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

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

Kerri, since I did not read a drop in about three weeks, except on my all afternoon sit in with Dad on Friday, I am glad you only took in 20 pages. You are annoyingly ahead this year. You know that I read nothing the months you dipped low, where I normally would catch up. My e-mails do urge you to read a few of the health books you have for animals. It is harder to help loved-ones after a disease gets serious.

I laughed when you mentioned the River Thames, which features in Ben Aaronovitch's agreeably popular series. You must have heard jokes about how polluted it is. I have sailed it and stood beside it. If it sustains life, they are hardy. There might be environmental efforts now but it had a thousand years to flow inside an industrial city. Thomas Pitt does not see it at its best in his crime solving. Lakes change in much shorter times than oceans but both probably would shift in 6000 years.

Discussing Anne's novels would be a treat anywhere at Gentle Spectrums. It can be casual, enjoying your observations and echoing what I remember. I am at book #15. After enjoying that, I am trying Anne's William Monk series, published during the middle of Thomas & Charlotte's mysteries.

Earlier in our conversation, the description "zoomed happily" was irritating because it rubbed misophonia as being erroneously exaggerated. However, did you actually forget the inventor stupidly feared stopping the machine? The year 8000 (I don't remember the exact date) was when he could pry his hand from the control. Or did you mean he looked further when he got the machine back? He may have turned the machine on and just moved away. I don't remember if Morlocks were approaching like in the film, the nick of time trope most films would present. He might have wanted to check on life before returning to 1896.

You know I do not re-read but I have small questions about what Herbert Wells did state, if you do not check first. I have no interest in sports, even though I am pleased for Canadians and citizens of little countries, like St. Lucia to win Olympic medals. I would not lose track even of half an hour looking at it. Ron enjoys a few sports but takes advantage of summer to pick berries, pick fast producing vegetables, keep our lawns trimmed, or read outside. Canadians only have above zero seasons part of the time, with all varieties growth and colour around us. In winter, there are no amphibians, reptiles, or insects and only autumn and winter hardy birds. Here, television is for night time but that again, is also when Ron & I read.

You probably remember me writing that I only recall a few snapshots of the film. Weena escaped with him in what looked like a cave. A dead Morlock slowly metamorphosed into a skelton, in the machine's odd way of progressing in one physical spot and only moving in time. I saw the machine on “The Big Bang Theory”. Did you? Their funny reenactment makes it clear the machine could progress slowly, with people speeding in a room. It sits two. In print, I think the inventor planned to bring Weena with him. With so much to spot check, a re-reader would review it from the beginning but if I settled in with a book again, it must be a five star book I loved. Turning to a few details if I make a list, would be easy. My Dad is an expert with mechanical details and it is nice to think that I started this book with him. We put it away because the beginning was too wordy. For Mom, I read short things like Leslie Anne Ivory's cat artbooks. That leaves ample time for conversation too.

Would you say our conversation is to verify that Herbert did not do enough with the information and inventions he knew? It was creative for the narration to succeed the inventor getting home from his first, scary trip. That harried condition might be a reason for not describing how he came across the right conditions for time travel, what they comprise, and what made him think he was capable of trying a monumental invention. If so, it was not the right setting because this is information the story needs. You are right that we need to know the background of a character embarking on the adventure we read. Sticking to action should be preceded by investing us in that goal.

Lyn Hamilton is one of my favourite Canadian authors, who wrote multicultural adventures, sometimes with a hint of mysticism. She was special for choosing cultures and locations more rarely featured. They are archaelogical but skip the commonly waxed about Egypt, if you know what I mean. Her writing style pleasantly surprised me as being similar to mine. I don't put emphasis on what anyone is wearing, or physical appearance generally, except when establishing who each person is. Lyn taught me that A to B arrivals can be omitted; just go to the next pivotal scene. Save descriptions for beautiful scenes, appealing food, how characters feel, and story information. I definitely let dialogue flow without describing anyone holding a cup or anything and without using "she said" needlessly.

Herbert not telling us why he thought he should try to invent a time machine and how he achieved it, are what would make his story riveting. Just introducing a machine, just concluding that he could not see Weena in the dark, not saying that he would look for digital or library histories when he went back; ironically reduced his five dimensional tale flatly to two.

I thought of two subjects as last considerations of the novel. One was another biology and energy mistake on the part of the author. He thought Weena had trouble keeping up with him and carried her once or twice. How did Herbert look? How did well fed Londoners of the Victorian age look? Citizens of all our periods certainly vary by being fit or puffy. I am no couger and love staying home. I will exercise more but certainly eat, move, and breathe well in country air, paying attention to good health.

Weena lived largely outside. Being unable to pull out of a fast water current, or getting a face in water is different from walking on land. He focused on the Eloi's size and they might not match his strides. They could certainly outdo his stamina and speed. Look at our cats, birds, fish, any smaller animal: they race by us with ease. Was he full of himself for being larger, male, or eating killed protein? I don't underestimate the stamina or althetics of anyone older than me either.

My other question is how you have seen films or television convey future or advanced creatures. It is easy to draw the colourful variety from Star Trek's many shows. Aliens speak our language more correctly than we do, omitting colloquialisms, obviously having studied a language. I know hardly any profanity in my other three languages either.

Sometimes an advanced or future being is calm, knows what matters in life, or is inspired by details that remove worry.

Some depictions are very scientific, or our methods look primitive to future characters. I have seen stories in which races value nature and do not use space travel capabilities, having learned everyone and everything they care about is at home with them. If we read more authors that predate Herbert Wells like Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, let's see how they described future or advanced people and animals.

Either of us can check the novel for the number of levers the inventor removed. What gave you the impression he could only move by year? We discussed that he could have put the model ahead at least by an hour, or 5 minutes on an analogue clock, if not 1 minute. It was clear the machine warmed up with a pause, if there was no ignition. An elastic or something could easily move the lever back, if necessary. On the contrary, I think the pause made it possible to set the lever to a minute, 5 minutes, or hour so that their time would catch-up and see it.

The inventor could go slowly or fast. I have just understood that there must be a speed setting too. Good gracious, Herbert Wells left detail out. I see why you want to weigh your review and feel the same way, about books I liked at a medium degree, or in which I found discrepencies even though I enjoyed reading a story.

Why did you doubt the vehicles could stop in a day? The clues that the machine traversed minutes, 5 minutes, or an hour are his house staff walking through the lab room and the sun setting and the moon rising. He panicked and accelorated.

I don't care about characters being unnamed but what is the purpose for it? I did not ponder the strength of a personality. He seemed to be determined to do things and react as anyone would, in concern or surprise. What did you notice about the character?

He was curious and ventured ideas about what he saw. Not listening to Weena at the tunnel, although I understand wanting to search for his machine, showed anxiety or a lack of waiting to know if she could direct him to a safer opening. The Eloi probably knew that the statue near them had a door. I wonder if they avoided it too.

We concur a short tour was what he had in mind but anyone educated or well read, knows you never use a tunnel, cave, scuba dive, or hike without supplies. The motto of emergency supplies is stocking them in case. I would not set foot in a secret passage, no matter how much I would relish that discovery, without the following.

A flashlight, digital camera, my meagre flip cell phone, food, water, warm clothes, a blanket, matches, a pail with wood, a pail for a biffy, toilet paper, soap, paper / pen envelope / plastic covering, and a person standing outside the entrance to ensure they could open it for me again if need be. I would deposite most of the supplies in the entrance. I would explore with the flashlight, match, food, blanket essential; even for a first look around. It sounds like you would too.

No one expects a new wall or lock at one end and I would not trust the opening knob on my side to be foolproof. Someone would know where I was and be waiting to reopen the door if I requested it. A partener would be good too in a tunnel, cave, or secret passage. A partner or team is required for scuba divers below and above water.

Yes, we like privacy and peaceful environments. We visit or entertain when we want to. I enjoy people when I encounter them and am sociable. It is nice to know I can go to a few neighbours and local friends or family for assistance, or someone to babysit our cats. I think kids still know they can knock on doors or ask just about any adult for help, like when I was little. Did you feel adults were a safety resource generally?

I don't know if the inventor thought the Eloi stayed in town, or why he would assume anything on his short trip. You reminded me Weena travelled gladly, in the daytime. I think he made plans, feeling he could not speak to the Eloi. If they shopped or visited, he would not be able to chat about it and was anxious to see the building nearest him.

I don't know if there was a sea in the Eloi's time, although London isn't far from it on the southeast side. I stood on a sea channel in Chelmsford. He saw a sea later in time. There was ample flora among the Eloi and they certainly had deep rivers. England also has lakes. Do you eat kelp or sea vegetables? Chinese Medicine and I think other sources identified it at the top of healthy foods we and cats should eat. We buy it in bags for $17.00 CDN. You could clean it for free.

I look forward to your opinions or expansions. Tell me if I missed anything, Kerri. I am happy to see how much fun Sophie Kinsella is, when you are keen to share her novel. I am due to read a fun paranormal book or favourite author now too. With love, your friend, Carolyn.

Dear Kerri, here are your writings that I looked forward to answering and saved. If we discussed them before, you inspired me to think them through and say more. If anything, the author would be happy we are talking over his actions. Be sure to see the message above this too.

I think he would have been better off trying to learn to communicate with them properly. Since Weena conveyed the danger of the tunnels, she could have saved him the trip.

Did you have the impression that the inventor (a nice break from "scientist" and "traveller") meant to look around only a little? I think he stayed only to retrieve his machine, which was out of sight after he arrived. He brought no suitcase, containers for samples, camera, clothing, flashlights, abundance of matches, crowbar (ha ha).

I don't think learning a language was in the cards as you & I put it, unless it took longer to locate his vehicle to go home. I agree, as a linguist, that learning to communicate intricately is wise, if you make a trip for a week or more. We can say the novel was brief, perhaps meant to make a splash with action and imagination, hoping readers understood it was not the length for detail.

I wonder if there was some sort of village. I would have wanted to know if the Eloi knew if there were other people nearby. Perhaps they had returned to living as tribes, where people know of each other.

I did not learn sociology. Humans biologically are familial, tribal, and communal. Reading more history than me, can you think of previous or current countries where people were not communal?

A Canadian talk show "The Social" is fun and inspiring for bandying reactions about general life commentaries as well as celebrities. They often remarked that "the village" is gone, from the saying "It takes a village to raise a child". Families keep to themselves in neighbourhoods, which is true of us in the countryside, where people used to be more friendly than in cities. There is space between us and I like privacy.

Perhaps if it had not been essential to stand up for ourselves for peace from outrageously long barking and other disturbances, we would socialize with neighbours. We are friendly with the youngest boy who visits his Mom to our west. There are two elderly ladies who are happy to chat with me if we see each other. The eldest Daughter to our north visits me from time to time. However, we are satisfied to take care of our own homes and families. If we knew of someone in need, I am sure any of us would help. Many of the children came to me when they were little, to use a phone or visit our cats.

I imagine there must be a village near the Eloi. Didn't the inventor live in London, England? They must know each other. We might feel like they did not travel for shopping or visiting because Weena was afraid on her trip. Do you remember if she declined to go and was urged? Did she agree to accompany the inventor? Was she only uncomfortable at night?

We can't tell if omitting a town or commerce was logic that Herbert failed to use, or if we should imagine the Morlock were so scary, no one travelled anywhere that surpassed daylight. Maybe Weena and her community knew a way to travel that was faster or away from the Morlocks, or of a different town or city. Tell me if you recall if Weena was urged or keen. The inventor wanted to see the high building, instead of asking where else he might go.

He should have looked for tools closer to home for sure. He barely cared about his immediate environment, or what it might offer. I struggle to believe the Eloi wouldn't have something advanced beyond a point where he would recognise it for what it was.

We are covering these well worded items of yours. Your last line impresses me most of all. Six-thousand years ahead, would tools in a nature village be hard to identify and use? Are they like Star Trek with great medical and communicating devices, who appreciate the natural environment? Or did Herbert think humankind regressed, or liked the outdoors better? I hope his next trip, which I don't think he identified for readers, was 500 or fewer years. Learn the lay of the land and what developed.

I would get to know others too, build trust in more than just one. Try to learn what their world actually involves. I would want to know if they knew having fire is protection.

Yes, Herbert would realistically befriend more than one human on a longer visit. I think their light sources, mineral or crafted like flashlights, are the reason I posted the history of our source at the present, electricity. Batteries occur to me too. When you have time, perhaps you could look up when they were developed, using acid or "alkaline" and later on, lithium. They should know the basics of their foe: stay in at night or use a light! I can only ask if Herbert was stupid, or thought readers were.

I like what you wrote about a life plan / blueprint but having choices and the power to manoeuvre. That makes sense to me too and is a good explanation. I think that view of accepting time to have Conan return happy and healthy with a long remainder of his life to share with you, is a very perceptive way to understand.

Thank you, my good friend and God bless you. A few more days or weeks are fine. I don't want anymore years without Conan. He is 13 too and I hope he does not need kidney or any other care. Jesus knows this long, faithful prayer request and wish.

It is hard to know if ascending was the set time for some, or if other ways to heal could help; events with room to manoeuvre. We pray and we try. Some people think of fixed destiny. They forget prayer requests make sense, because higher help and Their Holy changes are possible.

I do feel like the late inclusion of the sea creatures undid some of his reasoning. If there are sea creatures, there would surely be options also such as seaweed, combined with the vegetation and goodness knows what else. If the Eloi have a food source, surely it would be logical that the Morlocks could eat it too, cultivate the vegetation.

This is very well put and considered by you, Kerri. Leaving sea creatures aside in peace where we want them; seaweed and vegetation generally are a great idea. Where there is life, there is vegetation in abundance.

He mentioned the weather being consistent and warm. Depending on what they are growing, perhaps they have gone past fire? Most of us cook with heat. I doubt cooking would be lost, as it is so pivotal to humankind.

This was put really well too. I think our light source paragraphs encompass this amply. My history of electricity is geared to answer this too. Thinking of alkaline and lithium, luminous rocks and minerals, what would 6000 in years? I had not thought of cooking. All humans do and it is as basic as the Eloi taking 9 months to have babies like anyone else.

It is true and a fact I did not think of, that we use heat without matches. My family does. I knew people who lit gas stoves and don't understand anyone trusting or preferring that. Our stove has a smooth surface. There are no grooves in our elements, nothing to clean crumbs out of, or to avoid spilling into.

Did Herbert not think of nighttime warmth, cooking, and security from Morlocks? Did he want us to believe society lost what we learned about flint stone, or did matches look curiously primitive and outdated?

I have a new thought. Did Herbert want his setting date to look super advanced but did not know how to convey it? I don't know how many outer space stories there were before the 1960s but Gene Roddenberry is justifiably appreciated for the imaginatively detailed Star Trek world. They are relatable and at once, a foreign marvel. I am going to look for your review of our buddy reading novel.

Ron's vegetarian breakfasts are divine! Hashbrowns, with our own potatoes at certain seasons. Baked beans, learned from hotel / B & B breakfasts in England. Veggie sausage, honey mustard or Tika Masala sauce.

I will find my sheet and see if there was anything else to write about "The Time Machine". I knew someone living where standards still existed could tell me about their basic use. I thought the ignition could be started in any gear, except neutral apparently. Can they? Automatic cars need to be in park to start, I believe. I did not dare to experiment.

Do you recall the scientist narration saying he took two levers to safeguard in his pocket? Even if there had been only one to operate the time machine and its beautiful miniature model, we have established that there was a delay in moving, whether or not a destination needed to be set each time the lever was activated. The colleague saw the machine for awhile, before it looked transparent and afterwards, vanished.

The more I think of it, the more I feel that the way mechanics work, Kerri, there has to be a separate power switch. Or a way to lock the sole lever into an "off" position. You have to avoid bumping it when unused, for one. It makes no sense to turn on a vehicle by moving a time setting dial. Does it?

A new question is: can you picture an author of any mechanical era not weighing these details out before creating a story about an innovative machine? Did he actually not mull this over and jot down ideas? Likewise, is it logical that he doodled how his ignition and settings worked but did not write it in the story?

Yes, that is a good point: the guests were interested in scientific details. The host's narration spouted a lot of information. You & I discovered it was mostly reactions and observations; not how anything worked.

It is also very well put, that he should have said he tested a miniature model before. One would not craft and decorate a vehicle until the active parts worked. What do you imagine his setting dial was? Analogue clocks can be set to the minute, perhaps with difficulty making the hands sit exactly on one spot. He had a device that set the year at least. What do you imagine it was? Did it make sense to only have year settings? We seem to agree he inventor should have been able to ask his miniature car return in a minute, or at a five minute setting on an analogue clock.

Conclusion: "The Time Machine" is not the impressive story nor author like they seemed. Are you annoyed or curious about the protagonist not having a name? Do you have a reason in mind that made the tale enjoyable or useful?

Hi Kerri dear! I am keen to ressurrect our book conversation before breakfast this warm summer morning, even if it is a few of our subjects. Yes, two books I think you would love as much as me is the well known Antonia Barber "The Amazing Mr. Blunden" and the Liz Berry novel that deserves a boost into high recognition "The China Garden". Antonia's great story is among my favourites but there are similar premises of saving life in the past.

Liz's "The China Garden" is so amazingly layered, original, and profound; it will blow your mind. It is a copy I am putting in plastic, something recently endeavoured for special items: double protection in plastic storage. Photo albums are in plastic storage containers. No tales of water damage like people used to hear of.

Welcome, to your new laptop, which might be an Acer brand! We have a good PC that has lasted about 15 years, so I have not heard of that brand. Now, to quote your most recent, July 10 entry.

This made me laugh, yes I get what you mean! It has been fun to give those details but I would like to know why the author skipped over it all. He did seem to abandon the model all too easily. I had expected that while the man was waiting to see if the Traveller returned, the little machine would appear one day. It seems astonishing to send something that valuable away.

I recall the traveller / scientist pocketing two levers. Do you? One must be an ignition. Did you catch my explanation that even if the same gear shift were the power button, the destination needs to be set? There is a pause either way. There might be a park position like a car, or if the model and large vehicle park in any gear, I think a destination needs to be set. You know stick shift vehicles, which we call "standard vehicles". I do not: they went out of fashion when I was a baby in North America. I have no idea why British influenced countries have them, which freaks out visitors. We demanded an automatic in England, although Ron learned how to drive a standard as a child! Let me know what you can about their machanics.

I thought there might be a "go" button to confirm the vehicle should move, if it parked in a destination the passenger wanted to resume. I recall that this is not a moving vehicle, laterally. Thus he would always choose a fresh destination from the parked position, to move time wise. Is there a park lever setting? Damn this author for not writing this most rudimentary mechanical basics that even I think of, who is not mechancial!

This is why the best you can get is three stars, you lazy bastard! In your era, there were nothing but mechanics, so it is not as if vehicle operation got sidetracked by digital considerations! Or was it your public whom you deemed too ignorant to colour in the details? I am unsure I like this author, the more I contemplate him. I will try the ant and whatnot PDFs you send, to see. The conclusion is simple that the vehicle would delay and either give the driver ample time to choose a time setting gear. Or there was a parking gear to sit in and work from.

The other thing that leaped to my attention as being instantly wrong, came from your observation that there must be many light source options. Maybe the Eloi were only surprised by fire coming from an the form of matches. Flint stone is very old and basic (sigh, something to look up?); which only holds with the impression Herbert gave of them being basic. If we stay clear that it was the year 8000, literal light years ahead of us, Kerri, you were very astute that many light sources had arisen and receded. Let's have fun thinking of them: solar, lunar. Ron debated the other day that the moon reflects the sun and is not a light source. What say you? Rocks, sand, soil, minerals, or algae. Electricity, other advances....

You are right that all they needed was a major light source handy at night and keep the Morlocks away from their easily used handicap sensitivity or fear.

I wondered what famous people or creature resemble "Eloi", when "Morlock" is obviously a prejudiced play on "warlock". Even today, many religious folks have the impression Pagan faiths or anyone resembling witches are undesirable. But how lazy could this bastard get, than to put an "M" on warlock and rhyme with it? His creativity DOES know bounds! Usually we compliment impressive traits, like generosity, for "having no bounds" as the saying goes.

I think the electricity facts I gathered play into both of our criticisms of the functioning of light sources and the options to control the vehicle and its beautiful model. Doesn't it boggle the mind, that all the scientist had to do was set it 5 minutes ahead in the future, or the briefest setting possible?

He could see someone racing through his lab room but do not know what his time gauge was, the lazy goof. An analogue clock? However, even if his gauge console could only be as low as an hour, he would be guaranteed his beautiful little model would return among his supper guests! The author was stupid to assume he would send the little vehicle out of his lifetime. He was not thinking in time travel terms at all to not use a brief duration he would immediately meet, was he!!!!

I smell that the beautifully fragrant, vegetarian breakfast Ron is making is ready so this is my end of our chat. It is nice to be back again. I will look at my saved document and don't think there is much more ground to cover. Love, Carolyn.

Kerri, it is wonderful to resume with great conversation pieces saved June 19th, thinking you would appreciate a lighter quantity during your catch-up. I wondered when to restore it, until we had solved a lot of what we had pondered and were primarily trading great television suggestions!

I have realized what I put aside comprised replies to you. Did you wonder where your responses to conversation were? I am sorry about the inadvertent detour of good material. By bringing them back, I am already rewarded by such great questions, answers, and intelligent considerations from you, Kerri! Although I value being heard and receiving input, my favourite part of conversations is my companions revealing angles I have not thought of.

I did a little simple research and will paste these items ahead of my responses to you, which are upcoming tonight or tomorrow morning. I will observe with humour that instead of "just taking story parameters as they are" like some fiction requires of readers, you & I are going to a lot of effort to debunk Herbert Wells' validity. I wonder why we are deeming it lack of thoroughness with what was known at the time, or proposing that he might only be lauded as a creative genius because he scared people with the "War Of The Worlds" radio play. I wonder if there was clamour for his work before that, depending on its date.

I often thought I should give four stars because I loved the creativity, originality, beauty, and some considerations of different or future worlds that were startling. I might have excused an immature light or dark portrayal and not searching for a crowbar or other tool where he and his machine were.

(1) As you said, he lost respect because of the fire and doing nothing for Weena, even with a time machine. You put it aptly that the man was stupid before that but these were "egregious". I must begin using that adjective.

(2) It was short sighted to think the Morlocks were stronger and taller. I posit that he confused them with the caveman stereotype. They were diurnal and got plenty of light and fruit. Caves were merely where they lived!

(3) I realized that I thought I should value a "classic" more, when it was entirely from Herbert Wells' reputation preceding him. The two stories I know were surprisingly lacking in backgrounds or explanations. I wonder what you will say of the other stories in your paperback omnibus. I can't wait to read the good PDFs when you send them. I think we can both say that it does not behoove an author, if readers put a lot more thought into their work and its nuts & bolts, than they did.

