Month: March 2025

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Following Mother’s Advice

ellenparkerwrites

Wash your hands before you eat!

Oh, the number of times I heard that advice, or command, in my mother’s voice from toddler to teen. A person can lose count.

As I grew, I understood the soundness of the teaching. Clean hands lessen the transfer of cold, flu, and other illness from one person to another.

Do racoon mothers give the same advice? This fellow, one of a trio at the Missouri Botanical Garden, appears to be minding his manners and following directions.

One of the jewels of St. Louis, the garden has something interesting for almost everyone. Tropical plants? Japanese garden? Victorian patterns? Herbs? Roses? Yes, you can find all of these and more.

In the sweet romance, Stare Down, the hero takes his mother to the garden for Mother’s Day. Does he visit the garden with Maylee as their relationship builds from neighbor and casual running partner to more? A good possibility. Follow the link to the book to learn more. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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Two Days to Go

ellenparkerwrites

Two days! The countdown is in the final stretch.

Before you know it — St. Louis’ unofficial holiday will be upon us. Oh…you’re unfamiliar with this day?

The baseball Cardinals have a home opener!

Hanging this is a great way to celebrate —

Attractive home to let. Available for spring nesting season. Secure neighborhood. Variety of gardens and several bird feeders within a short flight. Located above reach of wandering felines.

Characters in my sweet romance novels are casual baseball fans. They cheer for the home team, attend a game or two, and probably have a shirt or cap with the team logo available for non-formal affairs. Check out Comfort Zone if you like your characters “seasoned” with years of life experience. Simply follow the link for more information: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Wet Boundary

ellenparkerwrites

A portion of the boundaries of both St. Louis City and St. Louis County are defined by the Mississippi River. This particular statement applies to many large and small jurisdictions in the United States.

States, counties, and cities up and down the river’s 2340 miles length can make this claim. Large enough to be difficult to bridge for most of its length, this was a logical limit for the settlers to observe.

This pleasant view is the river separating Missouri and Illinois several miles south of St. Louis City. An observer with patience is likely to see one or more set of barges pass in either direction. This is also a few river miles south of the final lock and dam on the river.

Would you take your sweetheart to a park viewpoint such as this to observe a river?

In the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, the river stays in the background of the story. This tale of second chances with mature characters includes a fictional account of different St. Louis locations. Follow the link for more book information. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Five out of Six

ellenparkerwrites

Do you know the story of the six blind men who went to see the elephant?

This fine photo of a resident of the St. Louis Zoo will assist you the best she can. No tusk, therefore, only five of the six blind men are represented.

The first of the blind men stumbled into the beast’s side and proclaimed an elephant is like a wall. The second, grasping the tusk of a male, exclaimed the hard, round shape like a spear. The third, approaching from the front, grasped the trunk and decided the elephant was like a snake. Absolutely not, stated the next blind man as he grasped a leg and announced the animal resembled a tree. The fifth man, happened to take hold of the mammal’s ear and blurted the resemblance to a fan. You are all in error proclaimed the proud, sixth blind man as he clenched the tail–an elephant is like a rope!

Who was right? Who was wrong? Should each blind man listen to his companions and do a further exploration?

In the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, Rich and Janet’s first date is a day at the zoo. Accompanied by Rich’s father, they spend extra time at the elephant exhibit and listen to stories from the elderly man’s youth. If you like romance with a Midwestern flavor, check out the book at the link. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Too Large for a Tabletop?

ellenparkerwrites

Sculpture, like may types of art, is created in many different sizes.

Intricately crafted chess pieces that nestle in the palm of your hand are sculpture as surely as the Statue of Liberty.

St. Louis, like many American cities, contains a number of sculptures on display outside, often due to size. One collection is found at Laumeier Sculpture Park, a facility operated by St. Louis County Parks.

One of my favorite pieces at the park. Can you imagine this tip-toeing across your lawn? Or waving a root in your dreams? (Perhaps the word is nightmare.) Each angle gives a different arrangement.

A quiet, suburban life, where she owns her own home is something Janet Zwingle has worked for since her divorce more than a decade ago. Will she resist change? Or will she seize an opportunity and live with “gusto” when a new man enters her life? Check out the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, for a peek into life in the Midwest. Follow the link to the book: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Classic St. Louis

ellenparkerwrites

Okay, here’s a quick quiz. Name one thing associated with St. Louis, MO.

Two sizes in this photo. The little one was in honor of hosting the baseball All-Star game that year. The large one, shiny stainless steel, towers over downtown at a height of 630 feet.

The building between the arches is one of my favorites. It’s called The Old Courthouse. A two-story, brick courthouse was first built on this site in 1826. A series of additions, removals, and renovations followed and the dome was completed on the current building in 1861. With continued changes to the interior, the building served as the courthouse until 1930.

When you visit St. Louis, be sure to include the Gateway Arch (the big one) and the Old Courthouse on your itinerary.

As a member of the St. Louis Police, Maylee Morgan, the heroine in the sweet romance, Stare Down, is familiar with the exterior of both these structures. Check out the book at the link below to discover her story and meet Dr. Dave Holmes. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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Welcome to the Garden

ellenparkerwrites

The Missouri Botanical Garden does know how to greet visitors with flair and drama.

Do you have a special garden interest?

Japanese Garden? We have a large one.

Formal English Garden? Follow the path and stroll around the grounds of Mr. Shaw’s country home.

Roses? Vegetables and local home demonstration garden? Tropical? Chinese? Children’s?

Check, check, and check. Just follow the map on your brochure or one of several posted on the approx 80 acres of grounds. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and a hat. Don’t forget your camera!!!

In the sweet romance, Stare Down, Dave Holmes takes his mother on a visit to the garden on Mother’s Day. Check out the book at the link to discover other events in this relationship between neighbors story. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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The View is Fantastic!

ellenparkerwrites

The view in front of the St. Louis Art Museum looking over the Grand Basin is great.

However, an even better view (at least in my imagination) would be that of a bird perched on the sword hilt of St. Louis.

From this high perch you could see a large portion of Forest Park. The hill sloping down in front of you gives way to the water feature with fountains. The History Museum is a little farther ahead. To your right — you can spot a portion of the zoo. And directly behind — the Art Museum.

In any season Forest Park offers much to the visitor. Outside attractions such as golf, tennis, or ice skating (limited season) are set among museums and an outdoor theater.

Residents of St. Louis are lucky to have an assortment of attractions. As a bonus — many of these are free admission. (You may be charged for parking or special exhibits.)

The characters in the sweet romance, Stare Down, have lived in St. Louis for many years and are familiar with many of the public spaces. Join them as they solve a murder, learn valuable lessons, and become more than neighbors. Click on the link for book information: http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP