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

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

Thank you! It's sad cats only reach into their 20s. It's sad when any elderly loved-one is gone. But as I wrote in my letter, a young one is traumatic. You may or may not have seen around these Goodreads threads that Lovey was his usual active, playful, eagerly-eating self. He was unwell at noon and wanted out to throw up and walk around. I checked on him a few hours later (a regret I had but finally learned, sooner action would have made no difference). He was breathing rapidly. I noticed the very first sign of him being unwell that noon because they are my children and of course I'm home.

One thing stood out. Of all cats who might throw up off & on in a week (Love is one of 7 dear faces; his 6 family members are still here); he didn't. He was never ill, so you can empathize with the shock that he died in one day! 9 hours after the only time he was unwell, he was gone. Another reason I didn't fly to a vet sooner, plus where I live. Everyone waits to see if it was necessary. I had no idea he would die that day and was traumatized by that. It wasn't typical sadness that a family member died. It changed me. I'm much better but miss him every hour of every day. He shouldn't be gone at 4. Even if I have confirmed and felt relieved that heart failure was unstoppable.

I turned to the communities I have, which are Wordpress and Goodreads. The few who replied here and in e-mail will be forever remembered. I am grateful for them. One girl, from whom I haven't heard in a year, sent Reiki daily from California! It helped. So does every person who mentions him, to this day. Thank you for responding and saying his name! I have a refusal to let time keep people from knowing him, even though he physically lived briefly. I hate that one year separates our physical life and that they will begin to fly. He's worth knowing, so I've shown his handsome picture around and remember this special son to people. :)

I don't know if it's because I strive harder and wait longer for things that just happen for other people, or if my heart is in it more. But I can tell that even when our membership rises and it will; I will always feel thrilled and blessed by every comment and participation and treat it like gold. My sole delay will be getting to replies but I will never take them for granted. I have 90 subscribers to my blog and one thing I have always wanted, is at least 10 comments every time I post something. I see that on other blogs and think: I hope they appreciate what they have here. It isn't always like that.

I wanted to be clear that the replies aren't forthcoming because only a few are chatting! I truly treasure this. Surely we all write, because we want to be read and replied to. When Love passed away and I *still* got no reply in those úber active groups; I was astounded. I remember belonging to *many* forums since before most people had a home PC. Even using UNIX or DOS. If one person said "Happy birthday", nearly every person on the danged network would consider it their duty to *say something*.

I'm still looking for that and feel its absence and wonder what happened to people. I began feeling resentful that it occurred regarding the news about Love because I found that plain rude. Isn't it? I had to get out of there. If someone shares something like that, they obviously want people to be supportive. Expending the energy is pointless if folks don't acknowledge it. Even late birthday greetings. ;> So I focus on my own group. I like that this group is fairly quiet because sometimes we want to update our books and exit. However I'm glad you're happy to know when there's something to say, it is treated with importance and delight.

Everything I write is for everyone. You're an Ethereal reader like me regardless and as I often see, so are many. There was no contest to that but I love enticing discussion no matter what and always hope I do. Thank you for your input!

Not way; which is another thing I fear others are doing. If there's more you could use (like my cards!) and you win again, then you win again! Please don't feel ashamed about that. I find it a drag at other challenges if I think one chance were all I got.

I'm very grateful to be among the groups you join, if there are many. I quit the two I was in that were too active, so I could focus on this one. Especially when I felt unrewarded by commenting eagerly and not having replies. You get answered around here! :-)

I attribute low participation to not rolling out discussions and activities early in our challenge year, when folks are gung-ho. Presumably they stopped looking at my blog for updates (those not subscribed, or sitting in this group). They weren't aware I persevered. I did occasionally wonder if the prizes made people shy to jump in, or weren't to their taste. Please allow me to clarify that there are other choices, like plant seeds and my own line of Canadian / animal greeting cards! However: one person did say they opted out, as a result of not needing books. I suspect a smiliar case with another friend on here, who receives a ton of free review copies.

Offering prizes, which gives groups a goal, is meant to ENTICE comments. My greatest reward, as an author in training, is comments to what I write. You can say "not in the draw", "just sharing for fun", or something. Please don't let a contest environment deter you from what I really want, which is a sign of interest and enthusiasm in the various subjects I write about. Sound good? :)

I keep books I like so I value good condition. However sometimes one picks things up at a bargain, or are glad to find them however they are. Or as a prize. Thanks for verifying!

Here is an eagerly anticipated discussion I have looked forward to sharing with anyone and everyone. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2015/1...

It wasn't a contest but Shonna sure was a help. Shonna, please revisit that post. I tried for half an hour to leave you a glowing comment at your "Bristol House" review but I am forced to give up on Blogspot blogs that use the standard comment box. I don't know if you're aware that captcha verification is activated but it doesn't let you go after one run-through. It asks you again and again to "click all the pictures with street signs", then to copy & paste a paragraph of code.... with no box to dump it. I'm going to have to ask everyone to follow along and keep in touch here, or through my Wordpress blog. Anyway, I wanted you to know I have additional grateful words for you there.

You're welcome. You, like our other ladies in our groups, bring a lot of joy to our topics whenever you have time and certain reward me with smiles. I'll be so pleased to let you choose a few books. If you ladies don't mind second-hand, I have so many and it gives me pleasure to give gifts and share. Postage be darned. :-) I send slowest speed anyway. It isn't as if we don't have long queues.

