cats – Page 10 – Jennifer's Journal

Cats in Contrast

Published on July 7, 2014July 7, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

Happy Monday, my darling peeps!

Vivian here again, returning to guest host on Jennifer’s Journal.

Today’s update is actually in answer to the Photo Challenge: “Contrasts” over at the Daily Post. Yes, we know it’s a tad late, but Jennifer was busy blogging about other stuff.

Hmmm…which makes me wonder: what could be more important than CATS?

Particularly, Moi?

Even my sister Maisie is somewhat miffed that we were put on hold for other posts.

Never mind I was centre stage in three of the last seven journal entries; everybody would rather hear from Adorable Me than yet another post about boring writing, appreciation, and now, bouquets… blah, blah, blah. Am I right?

You’re nodding, aren’t you?

Now, on to the Challenge. Maisie and I are a study in contrasts, that is a given. Yes, we are cats, yes, we are sisters, and yes, we both love Perry’s Point. But our personalities differ greatly. I don’t like bananas, Maisie loves them. I stand on my hind legs to please my daddy master, Maisie wouldn’t dream of it. I love licking Maisie and cuddling with her, she merely tolerates me. If we were human, you would probably surmise that I’m an extrovert and Maisie is an introvert, and you would be correct.

But this is a “Photo Challenge”. I haven’t figured out how to use a camera – yet – so Jennifer took the following shots (and the shot above) and tweaked them a bit using lots of contrast in her photo editor to achieve these results.

august 067 — **This one shows my dreamy, romantic side.**

Jennifer says she's going to paint this one someday. (rolls eyes) Since I'm her muse. Whatever! — **Jennifer says she’s going to paint this one someday, since I’m her *MUSE*, she tells me. (rolls eyes) Whatever!**

august 027 — **I was on the Hunt here, too preoccupied to pose prettily. “Here, Mickey…here, Tweety…wait! I think I see a flutterby!”**

Maisie playing with the camera strap. Get a load of those talons. Yeesh, overdue for a mani-pedi? — **Maisie playing with the camera strap. Get a load of those talons, will ya? Yeesh, someone overdue for a MANI-PEDI?**

Ooh, even I have to admit this one was quite a capture. Sis looks like she sees something lipsmackingly delish. Did someone open a BANANA? — **Ooh, even I have to admit this one was quite a capture. Sis looks like she sees something lipsmackingly delish. Did someone peel a BANANA?**

My staff caught me unawares in this one...zzzzzzzzzzzz — **Jennifer caught me unawares in this one….zzzzzz….but she let sleeping cats lie.**

Jennifer says she thinks she’s onto something with the heavy contrast. She says the greater definition may help her draw or paint images from photos done this way. I’m iffy about it, but what do you think?

That’s it for me today. Vivian here signing off, but I leave you with my favourite quote:

“Of all God’s creatures there is only one that
cannot be made the slave of the lash,
that one is the cat. If man could be crossed
with the cat, it would improve man, but it
would deteriorate the cat.”

~ Mark Twain

My First “Friday Bouquet”

Published on June 27, 2014February 12, 2020 by J. Kelland Perry

Isn’t she beautiful?

This is a drawing of my cat, Vivian. My blogger friend, Kath Unsworth, of Minuscule Moments, put my name in for a chance to win a pet portrait last month, and I won! She drew Vivian with soft colour pencils and mailed it to me all the way from the Land Down Under.

Kath writes and illustrates children’s picture books. She lives on a dairy farm in Australia with her husband and family. I find her artwork dreamy and magical, perfect qualities for a child’s eyes, or anyone’s, for that matter.

Check out these other selections from her blog.

This marks the beginning of a new category on my blog I call Friday Bouquet. I am excited and look forward to this new adventure. Most Fridays, I will toss a bouquet to deserving bloggers who have caught my attention doing something worthwhile and positive in the blogosphere, and in their lives.

This is not a new idea, as I follow a blogger or two who pay it forward like this (you know who you are 😉 ), and just as they do, I am disabling comments here, in hopes you will visit the blog I spotlight and comment there. Simply click on the link below for a visit and tell her I sent you. Thank you again, Kath! xo

The Artist in Me by Minuscule Moments

A Lesson in Compassion

Published on June 21, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.

This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?

I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.

I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller

Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein

It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?

Is There Room* in Your Book for Me?

Published on June 9, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry34 Comments

I thought it funny the book is called “Our Mutual Friend”!

Is your pet as clingy as ours? Please share your story!

*Weekly Photo Challenge: Room No. 2

Vivian’s Room

Published on June 7, 2014June 8, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry23 Comments

When the fog rolled in over our lounging chairs this afternoon (with us still in them), we counted ourselves lucky we at least had enjoyed an hour of hot, precious sunshine.

You may see some of the fog in the pic below.
We put our chairs back in the shed and went inside. But Vivian had other ideas.
She stayed behind in her outdoor room…

…demanding that we come back…

…looking more and more pitiful.

She gave up eventually, I think.

Daily Post Photo Challenge: Room

Spring!

Published on May 2, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry9 Comments

Greetings, humans! Maisie here, covering for Jennifer this week while she is away. My sister Vivian was eager to take over again, but Shy Little Me thought I would venture a few steps out of my comfort zone and host the blog for a change.

My sister and I had grown oh-so-bored with staying inside.

After the long, cold and snowy winter we endured in Canada this year, we are welcoming any signs of Spring with gratitude and huge sighs, or in our case,
purrs of relief.

When Vivian and I lived in the city four years ago, we had to content ourselves with the sighting of a robin or two in our backyard to let us know Spring had finally arrived.

Where we live now, there are many, many more signs to watch for and welcome. Not only fat robins with their red breasts, but birds of all kinds grace us with their presence, usually in pairs as they get ready for mating season. And we eagerly await the arrival of the gannets in May, and arctic terns in June. There is something deeply comforting in seeing wildlife return, especially when you spy them huddled in twos, preening or foraging for food together here on Perry’s Point. The seagulls are here as always, dropping and breaking crabs and sea urchins open on the rocks. But now they are joined by a few saddleback gulls. Vivian even spotted a saucy mink the other day!

During the last few days, my sister and I have enthusiastically returned to the great outdoors.
So much to see, to smell, to hear and to taste.

Vivian and I will stay outside almost all day when the summer gets here…

…just like last summer, and the summer before.

Life is good. 🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring!
What does Spring mean to you?

A Spanish Purr Sounds Just as Sweet

Published on April 17, 2014August 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry33 Comments

“Whaaa? Is Jennifer blogging about cats, again?”

Look, I will be the first to admit it. I love all animals, but my adoration for creatures of the feline variety is mega-size and always has been. So if you think I’m a hopeless ailurophile – for those who don’t know, that’s the fancy word for cat lover – I will readily own up to it. This blog has my name on it which means there has to be a cat post now and then.

I think often about kitties of all stripes (pun intended), particularly my own. On the days leading up to our trip to Cuba earlier this month, and actually, any time we travel, I begin worrying in earnest. What do our cats think when we disappear like that, for days on end? Do they open their eyes from each nap expecting to see us, and roam from window to window, wondering what the devil has become of us? Do they fill with anxiety, for fear we shall never return?

We're so blue without you. — We’re so blue without you.

When I voice these concerns to my husband, he gives me a patronizing smile and reassures me once again that they don’t think that way, especially as we make sure before we go that all their needs are met and we have someone checking on them. And of course they have each other. But how can he know that for certain, that they aren’t pining for us? I know he loves cats too, but does he think he can read their minds?

Wherever we go, Cuba included, little cats seem drawn to him. I’ll give him that. Like this little tomcat.

The Cat Whisperer (sounds much better than p#ssy magnet ;) ) — **The Cat Whisperer**

This gorgeous boy belongs to the restaurant's next door neighbour. — This gorgeous tabby belongs to the restaurant’s next door neighbour.

Staring at my husband in quiet awe — He stares at my husband in quiet awe.

Pose pretty for the camera, sweet boy. x

So even though I remain unapologetic and consider myself as devoted to cats as he is, and I worry more about the ones we leave behind, I wonder why they always give him the lion’s share of attention. Even the Spanish ones.

What do you think? Say anything, but please don’t call me a crazy cat lady!

Further Reading: 8 Purrfect Destinations For Any Cat Lover

Meowy Christmas :)

Published on December 24, 2013March 26, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry11 Comments

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Vivian K. Perry here, filling in for Jennifer today because she is in town celebrating the holidays in the bosom of her family.

Maisie and I are hanging out at home with our early Christmas presents, two new cat beds! We are thrilled with how cozy they are, and Jennifer was thrilled because they were only ten bucks a pop from Sears catalogue.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, please have a look at Maisie’s Christmas photo shoot below.

Happy holidays!

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.

♥