Gentle SPECTRUMS discussion

I hope all of our members and their families had a wonderful St. Valentine's! I didn't date at an early age, so all through my teens, I either was relieved to think of Valentine's day as my close friend's birthday and also adopted the regard I maintain today. That it is a fun holiday to wish friends and family and not reserved for our romantic halves.

I couldn't get to so much mail lately but I like to send a card to my toddler niece and nephew in Toronto, my parents, and to my middle brother and his wife and kitty. That grey beauty, Lopez, has had serious health issues due to diabetes and is only 13 (cats can live twice as long) so I hope you wouldn't mind praying for him along with us.

On some occasions I've mailed those little school-size valentines to friends too. Either they get a smile out of it, or if they happen to be single, they are happy to be included in the holiday. And everyone loves mail! Ron & I exchange gifts like at Christmas and my birthday, except smaller-scale; which is a blessing because those two occasions are very far away. It is a relief to have celebrations I am a part of and treats to enjoy well before November rolls around for me again! Ron bought my fill at the latest charity used book sale and I allowed him to choose snacks and any useful items he wanted (like socks he needed). I told him he spent enough on those books but he surprised me with two chocolate hearts yesterday as well! Xoxoxoxo from me to you!

Louis Riel was an important figure in Canada. An biography I read of his Grandma only a few years ago, Marianne Lagimodiere, was extraordinary and explained where we got the names of many of my home city streets! She was considered the Mother of Manitoba. She was the first white woman settler, befriending and living right along with all the Metis women. Later, her Grandson (from her youngest child, Julie) would fight for Metis rights and hang for it. His home is minutes from where I grew up.

Only a few years ago, Canada chose him to make a statuatory holiday in February: today. In honour of one of my ancestors and someone who cared about equal rights two-hundred years ago: HAPPY LOUIS RIEL DAY!

I am taking my time putting together my well-wishing mail that needs to go out this month and all of it will be tardly. Nicer packages than just an envelope in the mail but I don't want friends and family doubting their special days are being honoured. So to our great conversationalist and high-volume fellow reader, whose special day was this week, I am leaving an internet greeting so she knows she is not forgotten. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, all the way to Florida from us, Erin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear, loving spouse, Ron!
With kisses from your best girl and kitties: McCartney, Spirit, Conan, Petal, Marigold, Angel, and always Lovey too.

Has the way friends or family seem addicted to their cell phones bothered you? I got fed up enough to think about why and it dawned on me that we need an etiquette for it. A lot of etiquette is trained in us from millenia of courtesy but this is new: carrying your home office wherever you go. I believe we need to ask guests to please turn off cell phones when they come to our homes and if you aren't quite comfortable teaching the new manners in your own words: you might like sharing my article! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

C. wrote: "Has the way friends or family seem addicted to their cell phones bothered you? I got fed up enough to think about why and it dawned on me that we need an etiquette for it. A lot of etiquette is tra..."

I have friends addicted to their phones. When we go out they sit on it throughout downtime. I'm kind of used to it though so it doesnt bother me much. When my one friend is bored she'll sit on her phone and browse at my house :/

I hope you read my article because it is a very important topic that needs to be nipped in the bud. This is just to lead you there. I make time to blog so seldom, when I do it's something I really wanna share.

My article doesn't ask if folks are used to ignorant gadget behaviour but explains why it ain't cool. Really lays out a good layer of reasons. Forward it to your friend! For instance: why are they looking for messages from other people, when you have all set aside time so they can be with you? E-mails, letters, etc are supposed to be a way to be in touch when you can't be together in person; to tide over the meantime. Well.... there she is with a person in front of her and she gives her attention to the facsimile?

She defeats the purpose of the gadget: staying in touch with friends you can't see. The reason that you can't concretely tell if you should consider it rude is another symptom of something new that needs etiquette created for it to guide us. You must have manners of the true southern belle I've always heard about. :-)

C. wrote: "I hope you read my article because it is a very important topic that needs to be nipped in the bud. This is just to lead you there. I make time to blog so seldom, when I do it's something I really ..."

It doesn't bother me too much - or else I would find their behavior unbearable. It may be more common based on location. Two of the friends text in downtime since we are all in a group of people and aren't all constantly part of the conversation, so I get that reasoning. If they just sat on their phone and refused to talk, I'd get insulted and it would definitely be different.

