J. Kelland Perry

Autumn Walk on the East Coast

Published on October 6, 2012October 4, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry18 Comments

Come along as we take a stroll through Newtown on this beautiful October day.

autumn walk 009 — The tide is high this afternoon.

autumn walk 013 — Much of my next door neighbour’s garden is still summer lovely.

autumn walk 030 — I stopped to admire another neighbour’s potato harvest. Of course, he insisted I take a bagful.

autumn walk 075 — Dogberries, a true harbinger of Fall

autumn walk 086 — Still wearing his shorts in October, and loving it

autumn walk 111 — Our other neighbour is drying salt fish.

autumn walk 113 — Freshly painted grapnels for next year’s fishing season

autumn walk 115 — Kitties, you should have come with us.

Travel Theme: Foliage (and Other Living Things)

Published on September 30, 2012May 6, 2013 by J. Kelland Perry8 Comments

Trees and their foliage are, without a doubt, some of Nature’s most wondrous treasures.

But sometimes, the best photograph of a tree is not as much about the tree itself, but what is found in and among its foliage and branches.

Like in this photo I snapped in Varadero, Cuba, you may see tiny birds:

…two “love birds”, perhaps?

Or you might happen upon a couple of sister cats exploring among the leaves:

And if you see a magnificent tree such as this one day, don’t be surprised to find little children playing among its sturdy limbs:

L & J — Bowring Park, St. John’s, Newfoundland

This has been my contribution to wheresmybackpack.com’s weekly Travel Theme.
This week: Foliage

Thank you for the inspiration, Ailsa!

Travel Theme: Foliage (ahecticlife.wordpress.com)
travel theme: foliage (starlight427.wordpress.com)
Travel Theme: Foliage (windagainstcurrent.com)

Guest Post: Vivian’s View From Here

Published on September 10, 2012November 21, 2023 by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

I am happy to introduce a guest blogger on Jennifer’s Journal this week. Please welcome Vivian K. Perry, a very dear friend of mine who also happens to be, um, feline.

Greetings, humans! I am thrilled to be given this opportunity today on WordPress to share some photos, and a few things about myself.

To be honest, I think Jennifer is allowing me to host today to make up for shrieking at me last week, when I brought a mouse in the house. It was a gift, after all, so instead of screaming bloody (mousey) murder, shouldn’t she have been grateful to receive a trophy of my hunting prowess? Especially since I brought it home to her, and dropped it in the hallway – STILL ALIVE? You try to do something nice, but you are only misunderstood…

Actually, I enjoy a lovely life here with Jennifer, her husband, and my sister and womb-mate, Maisie.

Up until two summers ago, we all lived in the city. It was okay, but my sister and I were not allowed outside by ourselves because of all the traffic in our neighbourhood, and the danger to us that it entailed. So when we moved to the country, imagine our delight to be free to explore the great outdoors!

We can now come and go as we please, chase birds, butterflies and rodents, and savour the lifestyle we had only dreamed about in our former life.

Just last month, Maisie and I celebrated our fifth birthday. Here is what we looked like when we were adopted from the SPCA:

Even though we are sisters, Maisie and I are different in many ways. (Some people don’t know that kittens from the same litter can have different fathers; did you? I think that is what happened with us.) Maisie is smaller, and very much on the quiet side…

…while I am larger, quite vocal and in-your-face.

I am truly a Social Animal who adores human relationships and have been known to be exceedingly dog-like. I’ll follow you, talk to you, keep you company, sleep with you, and never, ever let you get lonely.

In fact, the other day, I went next door to visit our neighbour Ben. I simply walked in, meowed at everyone, ventured upstairs, and enjoyed a nap on his bed. No invitation necessary!

Many people think that a cat is a cat is a cat. But I’m here today to dispel that assumption. I am not aloof. I don’t scratch, bite or hiss at people. I can be very friendly with just about anyone.

And even though I do catch mice, and perhaps meow a little too loudly, I am as loyal and loving as any dog.

Just ask Jennifer.

* This blog post was since selected for publication in BBooks – Blog Books, an online magazine!

