Tag: life

Guest Post: Vivian’s View From Here – Part II

Published on by J. Kelland Perry30 Comments

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 I’m baaack!

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Maisie, the shy one

Hello there, Peeps. Vivian K. Perry here, Jennifer’s (dare I say) favourite cat.  Just don’t tell my sister Maisie, capiche?

Jennifer asked me back to host her blog today, because she is a little bogged down writing an especially exciting chapter of her new novel.

Whatever! I was happy to oblige, nonetheless. This is my second time guest blogging on Jennifer’s Journal. If you’re interested, and I’m sure you are because I’m so cute, you can see my first post from last summer here.

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Maisie and I do agree on one thing: we are getting bored with the cold weather. We miss the summer days of hunting little creatures, and basking in the sun. It is warming up a bit, but it’s still darn chilly on the paws most days.

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So we while away the hours with our indoor activities.

Tucked away in the linen closet
Tucked away in the linen closet
Still looking pretty spiffy there, Alex
Still looking pretty spiffy there, Alex
Nice! A little something for my wish list.
Nice! But do they come with kitties on them?
Lying on legs, one of our best loved pastimes
Lying on humans, one of our best-loved pastimes

Sometimes, we get on each other’s nerves, as sisters often do. I was thinking Maisie looked entirely too comfortable having our little house all to herself, so I had to act.

Minding her own business
Minding her own business
Want some company?
Want some company?
Getting too crowded for someone!
Getting too crowded for someone!
There. That's better.
There. That’s better.

Of course, at other times Maisie and I are closer-than-this:

Maisie lets me cuddle her when she's cold
Maisie lets me cuddle her when she’s cold

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But what is my Number One Favourite Activity?

Dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream

That’s right,
Dreaming of Summer

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Thank you for visiting Vivian’s View from Here! We hope you enjoyed it. 🙂

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Would you like to see more of Maisie and Vivian? Check out these links:

Cats on Ice: Exploring Spring Thaw in Iceberg Alley

Vivian’s View from Here – Part I

Foliage (and Other Living Things)

Why Super Bowl Sunday is So Special this Year

Published on by J. Kelland Perry6 Comments

Unless a major catastrophe strikes our world between now and February third, I can pretty much guarantee where my husband will be this coming Sunday. That’s right, he’ll be cheering for the San Francisco 49ers as they compete against the Baltimore Ravens in the Forty-Seventh Super Bowl football game, and I will be cheering alongside him.

But what makes this particular game so significant for us?  Well, there are a few reasons. For me, the game itself  is – dare I say it – secondary. Not being a huge sports fan of any stripe, I’ll be taking part to enjoy the following:

1.  The Half-time Show with Beyoncé. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing this lovely lady perform, and I don’t even care if she lip-syncs.

2. The delicious and obligatory Super Bowl snacks. Can’t wait to dig into the colossal batch of Super Nachos I am planning to prepare, and the Super Spicy Chicken Wings that, of course, must accompany them. My mouth is watering already, just writing about it.

nachos

wings hot

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3. And we must not forget the ice-cold beer to wash it all down!

4. Sooky baby Tom Brady will be nowhere to be seen. Even though I’ll be rooting for the 49ers, I’d love to give the Ravens a pat on the back for eliminating Mr. Ego and his ilk from the Championship.

5. But the fifth and the biggest reason the game is so special this year? It is an Anniversary of sorts for my husband and me. You see, 1994 was the year we met and started dating. And I soon found out what an avid, longtime fan of football my new man was, when the season started that year. Being stuck-like-glue-to-each-other-in-love, I was quickly initiated, and even dragged into a big-screen pub two weeks before the Super Bowl to witness San Francisco eliminate the Dallas Cowboys.

And wouldn’t you know it, in that first magical year for us, his beloved 49ers won the Super Bowl (January 1995). This is the first time, in the eighteen years since, that San Francisco is getting another shot at the Championship. Can they do it again?

Honestly, it doesn’t make a heck of a lot of difference to me, personally.

But it would be kind of special to see a victory dance, and that victory smile again, on the face of the man I love.

football49er

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A Welcome Weekend

Published on by J. Kelland Perry6 Comments

This Friday, my husband and I are going to town to spend a few days caring for our two little grandchildren. Allowing L and J’s hardworking parents to go off on a private weekend and enjoy some time by themselves has become a little tradition for us, a tradition we happily and gratefully accept.

We look forward to taking them on a couple of outings, one of which will be to buy a Christmas present for a needy child and putting it under the Happy Tree at the mall. Some visits with family, a Santa Claus Parade, and the obligatory games and bedtime stories will ensure lots of fun-filled moments for the children and grandparents alike.

This weekend couldn’t come at a better time for me. Spending time with my sweet little ones is just the diversion I need right now, a breath of fresh air that will help me regroup, regain focus, and get back to my normal life. There’s this novel I started writing last month that I had no other choice but to put aside due to my recent loss, but it is back on the agenda this week, I am pleased to say.

Here are just a few photos I selected from fun times we had with L and J, over the past year.

Four more sleeps, kids! Your Nanny and Poppy can’t wait. 🙂

“Life Means All That It Ever Meant”

Published on by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments
 The past few years have taken our mother on a difficult journey, and our family right along with her.
Mercifully, she finally succumbed to her illness last week, and

we were able to say our goodbyes as she entered into her eternal rest.

I found this poem that speaks of my sweet mother’s lifelong attitude of pragmatism and hope. Somehow it gives me strength and reassurance, reminding me how lucky I was to have known and loved this woman who was my mother.

 All Is Well
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other,
That we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference in your tone,

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

 Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,

Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.

 Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was,
There is absolute, unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you,
for an interval.
Somewhere very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

 Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918

Guest Post: Vivian’s View From Here

Published on by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

I am happy to introduce a guest blogger on Jennifer’s Journal this week.  Please welcome Vivian K. Perry, a very dear friend of mine who also happens to be, um, feline.


Vivian K. Perry

Greetings, humans!  I am thrilled to be given this opportunity today on WordPress to share some photos, and a few things about myself.

To be honest,  I think Jennifer is allowing me to host today to make up for shrieking at me last week, when I brought a mouse in the house.  It was a gift, after all, so instead of screaming bloody (mousey) murder, shouldn’t she have been grateful to receive a trophy of my hunting prowess?  Especially since I brought it home to her, and dropped it in the hallway – STILL ALIVE?  You try to do something nice, but you are only misunderstood…

Actually, I enjoy a lovely life here with Jennifer, her husband, and my sister and womb-mate, Maisie.

Up until two summers ago, we all lived in the city.  It was okay, but my sister and I were not allowed outside by ourselves because of all the traffic in our neighbourhood, and the danger to us that it entailed.  So when we moved to the country, imagine our delight to be free to explore the great outdoors!

We can now come and go as we please, chase birds, butterflies and rodents, and savour the lifestyle we had only dreamed about in our former life.

Just last month, Maisie and I celebrated our fifth birthday.  Here is what we looked like when we were adopted from the SPCA:

Gosh, I was cute..

Even though we are sisters, Maisie and I are different in many ways.  (Some people don’t know that kittens from the same litter can have different fathers;  did you?  I think that is what happened with us.)  Maisie is smaller, and very much on the quiet side…

…while I am larger, quite vocal and in-your-face.

I am truly a Social Animal who adores human relationships and have been known to be exceedingly dog-like.  I’ll follow you, talk to you, keep you company, sleep with you, and never, ever let you get lonely.

Working with Paul
Going swimming?
I’ll watch!

In fact, the other day, I went next door to visit our neighbour Ben.  I simply walked in, meowed at everyone, ventured upstairs, and enjoyed a nap on his bed.  No invitation necessary!

Many people think that a cat is a cat is a cat.  But I’m here today to dispel that assumption.  I am not aloof.  I don’t scratch, bite or hiss at people.  I can be very friendly with just about anyone.

And even though I do catch mice, and perhaps meow a little too loudly, I am as loyal and loving as any dog.

Just ask Jennifer.

