Tag: animals

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Perfect Photographic Poise

ellenparkerwrites

Or should that read “pose?”

On my short list of public places to enjoy in St. Louis is the zoo. Admission is free. Parking is affordable. The animals appear to enjoy their homes — some act as if they enjoy watching the humans.

The polar bear is a consistent attraction for a crowd. Unless he’s napping, he likes to swim in his pool where humans can watch his perfect technique.

Have you seen the paws! And claws! Makes me glad I’m not any of his prey.

But due to water, glass, other people, and the uncertainty of the light — he’s difficult for this very amateur photographer to capture with a camera.

Artists to the rescue! This polar bear family is photographer friendly. And also seasonal.

In a different season, the characters of Comfort Zone, a sweet romance, spend some quality time at the St. Louis Zoo. Find their story here: https://amzn.to/338z1K1

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Not on the Holiday Menu

ellenparkerwrites

Deer hunting season in the upper Midwest states tends to be during November. Depending upon the community, social activities might be sparsely attended. After all — hunters want to be in the woods at first light.

No worry for this particular deer family. Not only do they live in a sanctuary — residential section of a metro area — but they have an excellent hiding place from January thru November.

What’s on your holiday feast menu?

Are you traditional with either ham, beef roast, or turkey?

Or do you experiment with fish and wild game?

Serena, the photographer in Morning Tryst, takes a few days off to host friends and attend a wedding during her year visiting Missouri State Parks. Find more information on this sweet romance here: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Cool Birds

ellenparkerwrites

Has winter weather arrived at your location?

Does it include frozen ponds and a dusting (or more) of snow?

These birds, non-residents photographed at the zoo, were making the best of an awkward situation.

No, you can’t go swimming today. How about pretending your webbed feet are snowshoes? Now don’t bother me — I want to tuck my beak under my wing and keep it warm.

Mothers in all sorts of times and situations sound a little alike. Janet, mother-of-the-bride, in the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, is tested while shopping for bridal gowns. Check out this summer and early fall story here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Sing on a Sleigh Ride

ellenparkerwrites

Have you ever ridden in a sleigh? Or a cutter? Or on a bobsled?

I remember the last — but it was far from a glamorous ride. I was small, perhaps five years old. My father was doing some of the work for my Great-Uncle (he was ill) and he took me along one afternoon. Cleaning the barn was included. My dad loaded the manure from the cows and horses onto a bobsled — actually a platform on four wide, wooden, shaped “runners”. Then he hitched up the team, had me stand next to him in a clear spot near the front of the platform, and we went off across the field. My dad pitched the manure onto the field, ordering the horses to go forward at the proper time. (The horses were old and not inclined to move without an order.)

A sleigh ride sounds more glamorous than the above. I think I’ll continue to create a picture consistent with the Thanksgiving/Christmas/Winter songs “The One Horse Open Sleigh” (Jingle Bells) and “Over the River and Through the Woods.” Want to sing along?

Wanted: One horse, trained for driving. Must not startle at bells.

The sweet romance, Starr Tree Farm, includes a January storm which leaves enough snow for sleigh-riding. However, the characters in this contemporary story drive trucks, cars, and snowmobiles instead. Check out the book here: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Thinking Time

ellenparkerwrites

These final weeks of a year can get hectic. Merchants clamor for your shopping dollar. Charities beg for an end-of-year gift. Schools and workplaces plan social events.

Sometimes a person wants to temporarily escape.

Unharried by the events of the larger world, this zoo resident contemplates her next move.

Beware of claws and teeth if you interrupt their thinking. On second thought, beware claws, teeth, and sharp words if you disturb an adult who has retreated behind a closed door to do a little thinking and thought gathering.

Residents in fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois, kept a cautious relationship with the forest animals. The primary animal mentioned in New Dreams, a sweet historical romance, is domestic, not wild. Check out the details here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Holiday Gift?

ellenparkerwrites

According to the song — it’s the perfect gift for a young boy.

In my experience, and to stay within budget, this animal was limited to a puppet and a stuffed animal for young boys.

