Gentle SPECTRUMS discussion

I will finally read this Canadian classic novel. If you would like to join me: ready your copies! :) My guess is, most conversants will discuss this story by memory of having already read it.

I focus on Canadian authors and literature in June because it is when Shonna's reading challenge concludes. It runs according to Canada Day, July 1, to start anew. Therefore, I am free to begin reading L.M. Montgomery's famous novel today!

Please hop in to discuss any section I have completed each day. Yours sincerely, in the Manitoba rain, Carolyn.

I'm looking forward to this! I'll read some tonight so that I have something to contribute tomorrow! :)

I am glad you can join me and are excited! As I wrote above, this Canadian book is timely, not waiting for July. I am lucky to finish a chapter before I fall asleep, in the throes of major cleaning and some shared cooking and baking with Ron. We are welcoming rare company for Father's Day.

We like our house neat for family company, which is a challenge in a small size with lots of items from my Mom and planting peraphernalia packed-in. But my sister-in-law and uncle are seldom here and his son and Grandson are celebrating with us too. Uncle Fred's wife ascended to Heaven the year before, so both brothers are on their own. My cousin and his son have never seen our place, hence a good extra clean-up.

Also, I can't let this week-ends forecast electrical storms blow out another dial-up modem and can only go on-line if I don't hear much thunder. Relax with this, as I see Maude's book is worthy of and don't read fast. I am at page 47 and see why her writing is memorable: the skill and beauty are the first things I noticed!

I hope it's fun once everyone arrives! I often enjoy the business of getting things ready for when family are coming -- we were supposed to have my aunts up in April, but then everything went into lockdown so of course that all got delayed.

I will definitely take my time with this one - I think it will be a nice book to wind down with a chapter or so each night before I go to sleep.

I am glad to have family here on Earth and one of my parents. I will pamper Dad, my Uncle, and cousin who is a Dad. It is sad that we are in the same boat with our Moms ascending recently. We sure can understand and enjoy each other. Having my brother and sister-in-law over too will be nice. Cleaning and preparing is work for us, in a small house storing a lot of things but company gets us acting on it.

My other brother is in Toronto, a Dad himself. My niece wants my "Anne Of Green Gables" books it seems, hence I won't wait long before reading the next too, of my first of the 3-book sets. I like different authors cleansing my pallette between books.

I can offer a little start of impressions about this endeared book. I am glad you are taking your time. You seem to be a fast reader. I am at page 72. First, no Canadian I know called an orphanage "an asylum" but who knows what 1908 was like. I hope it is common-knowledge that Anne told us her history and Marilla and Matthew consented to keep her. If they had not, there was a chance of going to a grumpy lady, whom Anne would have dreaded. I do have comments about all of this.

First: didn't orphanes, no matter how full, check to ensure children go to loving people? Didn't they take it seriously if the fairly old child, herself, was against a candidate? Were they really allowed to be sent away as workers, instead of loved children in a family?

Secondly, in Anne's story, she said her parents had no relatives because they were from out-of-town. Was it hard to contact her relatives out of town?

A cleaning woman knew Anne since birth. But despite raising her from 3 months to 8 years, the lady's Mother refused to look upon her as family when times got tough and the cleaning lady and her biological children moved in with her? What kind of person doesn't consider a baby you raised, family? Thus, Anne ended up with another family from around their town. I understood them giving her up after two years, because this woman had to separate her own kids among relatives when times got tough.

Before I finish preparing for company, one more note to mull over and everyone who wants to chat about "Anne Of Green Gables'" first book. About how attitudes and behaviour cannot be blamed on the times they are in. People have attitudes no wonder what the popular concensus is, or they don't.

I have read with pleasure to page 100 and will only continue tonight. Anne's impressions of her first time in church and Marilla's private reaction to them, admitting that the girl gave voice to things she has felt, were very heartening. Religion especially in older days, was about following the rules of religion and religious texts, instead of the heart of what spirituality ought to be for.

Anne, very perceptive, reported to Marilla that the minister spoke without passion. "As if God were so far away, that the minister hardly bothered to address Him". She had less good to say of the Sunday school teacher to whom she got assigned. For Maud as a lady in 1908 to write these observations, Anne to speak them, and Marilla to echo them, uplifts me. Religious robots and intolerance are not dependent upon modern times to be dispelled. I love knowing that people always knew where the heart and soul belonged.

This is such a good point and it's refreshing to read this kind of thing, especially in a novel published over 100 years ago. I have read quite a few books from this time that never have these kinds discussions between characters, so it's lovely to see. I love Anne's honest observations but that they are shared by an adult is particularly wonderful!

It is enjoyable to see spiritual openness indeed, even though Marilla is rigid about prayer being a certain way and church and Sunday school needing to be attended. My main questions are in message #7. I wonder what you think of those? Do indeed present thoughts that came to you as well, in your reading and which page you are at.

I have been chomping at the bit (you know horse expressions) that my main points in message #7 were missed, the one occasion you have time to comment. They remain my only ones, except to add one thing and to read whatever you propose to discuss when you have time. I am well past page 250 and might finish this wonderful book tonight.

I was astonished that Marilla didn't make a splash when Anne reminded her that it was their anniversary. When her only reply was sending Anne to borrow a sewing pattern through "the haunted wood", I thought it must be a ruse to prepare an anniversary surprise for her. I generally like Marilla but loathe her for that and the nonsense about only needed 3 plain dresses. Even Matthew could tell it wasn't right that Anne wasn't as fashionable as the other girls.

Oh gosh, I completely missed message #7! I'm not sure that I've ever read anything else that refers to an orphanage as an asylum, but I am hoping it was meant in the sense of providing protection/safety -- it sounds grim though.

I have certainly read many horror stories about orphanages, so I suppose it's possible they didn't much care where the children went as long as they went somewhere -- I'm not sure about Canada specifically, but I have read quite a few British books where young children were 'employed' or kept as servants without much thought about their welfare at all. It's troubling to consider -- I hope it wasn't so easy as to simply send for a child though!

Perhaps in the early 1900's it was easier to lose contact with family? It mentions they 'hadn't any relatives living' so maybe they were just a small family, sets of parents only with no siblings or extended family?

I personally couldn't imagine raising a child and being so unattached - I don't think you would have to have a biological connection to feel someone was your child, especially if you have had them for so long but some people do seem to be very good at not caring about people. Poor little Anne -- I'd forgotten that she'd been shuffled around so much and rejected more than once. And yet she still feels it is her red hair that is her lifelong sorrow!

I am only 100 pages in so far, but should have time tonight and tomorrow to catch up up with you -- I remember being a little scared of Marilla when I was a child and I am being reminded why now - she is goodhearted I think, but at times seems so unfeeling. Is their religion one where you are supposed to shun anything 'frivolous' or is it more her personality -- hopefully when I've read a little more I might find out.

I had forgotten how funny the book could be as well - Anne's observations are frequently making me laugh. My favourite so far is, "She had twins three times. I like babies in moderation, but twins three times in succession is too much. I told Mrs Hammond so firmly, when the last pair came."

I will check in tomorrow with more thoughts -- if you have finished the book I hope you enjoyed it! :)

Hi Kerri! That was a great goal but I remain at 250 pages. I treated myself to several "Friends" episodes last evening because I need comedy to end the hard year I have had. I prefer the late seasons of shows and they are our satellite dish's reruns lately. I won't tune in unless: on "Friends", Chandler & Monica are about to propose, it is after Leonard & Penny's wedding on "The Big Bang Theory", and at least the year 2016 on "The Goldbergs" and "Modern Family". I recently like "Fresh Off The Boat" and any era is a fresh treat for me.

So.... I fell asleep after a few pages last night. Ron's voice snapped me out of falling into a reverie that I could feel, still holding my book and asked me if I was awake. I said yes but closed the book. My reading glasses needed cleaning to see well at that hour and I wasn't going to get up to do that.

I told Ron that I will take a calming, soothing day today: I will garden a little and read a lot. I am enjoying this book so well, (except for Maud's terrible old-world reference to lunch as any word but lunch, the biggest peeve!), that I know I will want to finish it, unimpeded by sleeptime.

Now to follow-up your reply: we easily agree that biology ought to have nothing to do with loving someone firmly, in regards to the former Mrs. Thomas. Gosh, she knew Anne from birth and it was precious that she could be told all about her parents and their house for eight years. Were there photographs and mementoes?

We understand Mrs. Hammond giving Anne up after two years, when her own children were redistributed as a result of her husband's passing. You will find Anne's experience with their three times triplets was very fortunate, further than being a funny comment. What I don't get is Marillia not showing attachment. Moments come when she knows how much she loves Anne and shows humour more often. I like her a bit more at each such advancement. But it pissed me off that she said nothing in response to Anne pointing out their anniversary.

An odd thing for me that maybe made it odd for Marilla and Matthew to act as parents, was discovering that they are siblings instead of spouses! It is fine for siblings, relatives, and friends to make homes together but I have not heard of anyone but spouses adopting children; unless they thought of their adoption as an employee for hire. It would be hard to call siblings Mom & Dad.

Canada didn't have slavery or indentured servitude, except possibly contracts finished out by British here, before we became a nation of our own. I don't think our orphanages were of the poorhouse or workhouse type in England. However, you must be right that they were full or instituionally bland and children were released anywhere they could be.

