Month: May 2024

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Glide into Summer

ellenparkerwrites

Another month is drawing to a close. In the United States, the summer season began a week ago with the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The zoo “pelican parade” bids farewell to May and welcome to June.

What on the horizon for your summer?

Will you enjoy some sunshine and quiet time in your back yard or local park? Take a vacation involving airplanes? Perhaps a road trip of a few days. Or are major home improvements calling your name?

No matter if you do any or all of the above — sneak a few hours to relax and enjoy the longer hours of daylight.

June includes the summer solstice, one of Serena Carter’s favorite days to capture a sunrise photo. Find her adventure in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. State parks hold surprises of all types. See more when you follow the link. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Serious Holiday

ellenparkerwrites

Yesterday was a holiday in the United States.

Many people celebrated the day with family gatherings, picnics, an afternoon at a lake, or other outdoor activities. (Weather permitting.) The media often calls that weekend the beginning of summer.

There is a serious side to this holiday. When I was growing up, our family (especially my father), looked at the day a little different than many do these days.

He was a combat veteran from WWII. He marched with the local American Legion post to decorate veterans graves and remember the friends he’d lost in combat.

Now, his grave is among those decorated with flag and poppies by the local Am. Legion post.

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery — the final resting place of many military veterans. Some died in the line of duty. Others survived their years of service. Many gave honor to others until their final day.

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O Brother!

ellenparkerwrites

According to the National Day Calendar, we should celebrate brothers on May 24.

Brothers can be famous. The Wright Brothers for example showed perseverance and skill in developing their flying machine.

The Sullivan Brothers of Waterloo, Iowa demonstrated loyalty to country and each other when they died together during World War II.

The Rockefeller Brothers – John D. III, Nelson, Laurance, Winthop, and David — used the family fortune to set up a foundation to further the arts.

And then we have all the non-famous brothers. You may know them as the rather annoying sibling. Yet that same person will often come through for you when times get tough.

Not famous. But a good day to salute the two brothers with whom I shared home, memories, and a few adult adventures.

Brothers feature in the two sweet romances set in fictional Crystal Springs. Check out Lincoln’s (Linc) story in Hiding Places. Jackson, the younger brother’s story is told in Seed of Desire. Here are the links for more information: https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ and https://amzn.to/2RDFgxH

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A Generous Resident

ellenparkerwrites

At times, urban residents can get a bad reputation. Society looks back with fondness to the rural roots of many families.

Yes, my rural roots run deep, but the “Good Old Days” are better in memory than in they were in real life.

A just because something lives in the city does not mean beauty and generosity are absent.

Urban apple tree — early May — beauty in bloom.

Same tree — early September — generosity.

The St. Louis urban area is the setting for the sweet romance, Comfort Zone. Meet Janet, an empty-nester, faced with a choice: take a chance with gusto? Or stay in her comfort zone? Check out the story here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Day Trip 2022

ellenparkerwrites

Sometimes a person needs a little get-away but the lack of vacation days or other obligations keep you from taking a week or more.

I suggest a day trip. Study the map and find a place within an easy drive with a park, historic site, or cultural (sports count) event you want to experience.

In the spring of 2022, I had the urge to “get out of town”. I think all the pandemic “waves” kept me close to home for longer than my nature enjoys.

So I packed my things, and headed for the extreme Northeastern corner of Missouri. I had four state parks and historic sites on my itinerary for the day. So I started early and grabbed a tiny breakfast an hour and a half from home.

The day was full. When I returned after dark, I gave thanks for the new tires on my car (purchased only a few weeks previous) and for the ability to see and enjoy new sites.

The places I went that day would have been subjects for Serena Carter’s camera during her fictional year photographing Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites. You can find her story in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. Just follow the link for more information. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Grandson of Necessity

ellenparkerwrites

You’ve probably heard the saying “Necessity is the mother of Invention.”

If you look around with both eyes and mind open, you can find examples. Problem crossing a river? Invent a better boat. Or figure out how to build a bridge.

Let’s follow a little longer. Who is Invention’s son?

Rusty leaving his final shift

Meet Rusty! He’s a hard-working man from the middle of Tennessee. Following tradition, he worked in a factory, making those inventions his mother created. For years, he and his siblings earned a living wage and raised families. Along the way he instilled the value of education and hard work in his children – Technology and Communication.

Living a year in a motorhome, Serena Carter increased her appreciation for the “Rustys” of the world. Factory assembly lines enabled her to live in campgrounds and photograph Missouri State Parks. Find her sweet romance story in Morning Tryst by following the link. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Premier Acoustics

ellenparkerwrites

At times, I suspect modern builders do not give as much attention to the acoustics of a public building as is due.

Don’t get me wrong. They are not ignoring the feature entirely. But, with the current reliance on microphones, speakers, and sound systems acoustics have slipped in priority.

Not so over 130 years ago. When Thomas Ryman hired the designers and builders for the Union Gospel Tabernacle, they paid close attention. After all, they wanted the speaker to be understood in the most distant seat.

Restored in 1989, and renamed Ryman Auditorium, this Nashville, TN landmark remains an active concert venue.

Plus, Captain Ryman’s statue provides a great place for tourist photos. My travel companion, a fan of Country Music, enjoyed every minute of our visit.

For thirty-one years, this auditorium, with its excellent acoustics, hosted the Grand Ole Opry — in person and live radio broadcast. History and music ooze from the benches, walls, and lobby exhibits.

Photographing gems of a variety of history were part of the job for Serena Carter the year she traveled Missouri State Parks. Check out her story in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. Follow the link to find the book blurb: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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River to the Right, River to the Left

ellenparkerwrites

For a distance of over forty miles, in western Tennessee and Kentucky, the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers run at a rough parallel to each other. Oh, they have twists and turns and probably spend as much time flowing east or west as north, toward the Ohio River. However, they gather their creeks and streams and take them eventually north.

Once upon a time, when I drove across first one, and then the other, of this pair, I envisioned a swampy, marshy land between them. (Perhaps the billboard encouraging duck hunting influenced me.)

Years later, when a friend urged me to take the route between them, I was proved wrong.

Feathered residents of “The Land Between the Lakes”

The area is full of hills, tiny valleys, and forest. The rivers are lakes here — thanks to dams built for both flood control and electricity production. Protected from development by the US Forest Service, wildlife is abundant and the traveler naturally slows to enjoy the beauty.

Every state has their own beautiful spots. In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, photographer Serena Carter visits all of Missouri’s State Parks. Would you believe she finds more than forest and wildlife? Follow the link for more book information. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Traveler’s Welcome

ellenparkerwrites

Road trips require several things — among the top few are rest stops. When driving the Interstate system, you’ll often find an expanded rest stop — more than basic restrooms, drinking fountain, and place to picnic and walk the dog — a short distance inside a state.

I look forward to these, not only for the items listed above, but for maps, tourist literature, and perhaps an interesting display or two related to the state.

If you enter Kentucky on I-24 from the north, you are in for a treat.

Welcome to Whitehaven, a restored 1860’s mansion.

Inside the traveler will find all of the usual, plus the opportunity for a guided house tour. (Not on Sunday and last tour at 4 PM.) The house features period furnishings and memorabilia of Alben Barkley. He was vice-president of the United States from 1949-1953. The day my friend and I visited, it also included a swarm of bees at the top of one of the front porch pillars. Yes, they stayed above us and we didn’t bother them.

Travel, close to home or to a far destination, tends to open the mind via new experiences. In the sweet romance, MORNING TRYST, the heroine photographer learns much in her travels around Missouri State Parks. Follow the link for more book information: https://amzn.to/35gH37S