Open Book's Five Things Literary series

Five Things Literary is a series that gives our readers a sense of literary life in the author's community. You can read what others have done here.

Jennifer Jilks
Living and dying with dignity : A daughter's journey through long-term care /Jilks, Jennifer A. 2008. I live near Perth, Ontario. Cottage Country in south eastern Ontario.

Heritage Perth

Perth, in Lanark County, has a strong number of volunteers who assist others in the community. As a hospice volunteer, I have found many who give back a little of what they have been given.

1. Perth, established in 1816, is a delightful town. Just out of town, I go to the forest for inspiration for my blogs; where the birds, the bears and the bees, provide much for my photography and writing.

2. We live in a community which embraces authors, artisans, actors, artists, agriculture and those who enjoy rural life. We have many festivals to celebrate both author, agriculture and artisan.

• Perth Garlic Festival 
• Stewart Park Music Festival 
• Festival of the Maples
• Perth Studio Tour
• Perth Fair
• Classic Theatre Festival

3. The local library has many great programs, including children's programs to encourage readers. They are most supportive of all ages, and allowed me to host a 'How to Get Published' workshop!

4. I've been working on a list of Ottawa Valley authors. Living in the Ottawa Valley, we have a strong community, with many close ties. Only an hour from Ottawa, many have cottages here, where shallow lakes host much wildlife. I call it Cottage Country Southeastern Ontario!

Local bookstores have been good to local authors.

James Bartleman at a book signing in Perth.
He and I traded books! A great way to read other writers

For example:
James Bartleman

• Raisin Wine: A Boyhood in a Different Muskoka
/ 2007
• Out of Muskoka / 2006
• Rollercoaster : my hectic years as Jean Chrétien's diplomatic advisor, 1994-1998 / 2005

5. We have many strong women in Perth. Kay Devlin, 95, a resident of PCCC, is one of the wisest women in this community. Retired nurse, farmer, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, she has the wisdom and strength that life experience has 
One Day On Earth 11.11.11 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.granted to those who embrace it.
About being in long-term care,
"You have to realize it's not the end of your life; it's a part of it."
She was getting extra home support, but caring for her husband began to be too much. They had Meals on Wheels for awhile, but the demands of caring for loved ones with dementia, as we all know, can be overwhelming.
She is quick to let you know that her poetry is inspired by her current life situation, but she doesn't let that limit her mind. Her body has been limited in many ways, with aging.
She recognizes her health issues, and her vision challenges, but doesn't let that stop her.
She learned to paint at age 75. She writes and recites fabulous poems.