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

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

😀📚📖

Your initiative is a nice surprise. I am covering the gardens on frost nights. A warm afternoon of photography today, catching up on mail tomorrow. It will be ready when it can be mailed. Thereafter, I resume cleaning at my pace.

I might be able to finish Mom's book about John Candy tonight, certainly by tomorrow. You will see by my progress update. I will have to turn on the PC for two-handed typing. You have a few books to clear out. I want to read your review about being introduced to Eric Wilson's Winnipeg mystery.

I am too.

Babies and the people or animals they grow up to be are always sacred. Waiting for a committed kind of marital union before adding the priviledge of sexual activity, is to avoid confusion or disappointment of mismatched needs or goals.

Spiritual faith can be independent of any religion but the average person has not clued into that so far. People look for advice in a religious text with its own historical goals, treat the contents as instructions for all, and frown down their noses as a result at unmarried people and single parented kids. When people stop trying to please a society or a religion, they will instead be kind to everyone without any notion of superiority.

Gosh, I hope Kostos is no longer in the series, if Porter is not either. That character should be gone and done. Lena is already fancying Peter, Carmen's kind new stepbrother. I did not remember Carmen's stepsister admiring her because I thought she was a snob at their meeting that her Dad did not prepare her for. It is nice that she looked up to Carmen later.

You have me smiling Kerri, at your loyal, loving exclamation of you & I being genuine friends in endearing harmoney, distance be damned! One of the few things we don't have in common is your attaraction to 100 year-old geezers. I respect and remember old actors and such but living people about my age, are what get my attention! Haha.

My past friend had her baby at the beginning of her relationship, a strong tie for any couple. However, they cared about each other's families anyway because they were together for something like a decade. They were like high school sweethearts and eventually decided they were not the ones. She soon met someone else and married him so fast, she was not thrilled with my surprise in place of instant congratulations. I did of course, as soon as she told me asking how it came about bothered her. She had not said they had fallen in love and she admitted most of her friends & relatives were confused but I respected how she would have preferred I phrased it. People's feelings matter to me. We fizzled after that. She shared that she had a new baby and I was happy for her.

Yes, the kids had to solve their problems with their own approaches. Tibby's Mom saw that being a busybody was unfair. I never thought Brian should be insulted that he was not introduced to people Tibby already knew she would break off from. Being he was insulted by it, she reassured him of her loyalty.

Lena had a great learning curve and a bonding with her Mom. Carmen taught her Mom a few things, as she tried dating herself too. Bridget had the most profound family reunion with her Grandma and I loved all their parts together. I loved having Grandparents and am glad I remember all of them, including the gone too soon one at least a little.

We considered how Parents can be loving and solid without being a romantic couple or sharing a home. You said you agree marriage is for people who are in love, or want to live together as legal partners for a reason. We know marriage is a perception of not having sex loosely, meaninglessly and producing a child outside of that legal tradition. We know children are sacred no matter whence they come.

It occurred to me to add that the assumed loyalty and Holy perception of marrying is not a guarantee that partners will stay together. While in that legal and church union they might fall in someone else, already care for someone different, or outright cheat emotionally or sexually, on their marriage partner. Divorce is another taboo. It might either keep people in an unwanted couple and in unhappiness, or they might feel dirty about freeing themselves with divorce. If they part eventually, they face their perceived society scoffing that they hoped to avoid in a face saving marriage.

We hope for the lady, whose name I suppose were introduced to and for Kostos that they fall in love, or feel okay about divorce eventually.

Something I would love hearing about is what I shared about Canadians using universities near home, unless they have to specialize at a distance. Do New Zealand students prefer to take secondary education at home too? We have three major universities, named after our two largest cities and province.

We have a few major community colleges, separate calibres of places. They are lower on the ladder, often for people who finish grade 12 in adulthood, called equivalency diplomas and are easier to be accepted in. They focus on trades leading right to jobs, different from general academia of universities.

We have seen the atmosphere of keeners called professional students. I think of Noah Wyle's librarian character, in his early life of the films you gave me. :) Community college is for something like a business degree or other skill, to simply get done. I love learning but not set hours or commuting. I had the university experience and level for myself but was a person who simply wanted to get it done and leave!

I look forward to indulging in this novel with my friends in October! Love, Carolyn.

Hi Kerri! You had written great answers the night before and generally agreed. I just didn't want to presume to do all the defining. I wondered what you thought marriage and Parenthood meant. If it is "same as you", that was easy. :)

I do not minimize the bond and memory of what it must be like to share a pregnancy. I know someone who delivered a baby who did not make it. That boyfriend and his family are forever special to her. She married, moved, and had another child. Still, when her former beau died, her husband understood the forever friendship. She flew back to his Mom's house and stayed in his room, while she was there for his service. They were of course, a young but tight couple when they had their newborn baby.

Yes, you caught what occurred to me recently, the perception that being married when you have babies makes yourself and them more saintly. I know the general message is not to proclaim yourself pious but rather, to show you & your mate have a bond and did not "sleep around". That is why many of us do not "sleep around" at all. We have committed unions that are solid enough for the intimacies of our choosing. If a child came out of a pairing that did not go into marriage, it is okay. The sacredness of the child is the same, even if the Parents had been loose about sexuality without bonding together somehow. Every child is as much a precious infant of God.

I guess whether or not the jeans are magical are my final proposal for a conversation. I am glad this wonderful book received a few topics for us to collaborate in scratching our heads about. I needed your help because I am uncertain. That stretch of months when the jeans didn't find any of the kids happy had me doubting the author's intentions. Besides that, they did seem lucky for everyone, in addition to the miracle of fitting everyone beautifully and making them feel superb.

What is the reason they feel great wearing them and luck in the events around them? We have a variety of clothes that fit us well. Why those shared jeans? Were they always magical, in the sense at least of being lucky and fitting sublimely well, or did the girls and their loving traditions of friendship imbue the garments with a special energy atmosphere of posivity and confidence? Just wondered if you would consider any of this, now that I phrase it this way.

Yes, certainly the true gift and miracle are these four diverse friends who harmonize loyally together. You & I are different and always at long-distance. However, we support and understand each other in ways I trust that are unbelievable to me, how about you? I consider finding a friend like you who understands me almost instantly, a miracle and a blessing. I am glad to celebrate the day you were born, my dearest friend, Kerri! Love, your friend, Carolyn.