The real animal, while an interesting creature, requires a lot of upkeep. Swimming pool, generous vegetarian food supply, (I doubt a family garden could keep up), space to roam on land, and a waste disposal system. (Only so much can be accommodated on the garden.) And then you’ll need exotic animal permits. And a vet willing to make house/pool calls.

No hippos in the sweet, historical romance, New Dreams. If the residents of fictitious Elm Ridge, Illinois, knew of them at all — it would have been through books. So if you’re looking for a hippo-free zone – check here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Rest Stop

ellenparkerwrites

Today when we travel, we appreciate a chance to stop, stretch our legs, and walk around a bit. Perhaps we seek out a toilet, or a snack.

When this pair arrives at a rest stop, they stay still. Oh, move a hoof a little and shift weight, in general they stay in place. I suspect they wonder if the human will bring them a drink.

This team pulls a wagon designed for tourists up and down a hill all day during the season. Aside from the driver, who they are familiar with, I wonder how many stories, in how many languages, they hear in a day.

In fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois, the teams at Bergmann Livery and Freight responded best to commands in Deutsch. Six days a week they pulled freight wagons up from the warehouse on the levee and delivered goods to merchants and residents of the area.

For more on this sweet romance set in 1851, click here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Autumn Stroll

ellenparkerwrites

On a sunny, autumn day, a stroll is just the thing to pick up your spirits. No need for a jacket. Nor a hat. Just wake from a brief nap, give a good shake, and set out. What will I see today?

My sibling, of course I see them. After all, we share a den. Humans populate the other side of the sturdy, glass enclosure of our home. Nice crowd today. Pleasant temperatures and sunshine always increase their numbers. Odd creatures, humans. They talk and gesture and make way too much commotion to ever be a success at hunting. They couldn’t sneak up on a deaf gopher.

Hmm. How shall I amuse the humans today? Perhaps I’ll scratch my claws against the log our keepers provide. There’s enough chill in the air to make the waterfall or pool unappealing. I know, I’ll browse around for a snack. Once, just once, a confused rabbit got into our home. Now that caused some excitement.

Human readers: Do you want to amuse yourself without visiting the bears at the zoo? I suggest a book. If you care for sweet romance, I suggest New Dreams. You can step into the past and pick up a tip or two about traveling and village life in 1851 Illinois. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Goose Tale

ellenparkerwrites

In the dark of a summer night the deed is done.

A theft? Vandalism?

No to both. Actually, it’s an addition — a gift of sorts. The decorative goose is placed with care beside the gazebo.

The next morning, walkers, and some of their dogs, blink and look again. “I don’t remember that from yesterday.”

A week or two later, the goose moves. She doesn’t go far. I think she’s testing out spaces to find the perfect spot.

What’s the phrase? “Go with the flow?” When a naked, decorative goose appears — dress her for the season.

Animals are included among the characters in the historical, sweet romance New Dreams. Horses are vital to both the story and the era. A farmer has milk cows — and a dog. Young pigs put in an appearance on wash day. But no geese are mentioned. If you had the space — would you raise geese?

https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Friday Fun

ellenparkerwrites

It’s Friday!!! Celebrate the end of the work week with something to put a smile on your face.

Food is the first thing that comes to my mind. Unfortunately, it wants to linger at waist and hips. So what’s something calorie free that makes you smile?

This flamingo quartet in a neighbor’s flower garden might be a place to start.

Perhaps a pet – yours or another’s – makes you chuckle with their antics. Open both eyes, unplug the music from your ears, and observe the world around you. Humor is lurking in unexpected places — even unpopular co-workers or supervisors are full of surprises. (Might be best to laugh when they are out of the room.)

This sweet romance contains touches of both suspense and humor. After all — how can you not find a spot of humor when kids and dogs in the same place. So pour yourself a cool drink, settle into your chair, and spend some hours in fictional Crystal Springs. Seed of Desire was rated five paws by Dancer.

https://amzn.to/2RDFgxH