Tag: Urban Life

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Walking Add-On

ellenparkerwrites

Many parks include walking/hiking/biking trails. Visitors can enjoy interesting scenery while getting exercise — a win-win. Degree of difficulty may vary. An asphalt, fairly level is great for grandma to push the stroller. Others, with a mulch surface and sharper inclines, are designed with the serious hiker in mind.

Occasionally, you encounter a park trail with optional activities. Do you want to increase balance? Arm strength?

Grab and pole and step up! Again! According to the directions posted at a corner of the space, this exercise will air balance and give leg muscles and extra work-out. (As if they need more. Have you seen the hill?) A person will be exhausted if they attempt even half of the stations on this “fitness trail”.

In the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, fitness is required for Cal’s position as a police detective. Mandy, a defense attorney understands the importance and attempts to keep her body in good shape — after all, she does complete a 5K. Check out the book at the link to discover what other interests these two professional share. https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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Details Matter

ellenparkerwrites

At times, little things, details, exert a great deal on the outcome of events.

When selecting fabric for a piece of clothing it matters a great deal if you choose denim or percale. Are you sewing trousers? Or a summer blouse? A vest? Or swimsuit cover-up?

Details often matter when constructing — furniture or buildings. Is this a private residence? Small business? Public building? Warehouse? Materials selected and details — type of doors and windows, roof style, flooring, and a hundred other things will depend on the end use. Choose with care.

The architect choose a decorative capital for this series of supporting columns in a public building. A detail with visitors can pause and admire more than 160 years later.

Details matter in occupations also. Both police detectives and defense attorneys best pay attention to little items, as well as the over-all picture, to make a strong case.

Check out the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, for a story with these two occupations featured. The link will take you to the Nook edition. Also available at other on-line retailers.

https://bit.ly/4rVvd7M

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Participation before Success

ellenparkerwrites

Even in the dictionary, you’ll find participation pages prior to success.

Will your participation in a task or even guarantee success? No, as most adults have learned, guarantees in life are rare. The adage which limits them to death and taxes contains much truth.

However, participation is required. Perhaps you need to attempt, or participate, in an activity several times before you can count it a success.

Twice, when I was a little younger and more physically capable, I participated in charity 5K run/walks. Others in my group continued to use the word “run”. I quickly corrected it to “walk”. While others in the few thousand aimed for the best time — I considered finishing a success.

In the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, the main characters separately participate in the same charity 5K. Join them for this and other St. Louis events between paper covers or on your favorite electronic device. The Kindle link is listed here: 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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Catch!!!

ellenparkerwrites

Here! Over here! My arms reach high. I sway right, then left.

Plunk. Snatch. The beads have landed at my feet and I made a grab for them.

Quick! Add them to the multiple strings around my neck and bounce on my toes in anticipation of a new float approaching. Will I capture another? Which color? Which size?

I was not especially good at “catch” during the Mardi Gras parade I attended several years ago. But the collection has an honored place among my jewelry.

Today’s your last chance in 2026! The celebration ends at midnight — sharp.

The characters in the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, press against a different sort of timeline. Will parents demand more time now that the children are out of the nest? Will Janet leave her “comfort zone” and live with “gusto”?

Check the blurb at this link: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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High Spirits

ellenparkerwrites

Did you know we’re in a holiday season?

Mardi Gras is more than a few parades in New Orleans. In fact, it’s an entire season of frolic and fun in cities all along the Gulf Coast and — St. Louis. (Hey, when a city has a rich French heritage, you may as well brag about it.)

While the popular pet parade has come and gone for 2026 — last Sunday — congrats to the winners — much fun remains.

Have you gotten your ticket for tonight’s ball?

Have you planned your transportation and wardrobe for tomorrow’s grand parade?

What’s this? Could it be a preliminary model for a float? Lots of places for people to stand and toss beads to the crowd. Green would be a good color for the tractor (or truck) pulling it. Replace pink with purple, add a dash of gold, and you’re all set.

No parades in the clean & wholesome romance, Comfort Zone. This story of second chances and empty-nester decisions features other events in St. Louis. Check out complete blurb at the link: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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A Pair in the Shade

ellenparkerwrites

Every year, my legs tire sooner and I appreciate the seating at the public garden more. Consider this pair.

Shielded from strong daylight, an occupant of either of these can relax and enjoy the view.

People -watching is always interesting. What’s the best (or worst) fashion choices on display today? Any service dogs practicing their manners and enjoying the scents? Are the flowers showing interesting colors? Do you spot any birds, pollinators, or small mammals?

Comfort Zone, a sweet later-in-life romance, is set in St. Louis. This centrally located city is often overlooked. But with a top-notch public garden and world-class zoo, the area deserves a second look. Perhaps Janet and Rich will entice you to visit. Click on the link for more book information: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Following Mother’s Advice

ellenparkerwrites

Wash your hands before you eat!

Oh, the number of times I heard that advice, or command, in my mother’s voice from toddler to teen. A person can lose count.

As I grew, I understood the soundness of the teaching. Clean hands lessen the transfer of cold, flu, and other illness from one person to another.

Do racoon mothers give the same advice? This fellow, one of a trio at the Missouri Botanical Garden, appears to be minding his manners and following directions.

One of the jewels of St. Louis, the garden has something interesting for almost everyone. Tropical plants? Japanese garden? Victorian patterns? Herbs? Roses? Yes, you can find all of these and more.

In the sweet romance, Stare Down, the hero takes his mother to the garden for Mother’s Day. Does he visit the garden with Maylee as their relationship builds from neighbor and casual running partner to more? A good possibility. Follow the link to the book to learn more. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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Wet Boundary

ellenparkerwrites

A portion of the boundaries of both St. Louis City and St. Louis County are defined by the Mississippi River. This particular statement applies to many large and small jurisdictions in the United States.

States, counties, and cities up and down the river’s 2340 miles length can make this claim. Large enough to be difficult to bridge for most of its length, this was a logical limit for the settlers to observe.

This pleasant view is the river separating Missouri and Illinois several miles south of St. Louis City. An observer with patience is likely to see one or more set of barges pass in either direction. This is also a few river miles south of the final lock and dam on the river.

Would you take your sweetheart to a park viewpoint such as this to observe a river?

In the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, the river stays in the background of the story. This tale of second chances with mature characters includes a fictional account of different St. Louis locations. Follow the link for more book information. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av