Onto buddy reading replies. I love your guide for a fair conversation between Lena and Kostos. I am glad you deemed my sample conversation reasonable too. It is fun and easy to write what we think, that way! We could have gotten silly and had Lena telling him off, haha.

I hope you were in the mood for a serious conversation where we get rid of automatic retorts "Maybe Kostos' Parents were old-fashioned". What are marriage and Parenthood for?

I thought it would be very beneficial to life in general, to call the characters out on commonsense and what anyone hopes to achieve. The time period is never an excuse, no matter how far back it might be. Are we achieving and sending the message that we should, by marrying someone over a pregnancy? It seems the ONLY reason for doing it, is to avoid brainwashed people raising an eyebrow. That's all?

No one should raise a child alone but it is nice you agree a Dad's presence and assistance as a co-parent, not a spouse, will do. The only benefit to marrying someone you don't know is to avoid ten seconds of embarrassment; which you should call the OTHER person out on for being judgemental. Living where you can see your child everyday is also beneficial but not if either Parent is awkward about the arrangement. Be close enough to see them every day, or communicate every day while there is a distance.

There are disadvantages to marrying someone you don't know. The child gets to see you and there is a chance you will build affection for your Parent partner. However, Kostos told Lena he would always love her, which was not loyal to the person he insisted should be his wife. Kostos told himself he was honouring his morals. That only makes him sound dumb and weak: to be brainwashed into buying into the "marriage makes you saintly" idea.

Privacy is where to have specific chats. I know one person who raised a baby with his girlfriend, came to love her, and voluntarily married her after their child was several years old. I know of someone else who raised two kids with his girlfriend and loved them all like family but felt resigned to it. Her heart was in it, long ago when I met her but he seemed capable of falling for someone else romantically.

Kostos had weird morals where he would feel like he ought to marry a pregnant lover, where he SHOULD put his morals is in not seducing anyone he is not married to, or committed to. I thought you might pick up most strongly on the rush of marrying, before making sure the pregnancy is strong. Would Kostos have a hang-up about divorce and be stuck, if his lover did not end up having a baby?

I have heard the excuse a child is thought to be more sacred if their Parents are married before they are born. A child is always sacred, human and animal. Look at their faces and little sizes: our hearts and souls leap out to hug them powerfully! Dragging society's old hang-ups and prejudices on yourself means harrassing yourself with non-existant problems. See a baby arrive, then decide if marriage feels right or not for that couple. Happy people make happy Parents.

I see that conversation with Porter very differently. It wasn't "Good-bye", it was "It is futile if you aren't interested". You are basing your conclusion on how Porter felt, BEFORE he saw how Carmen answered. She apologized and admitted to being distracted; coincidentally during their dates. She thought it was better to expand their date than cancel, for Lena and Paul's sake. I also got how he felt, for all the inconvenience to affect him and for Carmen to never decline to other people, "I can't tonight. I am with Porter".

You are also going by your memory of the other books, which I hoped Porter was in. They could have dated and were open to it. I saw in the synopsis that by coincidence, the next book puts them in university. Porter would be a fine choice if the girls weren't travelling.

I am annoyed with Canadians who call university "school". We put 12 years into graduating and spend money on university. Be proud of it and give it its higher calibre"! Why be vague and water down your achievement, when UNIVERSITY is clear.

Another thing Canadians don't do is study away from home, unless they have to specialize somewhere else. That dorm room stuff is from shows and movies. Most people take what they need in the nearest city. It is too bad the girls will be separated. I think they could enjoy sharing "the pants" from their homes. I also hope they wash them.

Do you gather from the books that they are magical? There was a portion of chapters where they did not deliver good luck to anyone. Do you have any subject to propose?

I have been up as late as possible. I get being unable to write until today but if it isn't before 8:00 PM my time (I have pushed being awake until 1:00 AM), I am not seeing it until an extra day later. At that time, you unable to reply the same day, because you are asleep. Another day goes by for a simple conversation. Morning writing is hard but you said afternoon is easier and that would be awesome. It is 4:00 PM there. If you break the late habit, it would make a huge difference.

Please remember not only birthday photography so far, deer and bird scenes in the last couple of days, and my gifs congratulating your car weeks ago but also the music videos. I hope we can get that lagged conversation back but here are some prompts. Did you only know one A-ha song prior to what I sent? You said "Stay On These Roads" sounds lovely but I thought you would remark on it being a motorcycle video. Did you really not know any Chris DeBurgh? Did your Mom not know any of them....

Waiting for letters is fine. It is just that when we send something as personal and brief as photographs and videos, I thought a fast "That was awesome" would come by text message at least. You shut your cell off when you get me interested. When I give up on finding a reply from you there and turn mine off, there is nothing in e-mail and you suddenly write a text-message, or resume sharing something awesomely personal. I check e-mail every single morning. You are sporadic!

I let you finish writing, then after a storm, gave our PC a break to be turned off for a few days. Perry is Bridget's twin Brother. If you read the series twice and it did not register, I guess he is hardly in the upcoming books. Carmen's date has a weird P name I have not heard of.

I don't think he cut out on Carmen after their conversation, only that she had to show interest in him if she wanted to socialize any futher. I don't know why their rapport is interpreted as closed. He merely opened with a warning prior to her input. Conversations need two sides before judgements are made. She was upset at how quickly and blindly her Mom dated even if he could become a real partner. She was weird the first time because she did not know how to date. The third outing, she preferred bringing the out of towners, to deferring plans. I hope she sees this nice teenager again.

This novel led to a few strong observations from us but I would enjoy one big life conversation, like "The Kitchen God's Wife" yielded. The outrageously outmoded and unintelligent excuses of Kostos sat poorly to both you & I but continued to feel wrong to me. Now that our PC is turned on, availing its restored keyboard to both of my hands, discussing what is wrong with false "morality" in regards to babies and marriage will be invigorating! We should make sure we both propose a solid conversation pertaining to each of our shared books. What say you, Kerri?

"The Second Summer Of The Sisterhood" was published in the year 2003. The setting rule of thumb is, stories not naming a different era, occurs in its publishing year. I deem anything in my 1970s lifetime modern. Some people, families, countries have extreme or outmoded viewpoints. That does not stop the health and wellness of logic from existing and being available to all people. Sometimes when in a situation, people think outside their preconceived ideas and do what is right for those to whom it pertains.

What is marriage? It is a couple, now of any genders, who agree to be life partners. The top goal is romantic, loyal, enduring love. Some people want partnership and hope love follows a union. I am defining marriage and other committed unions like mine, in their authentic sense. Couples wanting to live together because they are in love, or at the very least, wanting a partner who respects them and is open to building love for them. I am excluding people who use marriage for other reasons.

What is parenthood? It is being the biological life source of children and it is anyone who lovingly raises and protects them. The nature of people to love varies but I include anyone as a Parent who cares about the child and genuinely wants to treat them well, while raising and protecting them. I decline to call anyone with negative action or reasons, a Parent, so let's exclude extreme examples of those.

Society made it harder socially and financially in centuries gone by but for the independent minded, it was always possible to be a partner or a Parent in any way you deemed fit.

Let's examine the worse that would happen in 2003 in Greece. Elders were old and I think Kostos' original Parents were gone. The worst repercussions might only be raised eyebrows from the remaining generation, middle-aged folks. Who gives a shit? Their town (island?) appeared to be close and affectionate. I think they would embrace a baby, in any way Kostos shared his or her life. I think Lena's Grandma, from the oldest generation alive, was outraged at Kostos for marrying a girl he did not know. If she was disappointed but approving of him marrying a one night stand, we would have seen that.

There is a serious conversation based on information Lena needed to consider, with a decision on how to proceed that had to include her full fifty percent of input. Instead of her crying, wondering why Kostos no longer called or wrote; she might in a healthy way, cry because she had made a hard decision. Relief would instantly follow that.

KOSTOS: "After we agreed it was unreasonable to be a couple long-distance, I dated someone visiting from London. We had sex and she became pregnant.

I did not cheat but wish I had not been intimate with anyone, while my feelings lingered for you. Could you consider a relationship with me, even though I support a child from another woman"?

LENA: "I am too young to decide. We do not know each other well either. I certainly want the baby to be put first. You don't live in Washington for us to so much as date. While we live our own lives anyway, let's see if I move on and if you develop feelings for the baby's Mom.

If you chose to work in the USA later and we were unattached, we might try dating. It would have to be new, acquainting each other from the beginning. I am glad I did not cross an intimacy line with you while I had felt frisky enough to experiment"!

Lena's life is going on utterly free of any harm, problem, or compromise. I wish she had not gone through the pain of an obvious change, without receiving information. Had she been informed, it would have been disapppointing but she would have informed the choice to close off Kostos, or leave hope open to him.

Open information would have allowed Lena to ask for the benefit of her Parents' and friends' advice on what to do. Kostos ought to be advised by his relatives and friends too; the Lord knows he needed commonsense and realism from somebody.

As for Kostos, he tipped the trajectory of the Londoner's life and his. Instead of welcoming the joy of a baby, whom he helps raise and gets to know his or her Mom at least as a friend; he has forced them to give up the glory of marriage based on love. There are so many kinds of unions, like mine for example. They could live together for the child - as friends, or seeing what it is like to date. They could share the baby long-distance. They could live in the same country but draw a respectful, clear line by having their own homes close by.

I conclude that what Kostos did was stupid and selfish towards both girls. As a child raised by Parents in two dwellings, did you mind that? Children can tell if Parents are unhappy. Does it matter if they are married, if you feel love and spend time with both of them? Wouldn't you rather they be happy with the right person, or did you wish they lived together?

Lena might have decided to cut off ties because Kostos was no longer a single boy without children. They might have decided to delay exploring any relationship, until after the little child's life was safely and joyously established. Him marrying the Mom was completely unnecessary. What if the pregnancy had not developed? Divorce was not unknown in Greece, I don't think. What if they did not get along and closed that part of their union?

It is not old-fashioned to be very cautious about exploring intimacy and marriage. They are both very serious choices with a variety of important repurcussions for those people; feelings, finance investments and costs, and sometimes there are babies who need to be considered and brought into the world with an honorable, healthy, happy life for them. Kostos was not honourable, he was stupid and cowardly; that is what I think. How is it honourable for a stranger and her family to be stuck with him? Help raise and share the child. That is where the honour, morals, and responsability go.

I understand you might like writing in the morning but can't until afternoon. I think that is ideal. I hope you see the lovely, happy, personal text-message photographs and videos! I am using Ken's old mouse with a cord but it is better than Ken's keyboard.

I will see if there is follow up to your new impressions. I am happy to read "Lament" after our window & door appointment.

It feels like a cloud is my instrument, on my easily typing keyboard, smoothly, with an assured flow through every key. Reviews, discussions, letters is going to be a breeze from now on.

I applauded your caps lock shouting at Kostos because you & I agree there was no excuse to not tell Lena why he was in town. After, that there was a pregnancy. In the early, visting case where nuances weighed on little Lena, I gather you don't buy his excuse any more than I do, that she would run away if he simply said he wanted to see her in person. Bullshit. Not wanting to date him at first, notably him following her too boldly for conversation in Greece when she wanted solitude, swimming, painting; does not mean she didn't want to talk to him after they were acquainted. She only ran away because he stumbled on her swimming naked, geeze!

Didn't you react to her Sister not letting them damned well talk? Or him saying, may we chat? Lena was too sensitive to speak up. Didn't you want to scream at Kostos and Effie? Your reaction to not announcing the pregnancy and letting her give an opinion to handling it, was equal to my annoyance. Did a modern girl from England want to marry a one night stand?

I fault the authoress for causing an extreme reason, losing a Grandpa without seeing him again, for her to discover the marriage. It would only require any news from Greece; any neighbour, store clerk, broad relative or friend who knew her Parents. The author removed a favoured character just to announce news to Lena that the whole town could have told her parents? That was shitty, along the lines of but not as horrible as Anne Shirley losing her first child.

Couldn't they converse with Grandpa, or have him survive? Be creative, authors! There need not be a service for her to find out about Kostos in the town. NOW he had no problem despite the inappropriateness AFTER marriage, to follow her around again to talk to her. Weren't you afraid she would run away, bastard? Who sleeps with a stranger on a simple date, if you love with someone else?

This is the reason Emily was at fault for consenting to marry Ross on "Friends". You said she was the wrong actress, not that the character had fault. Never mind that Ross asked. Both women could say "no"! If Kostos is miserable for life, what good is old-fashioned honour? There is no honour, towards a woman he has to try to like, acquaint, befriend, and love. This is why I didn't sleep with anyone unless we were at the "I love you" stage. If a baby surprised us, I knew they loved me simply for myself. Also, I deem it bullshit for anyone, not in love with their partner, to feel attraction they can't control. Yes, you can refrain from sex entirely and very certainly refrain from relations without precautions.

