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Row upon Row

ellenparkerwrites

The markers are set in precise rows. Even spaces. No matter the number of dollars in the bank at the time of death, each headstone is equal.

Veterans from all of the United States’ wars are honored in this place. Each year the number grows — beyond the 237,000 recorded five years past.

I ask you to pause for few moments this holiday weekend. Ponder the sacrifice represented by each marker. All gave of their time and talent. Some developed skills buried within layers of civilian life. Some died doing their duty to country.

Memorial Day — more than trip to the lake or a picnic in the park.

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Lift your Gaze

ellenparkerwrites

To the hills. Several of the Biblical psalms begin by urging the reader to lift their gaze to the hills, for help is on the way.

Since my small hometown was in a narrow valley, it was easy to look at the hills. Standing in certain places, it was actually difficult to avoid.

Lifting your gaze is good advice. After all, a person can only learn a limited amount by watching their feet all the time. Or perhaps you tend to look straight ahead. When having a conversation, a person can pick up more than words by looking at the other person, or people.

In summer (photo taken in July) these Midwestern hills show off shades of green. In autumn they put on a show with a mixture of maple, oak, and poplar adding color.

Farms and homes populate the hills around this village. In the clean & wholesome romance, Seed of Desire, the couple meet at the county fair in a nearby town. Sharing an affection for dogs leads to much more. Check out details at the link: https://amzn.to/2RDFgxH

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Muffler?

ellenparkerwrites

Putt, putt. Chug, chug. Throb, throb.

The others hear me approach. Can I do the work? Stay in the field for hours? Yes, yes. I’m a hard worker — dedicated. All I need is fuel and a little basic care.

If the engine is a tractor’s heart, mine is equal to many. I just make a little more noise as I work.

Forget the almost hum of the four-cylinder vehicles. I do well on two — thank you very much. Actually, I’m retired now, like many of my companions from the 1950’s. A few humans give us extra care and show off our skills in parades. But our days of raking hay, pulling wagons, and spreading manure and behind our drawbar.

Have you attended any old-time farm shows? Antique equipment displays? Remember, this (and similar) were the first motorized vehicles driven by many farm children — long before they were eligible for a driver’s license.

City girl Mona Smith gets her first driving lesson on a similar tractor in the small-town romance, Hiding Places. Another way of life, full of apple trees, observant people, and a quirky will presents challenges. Check out the book at the link. https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ Makes a quick weekend read.

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Focal Point

ellenparkerwrites

Many neighborhoods and communities in the United States have one particular place of importance. It may be a park, a museum, a natural feature, or a building.

Where I grew up, the focal point of the community was a spring fed pond. During my lifetime, changes have been made around the edges. One building was torn down. Curbing was installed. An aerator was added. A veterans monument was build. And trout — stocked for a child’s fishing contest during a celebration — then fishing prohibited aside from a few hours per year (some recurring celebration) has allowed these trout to grow and multiply.

At various times the grounds surrounding the pond have been used for outdoor movies, ice cream socials, and band concerts. A picnic table under a small shelter welcomes guests.

Fish are visible as shadows if the photo is enlarged.

Does your hometown have a focal point — a gathering spot — that “must see” place for returning travelers?

The fictional village of Crystal Springs manages to induce a few new residents over the course of three wholesome romance novels. Check out Starr Tree Farm as an introduction to the location. Prepare a warm drink — the story takes place during a Wisconsin January. Here’s a link: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Warning Sounds

ellenparkerwrites

May in the American Midwest means many different things.

In among the various Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and graduation celebrations are other, less noticed dates. Various crops or flowers are planted, or in the more Southern portions, gathered for bouquets.

The month also brings storms. The year I was eleven, a tornado came through on a sunny Saturday and damaged much property. (No people were injured.) More recently — a tornado damaged portions of St. Louis. (Unfortunately, people did die.)

So during May, keep your ears tuned. Unlike when I was eleven, many communities in the Midwest now have warning systems — often sirens — in addition to alerts sent to your phone.

Fog Horns

Audio warnings are not new. These fog horns at Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota were activated at the times the light may not have been visible. “Stay off the rocks. You’re getting too close to shore.”

Dogs provide a different sort of warning system in the fictional village of Crystal Springs. Visitors to Big Cat Farm are announced by one or more German shepherds in the wholesome romance, SEED OF DESIRE. The animals also demonstrate a good indicator of the visitor’s character. Check out the book at the link: https://amzn.to/2RDFgxH

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Going Home?

ellenparkerwrites

Two words. Rather simple. Both are words in an early reader’s vocabulary.

But they are far from simple.

