Introducing Sophie Rae, my son’s new dog. She is a white golden retriever.
Isn’t she a darling? Welcome to our world, little girl! 💕
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Shulz
A new addition to our family…
Category: Photography
Photo Challenge: Close-up
Cee Neuner’s challenge for photographers yesterday* reminds me of this photo I took back in August. I captured the spider and her masterpiece through my kitchen window that fog-shrouded night, not knowing how the outdoor light on our house would illuminate its detail so well, especially the misty moisture that clings to every intricate strand of the web. The overall effect reminds me of fine gold chain.
“The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.” – Pablo Picasso
Saving Her Place
Happy August, everybody!
Vivian K. Perry here, covering for Jennifer while she takes a little more time away from her blogging routine. Both of my staff have been rather busy lately, what with personal and work trips, but Jennifer promises she will return to a more regular blogging schedule—and to drop in on your lovely blogs—very soon.
I was happy to travel with my peeps on our usual two-week stay in the capital city in July, but I stay home and hold the fort when they go on short road trips for work. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll hear more about all of that before you know it.
In the meantime, I will save her place in more ways than one. Enjoy the rest of summer, dear friends! 💕
Photo Prompt: Sail
We know we should help our environment by reducing waste wherever we can. So with the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” advice in mind, I came up with an idea to repurpose an old favourite sweatshirt of mine.
This is no off-the-rack item. My husband gave it to me years ago after creating the artwork for a St. John’s, NL tour boat company. The owners of the Scademia* sold T-shirts with the new artwork, and Paul gifted me with a sweatshirt.
After a time and tons of wear, the sleeves and neckline became decidedly off-white, so it disappeared into the back of my closet. Recently I was tossing away old clothes, rediscovered it, and came up with this:
*The Scademia, the last of the Grand Banks Schooners, was an icon in the tourism industry for over 25 years. Many people from around the world have walked her decks as she took them out through the narrows on an adventure on the open seas. . . . Many people were married, fell in love, or even got screeched-in aboard of her, including many famous people like rock legend Rod Stewart and the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau. – Facebook
This is my contribution to the RDP Monday prompt: SAIL
Vivian’s View From Here: Can You See The Difference?
Happy Sunday, peeps and pets!
Vivian K. Perry here, sharing with all of you lovelies some new photos of moi. I posed for the first two back in 2012:
Look at me!
A force to be reckoned with at 5 years old
Zoom ahead ten years to the present:
In my fifteenth year, do you think . . .
. . . I’m still pretty?
I can’t see the difference. Can you see the difference?
Not much has changed for me in the past decade—aside from the devastation of losing my sweet sister Maisie two years ago.
As a mature feline (not gonna use the word old!), I still lead quite an active life. I go outdoors several times a day. I eat both wet and dry cat food, which Jennifer thinks helps keep my fur nice and soft. I’m an exceptionally clean creature and a fastidious groomer. And I get plenty of love and attention from both my staff.
The one thing that has changed a bit are the length and number of my naps.
Beauty sleep is a must!
Yes, there’s no denying I’m a cat “of a certain age.” But when you are healthy and enjoying your days in a relaxed, wholesome, loving environment, life is a joy. In some ways, I’m still growing: in my experience, my wisdom, an ever-growing collection of memories, and my “kitty” vocabulary!
Perhaps some of you (and that includes my human friends and followers) can relate.
Hey, pet peers,
any of you enter your senior years yet?
Are you enjoying your elder status?
“The great thing about getting older is that
you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”
~ Madeleine L”Engle
Which Way: Thoughts on a Nature Trail
When you get the chance to enjoy a walk outside, which way* do you go? Do you prefer a stroll through the streets of your community or neighbourhood? Or would you rather a natural, more secluded setting?
If possible, I will always choose a walk in nature. Luckily, there are several trails, as well as plenty of beaches, in my area. I’m an introvert through and through, so my preference makes sense. An extrovert would probably choose a more peopled path so they could enjoy a few chats along the way. And there’s nothing wrong with that either.
Nature walks, where I can take the time to reflect and recharge, are like meditation for me. I don’t need a lot of external (people-y) stimulation to be happy. In fact, too much can feel overwhelming.
With all that is happening in our external world over the last couple of years—the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the political and racial unrest in our own countries—I believe I’ve retreated into introversion even more, as a way to preserve and care for my mental health.
I realize not everyone can choose to do so, depending on their jobs, etc., but if you are an introvert, don’t ever feel guilty for needing and allowing time for yourself. It’s a part of who you are.
“I’m an introvert… I love being by myself, love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dogs and looking at the trees, flowers, the sky.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
“Asking an introvert to open up is as rude as asking an extrovert to shut up.” ~ Unknown
Where do you like to take your walks?
Which way are you leaning on the
Introversion/Extroversion scale?
Do tell!
*Photos taken on May 8, 2022 @ Business Pond Walking Trail, Valleyfield, NL
*Which Way Photo Challenge – Alive and Trekking
Photo Challenge: Wedding*
Back in the day when my sister was planning her wedding, she asked my children to stand as flower girl and ring bearer. This photo has been on display here in my home ever since.
They are adults now, of course, and my daughter is married with a family of her own.
Of special note, the pandemic didn’t bring all bad news: my son is now engaged!
♥ Cherish Every Moment ♥
*Ragtag Daily Prompt: Wedding!
Earth Day 2022: For the Love of Trees
As we recognize and celebrate Earth Day this year, I fondly think about my favourite tree.*
This huge and flourishing maple tree is in the front garden of my daughter’s summer house in outport Newfoundland. I look forward to seeing it each and every July.
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.”
~ Kahlil Gibran
Caring for our trees is of vital importance, now more than ever. Strong, healthy trees help to clean the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing clean oxygen for us to breathe. They capture rainwater, which helps prevent landslides and floods. And, of course, they provide shelter and habitat for many forest creatures. All of this shows how trees help reduce the effects of climate change.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees,
under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
~ Nelson Henderson
We can all play a part in countering the effects of deforestation. One way is the simple act of planting a tree or a number of trees. Check out the Canopy Project at https://onetreeplanted.org/
Do you have a favourite tree, woodland or forest?
Please share if you do!
*All photos taken on July 11, 2021 in Lead Cove, NL
Wordless Wednesday
Vivian’s View From Here: A Fresh Look
Hello everyone! Vivian K. Perry here, eager to bring you a fresh look of me enjoying Perry’s Point this morning.
It’s been an odd sort of winter here in Newfoundland and Labrador, with less snow than usual, particularly here on the Bonavista North coastline where a strong gale often whisks the flakes away before they can even think about settling. But overnight last night the light wind allowed a pretty layer of snow to fall, and the sun came out, so I couldn’t wait to go outside and explore.
This was my second trip outside this morning.
Time to make more tracks!
I’ve made plenty of paw prints but I look for the dry spots too.
I think I’ve had enough for now. Time to go inside for a cuddle.
“You know, sometimes the world seems like a pretty mean place.
That’s why animals are so soft and huggy.” – Bill Watterson
Check out my very short YouTube video below
to see how I try to retrace my snow-prints! ~ love, Vivian
Photo Challenge: Sunday Stills – Another Fresh Look At…
Jennifer's Journal 