Marilla was a christian but not rigid. That was Mrs. Barry's tack, until help from Anne put her in high favour. That religion generally and to this day, recommends no boasting or vanity. I am even aware in non-fiction and fiction I have read recently, that Emperor Contantine directed which books went and did not go into the gospel, published by him in 365 AD. He wanted only sections that portrayed Jesus as suffering and having no fun; something you noticed.

Marillia was only concerned about being humble and not speaking ill of others. Her silly personality kept Anne in plain dresses. I have seen no indication that Marillia and Matthew had a low income. Like all parents, Marilla was reluctant to let a 13 year-old go anywhere but begins to cautiously. I am awed that my parents let me, at that age, attend my first Corey Hart concert with only same-age friends! But it was the night of my life and like Anne, I drank it up and cherish it 100%.

My favourite incident and new character is the befriending of Diane's great-aunt Josephine Barry. I love the lesson about our approach changing someone's entire demeanour. Ron caught me asleep when Anne and Diana visit her in Charlottetown, the capital city. I am awed that without having a mystery, spirits, or magic: I am swept away by this book and excited to keep on reading.

That sounds like a fun evening! I think the Chandler and Monica proposal is one of my favourite episodes. Also the arrival of Mike because he is my favourite character that isn't one of the main "Friends". I haven't seen much of "The Big Bang Theory" since Penny and Leonard got married, I should probably catch up on it! I have seen a few episodes of "Fresh Off The Boat" and quite liked it, but it played at an awkward time and I have not watched it consistently. I thought I had missed only a season or two of "Modern Family" but I watched an episode earlier in the year and was surprised to see that the kids were now mostly adults or just about, so it's clearly been longer than I had thought.

I hope you enjoyed your day of gardening and reading! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much - I've been enjoying it too. I loved it when I read it as a child but I think I am getting more out of this reading of it and appreciating L.M. Montgomery's writing in a way that I didn't fully notice as a ten-year-old. Anne has remained one of my favourite characters and I'm pleased to find that so far she continues to be so. She's a good, bright, fun character that doesn't fall into that 'saintly' trope that is sometimes present, like Heidi in "Heidi" -- instead she feels very real and quite timeless in lots of ways. There in a newer show of it on Netflix that I think I will watch once I have read the series, called "Anne With An 'E' " and there is also a series from the 80's which I think my sister has on DVD. I'm quite interested in comparing the different versions.

I am aiming to get a significant portion read tomorrow, maybe even finish. I am going to a memorial and I'm not sure how long it will go for -- I am estimating a few hours, but if it turns out to be longer I may not have time to finish the book until the day after. If that's the case at least I will have all day to dedicate to it!

Did you see message #14? If chatting runs to a good length, I separate the book conversation. From now on, perhaps I can leave you to look for more than one paragraph. I guess I wait through the time difference in anticipation again, to know if you have replies or additions to the conversation in message #14.

I am at page 272. With Ron en route to work and the cats settled from the breakfast they have with him, I am returning to bed with this book! Yesterday, I baked the loaves that our company didn't need on Father's Day and delighted Ron. I am having a piece with coffee now: mmmm!

Yes, Anne is a wonderful character like you said: funny, morally strong, intelligent, not prissy. She is wholly relatable. A lot of "scrapes" came of Marilla not saying she reused a bottle of some ingredient, or laying her scarf atop her brooch. Yes, the writing is exquisite. I wondered how much my 9 year-old niece would observe and enjoy. I am glad you loved this as a 10 year-old. I wonder what you picked out at the time.

It was fun talking about shows. "Modern Family" just ended this year, therefore all of the kids are grown. The only "nearly" is Lily, who started as a baby! She is a full teen. Even little Luke and Manny, are in university or at jobs at least. Hailey unfortunately married to Dylan, whom I loathed. However, Alex finally has the science professor whom I like best but it is annoying that we don't get to continue on, watching them together. I did not take to the personality of Joe, Gloria's and Jay's little son. I loved Adam Devine and can't believe a young actor would leave a show that is so good.

Shows often work out their best storylines when ending. In "The Big Bang Theory", I was tired of Bernadette yelling at Howard and playing bossy girl and was bored with Penny's jokes about Leonard not being cool, or not relating to his science and private interests. The had a few episodes about her being nicer. Then, in the final few episodes, what do we find? Perhaps I had better leave it for you to watch. I thought the whole world watched the finales of this popular show. But even Amy improves her wardrobe; they covered everything! I did love the whole courtship suite of "Friends" shows with Mike, Phoebe (whom I generally liked little), and David. Paul Rudd has done well.

Ron & I have our Star Treks and plenty of them. We love the new "Discovery" and are nuts about seeing what futuristic or time-travel wonders season 3 brings. But we were mind-blown at how good, emotional, and nostalgic "Picard" is. The whole word who had the smallest interest in any of the Star Treks watched that. It brought the well-known franchise full circle, while "Discovery" is exciting for being unknown and new.

It would be interesting if there was some sort of actual evidence or tie to Anne's parents -- I have wondered if what she was told was actually true or perhaps a story she was told in place of something less savoury, but then I think with all the communities being so closely interwoven it would probably be difficult to hide some sad fact. But I do wonder that she appears to have nothing of her past life at all.

As I was reading I felt confused because I had remembered Matthew and Marilla as siblings but it takes a long time to actually be stated! It is interesting, because until quite recently in most places it was quite hard to adopt a child if you weren't married -- maybe it comes back to that idea of their being too many orphans. I thought it was interesting that Marilla had prepared a couch for the expected boy but felt that that wouldn't be fitting for a girl -- it seems like they were going to compartmentalise the boy from being an son, yet with Anne she has quickly become a family member rather than a maid or cook or something.

I am glad to hear that Canada did not have their own versions of workhouses and the like. I first came across mentions of those in England from "Oliver Twist" and I found it horrifying -- one of those situations that is so inhumane but was very common.
I suppose orphanages might have also varied depending on who was in charge of - so one might be exemplary and well managed, another might have had little to no funds and less time or staff to monitor who went where and whether or not it was safe.

It's always so interesting to consider the things that were omitted from The Bible, often choices made by people in power who would benefit from it. I recently read The Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom which follows a lawyer working during the reign of King Henry VIII, and even though I knew it, it was still astonishing to be reminded how The Bible, and what was and wasn't in it, or the way it was dictated to be interpreted was used to keep everyone in line, keep them from questioning or objecting.
I also think it's interesting how easily things can get translated in various ways, leading to very different versions of things - sometimes it was probably unintentional, but other times very deliberate. It's fascinating and scary that Emperor Contantine was able to do that. To make people think they were supposed to be miserable and suffering is cruel, and there are a lot of people who still believe that, though I think it is less prevalent now.

I love that your parents let you do that! It's lovely to have memories like that to cherish.

I haven't reached that section yet, but most likely will have later tonight or early tomorrow. I agree, it's a sweep you away kind of book, but it's interesting how exciting it feels given that it's a very simple story in many ways. It's very vivid and life-like -- I have a crystal clear image of what I imagine Prince Edward Island to be like, it sounds like such a wonderful place! I love Anne's enthusiasm for everything, how she is so intense about all the thing she loves or hates.

I have just answered message #14 now! :) I was not that fond of Dylan either - I don't think I've seen it since Gloria was pregnant, or maybe the baby was still a newborn, as I don't remember that character. I liked Adam Devine in the episodes I saw - I've seen in some movies recently as liked him in those too. Howard and Bernadette's yelling and Penny's attitude were one of the reasons why I kind of drifted away from the show -- I didn't come to hate it, but they irritated me after a time. And I saw how things turned out in the finale and found it very annoying! In regards to Penny I mean. I didn't find that revelation particularly enjoyable, but I do think I will finish it at some point as I was quite fond of Sheldon, Amy and Raj. Amy was probably my favourite and I did see the episode with her wedding dress, which I liked a lot, especially Sheldon's reaction to it.

I have never seen "Star Trek" and have often considered watching it. I think it is on Netflix, or at least some of the shows are, so I might start it once I finally catch up on "Heartland" - I like Patrick Stewart a lot and would be interested to see him in one of his most famous roles!

I often edit if I see a typo, or words that bump to a line by themselves. I don't like it visually and shorten something. You returned right away upon my first draft. Would you mind re-reading message #16 to see the new things I added? That is easier than cutting & pasting the new parts into a new comment box. I love the conversation you added! I will reply to your message #17 after you have seen the #16 inserts.

We differ in "The Big Bang Theory". I love the dynamics a baby brings to Leonard and Penny. They are wonderful with each other. It is about time Amy paid attention to style. This is coming from a Manitoban, who dresses for environmental comfort (hot, cold, mosquitoes, horseflies). I cannot stand Rajish; even more than I dislike Bernadette’s "Look, I am cute. Now, I am yelling". She reminds me of Miss Piggy. Rajish is useless on the show. The actor is a sweet person but his chattiness is annoying in real life too. If you pair him in an interview with someone quiet, like the greatly talented Simon Helberg; Simon hardly speaks and he is the one I am keen to hear!

It is neat to see how shy he is and what a wonderful actor the opposite personality makes him. The episodes where he does famous impressions blow Ron & I away. I must buy the blu-ray of his film with Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, which looks hilarious. I will follow anything Simon does.

