Tag: parks

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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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Picnic in the Park

ellenparkerwrites

Let’s go on a picnic after church.

That’s the sort of invitation our family accepted once or twice per summer. (My father was not fond of eating outside. Army influence?)

The menu varied a little by how far ahead the plans were made. Fried chicken? Thick sandwiches? Baked beans? Potato salad? Chips? (They were a real treat.) Cake or pie? Lemonade?

Our picnics often took place at a wayside rest in view of Lake Pepin — part of the Mississippi River between MN and WI. Visiting between families. Perhaps a footrace or two. A walk down to the water — watch for rattlesnakes.

This picnic shelter, located in a county park, may be reserved for families and groups. Shade. A little rain protection. A grill. A trash can. Tables and seating. Let the children run — a playground is not far out of the photo. Older folks may prefer to toss a ball or take a stroll.

Detective Cal Collins is called to respond to a situation in a county park more than once in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Who would want to harm a picnic shelter? Good thing a jogger found the fire before it got to the roof. Check out the book at the pre-order link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Special Assistant…

ellenparkerwrites

…to the frustrated bicyclist.

Parks encourage exercise. The type of activity varies by terrain, location, and purpose. The park featured today is a mixture of prairie, woodland, and a great view of the Mississippi River.

Trail traffic is a combination of hikers and bikers. Mountain bikes for the most part. The loop trail is just over three miles long. Count often and don’t misplace anyone from your group.

Mechanical problem? Stop. Look around and figure out where on the trail you are located. Minor? Continue with a mental note for later repairs. Critical? Walk your bike to the trailhead by the shortest, safest route.

Cliff is waiting for you between the public restrooms and the parking lot. He’s equipped with air plus a variety of wrenches to tighten and adjust anything that may have been jarred loose on the trail. Have you spotted a similar repair station in a park near you?

Parks supply interesting locations and a source of mystery in the sweet, later-in-life romance Fine Lines. Meet Mandy Price, criminal defense attorney and Cal Collins, police detective and they discover both hazards and joys of a relationship. Here’s a link to the blurb and pre-order information. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Swing with Me

ellenparkerwrites

When was the last time you played on a swing?

Yesterday? Last year? A decade ago?

Back and forth. Higher and higher. All hairstyles are created equal. (Mine will be full of snarls.) Do you find it easy to laugh? Leave some worries on the ground? Pretend to fly?

I’m lucky to live in a metro area with many parks. And almost every park has a playground. With — swings! The refurbished playgrounds have swings for all – young, disabled, not-so-young. Take your pick.

The next time this author encounters the pesky “plot hole”, I think I’ll seek out a swing. Maybe the solution will be found in the breeze I create.

What happens when a defense attorney gets acquainted with a detective keeping a secondary life private? Fine Lines, a contemporary, later-in-life romance, will be arriving on April 8, 2026. Pre-orders are activated at your favorite on-line bookseller. Here’s a link to one: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Charming…in all Sizes

ellenparkerwrites

Tall, medium, or short. Wide, moderate, or narrow.

While size might matter for certain uses, all of the above, in any combination of height and width can be a delight to the eye.

I’m speaking of waterfalls today. It does not matter if you marvel at the narrow stream falling off the edge of the cliff in Yosemite or bask in the mist and power from Niagara. Once, on a short hike in a park, I rounded the corner and was enchanted at a modest example.

This example, in the Missouri Botanical Garden, invites the walker to seek a bench, take a break, and clear their mind of daily cares. Set your mental schedule aside for a few minutes — laundry and groceries will wait. Enjoy the play of sunlight on falling water and the lush vegetation nearby.

The sweet romance, Morning Tryst, introduces the reader to several Missouri State Parks. Water is a feature in many — river or lake. Our photographer heroine, however, finds more than beautiful scenery and snippets of history. Check out the information at the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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October Stroll

ellenparkerwrites

The sun is shining. The temperature is mild. Let’s go for a walk outside of the neighborhood.

Where should we go? One nearby park features sculptures. Another is bordered by the Mississippi River. The zoo is always interesting. Oh — I know…

We’re in luck! The fountains are still running at the public garden. I love this combination of graceful, colorful glass, bright white fencing, and a water feature in the traditional rose garden. Wander. Sniff. Photograph. Breath deep and count this as one of your blessings.

The American Midwest holds many treasures within the multiple cities and towns within the half dozen or more states. (Definitions of Midwest vary.)

Explore a few in the sweet romance, Morning Tryst. Photographer Serena Carter is spending a year working in Missouri State Parks. Open the pages and discover little gems — and second chances.

Book link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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City Spot of Green

ellenparkerwrites

City dwellers of all ages deserve the opportunity to enjoy a bit of nature. In the tiny village where I grew up, we had two parks. One, rather informal, was called The Duck Pond. As you may guess, the primary feature was a pond where ducks hung out. The other, where baseball games were played was operated by a local veteran’s organization.

Larger cities often have more and larger parks than the two I grew up near. And they are great places for a tourist to drop in, as well as local residents.

Willow trees and water features – and waterfowl – were plentiful in Boston Common.

Can you imagine yourself relaxing under the friendly willow on a sunny day and reading a book?

I’d pick a romance to read. Perhaps on the sweet side. If I wanted to mentally visit Missouri parks while relaxing in Boston, my choice would be Morning Tryst.

https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Capturing the Sunrise

ellenparkerwrites

It’s one of life’s dramatic moments. Repeated every day of the year. And always in the east. However, the angle will vary by your location and the time of the year.

I’m speaking of sunrise. This view, captured in a park along the Mississippi River at the south end of St. Louis was a memorable morning.

Arriving in the gray of pre-dawn, I listened to a bit of birdsong and exchanged startled glances with a deer. The record was made with an inexpensive digital camera. Many of my friends would use the one on their phone. A serious photographer would use a higher quality instrument.

Tomorrow’s the summer solstice. Celebrate! If you are not the sort of person to rise in time to see the sunrise, celebrate later. I suggest combining it with the first birthday (one year since publication) of the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, where Serena Carter will guide you through her sunrise photo process.

Link to Kindle edition: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Visiting the Elephants

ellenparkerwrites

Have you visited the Elephant Rocks?

No, I’m not speaking of a sculpture park filled with images of the beast. (But that sounds like a cool idea.)

I’m speaking of the red granite rocks – large as elephants – in Missouri.

This relatively small state park makes a pleasant day trip from St. Louis. A paved trail leads a visitor in a loop of just over a mile. Be sure to leave the trail and play among the giants within the loop. The view is fantastic, no matter the season.

The quarries in and near the park acreage supplied high quality granite for buildings and monuments. Be sure to look for the tool marks as well as the initials of many workers.

Want to travel by book? While Morning Tryst, a sweet romance, does not mention the Elephant Rocks, you can be sure our photographer heroine captured interesting features. Check out her story here: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

Book birthday, one year since publication, is on June 20 — immediately prior to the summer solstice — the photographer’s favorite day to shoot a sunrise.

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Wonder in the West

ellenparkerwrites

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase — the American West?

Cowboys? Mountains? Buffalo?

Are you drawn to the scenery in classic western movies? Or do you think of switchback roads climbing a mountain?

Do you ever think of canyons?

No photograph, or puzzle based on a photograph, will be able to capture the majesty and grander of this canyon. The size-measured in miles. The colors of the different strata. The shapes of individual rocks and formations. A person needs to look with care and intent to see the river winding along the bottom.

Have you visited? Do you have it on you “to do” list?

On a smaller scale, Morning Tryst introduces the reader to several Missouri State Parks. https://amzn.to/35gH37S