My article was about any bargain; garage sales was merely one example. When people have a chance, please do comment about anyplace you acquired a bargain you were excited about; maybe because it's an item you use at home. Perhaps it was long-sought. I figured people would jump all over this. The post is still there to enjoy. As for the prize draw, Erin has won! I sent an e-mail, awhile ago actually, letting her know. If there's been an e-mail change, of course tell me.

What I await is a fairly quick reply to confirm the winner is excited and all of that. Then I'll send my prize selection list. People disappear *after* I send the list; busy looking up authors and deciding what they like best. My prize is a huge choice among second-hand paperbacks or other eclectic gifts, should those titles not be needed. Something for everyone, I like to think. :-) Please reply to that e-mail.

To my shock, no other entries yet on such an easy giveaway. If I were a contestant, I would be all over it. You have a good shot at seeing that prize list of mine. :) In case you missed my reply at RIEDEL Fascination, I asked if our solitary entrant would please name a few acquisitions; those gems you talked about looking for when you have gotten to sales. I'm no morning person either, which I probably said in that garage sale article. That's why talking has to stay short and on we head to the next ones! Hehehe!

Good. You might have items *I* need. I am taking action on first or next volumes of series, so they get read. For the first time: a few titles are on my giveaway list that I have not read! I have looked them up. If they aren't first in a series and don't interest me enough to queue all of their missing volumes too.... I have enough to read. I might as well trade them, or grant them as prizes.

I guess you don't have the requests I made above and you have found all of the Shirley Damsgaards?

It's great that you've entered! It will also be nice to hear about your Florida sales.

Everyone: a very easy prize giveaway concludes tomorrow. Don't miss it! All you need to do is respond to my blog post, or leave a link of your own and share the tale of bargains you once found. That's it! If very few members specifically belonging to Gentle Spectrums pop in, I would draw a prize among any entrants.

We're small and few seem to be seeing posts this year. A problem I'm eliminating next year. Never hesitate to converse and share, whatever the theme. I love to hear from everyone and you could well be rewarded unexpectedly. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2015/1...

Erin, it sounds funny to a prairie girl, to hear a Floridian say she wished she lived "closer" to the ocean. Hehehehe! Drive five minute, then you'll see ships I'll bet. Me? Have you *seen* Manitoba on a Canadian or North American map? Exact middle of the continent, furthest you can get from all four coasts. There are lakes at a one-hour proximity but let's just say it was a life long thrill, when I finally set eyes on a lighthouse. Whales? Still hoping to see them. I have gotten closer to the COUNTRY, Wales, than seeing this beautiful animal.

I suppose this is as good a thread as any for what I propose: TRADES! I know others are similar to me; there are books we don't keep. Sometimes we aren't collecting, reading was good enough. We can pre-buy so far ahead of reading our wondrous bulk, we pick up duplicates. I for one, love replacing my treasures with a hardcover, or better conditioned copy. Presently, I have four stuffed boxes of books I'm not keeping. Now you know why I love to give prizes. :)

Something I do with a friend all the way in England and propose with anyone, is to compare lists! Do you have something you need, that I have and vice versa? I like to begin with what I am seeking; then the person who has my titles can choose whatever they like from my give away list. For instance, Erin once needed Shirley Damsgaard and I have all of them. I need early Kate Kingsbury and the first novel by Sarah Rayne, "Property Of A Lady". I would love anything by Rebecca Patrick-Howard and the ghost ones by Ronald Malfi.

Let's list books we would like to find. Anyone who can fulfill those requests can exchange lists by e-mail and trade. It's nice not to worry about currency, postage, or purchase price. Trading with stores is never advantageous to we sellers; it's a store owner's gain. Exchanging amongst ourselves gives us full value, of things we want to whisk away anyhow: a book for a book. If there is anything you seek, or you have what I need, please post away or contact me directly. :-) My e-address is AlyshaeB@hotmail.com. Yours Sincerely, Carolyn.

Thank you! My blog could use comments! Yes, your birthday wishes came on my day. It's wonderful to have words here, because it is our site when we can save them and easily find them.

If you like ghost stories for grown-ups and were as tired of 20 year-old romance angles as I was; be sure to browse that very long-awaited list! I worked hard too, using Shonna's great author name as a launching point; siphoning out the best of the best. I don't want "evil threatening the town" or a family, nor violence; just an enthralling story in which a ghost appears to AN ADULT - somehow. There are 22 names, after decades of knowing none! Best of all, they're quite current.

Well now, these are nice to see! No, it's okay. I consider most of November my month, so this is great. Also, you are one who wished me happy birthday among my book updates. I wasn't forgotten and without happy wishes. :-) Thank you!

Don't miss the discussion post you were invited to, about bargains. Not a single Gentle Spectrums entrant yet, which is why I don't really bother with that. I would do a draw between all who enter, however I know those folks. Next year I'm just going to send members an e-mail whenever an activity post is up; no more worrying about who sees what, or having participation down. :) Carolyn.

I am astonished that gap is filled, thanks to Shonna's comment to my post! Good things happen when you answer my posts. I am so pleased, I blogged anew. She has honestly relieved a 30 year search for good adult ghost literature! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2015/1...