Howard, Leonard, Sheldon, Amy are wonderful protagonists. I would replace Rajish and Penny. Bernadette normalizes Howard, gets and loves him. He becomes a fabulous husband and Dad and completely mature, instead of a giggolo.

On "Friends", I found Joey useless and only liked Phoebe gradually, notably the David stories. I could not watch the early episodes where she cleared her throat. I favour this cast in this in order easily: Matthew Perry (Canadian!), David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox. I think I left you a note in another conversation that I met Courtney Cox early in her career, on one trip of a lifetime to California.

The original Star Trek, memorable and ground-breaking, can be cheesy because the demeanour and technology are old (Bill Shatner is Canadian!). I have not seen many. I recommend dipping your toe in with the films, featuring the original cast. Stop at “Undiscovered Country”, the last of them alone. Then watch a few old episodes, or begin with “The Next Generation”, in 1987.

Boredom or lack of relatability should not be the way you are introduced. The films are a wonderful and short way to make this pioneer cast’s acquaintance. Don’t confuse their films with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, who remake the characters and premises. They are fabulous but save them for later.

I finished the book tonight! I got almost no reading done yesterday as the memorial for my step-grandfather took most of the day, but I was pleased to be able to go, it was lovely and felt like a worthwhile way to spend the day. I devoted most of today to finishing the book.
I'm glad you had the bread to enjoy while you finished the book. My memory of the story ended with the hair dye incident, so the final section beyond all felt like I was reading them for the first time. I loved the way Anne grew and matured without losing her uniqueness or her dreaminess. I was so upset when Matthew died, but it warmed my heart greatly when Marilla finally told Anne that she loved her. And by the end Anne was allowed her fashionable dresses, with no complaint! I had no recollection of her further schooling at all, and while I knew something happened that brought her and Gilbert closer, I wasn't expecting such a lovely gesture - perhaps that didn't make such an impression on me as a child.

I have seen that film you mentioned and Simon Helberg was excellent in it -- I first saw him years ago in a teen movie called "A Cinderella Story" (an OK film that I loved when I was younger) and he was excellent in that, so was pleased to see him so many years later land a part in what became such a successful show. I have seen him do some impressions on talk shows and he is brilliant at them -- I'm rather in awe of people who can do that kind of thing!

Matthew Perry is easily my favourite on Friends, and then the others vary depending on my mood! What I most appreciated about the Phoebe/Mike/David love triangle is that for once I wasn't sure who should be the guy she picked as I loved them both. I hope you had a positive meeting with Courtney Cox -- and enjoyed California.

Thank you for the Star Trek guide! The most daunting thing about it all is that there is so much of it - I have seen part of the first of the newer films, which I intend to watch properly as they have Karl Urban in them (I think he is a character called Bones) and he is one of my favourite New Zealand actors. I will often watch something if a New Zealand actor is in it, unless it gory and violent, in which case my loyalty is usually not quite strong enough for me to make it through!

It is my pleasure to reply to you, Kerri. I wonder if there was a note I didn't see. I didn't know anyone had ascended. I am sorry. Did you know him like a Grandpa? My Mom's Grandma had a second husband who existed all her life and was her Grandpa. I hope this gentleman whom you honoured yesterday was not married to the Grandma who is grieving a kitty. She needs all the joy she can have right now. I hope you gave her my respects and do the same for this step-Grandpa.

I will separate our general conversation from our book discussion. The personal part first here. Later, I will reply to both of your messages about "Anne Of Green Gables".

I am curious if you know of Corey Hart, Canada's "Justin Bieber" of the 1980s and early 1990s? I saw him for the fourth time last year. My Mom had bad pneumonia and it was a scary but healing night. I was overjoyed to tell her about it after the concert let out and cherish one of the most beautiful, laughing visits we ever had. I was practically a baby when I first saw Corey. On his second visit: my parents joined me! They heard me play his records often enough that they are fans. :)

I am surprised and thrilled you have seen the Simon Helberg film that I haven't bought yet! It goes as low as $10 CDN at Amazon.ca but not when prices were low on books I was ready to buy, so I will wait for the blu-ray to drop again. We get free Canadian shipping at $35 CDN of new items. I am glad you & I favour Matthew Perry too. He was born in the US but grew up in Ottawa, Canada's capital, where his Mom worked for Justin Trudeau's Dad! On the episode in which Phoebe tried to teach Joey French, I was thinking: "You know French, Matthew"! Lisa Kudrow did the pronunciation and flavour of the language extremely well. I like and admire her, just not her character in early seasons. She produces the US version of the ancestry show "Who Do You Think We Are", which I love. My Mom & I are passisionate about personal history. I love David Schwimmer's character and acting too, as you know and must see more with him.

I wondered what you meant by "bread" because I didn't recall mentioning toast or anything. I sometimes eat a bun outside in a lawnchair. However, I revisited my conversation and see that I shared baking my special, delicious pumpkin loaves! I am no breadmaker. These are something easy to do, which we use with our abundance of home-grown pumpkins. We vegetarians often use squash vegetables in dishes in lieu of meat, like pastas and Ron's vegetarian lasagne. But they make great desserts too.

Yes, it is easier and a sufficent summary, to introduce yourself to the original Star Trek by watching their 6 films. Haha, I have to laugh at your note "someone named Bones". I am glad there are New Zealand actors for you to be proud of. You see my Canadian pride loud and clear too. But "someone named Bones", is the doctor of the original Star Trek show and one of the captain's best friends! Dr. Leonard McCoy is the most famous and important regular character, after Captain Kirk and Spok!

After them, the other regular, important, and endeared characters are communications officer Nyota Uhura, played by the beautiful, black Nichelle Nichols. Montgomery Scott is the engineer famous for the saying I hope not to hear again ("Beam me up, Scotty") and beloved Asian pilot Hikaru Sulu, played by George Takei. This actor, William Shatner, and Nichelle Nichols (now age 87!) are alive from this 1960s cast.

Watch up to film 6 and begin "The Next Generation" show, with Patrick Stewart. You will be hooked. When you finish this show, watch the other four films. The first, film 7, combines both of the casts. Then, you are ready for "Deep Space 9": with black captain, Benjamin Sisko. This one is a wormhole guarded by a Star Fleet space station, instead of a show about a travelling ship. You meet a lot of new aliens and their planets on this show, in a place where all this new culturalism congregates.

I would have joined this conversation sooner but I realized I don't actually own this book. However I did find many books on the author and how Anne came to be. I haven't read this book in very, very long time but I remember I loved it. I loved the 1985 movie with Megan Follows as well. If you two haven't seen it I highly recommend it. Megan does a wonderful job portraying Anne as do all the other actors with their characters.

I was named after Anne Shirley. My mother is obsessed with Anne, which explains why I found so many books about Anne and her author. My Dad though Anne was "too plain" so they added Lee to it to make it Leeanne.

I've always loved Anne as she can find beauty in almost everything. She's also very dramatic and I always think of her when I act the same way.

Lucy Maud Montgomery always wrote her books about orphans because she too was almost an orphan. The author ended up sort of hating Anne though because Anne was surrounded by people who loved her and had a wonderful life, unlike her creator. Anne was what Lucy always wished she could have had which is sad that she couldn't have that. She never wanted to keep writing Anne which is why she kills off Matthew. But Anne becomes famous and people kept wanting more. I think you'll be glad that she did, though I've never reads the rest of the series. More movies were made but I don't know how close they followed the books.

I noticed you've also been discussing TV shows in this. I'm a fan of Star Trek though I only get the channel with it occasionally. I've seen bits and pieces of every series and three of the movies. I've seen more of Star Trek Voyager than any thing else so you could say that's my favourite. It wasn't as popular as the other series's but I though it was pretty good. My dad and his best friend are much bigger fans than me. My dad's friend has several of the ships on display in his house. I don't know which ones but I know he has the Enterprise.

I've noticed that your a fan of Heartland Kerri! That's exciting that someone on the opposite side of the world for us watches it too. I've met Amber Marshall who plays Amy and she's quite a lot like Amy in real life. She's from London Ontario which isn't far from where I live. I've been watching the show since it started and I've almost finished season 13. I don't think it has any very famous Canadian actors in it but that's because they prefer to have people you've never heard of on the show. Heartland feels like a real place to many people so they want to keep that feeling going. It's based on a book series by Lauren Brooke.

He was my stepmothers father, so part of a fairly large extended family. He died when there were still a lot of restrictions in place, so funerals were limited to 50 people -- I did not go to that one, but was pleased that I could attend this later service a month later. I mainly knew him from Christmas gatherings, but he was a very nice man, always kind and welcoming. Not married to my Nana who recently lost her cat, Daisy!

I have heard of Corey Hart but am not familiar with his music as far as I know, though it's possible I have heard it and not realised it was him - this happens a lot, when I think I know nothing of an artists work but after digging a little deeper find I am familiar with at least some of their songs. I love that you were able have parents enjoy it too for the second concert! And then to be able to tell your Mom about your recent experience.

