A Cat Pic, Southpaws, and an Abundance of Jennifers

Vivian in her “Summer Happy Place”

Happy Sunday, all!

The above photo was taken by my son’s significant other, Jennifer (yes, another Jennifer, but I’ll return to that topic in a bit).

Vivian was enjoying a catnap in our back garden that day. Some days during summer, she crawls into the wild rosebushes in our garden for naps that can last for hours! She hasn’t got the life, I know. Thinking of the photographer reminded me of something I wanted to share.

Photo by Pexels.com

First, about the southpaws: I am a lefthanded person. I was one of those little girls whose grandmother tried to switch her over to righthandedness, whether I was holding a spoon, fork, crayon or pencil. But I was having none of that. No siree bob. Mom finally convinced my Nanny Lambert that it was useless for her to keep trying.

I was the only lefty in my immediate family. My parents, sister, and brother were all righthanded. But then something interesting happened.

I had: 1 GIRL and 1 BOY

My brother had: 1 BOY

My sister had: 1 BOY and 1 GIRL

Three of those boys, our only sons, were born lefthanded! What are the odds on that?

Now, back to the “Jennifers.”

There are three other Jennifers in my extended family. No, none of them were named after me (shucks).

These other Jennifers are the wives/significant others of mine and my siblings’ three sons! All three couples have been together for years. ❤

Funny how life in all its randomness created such a happenstance. Do you have any strange coincidences in your family? Many southpaws? While thinking on that, have another, more closeup look at our Vivian. Thanks again for the great capture, Jenny!

Flower of the Day – July 25: Tiger Lily*

During our time away this month, we took our annual trip to the small community of Lead Cove, Trinity Bay. My daughter and family have a second home there, and it’s always nice to visit, especially in the summer.

Their property has lots of beautiful trees, but for this post I’m sharing the tiger lilies.

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom.
They just open up, turn towards the light and that makes them beautiful.“
~ Jim Carrey

I first heard of this quote from writer friend Pamela Wight‘s Instagram page. Thanks for sharing it, Pam. 🙂

*Cee’s Flower of the Day Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge: Orange

Happy Monday, everyone!

I’m away from home for a second week, part of our annual summer getaway to St. John’s and surrounding areas. I had planned to blog a few Sunday Snaps yesterday, but time got away from me while visiting family and friends, so here we are. Monday Snaps it is!

I couldn’t resist Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge from last week, even though it’s the last day today. Orange in the great outdoors is often a vibrant colour, as the following selection of my photos will attest.

Carrots from my friend’s garden last fall. Thanks, Libby. They were sweet and delicious!
Colourful leaves in Corner Brook last fall . . .
. . . and in Marystown, mingling with shades of red and gold.
A “flutter-by” on our house. Is blue your favourite colour too, little one?
An orange-belted bumblebee rests on my bench.
This orange sunset warmed up a chilly winter eventide.
As did this one!
Vivian listens for voles in the sun-drenched sea oats.
You’ll be back there enjoying the golden evenings before you know it, kitty. ❤

All Things Newtown

Aerial View of Perry's Point
Aerial View of Perry’s Point – photo credit: Winston Perry, 2018

As Newfoundland and Labrador prepares to reopen to Canadian travellers under our province’s Together Again Plan, I thought it might be a good time to share the All Things Newtown links from my blog. With everything from our sandy beaches, a harp seal whitecoat, to our Heritage Fishing Village, and—yes of course, Perry’s Point!—there’s plenty to read about and tons of photos to enjoy.

Ten Years in This Old House

The Old and the New

Buoys of Summer

Skipper Alex

Fringe

Summer Evening

Found Art in Driftwood

Lots of Winter Ahead Yet, But…

First Snowfall (and Fun Neighbours)

Happy Thanksgiving, Fellow Canadians

Summer’s End

A New Perspective – Aerial View of Perry’s Point, Newtown

Where Once They Lived: The Beothuk of Perry’s Point

Butterflies and Daisies

Sunday Snap(s): Neighbours

Pages From The Past: Moving to Newtown

Sunday Snap: Old

Flippery Friend

Concerned: Part Two

Sunday Snapshot: Concerned

Sunday Snapshot: Whitecoat

Barbour Tickle

Daily Prompt: Impression

Spring and a Special Remembrance

Video: Out and About with Vivian

Vivian’s View From Here: Window Cats

Arrival of Winter & New Horizons

A Murder on Perry’s Point!

Fun, Sun, Sand and Smiles

Meanwhile, in Newfoundland…

My Buttercup Runneth Over

Vivian’s View From Here: On the Prowl

Photo Challenge: Calm

Early Rise

Vivian’s View From Here: Weekend Blizzard

Luminous

Happy Place Haiku

Forces of Nature

Belonging

Winter’s Glaze

January Blue

My Backyard Part 1

My Backyard Part 2 – The Beach

Weekly Photo Challenge – Threes

Still

Beach Golf, Anyone?

Ripples

A Winter Visitor

Heritage Fishing Village

Autumn Walk on the East Coast

Canada Day Weekend

***

Like to see other local posts? Check out the link below to my blog’s Newfoundland and Labrador page, where I share my photos and articles from all around our beautiful province:

Newfoundland and Labrador

Here’s to seeing lots of (vaccinated) Canadian tourists this summer! ☀️

Perry’s Point, August 2020

Sunday Snap: Open

jenniferkellandperry.com

“Spring: the music of open windows.” ~ Terri Guillemets

Photo Challenge: Open

Spring Trip Memories: 2019

Since we’ve been enduring day after day of rain, drizzle and fog here in Newfoundland—along with a touch of the white stuff yesterday—I thought it was high time to drag out photos from our last vacation off the island. Hard to believe it’s been almost two years since we flew to sunny Cuba for a week. 

The weather was particularly hot and humid this time, but we found ways to keep cool with the help of pools, shady spots, a la carte dining, and lots of cold drinks.

This cloud looked like a curtain being drawn over the resort. The inevitable shower was short, sweet, and refreshing.

The bus arrives for an afternoon excursion to the town of Varadero.

And no trip to Varadero would be complete without an al fresco meal at our favourite “restaurante.”
(Photos from a previous visit in the link below)

Who knows if we will ever see the Caribbean again?
At least we have the Memories!

More from Cuba: A Spanish Purr Sounds Just as Sweet

Road Trip to the Great Northern Peninsula

Mountains around the Western Brook fiord

Last weekend I accompanied my husband on a work trip to the Great Northern Peninsula. Also known as the Viking Peninsula, it is a large rural area in western Newfoundland, located north of Gros Morne National Park and extending to L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a former Viking settlement at its northern tip. The region is known for its Long Range Mountains, the most northern section of the Appalachians.

Both the park and the Viking settlement are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Having visited the region several times in summer, I was excited to travel to the west coast for my first opportunity to see the mountains covered in snow. Lucky timing too, as it’s been an odd winter. Most areas off the Avalon Peninsula didn’t get any amount of snow until late February and early March. Marble Mountain skiers didn’t hit the slopes until March 4th, due to lack of snow and the new Covid-19 variant. Strange times indeed!

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Paul’s work will soon take us to the lovely town of Bonavista, another locale I look forward to seeing in the off-season for the first time. Stay tuned for more photos! Perhaps they’ll be more spring-like.  🙂

January Blue*

It’s a blue winter day on Perry’s Point.

It isn’t a sad and lonely day, but one painted with the hues of a brilliant blue sky and a blanket of sunshine, the kind of day where the sun and snow merge to design graceful shadows in the hollows of the landscape.

IMG_0056 (800x521)Sun on the newly fallen and drifted snow creates a tapestry of shadowy forms,
from the palest baby blue to the deepest of indigo.

IMG_0067The slanting afternoon rays of sunlight hold little heat,
but warm the heart of this nature-lover nonetheless.

IMG_0075 (800x519)The surface of the snow waves and crests,
while most of the bay lies still under a layer of slush and ice.

IMG_0076 (800x475)Dunes of scalloped white surround me…

IMG_0123 (800x541)…and the only hint of sound is the faint exhale of a frigid breeze.

IMG_0089 (800x533)Certain feathered creatures have already been here.

IMG_0114 (800x518)At the end of the Point I reach the icy blue coastline…

IMG_0096 (800x533)…where the water is still full of movement in spite of the sub-zero air.

IMG_0084 (800x402)Cold, but fluid…

IMG_0085 (800x383)…clear and beautiful.

IMG_0145 (800x623)Other shadows dapple a weather-worn barn…

IMG_0149 (800x428)…and sun-bleached fences.

IMG_0152 (800x533)Hidden in shade, a bird house waits for spring, and a new tenant…

IMG_0130 (800x522)…while our neighbour’s fishing boat awaits a new summer.

IMG_0163 (800x574)Ben Perry’s shed is called a “store” around these parts.

IMG_0159 (800x472)Still more shadows hide in furrows of snow and last summer’s grasses. I wade in.

IMG_0068 (800x533)My toes are like ice cubes inside my boots at this point. I hop over the fence to home.

IMG_0155 (800x571)Time to put the kettle on…

IMG_0183 (800x533)…and thaw myself out with a cup of tea.

IMG_0182 (800x533)And my world changes from blue to green.

How is your January going?
What is the colour of your winter? 

*ThrowbackThursday – This is a reblog from January 2015.

Sunday Snaps: Pink Clouds

“When we feel stuck, look at the sky. The clouds remind us that everything changes.” ~ unknown

Nancy Merrill’s Photo Challenge: Something Pretty
Photos taken June 26, 2020

Sunday Snaps: the Old and the New

Most communities exist in a balance of the old and the new. Newtown, like every Newfoundland community, is no exception.

Friday was a bright and beautiful day, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture the contrasts.

First, the old:

This is the front view of a century-old fishing stage. If you think it looks ready to topple over in this photo, take a look at the side view:

I’ve shared this little shed on my blog before. It’s still hanging on to that rock for dear life!

A decrepit fishing boat reminds me of a beached whale.

Now for something new—a pretty spot to sit and enjoy the seascape:

A miniature lighthouse makes a picturesque addition.

Check out the new bird blind, a part of our wetland wildlife habitat:

A bird-watcher’s delight

Inside the blind

“There is magic in the old and magic in the new: the trick is to successfully combine the two.” ~ A. D. Posey

Thanks for tagging along!