I was moved like you were, at any appearance of little Bailey's Parents and family. Did she have a Sibling? My children are animals so my heart and feelings always hone in on Mimi, Tibby's dear hamster. Writing her name on the stone to show she laid to rest there too was important to do. Honestly, I would have asked Bailey's parents to include Mimi's name and can't believe no one did, including Tibby's parents. Good people don't minimize an animal's worth and they might have liked their Daughter's name not being alone on a plaque. That goes with Tibby's parents offering a name change in unison with her Mom.

Besides not acting on things she had control of, I hope you read that I didn't find anything else an issue. Brian was disappointed she didn't introduce him to people that didn't mix but she wasn't rude, badly enough to avoid her. You can't talk to someone who is fleeing. She would likely have said after, "Brian, I didn't want to introduce you to them. I don't think I'll talk to them after our class". He could ask "Why didn't you introduce me".

I disagree Tibby made a film for strangers. She wanted to fit in with popular children for a change at first. Who wouldn't, in a new school where no one had preconceived attitudes about where you ranked? Try being with the same French immersion pupils from grade 4 to graduation! No matter how I grew and shifted, some pupils thought of me as the shy person they met at age 9. If I could rule the school nicely somewhere new, I would! With that idea, Bridget protected herself from rejection but it should have been for her introduction.

Didn't you think Tibby wanted to improve her filmmaking via critiques? She watched for things she didn't before and elevated her quality. A comedy about her Mom also wasn't meant to be hurtful. I don't know why her Mom didn't find it hilarious and honestly accurate. I think the authoress described her Mom looking at Tibby to gauge her face but Tibby wouldn't look back at her in the audience. I deemed it the only reason her Mom made anything negative of it.

I disagree, if you thought Tibby did anything wrong by making a comedy of her Mom. It would only upset a grown family member if she expected it to be sentimental. I doubt Tibby said it was about her. It might upset a woman, dismayed to discover her child feels neglected. She was hoping to keep on getting away with postponements and saw that the line had been crossed.

I recognized Tibby's Mom hoping to keep skipping something "less urgent" as personal time, without her Daughter objecting. She was dismayed to be mistaken and saw that Tibby's patience line was crossed awhile back. People bumped too often, hit a point where reasons feel the same.

Regarding filmmaking and pushing yourself, it isn't about impressing boys, even if that is what Tibby thought at first. It might sound like Mike Fox was complimenting his wife but Tracey's acting ability made him work harder and improved his ability. Timmy said jamming with a musican who was ahead of him, pushed his guitar playing skill up. Being around friends in junior high who were good dancers, made me become great at it. I didn't imagine someone who didn't have high school dances, not wanting to dance. I guess that is what happened. You can't build interest in something you didn't do, with the whole cultural experience around doing it as a kid.

The only person I faulted in our novel is Carmen reacting stupidly about her Mom and her own dating and Lena not speaking up more. I know uncertainty or rebuffs are crushing to us but speak up, share the load of discomfort. Asking her Mom what to think and how to handle it would have helped. Carmen was a little girl too, worse at relationships than Lena was.

Yes, the talks and hugging with her Mom were the best parts. The time with the Moms and Grandma's were the absolute best, including Lena's sad Grandma in Greece. The intimate, simple, personal gift of her Grandpa's shoes matches what I value. Money is helpful but I cherish what my loved ones shared with me or touched and used personally themselves, you already know.

I loved everything you wrote, Kerri! It is enlightening to read and consider. It weaves in & out of what I thought, even if I differ or debate a little here & there. You gave me a lot to think about and take pleasure in reading and writing back & forth with you: thank you! I enjoyed writing back to you, after our kitty's big shared birthday which is very meaningful to us. Conan was not here in time for it this year but he will be someday soon. He could grace my birthday or Jesus' birthday this year, ahead.

I merely winced when you referred to "romantic moments", wondering if you noticed that on all three of those Kostos occasions, Ann Brachares committed the hated "backwards" without a fucking S in it! I still gave her novel five stars, without an idea if I liked either of them better than the other. The contents and writing were nicer than most stories.

I am not sentimental about the Moms staying friends and I'll tell you why, although I agree it is a nice thought and a high mood to close the story on. The first book explained straight away that the women had nothing in common, except women in a pregnancy class with babies born the same summer I don't know if Christina was an immigrant and just had a Latin accent and first language, do you? You can certainly have accents no matter where you are born. I only know Lena's parents are immigrants.

Christina was a single Mom Latina. Ari (full name?) was an immigrant. Tibby's Mom (name?) was a hippy, converted to a busybody. They lost Marly, Bridget's beloved but not always hormonally healthy Mom. My Mom was always eager to meet my friends' parents. Most of my visiting was at friends' homes because I enjoyed seeing how other people lived and ate. After, I was old enough to not need parental presence. Mom befriended one friend's parents. You know she befriended former pals who were between her age and mine. It seems like the women should know each other better, with their girls young and regularly at each others' homes.

To a Grandparent who had not seen her Grandchildren or Daughter in years, watching Bridget referee soccer would not be boring. Our Parents and Grandparents care about whatever we do and usually enjoy watching us at our passions. I get you were referring to the loyalty and that is true as well.

I related to and applauded the date with the odd P name, for telling Carmen frankly "He could only take so much blowing off. If you aren't interested, say so". Carman wasn't sure she was interested and didn't need to rush trying out a date with him once in awhile. She was stupid about it, analyzing instead of having a conversation and a meal. She also had too many excuses in a row, to not be alone with him and act unfocused on him. The one reasonable reason to bring a stepsister and best friend, would be fine if she hadn't been distracted or nervous the other times.

I find Carmen's paranoid wariness hard to believe because she is the type who can't help speaking her mind. Dating is a bit different but speaking up is who she is. It is fine if she only thought at first, selfishly, what a boyfriend could provide for her. She understood soon after that he is a person too, not a status prize or a social tool. Finally, she could have told her Mom she was neglected and given no time to ask advice, without a rude demeanour. I will read your input with gladness, Kerri.

I look forward to what you muse on next, dear Kerri. I will reply to it. It was an unusuallly busy day for me and productive, which I wrote about too. Cheers to you, car owner! Let me know when you foresee having time to read "Lament". Love, Carolyn.

DOES YOUR BOOK HAVE CHAPTERS? The first edition is what you admired in the photograph of Petal. The other book she reposed upon is from a New Zealand authoress, I saw in the back pages.