I definitely recommend that film (Florence Foster Jenkins, I think), I was quite impressed with it. I enjoy that show "Who Do You Think You Are" too - I think I have seen episodes from both the US and UK versions, and enjoy both.
Netflix has the show "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story", which has David Schwimmer in it. I am torn about watching it -- almost every actor in it is someone I like a great deal, but I don't really enjoy crime drama or court room shows. But it is a limited series, so only ten episodes, which I might find more manageable! He (David Schwimmer) was also very good in the movie "Apt Pupil" -- his a smaller part, but quite important and it has stayed with me quite strongly in the years since I watched it.

I will check Netflix later to see if they have all the Star Trek films you mentioned -- hopefully they do!

Hi, Leeanne!
I just asked my sister earlier if she had the 1985 version on DVD and she does, so I am glad to hear that it is good! I hope to watch it soon, provided she knows where it is!

How wonderful to be named after Anne, especially since as you say, she can find beauty in almost anything. I had heard that Lucy Maud Montgomery had a difficult like, but I hadn't realised that she was an orphan too. It must have been so bittersweet to find such success with a character that has all the things she so wanted for herself. I have the next two books and will be buying the others when I can -- I'm glad there are more books, though it's sad that they weren't necessarily easy for her.

And yes, I love "Heartland"! It's one of my favourite shows - I had wanted to watch it for years because I had enjoyed the books, but it cost too much to buy online, more because of the shipping costs to New Zealand, than the price of the DVD's themselves, so I was thrilled that it is on Netflix. I'm only up to season 5, and I need to get back into it - I didn't watch anything at all during lockdown because I couldn't concentrate so I just stuck to books, but I think I should be fine now. How lovely that you met Amber Marshall -- I think she's really good on the show, she seems like a great fit for it.

Very happy to have you, Leeanne! Please don't say any more about Maud. I have her autobiography and will read it soon. I love knowing the personal connection with your parents and yourself. Getting to know friends is why we start conversations about literature, televsion, and animal love like we three have.

I wonder where you got the idea "Voyager" wasn't popular. It was huge: I followed it from the day it aired and it is one of my top favourites. I always say there are people who only watched the original series and "The Next Generation"; not because the other shows weren't popular or as good. It is because folks who only watch those two aren't big fans, haha!

I haven't mentioned the later series to let our island girl get her feet wet. :) Kerri, it occurred to me in bed last night (I look forward to these conversations) that you could watch the three seasons of "Enterprise" any time. It is the last show until recently but it depicts the crew before Captain Kirk; when a space travel program was starting. Begin with the 6 original films as we said. Then watch "Enterprise" or "The Next Generation". It will be fun to find out if you watch release or timeline order!

Kerri, you confirmed that you have a three-book boxset like me but I was curious about when. After planning to read it with me, or recently anyway? I am thrilled you know of Corey Hart: that is good enough! He has lived in Nassau, Bahamas, for years with his family and his children took tennis lessons in Florida, USA after they got older. He has tons of hits. I know the feeling about recognizing songs, except that I always want to know who it is and where they are from. "Never Surrender", "Boy In The Box", "Eurasian Eyes", "Black Cloud Rain", "She Got The Radio", "Sunglasses At Night", "Dancing With My Mirror", "Dreaming Time Again" (most recent).

I figured you would mention the coutroom drama in which David Schwimmer plays Mr. Kardashian and here he rocked but I am not interested either. I am excited, however, to note the other film you mentioned. Yes, I know the opera singer film was called something like "Florence Foster Jenkins" and need to urging: it has been high on my Amazon Canada wish list for a year or more!

I have seen Matthew Perry in several other things and am happy that as per interviews, he is naturally funny and intelligent as his Chandler character reflects. Exactly like Mike Fox truly is funny, intelligent, and well-spoken. I hope you enjoyed the story of Matthew's upbringing in Ottawa, with his Mom working for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. :)

I think I covered the fun segues. Next time, I will answer book messages 17, 20, 22. It is lovely to have Leanne's memories of loving it. Perhaps you will read the other two with us. I like a palate-cleanse between authors and Kerri seems to agree. By August I will want to read the second book, perhaps sooner because my brother asked me if my niece may have them. The second three-book boxset can wait and be a future treasure.

One more fun addition: I saw something awesome very recently, on something like a food for America fundraising telethon. In a live show, hosted by Jack Black: Ben Stiller, Courtney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow solve a series of clues and challenges to get out of a massive escape room studio! It was great to see them working together and I love Ben Stiller and Jack Black we well.

I will return soon, even if it isn't today. The Canadian reading challenge's year ends on June 30th, because as Kerri might know, Canada Day is July 1st. I finished "Ghosts Of The Titanic" with Marigold in bed this morning and will breeze through another brief nature book or two, then review them in time to submit to Shonna's blog.

Most importantly, Ron & I need to get cracking on planting flowerbed flowers so that we don't miss Manitoba's season for them to bloom and flourish long enough. This ain't New Zealand, haha. Sincerely, Carolyn.

I will avoid saying any more on Maud though I realized later that I was a little off on one piece of information i shared, which I’m sure your book will tell you. I am wondering which biography on her you are planning to read?

I think I mentioned earlier that after the 1985 movie of Anne of Green Gables two more were created with the same cast. I don’t know how well the others follow the story as I’ve never read the rest of the series. I do remember the movies being quite good, though.

I don’t remember who told me or where I got the idea that Voyager wasn’t as popular as the others. Possibly I made up that idea myself as no one I know has ever seen that series, everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I mention it. I’m glad you liked it too that makes me feel much better. I could never understand why some people only watched The Next Generation or the original series because I feel that the other series were quite good too.

I too like to take a break between authors and I try not to read books from the same genre at the same time or right after one another. I will try to find someone with the rest of the Anne series or see if my local library has it. I’ve been interested in reading the rest to see what happens to Anne and if my movies actually followed the books or not. I just hadn’t got around to it yet.

You might not hear from me for a while as I will be going camping on Tuesday and we can never be sure if the wifi will work or not.

Hi Leeanne: happy camping to you. Your travelling wi-fi is faster than our home dial-up internet. Do wish us happy gardening! I am too hot to do much today (+35C!) but Ron accomplished a lot. A chance to catch up is fine with me.

If "no one you know" watched past the first two series: they aren't fans! It is not other series lack depth and excellence. There is a Star Trek for everyone's moods but real fans try them all out! :-) "Voyager" was my favourite but Ron & I really enjoyed "Enterprise" afterwards, however briefly and less its cast gelled together. However, "Deep Space 9" was emotional in a whole other way and brought mystical lore into it.

Do you watch the new "Discovery" too? We are more excited about it with every season. I was hardly interested in "Picard" but it blew our minds. It ties all of the previous cast members who are still alive, together; including from "Voyager"! It is timely: about prejudice igniting fear and war, of synthetic life; Commander Data's android types.

Maud's autobiography is entitled "The Alpine Path: The Story Of My Career" 1917. I want to hear your butterfly story someday, Leeanne: how you ended up raising butterflies. If you prefer to e-mail, it is: RiedelFascination(at)Gmail(dot)com. Drive and camp safely!

I have not seen Discovery yet. I didn't even know about it until you mentioned it. I saw the first couple of episodes of "Picard" but I had basically no idea what was happening. I knew of most of the previous cast members. My dad was extremely excited though!

I have seen a couple of episodes of the original series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and only three of the movies. As I believe I said before the TV channel with Star Trek only comes on my TV free, maybe twice a year for about a month. I tape every show possible and watch as many as I can before it goes away again.

I think Voyager will always be my favourite too because it introduced me into the very large world of Star Trek and I love the characters. People always think it's weird that Voyager is my favourite, probably because they never really gave it a chance. I agree that true fans of any movie, TV show or book series should give everything part a fair chance, before judging anything.

The autobiography sounds very interesting. I hope my library has it. I'm very interested in learning more about this author!

I'd be more than happy to tell you about the beautiful butterflies I raise every year. I haven't seen any Monarchs down here yet so I haven't started collecting any eggs. Hopefully this will be a successful season for them. Last year I raised the most I've ever had with about 20 successful releases. This is my first year with my "new" cat Mittens so it will be interesting to see his reaction to them. I'll have to keep a close eye that he doesn't disturb them, especially while they are in the chrysalis. I will let you know when the hatching season starts here in Ontario and will keep you updated!

I'm sure camping this year is going to be very interesting. I will be reading lots of books outside in the sunshine (hopefully!). I will be gone until next weekend so you will probably not hear from me until then. Happy gardening!

I hope you enjoy the camping, Leeanne! :)
The follow up films you mention seem to be much loved by everyone so I have high hopes for them!

Oh that's good to know. They have "Enterprise" on Netlix, so I'm pleased that that is an option.

I only got the box set late last year, with the intention of reading it at some point this year - I'm happy to read through the rest of the series with you if you are keen! I will be ordering the rest of the series in the next month or two so I should have the complete set before too long (though shipping rates are a little slower at the moment).

That does sound good! I like Ben Stiller and Jack Black as well. I especially liked this movie called "Bernie" that Jack Black was in -- it's probably my favourite performance of his so far.

Enjoy your gardening! We've just had huge downpours of rain, there's been water everywhere, though I still don't think it's been enough to end the drought in Northland. Hopefully it'll keep raining for some time.

First: HAPPY CANADA DAY to everyone, July 1st!

