Post-Parker Journal + Kaffre talks Candy #52

Greetings once again loyal journal-readers and welcome to my July Journal!

First, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words in the wake of Parker's passing last month. I am gradually coming to terms with her loss, but still miss her dearly and frequently forget that she's gone. In happier news, I got to see plenty of wild animals this month including bunnies, turkeys, chipmunks, vultures, osprey, and deer as well as the usual snakes and frogs which was a nice, if temporary, distraction from losing my kitty friend.

July was actually a pretty quiet month in which nothing really happened. I did attend my sister's birthday (actually June 28) and a family get together on Canada Day (July 1), but neither was really that different from any other day and correspondingly I don't really have much to say about either event. I mean, we had fun with family and enjoyed nice meals on both occasions, but beyond that they went by without incident.

I don't normally like to advertise products here, but as this product is probably of interest to at least some of my watchers, I would like to draw attention to Atlas Games' current kickstarter for Magical Kitties Save the Day. Obviously all sorts of unexpected calamities could occur, but I've worked with Atlas before and can vouch that they are experienced industry professionals who have delivered previous KS projects without incident so if you're interested in the project. Here's a link to the project for any of you who might be interested: https://www.kickstarter.com/project.....s-save-the-day

As with last month, I struggled to come up with a Topic of Discussion. I briefly considered revisiting 'Pets' as an homage of sorts to Parker, but it feels as though I've already said everything I have to say on the topic and would just be retreading old territory. Therefore, that feature of my journals will be suspended until such a time as I can come up with a suitable topic - I am accepting recommendations.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this journal. Sorry for more depressing kitty stuff rather than the fun journal I promised. With any luck, August will be more cheerful! *omnihugs*

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Kaffre talks Candy #52

Name: Fruit Punch Drink
Manufacturer: Grace
Size: 355mL bottle
Where Purchased: Food Basics
Description: Consists of a deep red carbonated beverage flavoured to taste like fruit punch.
Opinion: A variety of island soda I'd not sampled before. This beverage has a rich fruit punch flavour similar to Tahiti Treat, but not quite so sweet. It also seemed a tad more dry, but that could be due to how hot and thirsty I was at the time. Overall, I enjoyed this product a lot and would definitely consider buying it again.

Name: Hello Kitty Lil' Devil Cinnamon Hots
Manufacturer: Boston America Corp
Size: 28.3 gram tin
Where Purchased: Midori
Description: Consists of red spherical candies of non-uniform size. Comes in a metal tin shaped like the titular feline, but dressed up as a cartoon devil.
Opinion: This candy is extremely reminiscent of the popular 'cinnamon hearts' that are so ubiquitous around St. Valentine's Day. The only difference I could note were the shape and being slightly softer. Overall, I thought these candies were quite tasty, but naturally this will depend on how you feel about 'hot' candies such as these. I'm not sure I'd buy them again as cinnamon hearts and hot tomales are both cheaper and more readily available, but the tin is cute if nothing else.

Name: Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
Manufacturer: McKee Foods
Size: 378 gram box of twelve snack cakes
Where Purchased: Dollarama
Description: Consists of a thin sheet of chocolate sponge cake that had been coated in vanilla creme, rolled up into a cylinder and then enrobed in a thin layer of milk chocolate. The rolls are then bundled together into six packs of two.
Opinion: A product I've eaten many times, but never considered reviewing before. The cakes are very sweet and while cake seems cheap, the cream filling keeps it moist and soft. There isn't a lot in the way of chocolate flavour either, but it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the item. Overall, I've bought these before and will probably do so again from time to time, but they also likely won't become a regular purchase either.

Name: Ramune, Grape
Manufacturer: Japan Sangaraia Beverage Company
Size: 200mL bottle
Where Purchased: Midori
Description: Consists of a clear carbonated beverage sold in an unusual Codd-neck bottle.
Opinion: A Japanese import I decided to sample on a whim. As with the lemon and orange varieties, this product seemed more intensely carbonated than our North American softdrinks and has a less distinct, but nonetheless very pleasant flavour albeit with a slight aftertaste I can't quite place. Overall, there are other flavours I prefer, but this was an enjoyable product and would consider purchasing it again.

Name: Taveners Liquorice Drops
Manufacturer: Tangerine Confectionery
Size: 200 gram can
Where Purchased: British Isles Shoppe
Description: Consists of greenish-grey pieces of hard candy with a shape that can best of described as square, but with rounded corners.
Opinion: A British product I hadn't purchased until now. The candies have a rich licorice flavour with a nice balance of bitter, salty, and metallic, and they retain their flavour very well making them an ideal choice for long walks, car trips, etc. Overall, I enjoyed this candy and will definitely consider purchasing it again though it is a bit hard to find/expensive in North America.