Month: June 2025

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Very Public Sculpture

ellenparkerwrites

At various time in this blog, I’ve featured a public sculpture or other work of art. Today I’m going to highlight a very public piece which I hope all Americans recognize.

Good morning from one of the most famous quartets in America!

George Washington: A fine general who managed to hold the Continental Army together long enough to win against the British and then went on to set high standards for the office of President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson: Clever in may aspects of life from writing to invention. As our third president, he purchased land which doubled the size of the United States — and included the area where this mountain stands.

Theodore Roosevelt: A man briming with energy and ideas. He did much to reform and expand the civil service during his time as president. Keenly aware of the importance of public lands, he also did much to preserve wild spaces and create our system of National Parks.

Abraham Lincoln: Rising from modest roots, he used the entire power of his office to preserve the United States as one nation and voice principles of compassion for all.

Volumes have been published about each of these presidents. I suggest you pick one and select a piece of non-fiction reading to go with your lighter fare this summer.

Speaking of lighter fare: New Dreams is a sweet historical romance. Set in 1851, the story traces new immigrants on their journey and first months in an Illinois river town. Escape the cares of today in this decade prior to the Civil War. Here’s a link for more information. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Blog

Young Adult & Senior Citizen

ellenparkerwrites

Many years ago, I was a young graduate moving to my first real job. (The kind with more than minimal wage which used my recent education.) Thanks to a father who enjoyed road trips, my parents moved me (and the stuff I thought I’d need) across four states and to the far end of the fifth. We stopped at a few places of note on the route.

Fast forward to my senior citizen years. I guess I inherited that love of road trips. When the opportunity arose to travel to one of those places of note I made the effort.

Yes, the lady drove West. Old and new mementos combine for the above photo. The mug was purchased by that young adult at the famous Wall Drug. Shirt and magnet on the recent afternoon in Deadwood.

Have you had an adventure this year? A road trip? Plane flight? Hosted out-of-town guests? Visited an attraction near your home?

Even if circumstances limit your ability to do the activities in the above paragraph, you can have an adventure between the covers of a book. I’m partial to sweet romance. May I recommend Morning Tryst? You’ll meet Serena Carter and Zack Sans, an unlikely couple at first glance — but they find common ground. Follow the link for more information. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Blog

Meet Me at The Lake

ellenparkerwrites

Please. You need to be more specific. Today’s spotlighted state is know for lakes by the hundreds — no — the thousands.

Do you want to drive along the shore of Lake Superior all the way from Duluth to the Canadian border? The drive is beautiful. The lake can be powerful — maybe a little overwhelming.

Or do your prefer a smaller, quieter body of water. Perhaps Lake Itaska, the headwaters of the Mississippi River. What’s your opinion of a lake surrounded by a city park? Or one where the shoreline is void of humans?

Be prepared to view water and cross bridges when you visit Minnesota. In addition to the lakes — the state hosts numerous rivers and streams.

Not Minnesota, but in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, the state parks of another location ground the action. Serena Carter is hired to photograph Missouri State Parks. And she finds more than beautiful scenery and historic sites. Click on the link for more information: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Historically Rich

ellenparkerwrites

The state in today’s spotlight has historical sites in all portions. And sometimes, they overlap with each other.

From early settlements to the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to naval bases and government offices of today — Virginia is full of history.

During my visit a year ago, this midwestern girl had to keep reminding herself of the age of the culture around her. Yes, some of the buildings are 20th century re-creation — often from much older plans and descriptions. Other structures and traces of structures go back to when semi-nomadic Native Americans hunted and fished where I now live.

My visit to this state had one flaw — time was too short. Does that mean I need to travel again? Perhaps tour different historic home and sites?

Photographer Serena Carter never lived or worked in Missouri before she was hired to document the state parks. Seeing the natural and man-made sights for the first time gave her a fresh perspective on the world she found. Check out the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, to discover what else she discovered during her tenure. Kindle edition is at the other end of this link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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She went West

ellenparkerwrites

Go West, young man. Go West.

During my childhood, I heard this phrase many times. As a result, when I graduated, I went West. (After all, isn’t that where the young men were?)

Confession time. I come from a family not afraid to move to a new place. And I didn’t move as far West as the photo below implies.

A direct line from my childhood home to my first “real” job crossed four states and the continental divide — but no oceans.

Are you at the beginning or a turning point in your career or life? Do you like to try new things? Travel? You can’t stay in the United States and go much farther West than Hawaii. My one vacation travel day — via two airplanes — was a century and a half removed from others in my family who crossed an ocean.

Meet Louisa Mueller and Hans Hoffmann in the sweet historical romance, New Dreams. When they board a sailing vessel in Europe, they are moving to a new land, aware they will never see their homeland again. Yes, they went West — and had adventures you can read in the book at the end of this link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Blog

More than a City

ellenparkerwrites

What’s the first image that pops into your mind at the words – New York?

To you think skyscrapers? Statue of Liberty? Streets filled with taxis and limos?

I want to to banish these images of the largest city in the United States. Instead, think of the other portions of the state.

These reminders of visits to New York were purchased in Seneca Falls, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo. Not pictured are souvenirs from the Finger Lakes or a drive through the Adirondacks. An enjoyable time, great scenery, and bits of history are located at each of the mentioned regions.

So the next time you plan a trip to a new-to-you state — think beyond the first place that comes to mind. State capitals are not always the largest or best-known city. National and state parks hold treasures small and large. Roadside attractions can be education or humorous.

In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, you meet photographer Serena Carter. In addition, you are introduced to several Missouri State Parks. History, scenery, fishing…what’s your special interest?

Follow the link for more information on this armchair visit to the Midwest. https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Travel on my Mind

ellenparkerwrites

To paraphrase song lyrics…do you know where I’m remembering? I’ve visited this state more than once — twice it was my destination, other times I traveled through.

When I say the state “Georgia”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Peaches? Civil War history? Soft drink? Olympics?

How many thought “fish”?

When you visit Atlanta, be sure to add several hours at the Georgia Aquarium to your agenda.

When you study the map and pick a state to visit — after Georgia, consider Illinois. The sweet historical romances New Dreams and Stitching a Dream are both set in a fictious river town in the 1850’s. The link will give you more information on the journey of immigrants. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

Blog

Four Trips = Four Items?

ellenparkerwrites

I didn’t realize the fact that I’ve been in various portions of New England four different times until recently.

Yes, I’m one of the people that stop in the gift shop after visiting an attraction. Do I always buy? No. Do I sometimes get inexpensive or small? Yes.

During my first trip to New England, I was accompanied by a son. In Salem, MA, I enjoyed the waterfront and bought a shirt to remember the place.

A friend and I went to New Hampshire — enjoyed the city of Portsmouth and I brought home a mug.

My brother and I visited Vermont. (This was the completion of my quest to set foot in each of the 50 states.) Another mug was added to my kitchen shelf.

The cruise ship paused at Bar Harbor, ME. A hike on a beautiful fall day, plus a stop in a gift shop, resulted in — you guessed it — another mug. The blueberry fudge didn’t even make it back to the ship.

Have you visited states, or areas, hundreds of miles from your home? Do you pick up souvenirs? What’s your favorite item?

In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, we meet photographer Serena Carter. Her favorite time — and scene to photograph — is sunrise. At sunrise, the world displays a moment of hope and promise.

Follow the link for more book information: https://amzn.to/35gH37S