Month: January 2025

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Midwinter Shiver

ellenparkerwrites

Soon, two days after this post appears, we’ll arrive at the midpoint bet?ween the first day of winter and the first day of spring. Known in the United States as Groundhog Day, it is dominated by the amount of sunshine (enough to cast a shadow) to forecast the remaining winter weather.

How has the season been in your location?

Are scenes like this plentiful? Is it too cold to complete the snowman?

Do you need to find a bright spot in your winter?

Snow supplies moisture to the ground. Plus, extended cold temperatures kill off certain insects. (Well, reduce their numbers in the coming season — I don’t think any cold for a winter’s length would kill all of them.)

During January of 1852, in the fictional town of Elm Ridge, Illinois, the temperature is cold and disease visits the village. Check out the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, to learn how Polly Black and her friends fare during the cold weather. The link is below: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Every January Deserves…

ellenparkerwrites

…a snowman. Yes, one made of real snow. I found this one preserved on film. (Yes, until recent years, most amateur photographers used film, sent it off to be developed, and found out picture quality several days after the fact.)

I remember only a few things about this day. I think I was five years old. My dad was my assistant. The arms are snow packed around thin pieces of firewood. (We had a wood-burning furnace at the time.)

Do you have memories of building a snowman? Did you have help from parent or siblings? Friends? Worked solo?

The sweet romance, Starr Tree Farm, is set in the same general location as I built my snowman. In January, a snowstorm is only one of the problems Laura Tanner encounters during what starts as a peaceful time at the Christmas tree farm. Check out the details at the link: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Winter Fishing

ellenparkerwrites

Have you walked on water?

I’m not asking because I think you’re superhuman. I’m trying to find out if you’ve been ice fishing at any time in your life.

St. Louis is too mild to depend on any pond or lake freezing thick enough to be safe. But I grew up 400 miles or so farther north near the Mississippi River. In this region, barge and boat traffic comes to a halt in early winter and resumes when the ice breaker comes through towards spring.

This dam, near Alton, Illinois, attracts a different sort of winter fisherman. This one has feathers and was recently officially recognized as the Official Bird of the United States of America.

As the northern portion of the river freezes, the birds migrate south — to open water. This area is popular with both bald eagles and birdwatchers.

In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, the river freezes and halts the steamboats to fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois for a portion of each winter. Check out some of the town activities in January 1852, when the town is at its most isolated. Link to the book’s Kindle edition follows: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Birds in the Bush

ellenparkerwrites

You’ve probably head the saying: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Does that mean the invisible narrator has three in hand?

I counted seven birds in the bush, but by the time I snapped the photo, I think one flew away. I would venture to say this was a popular plant on a sunny winter afternoon.

I can think of some positives as long as the wind stayed light. Slender, strong branches for perching. No leaves, the better to see enemies (such as photographers) approach. Community – sharing the news with others of the flock.

In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, the heroine photographer sighted many species of birds in Missouri State Parks. Join her adventure and enjoy comments on eagles, hawks, and other park residents. All you need to do is clink on the link for more information.https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Idealized Scene

ellenparkerwrites

Imagine a winter day – in a snowy climate. Now add some colorful figures in an arrangement pleasing to the eye.

Do you suppose that was the assignment to the artist for this puzzle?

The bright Adirondack chair offers a contrast to both the snow and the faded birdhouse. The birds – more than I can fathom together even if a feeding station was just off screen – supply additional pops of color plus interesting shapes. The chipmunk is a surprise. I’d expect him to be curled up below ground taking a nap.

Do these species of bird visit your yard or local park in the winter?

In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, geese migrating south for the winter get a mention in early November. Click on the link for more information on this story set in 1851 Illinois. You’ll meet Polly Black, a single mother seamstress, and her new neighbor, Kurt Tafel. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Breakfast is Served

ellenparkerwrites

Many experts consider breakfast the most important meal of the day. This bird feeder, found on my morning walk, should start the day off right to a family.

My neighborhood is home to numerous birds of a variety of likes and dislikes when it comes to meals. But they are well fed. If they don’t find seeds to their liking in this feeder, they can fly a couple dozen yards to another. While not every household maintains a feeder, one out of three or four caters to our feathered friends.

Do you feed the birds? Watch and identify the species? Only in winter? Year-round?

In the 1850’s, in fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois, the residents did not hang out bird feeders. However, with fields and gardens to forage among, the non-migrating avian managed to eat throughout the winter months. A little grain always spilled. A way into the barn could be found.

A sweet romance set in this time and place is Stitching a Dream. Click on the link to learn more about this story of a single mother seamstress and her new neighbor. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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A Full Cycle

ellenparkerwrites

Several years ago, I started a habit of picking a tree, bush, or garden spot to photograph on the first of each month. The idea was to record growth and change. And also to be able and go back and work into writing (when suitable) time of buds, blossoms, new leaves, and colored foliage.

In 2024, I selected a flowering tree near my home. Here’s the January photo.

Standing straight, this tree appears ready for the challenge of a new year. Will it face drought? Overabundant rain? A gentle spring? Or a freeze-thaw cycle severe enough to interfere with blossoms and leaves.

On the first of December, actually the final day of November, Mother Nature decorated the same tree with the first — and as of the date of this writing, only — snow of the season. Still standing tall, perhaps a little taller than January, the tree appears to welcome the snow. Time to rest without leaves. Let’s hope roots are deeper than the frost line will go this winter. After all — in St. Louis, winter weather varies from day to day as well as year to year.

Are you ready to dig deep and hold on tight through any winter storm? Are your branches sturdy enough to withstand a glaze of ice? Unlike this tree, standing in a solidary position, reach out to neighbors and friends when the cold wind blows or the rain and fog of daily life hide your future.

In the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, immigrants set out from Europe to make a new life in America. Join them on their journey and first several months of adventure and adjustment in their new home. More information at the link. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Repair Season?

ellenparkerwrites

Is January a slow month for your occupation?

Many of the outdoor, weather dependent tasks slow down at this time of the year. Others – medical and tax – tend to accelerate.

Perhaps we should take a lesson from the keeper of birdhouses.

While the songbirds are away at their winter homes, a wise birdhouse maintainer will inspect, repair, and perhaps repaint the summer residence.

Every life needs a little maintenance. Perhaps this is the proper time to extend that hand of friendship, or reconciliation to another. Or if you feel your own life needs a little repair, tend to your own needs first. Then, refreshed and renewed, you will be better able to tackle the cares of life lurking around the corner in the next week, month, or season.

The sweet historical romance, New Dreams, centers around immigrants leaving Europe in January for a new life in America. Will Louisa find her way? Will the thief reform? Check out the link below for your passport to 1851. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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January 2025 — Ready or Not

ellenparkerwrites

The new year has started. Do you feel as if you blinked and 2024 was gone? Did the holidays and end-of-the-year tasks leave you exhausted?

The concept is “time”. No matter how you track the slippery matter, it moves relentlessly. Time does not discriminate. Whether you are enjoying the moment or suffering through…a second remains a second, a minute a minute, and a day a day.

Since we are incapable of either halting or skipping time. Most experts suggest we do our best to both enjoy and be productive with the days and years we are granted.

So perhaps this is the year to do that “fun thing” you’ve been thinking about for the past few years. Make the phone call. Write the letter. Travel to the place. Attend the class. Reach out to an old friend (or make a new one).

May next January, when you look back on 2025, my wish is to bring a smile to your face or a new memory to your heart.

In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, photographer Serena Carter needs to make good use of time. With both planning and a few spontaneous decisions, she visits each of the Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites in each season. Plus…she finds more than beautiful scenery. Click on the link for more information. https://amzn.to/35gH37S