How do you say them? With joy? Dread? Where’s home? Is is the place you currently live? A home you grew up in? A place? Or a group of people?

Often, when I meet a new person, they will ask where I’m from. Do they want to know where I live now? Or where I grew up? Are they the same?

When I first became serious with my writing, I remembered the advice to “write what you know.” This turned into digging into memories of my childhood and combining them with more current aspects gained from visits “home.”

If you enjoy small-town stories — perhaps because you have good memories from one or more — you may enjoy this trio of sweet romance. Visit Crystal Springs, Wisconsin (you won’t find it on a map) and discover hard-working people in a variety of occupations.

Here’s a link to the first one published: Starr Tree Farm. https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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All Together

ellenparkerwrites

Does your family do reunions? Are plans made for everyone, local and from a distance, to gather in the same place at the same time? Perhaps a picnic in a park with a reserved shelter near a playground, or lake, or softball field.

Today I present a different sort of reunion, represented in the photo below.

Six titles published via The Wild Rose Press over a decade. Looks like I missed the goal of one each year. On the other side of that statement — I believe each book contains an interesting story. St. Louis romance with a drop of suspense? Check out Stare Down at the following link. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

Are you looking for seasoned, or mature, characters? Check out the trio of Morning Tryst, Comfort Zone, and Fine Lines.

Or perhaps you’ve been hankering for an American historical. How does an Illinois river town in the 1850’s sound to you? This was a time of great change due to immigration, arrival of the railroads, and tension centered on slavery. I suggest either New Dreams or Stitching a Dream. Here’s the link to the first: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

If you live in or near St. Louis, look for me and this selection of titles at selected craft shows — exact shows will be highlighted on my FaceBook page close to the event. All titles are available 24/7 at your favorite on-line retailer.

ENJOY!!!

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The Observer

ellenparkerwrites

I’m being watched. I’m certain of it.

Pardon me while I check out my surroundings.

Oh — there he is. No problem for me. Wonder if he’s eaten today. I’m surprised he’s sitting on such a slender perch.

Below, in the tall grass at the foot of the bushes, imagine a mouse glancing upward.

Ooops! Poor time to venture out to collect seeds. If I wait here will he move to a different perch? Or sight one of the chipmunks new to the neighborhood. Not that I wish ill on my neighbors — but I could use a distraction if I’m to snatch those seeds and get them to my burrow.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hawk surveys his portion of this county park. Hunting is good near the hiking trail. Humans are a rather noisy creature, chatting to each other as they walk, or mumbling low as if thinking aloud. Some have objects in their ears which leak sound. Fine with me — prompts the smaller creatures to move.

Parks, especially those maintained by the local county, feature in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Business — when trouble arrives. Pleasure — during a charity run. Either way parks make a fine micro-setting in a novel. Check out this story at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Ready to Load

ellenparkerwrites

The list is almost complete. Aside from a few items which must wait until loading time — extra water & lunch — all is ready for the craft show.

Books — always a guess as to how many of each title to pack. Tablecloth, sunbonnet, and price list — a time saver to remember where the tablecloth is packed since it will be the foundation for the display. Swag — business cards, sticky notepads, and bookmarks. Book stands — help the display look professional. Collapsible wagon — a real step saver.

Is that all? Is it enough? Will it be pleasant weather for loading & unloading? Or will it rain? Will volunteers be available to assist?

Duffels and bags with zippers assist in keeping raindrops (or snowflakes) away from books and supplies. I’ll add lunch bag and purse at the last minute. The stash by the front door usually (no plan is 100%) enables me to pack ALL the necessities for the day.

New book for craft shows going forward — Fine Lines. This contemporary romance features later-in-life characters. Set in St. Louis, you’ll be introduced to a few events and locations of interest. (Locals will find them under new names.)

Follow the link to read the entire blurb and/or order the Kindle edition. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Lady Justice’s Workplace

ellenparkerwrites

Welcome to the courtroom. Observers need to take a seat in the rear portion of the room. Silence or hushed tones to not distract from the business of the court.

The space below is restored to represent an active 1860 court. A current court maintains many of the same features.

The judge will sit at the high desk/bench. The court clerk will have a prominent place. Tables and chairs — usually a matching pair — serve prosecution and defense. A witness chair is often on one side of the judge. A dozen chairs for the jury (plus one or two for alternates) are close.

Have you ever served on a jury? Been a witness at a trial?

Courtrooms are familiar to the main characters in Fine Lines, a later-in-life romance. One is called as a witness on a semi-regular basis and the other defends her clients. Will they pursue a relationship without crossing the conflict-of-interest line? Check out the book at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF