When is a garden not a garden?

Linda Ford Posted on by

When is a garden not a garden?
Answer: When it’s a marsh.

Believe it or not, that’s exactly how the Chicago Botanic Garden started out. Just fifty years ago, this beautiful, world-renowned place was little more than soggy, undeveloped land. Hard to imagine, right? Thanks to the vision and hard work of the Chicago Horticultural Society, it’s now a thriving garden that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

And here’s the best part—it’s not only a hub for scientists and students but also simply a wonderful place to wander. Whether you’re someone who loves identifying trees and flowers, or you just want to stroll and soak in nature, there’s something here for you.

The Chicago Botanic Garden stretches across 385 acres—yes, acres!—and boasts 26 distinct gardens, four natural areas, and more than 2.7 million plants. That’s a lot of green.

Each garden has its own personality. The Japanese Garden is all about peace and tranquility.

The English Walled Garden charms with its structured beauty and flowering plants, and the Bonsai Collection? Absolutely stunning—tiny trees with centuries of artistry behind them. And speaking of small but mighty, don’t miss the miniature railway system that winds through tiny landmarks. From there, you can follow your nose to the rose garden, where the colors and fragrance are unforgettable.

 

But the Garden is more than just a feast for the eyes (and the nose). It’s also a leader in sustainability and education. Staff work hard to promote eco-friendly practices, conserve native species, and support local wildlife. So while you’re enjoying the beauty, you’re also walking through a place dedicated to protecting the environment and teaching us how to do the same.

For me personally, it was an opportunity to refill my creative well. As Julia Cameron says in her book, The Artist’s Way, speaking of creativity, “We must learn to be self-nourishing.” She calls it filling the well. A botanical garden is a great place to do exactly that.

 

I found my first love at the rodeo…

Linda Ford Posted on by

My father was a great storyteller. Many of them had to do with earlier times and places. (It’s no wonder I like writing historicals.) My favourite stories were about pioneer cowboys. Big John Ware, the colored cowboy who proved to be a hero in so many ways.

Guy Weadick, who considered himself to be ‘half cowboy and three-quarters showman’. He along with his wife, Flores LaDue, was largely responsible for starting the Calgary Stampede which is now world famous and attracts thousands and thousands of people.

Then there was Fred Stimson and George Lane who ran the Bar U Ranch back in the day. Oh, and lest we forget, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid worked there at one time.

But in truth, I didn’t have to go far to see real cowboys up close and personal. I was very young when we went to the farm/ranch of a family member. The cowboys were big and handsome with a swagger that informed the world they were ready for anything. They proceeded to prove it.

With lariats swinging, they roped calves. With spurs jangling, they rode unbroken horses, yelling and waving their hand overhead like it was spectacular fun! And then- in shivers of fear and anticipation- they dared each other to ride one of the meanest, snortingest, biggest bulls ever. (Remember I was knee high to a grasshopper- so easily impressed. I might have grown over the years, but I’d still describe the bulls the same way.) It took several horses, several lariats, and even several cowboys to restrain this wild creature so someone could climb on its back. Then everyone backed away and the bull snorted and roared and twisted and bucked. Cowboy after cowboy hit the dust.

And then- my hero- the most handsome, tallest, most swaggering one of them all, settled on the sweaty, hairy, angry back.

“Let ’em go boys!” His voice rang out, filled with confidence.

And they did. The animal bucked and snorted and bellowed and twisted. He couldn’t unseat the cowboy. Finally, the rider deftly and purposely caught a gate in passing. He left the animal and shouted victory.

I. Was. In. Love.
With the genre.
Not the cowboy. (believe that if you want. lol)

I think stories of heroes like this cowboy should be told and retold. And so I do exactly that. Not only do I write about big, brave cowboys, I show their fears and vulnerabilities and I show the women with pluck enough to tame these handsome men.

Find my newest cowboy story in the pages of “Montana Groom of Convenience” set to release August,19th!

Faced with losing her family’s ranch, Carly makes a heart-wrenching choice- a marriage of convenience or watch everything slip away? Sawyer needs security for him and his sister- not a wife, or so he thought. As emotions surface and attraction grows, can they continue to suppress their feelings to achieve their goals, or will they risk everything for a chance at real love?

 

It began when I had a dream about someone finding a stash of money…

Linda Ford Posted on by

… The story stuck in my head- but since that was a contemporary theme, I began to brainstorm how I could make it historical. For this series I wanted a smallish town with gold mining history. I found the perfect place for my stories in Libby, MN and enjoyed a visited there. I was fascinated and impressed by the eagles of Libby- over 25 sculptures displayed throughout the town. Their sizes varied from ones with a 6 foot span to those with a 25 foot span!

I was in awe of the huge Ross Creek cedars that are over 500 years old. The Kootenay Falls were awesome. But my focus was on the history and I wasn’t disappointed. There is a library well stocked with books on local history.

Gold brought people to the area. In 1864, 1000 men were each panning $20-$30 from Wild Horse Creek. Find gold was valued at $18/oz. but it was the wealth of the trees that kept them there.

I didn’t want to write about the miners, so came up with an idea for ranchers and cowboys. Thus was born the Marshall family, all tall, blond and blue eyed. But how to get the cowboys heroines? I created a reason for newcomers in town. In the Montana Cowboy series, the patriarch wants a quiet place for people apart from the rough mining town and establishes Bella Creek which forms the heartbeat and the backdrop of the stories.

Book 1 (Montana Cowboy Daddy) is now available on AMAZON. Book 2 (Montana Cowboy Family) is set to release March 4th. The rest of the series is available for pre-order!

 

The trail end…

Well- that’s a wrap! The latest release in the Wagons West series brings the romantic sagas and adventures of the Woods and Miller families wagon train to a finale. With all the obstacles of dramatic rescues, being closed to love after loss, matchmaking gone wrong (doesn’t it usually?), love rejected by society, and marriages of convenience- naturally they needed a bit of my help to open to love. 😉  I’m curious to know which is your favorite? (Feel free to share in the comment section, or find me on Facebook under Linda Ford, author)

Here are a few items you may find in the series:

A tiny Bible

A goat

A mountain drawing

A nurse

Baked beans were a staple on the trail. Beans were easy to carry, dried, and kept well. It’s difficult to find a true recipe because we now have so many things to add that pioneers wouldn’t had. But here is a recipe I gleaned from Recipes on the Oregon Trail.

Baked Beans Recipe:

  1. Prepare 4 cups of beans by rinsing and place in large pot, covering with water and letting stand overnight for at least 12 hours. Drain, then put in pot with 1/2 lb. of salt pork.
  2. Cover with fresh water. Simmer on low fire for 3 hours.
  3. At the start of the 4th hour add these ingredients: 1/4 cup of dark molasses, 2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp. ground pepper. Stir and simmer an additional hour. Add more liquid if needed.

As you can see the basics are the same as today. These were often served with biscuits that were reasonably easy to bake in a Dutch oven over hot coals. The ladies and many of the gents got quite adept at making biscuits while on the trail.

The entire WAGONS WEST SERIES is available in print and ebook format. For quick link click on icon.

   
Watch for further releases and more info. For the latest news, sign up to my newsletter. (Orange button on left column).

 

 

They’re ready to set out.

Linda Ford Posted on by

I have started a new series–Wagons West. 

Come and join the Woods and Miller families as they leave their lives in Manitoba and head west to the territories to join the Woods’ son who is a Mountie. The year is 1887. They could travel part way by steam-powered train but have decided against it because of the eldest son, Bertie, who hasn’t been right since he had scarlet fever when he was five. The man loves animals and is good with them. He is strong and helpful, but strangers frighten him. Sometimes, when he’s afraid, he runs off. Sometimes he hides. Moreover, he is terrified of trains. No, he’ll be happiest if he’s shepherding his animals along the trail. He has a tame goat, two cats, and a three-legged dog.

While this series contains portions of Canadian history—the Northwest Mounted Police, the early railway, and other bits and pieces—there has been no attempt to present an accurate timeline. It is, first and foremost, a work of fiction. I have taken many creative liberties for the sake of an entertaining story.

I could find no evidence of such a wagon train but I’m sure there were some. So, I made it up. Just as I made up the various river crossings, the little towns along the way, the many challenges they faced and indeed, the very people who made this journey. It is wholly a work of fiction though you will discover truth within the pages. Truth about the beauty and challenges of the great country of Canada, truth about the heroes and heroines who faced such challenges and overcame them and most of all, truth about the power of love and the never-failing faithfulness of God.

