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

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

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.

I'm sorry to hear that! I was going to wonder why you didn't tell me right away but I didn't know you had a wonderful rabbit along with a cat. You definitely have my support, Erin! I don't know how long rabbits biologically get but that sounds like a good while, being loved by you and your son. Never long enough for us but I have no doubt Kirby is happy with his lifetime shared with the two of you. He'll be near you whether you two notice or not. Some days when I need it, I ask Love if he could be more obvious! *Hugs* Love, Carolyn.

I've been updating a great deal this bright, warm Sunday but will go outside in a few minutes. I looked at the Ethereal review page and was happy to find you filling it up, along with comments at my blog! Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving Day from your Canadian reading peers and friends!
Sincerely, Carolyn, Ron, & Our Kitties.

Our second update link is up at my blog: Ethereal! Please visit the news and add to the reading discoveries I shared. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/1...

At last, I have posted an update about Celtic Coasts! Try not to fall over! Posts for our other three reading challenge groups are succeeding this one. Please keep your eyes peeled at the RIEDEL Fascination blog, here, or in e-mail. It will take a little juggling to organize your contact info from my previous hotmail account. I am eager to chat about how things are going! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/1...

Summary: happy birthday to our youngest kitties and happy anniversary to Ron & I! I guess members missed these personal posts, due to Goodreads' new layout for updates making groups inconvenient to view. Late greetings are always appreciated, much more than occasions getting missed! :-)

I would like to verify that those acquainted, or participating with me, know to change my e-address from hotmail to the following. Are you receiving this message? I don't like it any more public. Hope you have been alerted: RIEDELFascination@gmail.com. Have a lovely remainder of autumn sights, weather, and beautiful foliage like we are.

EVERYONE: a contact update I'd like to give you is an e-mail address. The hotmail I have had for decades has issues. I sent a letter to support from our IP account. They may fix the situation. I don't know if it is a hack or a glitch. With slow speed it's hard to be sure. That sometimes makes it tough to navigate in general. In case I discontinue that address and so I don't miss communiques in the meantime, please replace my hotmail e-mail address with this one: RIEDELFascination@gmail.com.

You must catch our occasional group activity through my update feed, Erin. However it works is a boon - if feedback hasn't impacted the technical group that made the homepage change.

It was weeks before Goodreads changed for me. I instantly notice no one communicates in this group since the change. They must have to catch an update from me, or the rare poster, in order to conveniently have a link to click upon. If our members seek out the group to check in once in a while, that would be lovely.

On a subject related in a small way, I have been apprised that our review pages don't have comment boxes! I didn't know what Sue meant when she wrote months ago that she could find no place to comment. The second time Bev e-mailed requesting a review entry correction, she clued me in and I saw that all of our review pages are without comment boxes. I don't know why but will look into it. Because of our slow internet, I hope it won't take long to see whom to contact. I did not see a way to select comment boxes myself in editing mode.

If non-reviewers would like to leave a list of their books for any of our four challenges, they may use the original sign-up posts. I am happy to see your lists of books on any post or page relating to our themes.