Now, for some "Anne Of Green Gables" discussions, before going to bed to read "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin, 1978. This is on your wish list, Kerri but you might not have it. This is a busy week but one discussion is due, starting with Kerri's comments in message #17 on June 25. My review is finished today, which I hope incites discussions there too! :-) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

>I do wonder that she appears to have nothing of her past life.

Did you mean mementoes, photos, and recards? She certainly has information about her parents and I never doubted that there was any subterfuge. I thought Anne was very fortunate for being raised mostly by a cleaning woman, who had known her and her family every day. She knew all about her folks. Was there anything you wanted to learn about? Perhaps we will, when we leisurely explore the other books. :)

>In most places it was quite hard to adopt a child if you weren't married.

I am certain this proprietal standard was not about marital pairs running a household. Agencies avoided adopting to single men and women. Marriage, although the popular sort of couple, was not required precisely. Just not two bachelors or bachelorettes.

I don't think Matthew and Marilla were compartmentalising a daughter differently from a son. It was about a sofa not being fitting for a girl. They would have loved any child they adopted. I think they viewed the adoption for what it was in concert with that: giving a needed home to someone who could use help. I do think we found out early enough that Matthew and Marilla were siblings. What took until the end of the book was details about Green Gables. It was their parents'.

>Interesting to consider the things that were omitted from The Bible, often choices made by people in power who would benefit from it. I recently read The Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom which follows a lawyer working during the reign of King Henry VIII.

This is a giant conversation by itself for another time. Please peek at my review of "The Jesus Mystery" by Janet Bock or "The Mystical Life Of Jesus" by Sylvia Browne. I caught-up on book reviews to hand in for the Canadian reading challenge that ends today and renews on Canada Day! When I have time for other books, still having our flowerbeds to plant at this hardiness zone 3 deadline, there is a fictional novel of topical interest to review.

"Mythos Christos" by Edwin Herbert, 2006. Iis about suppressed information about Christianity. His fictional story portrays Jesus not having been on Earth and I don't agree with that. But it includes information about Greek and Roman sun Gods being repurposed by own Son of God.

You bring up another great subject. I know a lot about the thin line of erroneous translating because I was a second, third, and fourth language student throughout school and university.

>I love that your parents let you do that! It's lovely to have memories like that to cherish.

My first Corey Hart concert in 1986 and it was surreal indeed! So was his appearance in 1996 and 1998. Although distracted by Mom being sick that night, it was emotional and wonderful to see Corey again in 2019. I listed several of his hit singles in a recent reply and hope you have heard of them.

>I agree, it's a sweep you away kind of book, interesting how exciting it feels given that it's a very simple story in many ways.

You are the friend mentioned in my review, with whom I agree Anne's personal wishes and triumphs sweep us away; not matter that they aren't adventure stories. By now, I'll bet you loved seeing her and Diana herself, befriending the Aunt Josephine she thought was crochety. Yes, the simplicity of triumphs and goals is vivid and life like indeed. Sure, Prince Edward Island would be wonderful to visit. If you come across the ocean, don't forget "friendly Manitoba", where you have a friend! :-)

Finally for this first section contributed by you, Kerri: I agree that I love a person whose personality shares clear enthusiasm for likes and dislikes. I know a lady in my town who doesn't have a favourite singer, actor, or TV show. It drives me nuts, as being too generic and "blah", that she only listens to the radio and information talk shows. You know a person best if they have a favourite singer, actor, author, film, or TV show! Thanks to these very things, I am making wonderful friends.
Yours, Carolyn on the even of Canada's birthday.

I see that I replied to all the personal and show business parts of message #20. There is only one paragraph from Kerri to complete.

>I loved the way Anne grew and matured without losing her uniqueness or her dreaminess. I was so upset when Matthew died but it warmed my heart greatly when Marilla finally told Anne that she loved her. And by the end Anne was allowed her fashionable dresses, with no complaint! I had no recollection of her further schooling.

I was sad Matthew died and wish I knew if I would have been surprised; health problems that were mentioned. A Goodreads review divulged a year or so ago, that something sad went on with him, which was obvious. I spent the whole book wondering when it might occur. A 1908 book to be a blank slate for nearly all my life so far! I only ever saw one TV show about Diana imbibing wine. The hair dye; doesn't it wear out? Why cut the hair? Is short hair better than green hair? Go punk, girl! ;> After I read the first 3 books, which should be the major stories, I will be open to watching shows or films.

Marillia disappointed me a few times. The first was delaying telling Anne they would keep her. You also got the sense that it was to avoid a sour lady than a desire to adopt a daughter! The reader always knows she cares about and then loves Anne but thinks you are supposed to avoid spoiling with flattery. Had that era not heard of self-esteem? False flattery is a different thing. Self-worth comes starts with loving, affirming parents.

If I had children, I would refuse the "ferber method", however you spell it; a child crying in bed. My parents agree, who hated being pushed to try it with me in the 1970s, that a child should receive the message: "If I cry, you will come". People worry that this is why some children are reluctant to sleep on their own for awhile. So what, if it takes longer to spend a night alone and there may well be other causes! They are babies! The message you never want to give a baby, child, or person is that they will not be answered if they cry. To this day as an adult; if Ron upsets me, I feel unsettled until we sort it out. The upset does not diminish; perhaps the adverse effect of "ferber training"!

I love your review, Kerri, which seems to be from 2018 about how these stories are relatable to real life. Conversations about life can arise from any part of them. As I said in my review, waiting to find out if Anne won each educational entry and scholarship was so thrilling, I was on the edge of my seat!

Another interesting twist is Matthew being more in tune with fashion that Marilla. He noticed that the other school girls dressed differently than Anne and knew it was wrong. We should be unique and dreamy all of our lives, like you said. But we want to participate in society's reasonable, dignified traditions. Spirit faith is important to all of us but religions that require a certain dress for example; I always feel isolates people from the mainstream visually. If kids are wearing jeans, let them wear jeans. Heck, if Anne wanted puffed sleeves so much, what ever stopped Marilla from making them?

The only place Matthew let us down was not being bright about moving their funds, as soon as a bank hinted at instability. Loyalty to the original CEO was foolhardy and irresponsible. I did not like that ending to the story. It was sad enough that Matthew died. For them to be broke, when this was finally an olden days story about people who were comfortable set, let the wind out of my sails.

And threefold, Anne can't use her university scholarship in order to help their income. I hope she returns to university another year. However, my overall delight concluded in an easy five stars from me.

With the hair dye, I once let a hair stylist test a pink hair dye on my hair, which was mean to colour it without requiring you bleach it first -- it worked, but too well! It was still in my hair over a year later even though it was supposed to wash out after 6-8 washes! So perhaps Marilla did Anne a favour!

I don't think I would be comfortable with the ferber method either - I get the idea behind it, but I'm not sure that I agree with it. I understand ignoring a child having a tantrum but I don't think I could ignore actual distress or anything along those lines. It's interesting how things like that can be prevalent for a time, then fall out of favour etc.
The thing about avoiding almost all flattery is an interesting one. Marilla seems to worry dreadfully about spoiling Anne, though she was never in any danger of doing that!
Everything with Matthew and the bank was so sad - I wonder if that kind of thing used to happen a lot?
I wonder what sort of salary Anne's teaching career will bring in? I wouldn't think it's a high paying job, but perhaps it will be enough to keep them going. I know it's not how scholarships work, but I wish she could hold onto it for a few years, to maybe use at some point in the future. Oh well.

This is a fairly brief reply and I may have missed some points - we are just heading up to give the horses some hay so I am typing quickly to finish up before we leave! I will check back tomorrow. :)

"Heading up to give the horses hay"? You are again writing as if I knew you had horses! Where are you, on a ranch? I knew you were a horse fan but access to feeding them: how lovely! My friends' sons and Grandchildren have horses and took equestrian lessons. I ride once every few years at a lake resort and love it.

I love your new discussion points, Kerri: so striking of new things to say no matter how brief. I will finish by answering Leeanne's input to our conversation, from message #22. Then we are all caught-up and we are up to answering these new follow-ups. I am still busy and am glad to have summed everything at last.

It has been too hot in Manitoba to plant our flowers, believe it or not. The cats have water everywhere on their excursions outside and sleep in the grass or under our parked vehicle. I bring the babies in frequently for breaks and meals. Mosquitoes are bad too but I will dash outside and plant some things today, for there is rain forecast tonight, for 4 days. We reached +36 C yesterday, which is 97 F for our American friends!

>My mother is obsessed with Anne, which explains why I found so many books about Anne and her author. My Dad thought Anne was "too plain" so they added Lee to it to make it Leeanne.

I hope you had a lovely camping vacation trip and Canada Day, Leeanne. I replied to this, except to ask about "found". Is your Mom no longer among us, or do you mean you saw Maud's books around the house regularly?

>I've always loved Anne as she can find beauty in almost everything. She's also very dramatic and I always think of her when I act the same way.

Yes, beauty in almost everything is her best trait and I am happy to say, I am the same! I recognize every new plant and flower bud around me, the tadpoles, frogs, and toads, special insects, how our garden is doing, the leafing of our trees.

I only know Anne now but will consider her drama. However, most of the time, her reactions were justified. She started with extreme situations, like needing a good family as a home! Then naturally, commonplace struggles and discomforts of life must be avoided or handled: like not allowing a teacher to pick on her. I was glad the neighbour advised them to let Anne stay home from school until she was comfortable attending. Mainly Anne stood up for herself, which I wish I had done better as a youngster.

