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

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

{Continued from message #15.}

I relate to edging into a strange situation. You know me for loving to take photographs and being good at it. So did my co-workers. I shoot most of my photographs in natural daylight. Nowadays, I use automatic cameras where the flash is adequate. Frustratingly, I still don't have a superb flash, or batteries, that regenerate quickly. My exceptional camera is manual, on 35 mm film. You have to focus each photograph. Focusing in the dark and not guaranteeing your flash will work well, is a double challenge. Unless I have faster film in natural light, manual focus cameras are for portraits standing still only.

Now picture my retail boss asking if I would photograph her Nephew's wedding in her basement. They did not know my excellent photographs were in daylight, over many attempts on film. I told her this and that I am unqualified for weddings but they were sure an amateur was good enough and were determined to save money. It was my mistake to not say "no" until they listened to me and reiterate my inexperience and lack of tools for dark settings. I got roped into it, because I had a shower soiree in which to test my flash in their basement. I said if the light is on like this and we do still portraits, it should be okay. I did say my flash was not ideal and that I was not efficient at this part of camera use. They waved me away.

I guess I knew they wanted photos of the wedding in progress, which I only now realize is more appropriate for a video camera. People seldom owned one. I see now that they hoped I would capture as much of the day, as closely as photographs could stand in for video footage. It certainly wouldn't do on a manual focus camera but I did my best.

To my horror and later theirs: they started the wedding with someone turning OUT the lights (in my boss' basement!) for effect, played the "Star Wars" theme, and galloped down the aisle so fast, the naked eye could not follow them. I just remembered, this being all the way back in about 1993, that it was a Hallowe'en wedding and they were in costume. The darkest solstice night of the year was also outside the windows: a day of the least light possible on the Earth did not enhance any quarter!

I quickly turned to a co-worker with an automatic film camera, who was also good at photography. I said the setting was not good for my camera and she agreed to take over. I could finally explain to the married couple later that the conditions required our colleague's camera taking care of their portraits. They wanted me to do still poses with them, which came out blurry anyhow in the darkest of possible Earth settings, with a poorly synchronized, economical flash. They still looked at the photos I took, rather than deferring to the other girl and were aghast at their results. I felt like crap. I had spoken up but this was a time when I should have firmly ended with "no", even though they should not have needed me to decline so firmly and repeatedly.

You can see that I understand getting into uncomfortable situations but hope you see that I differ greatly from Rebecca. I was only shy about declining as hard as these people needed me too. There was no misrepresenting on my part. I am talented at photography but dark scenes and flashes is a whole other ballgame. I was asked about a wedding several years later but emphatically said "no". I have a good eye and instinct but you need a professional.

I did not feel the improvement suspended disbelief because here, was finally a part of the novel to enjoy. As odd as a television offer might sound, newspaper headlines garner interviews and general media attention. Doing well there does lead to more work. If you thought it was a stretch, let's call it a symbol of good work generating a positive effect that trickles down. I want to read about the new, matured Rebecca, perhaps next year.

There is so much to say even about a disliked novel but it is because your writing, wit, and intelligence compel me to say more. Also, we did appreciate the improved action and ending enough to read the second novel. What is your concrete answer: you will read it if you find it in person, or are you willing to order it? I often find first novels of the lowest quality and that an authoress and her character picks up. I already own the series though, many in first editions. I found them repeatedly and put wrinkly copies in my sale pile.

A fun fact: the little girl who lives north of me, surprised me with a visit a few weeks ago. Alexis brightens my day like this from time to time. There is no way to my street and the major road, without driving a roundabout route from their oddly situated, larger land, thus we gave permission for them to walk back & forth to play with friends down our street. It is seldom and has been a long time, so Alexis was overjoyed to see me in one of the gardens and ask me. I marvelled at how she has grown (age 14!) and invited her to choose books for that recent birthday. Apparently, her young Mom again has ANOTHER child, already age 2!