Versatile Blogger Award

Published on August 27, 2012September 15, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry6 Comments

It is with great honour and appreciation, that I once again accept an award nomination from one of my peers here at WordPress. Almost Spring has graciously nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award, saying that she found my blog “truly inspirational and of much variety.” The sweetheart! I am touched by her nomination. I urge you to check out her blog which is all about her painful, yet brave journey from “we” to “me”, as her marriage ended. Her experience certainly struck a chord with me.

Versatile? Yes, I suppose my blog is a reflection of my many moods and passions since I started it at the end of 2011. And who better to know what a blogger goes through and deals with every week, than another blogger? Who better can identify with the sometimes frightening task of putting yourself out there, and daring to show your vulnerable side to whomever may happen upon your poems and musings?

In keeping, somewhat, with the award rules, I will share seven random things about me, followed by a list of seven blogs I follow and suggest you try as well.

1. I wrote a teen romance novel when I was 15 (a second novel should happen any year now! ).

2. I feel more spiritual in the natural outdoors than I ever have inside a church.

3. I have one daughter and one son, all grown now. And I am immensely proud of them both.

4. Sometimes I feel like I’ve lived several different lives.

5. I am most definitely an introvert.

6. I’ve always been a night person, not a morning person (will this change as I get older, I wonder? I hope??).

7. When I was a child, my dad called me a little Question Mark because I was always asking “why?” and “how come?” I think I’ve retained that curiosity about life (maybe I’m simply nosy).

Here is my list of lovely and versatile nominees, in no particular order:

Brigitte’s Banter

– published author, freshly pressed, lively posts on a variety of topics

spilledcookies

– advice and observations from a life coach

jilliankermani

– a good writer and talented poet

rainythursday

– fashion, art, and other pretty things

mypenandme

– inspiring and original poetry

Truth and Cake

– lovely writing, good advice, and freshly pressed twice (only twice, right?)

theplaceswevebeen

– travel adventures by a couple of fellow Newfoundlanders, and now brand-new parents

These are not all that I follow out there in the blogosphere; I am also subscribed to a few breathtakingly lovely photography and travel blogs, and two inspirational quote blogs. Occasionally I check out food blogs too.

Have a wonderful week, everyone! And remember, there would be no feel-good awards to win without the kindness of the people who bestow them. Thanks again.

Versatile Blogger Award!!! (moniqueshante.wordpress.com)
Versatile Blogger Award (handmadebyclairebear.com)

In Protest

Published on August 20, 2012June 20, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry11 Comments

I join lemony squeezes in her protest. Animal cruelty cannot be tolerated. ~ Jennifer’s Journal

Are You an “Animal Racist”?

Published on August 10, 2012January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry11 Comments

Disclaimer: the following rant is in no way intended to minimize or satirize the very serious issue of racism in our world today. It was conceived with tongue firmly in cheek and for entertainment purposes only… sort of.

Are you tired of hearing countless dog lovers dissing cats as a matter of course? Have you grown weary, as I have, of people professing to be proud animal owners, and yet they sh*t on the existence of my beloved pets? I swear, if I hear one more dog owner claiming that dogs are the superior pet, I’m going to start the meanest cat-fight you have ever witnessed.

Don’t get me wrong. I love dogs. I adore dogs. I have owned dogs myself in the past, but right now my life is more suited for the feline variety of pets, due in part to their low maintenance, but also because of the compatibility of our personalities. We are quiet, for the most part, and slightly aloof. We are independent. We keep ourselves clean. And we love each other unconditionally, and pine for each other when we’re apart. ( But I’m getting off track here with my cat love. I am head over heels about horses too, but can in no way accommodate one in my life at this time either.)

Even media personalities are hopping on the “dogs and dog-people are best” bandwagon, spouting their prejudices like it’s something to be proud of. But folks, just because your opinion is popular doesn’t make it right. It makes you sound like you have succumbed to a form of speciesism. Besides, you hardly ever hear cat owners/lovers badmouthing dogs, the way so many dog owners/lovers badmouth cats.

Where is the tolerance? What happened to the idea of Live and Let Live? Can we not embrace all animals for their individuality and wonderfulness? I’ll even go out on a limb here and say it is comparable to the ignorance of a person saying he loves mankind, but in no way can he tolerate foreigners. It just doesn’t make any sense, like so many other kinds of prejudice ( and don’t get me started on that).

Can we not all embrace each other for our differences and uniqueness, and just get along?