The stress of possibly not attending a picnic, when it was her first and only an annual event, made sense too. She had not lost Marilla's treasured brooch and was put in a position where Marillia decided she must have been guilty and required her to confess or not join the picnic. I was glad she apologized for mistrusting Anne's word and never did again. (Is is "distrust"? I am unsure of the correct use).

Honestly, I think the occasions were seldom, where Anne reacted excessively. Perhaps when barred from visiting Diana. We as adults know they would see each other soon. However, that was another instance of Anne being blamed for naught and Marilla marched to her aid, which was good.

In my review, I thought Anne only appeared too talkative because we saw her with poor conversationalists, like Matthew and Marilla. Around good ones like the neighbour, Diana, and the minister's wife the flow seemed equal, didn't it? In the same way, I think Anne's reactions for circumstances were mainly acceptable; that in most instances there was a mistake or misjudgement that any of us would protest ourselves.

To your new points soon with pleasure, Kerri. You know, I didn't think of it but it occurred to me when I recall that Leeanne's Dad thought "Anne" sounded plain. My middle name is "Marianne". My focus is always on the first, M, part of my name because it is after one of my Grandmas. 1908 is ahead of all of my Grandparents' time, so we are reading a good old chestnut indeed. It feels current enough.

We just have the one, my childhood pony Jimmy - though my mother rides him now! We are in the suburbs, but being New Zealand there is farmland everywhere, so he grazes about ten minutes away on our vets property. He gets to share a paddock with a tiny little pony called Birdy, who he adores! He was lame a few weeks ago so we were heading up twice a day to give him some painkillers, but luckily he's improved a lot now, back to normal and feeling fine. It's getting colder and muddy, so they are all wrapped up in covers and getting hay every night to help keep them warm. He is white, so the mud is especially noticeable on him!

Oh gosh, I don't envy that heat! I hope you managed to get things planted, and got that rain!

I knew you loved horses but I didn’t know you had any Kerri! How exciting! I’ve only rode a few times and had a few lessons but I wish I’d had more when I was younger. I’ve loved horses since I knew what they were and as I go through my old books I’ve discovered boxes and boxes of horse stories!

It’s been very hot here too Carolyn. Southern Ontario has broken a record set in 1936 for the longest amount of days with the temperature over 30 C. It’s been over a week of it. Thankfully where I was camping we had a lovely breeze all throughout the day and we planned our activities such as the “extremely important daily mini-golf” in the early morning and late afternoon. In the evening the breeze went away so we were also able to safely have our campfires.

Canada Day was very different this year and it didn’t really feel like it. Since I was very little my mothers friend Rachel has had a Canada Day party where all their friends from high school come. It’s always so much fun and this is the first year in who knows how long that we haven’t had it. Did you do anything special for Canada Day Carolyn? Do you usually do?

Yes my mother is still around, thank goodness. I meant that many of Maud’s books weren’t in plain sight or on any bookshelves so I had to go looking in closets and the storage for them. My mother has already read them you see, so she put them away and forgot about them. A classic move of hers.

I agree that Anne had the right to be upset about many things that happen in this book, but I always felt that she was more... dramatic in her way of arguing against it. Maybe this is shown more in the movies and TV shows Iv’ve seen then in the book. I will give you some examples of moments I remember (mostly from the movies) of Anne being dramatic. For example, the slate over Gilbert’s head (though she had every right to be upset), the green hair dye, and the incidents with Rachel Lynde. Plus of course, the separation from Diana. She had the right to be upset about those things and maybe for this time period it’s not so dramatic but certainly for that time she was a very dramatic child.

For that time period people didn’t hold very long, fast conversations such as Anne does. Yes she wasusually with poor conversationalists as you pointed out but Anne always talks quite fast and for a long time. So again maybe she wouldn’t be considered talkative in this time but for that time she was.I always felt she was very talkative though.

And Kerri, whenever you watch the movies I recommended I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on it. Especially because, since you’ve read the book much more recently then me you’ll be better at noticing the differences between the book and the movie.

Hi Leeanne! I will definitely let you know what I think of the movies - I will look up what books they cover and then make sure I have read those ones first!

Kerri, I know you check for more than one update but am making sure you saw messages #32 & 33. They replied to everything you had to say on them. :) They caught-up your input, expect the most recent, which I will get to when time is freer soon. You raised a fantastic comment I hadn't thought of: no fear of spoiling an orphan. Last night, I thought of a great question for us three to ponder, arising from it! :)

Leeanne, for me who likes being cozy at home, even if I weren't behind on planting flowerbeds, Canada Day is celebrated in the heart. My Mom taught me the tradition of singing "O Canada" at noon and I got Ron to do it, outside looking upon our lovely Manitoba forest. He has given up thinking I am weird and goes with my whims, haha. For a joke, since I went to French Immersion schools, sometimes I suggest singing it in its original language, French.

Leeanne: I don't suppose in our recent friendship, you know I am getting through the hardest time of a girl's life. My Mom did ascend to Heaven just 6 months ago. I am sure she is helping us with our missing cat, whom we pray is back with us this week.

We are certain through various signs and sources, logical and spiritual, that he has been alive all this time. Someone finally needs to use his tattoo, take his photo, or he might feel comfortable finally walking home. Enough is enough and emotions are high because next week would be 3 years that we have seen him. We know how much Conan loves us. It isn't winter and Conan isn't going to stick with nice people indefinitely.

And in September, he and his Sisters will be 10 years old. I do not want to celebrate the attainment of double digits without him. I do not want to miss any more time without him. But Ron & I have been very brave about doing everything we can and sitting patiently too, to wait for this last prayer to be answered favourably.

You meet me at a good time for friends, like Kerri, to keep me cheered-up and brave. I have heard a lot of "cat came back after years' stories and those encourage and keep our faith the best. Coronavirus doesn't crack the top 5 things I am concerned with. But it is all going to be all right.

I shall keep you and your family in my prayers Carolyn. For help with your grief over the departure of your dear mother and for the safe return of Conan. I hope you have many wonderful memories of your mother and that they never fade away. I have found that (for me) one of the hardest things about losing someone close is that the memories try to fade away over time. I don’t know if you have a very good memory or not but I’m afraid mine isn’t the greatest. So I have focused on writing about my memories. I have been keeping diaries of events and people I don’t ever want to forget. I have heard that writing about someone you’ve lost is a great healing method. Of course, you might not be ready to dwell too much in memories but when and if you are ready or interested it might help ease the pain a bit.

For example, just this weekend I was reminded by a member of my family about the interesting bond I had with my late Great Grandfather. I was the only great grandchild of his that he got to meet. Whenever I went to see Great Granmda and Grandpa I would run over and climb up on his knee. We would stare into each others eyes for awhile and then rub noses in a “bunny kiss.” It was like we had a special connection and didn’t have to say anything to know what the other was thinking. I have no real memories of this but there are many pictures and videos that prove this to be true. I wish I had been old enough to record those moments on paper and cement them in my memory. The only memories of him I have now are of after his departure. This week I will be recording these few precious memories and ones of others whom have since left.
Knowing that they will be written somewhere where I can easily reread and remember reassured me that they will always be reachable.

In continuation of my last post, I was talking about how writing helps me feel a bit better after someone I know departs from this life. I write about my memories of them not only to make sure I always have them but also so relive the good times rather than dwelling on the fact that the person is not with me anymore. I recommend this for anyone who is grieving so I recommend it for you Carolyn. While you will probably not have to worry about any of your memories of your mother fading anytime soon remembering might help ease your pain. It will help you focus on remembering the happy times, the times you laughed together and spent mother-daughter quality time together.

I sincerely hope you find your missing cat soon. I hope that wherever he is, he is safe and well. I cannot imagine what it would feel like is my sweet Mittens went missing. I got him from a friend who had to move to Edmonton, Alberta and could not take Mittens with her. She trusted that I would take the best possible care of Mittens and that he would be happy with me. I felt honoured to be trusted with her beloved cat and I would feel like I had broken a promise and her trust if he was to ever go missing.

You mentioned something to do with a tattoo in your last post. Is this tattoo on your cat where someone can scan it or find out he belongs to you if they find him? Is this like the chip that a vet can scan to find out a pets information? I have heard of the chip but never of the tattoo.

You said you went to a French Immersion school? Are you fluent in French? I am not though I do know how to sing Oh Canada, say many Catholic prayers and and I know several sayings and how to ask many questions in French. I hope to learn more of this language and I’m interested in learning Spanish too. I have a fascination with foreign languages.

Lastly, I send my congratulations on the upcoming 10th birthday of your cats!

Thank you for your condolences about my Mom's ascension. Thank you for praying that pain of separation is eased for our family. Thank you too, for joining the prayer that can come out the way we hope: the return of our Conan. Yes, I have complete faith that he is alive and well. That is a pain of separation until he is back with us.

Of course you would hate to be separated from your cat. This terrible predicament has nothing to do with letting anyone down or poor care. My babies were indoors the week I helped my parents move in Winnipeg. Conan took a vacation, even though none had ever done this, because he was hardly going outside. I don't let them out when we aren't home and he didn't know this was the final day of this unusual arrangement. Once a cat takes a trip, there are all kinds of delays to observe to stay safe and they can't travel in winter. This is Conan's window of time right now: to come to us, or show himself to someone more resourceful and proactive.

I have an exceptional memory, like Sheldon Cooper. I remember what I want to, what is important, and things get into mental snapshots: like Jim's & Pam's wedding on "The Office". I can see my conversations and visits with my Mom. I remember where Conan stood the last time I saw him, 3 years ago, two days from now. Do I ever need peace and friendship this touchy week! I remember my last day with his brother, Love, who died 5 years ago. My mental snapshots are strong.

Also: my Mom left a lot of writings! Simple casual notes, record books about us as children and later, cards.... I have these valuable physical connections to go through slowly at my leisure. Whatever belongs to my brothers, I send to them. Although scattered and not retained by me: my reviews, Goodreads conversations, and e-mails have been my journals and outlets.

Thank you for the wonderful memory of your Great-Grandfather. You were a child when he died, thus promptings about things you shared must have felt like being gifted with a piece of your past! No wonder you cherish it. Thank you for your compassion, respect, friendship, prayers, and belief in miracles dear Leeanne. Kerri and other friends have been a Godsend too.

I was uncomfortable sealing a microchip into my cats and like ear tattoos better for other reasons. It is a great comfort knowing Conan has his clear, obvious one and eliminates many discouraging possibilities. I believe he has only run into elderly people not knowing how to use it, or perhaps not seeing it if he is primarily taken care of outside of a house. The season is right to walk to someone else who does take notice. :)

I like the tattoo better than the microchip because you see it and know this is someone's cat. Even if you can't read it, you can eliminate millions of similar cats by saying in a store poster or on-line posting, that "such-and-such cat in this location has a tattoo". A microchip does not show the less intrepid person that this cat has a family and you can only read it if you drive the cat to a vet.

Ron & I were done speculating and measuring options a long time ago. We have done everything we physically can. Citizens all over here and the internet know to watch for him. All we ask for now is stories about "I know about a cat people got back after X years" andf or everyone's prayers to join us. Let us help guide our Conan safely home.

May he not linger where he has enjoyed hospitality. May he have the courage to return to the original family he loves. I am certain my Mom and his brother, Love pray along with us from Heaven. Come on, Conan! Let us stop at the 3 year mark and be happy and relieved! May his 10th birthday be in person with his Sisters and us! Love, Momma and everyone who knows you and me.

Yes, I am fluent in French and in university, majored in Spanish. The Latin languages are easy when you know one of them. Canadians are so well exposed to French everywhere they go and on everything they buy, that most understand a lot of it; even if they wouldn't put together words to speak it.

I gave our discussion of Anne Shirley thought. I think the shows Leeanne remembers better than the novel, must have made Anne seem excessive. It occurs to me that she was never uselessly chatty. She knew how to express herself very well when she conveyed gratitude or admired beauty. That is why Matthew marvelled at her: he could hardly express his simple wants and needs. Marilla was too busy to go into detail on wants and needs, except in her inner reflexions. Maud made her very expressive therein.

If anyone entered a conversation, Anne let them have their say. I feel sure that she was never aimless. She just knew how to describe what she felt and believed gratitude and admiration should be defined aloud. In any time period, there are expressive and reticent people. I hope the TV shows or films that I watch capture that Anne expressed beauty and gratitude. It would be a mistake to make her look like a bubble head without a point.

Kerri's remark got me thinking too! Why would anyone worry about spoiling an orphan? Anne was so glad for things so basic, like a pretty view to look at! A home she would stay in! A normal person would bend over backwards to give Anne things she had lacked.

From the beginning, Matthew said: "A home is something we can do for this girl. Maybe it doesn't have to be about how a boy could help us". When Matthew noticed that Anne dressed differently than the school girls, he refused for her to do with less.

What did you conclude, Kerri? Did Maud make a mistake in portraying a natural tendency? Was Marilla's behaviour laid out illogically? Why think fancy dresses were "unnecessary"? Was it an excuse to use her dressing patterns? Didn't everyone have the mindset that you have good clothes for special occasions? Marilla had a beautiful brooch and good dishes for guests. Expecting an 11 year-old old to wear the dressing patterns of a 60 year-old, when it wouldn't be hard to add a few frills, makes no sense to me.

Oh gosh, I have fallen a little behind on this discussion, so will try my best to respond to everything today! I had planned to yesterday, but then my book organising took up all of my time - though I did find a copy of "Anne of Ingleside" that I hadn't realised I owned - I picked it in a charity shop a year or two ago.

I had never heard of tattooing a cats ear before, how interesting! I do hope that that proves to helpful in Conan's return. Our cats are micro-chipped, but you are right, that relies on someone knowing to take them to the vet to check for it so is perhaps less reliable. It would be wonderful if he returned in time for such a significant birthday.

I find the discussion about memory interesting too - I have a good memory about things that are important to me, but probably not a brilliant one! I tend to keep journals on and off, which I find helpful. I really like Leeanne's idea about writing down the memories of people and places that you don't want to forget - I do that to a degree, but I think I will try to make more of a point to record anything that feels meaningful.

How lovely that your Mother left writings Carolyn - what a wonderful thing to have.

Marilla reminded me of quite a few people I have met who seem to have similar views, so I think she was portrayed well in the novel. I wonder if she considers fashion to be something that in the same area as gossip and other things that she seems to make a point of not engaging in. She thinks Anne should be happy with what she has, not desiring more - but then you are right, she herself has a brooch which she deems worthy of special occasions so I'm not sure why she feels that Anne can't have her version of something similar -- though people can certainly have their hypocritical moments so perhaps there is some authenticity to that too! Was it Matthew that brought her that brooch or someone else, I can't remember? If it was him, it's another example of him being more in tune with that kind of thing than she is.

Mainly Anne stood up for herself, which I wish I had done better as a youngster.

This really stood out to me when I was rereading your answer here - I love that Anne stood up for herself. I struggled with that a lot when I was younger so I've always enjoyed seeing Anne standing so firm in her expectation to be treated fairly, without being entitled or demanding. It took me much longer to be able to do that.

You are the friend mentioned in my review, with whom I agree Anne's personal wishes and triumphs sweep us away; not matter that they aren't adventure stories. By now, I'll bet you loved seeing her and Diana herself, befriending the Aunt Josephine she thought was crochety. Yes, the simplicity of triumphs and goals is vivid and life like indeed.
I did enjoy this part -I love that Anne is open to people, including those that she might not initially have much in common with. I am in awe of L.M. Montgomery's ability to make what is really a very simple story so engaging and exciting. I was more invested in Anne's life than I have been for quite a while in a book (which is saying something, since I tend to get pretty attached to most characters in whichever book I am reading!) -- of the books I have read recently, this one and "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin have both featured lead characters that felt completely real. Very different books of course, but they felt similar in that sense!

I know a lady in my town who doesn't have a favourite singer, actor, or TV show. It drives me nuts, as being too generic and "blah", that she only listens to the radio and information talk shows. You know a person best if they have a favourite singer, actor, author, film, or TV show! Thanks to these very things, I am making wonderful friends.

I tend to have strong favourites, or am very clear about whether I like something or not! It's interesting to me that some people don't have that - or at least don't feel inclined to talk about them if they do. I'm also not very good at listening to music or watching a show if I only somewhat like it, rather than love it - I would rather dedicate that time to something that means a lot to me. I like hearing about things that other people like though, even if they aren't something that I myself enjoy.

Prayers and encouraging stories about getting Conan home are appreciated and needed. It isn't only his 10th birthday that I want him home for. I hoped you would see the detail that there is a great desire to have him home by tomorrow, because it would mark 3 sad years. As I told Leeanne, him being being alive and well is half of the prayer. He must be back, so this is over and we are never again in pain of separation. I won't move houses even if I wanted to, wondering when Conan will reappear or be seen in the region. Life paused, 3 years ago tomorrow. I need to unstick the button and have my full life and self back.

I am not giving up on him but must not lose any more time, nor have him with people so long, they don't think of us looking and waiting for him. Yes, someone more proactive can help with is photo or tatoo and he can walk back home as well. It is the right season. After all, this is when he took his vacation. I have no debt he wisely felt the need to stay safe by being somewhere else until now, or got father away than he meant to.

Guys, I am freaked-out that you don't know about tattooes. In Canada, you get them free when cats are spaid & neutered: going on for decades. Yes, seeing a cat tattoo instantly shows that he is somebody's boy. Although I don't know where he is, there is no way any agency or person killed him because he was "unidentified" or whatever stupid excuse some people and organizations use for killing. I can also tell he has not been taken to a vet.

If a cat lets you hold his ear and read it, you can look-up a tattoo chart and find out a lot on your own. The first letter tells the year of the tattoo, a good indicator of age. The next two tell which clinic registered him: the place where you get the phone number or e-mail address to return him!!!! The other three numbers identify the precise cat tattooed that year.

Saying he has a tattoo even if you can't read it helps a lot too and whether or not he is neutered. I have had many calls and e-mails about similar cats and am stunned that those well-meaning people didn't think to narrow those two basic things down for me. I checked out two places for months until I learned that they were seeing a different cat. In animal rescue, these are the first things you look for: markings, gender, tatoo or not, neutered or not.

Or you take a photo and include it with the e-mail. A face shot is best but even if it is from a distance (two people did), we can tell it wasn't Conan.

About writing, I had diaries as a child. Some stupid fuck who was supposed to be my friend stole it and read it. Even though that ass clearly is no issue anymore, journaling more details than I already remember is not for me. I really felt boosted by Leeanne's support, prayers, and care for grieving friends. All the e-mailing and written conversing I have done are enough, believe me. I was a penpal before the internet was invented. I already wrote my ass off about life details and don't need to write a surplus. Indeed, I am blessed my Mom did a lot of writing for me. Even better to receive it from the source!

Most importantly, I view myself as having a continued relationship with my Mom, even if I can't see her. I grew up knowing physical death doesn't end an existance. I don't feel as if my Mom is gone; just a little out of reach. But when Conan's brother Love, died, I felt sick for weeks. It felt like the university had the most terrible glitch and it shouldn't have happened. With my Mom, I don't regard it as something that is over and I know better with Love too. Young death is very hard to accept. I still talk with her, listen for her advice and presence, and feel that it is ongoing. It isn't only having a great memory and mental snapshots. :)

Speaking of trying to tune into spiritual things: I have been encouraged from the heart-wrenching day that our Conan vanished, that I should "wait". God and sometimes Conan telepathically asked me to trust that he is well and we will get him back "even if it takes a painful wait". I use animal communication to connect with him from time to time. Sometimes I get external signs, like suddenly seeing orange in nature, just when I needed encouragement.

I did yesterday! There is an orange wildflower behind his brother's resting place, that I had not seen there before. This colour is rarer. It is saying "Don't give up! Keep believing in your faith and miracles and in your gut"!

I need this with tomorrow's sensitive date and while having relationship stress. All couples have rocky roads but I could do without it at two of the most difficult times in my life. Thank goodness Marigold's health is good and stable. Thank you, Kerri and Leeanne, for being bright supporters and my human outlet. With gratitude, Carolyn.

Hi Carolyn,
I am so sorry that you are going through such a difficult time right now. I will send all my thoughts and prayers towards Conan's safe return, especially on what is such a significant day. I think sometimes that waiting, especially when it's waiting for something of such significance can be one of the most incredibly challenging things to have to deal with. Whether he finds his own way back or someone comes across him and tracks you down, I hope he returns home safe and sound as soon as possible.

I have Googled about the ear tattoo and apparently they used to do them when cats were de-sexed but it doesn't seem to be standard practice here (in New Zealand) anymore. I will ask our vet about it next time we see her - she was not our vet at the time when we had our two cats spaid so I have no idea if it's something she does do already and we just didn't know -- either way, I'm curious to know. It sounds especially useful in being that extra thing to help identify -- which would be especially important as both our cats are grey/tabby types so they don't have any obvious markings that instantly set them apart from other cats.

How awful that someone read your diary! I hate when people violate someone's privacy like that, it's such an inexcusable thing to do. You're right about the emailing and what not sufficing though -- I think I read that the author Joyce Carol Oates used to be a prolific journal keeper, but now keeps all her emails instead. It's all a record of moments and thoughts in time, regardless of what form it is in.

I agree that young death is harder to accept. I found it much more difficult to deal with the deaths of two close friends who died (at different times) when they were 16 than I did with grandparents deaths, even though those were of course upsetting as well.

I am pleased that you have been seeing positive signs in regards to Conan - I think that can be so encouraging, something to really hold onto. I firmly believe in trusting your instinct or that inner-voice.
I hope you got through today with love and support from your husband, despite whatever else might be going on.
- much love, from Kerri :)

Hi Kerri! You remembered today! Thank you! Ron is my common-law spouse: my guy and best friend either way. Outside of e-mail privacy, I'll simply say he communication and emotions need better handling. Yes, he is supportive, sweet of you to check. He always reminds me Conan's disappearance happened to him too. He views them as children like I do, even though his parents are in a very different world.

Thank you for remembering it is 3 years and making me feel reassured and supported about it, dear Kerri! Leeanne is wonderful as well. There are storms today so I don't know how much I will check in. I am glad I was up early, to get hugs from Ron before he went to work. Perhaps knowing it will rain or storm, half of the cats wanted out this early, instead of going back to bed after breakfast. Once Ron's vehicle was clear, I let them out and came to look for the two of my friends boosting my spirits. :)

I started today communicating with Conan, as I learned in a workshop years ago. By now I don't follow exact steps and bring him into my mind and soul my own way. Surely that works as well and is best. I spoke for an hour about why, although we want him to be safe, alive, healthy, and happy: that our sorrow, pain, worry, and waiting doesn't go away until he is back home with us. I talked at length about what is going on with the family and why he should travel now. Then I said I would listen to what he had to say and do my best to receive his information.

The nutshell is that the people he is with aren't tattoo savvy, even though I think it is a really obvious tattoo and that they should just ask anyone they know how to use one. Thank you for looking into it. Yes, having a microchip is enough and people argue that it never fades. Tattoos have to be good from the beginning. I have trouble seeing small print now that I need reading glasses and a cat would have to be approachable. But I am glad I got you interested in looking into this. Legible or not, it is valuable to see that a cat has a family. It is easier to get close to read a tattoo with bright light behind, or let a camera zoom in on it, than driving an unfamiliar cat to a vet. Of course you have to keep the microchip and tattoo attached to current phone numbers and e-mail addresses, which you bet we do.

Conan reassured me he wants to return home to us, even though he is with kindly people lately. He forgets the time in the summer. When he is pining to come home, the season is wrong for travelling. He knows he will have to make a move now. This is what I got. In animal communication, you have to rise above hoping you aren't merely seeing or hearing what you want to see and hear.

Yes, there are nature signs and maybe my Mom will have a word with me today. I am encouraged by everything you are saying to me, about your whole letter; not just this. Thank you for being a wonderful friend in a way that every soul needs: lifting me up, having fun, and talking about entertainment and other things. I also love learning about you and am here for you.

I am sorry about your two friends. I would gladly listen if that is a private thing for e-mail sometime. A friend, even though we were out of touch, died by suicide at 40 and that felt very wrong and young too. 16 is just heartbreaking. When you reach 40 you will find out that you are still young, strong, and beautiful and are barely getting started on the life to live ahead of you. From that moment on, I stopped feeling funny about that age and decided I should enjoy it. I should enjoy getting to keep adding to my age; appreciate it, to properly respect those who are no longer alive.

Thank you for reinforcing that I ought to trust my inner voice and signs from God and nature and communication from Conan. Thanks to me airing out what I needed to this morning, opening a channel for him to speak as well, and receiving reassurance from you and Ron this momentous morning: I will be all right today!

Ron says not to focus on anniversaries because the world doesn't go according to that. He isn't dismissing the way I think; merely not to be disappointed and that we are glad to have our son back any day. He is right but I said I would appreciate encouragement on such days because I do think of certain days as important or sacred; the way my memory records them. I see Conan sitting where he sat and looking and what time it was. There is no better sign than the encouraging response from you, in time to greet my morning.

I promise I will finish the Anne conversation in another message soon. Today, if weather allows. I can't blow another dial-up modem while we count on it for our only internet access and it is quite a drive to get another one, from one store we know of in the year 2020. I only have one more note to make and am seeing if Leeanne has anything to add.

If I can't find "The Joy Luck Club" shortly, I am sure we are good to go on "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth" any time. "Aunt Dimity And The Deep Blue Sea" is excellent and will zoom by. Whether I indulge in something else next, is up to whether or not you have an opening to start Jules Verne. Much love and gratefulness in return, Carolyn.

P.S. You know that it is Conan in my main photo with my Mom & I, I wonder? That is one of our dear boys, the one for whom we are praying and of whom we are speaking. :)

The last things I have to say about Anne Shirley are that she was exuberant about things she was passionate about like any of us: usually beauty and gratitude. She was not viewed as too talkative by good conversationalists. Anne quieted easily if she was asked and loved listening to what other people said. Like anyone, there were some subjects she did not want to broach, like Gilbert or the care given her by well-meaning foster families. I hope films and TV shows don't depict a blabbermouth.

I love the point that there should be no fear about pampering an orphan. Anne continued in her gratitude and love of every pretty view, moment of friendship or love, and gift. There was a difference between expecting her to wear the clothes patterns of a 60 year-old and Marilla's claim of excess. Basic fashion consciousness, just to participate in the general looks of our time and geographical location, does not equate chasing trends.

The only observation I add is that it was enough of a struggle for Matthew's life to ascend. I loved that this wasn't another story about a farm family struggling to live. The part about a bank failing was a superfluous addition to hardship, was depressing, and I am sorry to see it. There would be a fun enough story of family and discovery with Anne going to university. A reason for her to stay in Avonlea didn't need to be concocted.

I will leave you dear ladies to answer and thank you for creating fun conversation topics with me. I guess readers of our folder will scroll through personal life and TV shows but real life is why we are here too and I have cherished all of it, when we needed it.

I have become familiar with "Schitt's Creek" enough to like it. This being Canada, various episodes air every day. I am curious to know how a New Zealander learned of it. I am enjoying "Corner Gas" reruns too and see that they went up to 2009 at least, continuing in an animated version. Yours warmly, Carolyn.