Gentle SPECTRUMS discussion

Does anyone know how to tuck away previous bookshelf folders in this group, so the current one has prominence? You are all at liberty to add whatever you're reading that suits any of my quartet. Also please make this community lounge your own. Add any pictures you like. I always love to see pets and where your books are kept.

I suppose issues with 'Blogspot' is technical. Shonna: the pages aren't providing the extra space for depositing "verification code" at anyone's blog lately. Please know I visited your recent review with "weather" and "red", your page updating all challenges, and especially, your review of "Bristol House". I clicked "interesting" buttons, hoping it will show it is I who visited.

For anyone wondering about this issue: 'Blogspot' seems to have enforced 'robot verification' that users have no say over. Members can get by it and perhaps not notice there is an issue, if not for me. Non-users visiting from blogs such as 'Wordpress', mine, deal with THREE (three!) captcha screens! The first two are no problem: click pictures "with street signs in them". The third is the issue. You are directed to copy & paste a paragraph of code. On a good day, I can do that. Lately, the thin box into which one would paste this code is not showing up, rendering the exercise useless.

This is another reason having e-mail as a way of reaching members is invaluable to me this year. When I receive e-mails from folks joining for 2016, that is. A little scary how few so far but I figure it's because we're ahead of February. :)

I have had trouble with blogs in general - they often won't allow non-bloggers to comment.

Glad it isn't me. I hope you try mine. Wordpress is the easiest I've seen and non-blogger friends have commented more than once. I've been eager to follow up at the David thread. I shared more - about concert attendance! :)

C. wrote: "Does anyone know how to tuck away previous bookshelf folders in this group, so the current one has prominence? You are all at liberty to add whatever you're reading that suits any of my quartet. Al..."

Could you clarify what you mean?

I think the problem will solve itself. Old books are showing up on the group shelf. I wanted a way to just show 2016 (and couldn't see at first where to create 2016). However our new books will override those.

HAPPY OPENING DAY TO OUR RIEDEL CIRCLES! It is February 1: our challenges officially begin today! We have the choice to tally what we read until January 31, or to count content from January to December based on the calendar.

To let me know which groups you are doing, you need only make me a blog post and send it via e-mail. Or those without blogs, e-mail me wth your Goodreads profiles and name the themes you are doing. :) It looks like a small, cozy year so we can use all the promotion we can get. My fond, positive wishes to you all, Carolyn!

I haven't done a post at our master blog yet and look forward to having comments recorded there when I do, as I always. I am happy to announce here for starters: our winners of 2015! I hope all of these folks return this year. The good Lord knows we need them, this dry membership year. ;) Congratulations to all of three of these guests.

The winner of Gentle Spectrums is KRISTI! She is not in this chat group but lives close to Canada, in Illinois, USA. Her blog is called "Books And Needlepoint". It is lovely that Kristi belonged to two of my 2015 challenges. She is finializing her choices from among my prize lists. I am pleased and curious about her eye being on a previously banned but highly-awarded Manitoba classic so far: "A Jest Of God" by our own Margaret Laurence.

The winner of My Kind Of Mystery is KARI! She is in this group, for us to shower with accolades. Her blog is "Know It Not So Much" and she has been in at least two of my groups since I started, which means a great deal. She let me choose her prizes, with a little guidance. They left Manitoba just ahead of yesterday's blizzard. LOL! I am sure the treats will love living with her technologically-sound family in California, USA.

The winner of Ethereal is LuAnn! She isn't here but belonged to all three of my 2015 groups, with her blog "Back Porchervations". She is a home school Mom in Kentucky, USA. She won an unusual prize. For 2015, a sweet person I acquainted from Malaysia offered her talents for that group's gift. LuAnn had a choice of a numerology or tarot reading, from Hazellie! It will be fun to hear what she picked and how she enjoyed it.

Congrats to all 3 winners :)

Previous and present participants and everyone interested in cheering us on: at last I have posted about our 2015 year-end winners at the Mother blog! The answer to the MY KIND OF MYSTERY logo riddle is there too and encouragement to join us in this year's session. :) https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/0...

So far, I don't appear to have the kind of blog that receives 10 comments to everything I post, a simple thing that is my dream blog. Please do not underestimate my appreciation of leaving a note that you visited. Sincerely, Carolyn.

My blog is 5 years old: happy anniversary to my creation of RIEDEL Fascination today! Comments here are nice but it would mean much more if you would visit this post, that you are all a part of in some way. I would treasure it like gold, if you would view my personal memory and photographs I am sharing and leave a note for me there. Yours with gratitude, Carolyn. Five years! Yay! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2016/0...

C. wrote: "My blog is 5 years old: happy anniversary to my creation of RIEDEL Fascination today! Comments here are nice but it would mean much more if you would visit this post, that you are all a part of in ..."

Done :)

C. wrote: "I haven't done a post at our master blog yet and look forward to having comments recorded there when I do, as I always. I am happy to announce here for starters: our winners of 2015! I hope all of ..."

Congrats all three winners! :)

C. wrote: "My blog is 5 years old: happy anniversary to my creation of RIEDEL Fascination today! Comments here are nice but it would mean much more if you would visit this post, that you are all a part of in ..."

Woot! Congrats on making it to five years =)

That's quite an achievement - the years fly by, don't they?

My site's either 8 or 9 years old now, need to doublecheck. I remember starting it in my twenties when I lived in an apartment. I took a break from it for a few years but got back into it years back. Amazing how different my life has changed since first hitting the publish button on that post. It's interesting how design changes with the site over the year too, sort of a chronicle of learning how to design, how tastes change in design and art, reviews that change - style and genre.

Erin! I was just going to e-mail to find out if you can get to my giveaway list soon. I will e-mail a fresh copy. Name anything you see offhand. That just leaves unfamiliar books to look up. :)

Thanks for commenting on my mystery post. I haven't updated my reading here in a while because it takes a bit of time, whereas the reivew pages always have my links. My latest reading has not only been average like yours but included fewer than three stars. However excellent reading has continued in the mix and there will be more.

Most importantly to reply to in this all-in-one catch-up: thank you for congratulating my five years of blogging! Yes, life has been different since. I have been using social networks a decade or more longer but didn't know about blogs, until I saw that Amy Adams film "Julie & Julia". It arrived when I was frustrated that peers at LiveVideo and MySpace were scarcely commenting on the article-writing portions of the site, which meant more to me. Comments on videos I submitted (back when I had highspeed internet) and of course personal photos were appreciated and comments to chatting posts but not the blogging portion. When I realized there was a website for full-on blogging, meant for writers (Wordpress much more than blogspot); I asked which was the best place and went for it. Thank you for reminiscing with me.

I didn't notice an email but as you know I rarely check it - I will do a search just in case when I get home tonight. Sorry about that. If you don't hear back from me in email, nudge me on Goodreads profile, I'm here every day pretty much.

I know what you mean about the ebbs and tides of blogs. I've had mine for years - sometimes inactive, sometimes overactive, but it makes good memories either way.

I should have said "I'll send a list again, if you don't get back to the original PDF first". I figured I'd send a fresh list to make it easier but have been downloading songs and other things and it is hard to open two website windows at the same time. I'll e-mail today. Take a little time to look up any titles you need (at FantasticFiction.co.uk etc) and e-mail any titles you would like to have. :)

You bet that our blogs make good memories. It *is* a published version of my thoughts and I am glad the public and friends / family can read them.

Okay that sounds good :)

And I still need to send you a uk amazon gift card virtually. Not something I have done before but I will check into this weekend. Do I use your email address that you send me messages on?

United Kingdom? I live in Canada! :) It would be "Amazon.CA" and you would click "wish list" on the screen. It will lead you very clearly to where you can send a gift certificate to someone. Yes, my usual e-mail address. I just sent you your message.

You don't owe me anything. What I mailed you in February was a prize from one of my reading challenges. No need to think about this, until you have a list going of books you would like to have.

C. wrote: "United Kingdom? I live in Canada! :) It would be "Amazon.CA" and you would click "wish list" on the screen. It will lead you very clearly to where you can send a gift certificate to someone. Yes, m..."

For some reason I thought you said UK before, although if I'd have thought about it, that wouldn't have made sense. I do know you live in Canada lol. That saved me a mixup of going to the wrong Amazon right there.

Do I need to start a new account or can it sign me on with my US information?

I'd like to send you something as a gift as well sometime :)

I know what you sent me in Feb was definitely a gift which I still - and always will - cherish =) Was so sweet and unexpected!

Don't worry, we would have checked before you pressed "send" to the first trade (book for gift cert). Your same USA sign-in password and name works across all Amazon world websites, just like my Canadian one does. However the gift certificates are not transferable. If you want a Canadian to purchase books for lowest postage possible (please, LOL!) they need to have a Canadian certificate. Otherwise I would have to spend a UK or US one on those world websites, charging extra overseas postage that would waste the lovely gift certificate.