I am at page 318 and will finish this novel after writing this. Write fully and freely. I got up to type my thoughts before seeing the end of the story. It is fun and to avoid a compression of a story's arc. I am in a place of only discussing pieces of it.

Please write which pages you are on. Thankfully you made a profile update of 200 that looks current but it was always our method to write it here. I hold back from being entirely open if I think you are at earlier pages, even though I made the decision to write everything I want to, to finally have the pleasure of discussing experiences that are fresh.

I enjoyed reading a paragraph of your entire book thoughts. It doesn't mean I am uneager for replies to mine so I hope to look forward to those. It sounds like you had little patience to write any more, off-line or not and the true reason is fine. Besides summarizing my character and plot likes and dislikes, my additions were brief and poignant to me. Your sharing of them is always warm and nice, which is what I need in my days a lot this week.

I think I generally agree with everything you thought, putting more responsability on the Parents than you did. An upset, confused, temporarily neglected, and growing child can be allowed perturbed or desperate reactions.

Anyone who loves us will understand times when we can't be gracious about how we come across and we will see through it and not be offended by it. God knows I have been patient with sick Parents and a hormonally unbalanced, fatigued spouse. It is time more people close to me give the same grace and reading past the lines for me, than you already do. What I have said regarding sharp tones and words not meant from tired and erratic minds is that you lose whatever good point you had if you communicate in any way rude, cold, or cruel.

If we excused anyone's emotion or logic for doing something negative, there would be no prisons or laws. I am on the stronger side from what I see that three of the girls had reason to be pissed off with their families. Lena's Mom wasn't ready to discuss something and did not think it pertained to her Daughter at all. Everyone else really needed to get their acts together. You thought Tibby's Parents were only busy, not neglectful or selfish?

Christina's closed the world around her - I would call it caught up in a whirlwind more than selfish but it was wrong. Women deserve and can have fun without putting loved-ones on hold or forgetting they are there. Christina hated that about her reaction to romance when she saw it and put a stop to it. I would hope no person's world hinged on whether or not a NEW partner didn't phone one day, geeze! Christina, mature, took her overblown disappointment as a sign that her rapport with her beau was unhealthy and she was right.

What happened to dating a little at a time? Even as a spouse, there is ample room for each of us to do things we like that only work solo: my letter writing, reviews, reading. Ron likes some TV channels I don't care to browse, driving to Winnipeg for extensive bike rides (I was capable of it as a kid and could return to it), berry picking, which I happen to dislike.

This was the one time Christina was not a wholly present Mom and it happened to coincide when Carmen needed her. No one should fail to give a phone message and whatnot but that wasn't the end of the world. David could have phoned her back and asked if she got it. I found it pathetic that Christina didn't outright phone and say "Thinking of you. Feel like doing anything or do you prefer being home"? Just a technical plot criticism: if 16 year-old girls had cell phones in 2003, didn't their Parents? Why was David using a landline answering machine, where he knew the child who shared the household phone was uncomfortable with him?

The only Parent I don't fault is Ari (I can't remember her proper name), Lena's Mom. She had a past she could reveal as much of as she wanted if she felt comfortable doing it.

I have a criticism about authors not being careful enough to distinguish uncommon names. "Nana" and "Bapi" might be well known to certain cultures but mainstream English is "Grandma, Grandpa". Kostos talked about flying home to take care of HIS Grandpa. The same word was used later without enough emphasis on WHICH Grandpa, to refer to Lena's "Bapi".

Although Lena was in a pessimissic state of mind when positive news needed to be spoonfed to her clearly, it was stupid of Kostos not to write, phone, make his visit clear to her! Even if he only wanted to be friends and was after all, visiting a Greek family to be polite; phone or write her to warn her! I disagree that her previous reluctance to get too close to fast, was a reasonable excuse for him pretending not to care or thinking she would dare make that assumption. I was pissed off at him and her "take the hint" sister, for not getting the fuck out of the way to let them talk privately. He comes for half an hour, does not draw Lena out in conversation at all, and left without a private word her family would have expected? They would have preferred giving her space to the outdoor cavorting she ended up doing. Carmen wisely knew what youths left alone can be tempted with.

I do have to say that while there is a predictable pat improvement on everyone's parts (except Bridget's Dad and statue like twin), it is occurring at different paces that removes the false, all at once effect. Maybe Tibby could be sullen but she was always sensitive to other people's feelings, including towards her neglectful Parents who sometimes saw her as free labour.

I didn't sense a comedy parodying her Mom was mean; just not what she expected. If it included affection and a hug or loving scene in conclusion; making a bit of fun at lollypops and drier scenes would be funny to most Parents and families. Tibby said the theme was her Mom being busy, not anything negative at all.

It was predictable that Greta knew who her Granddaughter was and I wanted Bridget to own up to it, which Greta likely awaited, however that portion concluded nicely. My heart warmed me all over at the message: "She hadn't had a Mother in a long time". This smart, hardworking, active teenaged girl had plenty of time for her Grandma to pamper her and cuddle her right up!

I was sorry to learn her Mom was seldom able to be that way. She needed hormone and energy balancing badly; drugs and hospitalization are the assumed approaches even at present day. I thought Marly died of cancer. You didn't correct me or perhaps didn't remember what it was. Knowing the story clarifies that her Father had zero excuses for cutting the kids off from them. Marly's Parents merely wanted to visit their Daugher & Grandchildren summer and winter and made suggestions about care that was obviously needed. There was no bad or awkward situation the man wanted to shut out. He just disagreed with their worry that something needed to be done for the kids and their very own child.

I loved that Bridget's beauty with or without her attractive natural haircolour, was assured. She was glad to know her charm for others was not all about hair or a slim physique. That pairs with Lena's caution to not draw too easy, surface value from looks. It was daring in her opinion, to put on a nice outfit or bit of make-up.

This was a good place for me to write. I added my thoughts of the novel I am still reading and enjoying. I replied to yours. I still need to see how things work out, so this was not a finished story that was summarized after the whole contents were capped. This is valuable and easier, even in the last 300 page portion.

I lost respect for Kostos for one saga that turned out as I thought. A story with different characters pleasantly surprised me. Kostos was allowed to move on but not without a frank phone or written conversation assessing how he and Lena both felt realistically. When one wrote something, the other asked for no information. I deem him disloyal and unintelligent. I don't care what old fashioned country he was from. It was 2003, he did not plan to live on his island, and the person this pertains to was from England, a western country entirely. Kostos should have been plain and involved Lena in deciding how to proceed, at least have her input on it.

