Tag: animals

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Team Work

ellenparkerwrites

“Why did we stop here?”

“Because the driver pulled the reins?”

“Don’t get smart with me.” The off horse sighed before addressing the tourists on the sidewalk.

Every day is similar. Our hay buffet is interrupted, we’re given a minute or two at the watering trough, and then the human puts on our harness. Our first task is a walk to the dock. Then we wait while humans load our wagon with a variety of boxes and crates. Most of them are uninteresting to my teammate and I. However, some of the crates addressed to the grocery store or a restaurant have an appealing odor.

Next comes the deliveries. Our driver pulls us to a halt. Some of the freight is unloaded. Then we merge into traffic and walk to the next business.

Horses have been pulling all sorts of wagons and carriages for humans for generations. While most places have replaced the “hay burners” with mechanical “gasoline” or “diesel” motors, a few places stick with the old ways.

These horses would fit into the historical romance, New Dreams, in the blink of an eye. Perhaps their ancestors walked to the Mississippi River dock to meet the steamboats in 1851 and then delivered freight to businesses in town. New arrivals often arrived with a travel trunk which required their expert skills. Lucky horses had kind owners who kept the animals well fed, inspected hoofs and shoes, and brushed down their coats after hours of hard work.

You will find more book information at the link: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Hello Tourist

ellenparkerwrites

Welcome to my piece of shoreline. The fishing is good. Tourist snacks are appreciated. Eating chips? If you drop any I’ll clean up. Same for that last bite of sandwich.

My favorite activity? Well, it depends on many things. I enjoy flying. Following a boat — in hopes they toss a few edible bits off the stern — is great fun. Swimming is part of daily life, I can even work in a little fishing at the same time. Walk on land? Of course, webbed feet work just fine on rocks, sand, and grass. I’ll be social and participate in colony life. You may have heard us. When we gather by the hundreds humans complain of the noise. (As if they should talk. Have you heard some motorized vehicles?)

When you distill my wants and needs to the basics, I’m not that different from other birds or animals. I’m content if I have a meal, a mate, and a nest.

Early in the later-in-life romance, Morning Tryst, our hero launches into an informal lecture admiring gulls. Is it the topic or his voice that impresses the photographer most? Check out the book blurb at the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Elegant Emblem

ellenparkerwrites

Relax and daydream of romantic love. Not interested? Turn your thoughts to fidelity, commitment, or loyalty.

What comes to mind?

Did you happen to think of a large, white bird that glides in the water and waddles on land? I’m thinking of the swan. Used for centuries to prompt thoughts of the positive traits listed above.

Across centuries and cultures, this waterfowl has come to symbolize similar traits. If you don’t care for the previous list, try grace, protection, or good omens.

The next time you see a swan glide across a park lake take a moment to dream a little. Perhaps you long for some of the loyalty, fidelity, or protection they represent.

Immigrants come with dreams. Safety. Opportunity. Reunite with loved ones. The fictional characters in the wholesome historical romance, New Dreams, are no different.

Dreams are slippery. You may begin a journey with one set, suffer through obstacles, and emerge with a different dream. Characters, like actual people, start a path, change course, and end up with something unexpected. Let’s hope the change is for the better.

Here’s a link to the book blurb. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Still as a Statue

ellenparkerwrites

Settled on the rocks as elegantly as a movie star posing for publicity shots. Do you want the paws crossed? Should I lift my chin a little. Careful you don’t catch my eyes in the middle of a rare blink.

Still. Quiet. Appearing deep in thought. The photographer at the zoo is wise to keep the secure fencing between herself and the subject.

Unlike many of the photos shared on this site in recent weeks — this is a live subject. Yes, caught during a moment of rest. How do you think this compares to static artwork? If you were a pen-and-ink artist experienced in nature scenes, would the subject appeal to you? Which lines would you emphasize? Do you want to project power and strength in the piece? Or a mild disposition?