Our postage per book is $6.49. If I wait for books I want to go down to a penny in "very good" quality, that's where the $6.50 comes from. It's roughly what it costs for me to mail books, which is why I suggested this price. I was glad to find you keen because I wouldn't get $6.50 per book if I held a garage sale for instance, where people would expect them blown out for a buck and not know what it costs readers like us to acquire each of these! Whether we trade or you send a gift, that you are so sweetly saying, please know it would be more happily received and helpful than you know. Finances are tougher this year.

I can't let McCartney (15) and Spirit (11) go much longer without dental work, we had a water pressure problem that cost $200, and I have just picked-up my first pair of reading glasses; the whole optomitrist visit came to $1000. Because of recent expenses, I can no longer buy things from my Amazon.ca wish list, unless I have a gift certificate. I wanted you to know how much your friendship gestures of gift-giving or exchanging with me, sure come at a nice time, Erin! :)

Okay, I will make sure do it on the .CA site and not US one. Good to know the account works throughout all Amazons, I wasn't sure.

Hey, maybe there's a higher reason behind my procrastination then - waiting for the perfect time you really needed it :)

I know how sudden expenses can pop up and definitely rain on our parades :/

:)

I am here: arrived somewhere that is a port in the storm for me! The day was coming that I would have to change from windows XP to windows 7. I wanted a few more things settled before I did and the reason to keep it going as long as we could, is because many programs we use do not work on win 7. It is a stubborn thing. However things got so riled up on our personal computer that I had to make the change. Our PC would not work unless we did, after the wrangling I did with freezing problems, possibly from a virus. It happens that getting windows 7 to work because the hopeful step! I am back, without the warning of the change I would have given if I could have.

Shortcuts are all gone but my files are fine. I will find a way to replace the software that has become obsolete on this picky program. Not easy on dial-up internet and win 7 takes getting use to but I am here. We kept XP lasting longer than we hoped. To arrive at one place that is familiar despite those changes and obsoletions we will be circumventing / overcoming in the next days.... feels good. Good evening, everyone!

I am going to upgrade to Windows 10 from 8 before my free trial runs out. Haven't done it yet but need to. I worry I'll regret it if I don't'.

I liked Windows 7 and 8 personally.

Didn't expect everyone would notice the disadvantages, if they don't use PCs the same way we do. Just wanting sympathy that I knew it would be a headache and do already finding myself loathing win 7 as expected! LOL! Sympathy that I went through something I have dreaded. Still trying to make the thing work to my specifications and finding it a wrestling-match. *I* am interested in win 8 etc myself, to see if enough people complained about the things I have in mind and that Uncle Bill did away with those! You have nothing to regret. Windows will be around and around, easily attainable. Damn Bill. LOL!

C. wrote: "Didn't expect everyone would notice the disadvantages, if they don't use PCs the same way we do. Just wanting sympathy that I knew it would be a headache and do already finding myself loathing win ..."

Ha, true.

I was worried that if I didn't finally use the free upgrade to Windows 10, when it expired I'd regret it for years or something.

I have successful upgraded this past weekend. It was painfree thankfully.

I'm liking it so far although on the user side, not noticing that many differences other than them removing the nifty Windows 8 menu and putting a lot on the taskbar instead.

Yeah. I have loathed win 7 for the reasons I expected. It came with this computer when we bought it, which is why I knew *software I use regularly* would become obsolete. Things there is no newer version of, or which would be difficult to download and search with only dial-up internet (in case people wonder what the deal is). It was a fight to turn it to XP, older software and get the computer working. We kept it working as long as we could. There are new, let's call them 'features' to win 7 that have me gnashing teeth too, like their stupid security for not letting me access all the folders I wish on my own computer! Anyway enough of that. I wanted to clarify it was not a preference thing but the dawn of a change I dreaded. People using only the programs microsoft comes with wouldn't notice. So sympathy might be a leap. Just know I'm relieved this is working in general and that I'm back.

C. wrote: "Yeah. I have loathed win 7 for the reasons I expected. It came with this computer when we bought it, which is why I knew *software I use regularly* would become obsolete. Things there is no newer v..."

I dislike the forced password of Windows 8 and higher to log into account. My computer is privately owned so I didn't want that but have no choice. I have googled how to turn it off but you have to get into the system and try things with the registry and it's kind of complicated. The one 'hack' I did try didn't work. I have now just accepted it and moved on.