I needed a way of keeping track of everyone so I drew a picture, thus proving I’m no artist. Lol. Hey, it gets the job done.

Wagon Train Song, the first book is out, available in both print and e-book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVG55QKF

Book #2, Wagon Train Hope, is available for preorder. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CW1FTLLP

Watch for further releases and more info. For the latest news, sign up to my newsletter. (Orange button on left column).

Goodbye 2023. Hello 2024

Linda Ford Posted on by

How was your 2023? Full of surprises–some unwelcome? Challenges? Disappointments? I suppose we’ve all had our share of those. Too often we get stuck looking at the negative when there is always something(s) to be grateful for. I know if I gave it some serious thought and started to list my blessings, there would be pages of them. Everything from family to health to friends and especially, God’s love. So my challenge to myself in 2024 is to remember to count my blessings. Like I read somewhere: Gratitude helps us see what there is instead of what there isn’t.

Among the many things I’m grateful for is my writing. It is my safe place. A place where I pretend I have some control. My office is quiet (mostly). Yes, there are days when it’s a struggle to find words, to find motivation, and simply to get my characters behaving the way I think they should.

2023 has seen the release of 9 Mail Order Brides stories. They’ve been fun to write (and, to be honest, sometimes frustrating.) The last in the series releases Jan. 9, 2024.

I have begun a new series. Watch for news and information on that.

To you, I wish a blessed, happy, gratitude-filled 2024.

New Season–my favorite

Linda Ford Posted on by

Summer is over.

We had a busy summer here but then what summer isn’t busy here? Here are a few highlights of how I spent my summer.

We are developing an acreage next door complete with house, outbuildings, etc. It’s a LOT of work. Dare I believe the end is in sight?

 

 

The garden was bountiful. Something I am always grateful for despite the work involved.

We had visitors and attended a couple reunions. That’s always enjoyable.

There was a Grade Nine graduation for two granddaughters who were lovely to behold.

 

A tornado touched down nearby, destroying several homes and leaving behind an unbelievable swath of destruction. Such powerful tornados are relatively rare here. Thankfully. Our community rallied around the disaster zone and with hundreds of volunteers cleaned up the debris in about a month. I am so proud to be part of such a supportive community.

 

We lost a few friends and relatives. It’s always hard to say a final goodbye.

Now fall is upon us. My favorite time of year. I’m hoping to get back into the writing grove. Montana Mail Order Brides series is still releasing and I’m happy to announced I am working on a new series. I’ll have more news about that in the new year.

My 100th book.

Linda Ford Posted on by

I recently released my 100th book. Did I ever think I’d reach this milestone? Absolutely not. (I’m as surprised as you are. lol) I couldn’t have done it without the help of many people. Friends (you know who you are), editors, fellow writers (again, you know who you are), my readers–especially my readers, and so many others.

My kids put on a wonderful surprise celebration. (I was so honored). A meet-and-greet at our local library with so many surprise visits, tea at the Banff Springs Hotel (about as special as one can get), and a nice video tribute. You can see the video here 100th book release tribute- LINDA FORD AUTHOR – YouTube

What is this book you ask? It’s Mail-Order Bride Substitute which was a challenge to write because of things going on in my family at the time. I hope my hard work has created a good story to read.

Once Upon A Time

Linda Ford Posted on by

Once upon a time there was a young girl who lived on the prairies—the flat prairies of which any number of jokes had evolved. ‘My dog ran away last week and I can still see him.’

She’d been to visit her grandparents which meant traveling through the mountains. One time it was on a train when she was five. She was terrified when she looked down from the train when it crossed a trestle and she could see nothing holding her up. Of course, that girl was me. Several trips were made through the mountains via car. They were both awe-inspiring and a little frightening. One road we took was switch backs and blind corners when you couldn’t see what was coming. It was only wide enough for one vehicle. If we met someone coming from the other direction—usually a big truck—my dad had to back up to the nearest wide spot that allowed the two vehicles to pass. Imagine! He backed up on a very curvy, narrow road. (I still get tense at the thought.) And yet, I love the mountains.

My first job out of highschool was working at a remote resort in the mountains. I spent my days off in Banff and thus began my life-long love affair with that town. To this day, I try and make an annual trip to Banff or at least to some area of the mountains.

 

So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that many of my books are set in the mountains, mostly in Alberta and Montana.