(4) The little model, which I am sure was valuable, sat with me from the start, as something whose handling was inadequate and untrue. There were simple mechanisms like pullies, even if alarm setting and bell pulling came after. I thought the scientist could use an elastic so the lever would come back to the beginning soon. Anything could retrieve the beautiful model car so the supper guests could witness its reappearance.

It came to me at last, Kerri. Was there a separate power switch and travel lever, like vehicles have? Even if pushing the lever also served as the ignition, take-off lasts several seconds. The man merely needed to set the lever a little ahead and let it go. He must have tested it in numerous stages, before the ignition or lever were assembled. The supper visitors would behold the beautiful model car vanishing and reappearing a few minutes later.

We don't know how much control the car had. It named the year they reached. We know travel could be brief and slow enough in minutes, to see his maid traversing his lab. It sounds like the guests could observe the wonder of the model car's return in less than an hour. The inventor could set the lever in the first place!

There is no question the purpose of a time machine is to go in the past or the future. Thus, another option surer to get the little car model is to send it a few minutes in the past. It could surprise the supper guests from anywhere.

I don't know about you but knowing instantly that this scene was wrong, made me question Herbert's high accolades. He was credited for publishing one of the first time travel stories: he should have been all over thinking of time as fluid.

As a matter of fact, I read the wonderful "The Amazing Mr. Blunden / "The Ghosts" 1969, while talking with you here. The great Antonia Barber explained how time works to a tee in her fiction! It wasn't outrageously scientific but just made sense. You will love it. There was no "Back To The Future" at that time. It goes to show there was no excuse for Herbert Wells not casting a guess about the background of his machine.

I need to do my remaining flower pot gardening today and after, clean. This will be a great place to start.

Here are special notes. We pray Conan is home by July 13, to be with us as long as he was away and increase our togetherness.

Our precious Spirit's birthday is July 19th. My dream is for the friends who know these things to surprise me on these days, rather than me announcing it. Support feels nicer when it is waiting for you first. :) Love, Carolyn.

Have you checked the prices of Microsoft laptops, which made Word, or do you prefer Macintoshes? I remember from long ago that they have word processors in their own brands. We will all be happy and relieved by the freedom to do what we want to do with our computers and internet, without any problem or delay any more.

Around 600 BC, Thales in Greece found that when amber was rubbed with silk, it became electrically charged and attracted objects. Though scientists understood electricity exists and how to harness it thanks to Michael Faraday, 1831, they sought a use for it. Thomas Edison produced an electric light bulb in 1879 that was reliable and long-lasting. First use of this was by means of generators installed into homes. Thomas Davenport (United States) invented the electric motor in 1837, an invention that is used in most electrical appliances today.

During a long wait, I saved notes on June 19, to let you catch up. Here are the complete thoughts I wrote. I like some of the angles I reached and you might too. I see that I was answering you. I am sure you will recognize that. - - - - - - - -

About the tower: the scientist was interested in the exhibits but I do not recall an attempt to read history, culture, bontany, or geography. If it was solely to look for locked homes, the scientist thought the Eloi were as stupid as the author did. It was walking distance for a race who had lived there a long time, by the impression we are given! It was even stupider not to point at the building in the distance, raise his eyebrows, raise his arms in query, and clearly ask Weena what it was. She could have told him without needing to take a trek.

One grace I grant Herbert is on the unused, unreinforced museum. If he wanted to portray that the Eloi were unresourceful and did not use a building that had stood for one-hundred years plus, it was a message readers might perceive. I got the impression a city was near the museum, did you? The scientist was too anxious about getting his machine to look around anymore. If reinforced housing is the only reason for the trip, it is a pointless return location. I don't think he went all that way for tools. Anything to pry open a door can be found in an active village and it need not be metal.

You suggested keeping Weena out of the river. It would mean not befriending her in the profound way he had. He wanted to save her, not remove her experience of meeting him and learning about him. Anything past the statue was unnecessary, including putting the machine in the museum. He would know the second time that it was not a closed building and that he needed no trip there. If they wanted to seal anything, reinforcing their own buildings made more sense.

I like your idea of bringing a bright light source. I did not think of that and it could be helpful right in the village. He could bring a bright light source, crowbar, and something to jam the statue shut, as well as a tether for his machine. Thus, he covers all contingencies of prevention and escape! You are right that he did not need to climb underground after he knew his machine was aboveground.

I would not dare prevent a race from splitting. Like the short story in my paperback about miracles, it is too large in life for a human to understand. Especially as a visitor who had no part in its development. A major change might have good reason to occur, despite the few unfortunate effects the scientist witnessed. He only had a glance at these people and his narration is made of guesses about how they live.

I would prioritise seeing a future near enough to help my family. It would be more appealing, to feel like I could achieve something useful. You said the same.

I cringed at your exaggeration of the scientist going forward "happily", a grating word choice that of course it is not how the scientist felt! He was terrified about crashing. He was amazed to see the sun rise and set. Moving day by day must be extraordinary and seeing people walk through a room, like his maid. I am conversing too long after to be fresh on some details but think the scientist planned to explore a little past his lifetime, further ahead than you & I would.

We know the future is made by us, with some guided perameters and workings of the world. I have little interest in a future that will easily mould into a different alternative. I have no interest in alternate universes either; only the one that belongs to me. Some rthink God cements life, in a plan He doesn't want us to know. How contrary to what life is for. I think we make a plan WITH him, to reach certain goals. We decide what types of families, talents, difficulties we will handle.

Certain things are built into our life plan or blueprint but having the choice and power to maneuver around it is the point. Once our soul is born into a body, we don't remember we asked for some of the challenges, so we grow from experiences. The goal is to see if we experience negative or less pleasant emotions but choose to get rid of it and put love, joy, compassion, and kindness first.

Apparently we can remove or receive relief from in our blueprint, if we do not want to experience any more difficulty. Believe me, Kerri, when Conan vanished: I said "No. Love went at a young age. Let there be no more hardship involving my cats anymore. Please let him be alive and come back in a reasonable time to enjoy life together here". Although healthy and gone suddenly, I grant that McCartney was elderly. Spirit and especially Marigold went too young. With two of my brightest lights not safeguarded and my elderly Son ascended that year, I trust God is coming through with Conan.

I suspect the outrageous long wait is how He is getting him back to us, alive and well for a long lifetime. Adjusting our lifetime blueprints might include wide parameters on each side that we do not see. Here is an example that occurs to me, even though it was fictional. Around 1995, I was introduced to David Eddings and fantasy by a previous boyfriend. I needed to take a book somewhere for the day and he offered one of his.

I loved it and borrowed the first "Belgariad" series, later scoring the same characters' second series at a used store. A powerful woman wizard is destined to fall in love with a simple blacksmith. They realize later that being together would not work out well unless they were both mortal or both magical. He is given magic and is learning the basics but understands nothing behind it.

He tried to change something as major as the weather, which looked as simple as asking. I think he turned a rainy atmosphere into a sunny day. His wife was frustrated. She had been working on putting little clouds into position to obtain rain and gradually move the clouds to them. Her husband abruptly changed that. Come to think of it, so did the cowardly protagonist of "The Man Who Could Work Miracles".

Whether Conan was always meant to be returned to us, or a change was made in our life script upon my earnest prayer; perhaps God has been clearing the way on both ends in a broader picture than we know about. I said I could accept time, as long as our boy is back healthy with numerous years ahead of us.

I notice very little provenance came from Herbert G. Wells. I wonder if higher stars like yours are affected by the misinformed feeling that we owe a lot to him. You agree with every criticism we observed and I am presenting more. Do tell if your grade would stand after seeing the rest of this. It occurs to me that even the basic caution of not changing events, did not originate with him. Bob Gale's story (1985) is the first place I saw that rule, followed by "Star Trek: The Voyage Home" (1986).

The sea animals at the end, made not seeing any among the Eloi a hasty assessment. Our families' pets are equals, not lower beings. Other people killed animals in our time, therefore maybe the Eloi corrected it with extreme measures; by not believing in cats, horses, and donkeys not being free. It was only the protagonist who assumed the Eloi were eaten because the Morlocks had nothing else. They surely could eat vegetation and sea creatures, if they insisted. I think the Morlocks were lazy, or region limited.

You wondered how humans survived if animals did not. Herbert conjured a radical image for his story, without reasoning out the concept. Was he lazy, hasty, uncreative? You wrote awhile ago that the traveller hardly looked around.

Who said the Eloi did not know how to use fire? They did not have matches but heat sources are basic life essentials. Who said they did not bake or warm soup, pasta, scones, and other things? They needed warmth at night and during cold seasons. This was England, not the lovely tropical New Zealand. :-)

You seem to picture the primitive, instead of 6000 later than today. You are right that they appeared to lack a great light source like a powerful lantern, to ward off the Morlocks with ease. If so, the author demonstrated poorly plotted logic in the extreme. It is like we are discussing how little he knew, instead of how the novel worked. I might have given four stars if he had not lost Weena, without making a move to look for her, or a plan to check on her after. It came across as handled too feebly to be realistic.

💖💐 You can guarantee that I appreciate this with all my heart, Kerri! Thumbelina was a bright, beautiful, powerful, happy part of my life. I was grateful to be loved by a big new family of Kitties after her. I didn't know if I could love any as much and thankfully our hearts have room for all of us to love each other equally. Love, Carolyn.

Thank you for wishing us a happy Canada Day for yesterday. Today is the actual birthday of our dear Thumbelina. I like to remember it always. Love, Carolyn.

Yes, Kerri, I only wanted forward if I could not read letters any other way. Once Proton opened at 4:00 in the morning, I also copied them with their dates and time, onto a notepad document that I saved on our removable harddrive. I am going to do it with yours and all good letters for me.

I like shutting off our PC occasionally to give it a break and have peace from appliances in our environment. However, if we are purported to have adequate internet in about 3 months and Proton is a drag to open, I discussed with Ron that it seems all right to keep it open. Except during storms like there might be tomorrow or perhaps the next day. I will take the modem right out and put it in its box, like I do regularly but if I feel I should shut off the PC too, or a power flicker does it, I'll load e-mail as soon as I can again. You know where else to find me if there was a delay.

Yes, apparently combination tablets, which we are receiving on Thumbelina's birthday, the first mail after Canada Day, have a little of all 12 trace minerals in each one. I can't wait for the girls, Ron, & I to see what health benefits do for us! Definitely get that for Izzie and recommend it for Henry. I love that you sound like you can walk into a store and just buy them. Manitoba, ramp up your alternative care options! I am glad I found somewhere to order them for a great price, $22.50 for 1000.

I bought 4 because a quartet of us having 3 or 4 twice daily would go fast. Dr. Allport says the dose is the same for all of us. These are not pharmaceuticals but natural minerals. So us drawing whatever we individually need from them has nothing to do with size or biology type. Some websites make that mistake between animals and people. I defer to this wonderful naturopath vet instead of sales company. If I learned anything I would change, Kerri, please heed the wisdom: get Izzie and Henry on it and an energy balancing routine while they are well. Get what you can out of the animal book I gave you and tell me what you notice.

I did not know you had as few animals but wondered how they got to your island. I believe you have non preditor mammals, like deer and rabbit, right? I just love them. I am glad our insects are safe. Late last night, after reading your letters, a spider was attracted to the light and was across from me, outside the bedroom door. I like spiders and let them make little webs in the house for catching mosquitoes, flea beetles, and whatnot. However, this was the biggest I have ever seen in Manitoba; noticed outside our back door a few weeks ago. I told him as I scooped him in a baggie to carry out there: "Thank you for not going under the bedroom door! You are lovely but even for me, you are too big to be in our house. Here you go to a nice natural space".

You bet that I have our DVR set to catch any Graham Norton that shows up. It started in 2021 and is in 2024. It is funny that you know more British actors than North Americans (you HAVE to stop saying "American") and that it is the reverse for me. As I say, I love discovering new people. You have remarked on combinations before but Graham doesn't pair anyone together, Kerri. Booking guests is all about what project is going and who is available. Absolutely anyone makes an interesting mix, which is why it is fun to see it unfold! It sounds sweet the Stephanie (Lady Gaga) met a famous elderly actress. I love the elderly in animals and people.

Grandma's early ascension is private stuff for letters. I sure do value my memories of her and that made my Mom happy. She has missed her since 1982 and was away from her Mother for too much of her young life. If I have to miss my own precious Mom; I am glad for her to be in the arms of her parents, Grandparents, and animals again. I am glad my "little Carolyn" stories made you smile, Kerri! My parents, Dad in particular, tell the story with great humour and I am glad you got a sense of it second-hand. They look out the window and see I am nearly out of sight, turning the corner into the final street or so. They do something around the apartment, glace out again, and are taken aback to find me nearly back home again! Is it human nature to follow a clock; besides meals, working, tidying, fun, and sleeping? I think most of us have trouble rising for a job because a specific time is unnatural and jobs are seldom our dream fields.

About the novel, thank you for researching the metamorphosis of homosapiens, which I guess is correctly who we are? Is homoerectus the first bipedal humanoid? Yes, I remember Rachel & Joey laughing at that name at Ross' seminar in Jamaica, ha ha. We are way older than I thought, so I'm glad I did not guess and that you sought the number. Yes, I guess we evolved from being animal like and sometimes lived in tandom. However, don't three million years support the point that we would not become "like day and night" in 8000 of them or fewer? All the animal and human species prior to homosapiens included vegetation in their diets, if they were carnivorous or omnivorous at all. I think the truth is hidden about how many civilizations were successful, healthy vegetarians because it is an unpopular view, ignored with bias.

Similarly, there were female dieties, who were eradicated by christians (or they attempted to). It is blasphemy merely to contemplate or inquire about them. Realisticially, especially if meat was scarce, the underground Morlocks would include vegetables, fruits, and berries which apparently abounded. They could not catch an intelligent, modern human every night. Also, why are the strong creatures perceived as being primative? I bought Ron a book for a previous birthday or so about human structures underground. I look forward to reading it. Making use of a cave does not omit the chance to take in the sunlight too.

The item I am eager for your opinion about is whether or not you think it was necessary to go to the town at all. Do you recall what the scientist hoped to find there? Not tools and not his time machine.

Did I correctly recall that it was only to scout out a closed building for the Eloi? We agreed that they could reinforce their current homes like very generation has, even animals do. I also loved the certain abundance of natural and power generated light the year 8000 must have. Did Herbert make a mistake for the atmosphere of being primitive or did he intend to convey that something set people back?

Rather, he did not go to the town but a museum, unpeopled. It would be nice to see other people. If Morlock dwellings only occurred in that area, don't live there. Pick the fruit by day and transport it to storage. Or don't grow it by what I think was a handmade underground structure. If so, the Morlocks were only in that place.

You wrote very astutely that the sea animals arose on the beach later. Maybe they were always in the background. You also made a great point that animals might have only been absent in that part of England.

This is all for my conversation tonight. This is the end of the Canadian reading challenge for the year and I must set my final book as finished. Yes, please do save multiple copies of all that music, artwork, and other information.

I hope you catch the interesting variety of reviews I am putting into view. If you don't get to the ones that interest you, I will name those where I would love for you to record your reactions. "The China Garden", "Firefly Time", "From Warsaw To Winnipeg", "The Sandhills Of Carberry", "Windward Island" top my wish list for you to see. :)
Happy Canada Day from friendly Manitoba! Love, Carolyn & family!

It occured to me that Raj was sympathetic in the last couple of seasons of “The Big Bang Theory”. I had had enough of him but rooted for him in a few instances. If the last season is all you saw, your patience makes sense. He did not whine while he dated Emily and Anou.

Although of course, being different and having your own disposition is okay, I like seeing out if we can get on the same page. It is good it helped both of us, realizing we do not fault an encyclopedia for reporting a negative. I can't get aboard you thinking a story about whales and people being killed by a madman is a favourite. I understand that you learned something poignant, or felt for them. You, like some people, appreciate feeling even negative emotions. I value stories that are, or turn out brightly, triumphantly, and happily with relief. You must want this too, after terrible subjects. This brings me to my first query: does one of your star grades belong to enjoyment, which is unrelated to skill and storytelling quality? If so, shouldn't five star appreciation belong to well told stories that were the most pleasant?

I have realized that age plays a role between us in this example. Up to about your age, I read nearly everything too. It was like learning, even if it was a horrible scene to imagine. Does that sum it up? V.C. Andrews had me aghast at human horror but racing the pages until I exclaimed in relief that the evil was over. One day, I realized that entertainment reading and viewing was in my control to make pleasant. Maybe a person goes through difficult times or just decides that they refuse all negativity they can control. Since 30 or so, I can't stomach disturbing stories anymore. Why not have a happy space that we guarantee for ourselves? We'll see how you feel at 35. I shudder at what I used to read. Adrenaline might be what you get out of morose tales for a little longer.

I found where you discussed our novel and will answer that. On your faster internet, you would find when we became the homosapiens that I think our evolution is. I sense it must have been thousands of years ago. We agree 8000 more years seems too far without “Heaven On Earth” or an ice age or flood retiring this epoch of life. My guess is Earth might be ready for a reset in less than 1000 years. I don't know if climate change has me thinking this way. How about you? I believe we will sucessfully solve the climate crisis but think spirits sharing the Earth in a visible way is a few hundred years away.

Anyway, let's use mathematics and surmise that our evolution is about 8000 from homoerectus or whomever the last evolution was called; I guess they were cavemen or older. We have not split in a way that any mammal thrives without light; vitamin D directly from the sun and vegetation as nutrition. According to Donna Eden's provable exercises, our DNA has not evolved since we walked on two legs or more. That is why we need to tap acupressure points (which I do) or hold neurovascular points (which I must learn), to quell a false “fight, flight, or freeze” reactions. If you found the age of the earliest bipedal mammal, might that be millions of years?

Slugs, worms, and other insects and bacteria are strong underground. I guess a case could be made for nocturnal mammals, birds, and reptiles. However, I suggest that they have the option of receiving the sun, even if it is in sleep and they certainly include vegetation in their food, if it is not their staple. I think we can conclude that Herbert had a vegetarian bias, or confused cavemen as being strong for reasons that did not allign with his Morlocks. It is fair for a hunted race to act a certain way but I have seen prey animals. Deer, rabbits, little birds, frogs and toads live their lives boldly and freely; running or hiding, or freezing to be invisible when they need to. Actually, deer and amphibians come out at night for food. The deer avoid humans as they check underneath birdfeeders and amphibians seek insects near our lights. Deer, rabbits, little birds, frogs and toads are sturdy, althletic, strong, and fast! You have seen their photographs on my memory stick.

Speaking of which, please ensure you take a copy of all the music on a data CD, other memory stick, or harddrive. It would be a shame for a single source like an Ipod to have a glitch or get misplaced. With personal photographs, I have a rule that they must be on two harddrives and a data CD made of them too. I usually don't delete any photographs from our digital camera until they are saved on CD, further to being on two harddrives.

I admire Herbert for making up an interesting concept. I wonder if a biologist and naturlist would have had a field day with his science fiction in their day, or if we modern scholars know that it doesn't pass muster. It would have made more sense for races to be rivals who avoid each other. However, they are not in competition for food preferences. It is hard to believe in Herbert's fiction, that animals are gone because those sea creatures on the beach appear at the end. We can only be realistic so far and must just enjoy inventive novels. I think what you & I are refuting is that Herbert is not as brilliant or as much as a classic as his reputation suggested. I will gladly read a little more of him, like you will. I found two unabridged Jules Verne novels I wanted at the recent charity sale! I only wait for a copy of “From The Earth To The Moon”.

Please forward your letter to our Prairie e-address. Proton is taking two days to open. I have a ton of personal fun stuff to share with you, like many more fruits of recent charity and garage sales! I am glad you are immediately buying Dr. Richard Allport's healing book for Izzie. Your photographs of Henry were much better! I am happy to have them! Next, move back a little to get his feet all the way in, or angle in front of his head. A view down the length of him will get all his feet in photographs easily.

Find out if New Zealand has “all 12 trace minerals in one tablet”, as I have found in Ontario. My order is coming on Tuesday. I can't wait to see how the girls, Ron, & I feel after letting our bodies choose what they need, from the whole variety of minerals. We tried two based on Dr. Allport's recommendations. I have a good feeling about letting our own DNA work with all possibilities offered. If this is easy to procure in New Zealand like it sounds, start Izzie and Henry on them. The elderly might perk up and may feline urinary issues disappear.

Please note that my input started at message #59. Good night! Your friend, Carolyn.

Good evening, Kerri! I have not heard of “Derry Girls” but the title sounds fun. I am not looking at many webpages in the effort to get Protonmail to load in the other tab. Writing conversations in notepad first is easier than plunking my thoughts into a comment box regardless, for reasons I must ascertain. Maybe a bigger screen allows me to see everything at a glance: to edit and fit our great variety of subjects easier. Oh, I know! It is certainly easier to have your post pasted before me, instead of shuffling up & down between our comment boxes. Your words are right here, like an e-mail letter. Ah, I knew the reason would come to me.

In the case of sharing a laptop (with your Sister and your Mom?), it is nice if you need only paste the finished letter or book conversation with an internet connection. I remember you writing that one laptop lacked word processor software but I am only using notepad, a plain text program that comes with Microsoft Windows 7 and surely newer Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Most of our letters are at Gmail.

Yes, I love “The Graham Norton show”. As you know, I had downloaded the 2002 Morten Harket episode before I moved (you know A-ha, right?) but had not seen anything since. You got me back into him, especially telling me of his new group format. I thought James Corden came up with it but Graham certainly preceded him and if you know James, he is from England. He retired his talk show to go back to his family; for his wife, himself, and their young kids to enjoy. Past talk shows have kept guests on a couch but featured one at a time. James and Graham are the only ones who combine their conversations and I love it like you do. castmates like Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellan going together is common. What I find a riot is seeing mismatched guests interact with each other, admiring each other and generally being funny. I do not find British versions of North American shows funny, not even Ricky Gervais himself on the US “The Office”. Although I haven't watched it, commercial clips of the UK “Ghosts” do not entice me, even though of course I don't know any of the characters or find anything familiar unless I did watch them. However, by themselves in conversation, British comedians and the people I have seen interviewed are very funny. Graham himself is a superb host, only adding a laugh here & there to keep his guests going.

I am scrolling a long way to find where we are directly discussing “The Time Machine”, ha ha! I also have topics I saved a week ago or longer because I did not want to bog you. Oh, I remember wanting to verify that you give this main story three stars, not merely your omnibus as a whole. You already know both of my Herbert G. Wells stories were marvellous at pondering things and thought of fantastic stories that I would not have written but had no explanations to an unacceptable point. Kerri, I can't find any book conversation from you and guess you are the one who is due to reply to my posts. I remember now, that you said you would finish the book conversation another day and kept up our entertainment conversation meanwhile. I think you forgot because we keep having a ball with all manner of entertainment. :)

Yes, please e-mail me any PDFs you find, of those I said I would like to have. You had favoured some and I have admired ants since I was little. One of my sole memories of my maternal Grandma, who went to the Second Chapter far too young (actually, 8 years older than me now!), is giving me jars to play with ants on her sidewalk. I released them all and guess I looked at them closely and fashioned temporary habitats of moss or something for them, then set them free.