Two of the girls worried too much about things that could be resolved by asking. Bridget was willing to research the truth, photographs and boxes, question and conversations. As a break, she watched live soccer and reacquainted childhood playmates. Tibby did something about what ate at her and drove all the way home or phoned people outright. A really sullen person would wallow in that but do nothing to change everything for the better.

Bridget is back to first place for me. Lena second this time. Carmen comes next, perhaps because Tibby's less emotional demeanour would unlikely ever be my favourite. They are there for their friends & family with their varied personalities.

I know the value of additional friends and emotional lifenot depending on few people, so I am trying to reopen and make new friendships and family bonds. I love that the girls have someone else they are close to, not boyfriends. I think Lena has a few other pals, certainly relatives even if they aren't shown so far. I wish she & her family had gotten to see her precious Bapi again.

Happy birthday to your wonderful Grandma. If you look at these messages at all in the morning, not all in the evening, please tell her I send her my most loving, warm wishes for a blessed and healthy new year of life for her! You know how happy I am that she is on Earth to be one of your best friends and I am sure, her Son & Daughters' dearest family member too. Love from Carolyn.

I am glad to read this happy book together with you, Kerri. Do you remember it much, being surprised by details, or seeing them in a new light? What year was your reading?

Sigh, unanswered questions (and this sticky keyboard and too loose, rolly mouse). I ask which edition you have to know if it has chapters or not. Does it? Let's state which page numbers we arrived at so we know we can write more freely, even though we should write whatever we wish.

I was almost at page 200 last night but am mainly discussing key aspects of early portions. Gobble reading is the way for me to get books done, not getting out of bed and turning on the internet, or typing on a document, to make midway notes. The next morning is my most natural break and place to reflect. I do the same with review writing: read a bunch, then have a long writing session of a bunch. There is much to enjoy partway but perhaps leaving undiscussed ground for you to comment on, will pave the way for originality for your progress writing.

I ended up writing first and it appears you only replied to that. As gratifying as responses to me are, I would rather read what you think and feel. Lead with your impressions or questions, or don't read mine prior, unless you can separate them. After seeing five stars for the *script* of "The Breakfast Club", I wonder! What is on the page is not great, only arguing dialogue. I was careful about separating the film from the plain page because that is what readers are supposed to review. Some have trouble doing that, so whatever works best to obtain your book reactions.

I wrote yesterday that I cannot likely include quotes because I admire something Ann wrote on every page. I am however, adding an early exhilarating impression that is my favourite description and thought association of all. It is about loyalty of true friends, like you, Kerri. We sure are being genuine friends across the oceans and spans of lands and have built honest joy, care, and trust between us. Tibby first hearing her summer school voicemail account reminds me of loyalty like yours and of my Parents too. You and my folks would do exactly what the girls and one relative did.

Without the authoress explaining how (similar to court in "Blue Lily, Lily Blue"), one relative and Tibby's entire friend group looked up or used the summer school number they noted to keep in touch with Tibby, which is a close family & friend must for both ends. Without Tibby knowing she had voicemail, they discovered she did and passed the word around her closest people. They all had the idea or orchestrated it, to leave comforting words to greet her arrival to a dorm away from home.

The well described and delightful part for me as a writer, as well as the biggest burst of loyalty among loved-ones, is that a welcome was recorded even by the travelling Bridget. I think I will remember her "B" name now after writing it enough and focusing on her as my fluctuating first and second favourite with Lena. By the way, it isn't about the most mature or sensible person. I am going by who moves my heart or whom I relate to most. A traveller on a bus, who could only use pay phones that were available on her stops, through varying time zones, made no excuses of how limited or busy she was any more than anyone else. She calculated when she would need to record it before Tibby arrived and did it.

"There was even a scratchy message from Bridget on her way". I didn't look it up, this is as I recall it. This is the most beautiful thing I have ever read and I have had people in my world who love me enough to be that loyal and caring to me too. Ron might not think of these things but he takes hints. If I said it would be a powerful greeting and surprise, he would do it too in time to greet my destination.

It is an entirely joyous but similar organized warmth to we Falco fans mailing worldwide postcards to comfort his Mom, Frau Hoelzel. In the CDeB internet fan club I was in for two years or so, we wrote "Will you marry me" type postcards at the request of the group leader for his proposal to his wife.

Tibby and Carmen are in weird states of wanting more respect and acknowlegement from their Parents but are in a jaded place where they sulk about everything and nothing they do is right as far as the girls feel. As inappropriate and extreme as Carmen's reactions are, their degree is all I call her out on. It is terrible for a grown woman, no matter how much fun it is to date (I doubt it is her first time since divorcing), to be oblivious to anything else. A kid does that. A grown-up does not, especially with maternal instinct and responsibilities.

Tibby has a reason to be pissed off too but again, has given up hope of them changing and is too cowardly to speak up. Liberal Parents are likelier to listen to what we have to say. Any Parents have to hear feelings if they are expressed with urgency or care. All she does is weakly send a message that she won't be a babysitter. I highly doubt anyone would keep an extra last name on a child that they took off everyone else. Even so, if Tibby didn't like it and was smart enough to foresee or recall schools and other legal places writing it down, she could have asked her Parents how to remove it legally, prior to registering anywhere else, including major ID like her driver's license. Don't bitch: remove the extra name. That is what name change forms are for. Instead, it is a whine about how her Parents used to be silly and are normal for the young Siblings.

Ann Brachares put Tomka to great creative use, another well crafted description and idea I loved reading! Bridget instantly thought of it, something like "She gave the unused name a new home". I just loved the intelligence and wording of that.

I only read at night normally, so it would have halted a good night of progress to come back on the computer in my subsequent break. I had written far enough with an old keyboard and mouse and hoped you would reveal your own pure thoughts to entertain and enlighten me. I like to be surprised too. Since you need a chance to do that, maybe I have written far enough.

I love how Bridget's memories of being in her Grandparents' home and town came back. Her love of soccer, her Grandpa giving that to her, her friend and other acquaintances whom she recognized on the same field.

I need to know if your rereads are forgotten and mainly feel new. I think Lena has a Greek Father but don't tell me, if that is a detail you recall as fact. I hope not because the "Not providing a child's right to their family and biological details" story trope always pissed me off and was outdated far prior to 2003. Not wanting to think about a past relationship is no excuse for keeping blood from its family.

The same goes for what I discovered is Bridget's maternal family. Putting them aside is disgustingly more inappropriate than if the Father had "not been on speaking terms" with his folks. I thought it might be his because the Parents who lost their child would insist, legally, on keeping access to the trace they have left of her. In Canada anyway, Grandparents have rights to Grandchildren, no matter what the adult think. To not try to insist on it past four letters in 6.5 years is maddeningly not trying hard enough. Also, did none of the twins ever get the mail? Whether it was in a box at the front door like most of suburbia, or at a postal box? Most families have a communal key for whomever wants to pick-up postal box mail. If the Grandpa were unwell at the very least, a decent human being was obligated to alert the man's Grandchildren.

Carmen might be immature but part of what she explained about her reactions later is accurate insight on a serious level. She & her Mom counted on each other, the way some people have Siblings to stand up for each other, represent, and balance out families together. Also, a grown lady doesn't gush THAT much about new attraction and romance. We are elated, interest piqued, feel like we are on a cloud of fun but it wasn't Christine's first time.
A little girls like Carmen needed to feel her way around her first meal and simple kiss with a boy.

Ann is doing a trope we disliked the first time, where "each Parent has an honesty or focus problem", then all four kids will probably apologize for handling it angrily and everything will resolve at once. Ann is so good, I wish should would not arrange and close stories in a pat and predictable way. The magic pants (are they?) aren't working for any of the four girls either. Tibby's film exhibition ended terribly pertaining to two close people to her.

The joy and light is wonderful though, a pleasure all the way through. Let's have paragraphs and paragraphs of your thoughts now, pehaps without looking at this; or before answering this if you already did.

I am past page 72. I am doing my best with a sticky space bar. How annoying during our period of writing. Good thing my part of e-mail letters is done! I am on a reading break, wanting to back to writing but had better share something.

I love every page and often feel urged to quote something on them. One sentence made me laugh, on around page 28. A thoughtful quote was around page 27. I memorized the locations to see what they were later. I like the journies of all four kids.

I feel most annoyed with Bridget. Tell your deprived Grandma it is you and enjoy her openly! I was second most annoyed with Carmen. Don't worry about small crap! Even at 16 years-old, I was not insecure or nuts and could laugh things off. Not as well as now but better than this character. Please tell me your first date was more confident and comfortable than she was, Kerri!

I felt for Carmen after her Mom allowed her first date in awhile to shadow her Daughter's first date ever. Shut up and give her a turn to talk. You know why I am a good conversationalist? I love listening as much as speaking and you are the same as me. Do you do this as well? If I see someone not jumping into a group conversation, I make space to draw them in. I halt overly chatty people and get them considering their companions. You have to make space for people who aren't comfortable interrupting, when that is the only way in with some blabbly people. I have no trouble going "Let me add something" and wince if other people don't do that for themselves. A blab is poor manners as it is.

I understand Carmen being young and new enough not to know what to make of her date. She knew she was eager to tell it and hear the reactions nonetheless, to gauge that it was good or nicely neutral with room to explore a person. She was mature about one thing: her Mom losing her focus enough not to see her out merely because she was on the telephone with a suitor and to not be there afterwards to greet her! It was astute that Carmen could have gone as far as she wanted to and it isn't right for Parents not to supervise the private home portions of visits. She knew right from wrong and wanted the traditional treatments in her début experience out in the young field.

Lena bumbing around town is nice. We are reminded that they are in Washington the city, in District Of Columbia. If you don't know, that is the far eastern seaboard in the north of the United States. It is different from Washington state. which is in the north east, under British Columbia, Canada. Did you know there are two? Although a proud Canada, I enjoyed reading about the girls visiting different states (which we call provinces here) in their country, especially Bridget where she has family and remembers spending as long a time as summers there. Whose Parents are those Grandparents isn't clear to me. How about you?

I wish Lena's Mom had let her troll for her own job but perhaps she had no ideas and was not picky. For beginners unless they are fortunate or creative, the selection is usually retail, restaurant, or office work.

Gee, I can't type on this keyboard much. Know what effort this is and how much I yelled at sticking keys. How does wrecking a PC mouse affect a keyboard? It is weird. Yes, I replaced batteries and unplugged USBs off & on. The mouse scroll is too lose. Sigh. Gratitude for having these back-ups at all.

Tibby's personality is my least favourite and relatable but her story is the most normal besides Lena's. Both girls are thinking of a boy too much and should just be themselves and explore the worlds around them. If Tibby didn't LIVE for time off of schedules like I do and doesn't mind studying during her summer because it is something she likes, it is great that she is earning film class experience and probably high school diploma credit too.

You will relate to me through feelings more than actions, so I am having a highly enjoyable time following these four girls. You promised I would meet their families better herein and I am, which I like about this sequel.

Bridget figuring out she is herself after premature sex is believable and honourable. Carmen parting from an overseas, brief crush makes sense. I love her pride in her Dad and friendship with her presumably older stepbrother. I like Tibby having a filming enthusiast guy pal at home and a crush at film school. Just don't make your day, actions, or project about making anyone like you.

Oh, I am glad I remember special observations I want to remark on with you, Kerri. I chose this novel for us, thinking it would be nice to read while it is still summer here. The contents match better than I expected! The last of August to middle of September are the girls' birthdays, so we are reading in the time line of this story!

It occurred to me which I don't remember us remarking last time, that this series is about friends carving ways to be together when they are apart by distance. It is special that for our relationship which has to live long-distance, we already do that, isn't it Kerri? Love, Carolyn.

My first impression is joy, pleasure, fun, fresh vitality for reading a book I enjoy so easily. "Towards" isn't spelled with S but Ann Brachares doesn't overdo the word and hopefully she uses S in "backwards" if it is in it at all. Besides the "towards" that is easy to get by, this experience in entirely positive and peaceful. It is a relief too, to find a book written this well and pleasantly, as it is is made just for me. Problems are not dire or violent, no crazy plots are necessary for compelling stories that hold my emotions and and focus!

I love that without any spoiler for weird people who don't read in order, Ann glides through a smooth, short reminder of the story we came from. The dear hamster went to Heaven, almost the same day as a new young human friend. Tibby made friends with a boy interested in films and she has a little Brother. I couldn't remember "Effie" and reread the introduction until she was called Lena's Sister.

I hate the selfish attitude of Bridget & Perry's Dad right off of the hop. It is also annoying that being called "Bee" some of the time makes it hard for me to remember her real name, which I prefer using. "B something" doesn't help, because "Bridget" especially spelled that way, is never what I think of.