One artist often admires work in a different medium. In the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, the police detective hero admires art from more than one century. Admiration for a certain defense attorney grows into more than professional interest — underlined by backyard games. Click on the link for more book information. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Dragon or Damsel?

ellenparkerwrites

No, I’m not thinking a fire-breathing reptile or human female in distress. I’ll leave that story to others to tell.

I’m talking insects. Flying insects. Two groups, rather closely related. Insects with have my vote of approval for eating mosquitos.

These extra-large dragonflies (or perhaps the less common damselflies) hang out in a public garden. Like the real-life insects represented, they hover over wetlands. After all, the largest portion of their incomplete metamorphosis is spent in the water-dwelling nymph stage.

I often watch, and attempt to photograph, dragonflies near water lilies. Carnivorous, they are not pollinating the blossoms, they are hunting smaller insects.

Do you suppose the early helicopter designers studied them? After all, they are able to fly forward, backward, up, down, left, and right.

Insects of multiple types visit the organic garden at Big Cat Farm near fictional Crystal Springs, WI. Meet Anita, Beth, and Carla in the sweet romance, Seed of Desire. Which of the cousins will find love first and claim the house build by their great grandfather? Here’s a book link: https://amzn.to/2RDFgxH

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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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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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Thinking…Do Not Disturb

ellenparkerwrites

Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be. After all, my type of farm animal is rather intelligent.

You may call me swine, hog, or domestic pig. Be sure to include domestic when using the final. I don’t want to be confused with the wild branch of the family.

Humans and my kind have been interacting practically since the beginning of time. I used to forage in the forest, stir up the soil with my snout for some easy planting. I’m not a fussy eater — leftover produce and crops are welcome in my diet. In case you wonder — I’m not being lazy. With my rather small lungs — stamina is not my strong suit. Heat also bothers me and I’ll seek out puddles or other shallow water to find relief. (Not unlike humans with their beach and swimming habits.)

What am I thinking about today? I’m puzzling why I didn’t get mentioned in Fine Lines. Here I was, reading along and enjoying the story. I actually got a little excited when they started talking about the park where I live. But did they mention me? No — hay storage. Poultry. Longhorn. They get a line or more. And me? Nothing. It’s enough to make me go find some mud and sulk.

Aside from my absence, Fine Lines is a great read. It’s an excellent choice for any weekend or even a mid-week escape from the chores and cares of the day. Here’s a link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Scheduled Meeting

ellenparkerwrites

Many workplaces have scheduled meetings for employee groups. Often they are used to keep employees informed of changes and timelines. Perhaps once a week for mid-managers. Or once a month for line workers.

Does the business work around-the-clock? Do they schedule these meetings easy for non-day-shift to attend? Mandatory? Strongly encouraged? What happens if a person doesn’t appear for two or three in a row?

Do your multiple shifts have an end-of-shift report? Written? Oral?

Ms. Speckles, standing at upper left, calls the daily meeting of county park hens to order. First agenda item is egg production. Second is to devise a schedule for sitting on the eggs secreted from the humans last week — it’s past time this flock raised children.

A flock similar to above needs calming after the fire department and other emergency personnel is called to a nearby structure. Cal Collins, lead detective on the arson case, has his own micro-adventure that same morning. Check out Fine Lines, a later-in-life romance for the complete story. Here’s a link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Oh Dear…pardon me — Deer

ellenparkerwrites

Have you ever imagined a quiet animal in giant size?

Rendered in fiberglass instead of flesh and blood, this deer is unique to Laumeier Sculupture Park in St. Louis County. Considerably larger than life — standing twelve feet tall — this doe observes the grounds both day and night.

Real live deer also frequent the acres of the park. Study the photo and imagine a deer emerging from the woods at dusk, approaching the statue, and giving the legs a good sniff.

Wildlife art, much smaller in scale than the above, makes several appearances in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Already matted and framed, defense attorney Mandy Price uses a butterfly and thistle blossom piece for office decor. Find the book blurb and pre-order information at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF