with heart. And those few who kept the four RIEDEL Fascination reading groups / "challenges" going this lean year: thank you! That made all the difference.

It seems the fresh quartet posts for next year will be on the late side again, in terms of when people browse (we, after all, run Feburary 1 to January 31). I have complete faith that those who reprise those groups will help me get the word out that you enjoy them. :) Of the two who e-mailed that they want to take part in our year-end draw: I will draw those soon! Today is a busy day so January 1 or 2 are more likely.

My car suddenly doesn't work, obliging Ron to work on it when he gets in from his parents'. I have a lot of housecleaning to do (which should produce Erin's postal receipt) and a little baking as well, if I get into a good groove. Then tonight, we watch brand new blu-ray gifts like "Pete's Dragon" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2".... and we dance! With love to all of you for a wonderful, safe, and peaceful 2017: Carolyn.

Well, December 27 was decent manners for middle brother! We needed to see their cat, dear Lopez of 13. We pampered him with a gift from our cats (toys played with by them, sending their scent). Met their kitten, Bella Angel. Mark always gives generous monetary gifts and seeing my sister-in-law was wonderful. Trying to ignore a raised fist picture of Donald Trump on his laptop background (we're Canadian?!), Jennifer & I kept the conversation happily on normal things. The CDs from my HMV exchange on the way there (two by Maroon 5!) and Ron piped in to explain to Mark why Sia Furler is awesome. Hehehe.

We arrived at my parents later than usual, my childhood home and it was very lovely. Dad had phoned me a couple of weeks earlier to smooth over an awful blow-up from a month earlier. I appreciated it because I have never heard anything so well-meant and thought-out. The easy, light visit was with them. Mom & Dad gave fantastic gifts. One was a disco-looking, faux red velvet-looking blazer that Mom urges my eyes to absorb! I said I was unsure, or indeed sure, it isn't my style but she thought I could get used to fashion I had not contemplated. She could be right, if she obtained it in a store recently! Let's see the reaction of folks the next time I am in public to wear it! :)

They loved the bag of peanuts and triple bags of cheezies for Dad, who dove into them right away and then asked Mom to help him stop. I do know his favourite snacks and these are healthy ones! He also likes "Still Me", the famous autobiography by Christopher Reeves. Mom got a soft lavender long-sleeved top, a trio of fuzzy lavendar socks, chocolate cherries, and "Life Is What You Make It" by Donnie Osmond, all of which she likes. Many great presents for Ron & I, especially a gorgeous new spring jacket, my first in years, which I'm surprised she got at this time of year. I'm glad I asked her. I could write a comedy article about ending up with one of the categories I please don't need any more of: salt / pepper / milk / sugar condiments, facecloths, hairbrushes, or clothing that is pink. I carry in my purse another brush. Oh well!

A really fun, satisfying part: my folks long ago invited me to choose any records I want. They are upright the skinny way, four shelves full. Over a year, I got as far as bringing a plastic storage bin and finishing the first shelf. This time: after visiting nicely and exchanging gifts, I took an hour in the basement to get it done. I ended up filling that bin with great selections! They include all the records from my childhood: Dolly Parton, children's symphony, Disney's haunted house sounds, the Mini Pops (I had at least two), the Smurfs. The most Canadian thing anyone can own: the family's "Bob & Doug MacKenzie Christmas album"! Look it up: their take of "The 12 Days Of Christmas" still airs today. Back me up, other Canadians: if you hear it you never forget it, right!? "And a beer.... in a tree"! Christmas is still going. Soft, traditional snow sprinkling as Ron makes a safe, daylight drive to his parents. I'm taking the cats outside because it is warm: only -4 C. New year's with one's son sounds wonderful.

We don't finish quickly! Due to the blizzard all of Manitoba had, we had the rare quietness we admit liking, of spending Christmas day at our own home with our kitties. One aspect of celebration is visiting with family, people in general but if one thinks about it, we all decorate our homes with love. I was not satisfied, always running to go somewhere else. The storm didn't hit until that evening but we did not risk getting caught away. We loved giving ourselves a reason to peacefully enjoy home; there was no desperation to go out of town! By morning we were snowed in; another lovely day. Shoveling (mostly Ron), watching a movie together, quieter surroundings than ever before because all neighbours were away or busy clearing snow. I loved it! Clearly peaceful time at home is a theme for us!

December 27, yesterday when Erin wrote she looked towards another hoilday: that is when we drove to the city to exchange a few CDs at a store, then see my brother's cat who hasn't been well. He is a loved part of our family and we had not visited at their house in two years. Christmas was there this year, so my sister-in-law had treats left over. Next, onto a later-than-usual visit with my parents for the rest of the night, leaving at about 11:30 PM. It was fun to do individual visits at a couple of homes instead of establishing one for a particular day. I imagine making rounds is what a lot of folks do but we seldom do.

It was fun. I bet many Canadians, Americans, and other friends are still visiting people with a gift or two. Ron still needs to see his parents, a longer trip that the storm delayed. We have gifts for my neighbour friend and her kids, which I will get to them too. Thank goodness our long driveways and our cul-de-sac are cleared, smooth snow for walking now! :) Merry Christmas again from me!

It was mentioned in the update posts generally. No worries: our goal is to ensure the book load you bought arrives! :-)

To everyone: God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 from Carolyn, Ron, and our precious kitties in Manitoba, Canada! XOXO.