This blurb you answered is only an example, to show where the article. It covers a lot of angles and I hope folks read it before making conclusions. :) https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

Readers: I updated the URL where I wrote an article about the need to build cell phone etiquette: because it is a new technology that has not been engrained into us for centuries like many manners we follow instinctively. I hope you read it and also pass it along. We will start somewhere. :) https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

Friends and readers! How is spring emerging where you live? If you are gardeners: let's start talking!!!! :-)

I remembered well in advance what April 22 is, therefore here is an extra special hello from me: HAPPY EARTH DAY, EVERYONE! Canadians: there might still be flower free seed packages at BringBackTheBees.ca. The United States likely has a similar program. If they have run out, goodness knows Dollarama has ample seeds for only .32c each and Giant Tiger's are a similar bargain. Get growing!

Our Spring has started pretty hot and we desperately need a lot of rain. Crossing fingers it will come soon. It was supposed to storm tonight but no luck so far and it doesn't even look stormy, so think that forecast was optimistic. I'm not planning on planting anything new thing year - want to trim up and baby the plants I already have growing. My yard needs work but for now I'm not doing any major renovation plans.

Good luck with yours - keep us updated!

May Florida receive rain and your plants do well. The thought of anyone in a tropical place not taking advantage of planting baffles a Canadian but indeed start by babying what you have. I sprinkle seeds everywhere there is soil. Happy Earth Day! Let's do what we can for the bees and for the Earth! I see there are still free seed sets available in Canada: BringBackTheBees.ca.

I won't begin planting this week, unless it's indoors. I thought all of you would like to see why, in my post about Manitoba's magical weather today! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

C. wrote: "May Florida receive rain and your plants do well. The thought of anyone in a tropical place not taking advantage of planting baffles a Canadian but indeed start by babying what you have. I sprinkle..."

We are a weird state. The sandy areas in a lot of yards can be annoying to deal with, for one thing, and we mainly get the rain during the summer and winter months. Our Springs have been sadly heavy with drought the past two years. All of the grass has been dying around here. We're having to depend on watering plants to keep them alive but are faced with water restrictions, so you have to even it out. Whenever I've planted in the Spring I seem to have more trouble with keeping the plants alive for some reason, but have better luck in the mid to later summer months. Weird sounding I know!

And I agree, save the poor bees. I used to want to have be a mini beekeeper as a hobby but don't live in an area to do it.

Everyone: it seems you missed this, including subscribers at my blog: so here we go again! https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0... I always hope for feedback to whatever I share. But when one gives people a look at one's home; one can imagine I am especially eager to hear what you think! We are all green now but we had a white blanket of odd weather that I enjoyed.

See the banner at the top of this group page this year, as well as the 2017 logo for "Gentle Spectrums"? The banner is a strip of it. Well, I would love to hear how people like that too. It is my photo this time! Happy spring and happy gardening, Carolyn.

Such beautiful pictures! Being in Florida we don't get white winters but those are soothing, inspiring pictures.

Love the photos! So beautiful. We had snow also in April and are having a rainy May so far, but that's spring in our area. It's warmer than winter!

So nice to hear back! I hope everyone records these lovely reactions at my blog. Goodreads threads drift away but blog comments stay, rewards for my writing and photographs I can access anytime. I feel happy about giving soothing and even inspiring tableaux to a Floridian and always imagined Utah to be beautiful.

We hardly rain until our planting is done (need fresh soil, this week). I'm doing my 25 hanging baskets and three flowerboxes indoors while we wait. When we're done our fourth garden (we tried several spots on our property and maintain them all): that's when the rain gushes; exactly what we need to begin growing. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/2017/0...

It all sounds so pretty! I think everyone likes to be surrounded by plants, trees and flowers whether they realize it or not. We can't have a lot of trees in my neighborhood but big, lumbering trees are one of my favorite things.

I did drop a note at the blog yesterday too =) The pictures make it worth a visit alone!

Yes, I was thrilled to find your note where I hoped to and replied this hour. Hope to have Sue's wonderful words recorded at my blog too. I am so happy you like the pictures of my home, on an unusual day! And this logo for Gentle Spectrums 2017 too. If I showed everyone pictures of our yards now, people from the south wouldn't believe how fast the landscaped changed.

There are trees all around me you would enjoy. God's contributions, to which Ron & I add our abundance of gardens and flowers! If you visit my April post again, you'll find I was also treated to a new friend of mine enjoying the wintry pictures of my home too. I should show how green it is now! I wasn't sure which part of Florida your town/city was in but you said today at Goodreads, central Florida. Well, she's central too and is somewhere where there is no drought! Her comment is at my post. She too is in tons of trees, which has to be more temperate.

I guess one doesn't have to be far for weather to be different. People around our nation's capital, Ottawa, Ontario are flooding and Toronto might have high water too. However we have only rained twice this spring. I wish we could share weather with those who need dryness or rain. Southern Manitoba is all right though. We are marshland by nature and have been moist enough for about three years running; always heavy snowfall and enough rain outside that season. So our ground is still wet enough that we're all right without anymore, until our gardens are planted. As soon as we give God the thumbs-up, the rain seems to come down; often the day our last garden is sowed!

C. wrote: " I wasn't sure which part of Florida your town/city was in but you said today at Goodreads, central Florida. Well, she's central too and is somewhere where there is no drought! Her comment is at my post. She too is in tons of trees, which has to be more temperate.
"

It's almost the whole State....

All of these from May 2017 -

Move over, California: Florida has the USA's worst drought

https://www.usatoday.com/story/weathe...

Florida drought escalates to “extreme” level

http://weatherplus.blog.mypalmbeachpo...

Florida drought sparks wildfires and water shortages - See more at: http://www.totallandscapecare.com/gre...

Maybe she's just not paying attention to weather? I could use water freely here too but I'd feel too guilty and we are getting the restrictions where they're asking us not to.

There's a lot of trees in my area, but not my neighborhood.

I'm hoping the hurricane season isn't too brutal but it's already looking bad. We had the earliest tropical storm in history announced in the Pacific, and then Donna out there was the strongest in May ever recorded. Both record-breakers at once = ugh

Thank you for these articles for all of our Goodreads peers to look at, Erin. Our prayers for your people and wildlife. When you take a look at my new friend's comment at that "April Magic" post, it seems she lives in a special and rural place and probably has a well like we do, which is unlimited.

I will be sure to check with you again when I've begun reading those. Anywhere I have friends in the world living through difficulties, my heart and healing energy are with them. Even when I hear of difficulties where I know no one too but I especially think of friends we know in areas overcoming challenges. I did indeed hear that California had finally become rainy, at least last month. They had so many fires, it was time they got drenched. Now for Florida!

C. wrote: "I did indeed hear that California had finally become rainy, at least last month. They had so many fires, it was time they got drenched. Now for Florida! "

As always thank you for the well wishes, friend :)

I am happy CA finally has rain - they have droughts much longer than Florida in general and more commonly there than here. At least when we get a drought, that's something abnormal. Historically we usually start getting rain at the end of May, so here's hoping...

I read the Florida articles Erin referenced just above. It's terrible Florida is in dangerous drought, however rare or different from everywhere else in their country. It does affect more citizens indirectly. Before Canadian fruit-growers are ready, we obtain a lot of fruit and probably vegetables from Florida. I can certainly imagine the fear of forest fires. Our home is a forest! We never want a serious situation any more than for anyone else. Bless the people, their belongings, homes, and forest animals.

The May 9, landscape article is pessimistic and differs from the other two. On May 5, they expected no rain "for two more weeks". This one made the drought sound endless. May the better outcome prevail. I followed a hummingbird article and enjoyed that one.

I remember last year we didn't really get rain until the end of May, so I can only cross my fingers its the same this time. I've never been through a Florida summer where it did not rain before and I've lived here most of my life, so I am counting/hoping on summer storms to finally get here.

That's funny on following the hummingbird article - I do the same all the time. Go to read one article and then end up on a trail of other interesting articles that catch my eye.

Our ruby-throated hummingbirds aren't here yet. We have all the branches they need and maintain a food supply in flowers and a feeder all season. One thing that article let me know is needing to clean off fungus after three days. We don't want their tongues to swell and hamper eating.

To my mother, and Marigold, the mother of four of our precious kitties, in remembrance of my Grandmothers, and to all of you: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Even to me too, as a very mothering and loving kitty Momma. :-)

HAPPY SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY to our very dear Siamese: McCARTNEY!!!! We love you very much and are happy to spend this whole special day pampering you!

Wow, 17 is a special kitty age. Hope he has a special day

Thank you, Erin! He is right beside me in his own office chair, just the way he had when he was raised his first three years by my youngest brother. We love McCartney Hendrix very much! He has had photos with me and of him around our lovely green yard. Soon he will have tuna! :-) I'll tell him Aunt Erin said hello from Florida where she has a kitty too. I have heard the longest-living cats were in Texas at 38, 34, and 32! I would be thrilled with something like 24 but am heartened that there is longer for this species of my children than I dreamed. :-) Love, Carolyn & Ron.