What does everyone think of the new Goodreads homepage layout?

I'm bummed they will permanently leave the group/discussions separate - now to get there, go to avatar and then link 'My Discussions'

I don't hate all the homepage extras, but I do prefer two column and not three.

It was weeks before Goodreads changed for me. I instantly notice no one communicates in this group since the change. They must have to catch an update from me, or the rare poster, in order to conveniently have a link to click upon. If our members seek out the group to check in once in a while, that would be lovely.

On a subject related in a small way, I have been apprised that our review pages don't have comment boxes! I didn't know what Sue meant when she wrote months ago that she could find no place to comment. The second time Bev e-mailed requesting a review entry correction, she clued me in and I saw that all of our review pages are without comment boxes. I don't know why but will look into it. Because of our slow internet, I hope it won't take long to see whom to contact. I did not see a way to select comment boxes myself in editing mode.

If non-reviewers would like to leave a list of their books for any of our four challenges, they may use the original sign-up posts. I am happy to see your lists of books on any post or page relating to our themes.

Yes activity has gone down. Some have said that in the feedback site. I am still on Goodreads a lot but even I am forgetting to check features since they have removed them from the main page. I also visit the feed less, it's just not something I want to browse as much anymore since the changes. A lot of people in feedback told GR group activity would slow down because of their homepage changes and removing it off the main feed. It makes sense and I have no idea why they wouldn't consider that.

You must catch our occasional group activity through my update feed, Erin. However it works is a boon - if feedback hasn't impacted the technical group that made the homepage change.

EVERYONE: a contact update I'd like to give you is an e-mail address. The hotmail I have had for decades has issues. I sent a letter to support from our IP account. They may fix the situation. I don't know if it is a hack or a glitch. With slow speed it's hard to be sure. That sometimes makes it tough to navigate in general. In case I discontinue that address and so I don't miss communiques in the meantime, please replace my hotmail e-mail address with this one: RIEDELFascination@gmail.com.

C. wrote: "EVERYONE: a contact update I'd like to give you is an e-mail address. The hotmail I have had for decades has issues. I sent a letter to support from our IP account. They may fix the situation. I do..."

Thanks for letting us know.

I e-mailed from my new address weeks ago, RIEDELFascination@Gmail.com but am unsure everyone received it because it included the URLs for our four groups' discussion updates. Website links can throw e-mail off as spam. I'm happy to re-send it without them but here is one main gist I don't believe you want to miss: e-mail me to confirm your wish to be in the year-end draw! :-)

I'd like to do this by Sunday of this week-end, because Canadian postage goes up in January. There is still abundant time to list book titles in the comment boxes of any group-related post, or to use the review pages if you write reviews. I used to add all names but it is best to ensure the recipient is interested. Your hostess, Carolyn.

I'm already getting plenty from you Carolyn, so I will pass on this one and give others chances with this one. I didn't get that particular e-mail.

It was mentioned in the update posts generally. No worries: our goal is to ensure the book load you bought arrives! :-)

To everyone: God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016 from Carolyn, Ron, and our precious kitties in Manitoba, Canada! XOXO.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season :0)

Christmas was great - now on to New Years

We don't finish quickly! Due to the blizzard all of Manitoba had, we had the rare quietness we admit liking, of spending Christmas day at our own home with our kitties. One aspect of celebration is visiting with family, people in general but if one thinks about it, we all decorate our homes with love. I was not satisfied, always running to go somewhere else. The storm didn't hit until that evening but we did not risk getting caught away. We loved giving ourselves a reason to peacefully enjoy home; there was no desperation to go out of town! By morning we were snowed in; another lovely day. Shoveling (mostly Ron), watching a movie together, quieter surroundings than ever before because all neighbours were away or busy clearing snow. I loved it! Clearly peaceful time at home is a theme for us!

December 27, yesterday when Erin wrote she looked towards another hoilday: that is when we drove to the city to exchange a few CDs at a store, then see my brother's cat who hasn't been well. He is a loved part of our family and we had not visited at their house in two years. Christmas was there this year, so my sister-in-law had treats left over. Next, onto a later-than-usual visit with my parents for the rest of the night, leaving at about 11:30 PM. It was fun to do individual visits at a couple of homes instead of establishing one for a particular day. I imagine making rounds is what a lot of folks do but we seldom do.

