Tag: Urban Life

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Five out of Six

ellenparkerwrites

Do you know the story of the six blind men who went to see the elephant?

This fine photo of a resident of the St. Louis Zoo will assist you the best she can. No tusk, therefore, only five of the six blind men are represented.

The first of the blind men stumbled into the beast’s side and proclaimed an elephant is like a wall. The second, grasping the tusk of a male, exclaimed the hard, round shape like a spear. The third, approaching from the front, grasped the trunk and decided the elephant was like a snake. Absolutely not, stated the next blind man as he grasped a leg and announced the animal resembled a tree. The fifth man, happened to take hold of the mammal’s ear and blurted the resemblance to a fan. You are all in error proclaimed the proud, sixth blind man as he clenched the tail–an elephant is like a rope!

Who was right? Who was wrong? Should each blind man listen to his companions and do a further exploration?

In the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, Rich and Janet’s first date is a day at the zoo. Accompanied by Rich’s father, they spend extra time at the elephant exhibit and listen to stories from the elderly man’s youth. If you like romance with a Midwestern flavor, check out the book at the link. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Too Large for a Tabletop?

ellenparkerwrites

Sculpture, like may types of art, is created in many different sizes.

Intricately crafted chess pieces that nestle in the palm of your hand are sculpture as surely as the Statue of Liberty.

St. Louis, like many American cities, contains a number of sculptures on display outside, often due to size. One collection is found at Laumeier Sculpture Park, a facility operated by St. Louis County Parks.

One of my favorite pieces at the park. Can you imagine this tip-toeing across your lawn? Or waving a root in your dreams? (Perhaps the word is nightmare.) Each angle gives a different arrangement.

A quiet, suburban life, where she owns her own home is something Janet Zwingle has worked for since her divorce more than a decade ago. Will she resist change? Or will she seize an opportunity and live with “gusto” when a new man enters her life? Check out the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, for a peek into life in the Midwest. Follow the link to the book: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Classic St. Louis

ellenparkerwrites

Okay, here’s a quick quiz. Name one thing associated with St. Louis, MO.

Two sizes in this photo. The little one was in honor of hosting the baseball All-Star game that year. The large one, shiny stainless steel, towers over downtown at a height of 630 feet.

The building between the arches is one of my favorites. It’s called The Old Courthouse. A two-story, brick courthouse was first built on this site in 1826. A series of additions, removals, and renovations followed and the dome was completed on the current building in 1861. With continued changes to the interior, the building served as the courthouse until 1930.

When you visit St. Louis, be sure to include the Gateway Arch (the big one) and the Old Courthouse on your itinerary.

As a member of the St. Louis Police, Maylee Morgan, the heroine in the sweet romance, Stare Down, is familiar with the exterior of both these structures. Check out the book at the link below to discover her story and meet Dr. Dave Holmes. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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Welcome to the Garden

ellenparkerwrites

The Missouri Botanical Garden does know how to greet visitors with flair and drama.

Do you have a special garden interest?

Japanese Garden? We have a large one.

Formal English Garden? Follow the path and stroll around the grounds of Mr. Shaw’s country home.

Roses? Vegetables and local home demonstration garden? Tropical? Chinese? Children’s?

Check, check, and check. Just follow the map on your brochure or one of several posted on the approx 80 acres of grounds. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and a hat. Don’t forget your camera!!!

In the sweet romance, Stare Down, Dave Holmes takes his mother on a visit to the garden on Mother’s Day. Check out the book at the link to discover other events in this relationship between neighbors story. http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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The View is Fantastic!

ellenparkerwrites

The view in front of the St. Louis Art Museum looking over the Grand Basin is great.

However, an even better view (at least in my imagination) would be that of a bird perched on the sword hilt of St. Louis.

From this high perch you could see a large portion of Forest Park. The hill sloping down in front of you gives way to the water feature with fountains. The History Museum is a little farther ahead. To your right — you can spot a portion of the zoo. And directly behind — the Art Museum.

In any season Forest Park offers much to the visitor. Outside attractions such as golf, tennis, or ice skating (limited season) are set among museums and an outdoor theater.