Wow, wonder what special cat food they grow in Texas? ;)

My neighbors cat, which they allow to roam freely, mainly sticks around my house for some reason. I feed him cans sometimes - he seems pretty hungry, and also I feed another outdoor cat that adopted us when we moved in, so he would nose into the food regardless. He's a sweetie.

And we finally have rain!! Tons of it the past two weeks

I am very happy and relieved for Florida citizens about the rain. Your neighbour should take better care so intuitive people like you focus on animals who are without a home but how endearing to know how you are that way too. I tried speaking with neighbours, whose cat stuck with us all day (the one who joined us for Christmas eve two years ago) until he disappeared last year. I didn't seem to get across that pets aren't thrilled being outside 24/7 and want to be with THEM and have a break indoors. Some people really think they're doing their pets favours by keeping them out all the time. My cats clamour to get out and enjoy a walk or expedition around but I tested this. Given the choice by leaving the door of the library ajar or that of the house when insects aren't around; I find them relaxed inside, after no later than two hours!

My sweeties are sleeping in with Ron and birthday McCartney is here. I told him your wishes. He likes knowing hearing messages and pays attention while I tell him. He loved the happy birthday song we sang last night very much. He watched me, with Ron in the background, sing and approached my hand with his head near the close of it. All our cats have been raised to love the extra attention and special sparkle of their birthdays. Thank you again for adding to it! All pets deserve to be treasured like this.

Links to longest-living cats are here. His kitties went out but lived inside, like ours and included some interesting things in their food. Ron gives our cats in the vicinity of his breakfast, snatches of egg. I like giving them vegetables. We need to start growing or buying asparagus for ourselves but have offered them other greens. Reading this has me inspired to make it a staple, even if Ron says our grain-free canned food provides a lot of real vegetables. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creme_P...

Reading the above is perhaps useful in not having to describe that my cats are my children and that losing any of them before an elderly age would be the worst thing to happen to Ron & I. Second closest to me, after my orange Petal, is her brother Conan. You recall that their while brother, Love died of heart failure when they were not quite 4, three years ago. In July! My childhood cat died in July. What a terror to find that Conan, whose presence comforts the absence of Love, is missing since Thursday afternoon!!!! He is a joy and my living cats are the reason I could confidently help close my childhood home that day. I cannot lose another of our four kittens early or young.

Conan disappeared in daylight hours, with little harm that could have happened. Please build a powerful prayer by adding your hearts to our plea: that our dear orange & white Conan comes home safely and soon! Even though he has never done so, Ron is reassuring that the likeliest explanation is, sometimes in summer a cat decides to take an exploring trip. I hurt because this is unlike him but it seems the most probable. No cars, no preditors at that hour and we are heavily populated. No body on the highway because I checked all that way anyway. I doubt he's trapped in a neighbour's building but will post a sign at store that everyone please check. With Love and gratitude to any power we have to help Conan get home: Carolyn, Ron, & Our Kitties!

Please help us empower the prayer that our dear son and cat, Conan, is home safely and as soon as possible. It will be a joyous celebration of his Dad, Spirit's birthday tomorrow that he is back with us. Spirit will have a good pampered birthday and showering of love but it will soar for us and free our hearts if Conan is here with us too. As best as we can, he is enjoying a sunny green day for the last of being age twelve.

C. wrote: "Please help us empower the prayer that our dear son and cat, Conan, is home safely and as soon as possible. It will be a joyous celebration of his Dad, Spirit's birthday tomorrow that he is back wi..."

I'm very sorry! Just sent up a prayer for Conan. It is so nerve wracking when one of the babies is missing.

How long was your kitty away? None of ours has done this. Hearing "my cat returned after this many days" encourages our belief that this was a holiday trip. The weather has only started to rain now and the cats were cooped up five days in a row, until Thursday night, while I cleaned out my parents' house.

Thank you, my dear Erin! Now that I have prayers from your family too: the power and grace to protect him and guide him home safely is stronger and stronger. I hope more add to our prayer. As we wait, happy birthday to my dear cat Spirit, very loved by Conan, who is thirteen today!

I am scared and feel awful but will not grieve because unlike Conan's brother, Love, he did not die. It is the discomfort of waiting for him to come home and hoping nothing happened amiss. We will not give up faith that he will return all right. All our love, Carolyn & Ron.

Any news on Conan?

My cat would never stay away long, usually not more than a day, but my moms cats would be gone for days, one time a few weeks.