I e-mailed from my new address weeks ago, RIEDELFascination@Gmail.com but am unsure everyone received it because it included the URLs for our four groups' discussion updates. Website links can throw e-mail off as spam. I'm happy to re-send it without them but here is one main gist I don't believe you want to miss: e-mail me to confirm your wish to be in the year-end draw! :-)

I'd like to do this by Sunday of this week-end, because Canadian postage goes up in January. There is still abundant time to list book titles in the comment boxes of any group-related post, or to use the review pages if you write reviews. I used to add all names but it is best to ensure the recipient is interested. Your hostess, Carolyn.

Thank you! It is nice to have notes about my special day! I hope to have my card soon too. I discussed that by e-mailed and other things.

Everyone: after only receiving our first real snowfall, southern Manitoba has been issued a weather threat. If our power goes off this week as a result, you will know by not hearing from me. You also should know about me that I'll touch base when the possible blizzard, with visibility and icy conditions, has passed.

Don't forget to drop me an e-mail in the meantime to confirm you would like to be in our RIEDEL Challenges year-end draw! Just to ensure I draw the name of an interested person. I hope to draw this week-end, so let's hear from you. All four group's update posts are up at my RIEDEL Fascination blog too for discussion. I would be so happy to find comments and chatter there. Ideas for a few new Gentle Spectrums subjects was invited too, which I wll have to create in about a week! Yours Truly, Carolyn. :-)

On the subject of celebrations and memories: happy birthday to me on November 18! There was a post about how I am doing at my blog, should readers wish to belatedly share the love and friendship via comments. :-)

New: the update post for the fourth group is finally up! Whether you are in Gentle Spectrums or not: visit and reflect on reading! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/1...

One thing that makes me happy every year, with no less enthusiasm at 43 than I had as a kid: is my birthday! It feels like a magical day made for me, to feel exceptionally special, rejunvinated, energized, and replenished. It is in three days, this Friday! I thought you would enjoy my blog article talking about our warm winter that is leading up to it. Comments there at my blog, where they are easy to keep and find, are always cherished. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/1...

Ron is a Douglas Preston fan and although he does not blaze through books like us, working weekdays an hour away from our country home; I marvel at their thickness. To go over 350 is something for me. Vicky Bliss is my favourite and Barbara Mertz said the same, did you know that? Only wrote more Amelia Peabody because her publisher preferred it but she wanted to release Vicky's much more. Read her first and I'll bet you'll agree.

"Crocodile On The Sandbank" I gave 3 stars because I could see a lot of worth there. I think I only gave her third, "The Mummy Case" 3 as well. The first gets very good in the late chapters and the first few chapters are amusing where personalities are introduced to us. But there's a huge middle (like a desert!) in which I felt nothing happened. The beginning and end would have been worth it, except the denouement is among the most stupid I have ever seen. However it is a series-starter to other more worthwhile novels, I am sure. The second, "Curse Of The Pharoahs", I believe suddenly garnered five stars from me. Now.... on the topic of being busy; I have flower seeds to pick before the school kids (who let out noisy dogs) are home!

Erin, this precious subject is all I meant in the e-mail change topic: that you & I have a personal friendship separate to whatever might be posted for the public. :-) If you know the story of Love's sudden death and how I hesitated to take him anywhere because it didn't strike me he could possibly be dying (and money is scarce, if a vet wasn't necessary); the guilt was crippling. We had a feeling it was something natural and unstoppable like heart failure but until our vet confirmed the symptoms of the event a few months later.... only then did I ball with relief. In front of the whole vet office. Both times we have revisited our new vet, I show everyone a picture of him because he is the brother & son who belongs with the rest of us. Can you imagine the healing that started, when I knew that hesitancy to get help did not cost his life? The relief that this was the outcome anyway and that losing him wasn't our fault?

All of this for a cat who lived just about 4 years. Never, never doubt that your love for Kirby is surprising at 9 years! It is a death in your family, my friend; the same as a Grandfather, sibling, or parent. It is only society that makes it seem less monumental and the age of humans, that make our deaths seem more monumental. This is huge: one or your immediate family members, whom you probably bonded with like Mother & child, because of our relationships with animals that require us to care for them. I hope you had a funeral for him that brought you some peace. I was unsure if you owned your land to have a resting place there. I got through Love's service alright (held by Ron & I, in a way that allowed all the cats to join us). It's the days and year after that are hard. No one life is more valuable than other. We just have different needs and jobs. You aren't dwelling any more than my need for understanding and release is, two years after. He just passed away! This is huge for you and your son and I bet your cat misses him too.

Most people`s reason, if they suffer alone, is not expecting the understanding of those they tell to match the degree of loss. I have grieved Love two years, so you have a safe haven with me but of course: when you were ready. I was especially surprised about not knowing you had a rabbit with your cat. They must both be family and my gosh, what struck me is having him twice as long as our Love! I know how much I love him after 4 years; imagine getting used to his physical absence after 9. He is gorgeous! I am so glad you don`t have the grief of feeling like it was too short for his species. Thank you for entrusting your feelings to me and know I really do feel for you. E-mail me as many photos of Kirby as you like. My Prairie address is made to handle attachments better because it belongs to dial-up.

The challenge discussion update for My Kind Of Mystery is here! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/1...

I am glad you liked my article and hope folks chat with me in the comment box. I plan to simplify my write-up after coming to my final conclusion: "cozy mysteries" are easily identified as being a toned-down version of "standard mysteries" - the Diet 7-Up, as it were. It has nothing to do with a village setting or anything pertaining to the protagonist; which would be clearer if people did not forget the "standard mystery" category. Neither light nor horror - that lovely in between.