* This blog post was since selected for publication in BBooks – Blog Books, an online magazine! 

The Youngest Man In My Life

Published on by J. Kelland Perry10 Comments


Meet the little fellow who happens to own a giant chunk of my heart.  At just four years of age, “J” is the youngest person in my family, and in my life.

In many ways, my grandson J is your typical little boy. He likes to do the things his dad does, which includes everything from working on the car..

…to collecting Star Wars figurines!  And like most little boys, J loves to get up close and personal with wiggly, wriggly things.

Usually our little man doesn’t mind getting his picture taken…


..but not always. 🙂

When I go to visit my little grandson, at first he is usually very shy, and his first instinct is to hide behind his mother’s legs. Then out of the blue, he suddenly runs toward me, barreling into my waist with the sweetest, strongest hug! What makes a four-year-old boy do that?

He makes me think that I must be a pretty good grandma, and that he knows I adore him. But I bet he hasn’t any idea just how much. ♥

Off to the City!

Published on by J. Kelland Perry2 Comments

Now that the long-awaited summer has arrived in earnest in Newfoundland, your typical mortal starts thinking of getting out into the country.  She may be planning a vacation in one of our lovely outports, or getting away from it all in a secluded cabin, or camping out and about in an RV or tent.

But where does a transplanted country mouse like me plan a summer getaway?  Why, back to the capital city, of course.  This Saturday, my husband and I are packing up our kitties, leaving his little hometown, and driving to my much larger hometown of St. John’s for a couple of weeks.

This change of pace also accommodates my mother-in-law and her son, who are switching houses with us for this period.  I’ve been preparing my home for their stay, so that when they arrive everything will be ready for them, including some freshly baked bread and a pot of homemade soup.  We hope they enjoy their holiday as well, in what we like to call our little corner of heaven on earth.

As for me, I know the time will fly by all too quickly.  Between spending time with my mom in her nursing home, playing with our grandchildren, and visiting other family, that will barely leave time for much else.  Somehow I must fit in some shopping, some outdoor fun, a dentist appointment, dining out, and partying too (husband’s birthday is fast approaching).  George Street, maybe?  We even have an out-of-town side trip planned to the Placentia Regatta celebrations with my siblings and their mates.  Good times are in store, for sure.

Despite my temporary city mouse schedule, I will still do my best to post to my blog while I’m away.  Have laptop, will travel!
What special plans have you made to shake things up for the summer?

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Hard-workin’ Man

Published on by J. Kelland PerryLeave a comment

My husband, who works at home, usually tries to take the weekend off to get some much-deserved rest to recharge his batteries.  So Saturday morning he put his drafting and design work aside, and got outdoors.

First, he cleaned out the shed, put aside some renovation debris, and straightened up some of the things we have stored out there. Then, using the wheelbarrow, he moved said debris out on the point near the water’s edge, requiring several trips, and built a huge bonfire.

After the fire died down, my sweetie then built a little step-ramp to the shed door for wheeling out the barbecue and lawnmower.  When that was finished, he tuned up the lawnmower and proceeded to cut the grass on our property.  All of this relaxation had worked up his appetite, so he came inside and made himself a sandwich.  But hey, that grass wasn’t done yet, so out he went again to finish up.

When the lawn was done, my husband took out our zero gravity chairs and set them up on the deck.  Then he wheeled out the barbecue and put that on the deck.  Because it hadn’t been used since last fall, he had to clean off the grill.  Perfect!  We would have our burgers barbecued tonight, I thought, my mouth watering.  So my honey made our delicious dinner.

And that was Saturday.

This morning, my husband made his specialty scrambled eggs for the two of us, the ideal fuel for his second day of leisure.  Time to get to it!  First, he took out the recyclables, fed and watered the cats, and changed the kitty litter.  Then he went upstairs and put up some wood trim around our shower.

Well, that was all he needed to do around the house, for now.  So he went back to his office this afternoon, not to do drafting, but to put some time in on his favorite hobby, his pen and ink art.
It’s always nice to see my husband enjoying a weekend off.   ♥