Paris – Jennifer's Journal

Sunday Snaps: Feeding the Birds, Parisian Style

Published on February 6, 2022 by J. Kelland Perry30 Comments

Happy Sunday, all!

This afternoon has me wistfully looking back on our European trip, yet again. For this post in particular, I’m reminiscing about Paris and our visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral.

As enthralling as it was to take a tour inside this extraordinary example of French Gothic architecture, I was equally enamored with the feathery congregation outside!

In April of 2019, a massive fire tore through the roof of the Notre Dame, but a restoration by artisans is in the works. I have a feeling these birds have missed the tourists and will be happy when this historic cathedral reopens in 2024.

By the way, did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month in the U.S.?

“Birds are the most popular group in the animal kingdom. We feed them and tame them and think we know them. And yet they inhabit a world which is really rather mysterious.” ~ David Attenborough

Photo Challenge: Sunday Stills — Are You a #Bird Feeder?

My photos originally shared here: Scenes From France – Part 3: More Paris!

Black and White Photos: Buildings

Published on May 13, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry56 Comments

I never get tired of looking at pictures from our trip to Europe. Here are some favourites I revisited for Cee’s Photo Challenge today.

First, a few from Tuscany, Italy.

And on to Paris, France:

And finally, one from Cannes:

Copyright Jennifer Kelland Perry, May 13, 2021
Posted as part of Cee’s Black & White Challenge

Hieroglyphs

Published on February 25, 2018March 7, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry17 Comments

Part of the Ancient Egypt Exhibit at the Louvre

Sunday Snap: Heiroglyphs

I know you’re a smart guy, Paul, but you can’t read that. Stop pretending. 😉

Photo first published here: Scenes From France – Part Two: Paris

Entranced

Published on February 9, 2018February 9, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry15 Comments

Sharing a post today from three years ago. It’s a travel-themed favourite. 🙂

Jennifer's Journal

Have you ever been impressed by the beauty of a door? The world is filled with doorways* and entrances, but here are several that left me either pleased by their quaintness, awed by their workmanship, or entranced by their immensity and grandeur. All before ever setting one foot inside.

For starters, a charming little one from the Barbour Heritage Village in my town:

This entrance in Bonavista with its crisp contrasting colours and symmetry:

In Montreal, the beauty and craftsmanship of this splendid doorway:

…and how about the opulence of this entrance in Cannes? No, we didn’t stay there… 😉

We stayed here, our inviting little home away from home:

The view through our balcony doors was also appealing, beckoning us outside.

Hard to top the view of Lake Maggiore from our patio doors in Stresa:

Here’s a closer look of the northern Italian lake:

In Paris, the entrance…

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Sunday Snap: Nude Sculpture

Published on October 1, 2017March 7, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry12 Comments

Sleeping Hermaphroditus – Musée du Louvre, Paris

External Link: Louvre

Behind the Door

Published on February 6, 2015February 7, 2015 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

The knock came softly yesterday. Unexpected,
perhaps too late. Today she watches the bolted door
from inside, and waits. With trembling fingers,
she summons the strength to turn the key,

To swing wide the barricades, to open her heart
and her trust yet again. She weighs the risks,
of losing another piece of who she used to be,
or gaining some back. She holds her breath.

There is no anger, no bitterness, her thoughts
tempered by the warmth of a childhood memory.
Alas, today, a second look and a second knock
confirms what she had already known.

The sad knowledge that she wishes him well
without her seeps through the cracks. Wistful,
she peeps through the hole at a sacred promise
broken, and she stares in the face of guilt.

Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.
– Johnny Cash

Don’t let people disrespect you. My mom says don’t open the door to the devil. Surround yourself with positive people.
– Cuba Gooding, Jr.

A man will be imprisoned in a room with a door that’s unlocked and opens inwards; as long as it does not occur to him to pull rather than push.
– Ludwig Wittgenstein

*photo: Paris

Entranced

Published on February 2, 2015February 2, 2015 by J. Kelland Perry55 Comments

For starters, a charming little one from the Barbour Heritage Village in my town:

This entrance in Bonavista with its crisp contrasting colours and symmetry:

In Montreal, the beauty and craftsmanship of this splendid doorway:

…and how about the opulence of this entrance in Cannes? No, we didn’t stay there… 😉

We stayed here, our inviting little home away from home:

The view through our balcony doors was also appealing, beckoning us outside.

Hard to top the view of Lake Maggiore from our patio doors in Stresa:

Here’s a closer look of the northern Italian lake:

In Paris, the entrance to the Notre Dame Cathedral is imposing…

…and so elaborately adorned.

How about this golden carved door in Florence?
Gotta love the Renaissance.

I saved my personal favourite, also in Florence, for last.

*Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Doorways @ wheresmybackpack.com

Photo Challenge: Inviting Nighttime

Published on October 1, 2014October 1, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry32 Comments

During our trip to Italy and France in 2011, I took hundreds of photos, the majority of which were daytime shots. Here are some favourite captures from two of France’s cities in late evening and night.

I still find them as inviting as ever.

Cannes