Recently, in the last year or so Mom was on Earth with us, she & Dad told the story of how hard it was to get me to go to school when I was little. I was at an age when most people wouldn't let their kids walk on their own but this was expected and we were trusted in the 1970s. My school was a fair jaunt away at my age but only a few blocks, easy for anyone a bit older. Several kids walked at the same time and my parents could monitor me from our apartment window the first part of the way. I think they had me going on my own eventually as part of the effort to work off my awful shyness. Anyway, I was interest in ants, buttercups which were abundant as dandelions, and just about everything nature had to offer even in the city. Spending many week-ends with two sets of Grandparents in the countryside, taught me where to look for natural wonders anywhere. :) I had no sense of time at that age and did not boogie to school. I got there whenever a got there, which is still somewhat my way and was too small to understand anyone urging me to do anything different than smell the roses exactly the way I did. I was there from kindergarten to grade 2, therefore I was ages 5 to 7; tiny! My parents laughed at how they would see me touching this hedge and smelling this lilac and rambling into the distance. When I looked like I was turning out of sight, they would move from the window. Sometimes, when they checked again, I had strolled almost all the way back! I'll bet they went outside and told me to get going. I eventually received a certificate for going to school on time for a week. It really was an achievement for me. Is it any wonder that I prefer a life without a tight schedule, so long as our finances are all right? Seeing what ants and other insects and birds were doing, was fun to me.

I dislike the Karen character as it happens but dating someone else, until you find the right person is normal. If Pam chose Roy or was unavailable, what else could Jim do? I find it false in novels for “the love of their life” to be whichever character is introduced to protagonists. THANK THE GOOD LORD, I did not stick with my first two boyfriends, or that pushy guy friend! In series especially, I highly admire the few times a protagonist does not keep that first beau that is introduced. I can think of Lyn Hamilton, Gail Bowen, Howard Engel, Juliet Blackwell, and Charlaine Harris moving their characters past their first romances. Karen herself is more irritating than funny and makes sarcastic remarks much more than hilarious or sweet quips. I love to laugh but hate banter and don't want to be on my guard or on my toes with my mate and best friend. I found it annoying merely the way Karen leaned in and said in a low tone “Hey, Jim”. It is amazing how much two fictional characters were made to be together. The chemistry of these actors astonishes me and I hope Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, and Rainn Wilson won awards. I am glad there was no more use for the Karen character. I tried an episode of “Parks And Recreation” that was on about two or three days ago and the actress was all right in that. There is no need to whisper or tap anyone.

I can't help noticing how quiet “The Office” is prior to Andy Bernard's arrival. He is great but I am savouring the calm while these earlier shows have it, ha ha. In which instance was Pam crying around Dwight? I remember near the end the cameraman, Brian, comforted Pam. She failed to videotape C.C's dance recital for Jim, who worked in Philadelphia.

I was in shock that the record-keeping purpose of a diary or journal was not clear to you from the begging. You don't expect to like everything you wrote or those times your records recall. You never erase or throw them out! Good gosh, the whole point is to see what YOU ONCE THOUGHT OR FELT; starting at the younger, the better. My betrayal was worse than someone reading it; I get a curious person sneaking. This former guy friend was a fink, an utter asshole. He knew there was something about a former crush when we first met and somehow found where my diary was on a visit to my house. He was such a jerk that he told me he had it, physically refused to let me take it back, and caused the humiliating scene of me watching him bikeride away with my diary. I should have phoned his parents or told mine to intervene. I did not like or respect him much after that and slowly let our friendship dwindle. He should not have gotten way with that terrible behaviour. He was a smug creep I am glad to be rid of. Anyway, keep whatever you write from now on, whether you like it or not. Your private history is the point of diaries and journals.

When you claim you would rather take the annoyance of mosquitoes than the disease: how much do they bug you? Only at the beach, not at home? As you know from Shania Twain and Avril Lavigne, we have Lyme Disease but it is rare to get it from mosquitoes or woodticks. Here is what it is like to deal with mosquitoes in this season occuring right now. I do not go outside unless it is sunny and breezy. If I have to be out in any other conditions, I wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and a hat no matter how sweaty I might get. I don't like spraying on mosquito repellent the way Ron does but will spray the few exposed places if they go after me and I need to finish gardening or another activity. Ah but indoors is the annoyance. You can't help letting a bunch in each door. Our bedroom and office screens aren't tight along the sides, so some get through them. Even if they don't, the annoying thing about crank windows is that to close them, a bunch of mosquitoes are pulled inside the closed window. I try to blow them out of the way before cranking the windows closed.

I do not believe in killing anything. In self defense, mosquitoes are the exception. I have made a rule that by evening, our bedroom door is closed, so none that got in the house goes in our room. Watching TV in the livingroom or using the kitchen is a bitch. I use a blanket on the couch but swat around my face and feet sometimes. It is aggravating to eat or cook, while mosquitoes sneak at your legs. When I am ready to read or sleep in bed, I patrol the whole room for any mosquito. We keep our doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes sneaking through cracks, even if it is hot. Summer is when we wait to open our windows and dog noise has quieted at last! I am often bitten in this office too.

What is it like if a mosquito gets in the bedroom? I keep my hands above the covers and turn on a lamp, so I see if they approach my hands. Ignoring them is not an option. I get up, put on my glasses and the main light, and search the room. Sometimes I solve the problem. Other times, mosquitoes hide until I am nodding to sleep. I have to start the inconvenient process again. Girl, Lyme Disease is the last thing on my mind.

I have not seen or heard Tasmanian Devils. Does New Zealand have them like Australia does? I have wondered if you have most of the same animals. Our cats freaked out when they heard howling monkeys. They ran away from the TV and hid. Since animals are telepathic, I wonder if there was an unpleasant message they perceived.

Kerri, I haven't read this yet, nor know about your letter to look forward to. I have been working on opening Proton since yesterday. It should open today but if I do not message that it did when you are on-line again, please forward your letter to Prairie.

I caught a major misinterpretation that I am going to correct before I go to breakfast with Ron and read this after! Karen Carpenter certainly did not sing with Corey Hart! I said a Corey Hart fan with whom I used to be friends, got to sing with him in Montreal. I joked that the song was not my favourite, haha. Use resourcefulness, my mystery reader friend. Karen died in February 1983. Corey's first album débuted on my birthday in 1983. Reading something quickly (since I do not name friends) is one thing but come on! ;)

Hi Kerri! It is nice to move our conversations along. I will finish the entertainment parts for sure and try to mix Herbert Wells with it like you did. I remember that I saved part of the conversation to not overload you, while waiting for you in the previous pause.

I am glad you are going to go back to our USB memory stick to enjoy more music. Didn't you save all of it on harddrives and Ipods? I remember you saying the Manitoba folder took awhile.
Isn't the Canadian folder where you got the Jann Arden you are enjoying? Doesn't listening to albums on-line cost money, unless you know where to obtain them for free? Do you have an account that gives you unlimited access?

I hope you take advantage of my numerous, impeccably well labelled files and the artwork that goes with all the music. Some of artwork and information was rare to come by. You recall some extreme stories of me finding out album years, when the physical CDs stupidly did not have them. It sounds like you are listening to a lot of music, just not these artists.

I only like the Carpenters one or two songs at a time. I grew up on them and heard them numerous times as a child but that onetime karaoke friend, constantly sang their music with a serious face. She was not a bubbly, bouncy person so my memory of her go to songs is dreary, haha. She has a lovely voice and got to sing onstage with Corey Hart in Montreal apparently. I am glad the dream all us Corey fans have, came true for her. Go figure, even that song ("Chase The Sun") is one I always considered monotonous and a least favourite, even though the message is bright.

My happiest Carpenters memory is "Top Of The World" because it is way more upbeat and my Grandparents loved it. I picture being at their house or apartment in the country and listening to it on their big stereo, that was like a coffee table that opened. They kept LP and 45 records inside and I think this was a 45 single. Their other 45 of an artist I came to love much better is "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" by Olivia Newton-John. I love thinking of my Grandparents and am always so happy for you, Kerri, spending time with your precious Nan. I cherished my Grandparents when they were here too.

I think of escape rooms being fun and not something anyone would argue over. I imagine most people would be at a loss of how to start and would be grateful for someone to get them started with inspiration. Big readers have the advantage of knowing where to look for clues and how to recognize them, especially mystery readers!

I see it as my time to shine and for everyone's strengths and passtimes to weigh in helpfully, like in "Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library". It was frustrating that family gatherings on Dad's side were all about football, which I don't give a fuck about. The last time we gathered at the usual Aunt's place was about 6 years ago, who has sold it to live in a city apartment, Finally, my Godmother (her Sister) insisted that the sports come to a close and allow time for music. I couldn't wait to possibly sing popular songs I knew the words to and let them all enjoy me getting into my element. To my dismay, *the children* of the overly sporty Cousins, had grown-up to be fucking guitar gurus and I couldn't get a foot in the door. I shouldn't be surprised: we are a musical family and I am proud of that in us all.

My favourite Donald Sutherland films are "Space Cowboys" and "Backdraft", although I would not watch a fire drama ever again. Donald was creepy there and hilarious in "Space Cowboys", which impresses me. You noticed diversity in his résumé. I don't recall Kiefer doing comedy but he was a very funny guest on "Corner Gas". His film and television versatility is wonderful too. I don't know if his twin Sister acts. His Grandpa from his Mom, Shirley Douglas (the source of the joke on "Corner Gas") was a staggeringly important figure in Canada. Although the NDP party have not produced a Prime Minister, we have Tommy Douglas to thank for having free health care in our country. We truly have four options, including mine & Ron's preferred Green Party. It isn't good for countries like the United States to argue among only two choices. The motto of the average Canadian is "Keep the conservatives out, however you vote"!

Yes, I am familiar with the new "Priscilla" film. I saw that the premise seemed to be that Elvis coaxed her into accepting a polished way of life. Some of it might be true and perhaps Lisa Marie disliked an exaggeration of it. It feels like a poor choice, after sympathizing with Elvis like never before, for the advantage taken of him discussed in the previous film. I would watch it, ever the more glad to have "Priscilla's" own words. Since it is about her, surely Priscilla had to authorize it. I won't discredit the very intelligent, intuitive Lisa Marie by a generalization of a Daughter who wants no negative context of her Dad. Maybe there is some overlap of her not wanting negative portions of their private matters made public like so much else, with the portrayal coming across imprecisely.

Speaking of hating it if people overlook or state the obvious without thinking. ;) You rememeber me going to extreme care to clarify how much I appreciate theatre, before you popped up with "I like theatre". I emphasized again that Patrick Stewart's autobiography used it TOO much and eroded everything else. You recently did it again with "Broken English is fine with me in novels". Sigh. I ask you to try trusting that in "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn", I am talking about overuse or needlessly extreme misspelling. The main thing is not wanting to read about humans needing to escape to freedom and white kids getting beat by relatives, on top of overdone misspelling.

