Jennifer's Journal

The Real Thing?

Published on May 27, 2018October 27, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry20 Comments

Did you know?
When Coca-Cola was first introduced in 1886, it contained cocaine as well as caffeine.

It was invented by Confederate Colonel John Pemberton, who was wounded in the U.S Civil War and became addicted to morphine. As a chemist, he began a quest to find a substitute for the drug. Coca-Cola was the result and was originally patented as a medicine.

It was promoted not only as delicious and refreshing, but as an “intellectual beverage,” a “brain tonic” and a cure-all for “sick headache, neuralgia, hysteria, and melancholy.”

– source: Wikipedia

Things go better with Coke?

It’s the Real Thing?

Hmm … not anymore!

Aqua and Azure

Published on May 20, 2018October 27, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

**View from Cape Bonavista, NL – one of the gems from our travels around the province.**

“I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild;
when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody.
And in all its moods, I see myself.”
― Martin Buxbaum

***

Hues of aqua, azure
dreamy summer haze
wild rocky coastline
exhilarating breeze

I love that warmer days are approaching!
What are you looking forward to this summer?
Any travel/vacation plans on your horizon?

Pic and Word Challenge: Aqua and Azure
Photo first published here: Sea and Sky

Thanks, Mom!

Published on May 13, 2018May 19, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry23 Comments

Mom cut my bangs

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the many, many things you’ve ever done for me. As it is for most mothers, they are far too numerous to list here.

An endless list, actually. Hey, you even took it upon yourself to trim my bangs from time to time. Why would we bother driving to the beauty parlor when you were there, eager and happy to do it? How hard could it be? And naturally, your other daughter’s bangs didn’t escape your butchery expertise either.

Now Mom, I understand we were a one-income household at the time and you liked saving money wherever possible, but don’t you think your scissors-happy ways may have been a tad aggressive, especially for a school photo, recorded for posterity?

This practice of yours was nearly as darling as your penchant for dressing up my sister and me as twins. Never mind that I was two and a half years older than her.

And yet, as I flip through this old family album, my heart swells.

I see your smile.

I hear your laughter.

I feel the love.

I see my happy childhood, personified, in all of these snaps of captured memories.

And you know what, Mom? It makes me realize I wouldn’t change a single thing.

– Love your daughter,
Jennifer

Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to all the loving moms out there!

Artist in the House

Published on May 6, 2018May 19, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

Entering Newtown by Paul Perry — Entering Newtown (1983)

My husband Paul spent a lot of time working on portraits and landscapes in his younger years. His love of artistry was one of the things that first attracted me to him. That and the fact he owned a cat, of course.

These pen and ink drawings are just a few from around our house, although limited edition prints of “Entering Newtown” grace the walls of many.

Some of you may remember a Springsteen portrait mentioned in my novel Calmer Girls, which Samantha drew for her father. Paul’s drawing below is what inspired me to write it in.

Springsteen by Paul M. Perry — Springsteen in the 70’s

Paul rarely gets time these days to draw, but I hope he picks it up again when he retires. Problem is, he says you’ll read about his retirement in his obituary!

Blogger Bouquet #52

Published on May 3, 2018February 12, 2020 by J. Kelland Perry

Miriam – aka Delphini510 – is a blogger I haven’t been following all that long, and yet she quickly became a favourite.

Her blog is My Window: Sharing my thoughts, poems, travel and art. It was chiefly her poetry that caught my attention.

From Miriam’s About page:

“It is a long way from a little island in North Sea to the British shores but I did it albeit in a circuitous route. Much will be revealed as I go along. I tried my hand at many things but the Arts have always been my love. From tender years books were never far from my side.”

Check out this beautiful, heartfelt poem by Miriam. It was difficult to choose just one!

Sorrow and Strength

Comments are closed here but you can leave a comment on the blogger’s page.

Have an inspired weekend, everyone.
❤

Beach Love

Published on April 29, 2018October 27, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry39 Comments

Lumsden Beach, Newfoundland and Labrador

Lumsden Beach in April

“There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.” – Sarah Kay, American poet

I love this sandy beach! Arguably the best of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador, Lumsden Beach is just a ten-minute drive away from us here on the Kittiwake Coast.
So whenever the desire arises to walk a sandy shore that’s over a mile long, this breathtaking spot is our place to go.

Yes, we recently enjoyed a fun week on Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana with its crowds of happy tourists, its tropical climate and endless sunshine, but this beach is an introvert’s dream. Even in the dead of summer, it’s never crowded. Heaven on earth!

Is there a favourite beach near where you live? Share in the comments below.

Photos taken on April 25th, 2018

Happy Maisie

Published on April 22, 2018May 19, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry25 Comments

One of the best things about a vacation?
Coming home to a face like this.

Both kitties were overjoyed at our return,
as if we were gone for a month!

“One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home.”
– Pam Brown, Australian poet

Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge: Happy

Evening Sky

Published on April 8, 2018May 19, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry

Sunset in Newfoundland, Canada — Sunday Snap: Evening Sky

A sunset is the sun’s fiery kiss to the night.”
― Crystal Woods

“Sunset is a wonderful opportunity for us
to appreciate all the great things the sun gives us!”
― Mehmet Murat Ildan

***

I’m taking a short blogging break, friends.
Try not to do anything too earth-shattering
while I’m away – I’d hate to miss it!
Take care, and we’ll catch up in a couple of weeks.

Photo: Perry’s Point, March 2015.
First published here: Ephemeral

Comments are closed because my break has already started. 🙂

What’s It Like To Be An Author?

Published on April 5, 2018September 6, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

I recently accepted an invitation to the blog of fellow author Connie Lacy for an enjoyable Q & A. Connie’s latest book is A Daffodil For Angie, a historical coming-of-age novel set in the sixties. I loved it and I highly recommend it.

What’s It Like To Be An Author?
Taking a Peek Behind the Curtain
with Jennifer Kelland Perry

Connie: One of the unexpected pleasures of being an indie author is making author friends around the world. Not that I’m flying off to far-flung places. I’ve made friends through online writer groups, including Jennifer Kelland Perry … read the rest here.

Jennifer Kelland Perry, YA Author