Author: J. Kelland Perry

In 2010, my husband and I left the city to escape to rural life in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and we're savoring every moment. I update my blog with everything I love through prose and photography, as well as posts about writing. My first novel was released in March 2016 and its sequel was released in March 2017. My third novel, The Women of Wild Cove, was published in September 2025, this time of the speculative genre.

A Lesson in Compassion

Published on by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

DSC02200

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.

visit-046

This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?

088

I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.

I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.

100_3817

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller

1485068_10152628076508569_1786036639_n

Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein

 

It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?

Sweet Daughter

Published on by J. Kelland Perry18 Comments

05-10-~3 (2) My One-Year-Old Daughter and Me

Denise was born on a beautiful sunny day, just like today. She decided to show up three weeks before her due date of July 6th. Born at Carbonear Hospital, she was the smallest baby there at the time, weighing a dainty five pounds, seven ounces.
My life as a very young mother had begun!

Little Smiling DeniseDenise at Six Years Old

Denise was a happy child, but she was also softhearted, intelligent, and focused.

Bachelor of Nursing Graduate

She always worked hard to realize her goals.

012Her Beautiful Family

Happy Birthday, Denise! I am so proud of you, and can’t imagine my life without you in it!
Love Mom ❤

Is There Room* in Your Book for Me?

Published on by J. Kelland Perry34 Comments

019

I thought it funny the book is called “Our Mutual Friend”!

Is your pet as clingy as ours? Please share your story!

*Weekly Photo Challenge: Room No. 2

Vivian’s Room

Published on by J. Kelland Perry23 Comments

When the fog rolled in over our lounging chairs this afternoon (with us still in them), we counted ourselves lucky we at least had enjoyed an hour of hot, precious sunshine.

You may see some of the fog in the pic below.
005We put our chairs back in the shed and went inside. But Vivian had other ideas.
She stayed behind in her outdoor room…

002…demanding that we come back…

012

008…looking more and more pitiful.

010

011She gave up eventually, I think.

Daily Post Photo Challenge: Room

Greenspond – Part II

Published on by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

After completing the hiking trail on Saturday, my husband and I took a drive through scenic Greenspond.

It is an especially nice time to visit because of the pleasant weather. The little outport town sparkles like a jewel in the afternoon sun, the plaintive cries of seagulls the only sounds that break the silence.

198The breeze has abated entirely, leaving the surface of the harbour basin as smooth as a mirror.

212Pretty houses dot the land while oddly shaped chunks of iceberg dot the still blue water.

208The peacefulness of the setting is magical, meditative, hypnotizing.
215I am drawn to its perfect calm…
209…and I drink in its beauty as I quietly reflect.

210Troubles melt away…
216…and make room for inspiration.
218We stop to admire this gem of a property. Everything about it is impeccable, from the patchwork quilt on the clothesline…

219…to the softly scalloped valances in each window.
To me, it is a work of art.

Have you ever visited a place that seemed the perfect setting for a story?
Where do you go to think and dream?

A Walking Trail, Bergy-Bits, and Other Pretty Things

Published on by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

Saturday was such a gorgeous day in our corner of the world, one had to get out and enjoy it. We decided to drive to Greenspond, a community comprised of several islands not far from where we live. Connected to the mainland of Newfoundland by a causeway, Greenspond boasts a wonderful walking trail around most of the perimeter of its largest island. It was perfect weather with light winds, so I took my camera.

This is the view from Perry’s Point before we left. The icebergs dotting the horizon were too far away to get good shots.

207

171Once we got on the trail, it didn’t take long for us to discover our first “bergy bit” floating like an ice sculpture in a peaceful cove.
201The walking trail winds through the rocky terrain, carrying us through the brush and bog.
197The views of the coastline and of the Atlantic are spectacular.

191
We can’t help but admire the work that went into the boardwalks.
194
Some were quite steep, making for a great workout.


175It seems the locals thought of everything. 😉
178Almost halfway…
179
195
202There seems to be a little berg in every bay.
188Another “sculpture”…
186
200…and another.
203
181180

 

 

 

Time for refreshments.

The Greenspond Walking Trail is a collaboration between Man and Nature, resulting in what I consider a living work of art.
Come back and join me in a couple of days for Part Two of my Greenspond photo shoot. 🙂

To my Fellow Canadians: What did you do outdoors on this long Victoria Day weekend?

Keep Reading: Greenspond: Capital of the North

 Iceberg Viewing in Newfoundland and Labrador

 

On Mother’s Day and Always

Published on by J. Kelland Perry14 Comments

05-10-~2 (2)

Mom,

I miss you when I’m happy
I miss you when I’m sad
but I’m forever grateful for
the precious time we had.

On Mother’s Day, as always
I’ll think of you in prayer
’cause if there is a heaven
I know that you are there.

❤

“…even when I can’t see you anymore”

Published on by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

 

aaa

I’m away from home this week, lending a hand with my daughter’s children while their regular sitter is on vacation. This morning while I was waiting for the kindergarten school bus with my six-year-old grandson, we had this conversation:

“J, why are you so cute?”

He smiled a little smile and said, “That’s what my mom always asks me.”

“Are you going to love Nanny even when she’s an old, old granny?”

He looked at me. “Yes. And I’ll love you even when you go away forever and I can’t see you anymore.”

With those words, I felt an abrupt squeeze around my heart. I think it broke a little.

I realized, since he and his sister had already lost one grandparent, this was a part of life he now expected.

abc1

I pray I’m there for you for a long, long time, my precious boy! ❤

Spring!

Published on by J. Kelland Perry9 Comments

Greetings, humans! Maisie here, covering for Jennifer this week while she is away. My sister Vivian was eager to take over again, but Shy Little Me thought I would venture a few steps out of my comfort zone and host the blog for a change.

m1

My sister and I had grown oh-so-bored with staying inside.

063
After the long, cold and snowy winter we endured in Canada this year, we are welcoming any signs of Spring with gratitude and huge sighs, or in our case,
purrs of relief.

When Vivian and I lived in the city four years ago, we had to content ourselves with the sighting of a robin or two in our backyard to let us know Spring had finally arrived.

Where we live now, there are many, many more signs to watch for and welcome. Not only fat robins with their red breasts, but birds of all kinds grace us with their presence, usually in pairs as they get ready for mating season.  And we eagerly await the arrival of the gannets in May, and arctic terns in June. There is something deeply comforting in seeing wildlife return, especially when you spy them huddled in twos, preening or foraging for food together here on Perry’s Point. The seagulls are here as always, dropping and breaking crabs and sea urchins open on the rocks. But now they are joined by a few saddleback gulls. Vivian even spotted a saucy mink the other day!

august 029

During the last few days, my sister and I have enthusiastically returned to the great outdoors.
So much to see, to smell, to hear and to taste.

august 061

 Vivian and I will stay outside almost all day when the summer gets here…

august 047
061

…just like last summer, and the summer before.

062

august 035

Life is good. 🙂

V1
“I coulda hosted. It was my gig. Pfft!”

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring!
What does Spring mean to you?

BLUE BIRD of HAPPINESS

Published on by J. Kelland PerryLeave a comment

This being the last day of Autism Awareness month, I am reblogging Kath Unsworth’s post on the topic. She has such a gentle yet inspirational way of explaining how autism has touched her life.