Tag: Seasons

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Summer Reading

ellenparkerwrites

This last weekend marked the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States. School years have ended or will soon. Vacations and staycations are in the planning stage.

Will you be travelling? Chilling in your yard or nearby park? Watching children at beach or swimming pool? Going on an adventure? Hosting family or friends?

Don’t forget to feed your emotional well.

Summer is a traditional time for some light reading. Comfort Zone, a clean & wholesome romance set in St. Louis fits the definition. Get acquainted with an empty nester and widower as they face a choice between living with “gusto” or staying in the “comfort zone”. Click on the link for more information.

https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Not on the Calendar

ellenparkerwrites

When you flip the pages of your calendar you will find the dates for the beginning of the seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

However, other seasons, most much shorter, are important, though unofficial. One of these is soon to end — I hope. Mud season.

Travel during “mud season” was difficult in the mid-19th century. Roads were dirt-turned-to-mud. Farmyards and gardens remained in various textures of sloppy between frequent rain events.

One solution, brought from Europe, for working in farmyards, construction sites, and gardens was to wear wooden clogs. Step into them before you set to work. When finished, knock off the worst of clinging mud and leave the clogs on the back porch until the next use.

In the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, Hans Hoffmann is loaned a pair of wooden shoes by Louisa Mueller. Can she trust him to return them? Can she trust him in other matters?

Follow the link to read more book details: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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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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Midwinter Shiver

ellenparkerwrites

Soon, two days after this post appears, we’ll arrive at the midpoint bet?ween the first day of winter and the first day of spring. Known in the United States as Groundhog Day, it is dominated by the amount of sunshine (enough to cast a shadow) to forecast the remaining winter weather.

How has the season been in your location?

Are scenes like this plentiful? Is it too cold to complete the snowman?

Do you need to find a bright spot in your winter?

Snow supplies moisture to the ground. Plus, extended cold temperatures kill off certain insects. (Well, reduce their numbers in the coming season — I don’t think any cold for a winter’s length would kill all of them.)

During January of 1852, in the fictional town of Elm Ridge, Illinois, the temperature is cold and disease visits the village. Check out the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, to learn how Polly Black and her friends fare during the cold weather. The link is below: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Every January Deserves…

ellenparkerwrites

…a snowman. Yes, one made of real snow. I found this one preserved on film. (Yes, until recent years, most amateur photographers used film, sent it off to be developed, and found out picture quality several days after the fact.)

I remember only a few things about this day. I think I was five years old. My dad was my assistant. The arms are snow packed around thin pieces of firewood. (We had a wood-burning furnace at the time.)

Do you have memories of building a snowman? Did you have help from parent or siblings? Friends? Worked solo?

The sweet romance, Starr Tree Farm, is set in the same general location as I built my snowman. In January, a snowstorm is only one of the problems Laura Tanner encounters during what starts as a peaceful time at the Christmas tree farm. Check out the details at the link: https://amzn.to/2zqIQEw

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Winter Fishing

ellenparkerwrites

Have you walked on water?

I’m not asking because I think you’re superhuman. I’m trying to find out if you’ve been ice fishing at any time in your life.

St. Louis is too mild to depend on any pond or lake freezing thick enough to be safe. But I grew up 400 miles or so farther north near the Mississippi River. In this region, barge and boat traffic comes to a halt in early winter and resumes when the ice breaker comes through towards spring.

This dam, near Alton, Illinois, attracts a different sort of winter fisherman. This one has feathers and was recently officially recognized as the Official Bird of the United States of America.

As the northern portion of the river freezes, the birds migrate south — to open water. This area is popular with both bald eagles and birdwatchers.

In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, the river freezes and halts the steamboats to fictional Elm Ridge, Illinois for a portion of each winter. Check out some of the town activities in January 1852, when the town is at its most isolated. Link to the book’s Kindle edition follows: https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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Idealized Scene

ellenparkerwrites

Imagine a winter day – in a snowy climate. Now add some colorful figures in an arrangement pleasing to the eye.

Do you suppose that was the assignment to the artist for this puzzle?

The bright Adirondack chair offers a contrast to both the snow and the faded birdhouse. The birds – more than I can fathom together even if a feeding station was just off screen – supply additional pops of color plus interesting shapes. The chipmunk is a surprise. I’d expect him to be curled up below ground taking a nap.

Do these species of bird visit your yard or local park in the winter?

In the sweet historical romance, Stitching a Dream, geese migrating south for the winter get a mention in early November. Click on the link for more information on this story set in 1851 Illinois. You’ll meet Polly Black, a single mother seamstress, and her new neighbor, Kurt Tafel. https://amzn.to/3VwoeFh

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A Full Cycle

ellenparkerwrites

Several years ago, I started a habit of picking a tree, bush, or garden spot to photograph on the first of each month. The idea was to record growth and change. And also to be able and go back and work into writing (when suitable) time of buds, blossoms, new leaves, and colored foliage.

In 2024, I selected a flowering tree near my home. Here’s the January photo.

Standing straight, this tree appears ready for the challenge of a new year. Will it face drought? Overabundant rain? A gentle spring? Or a freeze-thaw cycle severe enough to interfere with blossoms and leaves.

On the first of December, actually the final day of November, Mother Nature decorated the same tree with the first — and as of the date of this writing, only — snow of the season. Still standing tall, perhaps a little taller than January, the tree appears to welcome the snow. Time to rest without leaves. Let’s hope roots are deeper than the frost line will go this winter. After all — in St. Louis, winter weather varies from day to day as well as year to year.

Are you ready to dig deep and hold on tight through any winter storm? Are your branches sturdy enough to withstand a glaze of ice? Unlike this tree, standing in a solidary position, reach out to neighbors and friends when the cold wind blows or the rain and fog of daily life hide your future.

In the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, immigrants set out from Europe to make a new life in America. Join them on their journey and first several months of adventure and adjustment in their new home. More information at the link. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Repair Season?

ellenparkerwrites

Is January a slow month for your occupation?

Many of the outdoor, weather dependent tasks slow down at this time of the year. Others – medical and tax – tend to accelerate.

Perhaps we should take a lesson from the keeper of birdhouses.

While the songbirds are away at their winter homes, a wise birdhouse maintainer will inspect, repair, and perhaps repaint the summer residence.

Every life needs a little maintenance. Perhaps this is the proper time to extend that hand of friendship, or reconciliation to another. Or if you feel your own life needs a little repair, tend to your own needs first. Then, refreshed and renewed, you will be better able to tackle the cares of life lurking around the corner in the next week, month, or season.

The sweet historical romance, New Dreams, centers around immigrants leaving Europe in January for a new life in America. Will Louisa find her way? Will the thief reform? Check out the link below for your passport to 1851. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Unlike the Songs & Cards

ellenparkerwrites

The United States is a nation of many blended customs and traditions. However, when December rolls around, the heaviest weight appears to be given to scenes of the Northeast and Midwestern regions of the country and English and other European customs.

Think of the Christmas and holiday portrayal in the media. Snow. Evergreen trees. Clear night sky. Carolers. Hot drinks. Reindeer with sleigh and Santa dressed in cold weather gear.

Not a snow flake in sight in this December photo. Pelicans outnumber reindeer (or whitetails). When my employer sent me to Southern California for additional training one year, it happened to fall early in December. Aside from a cool breeze, it seemed like summer.

No matter where you are, or what the weather, I’m wishing you Peace, Love, Joy, & Hope for the 2025.

May you be granted good health — and lots of good books to read! The ones below are some of my favorites!