In the case of English literature, it has pervaded our cultures so much, we can picture an accent sufficiently, thank you very much, without needed the twang spelled out. What I love most about Ian Rankin is that we learn about modern Scotland and culture, without the stupid exaggeration that most authors use. The few expressions that are quaint, funny, or unfamiliar, or misspelled are fine because the novel as a whole is spelled correctly and flows naturally. Do you see what I mean now?

I grumbled again inwardly at your quick "I don't mind Raj" because you have hardly spent time with him in the show. You need not see the actor hog the spotlight in person. Ron is similar to Simon Helberg in being engaging, interesting, endearing, and colourful when he gets running in a conversation. But he won't push his way in if he is around wordy people and I make sure he gets in.

Watch the show long enough and you see Raj in many mostly negative, turn-off guises: whiny, needy, selfish, boastful, self-conscious in an annoying way. You will get sick of Penny being a bitch and making the same joke about not being into science-fiction and fantasy. I especially got annoyed with her constant references to alcohol. I have seen her talk about horses a lot but not cats. If she has a lot of animals, it would be nice for cats to receive love and attention.

I do think I would love "Friends" better without Joey or Phoebe in it. I don't recall Joey being more intelligent earlier but know all of them have warm moments. I obviously prefer the characters who delight me every time. :) Even Rachel sometimes, I could do without. Therefore my top three are Matty, David, and Courtney, the latter whom I am proud to have met. I did not realize that when we chatted and posed in 1992, she had recently finished another great show with another favourite actor! I had no idea she was on it until I came upon the information this spring. This woman is NOT a name dropper but the opposite, if you can imagine that. Yes, Tom Selleck had a great role. It might be odd to date your friend's Dad whom you knew as a child but they sold it.

I feel good getting to know artists, people, and animals who are no longer here; like Wendie Jo Sperber. It is touching that now you too will see which other films and television she has to enjoy. Yes, I feel for her young family. In addition to her pregnancy, she had her first baby, so perhaps that topped her decision not to rejoin her wonderful cast. I guess there are a lot of hours on a movie set, compared to your few minutes of film. Her Sister role in "Back To The Future" did not show how beautiful Wendy was in reality. That is similar to Tracy Pollan's Ellen Reed character on "Family Ties". Ellen's personality was powerful but Tracy is a physical stunner too.

I will watch everything the human Conan O'Brien has, if I obtain recordings sometime. We should have adequate internet here "by the end of the summer". Opening my bank website and everything I hope to access will be key. Also, I will download like the wind! There is a reason I named our beloved, funny, adorable cat after the American Conan. I think he is profoundly sweet and that everything he does is brilliant and the funniest anyone could be. I was thrilled to see him on last night's "The Office", walking by in New York City. I remember that.

Are you only on season 1 of "Corner Gas"? I am glad you don't need copies afterwards because there is plenty of music waiting for you to empty your memory stick. Ha ha, it is usually regarded as a family show but it sneaks sexual entendres in it. One was so surprising and bold but subtle to those not fast thinking enough to catch it, I couldn't wait to tell you about it!

Brent and Lacy were talking about a perogy eating competition. Brent signed her up and she didn't want to be in it. So, she queried "You entered me"? Brent replied "Yes, I entered you. Now, we had better switch verbs, or this is going to sound vulgar"! How daring and funny is that? I look forward to knowing what you enjoy about "Corner Gas". Intelligent, refined humour is part of it for me. That description does not extend to the characters Hank or Karen the cop, my least favourites!

Oh gosh, do not dislike anything? I hate Emily on "Friends", who was a bitch over and beyond the wrong name being too bad for anyone at a wedding. That being too bad for anyone states the obvious. Emily was a bitch and wrong for Ross before that. They obviously rushed at a ridiculous speed after meeting. I hate Karen of "The Office". Jim is supposed to be with Pam and they don't know how to join forces, because Pam was saddled with that awful Roy. Jim was saddled with Karen but not too badly. He ditched her instantly, after Pam made her speech at the beach about "I called off my wedding for you. Why aren't we friends at least anymore"? Much later, at Roy's wedding, he thanks Jim, because he ends up finding the right lady for himself. That brings out the best in us. Roy actually played the piano and sang a Billy Joel song to his bride.

I hope it is clear that I too, LOVE Dwight Schrute and consider him a favourite and essential star on the show. He has no comparison with characters disliked or in superfluity on other shows. He has a bad side but his heart, his goodness, his loyatly, and strength are all always very obvious and valued. I just said to Ron last night, that I would LOVE a friend like him. He is funny and I would enjoy that side, the way Jim plays with Dwight's outrageous commitment and reactions. I would treasure his loyalty. A compliment and warm moment with him are the best features of the show. I just saw the episode where Jim put Dwight's desk accessories in the vending machine and gives him nickels to buy them back. It does not get any funnier than this! Instead of being vengeful, Dwight appreciates Jim's intelligence and commitment to a great joke. I dislike pranks but like jokes if they are harmless and brief.

Again, never mind prefacing input with "You don't watch this", like you did with "Heartland". I enjoy whatever you relate. :)

Dear Kerri, I have read this personal conversation, in case you want to delete the home parts. We enjoy putting something of ourselves in our public conversations but realize some become like a letter. :) I'll only add a little so you catch-up.

I think my capacity for binging is limited, which I regard as a positive, especially how much I like a fresh change. For creative people it is a must. Please do not confuse that with people who get bored. Creative people are immune to that. I usually dislike early story volumes or show episodes and do not want to see them again. Misophonia wise, the Phoebe character had a throat clearing trait that I was glad she got rid of and she was made too stupid. Michael Scott was more annoying than funny early in his show too.

On M*A*S*H, I enjoy seeing earlier characters but love later ones. The comfort and pleasure for me is a book or television series settling in, dropping experimental aspects, and pairing up with their best friend or loved-one. I loved colonel Henry Blake and hated the ending the writers gave him but less liked characters left in those seasons. I had no interest in Trapper John at all and Frank Burns was goofy but selfish.

On "Friends", I am sure everyone hated Emily and were glad Ross gave her up. As soon as she exited, I enjoyed the stories with Chandler & Monica dating and growing. I could do without Joey and only liked Phoebe when she was with David or Mike, plus meeting her birth family members.

"The Big Bang Theory" provides easy laughs in the background while I am eating. Reruns are always on but I only watch those after Leonard & Penny are married. The Las Vegas story was terrible; who wants a big day to be unhappy! Amy is less robotic after her character settled. I have always disliked Raj, including the actor! A few times when I saw the cast get an interview, he dominated the conversation. Dude, let the others speak! I don't like Penny or Bernadette much but do like that supposed nerds found love.

I enjoy "The Office" as soon as Jim ditches Karen and dates Pam. This from 2007 to 2013 what I watched every evening twice; live and then taking my time with DVR. I had not seen every show so it was a great thrill to see something new. Often, I had seen or remembered some but missed the first bit. You said you think you can come in anytime but those first bits tell a lot of stories that were revelations to me! I think people who say they don't care about volume order of novels don't realize what they miss. Things I had seen before, made sense to me in a powerful way.

I can binge watch if it is the first time, or a late period I favour. I passionately follow the whole story in sequence until it is finished. I cried like the cast, for different reasons, when Andy Bernard played and sang "I Will Remember You" by Sara McLaughlan. I knew he was still on the show. The reason I teared up is that he was a goofball a lot of the time, even with exaggerated singing and using his fingers to reach the notes. Not only was his guitar playing stunning but his voice was the nicest I had heard it. Watching Dwight and Angelatogether again.... everyone but Kelly & Ryan, whom I found stupid, was a delight.

God clearly wants to help me focus on gardening and cleaning (after cooking I added last night, for supper and Ron's work lunch). "The Office" binge ended and I merely handpicked a few early reruns to record. "Family Ties" ended, which was also beautiful. Reruns of "Schitt's Creek" are always a treat. I missed a few before David's wedding, like the performance of "Cabaret", so it is thrilling to catch missed shows or those important opening minutes. The escape room is my favourite and I want to do one!
I watch closely how Alexis brilliantly solves every clue.

I prefer later episodes of "The King Of Queens", for something to watch while having lunch. Ron laughs his head off at it. There is nothing on TV anymore except "The Young & The Restless" and Toronto's talk show, "The Social". Drew Barrymore keeps putting on cooking, renovation, (and Ross Matthews) too much. I keep my eye on synopsises, for her stellar interviews.

You mentioned starting to watch "Jack Ryan". I read that he is a tortured prisoner in all of season 4 and must skip it! I could hack it if it was only at the beginning, not a season of their worse content of all. I laughed when you thought you would stop at two videos. Every season is a whole story and you will want to see how the fast-paced action ends! Ron & I ride through each season in two sittings.

Yes, John's happy film "If", about the imaginations of children being real, is a must for Ron & I. He loves animation and humour and needs more of it. I grinned when you wondered what the name of Jenna Fischer's best friend is. Angela Kinsey plays Angela Schrute. :) If podcasts ever become easy to listen to, I would love to follow "Office Girls", Rob Lowe with his Son, and anything Conan O'Brien (the human being) is doing. If you can download them as video files, save them for me on memory stick! How far did you get in "Corner Gas"? Did you watch the season 1 special I sent you?

Phyllis Smith is another dear actress who kept her name in the show. I can't believe she is 75 now because like my Mom, Phyllis looks nothing like it. Jenna and Ed Helms surprised me by being my age, although we all look awesome. :) I was surprised that Rainn Wilson is considerably older.

I knew John Krasinski was only 44 years-old and Emily Blunt younger. I would rather try their "The Quiet Place" horror films than season 4 of "Jack Ryan". I loved Rainn's occasional role as a therapist on "Mom", a comedy about recovered alcoholics. His role as Dwight Schrute however, is a perfectly layered and memorable as Jim Parson's portrayal of Sheldon Cooper. You know how Dwight would act in any scenario and wish you could befriend him.

When you e-mail, do let me know what other music you have been listening to besides Jann Arden and if you got past Corey Hart's second album. There is much more and your USB stick was loaded the first time. I am honoured I introduced you to her music, though. Had you not heard of her either?

As for our other cherished Canadian, it seems obvious "Back To The Future II" had a lot of screenplay drafts because they tried for a while to get George McFly in it. They did not expect a consistent refusal and rewrote a lot. I did not like this film much. I only relished seeing most of the characters. I saw a few interviews over the years and have a videotape special. There were a lot of problems besides Crispin Glover.

Claudia Wells, who played Jennifer Parker, had stopped acting to care for her sick parents. The first film's ending required that Marty's girlfriend play a role in the sequel because she was in the machine when Doc Brown warned them about their kids in the future year 2015. That looks funny being behind us, doesn't it? Gosh, this must have taken more writing than we thought because George was only the tip of the iceberg.

They wanted Marty's siblings in the grim sequel. We see his Brother, Dave running away from Biff's apartment tower but I think that scene was cut. I saw it in another intriguing special. I remind you, I existed when these came out. :-) I had a lot of time to absorb the series' enthusiastic trivia! Wendie Jo Sperber who played Linda was pregnant during filming time. I don't know why they didn't work around it or aim for her shoulders upwards. They didn't think it was fair to have Dave without Linda McFly, making the siblings absent from the film as well as George. I think that was too much. The familiar content was repeated from 1985. There was not enough fresh energy away from the grim atmosphere.

Oh, how sad. In learning Wendie Jo Sperber's name, I saw that she went to Heaven young, in 2005. Delivering a baby around 1989, having a Daughter & a Son, they were too young to lose her. I wish their family peace. I hope the memorably funny, self-deprecating Wendie recorded other work with which to remember and get to know her. A-ha, I see that she was on TV quite a bit and in some films. There is something about her beautiful face and witty demeanour that I like: I will seek her out! Gosh, it has me sad that she only lived to 46.