Not yet. I will say. None of my cats have done this. That is why my first reaction was fear and anguish that something bizarre took place but it was daylight and he wasn't without us calling him for long. Ron feels Conan took this easier opportunity to try it; exploring however long or far he wishes. Daylight tells us he is okay. Had he been injured by a cat or something, he would return. He must be on vacation by choice. Ron also points out I was away more than usual last week, with everyone cooped up and Conan didn't know July 13 was the last day cleaning out my parents' house. He also feels Conan is uncomfortable in hot weather. What stops him from worrying is that it's summer. This is when a cat takes off if he gets in the mood.

I took heart in your immediate prayer and counted on you telling everyone you know: the beacons of the prayer added to by as many as are willing. You have such a long reach of contacts. Prayer chains are unhesitatingly launches for all kinds of things. A grown cat is capable of getting home from the woods without a problem; which reassures us. However we need to see him for sure and this is one of the worst loved-ones we could lose; no casual prayer. I believe in it working and that it is even better if added to. Conan is our son. We need him for a good long time and love him every minute. We cannot lose a second kitten before their time and Conan comforts us from Love being gone early. He resembles his brother very much while being orange and leaner. It is time to be happy and unworried this summer, with such a good attitude about closing our family house last week. I told God it is because these cats are my home. Their faces, smiles, and life with them is what matters. That has to stay true.

I imagined you asked others to reach out with their hearts and voices too. We extended our efforts, at a somewhat local website where I ask people to pray for his return and about 200 people have read it. Yesterday we put posters at the nearest stores and campground. Not silently tacking them but speaking with people at each place and requesting their prayers and loving energy as well. Our Conan O'Brien has to be safe and come home soon. Being gone for days might be okay for some, who encouraged us with that likely possibility but we want to be with our cats every day and see that they are well every day. Love, Carolyn.

I understand what you mean about wanting our babies home to see everyday and will continue to pray for precious Conan, and will spread the prayers around so others are doing the same. I am sure he is okay, but sometimes cats stray for a bit unfortunately, even if its a first time for him. Crossing my fingers and prayers he will be home soon and you can resume pampering him like usual!

Thank you so much! I especially appreciate that you deem this family member as important as other things for which we ask large numbers to join in prayer. Yes, to continue pampering my boy! Your belief is also a balm, that you think it's very likely a first-time explorer could stray around and come home unharmed and no problem. :) Love, your friend, Carolyn.

Definitely keep us updated. We will keep praying :)

I wish he had been back for their birthday September 7 but Conan should be home when the weather cools. I know those prayers have been keeping our dear boy safe and will bring him to our door, likely this month.

Further north in Manitoba and around Kelowna, B.C., there were forest fires but I'm relieved to hear the Manitoba ones are out and diminished. No one lost a home either, so the people who had to evacuate by boat to get to a small airport must be highly relieved. I hope Texas is recovering from floods. I know a storm is near the Florida Keys today. May everyone around there brace themselves and be safe throughought it. We're keeping an eye on the news and stand with those folks and all animals this week-end, praying there isn't too much fear as you wait. Wild animals are probably already on the move. Prepare, get out if need be, and know they'll power through as Floridians always do.

I'm still thinking and praying for Conan for sure.

The weather has been rough for sure, we are getting the hurricane in this area tomorrow very late toward Monday morning. I'm hoping that since I'm in central Florida the damage will be minimal

I'm so happy to hear the forest fires were diminished. Those are so scary to hear about.

I didn't think you were in the hurricane zone but had to check on you and any other Floridian friends I know, Erin dear. I guess those unaffected help those who need a hand after the storm. You wonder why people live on coasts. The best I can figure out is it's too beautiful not to try. Please keep us posted from inside your state. Does much of Florida lose electricity or internet connectivity during storms?

C. wrote: "I didn't think you were in the hurricane zone but had to check on you and any other Floridian friends I know, Erin dear. I guess those unaffected help those who need a hand after the storm. You won..."

Yes, we already have large power outtages in south florida due to the wind and tornados already hitting. Unfortunately power outtage is common with hurricanes. I was without power for eight days from a hurricane about 10 years ago. So, crossing fingers and praying, only time shall tell

Wow! I find it inconvenient for an hour, perhaps because it occurs every year (in October). High autumn winds. Other times Manitoba Hydro wants to repair our region during business hours without notice and of course I'm home daily. I don't imagine you have a generator any more than we do. I would be okay with that, as a writer and reader of real books. However our well and plumbing runs by electricity. Gotta bathe every morning before I don clotnes! I feel physically cold and grossed out if I don't. I don't care if it has to be a creek.