Photography – Page 35 – Jennifer's Journal

“Mom, where do babies come from?”

Published on November 1, 2013March 22, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry29 Comments

During our stay in Bonavista last month, we took a drive to nearby Elliston. The claim to fame of this charming little community is its reputation as the
“Root Cellar Capital of the World.”

More than 130 root cellars have been documented in the Elliston area, dating back as far as 1839, and some of them are still in use today. The people who settled here grew their own vegetables, which were stored in the root cellars. A well-built cellar stayed dry and kept a constant, cool temperature year round.

cut away showing the construction of a cellar

But by now, you are probably asking, what does any of this have to do with where babies come from?

Well, according to Elliston folklore, the older folks told the children that babies came from root cellars. In the words of a Mrs. Ella Pearce,

They said they used to dig the babies out with a silver shovel. We used to go to the cellars and listen for babies. We never questioned our parents. We thought everything they said was true. They had midwives in them days, and we thought they used to dig them out.”

So folks, I’ve learned about yet another way babies come into the world, to add to the well-known tales of the Cabbage Patch and the Stork.

Are there any other explanations for how babies got here, that parents may have told their children? (besides the TRUTH, of course!)

Please share with me below if you have knowledge of more fascinating folklore!

For more info on Elliston, click here.

A Step Back in Time: Scenes from Bonavista

Published on October 10, 2013March 27, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

A couple of weekends ago, my husband and I visited friends who had relocated to the town of Bonavista last year. It was a three and a half hour drive away, the weather was lovely and it was our first time seeing the beautiful and historic town, so of course I had my camera ready. It was extremely difficult to narrow down the photos to only these!

008 — **The stocks and whipping post for criminals back in the day – yikes!**

077 — **United Memorial Church – the largest wooden structure in Eastern Canada**

Our friend's pooch hamming it up for the camera — **Our friend’s pooch hamming it up for the camera**

We enjoyed a run out to Cape Bonavista to see "John" — **We enjoyed a run out to Cape Bonavista to see “John”**

...then back to town to finish up at the Ryan Premises — **…then back to town to finish up at the Ryan Premises**

173 — **What a great way to end our summer!**

Relaxing…in a Bathrobe?

Published on October 2, 2013June 1, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry27 Comments

Both of my cats enjoy grabbing opportunities,
wherever they may find them,
to cozy up and have a luxurious cat nap.

A carelessly dropped bathrobe has become
this morning’s perfect chance location for a purry snooze.

In this case, as in most,
Maisie is the one who finds the sudden bed,
and no sooner does she get nice and comfortable,
but Vivian happens along and surreptitiously joins her sister.

♥

**Napping Together Since We Were Babies**

This has been my contribution to Ailsa’s Weekly Photo Challenge – Relaxing.

Guest Post: Vivian’s View from Here – Part III (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)

Guest Post: Vivian’s View from Here – Part III

Published on September 1, 2013August 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry13 Comments

Greetings to all,
Folks, Felines and otherwise!

It’s me, Vivian K. Perry, the shedding-est, purring-est, head-butting-est pussy cat in the land, and once again I am pleased and honoured to cover this evening’s blog post, here at Jennifer’s Journal.

We love to explore the Point — **We love to explore our environment.**

Maisie and I have been enjoying a gorgeous sun-and-fun-filled summer here on Perry’s Point.

Jennifer is feeling a little under the weather as of late, but no worries, I’m sure she’ll bounce back to her old self, quicker than you can say meow. We’ll see to that.

005 — **I adore soaking up morning rays on the deck.**

We entertained visitors on several occasions, but stayed clear of that overgrown Golden Doodle, Nico, because he is simply too friendly in that annoyingly brash doggy way of his.

**Maisie chowing down in a patch of sunlight**

We did take a two week trip to St. John’s, but were oh-so grateful to return home to our walks along the coastline, relaxing sun baths, hunting of tiny critters, and all that priceless freedom.

For those who don’t know how we got our names, here goes: When Jennifer and her husband adopted us from the SPCA, the lovely staff had already named us Maggie and Storm. But our new staff thought they could do better.

Jennifer asked, “Do we know a couple of sisters who are always together?” After some brainstorming, Jennifer’s husband suggested the names of two of Jennifer’s aunts, who often spend time together. “Yes,” she squealed. “That’s perfect! I always liked their names as well, so Maisie and Vivian they will be.” And the aunts got a kick out of it too.

♥

Thank you being such gracious visitors, and don't be shy - I will be sure to pass on your comments. :) — **How did you spend your summer? Thank you for being such gracious visitors, and don’t be shy – I will be sure to pass on your comments.**

Meow! ♥

Further Feline Reading:

Vivian’s View From Here
Vivian’s View From Here – Part II
Cats on Ice – Exploring Spring Thaw in Iceberg Alley

Sunshine, Surf and Sand

Published on August 24, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

Is there anything that captures the carefree magic of summer more than spending warm days playing at the beach? When the kids came to visit this week, they happily took advantage of the many delights the seaside has to offer.

Our little girl made a new friend :) — Our little girl makes a new friend 🙂

Building sand castles, catching hermit crabs in their little shells – and releasing them again – jumping over frothy waves and off of sand dunes, letting their dog run free, all this and more made for a memorable summer holiday.