I was surprised she choose volume three or four of Ann Brachares' books. The early 2000s are on the old side for Alexis, which does not matter to a fellow reader. Mainly, I wanted her to be clear her selection was in a series. It was neat to learn she had read the others and was eager to have the sequel. I see myself being very glad I collected the whole lot! I notice there are some offshoots but I think I will find, when I go into the library today, that I have the main novels. They were everywhere. I likely have some first editions and this is a series I imagine wanting to keep. I am only dumping Sophie Kinsella's first in my bargain bin so far and I think the sequel is in New York.

We share incredulity for this novel, with relief and gratification at the end. We agree the character feels stupid, shallow and in conclusion, false. Rereading your previous entry has me marvelling anew at things you observed. You are right, the way you described liking the fit and newness of your skirts and rings, is different from how Rebecca spoke of clothing. Now that I think of it, she did list items, colours, and brands. You are right, there is a dullness about her and her supposed passion that I did not notice.

Referring to her boldness with a date as assault was unexpected, because I thought of eager kisses leading to trying his zipper. It is true that not respecting "no" immediately and needing to be pushed away, crossed a comfort line. We see men as wanting sex more automatically than women but if the answer is "no", you go away. I guess a difference is, men have little fear of being overpowered but pushing sex is wrong anytime.

One point I have wanted your take on, is if you were as tired as I was of the too numerous mishaps: losing a job, a pen mark in a book. You hated the lying like I did but wasn't pretending to know a language extreme? I don't know about New Zealand but think of my personal example with German. In North America, you don't presume no one can test your Finnish. Come to think of it, I recall London having everyone except the English in it! It was not like Ron & I expected from books or television. It brims with foreign residents, like many cities. Further to the seriousness of saying you speak a language you do not, it was another stupid scenario that this novel had too much of. Would you agree this was the problem, more than unrealistic spending behaviour?

Having no care for her job industry, not reading the magazine under her arm, which I pointed out should be at her office for free, annoyed me. Few of us work in our dream careers, at least at first. Didn't you take some interest when you worked at a place?

I know a lot about discount clothes and accessories because it was my first and longest public job. I delivered fliers when I was little, then babysat regularly. Two of my first sympathy e-mails about my dear Dad yesterday, are from the eldest child I cared for and her Mother. She became one of my Mom's best friends. The eldest girl remains dear to me and is now a Mother of many in a blended family. Talk about taking an interest in your job.

I came to loathe working week-ends for little pay but excelled at my cashier / sales job. I did my best in the offices at which I worked thereafter. Then, I was a professional temp. You have to behave well everywhere you go, because reports and references enable the next jobs. As a result, I have a lot of experience in a lot of industries. My favourite permanent jobs were in radio (I met Burton Cummings many times and once, Randy Bachman!) and at CAA. It was actually wonderful to have dreaded my onetime geography teacher but discover that with ten seconds of focus, that I am superb at it. Give me a blank map of North America and I will fill in all of our provinces, their states, and all of our capital cities. I love using maps.

The least interesting jobs to me were a clone agricultural company, which I vividly oppose but I loved being near the many plants. They were born however they were born. I had no care for insurance, at CAA or the huge company where I returned as a temp for years. I made friends there, though and enjoyed my wide variety of office and computer room work. I loathe reception and tried to avoid it. Doing it as a temp in government offices was better. Translating French courses for our military was a very special assignment that I repeated, too. Here, although the military is not for me either, it felt neat to learn about it. My staff were wonderful and my French improved. Oh, to be paid the full wage, instead of an agency taking huge cuts from temps.

I seem to see our problem with this novel coming down to the authoress giving Rebecca no personality, at work or home, except to shop and even that was mindless. Yes, fright should not have pushed her into that last frenzy for duvets, slippers, and robes. I do know addiction makes no sense and people might act something like Rebecca did. I could see someone using the excusing "What is a few more dollars if I am already in trouble" but the point is, stopping and saving every cent is powerful.

Thank you for saying you understand our home debt as needed and chosen reasonably. We do go big on used book sales but it is one way we splurge, not habitual. We save hundreds by stocking up on books we like there, instead of if we had ordered each one on-line, used or not. I add books I might not need but only at a low bargain. Ron & I work daily at reading most of our collection. His biggest complaint is freeing our space and I agree with him.

