Escape from COVID 19, Vegetable Gardening eBook on Sale 99 cents

Touring England--the Cotswolds
with Gardener Ted and JQ Rose

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!

We're dealing with tough times amid the CO-VID 19 crisis. I hope you can take some time to relax and escape with a virtual visit to the English Countryside in the Cotswolds. 

In June 2018, my husband, Gardener Ted, and I traveled to England, rented a car and drove around England. This is one of the videos I put together from the 1000 photos from the trip. I have videos of London and the County of Yorkshire also on my Youtube channel. We had a delightful time seeing places we had heard about all our lives. Or as the English say, "The trip was brilliant!"

Please, grab your popcorn and red licorice. Sit back in your chair. Join us as we discover mysterious stone circles, charming villages, miles of stone walls, and ancient landscapes in the English Cotswolds.

Touring England--the Cotswolds

VIDEO

Youtube Video: Touring England 

with Gardener Ted and J.Q. 

The Cotswolds

Click here for more videos from our Tour of England and travel videos in the Canadian Rockies, Nova Scotia, Gilmore Car Museum and more! 

I hope the video lifted your spirits. We will get through this difficult time.
I believe many good things will come from it.

Remember the worst thing is never the last thing!

Social distancing hugs from J.Q.!!!

📗📗📗📗

Gardening with Gardener Ted and JQ Rose

Quick Tips on Vegetable Gardening:
Starting Your Garden

Gardener Ted and I not only enjoy traveling together. We also enjoy gardening. You can imagine why Ted earned his name as Gardener Ted. This farm boy just has to have his hands in the dirt. So much so, we owned a flower shop, greenhouse and garden center for almost 20 years! He has the gardening knowledge, and I have the writing and publishing experience to produce an eBook for folks interested in gardening.     ➨➨➨➨➨➨➨➨➨

So we combined efforts to share tips on planting and harvesting a vegetable garden. Nothing tastes as good or as fresh, as your own home-grown vegetables.  Quick Tips on Vegetable Gardening: Starting Your Garden is filled with tips gleaned from years of Ted's experience in the garden.

Click the links below to grab your eBook now
while it is on sale for 99 cents!

Amazon Link:

Your Favorite Online Bookseller Link: Kobo, Apple, Nook and more

Then, when you have time, please leave a review to help other readers interested in gardening to find this helpful guide. Thank you!!

Travelogue: Red River, New Mexico Escape by Marsha R. West, Giveaway

Summer Travelogue

Hello and welcome to the official Summer Travelogue series on the J.Q. Rose blog. This series has been so fun and interesting, so many great places featured here from all over the world. If you have missed any, please peek at the Thursdays posts beginning after Memorial Day. 

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer, so today, to round out the series with the last of the travelogues, my friend and talented mystery author, Marsha R. West. Ending this summer series on a high note, Marsha is offering a copy of her book, Vermont Escape, to a lucky commenter. Marsha says it was an escape to Red River years ago that was the inspiration for Vermont Escape.  Winner will be chosen after 9 pm EDT on Sunday.

Romantic Suspense

So let's get along to one of her inspiring and favorite destinations, Red River, New Mexico. Get your boots and hats ready for hiking and your favorite walking shoes for shopping. Let's go!

# # # #

Red River, New Mexico Escape by Marsha R. West

Out West in New Mexico USA

I have really enjoyed JQ’s travelogue and am happy to be able to share about one of our favorite places. Red River, New Mexico.

One of my favorite parts about staying there was the scent in the air. It was lavender, and made me just go, “ahhhh”. I wish I could picture that smell for you.

The river

Next I loved the sound of the river. It ran right through the town, and our A-Frame backed up to it. Sleeping with the sound at night was as good as going to sleep to the sound of waves. Walking along beside it either on the road or on the Nature Trial was pure joy.

Deer getting a drink from the river.

Even the deer came into town to sip of the river.

Loved all the walking. The Nature Trail was the closest thing to a hike I did.  But family members did quite a bit of the real thing, and so I get to share a couple of their pictures of great vistas.