Residents of St. Louis are lucky to have an assortment of attractions. As a bonus — many of these are free admission. (You may be charged for parking or special exhibits.)

The characters in the sweet romance, Stare Down, have lived in St. Louis for many years and are familiar with many of the public spaces. Join them as they solve a murder, learn valuable lessons, and become more than neighbors. Click on the link for book information: http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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Distinctive Downtown

ellenparkerwrites

Every city has a downtown feature they consider a symbol or a trademark. Sometimes it’s a building (often historic or unique architecture).

St. Louis, however, takes the first portion of architecture seriously. And then they add the history portion.

The historic Old Courthouse survived the Great Fire in 1849 and was the location for the initial portions of the Dred Scott legal action. This view, taken a few blocks west of the restored 19th century building is framed by the sleek lines on the 20th century Gateway Arch.

I wonder what will be added in the current century.

When the immigrants in New Dreams paused in St. Louis in the spring of 1851, the Courthouse (without the current dome) would have been a busy building. The characters in this sweet romance, soon boarded a small steamboat to take them north — about three days journey to the fictional village of Elm Ridge, Illinois.

Check out book details here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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A Generous Resident

ellenparkerwrites

At times, urban residents can get a bad reputation. Society looks back with fondness to the rural roots of many families.

Yes, my rural roots run deep, but the “Good Old Days” are better in memory than in they were in real life.

A just because something lives in the city does not mean beauty and generosity are absent.

Urban apple tree — early May — beauty in bloom.

Same tree — early September — generosity.

The St. Louis urban area is the setting for the sweet romance, Comfort Zone. Meet Janet, an empty-nester, faced with a choice: take a chance with gusto? Or stay in her comfort zone? Check out the story here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Friday? Did you say Friday?

ellenparkerwrites

Some occupations are intense. You need to stay alert every moment on shift. The boss wants the project to keep moving. Deadline’s approaching!

Thanks to organized labor, millions of American workers end the workweek on Friday. They look forward to having two days away from the factory or office. Whether they use this time to relax, do chores and errands for their family, or work a second job in an “essential” sector is their choice. The boss from the first paragraph is not involved.

This particular creature, lives and works in the same place. Perhaps he looks forward to weekends with a different blend of people to watch. Or…perhaps his favorite is the school groups which visit during the week.

When I find a good viewing spot — I give it my best effort. After all, a bear needs to take a rest from entertaining duties.

Funny thing: Not one person from the other side of the glass wants to give me a manicure.

Comfort Zone, a sweet contemporary romance, includes a visit/date at the St. Louis Zoo. Click on the link below to find out more about this story full of second chances. https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Scent Expert

ellenparkerwrites

What does a city smell like?

Well, let me think for a minute. It will vary by location. But I’ve had an excellent spot to sample the scents in St. Louis since 1934.

I smell the river — a touch of mud and fish. Gasoline and diesel fumes are a constant. For decades the sweet scent of candy, licorice to be precise, tickled my nose.

Peanuts and beer tempt me on days when baseball games are played downtown. Funnel cakes, BBQ, and sausages predominate on weekends with food festivals. Thinking about it makes me hungry.

Do you have fried ravioli to spare? A thin-crust pizza? Gooey butter cake? I’m hungry as a bear.

No bears in the sweet, historical romance, New Dreams. Lots of tempting smells from the bakery – bread, cinnamon buns, and Kuchens. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Beauty in a Small Space

ellenparkerwrites

Garden. Flower bed.

The words conjure images of large scale plantings. Or perhaps long and narrow along the length of a building or walkway.

May I present an exception.

This small, precise, medallion garden is found on the grounds of an extensive, public garden.

However, one of my neighbors maintains a similar beautiful spot where a tree was removed several years ago.

Remember, the area of planting need not be large to be a showy spot for the neighborhood.

Janet, the heroine in the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, attempts a more conventional flower bed with plants flanking her home’s front entrance. (With a moderate amount of success.) She’s better at HVAC repair — and living with gusto. Find her story here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av