Nico loved his newfound freedom — Nico loves his newfound freedom

Nico probably had the best vacation a dog ever had. The freedom to explore the coastline, running after beach birds that couldn’t be caught, he was a joy to watch as he galloped across the sand in wide circles around us.

Our little girl played with her new friend from Ontario every chance she got, as if they had always known each other. When the time came to say goodbye, she cried, but they exchanged addresses and made plans to become pen pals until they could see each other again. 🙂

The day they left, our little boy said he wished he lived here because he didn’t have a “backyard beach” at home.

Come back for more fun any time you want, precious boy. — Come back for more fun any time you want, precious children.

Travel Theme: Play
Weekly Photo Challenge: Focus

Fifteen Years Ago Today ♥

Published on August 15, 2013April 26, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry20 Comments

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“Love is like a friendship caught on fire.” -Jeremy Taylor

“Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.” -Henry David Thoreau

Travel Theme: Architecture

Published on August 12, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry28 Comments

Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge this week is Architecture.

While I was out and about in the older section of St. John’s last month, I stopped to admire some of the colourful Victorian rowhouses near the downtown. Tourists come every year looking for the street called Jelly Bean Row, but there is no one street. It is the nickname given to all the vibrantly painted row houses in the downtown area.

For fellow Canadians familiar with the CBC television show Republic of Doyle, this is the outside shot of the "Doyle household" — For fellow Canadians familiar with the CBC television show Republic of Doyle, this is the outside shot used for the “Doyle household”.

Playing Tourist in my own Hometown

Published on July 29, 2013April 27, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

Ahhh…Home Sweet Home!

After two busy weeks in our fair capital city of St. John’s, my husband and I are once again happy to be back in our house on the Point. Make no mistake, though, I always enjoy our extended summer jaunt revisiting my birthplace, even though husband has to bring some work with him. Time spent with the kids and grandkids is always a great thing, as were the walks around Mundy Pond and Quidi Vidi Lake, not to mention the dining out, the shopping, and celebrating husband’s birthday. We even managed to take a couple of side trips to Grates Cove and Portugal Cove while we were there.

My trip would not have been complete, however, if I had not taken a spin up to Signal Hill.

Is it any wonder one of my favourite spots has a spectacular view of the ocean? I know, I know. I live by the sea. You’d think I would have had my fill of huge bodies of water by now. But no, when the yearning for the sea beckons, I must respond.

husband enjoying the view — husband enjoying the scenery

057 — view of Cape Spear in the distance

Deadman's Pond - urban legend would have you believe it is bottomless — Deadman’s Pond – urban legend would have you believe it is bottomless

cannons guarding St. John's Harbour — cannons guarding the Harbour Narrows

the warmest visit I can ever remember on Signal Hill

I expect to be extremely busy over the coming weeks, finishing the first draft of my novel (but I will be checking in here too!). I’m hoping to have it completed by the time my daughter and her family come to visit in the latter part of August. Wish me luck!

Further Reading:
Sometimes I’m Still that St. John’s Girl

Grates Cove

Published on July 22, 2013January 19, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry13 Comments

My husband and I are enjoying our second week away from home, spending most of our time in my birthplace, St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland. This past weekend, however, we took a short trip to Grates Cove.

002 — Entering Grates Cove
– jenniferkellandperry.com

030 — View from the walking trail running along the cliffs and barrens
– jenniferkellandperry.com

This little community is the most northerly one on the Avalon Peninsula, and is my mother’s hometown.

Mom, out and about ;) — Mom, out and about 😉

My father’s maternal roots are also here, so most of my relatives originated in Grates Cove. Some of them still live here, and others have summer homes.

Grates Cove is actually a National Historic site, recognized for its acres of rock walls.
From the last of the 1700’s to the early 1900’s, local residents used the rocks to define spaces within their environment. The rocks were thrown, stacked and piled into more than 160 acres of land to set aside fields, create gardens, store vegetables, protect livestock and to use as cemeteries. (source: beyondbaccalieu.com)

Rock_Walls_at_Grates_Cove_0024-M — beyondbaccalieu.com

051 — Beautiful day on Saturday
– jenniferkellandperry.com

Like many of the coastal communities in our province, Grates Cove was a desirable place because of its prolific fishing grounds. First settled in 1790, its population has shrunk over the years, but it still supports the livelihood of a number of local fisher-persons, and is a popular tourist destination.

Many of these tourists have loved the place so much, they bought property of their own and put down roots. It has been reported that Grates Cove has the highest per capita in all of Newfoundland of “Mainlanders” buying up houses to live.

If you are ever in the area and get a chance to visit this picturesque little fishing village, I am sure you will understand why the “come-from-aways” fell in love with it and made up their minds to stay.

jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com — jenniferkellandperry.com

Have you ever visited tiny, out-of-the-way communities like Grates Cove? Are any of your relatives still living in places such as these?

Beach Golf, Anyone?

Published on July 14, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry41 Comments

Disclaimer: No wildlife was harmed during the creation of this photo shoot.

My son came for a visit here in Newtown this past week. On one of the days, I went along to take pics of him and my husband playing beach golf. This beautiful sandy beach is only a few hundred yards from our house. The weather was cool and windy, but I liked the way the photos turned out.