I Love Book Club!

Published on August 2, 2012January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry5 Comments

I have to say that I am so enjoying the local book club a couple of friends and I started this past January. Just two nights ago, our group gathered for another meeting to review our latest selection. And such a lively, thought-provoking discussion it was. We were happy as well to welcome a new member to our fold. Delighted to have you aboard, Kathy!

To become a member of our little group, the only real requirements are a pure love of reading and a willingness to share your opinions. But that is where most of our similarities end. What a diverse group of individuals we are! From a teacher, to a couple of retired nurses; from a minister’s wife, to a self-proclaimed atheist; a homemaker/blogger (yours truly), a designer, and even some artists, we are a varied lot. Some are originally from the area, but most of us aren’t.
Naturally, people being what they are, we often begin with the book in question, but soon veer off on tangents, taking the discussion to unexpected areas where voicing your two cents worth is welcome on any number of topics. When we have come together, we have shared thoughts and positions on racism, the medical profession, capital punishment, mental illness, greed, and crime, just to name a few.

Our provincial library has been a god-send in facilitating our passion: it has made available a long list of “book club kits” that we borrow from each month. All titles are either award-winning, well-reviewed, or both, and provide much variety of topics and tastes. Seldom does everyone love the book currently being discussed, but that often generates the most dynamic debates!

Here is what we have read and reviewed so far:

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam
The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham

Coming up on our foreseeable agenda is:
Come, Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant (a fellow Newfoundlander)
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Of course, a happy by-product of Book Club is making new and interesting friends, and in my opinion, friends so interesting that they are usually reading other books, sometimes more than one at a time, in between our club picks.

Book worms, unite! Happy reading, everyone!

How to Start a Book Club (thiscircleofquiet.wordpress.com)
Happiness Is…a Good Book. So, a New Feature! A Book Club! (psychologytoday.com)

The Youngest Man In My Life

Published on July 25, 2012March 6, 2019 by J. Kelland Perry10 Comments

Meet the little fellow who happens to own a giant chunk of my heart. At just four years of age, “J” is the youngest person in my family, and in my life.

In many ways, my grandson J is your typical little boy. He likes to do the things his dad does, which includes everything from working on the car..

…to collecting Star Wars figurines! And like most little boys, J loves to get up close and personal with wiggly, wriggly things.

Usually our little man doesn’t mind getting his picture taken…

..but not always. 🙂

When I go to visit my little grandson, at first he is usually very shy, and his first instinct is to hide behind his mother’s legs. Then out of the blue, he suddenly runs toward me, barreling into my waist with the sweetest, strongest hug! What makes a four-year-old boy do that?

He makes me think that I must be a pretty good grandma, and that he knows I adore him. But I bet he hasn’t any idea just how much. ♥

Off to the City!

Published on July 11, 2012January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry2 Comments

Now that the long-awaited summer has arrived in earnest in Newfoundland, your typical mortal starts thinking of getting out into the country. She may be planning a vacation in one of our lovely outports, or getting away from it all in a secluded cabin, or camping out and about in an RV or tent.

But where does a transplanted country mouse like me plan a summer getaway? Why, back to the capital city, of course. This Saturday, my husband and I are packing up our kitties, leaving his little hometown, and driving to my much larger hometown of St. John’s for a couple of weeks.

This change of pace also accommodates my mother-in-law and her son, who are switching houses with us for this period. I’ve been preparing my home for their stay, so that when they arrive everything will be ready for them, including some freshly baked bread and a pot of homemade soup. We hope they enjoy their holiday as well, in what we like to call our little corner of heaven on earth.

As for me, I know the time will fly by all too quickly. Between spending time with my mom in her nursing home, playing with our grandchildren, and visiting other family, that will barely leave time for much else. Somehow I must fit in some shopping, some outdoor fun, a dentist appointment, dining out, and partying too (husband’s birthday is fast approaching). George Street, maybe? We even have an out-of-town side trip planned to the Placentia Regatta celebrations with my siblings and their mates. Good times are in store, for sure.

Despite my temporary city mouse schedule, I will still do my best to post to my blog while I’m away. Have laptop, will travel!
What special plans have you made to shake things up for the summer?

Canada Tr avel: St. John’s Newfoundland a city on the move: great food and cafes (thestar.com)