Something that occurred to me this morning, that I am glad to remember to write this far in, is to shake my head at how many clothes anyone remotely like Rebecca might have. Kerri, I buy nearly nothing and my closet and drawers are full. I share half my closet with a man but have two bureaus. I was given formal secondhand clothes by a friend of Jennifer's about 20 years ago but donated most of those pieces eventually. I have a few suits I might fit again. I have more blouses than anyone needs but those that fit me were preserved for decades. I also have my precious Mom's wardrobe. I will share what I don't fit or need with loved-ones as first choice. Thereafter, I will sell or donate items that will better serve other people. For now, it is A-okay that the function of my Mom's clothes are a comfort to me in her absence. In our land of all seasons, I have an ample, great variety of clothes to interchange between.

You & I agree about not buying drinks or supper items we can make at home. If I am out long enough to want a beverage, I select juice. Of course, suppers out are delicious and where Ron & I have smiling, light-hearted conversations. At home, he cleans up quickly. It is odd not to drink coffee but I hate novels or actual people depicting it as a "must have". It is something Ron & I enjoy throughout the day but we microwave cups until our carafe is empty. We don't abide waste.

I recall that New Zealand and Australia are more related to England than we are. Your accents and manner of speech resemble it. I don't use words like "sorted" without being followed by "out". I say gas, not "petrol" and mail, not "post". That one sounds strange to me because it is a verb. Pet peeve #1: "garden" is where you grow plants, not the whole yard space! Anyway, you preferring tea makes sense in your culture. You might find it odd that we almost never have tea, even though we own many varieties. They are packets, not loose. We don't mind heating one bag and sharing it in two cups but use teapots too. I brought home my parents' teapot from my childhood, which they only used occasionally as well.

The internet in the year 2000 is interesting and something I know about. I first tried a very rudimentary Apple in highschool in about 1988, only for a class. It used a cassette tape to load files. In university, in about 1992, I was briefly introduced to Macintosh again but disliked it. These and my first PC, used the large floppy disks, followed by small disks. In university I also tried the internet for the first time. Using a computer and the internet required basic typed commands in Dos. I was no good at Dos but rapidly began chatting on the forum of the day and loved e-mailing the few people I knew who could reciprocate. I made a little circle of friends through this at home in Winnipeg, with happy memories. In 1994, a boyfriend at the time sold his first computer and this is when I got on-line at home.

I am telling this history because in 2000, the internet was available but few people had it. I guess libraries did and it certainly had to be a fixture of the financial sector and journalists. I like that Rebecca cared about her neighbours, family, and friends and turned out to be a good writer. I sympathized with her being nervous about being on television and debating, when she was pushed into that. However, when I was liking the novel better, the aspect of not being upfront about not being an expert brought it down. That might be why I gave 2 stars, along with the good storyline coming in late. Just say you are fighting for your neighbours and are a journalist but can not give financial advice. I could not like the character for not having the nerve or personality to speak up. {Continued in message #16.}

Dear Kerri, I started this novel last night, before putting it away to sleep. When I laid down, I suddenly was having a conversation in my head with my dear Dad. My Brother confirmed the time I made sure to take note of, this morning. It was real! Spirit communication works and I received Dad's first attempt!

I am happy to say, I instantly loved this novel from the first page. It is positive, bright, heartwarming, and inspiring. I think it will be funny too. Sentimental or emotional parts will be all right. They will be handled with love, surrounded by family & friends. I am in a serious, sorrow head space anyhow. I love the close Moms & Daughter friends. I love the way all body types feel beautiful and confident in those shared jeans.

I will gladly continue our Sophie Kinsella conversation when you post in it again. I think you will find the end improved but will let you write there. With love, Carolyn.

Rest in peace, my dearest Dad! Have fun in Heaven with Mom. Discover bountiful wonders and joys! Please guide and send our Conan home, now that you can see all the way clearly. We love you as much as you love us, with all of our hearts! With love always: Carolyn, Ron, Angel, Petal, Conan.

Do you know what I love, Kerri? I alluded to this in our e-mail letter today: I love that you vented your face off! You are sweet, you read just about everything without penalizing a subject for darkness or imperfection. You seldom view family challenges as woe. Now that you are speaking your mind privately and in entertainment herein, it is a doozey! I am as distracted by sorrow as I need to be. We aren't even answering each other about this novel yet. We are each like a toy top, with plenty of spinning momentum to let loose and go! I think we are so much in agreement that instead of a question and answer, we each have an ample list of complaints to lay into Sophie Kinsella's debut! I also love that your ranting is written uniquely from your reactions, giving me fresh issues and a way at looking at similar ones, to admire and agree with. I thought I had my bitch fest of this novel covered because I used up the word count of my comment (or soap) box, on the dot. I admire you for raising things that I did not and these fresh subjects are a pleasure to take up. I usually know why I arrived at my thoughts. When I do not put my finger on it and you do, it is exactly the gratifying fun that I am keen for.

It seems obvious but you observed more clearly that Rebecca wanted everything. It seemed like she had trouble curbing her coffee, muffin, and magazine routine; even though breakfast and lunch are necessities and not the serious problem. If there was a sale, she justified partaking in it. Many of us do. I act on reading material or whatnot that I decided I wanted if it cropped up at certain prices. I thought that is what Rebecca did, having made the round of local stores. I winced because she came upon too many sales without covering the costs. As a homemaker sharing a spouse's income, I insist on only buying what I can pay off completely in a month. A credit card is merely a convenient month of grace before using savings. I do not permit interest to accrue because I do not give those billionaire companies a minimum payment bonanza. I understand debt rising, if a few special opportunities appeared at once. The best example is medical bills for a loved-one. New Zealand and Canada pay for medical care, therefore we are considering beloved animal family. Rebecca just kept following sales and you are right, that she wanted everything. I saw that most of them were not items she had anticipated.

Our invitation to a wedding in England in July 2009 was a must because Ron & I sensed we would find it hard to fit in the money better than we could that year. It is a dream come true that we went, especially to Scotland. The sudden marriage of my Brother followed in October, also not to be missed. Toronto is in Canada but nonetheless required an airflight, cottage, and car rental. Very well, two lovely trips for someone who seldom travels are twice the memories made! In May 2010, my favourite band from childhood was ONLY coming to one Canadian location. Thus, Ron & I returned to the now married Timmy & Andrea and treated them to behold A-ha's performance with us! We stayed with them and were treated fabulously but bought another airflight.

We learned our apartment company owner was rejecting animals after renovating. McCartney & Spirit are our Sons and among our most brightest reasons for living. Therefore, with three trips being worked off and having no down payment planned, we bought our first land and house in August. By the September long week-end, I kept my promise to help animals more directly after owning a house and fostered our beloved, precious Marigold. As soon as Angel, Love, Petal, Conan were born; I knew the five of them were ours. By March 2011, we asked our city veterinarian for the lowest possible prices for three spays and two neuters, with ear tattoos. The good Lord knows that Conan's shall come in handy.

In 2012, we needed to replace one car and bought our Mazda. Every year, we supported vet check-ups and vaccinations for seven felines. Over the years like everyone does, we needed a new washer, dryer, dishwasher, and plumbers for a variety of reasons. Everyone handles car repairs too. Vehicle gas and home electricity are not cheap and the mortgage will take awhile to clear. Debt is high but it is for necessities. I do not bring much in yet but rectify that by hardly spending money. We really do believe in and enjoy using what we have at home. I can't bear the thought of paying for coffee like so many people do. I only buy what we don't easily make ourselves at home. I only go to Winnipeg when I need to and for seasonal fun, so that I use no gas at all. We grow a lot of our own food and freeze it to last well into winter. The books and music I buy for education, sanity, and pleasure are secondhand most often. I already have more clothes and jewellery than there are places to appear in them and drawers and hangers for them.

I could not relate to Rebecca, for spending money after already being overdrawn. You pointed out that nothing she bought was on a wish list. There are know-it-alls who think they are geniuses for remarking "some people are like that". I know shopping addiction is real but it seemed false and exaggerated in this fictional character. We both object to comparison to the harm of substance addiction.