Has Lena been the general narrator, if the friends are discussed as a whole? I think she is my favourite, a title that might have been Bridget's prior, or maybe she always got second place, which stills shows how highly I admire and like her. I don't relate to sports and being highly active, physical or schedule wise. She is impulsive. In every other way, including the sports and active energy for some people, she is a role model for a fantastic person. She examines her thoughts and feelings head on, as described wonderfully by Tibby, when she posed a question of Bridget. She confronts issues, emphatically without hiding how it affects her but still with ample respect. She is honest and fair.

DO NOT HIDE ANYONE'S MAIL OR MESSAGES, EVER! DO NOT PRESUME SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD NOT HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE YOU AREN'T SPEAKING TO! In your late teens, you are lucky to have Grandparents living. The two year-old cheques will need to be reissued. That's all I can stand to say about this thoughtless Dad.

I worked with a lady who had a terrible, ganster type ex-husband that she could not stand and feared. He was fine with their Daughter, so visiting or part-time custody sharing on his part was agreed upon. The child appreciated her rapport with her Father and valued him in her life. The Mom avoided the energy of this formerly abusive person so much, her Daughter transferred cars in parking lots so the Mother did not look at or hear him. Do not tell us that woman was open and fair about sharing a child but that this Father had anything to say against a Grandma sharing letters, phone calls, and visits with her Grandchildren. If it is their Mom's Parents, if anything for Pete's sake, their bonds ought to be reinforced and clung to with all their hearts!

Carmen can be immature and quick to jump to conclusions and react emotionally, which are character traits you can see I hate dealing with. I know she is a special person and I certainly love other cultures enough to learn their languages, so I enjoy seeing what she does this summer, if she behaves positively.

My least favourite will likely be Tibby always because I dislike the unemotional, unresponsive, unaffectionate types of people. Being quiet is great when you need a listener but low energy responses are annoying the rest of the time. I especially can't abide sullen or bitter people. If I am sunny despite very shitty days around me once in awhile, there is no excuse for being a crab!

I love Ann's writing of emotions and personalities, so real and clear. She shows us like Anne Perry does, what we should make of what she is telling us. There is too much I feel moved to quote for us here, Kerri. This is how to author books!

Tibby feels so strongly about Bridget's uncomfortable adjustment after trying meaningless sex and going back to being a child, that even she wanted to reach out and hug her. Tibby teared up watching her friend shed her emotions in tears. Tibby knew Bridget chose the least emotional person as the easiest friend to open up to, about the progress of her emotions and return to herself. I like and respect Tibby even if least of these four, for her loyalty and strength in her own style of being who she is.

I love the friends remarking that any return to her normal self, even if it was not Bridget's best trait or quirk, was a relief for these loyal kindred souls.

The joy, relief, and advantage of multiple family members and friends is that there are different Parents, Siblings, or friends to suit our needs. I went to Mom for this and Dad for that. Even Mark & I have a few things in common that Timmy & I do not and they have their own relationships with themselves and both of our Parents uniquely. I hope you have that with your Dad too at a short distance and with a sometimes gloomy Sister. I hope you two have fun and laugh.

There was a scene similar to Tibby's & Bridget's in the Louise Penny series. About in the sixth story, the Quebec police team are injured and lost one of their members in a terrorist trap. They deal with their feelings long after they are out of the hospital. It was shocking afterwards that someone obtained their officers' camera feeds and put the horrifying action on-line.

When one officer was ready to see it, he at at the home of the person in the Three Pines village he liked least. The bitchy poetess whom I like least too, understood his need for someone who would not crumble him with a warm or strong reaction. I always want comfort and affection but I can understand I might sometimes NOT want something to be a big deal and to skate through it.

For eighteen pages, I am full of admiration and pleasure and could probably type a great deal more, especially if I looked for quotes. I won't type any more than I must on this sticky keyboard and loose rolly mouse. If I zoom far through this beautiful, magical novel prior to stops where I would update you, at least I gave you this introduction to soak in. Thank you for reading this wholly pleasant novel with me, Kerri. Love, Carolyn.

I have first editions of most of Ann Brachares' books. This hardcover has no chapters numbered. What about your edition? I forgot until I saw you note "second time" that you already know these stories. If you continue to remember little, that is fun, that you will discover them along withme, Kerri. I am on page 18.

Do not hold back because I am going to read this book now in the daytime after all. My first browse of it was so powerful, fresh, easy, and joyful again that I must keep this feeling going. I might prove unable to stop the pleasure and you understand that I need to fly upon that happy kind of cloud without interruption.

When I take breaks to bathe, dress, eat, and whatnot; I will write progress notes. I hope they suffice to leave small sections for you to peruse when you are ready to.

Another thing that comes to mind is it would be advantageous to get writing my progress done, before I have to clean seriously this week. We are receiving an installation date soon: it had better give us notice but we must have working space free in case the appointment is close.

I did not read last night and will begin this novel today. My reading time is bed and I have a lot to do, so it might not be until then. You haven't posted yet and won't in your time zone, unless it is in the next hour. Everything is peaceful but we need that to continue and to have cleansing bursts of joy and fun at an extra magnitude! This novel will likely be a part of that for my part.

September 1, it is!

There is a beautiful song Dad & I both love by Neil Diamond, its warmth and its meaning, along with an uplifting, soaring melody. It is "September Morn": even the way Neil crafts that old-fashioned word forms an elegant image of good feelings and eras that last, to circle back around and embrace us strongly.

See, I am raising old favourite names, faces, voices, and songs up into conversation that were composed outside of Canada. I have to narrow the number of material I send to you but it is joyous to share old favourites with you that are especially personal to my family or me, universally.

This day is a good day to play "September Morn". It is my four childrens' birthday at the end of its opening week, which I witnessed and will forever cherish. Ron beheld Angel's and knew Marigold's introduction had begun to being a Mom, before leaving for work. My beloved Mom was born a week after you. There is also my dear friend, you! Like me, for yourself, you might welcome September with a joyful song. I know we will miss Stevie very strongly then too. Love always, your friend Carolyn.

I guess we are done the book! I hope you get great secondhand copies by Drs. Gasgoigne and Day, knowing you will love and benefit from that new knowledge and clear lists of information. I am a newcomer not much different from you. Your praise is appreciated by me nonetheless. Thank you for reading Amy Tan with me, dear Kerri! Love, Carolyn.