Ah, Preston was born in 1986. This poor Mom starting a family at a popular time, would have had a hard time starring in the consecutive filming of the two other stories. She delivered Pearl in 1990! I think the siblings would have continued into time travelling, if they had courteously filmed around Wendie's pregnancy and very young Motherhood.

Yesterday, Canada and the world of course, lost the wonderful Donald Sutherland to Heaven. He was so good, funny, likeable, and intelligent with a calmness that was riveting. Dad & I will miss him but age 88 was very good.

My Mom has had a copy of "Elvis & Me" all of my life. I have it now. I saved it because it is so familiar, it was a souvenir of Mom to keep. However, I have become interested in reading that book. Mom treasured the autobiography of Gloria Vanderbilt too. I am glad she is getting to meet Diana, Elvis, Lisa Marie, and our queens and kings. My Mom loved following the lives of real people and animals and always hoped they would be okay.

The frustrated part of me goes: "Of course there was another reason. There always is". Obviously power failures are no fun. It is anticlimactic that the rare time I was off for 2.5 days, no one appeared to miss me! Daily baths are a must for me; I feel chilly if I don't do that before I dress. So enjoy! After experiencing one power failure when we moved here, that lasted 1.5 day, I pour part of my bath water when I get up. I warm it later if need be but that is how important washing is to my skin and hair type.

Proton is doing the stupid "session expired" that makes it a bitch to log in, repeating that error. I hope clearing cache, cookies, and turning off our PC overnight is what it needed. I will e-mail from Proton as soon as it works. That doesn't stop you from writing the most awesome letter I have ever seen while I wait for it to work out. ;)

Clearing cookies required logging in again to Goodreads and to my disgust, there was a captcha! Thankfully, it is not the "recaptcha" brand and I got through easily. Browser cleaning disrupted my log-in again but this time, Goodreads let me right through.

Ron & I had a wonderful visit with my Dad, thank you. It was Sunday evening so after, we got ice cream on the way home. We will put personal parts in a letter. Thank you for your note in the meantime. Wow, Auckland. Is that the same island as yours? I hope you shopped your ass off, if anything was open afterwards! :)

Go figure Kerri, you are off the 2.5 days I kept the PC off, after visiting Dad for Father's Day. It would be a nice change for you to go "too bad Carolyn hasn't stopped by lately". ;) It takes time to get through the few webpages I use. Your letters and conversation updates are a treat for me. Here is one I am putting into its own comment box. I had an epifany about something that seemed odd.

I understood when you said Mr. Melville wrote well, even though you are against hunting. Later calling it "one of your favourite novels" baffled me. To a Maori descendent, whales are sacred. For an animal lover, the contents should have been hard to get through and you did say so. After a lot of thought, one angle occurred to me in your perspective that I can grasp. I think you look at literature no matter how appalling, as an encyclopedia. We don't fault encyclopedias for negative contents and only regard them as education. You read so much awful stuff, like war or people's depressing biographies. In an encyclopedia, I would still think anyone calling the whale killing subject "their favourite" was whacko but if I am on the right track to how your mind files horror, I get that we take encyclopedia information as it is.

I hope it is clear that my reading preferences are not about a weakling who automatically waves off anything possibly unpleasant. My spark of insight brought a way for you to understand my thinking too. I am a clairsentient. Do you know what that is? By now, you will search its definition but imagine how it feels to be one. You distance yourself successfully from negative material by appreciating its encyclopaedic value. On my part, I am empathizing with the animals. Even if the story is fictional, we are picturing how the situations feel for the characters, don't we? I choose entertainment carefully because I have a great, wondrous, joyful capacity for getting invested in it. This is why I watch carefully, uninterrupted and easily remember words or scenes afterwards. I am no smarter than anyone else: it is about focus and investment.

Kerri, I picture how the whale would feel, who takes up no space in the human world and for whom there is no excuse in the world to remove. They just want to raise their calves and live, eat, rest, explore, and play in peace. I consider how she or he would define someone chasing after them to kill them. Yes, being bent on killing sure is evil. Laws permitting murder or people viewing animals as inferiors never make it right. I am thinking of how the chickens and cows on farms and deers and rabbits in forests feel. It is a very good reason to avoid for my chosen entertainment, contents that make me feel the fear, sadness, or betrayal of our animal Sisters & Brothers. Even fictionally, I imagine the portrayed feelings overwhelm other clairsentients too.

I wish I could change real life negativity and harm of any kind. I can ensure my entertainment is positive. I suppose I find it strange that more people don't push back against negativity, in what they read (and watch, which you do). I guess you are appreciating the "encyclopedia" information. I am feeling for the animal and wanting to escape bad situations, as they must surely. I seek to understand where we diverge. I am content to leave it, unless you also become inspired with a way to describe it to me. :)

It worked well to copy your input to answer off-line. I have your most recent post and will work on it later. By the way, you did not say whether or not New Zealand has mosquitoes. You confirmed that in that lush, beautiful landscape, you yourselves include marshland and forestland. Yes, ours sure is vast but your homeland is absolutely lovely.

I loved playing with ants and have admired them since I was a child. Since I am not a fan of military things, I have never viewed ants that way. Many intelligent beings work in harmony and organize their families, activities, and jobs.

I would enjoy reading a story about them and the one about the blind people that you liked. I thrive on acknowledging strengths were they are overlooked and rail against closed thinking. I would enjoy receiving PDFs of them and the other two stories that sounded interesting to me, if you come upon them.

Speaking of open thinking, HG had no idea about energy healing and other natural and self-healing, even though it precedes us by millenia. There is no need to eradicate diseases via the closed conceptual weakness of thinking science

rules all possibilities. We heal ourselves and increase our own immunity. THIS is what we need to learn. If HG was looking for a drug or machine that made anything better, he would not find one. Any time periods could learn what we know recently, from wonderful books and teachers. The needs of our animals urged us to discover them.

Checking history to understand when races came down to only two and why the one went underground, is a good idea. However, I do not see why you thought the Eloi would have disappeared if the Morlocks had not split from them;

which I think you mean biologically. Mammals belong in the sun, therefore the dominant race would be those growing under it. HG had it wrong. It is only creatures made to be underground who are at their best there.

Even though I do not agree with my friend about the physical world concluding in a few years, I do not think it will take 1000 before Earth retires or hibernates. There are theories that non plant life worked its way to a

life cycle end and regrew a few times. When we say humans are so many millennia old, we mean in this life cycle on Earth. Call it a spiritual age, call it an ice age; when HG thought people gradually faded 8000 years from now, my instinct said "no".

It is nice to see some updates from you before my trip to Winnipeg. We are unrushed today and Ron was able to mow the east field for the first time this year. A storm last night has brought rain puddles again, so the timing was good.

A few clarifications. You & I were agreeing we dislike plot twists to follow a fad. I said I don't need them but enjoy surprises as much as you do, if they are well written.

I am not new to “The Office” or “Friends”. I don't know about the latter but am surrpised you just recently saw the former. I got aboard them later than many folks but watched the last few seasons of both as they aired.

I am marvelling that Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Andy are taking hold of my heart more than before. I have become a superfan who watches whatever I catch on air. Next on DVR, I rewind what zipped by quickly, or repeat scenes that are funny and amazing. The originality and cleverness wow me. Steve Carell is great but Michael Scott could get too awkward to take. The stories after he left are wonderful, with exception of Will Ferrell's brief arc. Either he was meant to be a poor fit or got that way and was removed.

Stories I had not seen or saw some of, are sweet treats. Knowing the story in order makes sense of shows I had seen. It is a good thing our recent second-hand shopping yielded Jenna Fischer's and Mindy Kaling's autiobiographies! I care not a whit for Kelly's, Ryan's, and Angela's they are special people who are close in real life. I know Mindy and BJ Novak were perhaps minor on the show because they were writers and producers. I have no interest in BJ's book but Mindy amazes me and I expect to be blown away by the numerous shows and films this young woman produced.

You know I buy Ron “The Jack Ryan” DVDs, sometimes cruel political thrillers I would not read. However, John Krasinski and his colleagues make them jaw dropping action. Ron & I, no matter what the hour, can't help watching several in a row. It is too bad John and all only made one more season but it sure took work. It is funny seeing his strong, sexy physique there and slim, soft spoken John on “The Office”! I can't wait to buy his “Imaginary Friend” film that he wrote for his & Emily Blunt's Daughters. I am not into horror but would watch “A Quiet Place I, II” with Ron if he get it.

Yes, Bob Gale is credited on the movie based novel but those adaptations are seldom great. I have the name in my review. I am impressed if Bob Gale dreamed up most of the astounding content and am sure the movie makers brainstormed more details together to make sure the story and depiction worked.

I would not want the screenplays because I know the films by heart, as you might surmise! I would be interested in more detail but I guess the novelizations are as close as we get to background stories. I learned a little more about the McFly or Tanner family. My review will tell me.

Come to think of it, I have the second film's paperback, which I bought cheaply as a Christmas gift in case one Cousin appeared for Christmas. When Mom was on Earth, we combined Christmas somewhere. Mark & I see Dad on our own time. Mom had bags of general gifts, as I do. Now, I am curious enough to read it. I have zero interest in Star Trek novels, even if they were complete stories written prior to the shows. I do not know. There are many and do not want them. My interest in science fiction is higher onscreen because it is the actors in whom I fall in love.

Mark Twain surprised me for not writing with humour and grace like I thought he would; at least not in his two “Huckelberry Finn” classics. “Family Ties” had a book banning story, one of the few I like featuring the Sister, Jennifer. She is superfluous but it is worse, if a story features Mallory's dim boyfriend, Nick! He is nice, he grows on you but a bit of him is enough. Anyway, “Huckleberry Finn” was banned, I guess for using the “N word” a lot. Even if I would flinch, I do not object to outdated words, which society was uneducated about in their time. I object to behaviour and minimizing ideals that were always wrong.

When I glanced at my copy and found that kids are getting smacked a lot in the novel, I realized I could not get through it without clenched teeth. I also don't care for authors writing whole novels in broken or accented English. They do not need to force that for readers to understand how various people spoke. Scottish settings are terrible for exaggerating "och" and "wee"! Or English settings twanging "Wud ya like a spot 'o tea, luv"? Cringe! So two Mark Twain novels are in my sell pile in the library. I hope the rest of his work has beautiful writing and his supposedly famous humour.

Speaking of differences, oh my gosh, do I ever get a lot out of “The Graham Norton Show”, Kerri! You know I had downloaded one 2002 episode about Morton Harket at least 15 years ago. You got me curious about his format today, which was the same style as James Corden: everyone chatting together, with a little feature time each. I just love it and Graham rocks at it. Thank goodness I can digitally rewind and try hard to know what the heck some of the guests are saying. I don't know what some of the words mean to begin with, haha.

What educates me especially well is that I do not know most of the European guests. You would think that English language films are broadcast everywhere, even if TV shows are more local. Thus, I learn about neat TV shows I would not have encountered but what surprises me, is all the films that do not come our way. I just love it and thank you for getting me into it, Kerri. I often watch talk shows only based on liking certain artists or projects. I watch every “Graham Norton” show to learn about what is unknown to me in all regards: artists, shows, films, and even music! Some musicians are supposedly famous enough to celebrate 25th anniversaries and I do not know who they are. I love making discoveries and everyone is gracious and funny together! :)

I wanted to tell you never to hesitate to share your enthusiasm about shows or whatnot that I do not watch. I was very happy when you wrote that you were excited to see Jann Arden on “Heartland”. I did not know you were playing her music. I last heard that you listened to Corey Hart's second album. The journal book I gave you will be a treat. :)

I am also hearing that you journal, which is fun to know too. I stopped writing a diary when I was a teenager, after an asshole ex-friend stole and read it (never mind that he smugly returned it). He never dicated my life, no one does; it was merely a turn off at the time. Then, I saw that I have such an outpouring personality already, I did not need to do more of it in writing. It is tiring. I write such thorough letters to chosen family & friends, as you know well, that YOU are the legacy of my diaries. :)

Unless I got comfortable with outlines, I think I would find diary or journal entries too brief to explain must for posterity, even if a short memento is the point. I would love your take sometime on how you see its posterity working. I worked with someone who just noted what she did or whom she saw and added a photograph, if there was one from that day. I think it is lovely that people do it and treasure it afterwards. I have my few diairies with my young handwriting.

Austin Butler was amazing: singing, speaking, dancing, acting. The way he said "Daddy" as a famous grown-up to Vernon Presley, as I am sure Elvis actually did, touched my heart. People of the South sure have a way of staying kids to their folks in an endearing way. I find it annoying if grown women say "Daddy", maybe reminding me of entitled snobs at wealthy boarding schools. However, a man keeping childhood endearments to his parents and Grandparents, moves me.

I am annoyed I missed the film's first half hour because the network posted it incorrectly and I would have watched it! I could not tape it because the only “Graham Norton” showing with Leeam Neeson got in the way of the only two film timeslots. Sometime I'll try to catch the beginning. I do not want to watch it again and will take it off my list, however I would love to see the bonus features. I would give it four stars for being very well done and minus one for being an unpleasant subject. Enjoyment has to be a part of the grades I give, if you see what I mean! ;) I felt sad and angry afterwards and am taking awhile shaking it. Tom Parker was worse than the few examples I related.

Kerri, you scare me about how much you know. I wonder if you do anything besides read and house clean? I gave no thought to Elvis having a manager; what child or average person would? I had no inkling the manager was terrible and that Elvis was out of money (while he was alive). I thought he was the wealthiest of the wealthy, with everything velvet and satin. I am shocked in every way. That he was only 42 years-old, that his Mom didn't pass away from a natural ailment years ago.... but that Tom Parker was the catalyst for both their deaths!

When Elvis jiggled his pelvis (ha ha) on one TV broadcast, after being warned to deliver a sedate performance that was not genuine to himself; Tom convinced Elvis that he would go to jail if he didn't join the army and look like a good boy. Elvis might have easily fought the charges, or had someone advise him that he could get no worse than a warning. His Mom was so terrified about him going to jail and being in the army, she drank herself to death as soon as he started basic training!

I thought Elvis dwindled from overusing pills. I missed some of this part but no one knew Tom was threatened by Las Vegas casino owners and that consigning Elvis to play the same hotel for 5 years, was his payment!!!! Elvis was pushed to repeat shows there, without knowing why, despite protesting that his heart was in playing overseas. People got tired of the casino performances and Elvis lost the drive and physical wellness to produce his own fresh ideas. Whenever Elvis tried to fire him, Tom produced an $8 million dollar fee that Elvis had no council about fighting. He & his parents were a poor family who suddenly lived in luxury.

Each time Elvis insisted on going overseas, Tom made an excuse; when actually, it was he who could not leave the United States. He placated Elvis by putting him on a gruelling USA tour. If Elvis collapsed, he was injected with drugs to get him onstage, instead of taking him to a doctor. On each flight, Tom told him to take an injection to make sure he fell asleep. Priscilla left because Elvis was only concious to perform and had no personality or energy outside of it. I have been there. I am disgusted. I would be interested if Lisa Marie or Priscilla spoke their minds.

I am most excited to know your reaction to remembering the August 1977 news, even though I was a toddler. I have retained specific details about my parents exchanging the news. Our thoughts, including mine, went to Uncle Fred, who replied that he was phoned by everyone he knew.

I must get ready for our drive. The entertainment items are my replies meanwhile. :)

Correction, I see your Uncle watched "Dr. Who". Speaking of the ongoing Star Trek shows in past tense made no sense.

I've thought similar things, when it seems like they are missing everything else the story had to offer. The authors prioritise a twist at the expense of everything else in the story.

Wow! Did you see me write this before, Kerri, or are we this much in synch? I don't need surprises to enjoy mysteries and dislike "twists for the sake of keeping readers guessing". If we are instead surprised by a well written, unfathomable story that we can only follow to see how it turns out; that is spectacular.

It is true he skips over any explanation as to how the machine works, or why it was built.

Since your amazement and appreciation of originality, like mine, sometimes trumps weaknesses or plot faults; I am pleasantly surprised three stars are your conclusion. Several stories informed your grade but it is a fun feeling to agree.

I agree about eerie moods that were conveyed successfully. I understand the weight of learning that the Morlock eat the Eloi, if they can be caught at night. It lacks inventiveness for an aggressive people to sound like the word "Warlock". Wicca and other Pagans are not reviled nor should they be but in 1895, the church would have thought blackly of that word. In that respect, I could see this novel generating a spooky feeling, as well as the plan and race to get the machine back. Surely everyone worries about that more than any other story part.

We harmonize the conclusion that there is a lot to admire and attribute to HG for thinking of some ideas first, that we know of. However, we saw that they were facades without any layers or structure. Like pulling back the curtain on a man instead of the wizard of Oz, the ingredients in this food for thought were paltry. He proposed find ideas he, however, did not know how to formuate, likewise in “The Man Who Could Work Miracles”. You have read several more stories than me. What do you make of them?

“Back To The Future” did an incredible job of providing explanations, in a way HG avoided.

Yes! We KNOW how this fiction works thoroughly, enabling me to correct something for you. The scientist took his machine home in one trip, one timeline. His round trip was complete. If the same person returned to get Weena, there would be no duplicate of himself. I think you misunderstood the duality of “Back To The Future II”. Follow this.

Biff Tanner stole “Greys Sport’s Almanac” from Marty in 2015 and drove to 1955 to give it to himself. Biff had a duplicate because he visited from a different timeline. He returned himself to the 2015 where he belonged but young Biff skewed the future. He won sporting bets, ruled a corrupt town, and George McFly died.

The original Marty drove home courtesy of lightening in November 1955. He found 1985 changed and needed to restore it. He noticed the difference, because he had travelled out of it. He had a duplicate because he used the flux capaciter FROM THE SKEWED 1985. His trip met that short duration when the original Marty had not driven home yet in November 1955. That is the only reason he was in duplicate. When he took the almanac back, he returned to the rightful 1985, with both his parents alive. The second Marty and all the negativity of the skewed 1985 were prevented.

It is similar to he & his Siblings not being born and disappearing from a photograph, if his parents did not soon fall in love with one another. After all this, we can't except "the machine had a nice seat and portable lever", as the total sum of available decription, could we! I would love to know who authored the screenplay. The novel I have read was based off of Robert Zumekis' film.

Your rescue of Weena is sound without a duplicate scientist. :) Did you follow? I was 13 when the films came out and had decades to contemplate them. Star Trek also exercises the mind really well. How would I retrieve Weena? Let's think of the main obstacles.

Do we stay in the seat? There would be no expedition, story, or friendship. Might we move it across the yard or street in 1895, knowing where to avoid the statue in 8000? We could. Let's look at other preventative tactics.

Should we avoid the walk to the museum? No. It is the most informative and interesting aspect, for me. If we posit that the machine would likely be snuck into the statue, unless we parked it farther away in 1895, the walk was necessary.

You are right that the scientist needed a complement of lanterns, attire, blankets, crowbar, and whatnot. On his second trip, he would have the foreknowledge to gather whatever he needed. I trust you agree to avoid a gun, with flexible time in which to handle things right. Preserving life is always the point, anywhere.

I think we could do better than prevent a fire and keep Weena close to us. We could not bring Weena to the museum. I would want him to go there for research, if history was available digitally or physically. Remember, this future exceeds the computer age by 6000 years. Was it an error that the protagonist went all the way there, when the statue was beside the village? Was a crowbar really all he got out of the bungled expedition? Besides doing diddly about finding factual archives, he didn't find a sealed building for the Eloi either. I think that was his reason for going: a home they could close against the Morlock, wasn't it? They would have thought of that, even if it was past walking distance. They would have grown up in locked, secure, guarded places.

Now that I think of it, bringing a crowbar might be all that was needed to regain his seat anytime! The scientist feared searching tunnels but knew later, it was aboveground, in the statue. Was it a mistake that the Morlock took it in the daytime, or was it dark enough in the statue for them to be awake?

I recall the biggest error being - besides travelling all that way for a locked home or a crowbar - that the walk took until nighttime. It is easy to avoid a nocturnal being (except by statues). Carry Weena to make the trip faster, or see what vehicles the Eloi had. It was 8000 for goodness sakes. A horse, donkey, burro, bicycle, or something faster than bipedal locomotion ought to be available.

I thought of camping and finishing everything in daylight. The protagonist couldn't guarantee the Morlock might not see their campsite earlier in the route.

I conclude that moving the time machine in the past is best. Leave in the daylight. The guy could test a decade or two to see when the Morlock became a problem. I think there was an explanation of why the Morlock became cannibals. Spend the night at home in 1895 or a little into the past or future. Explore by day, away from statue, or seal it during the duration of your visit.

The futuristic solution HG might not have imagined is the scientist going a little way, to see if he added features. He might develop a cloaking device so his vessel could be invisible, or an armoured shield or some other reason it was too heavy or awkward for a group of humans to move. He could postpone his Eloi visit until that was ready, or bring back the specifications to build in his present day. Most readily and easily, he could fashion something out of steel, similar to chaining a bicycle to prevent theft. It looked like a bicycle with a roof, most recently seen in “The Big Bang Theory”.

How do these options grab you? That is one of Mom's expressions: “How does that grab you”? Perhaps like loosening a pickle jar, you will pour fourth more possibilities now, with which to entertain me, Kerri! :-) Her Dad pictured e-mail in the late 1980s, in a letter I have.

You are just like me, for saving moving worms and insects out of water and other places, to safety for their kinds! I love you for a lot of reasons, my good friend and you made my heart sing even more by your act of kindness, Kerri! Yes, most underground creatures except badger, bear, and snake dens are harmless. They are in their element where they belong and may we long thrive where we belong.

I disagree with the dystopian and post-apocalyptic genres and am surprised to read the second in particular. The scientist and Eloi were only in danger from one hunter and domestic risks like water. It was a joyous, easy life; especially if they moved somewhere with strong walls at night.

It sounds like their homes had no locks, which was stupid if they had generations to prepare, build, guard defensively. Many are forest dwellers and marsh residents. Our walls and windows protect us from insects, bears, rain, heat, and untrustworthy humans. Ineffective, basic habitation 6000 years from now is another story weakness, wouldn't you say?

Would you prioritize seeing a future near enough to be helpful to your family?

I am unfamiliar with “Interstellar” and “Inception”. The lists of television and films with which to entertain ourselves is replete. :)

Yes, we were blessed to walk upon three Mayan marvels in 2004. You have our photographs! Wow, I did not remember that we travelled there four months before our beloved, amazingly unique Spirit was born. Timmy must have babysat McCartney at our apartment, or Mom & Dad had him over. Memories, loved-ones, positive experiences, and real as well as fictional stories: this is a good life! Love, your friend, Carolyn.