My main problem with this novel is that consumerism that was already bollocks, was overshot by endless situations too stupid for readers to believe anyone would get into. She was fired to keeping jeans from a customer. She had to buy a recipe book because a pen mark got on it. She was bored with a cheese sandwich lunch, when she only need to make a more delicious sandwich or salad. Cooking did not mean buying new pots for food that was new to her. Wanting a charity sale bowl to please a disappointed seller was nonsense. Buying lemonade for a few dollars to please children, or a little something to brighten a craft sale for a good cause; sure. Dropping tickets into a family or friend's wedding social raffle, sure.

"Socials" are apparently unique to Manitoba. We rent a gym and throw dances and silent auctions for anything. They are word of mouth public events and we can buy tickets to anyone's social, anywhere. It does not matter if we aren't going to their wedding or playing on their baseball team.

We agree, more maddening than overdone mishaps was lying. Speaking up can be hard but we don't respect someone is not straight with people. That twit lied when the truth was nothing uncomfortable or noteworthy at all. Thus, if anyone were bored enough to state the obvious "some people are like that", we listed numerous issues with Sophie's novel that exceed materialism. About materialism, I wanted to yell at Rebecca for wondering what else she could buy instead of how much financial relief she could pave the way for. I find it exciting and satisfying to FINISH a collection I worked towards building. I feel triumphant to reach the level where seeking something is done.

We agree about showing interest and respect in your employer and field. Make an effort and earn your keep. Try to be the best wherever you are. Substance is more important than what is on the surface. Also, wouldn't there be loads of "Financial Times" in her office for free?

It is nice to enjoy skirts and rings that you had in mind. It is lovely that some of them suit you well, with their prices reduced. Replying to that did not fit with my faith focused letter, plus Sophie Kinsella's stupid character had me fed up. When you talked for a few paragraphs about your shopping, although well earned, I thought "No! Hearing about fashion after closing this novel yesterday, is too soon"! Thank goodness its effect on you was to choose only what you wanted and could beautifully use.

I most recently dressed prettily for our wonderful Dad and that is splendid for me. I do have a few anniversary photos, even though our worry about Dad and drives to the city postponed our portrait posing outside. It sometimes takes awhile to put aside half an hour to dress up and bring our tripod outside, for any occasion. We happened to ask a waitress for photos with my digital camera on August 4 itself and they are good. Thus, my hair trim and brow wax are in view. :)

Kerri, I do not know what this novel is about, except girl power, which is good. I do not mind reading about cancer but thought this series would be funny, an improvement on Sophie Kinsella's lack of comedy. If it is heartwarming in place of that, fine. It brings us one year nearer our present day but is less about fashion than the other one, I think. I hope it is the happy, carefree fun I am seeking! Your friend, Carolyn.

Trying to read quietly and use lamps farther from Ron, I nearly finished this novel in a go. Use your own best, zany speed, Kerri! For round about 200 pages this novel is utterly unrelatable, unbelievable to reality and behaviour, outrageously stupid, and without any humour we supposed it generated.

As a side note, this is among the few British, Oceanic, or Canadian authoresses who offends my enjoyment by spelling "backwards" without an S, which is worse than the often lacking "towards" she does as well. Also bugging the heck out of me is authors using "scrabble" or "pawed" as a supposed comedic or dramatic schtick, who keep on doing it. Just fucking say you looked through your purse. I never see purse, though, as if saying the drab word "bag" is more elegant than that lovely, flowing word.

As you said, we are finishing this quickly. Putting aside the obvious possibilities of a shopping condition that we know exists, I doubt anyone is as unstoppable or as dumb as this woman is. When you have that much debt, you take a break from buying and also try to earn more money somewhere: both of Rebecca's wonderful Dad's advice. I love her parents, whom I think are Graham & Jane Bloomswood. His advice should have stayed with her as a guide and encouraging goal. Who would feel good about that but let a book tell her there were excuses for spending anything at all, to purportedly make money or reward your push to financial relief.

Brainstorming about anything except what you will pay back with relief when you do earn any additional funds, is nonsense and garbage. When she started with $40.00 CDN (the estimate of 20 pounds, for which North Americans have no keyboard symbol), no one afraid of their plight would blow it on anything!

What else do we dislike or deem unrealistic? The problem is there is a lot. I deem the extreme of Rebecca's "must have" as exaggerated as Sophie Kinsella's offensively appropriated "alcoholic" related title. The addictions are a type of sickness and affect one's living but should not be compared. You do not go into threatening withdrawal if you do not have something you thought you wanted a few minutes ago.

This idiot was willing to ditch her journalist job errands over a sale scarf, or lose her retail job over a fucking pair of jeans? Except occasionally with special items we truly want or need, out of sight, out of mind works. Many people eager to have something might tell themselves: "If I go to the store in time, I am meant to buy the scarf. If not, that is money saved". You don't go nuts thinking about every damn sale item.

The way Sophie wrote about jeans pissed me off most of all. There was a realistic way to behave if she did think she would like to buy something at her new job. Ask her co-workers if she might put them aside into her break, or put them aside right away and ask later. We set things away from customers at our clothing store regularly, when they were new or we saw they were going on sale. It was her stupidity that was more appalling than her materialism in this chapter.

The lying is the worst outrageous part. So what, if a conference heard her discussing shoppning with her friend? Just say you wanted to buy something, or say it was grocery items. No one will deem it their business for you to reply. You don't lie about a sick family member, as she did numerous times at work and to the bank. I understand being ashamed to tell your parents or not wanting a reprimand when she felt low but get it over with and have someone's help or understanding thereafter. At the minimum, say you aren't comfortable discuss it but reassure them you are not in any danger or any kind. Don't lie about a stalker.

I hate how pushy creditors are and understand it but you must tell them something and produce payment of any size. Rebecca has been right when she estimated at the beginning that she need only save $120.00 CDN per week, something see how easily this protagonist could probably save herself in a day.

If you are breezing forward in the novel, there is no problem reassuring you that this novel does suddenly develop a respectable, interesting, redeeming branch after round about 200 pages. I don't see it garnering more than two stars for the novel in which we neither believe nor respect this character resembles a person in reality. However, it furnishes a late thread that is interesting to read.

The other bollocks aspect of this character is not taking her life supporting job seriously. I understand and enjoy, in the wonderful comedic example of "The Office", horsing around with colleagues. Rebecca was something different. She put nothing into her job. I disliked many jobs as most people do, especially clothing store retail where I worked longer than anywhere. Still, if you decided the job was decent enough to try, you act professionally and fairly and put it a good day. Apply for a field or career you would like better but be decent while you are working at each one. Switch or resign respectfully.

Not learning the basics of her industry, as easily as reading the damn magazine she bought as a stupid prop, was preposterous. I don't recall how long Rebecca working for her magazine but even under a year, there is no way she should have been clueless about the big news that affected her neighbours. Also, getting jammed into and embarrassed by the assumption that she liked her neighbours's Son or vice versa, was the sort of ridiculous that ruins novels. Less is more and funnier, Sophie Kinsella. Kerri, I have seen no humour yet, have you?

The feeling of things going awry might be relatable but Sophie outdid patience for the extreme. All the undesirable actions made the novel less enjoyable than if it were merely unrelatable. Rebecca fucks up a date with someone who liked her for years and gave him a try because he was wealthy? She ditches the boyfriend she had because he wouldn't sleep with her on the third damn date? That equals being a stranger! She screwed up a clothing store job where she knew her product well? Does anyone really get caught copying a recipe and if that transpired, would they really make a pen mark and have to buy it? Sophie made her character look like so much a loser it was aggravating, even if a realistic sample was her idea.

The most fucked up idea of all: she lies about speaking a language on a resume and does not expect to be tested about it? I applied for an airline job an age ago. I thought it would be a good place for the languages I do truly know fullly and partially but the money and weird job dynamics themselves were not worth spurts of international dialogue here and there. I saw that I would have been a waitress, with nowhere to retreat from difficult situations, spending time away from home. I learned flight attendants only were paid for time in the air, not all the effort and giving of their time leading up to take-off.