It was fun. I bet many Canadians, Americans, and other friends are still visiting people with a gift or two. Ron still needs to see his parents, a longer trip that the storm delayed. We have gifts for my neighbour friend and her kids, which I will get to them too. Thank goodness our long driveways and our cul-de-sac are cleared, smooth snow for walking now! :) Merry Christmas again from me!

Sounds like a peaceful time!

We spent the holiday at home as well besides going to my parents across the street for exchange and Christmas breakfast. I still have to exchange gifts with one friend when I see her, and send things to two people via mail, but with family I'm done.

News Years we don't have concrete plans other than staying at home and opening a faux champagne for my son (it's a type of grape cider) and watching the ball drop in New York on TV

Well, December 27 was decent manners for middle brother! We needed to see their cat, dear Lopez of 13. We pampered him with a gift from our cats (toys played with by them, sending their scent). Met their kitten, Bella Angel. Mark always gives generous monetary gifts and seeing my sister-in-law was wonderful. Trying to ignore a raised fist picture of Donald Trump on his laptop background (we're Canadian?!), Jennifer & I kept the conversation happily on normal things. The CDs from my HMV exchange on the way there (two by Maroon 5!) and Ron piped in to explain to Mark why Sia Furler is awesome. Hehehe.

We arrived at my parents later than usual, my childhood home and it was very lovely. Dad had phoned me a couple of weeks earlier to smooth over an awful blow-up from a month earlier. I appreciated it because I have never heard anything so well-meant and thought-out. The easy, light visit was with them. Mom & Dad gave fantastic gifts. One was a disco-looking, faux red velvet-looking blazer that Mom urges my eyes to absorb! I said I was unsure, or indeed sure, it isn't my style but she thought I could get used to fashion I had not contemplated. She could be right, if she obtained it in a store recently! Let's see the reaction of folks the next time I am in public to wear it! :)

They loved the bag of peanuts and triple bags of cheezies for Dad, who dove into them right away and then asked Mom to help him stop. I do know his favourite snacks and these are healthy ones! He also likes "Still Me", the famous autobiography by Christopher Reeves. Mom got a soft lavender long-sleeved top, a trio of fuzzy lavendar socks, chocolate cherries, and "Life Is What You Make It" by Donnie Osmond, all of which she likes. Many great presents for Ron & I, especially a gorgeous new spring jacket, my first in years, which I'm surprised she got at this time of year. I'm glad I asked her. I could write a comedy article about ending up with one of the categories I please don't need any more of: salt / pepper / milk / sugar condiments, facecloths, hairbrushes, or clothing that is pink. I carry in my purse another brush. Oh well!

A really fun, satisfying part: my folks long ago invited me to choose any records I want. They are upright the skinny way, four shelves full. Over a year, I got as far as bringing a plastic storage bin and finishing the first shelf. This time: after visiting nicely and exchanging gifts, I took an hour in the basement to get it done. I ended up filling that bin with great selections! They include all the records from my childhood: Dolly Parton, children's symphony, Disney's haunted house sounds, the Mini Pops (I had at least two), the Smurfs. The most Canadian thing anyone can own: the family's "Bob & Doug MacKenzie Christmas album"! Look it up: their take of "The 12 Days Of Christmas" still airs today. Back me up, other Canadians: if you hear it you never forget it, right!? "And a beer.... in a tree"! Christmas is still going. Soft, traditional snow sprinkling as Ron makes a safe, daylight drive to his parents. I'm taking the cats outside because it is warm: only -4 C. New year's with one's son sounds wonderful.

Sounds fun - glad you're having an extended Christmas

Just starting my four days off from work, so that's a treat.

Son and I went to the movies tonight and saw Assassin's Creed - I enjoyed it. Love the actor Michael Fassbender.

Now that our four 2016 groups are closing, I found a place to add comment boxes to the review pages; all of which did not have them! You may certainly leave a word there now and I think winding down is a key time for them to be available. Comments matter to me, so I can't wait to hear how you did with your reading! :) Wordpress must have made changes because comment boxes came with posts and pages automatically. Posts still seem to.

For the new pages, which are all up and running (yay!) there is an option for a different comment box style, while you are making them. Now that I know where to check-box comments on finished pages, I guess I could experiment with the four review pages I am working on and see if the standard Wordpress comment box is there automatically. I know where to correct it with a checkmark if it isn't. The reason I didn't spot them until now is because I happened to edit a post a different way, pressing "edit" at the bottom of the page. I edit through the post and page tab of my blog's dashboard. This is better at keeping formatting intact but the comment option doesn't appear.