Mountain vista, Red River, NM

Mountain view, Red River, NM

Pretty good eating options, but you don’t really go to Red River for the restaurants. A taco stand that the whole family loves is closing at the end of this year. The woman retired to Red River and opened up the stand, but it’s been fifteen years, and she’s ready to “really” retire. We’ll miss her food. One of the best taco salads I’ve ever had, I ate there on this last trip.   

Texas Red’s 

Texas Red’s is an institution from back before we took the kids when they were little. It’s in a different location, but the steaks and seafood are good and the bands play cool old country with a smattering of new country thrown in. The granddaughters had a super time dancing by themselves and with their dads.

  Another place we ate. Small, but yummy, downhome type food.

Then there is the shopping. A highlight for me. (Partly because I can walk to all the stores and do so numerous times throughout our stay.) The Bob Cat is in an old A-Frame and has been there since before when we went with the kids. Currently, it’s run by a woman who picks up unique pieces of Native American jewelry. Last year I bought a silver ring there and one of   our daughter’s bought her husband a knife for his birthday.

Native American jewelry

T-shirt and sweat-shirt stores abound and include cool kid toys and New Mexican type stuff. Easy to while away an afternoon or two.

Great shopping area

  One of my favorite stores. Lots of good Christmas stuff.

The chocolate fudge store is superb. I brought back a couple of packages for friends. Besides the river sounds, the lavender scents, and being with family, the highlight of the visit for me is the cool temperatures. Any place I can be to get away from our 100 degree, hot and humid Texas summer weather, I’m a huge fan of. (This summer hasn’t been as bad as some, but anytime you have a few days in a row with the heat index above 100, well, that’s just not good.)

The lifts

 The lifts. Someone was hiking down the mountain!

Do you have a special place for family trips? Do you go every year or do you spread it around several places? Are you one of the lucky few who can stay some place longer than a week? I have friends and neighbors who do escape our heat for the majority of the summer. That has to be sheer bliss.

I’d love to hear from you, and thanks JQ for having me.

# # # #

Romantic suspense

When a member of the board of a non-profit arts agency in Fort Worth turns up dead, the homicide detective assigned to the case looks at everyone involved in the organization, including the Executive Director. 

Addison Jones Greer, divorced mother of two teens, is the Executive Director of Cowtown Theatre. When a board member is found in the costume room murdered, suspicion rests on everyone involved with the theatre, including Addie. She has angered some board members because she wants to fire the Artistic Director. Although she’s warmed him several times, he continues to go over budget for productions. 
Mike Riley, Fort Worth homicide detective, hates that he caught this case. His sister-in-law dragged him to a theatre fundraiser where he met Addison, the first woman he’s wanted to pursue a relationship with in a long time. Not about to happen now. 
Addison hasn’t ventured into romance since she caught her now ex-husband in their bed with his secretary. As a result she doesn’t do trust. How could she trust someone who seems determined to think she’s capable of murder? Or worse, thinks her kids might be involved. 
SECOND ACT is Book 1 of the Second Chances Series. We meet four women, now in middle age, who’ve been friends since they met at summer camp after second grade. Whether they realize it or not, they all need a second chance. 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle http://amzn.to/19TAB4B

Amazon Print http://amzn.to/1NiKvcb

About Marsha:

Author Marsha West

Marsha R. West, writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. MuseItUp Publishing released her first book, VERMONT ESCAPE, in July 2013. Marsha released the print version of the first book in the fall of 2014. Her second book, TRUTH BE TOLD, was e-released by MIU in May 2014. Both of these are now also out in print. She released (both in print and electronic) her third book, SECOND ACT, Book 1 of the Second Chances Series, in March 2015, Find out more at  www.marsharwest.com She’d love to hear from you.

Join Me at the Rose Parade, Dreams Come True

Dreams Come True was the theme of the 2014 Rose Parade. That theme certainly fit our situation because it was our dream to actually attend the parade one day. Finally, in June, my hubby announced he was ordering the airline tickets to Pasadena, California, and to the Rose Parade! This trip was even better than we had ever imagined. The people, places, and even the weather, was delightful. I only wish I could share all 1000 pictures with you, but, um, no, I won't. Only 900?? LOL!