To be cautious and honest, I clearly said I only knew basic German. It could help sometime and be a leg up from someone who knew my other languages. I was tested that day and could hardly get by with the interviewer, making me glad I specified only knowing it a little lest it come in handy.

Rebecca being faced with a boardroom and Finnish speaker, lying, hiding things from customers, having anxiety over every item she decided she wanted, dating a guy for money (perhaps the most realistic item), not caring a fig about her job and actually asking where she could buy clothes without working much.... turned me off.

The other thing that turned me off is the sole complaint you wrote about in your brief entry: who the fuck needs all of that? You know when your drawers and closets are full. You know how many shirts, pants, shoes, purses you use. Also, what is wrong with enjoying time at home? Why did she constantly need to go out? I went out with friends in my 20s a lot because I was a grown lady who wanted a break from living with her parents. Going to a friend's or boyfriend's home for a board game or movie was good enough. I was working off university debt on low-paying retail jobs. Once I lived on my own and may I say, Thumbelina & I lived very humbly in a tiny, comfortable space; we loved staying in the space we made together. I relate to recognizing savings in book deals. I do read those books; even if the size of my bargain results widens most people's eyes and eyebrows. I stay home and read, watch, play, plant, wear what I have bought.

The less one goes out, the smaller variety of clothes one needs. I circle through varieties of my goodwear when I go out. I dress casually, comfortably, without makeup at home. I have no trouble enjoying my free time at work! It was the limit when immature Rebecca also complained about that. You find a place to sleep or close your eyes if you are tired, you bring a book and read. She could truly read those stupid financial magazines she was shallow enough to buy for show! The locked briefcase she didn't take the time to seek the combination for, was also idiotic.

I hope I have left you with ample nonsense examples to vent out, Kerri. I recall more of them. Just for example, what kind of an immature, uncreative person (I disagree with lying being a positive trait of any form) is tired of a sandwich in oen work day? If I tired of a sandwich in school days, I asked Mom to make a different flavour. In work days, I switched to other items, like leftover pasta if there was a microwave. Bring whatever you want! What kind of pampered, uncreative idiot can't make a more exciting lunch for themselves to begin with?

Buying Indian cookery was stupider, in view of saving money. Cook with what you fucking have. Anything will do to boil rice and warm vegetables. Who makes their own spice on the first try? Just use the dollar store prepared spice, that is literally named "curry"! For starters, use what is at home, then buy a few new spices at the dollar store or otherwise, or try making your own after the meal has been cooked successfully a few times. What kind of fucking idiot does not imagine testing the spice level of endurance?

What kind of fucking idiot in a financial hole, actually thinks buying pots makes sense? Did Rebecca need to try curry because she read it in a book? Make any of the foods you like, which your parents taught you to make, or you saw them making. Simple pasta or rice are easy. So is opening a can or freezer bag and giving yourself a serving of vegetables on your plates at home and in work day lunches.

Save money using what is at home. Bargains feel lovely if they are on something you want. Normal people, which this author separated from her fictional character, mull over how much they need something, have room for it, and if a price is okay. I delayed buying books I considered life-saving healing guides. I waited decades for pieces in a series I love and needed to read it, ensuring to pay no more than I want to. I cheer at a bargain on things I WAITED FOR, or encountered affordably, so much so that I have intended to write a blog article or thread to share it.

Anticipation of something we need, or improves life, is a lovely feeling. There is a healthy way to shop. This novel is obviously about unhealthy shopping but everything was too stupid to believe. Rebecca enjoyed her scarf and other things. You observed that she forget other buys. Wanting more clothes bugged me because it was greedy and shallow. You can interchange many pieces to make different outfit ensembles, when you dress formally or for different places and times of day. I think of bills to pay and be free of, when I imagine procurring additional money. I envision a few purchases to make life easier, safe, and comfortable: soundproof fences between neighbours and superior internet. The rest of an influx would be preserved to keep our cats healthy and us all happy and safe.

I dislike this novel from the first page. I am whizzing through it to distract from a hard family time. I also won't mind being finished with this novel. I do not relate at all. I think we will discuss it for why we dislike it, rather than admire it. If you happen to like it better, Kerri, I will want to hear how. Mayhap the numerous sequels, bought at sales, are superior. I would try one more to see if they are.

Many of us enjoy Anne Perry. Good friends are becoming fans anew. Let’s chat about her wonderful talent generally and the books we love most. We are going by the stories Kerri & I have finished. We need only be conscious of not spoiling her wonderful series progression for one another, so that we can discuss these Charlotte & Thomas Pitt stories as freely and thoroughly as we wish. I am far in this series but have focused on this one.

New readers should avoid spoilers here. Wherever possible, we will give our posts book title headings but the asset of this thread is to chat about Anne in any hodgepodge of angles that inspires us. Start our thread by describing why you enjoy Anne Perry and what you thought of her first novel.

We have discussed everything that occurred to me, including this post. How about you, Kerri? What did you make of my list of portraying future or advanced creatures? If you think of others, I would enjoy reading it.

Authenticity of people in 1895 is why I prefer naturally aged fiction to the made-up historical kind. What education, prejudice, or experience they had informs how they interpreted people, animals and plants: life itself in all her forms. The challenge for us was examining the premise of someone who did not use the detail available to him. One of my heroines, Phyllis A. Whitney took her husband on vacation to prospects for her novels. Almost all of them were places she had visited and she wove them palpably into her adventures. It is baffling that she is not considered a classic and her typical gothic mystery covers sometimes were called a term she & I both dislike, ‘romantic suspense’. The covers do not present her work with the profundity it wields. She wrote realistically about everyday people of all cultures too. Her genuineness, insistence on conclusions that please readers, and her writing outlines would make mincemeat of Herbert Wells.

A few clarifications: did you think Herbert Wells lived outside the Victorian era? It lasted until the year 1901. In case you think it easier for modern women to travel and research their novels, Phyllis was born only 37 years after Herbert, in 1903! Eighty years are a life to be grateful for but Phyllis was on Earth until 2008.

Herbert lived until 1946 and seemed to know topography and geography changed over millennia. Rivers and lakes continuing or closing, forests trimming or enriching, weather warming or cooling are realistic. Did we think he misunderstood how firm basic biology is, or did he sidestep it to invent opposing communities, as abnormally stark as they had been? Why is some fiction accepted no matter how unreal it is, whereas we are poking holes in this?

I am unsure you know, the point of the “The Big Bang Theory” story was having the prop from the veritable time machine film. They did not assemble a made-up version. I recognized it minutely.

It is easy to think of animals when our loved-ones are cats, dogs, horses, birds, fish, amphibians, or insects whom we love dearly. I admire how beautifully Angel & Petal leap, climb, stretch, run, curl, and move every day. Stretching every time they get up is key. A week or so ago, a garter snake ran from the grass to the trees so fast, I marvelled at this without arms & legs. Minnows flicker by fast. I found a tadpole in mud, where our ditch has thankfully only recently needed me to add water. I carried her or him to deeper water and she burst to life and swam away. I admire small life endlessly. I have also seen the strength of newborn birds, mice, and butterflies.

Do you know “The Night Circus” is one of my favourite stories? That hardcover is used. Ron bought me the “The Starless Sea” first edition. I am savouring it and “Sourdough”, Robin Sloan. You have “The Xibalba Murders From Me”, I think. That is the review you commented upon this morning. It made me happy to read it, Kerri. Yes, doing something besides reading and definitely a variety of authors is a lovely balance to life.

Comment boxes are for conversations but some people do not know and think they should avoid details. I suppose to say everything we want freely, our group is handy, even though we have not read Anne together. With you binge reading and me thrice per year, you might catch-up. I think we would enjoy a general Anne Perry conversation thread, to discuss any of her work. The Lord knows we put all kinds of entertainment and natural life subjects anywhere we spend time together. :) Love, Carolyn.

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!