The Rose Parade celebrated 125 years in 2014. This unique parade did not begin as the elaborate high tech- jaw-dropping extravaganza we now know. Instead this new year tradition began in 1890 by Pasadena's Valley Hunt Club. According to the Rose Parade Guide, "the members wanted to promote the "Mediterranean of the West" so they invited their former East Coast neighbors to watch games such as chariot races, foot races, polo, and tug-of-war under the California sun.

"The abundance of flowers, even in the midst of winter, prompted the club to add another showcase for Pasadena's charm: a parade to precede the competition, where entrants would decorate their carriages with hundreds of blooms".

The tradition of floral be-decked entries into the Tournament of Roses Parade continues, but now on a much larger scale. Flowers and natural materials from all over the world cover every inch of the floats. No paint allowed. Only nature's true colors add the excitement and texture to the elaborate designs.

We visited the float building areas and watched the organized chaos of this huge operation mostly done by volunteers. The tedious process of gluing on each petal or seed, yes tiny seeds, boggled my mind. 

Teen volunteers gluing on flower petals to the opening Rose Parade float. All generations work together to decorate the floats. Kids through senior citizens offer their skills.

These folks are tearing up straw flowers.

The volunteer brushes on glue, then sprinkles the petals in the box all over the gluey section.

Three locations offered views of the decorators in action. I was worried the floats would not be ready by step-off time at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1. When we visited the sites on Monday morning, a lot of the seeds and grasses were glued on, but the delicate flowers had to wait till the last minute to be fresh for the parade judges. So, the volunteers work all day and all night. Such dedication. By the way, the floats were all done in time!

Okay, get ready. The parade is about to begin!

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds zoomed down the parade route thrilling parade viewers.

Opening banner to kick off the parade. This is the float the teens were working on in the picture above. Finished it too!!

A salute to a famous dreamer, Henry Ford. Behind is a rendition of the Spirit of St. Louis honoring dreamer Charles Lindbergh. 

City of Glendale Let's Be Neighbors. The float is based on a real bear who kept coming down into Glendale and raiding the trash cans.

The marauding bear earned the name of Meatball because he always ate the meatballs.
He wouldn't stay in the mountains, so they had to move him to a preserve. 
I wonder if they serve him meatballs there.

So Close, Yet Safari Away

TheK9s4Cops dedicated its float to the heroic K9 law enforcement units across America and to those who serve and protect our communities. This non-profit organization donates highly trained dogs to agencies who otherwise could not afford them.

A salute to the WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) 
For more information go to the Girls Succeed blog 

These cute kitties are riding the RFD-TV float, You Make My Dreams Come True. Can you find the calico on the float below?

RFD-TV float

Gorgeous, elegant float. Of course, it's Beverly Hills. 

Sea World Park's Sea of Surprises

Adorable candy train

These 3 aliens surprised parade viewers by driving out of the space ship and traveling along the parade route. This was a first in parade history!

Wonderful Indonesia--This float got my vote for the most dazzling and exotic float.

Photos never can give the viewer the complete picture of this amazing design.

Monster truck--Had to take a lot of pictures of this monster truck for the grandkids! Made me giggle.

Trader Joes, a grocery store in CA, Relish Your Dreams. It's relish dish with cheeses and olives, etc.
A pickle followed along behind it. So clever.

Butterflies fluttered among the colorful flowers.

The dogs have stolen the dog catcher's truck in this animated float. One of the most humorous floats

Yep, he's running after them. What do you think? Can he catch them??

Have no doubt. Your dreams can come true too.

Thanks for visiting. Do you have a dream that came true? If so, please leave a comment saying yes. If you wish to share the dream with us, please do. 

Travel Time: Ringling Circus Museum and John Ringling's House of John on Sarasota Bay, FL

In the Ringling Circus Museum, the calliope and stilt walking performer costume are from the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus circa 1918-1938

Ladies and Gentlemen--Welcome to your arm chair travel tour of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus and John Ringling's home on Sarasota Bay. My husband and I spent a few days over New Year's in the Sarasota, Florida area and loved it. We winter only two hours north of Sarasota and yet, the feeling in the Sarasota air is so different. Much more tropical and lush than where we are. Gorgeous flowers and landscaping. So green.  I thought I was in Ireland. (Okay, I'm sure you Irishmen don't have palm trees and hibiscus, but I do envision Ireland as green and gorgeous too.)

Today I am sharing some of the photos we took on our small adventure. (Also today I am a guest at Penny Ehrenkranz blog, so click on over when you get done here. Thanks!) So sit back and picture the colorful sights and sounds of the circus as you munch your popcorn and eat that delicious cotton candy. Can you hear the circus band, the elephant trumpeting, the excited buzz of the crowd waiting for the first parade of performers and wild exotic animals? Oh yes, I'm sure you can imagine the smells of the saw dust, the earthy perfume emanating from the animals, and oh the delightful fragrance of fried onions and popcorn.

The performer in the picture above would definitely be found in the opening parade called the spec. The circus always packed as many performers and animals into the spec to wow the audience. What a sight to see. The calliope, which circus people pronounce as callie-ope, was always the last wagon in the parade. Can you hear it as it exits the big top and performers take their places in the three center rings? So much excitement and magical sights to take in, it almost overloads our senses. 

Me and my favorite wagon, the calliope

Below, the band rides the music wagon in the parades. 

Did you ever watch the circus train arrive in town, then follow the elephants and performers as they paraded through town? Did your parents let you stay to watch the workers set up the big tents?

Musicians sit atop the music wagon.  What superior craftsmanship is on display in the construction and decorations.

There is so much to see in the Ringling Circus Museum. I only shared a couple of photos with you. We moved on to Mabel Ringling's rose garden taking in the scents and vibrant blooms on display surrounding the lovely gazebo in the center.

Just one of the gorgeous plants in the over 25,000 square foot Mabel Ringling's rose garden.

The House of John (Ca' d'Zan) is the name of the gorgeous Italian influenced Ringling Mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay.

The walk up to the front of the house.

The front entrance emulates the Mediterranean architecture found in Venice and Spain.

The back of the mansion overlooks Sarasota Bay. The floor is stone imported from Italy.

Sarasota Bay

The Circus Miniature and Interactive Galleries are housed in the Tibbals Learning Center. All of you kids-at-heart will be giddy when you walk into the 3800 square foot room filled with the Howard Bros Circus Model. The design and set-up is based on the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus as it presented its Big Show in 1919-1938. The model is 3/4 inch-to-the-foot scale featuring eight circus tents and 42,000 objects--including the 7000 tiny folding chairs that seats the circus goers under the Big Top. The photo taken below was taken from the second story of the Tibbals Center looking down on the miniature circus. Notice the twinkling lights because this shot was taken as dusk falls over the circus-scape. After a few minutes, the house lights are brightened for a daytime look at the circus. 

You can spot the big top circus tent (center right) where all the magical performances in the three center rings are displayed. Sadly my photos cannot show you the craftsmanship and detail by the artist, Howard Tibbals, circus historian and philanthropist. He has worked on this model over fifty years and continues his work in its present day permanent location at the Tibbals Center. (Yes, he toured with it. Can you imagine packing this model up and then setting it all up over and over again in another location? His work is truly a delight to see.)

Unloading supplies from the train and pulling it to the circus location.

Fruits and veggies for the circus workers and animals. Ordered way ahead of time to be sure to have 1000  pounds of meat each day!

Dining tent--no paper plates and cups or dishwashers in 1918!

Side show and vendors keep the crowd happy before the Big  Show begins.

Remember the Bearded Lady and the two-headed horse? LOL

Animals in their cages waiting to perform their very special acts.

Whether you have never been to a circus or if you are an aficionado of this exotic performance art, you will love the Ringling Circus Museum. The artifacts, posters, memorabilia are everywhere to jog your memory and nostalgia of the circus days. After visiting this museum, I wonder if I made the wrong decision NOT to run away and join the circus!

The 1952 film, The Greatest Show on Earth starrring Cornell Wilde, Charlton Heston, Jimmy Stewart, and Betty Hutton, was filmed in Sarasota with the Ringling Bros. Circus as the backdrop. You may have figured out that this is one of my all-time favorite movies. That may be the only way I will experience being a part of the circus. I can also recommend the book, Water for Elephants, as a great circus read!

If you get in the Sarasota area, be sure to take time to see the Circus Museum. Besides the museum and mansion, there is also an Art Museum and historic which we did not have time to visit. Perhaps next time...Tip--The Art Museum is free and open to the public every Monday.