Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

Sensual western romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
  • Welcome
  • Blog
  • Mailing List Sign Up
  • Contact Mary
  • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
  • Holiday Books
  • Two-Five Ranch Outlaws
  • Double Dutch Ranch Series
    • Visit Canyon Junction
  • Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love
  • Bull Rider Series
  • Character Family Connections
  • Reading Order
  • Meet Our Heroines
  • About
  • Tag: winter

    • Wordless Wednesday: Up North 2

      Posted at 2:56 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 2, 2022
      Top: Annual ice fountain in Gaylord, Michigan. Bottom: Sunset on Burt Lake in Indian River, Michigan.

      Hey, all. I’ve been absent here, but I’m still alive. I guess I ran out of things to say. 🤔 These images are from one of my “up north” cousins and used with his permission. Next week I’ll try to post ice sculpture pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. By the way, if the fountain is familiar, it’s because I posted a similar picture of it last winter.

      I hope you’re all having fun. Apologies for neglecting your blogs, too. Stay safe. Thanks for visiting.

      Posted in #AmWriting, Wordless Wednesday | 4 Comments | Tagged ice fountain, Michigan, sunset Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, winter
    • #WordlessWednesday Quiet Past

      Posted at 10:30 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on April 15, 2020
      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Quiet Past Wordless Wednesday blog post, nature, photography, snowing pine branch, angled red wood fence, snowy ground
      Posted in #WritersLife, Wordless Wednesday | 6 Comments | Tagged #AuthorsLife, #WordlessWednesday, #WritersLife, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, photography, quiet past, winter, Wordless Wednesday
    • #WordlessWednesday Prohibited But Tempting

      Posted at 12:01 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 5, 2020

      frozen pond, warning sign, Prohibited, No skating, No swimming, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, blog post Wordless Wednesday

      Posted in #WritersLife, Wordless Wednesday | 4 Comments | Tagged #WordlessWednesday Prohibited, #WritersLife, Frozen pond, mary j mccoy dressel, No skating or swimming, winter, Wordless Wednesday
    • It’s that Joyous Time of the Year!

      Posted at 12:49 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on December 25, 2017

      Happy Holidays, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western Romance

      *Waving* Hello Bloggers, Followers, and Friends! Forgive me if I’m intruding into your family time. I’m stepping into your inbox for a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, or whichever way you say, and celebrate, Christmas. To those of you who don’t celebrate, I am sending you wishes for a joyful season. Thanks to all of you for being here.

      Enjoy the day with your family and friends. Hopefully, I’ll see you next Friday with the last 52-Week Blog Challenge post of 2017.


      I woke to this… It’s beautiful, but now it can go away. The images look a little blah taken with my cell phone. The morning was gloomy and gray, but the sun is out now. Still…brrrr…

      Christmas 2017, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      Christmas Morning 2017

       

      The reason for the season.

      I’ve turned off sharing for this post.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #WritersLife | 8 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #WritersLife, christmas 2017, holiday season, It's That Joyous Time of the Year, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Reason for the season, western romance, winter
    • #AmWriting #MFRWauthor The Best of Seasonal Changes

      Posted at 11:41 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 22, 2017

      Welcome to the first day of Fall. Today autumn officially arrives at 4:02 p.m. EDT in the Northern Hemisphere. From The Farmer’s Almanac:

      The word equinox comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

       

      Week 38. The best parts of each season.

      #MFRWauthor

      Marketing For Romance Writers.org, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance

      I wrote a post for last week, but I didn’t get it posted on time. Last week the topic was Five Ways To Win My Heart. I hope you don’t mind me jotting the five ways to win my heart at the bottom of this post. Skip reading the delayed snippet if you choose. I won’t know.  🙂

      Now on to this week’s topic: The best parts of…

      Spring

      Rebirth. Butterflies. No snow. Everything outside is fresh and new. The grass is turning a pretty Kelly green. Hyacinths and crocuses bloom. Buds appear on trees. The air smells so fresh after a spring rain.

       

       

       

       

      Summer 

      Longer days. Vacation. The Beach. Blue skies and fluffy clouds. Roses. Fresh vegetables and fruit. Fireworks. No snow. Camping. People camp in anything from tents to 5th wheels or motor homes. My family has camped in ground tents, pop-up tents, a pickup camper (Remember those?), and a 5th wheel. Sitting around a campfire at night is romantic and fun for those who enjoy it.

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western RomanceSummer vacation doesn’t mean to me what it used to when I worked, but I love this season. Then, summer couldn’t come soon enough. School dragged until the last day. At my last job in middle school, all the teachers stood outside at the bus stop and waved good-bye to the students. The students got a big kick out of it. Lordy, were we happy! So were the kids.

       

      Autumn

       

      Beauty. Cider Mills. Candy and caramel apples. Cooler temps. Longer walks. Less lawn cutting. Photography. The crunch of leaves. A coating of leaves as they pile up everywhere. Who doesn’t enjoy a drive during the autumn when trees put on their stunning autumn coats only to lose them too quickly? This is my favorite time of year.

       

       

       

       

       

      Winter 

       

      Holidays—Thanksgiving. Christmas, New Year’s Eve. Decorations. Christmas lights. Turkey. Cozy fire. Snowmen. Snuggling into a warm bed. The first snowfall. After the first snowfall, it can melt and not come back until Christmas Eve. Then it can melt again. Do you like sitting in front of a fireplace? I can’t imagine what the holidays will be like this year with both my kids living far away. My son is moving today.  😦

       

      Remember, folks, this is a Marketing for Romance Writers dot org BLOG HOP. Please check out the other participants HERE.

      Thanks for reading! Enjoy autumn.


      Here’s where I’m sneaking in a quick rundown of Five Ways to Win my Heart from last week’s topic.

      1. Show respect and accept me for who I am. I’ll do the same for you.

      2. Make me laugh.

      3. Flirting with other women when I’m with you, especially with a woman who is with another man, won’t earn you brownie points.

      4. How you introduce me to your friends and acquaintances says a lot. Do you introduce me as a friend, when we both know I’m so much more? Are you ashamed to admit I’m your girlfriend, fiancée, wife? Freaking introduce me properly, please. At least use my name if you can’t think of anything else.

      5. Remember my birthday and our anniversary. Flowers, candy, or gifts aren’t necessary. Yes, they are nice to receive. BUT, if you took the time to pick out a card and tell me happy birthday / anniversary, you’ve won my heart, sweetie.

      Photo credits: Coat/cowboy hat © Aldegonde Le Compte | Dreamstime.com. Christmas Boots  © Olivier Le Queinec | Dreamstime.com. Butterfly Pixabay.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 22 Comments | Tagged Autumnal Equinox, contemporary western romance, cowboy, Fall, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Romance, spring, summer, western, winter
    • Snow Days in the 26th State

      Posted at 9:18 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on March 4, 2016
      winter 2015 first snow 5

      This year has been mild, well, up until the beginning of 2016.

      This quote comes from another post I wrote about winter.

      I don’t trust March.  It’s like an unruly kid who does whatever he/she wants, whenever.

      Yours truly – Mary

      Of course, I’m writing this in March and the quote is still true this year. Yesterday, it snowed again, which is the second snow in less than a week. Saturday will bring more snow. The picture above is the first snow of 2015, but it was early in the day. It had turned out to be about nine inches by nightfall.

      This time of year there are a lot of complaints about the snow and cold. Let’s rephrase that last sentence. I complain a lot and only speak for myself. The bad part about snow this time of year is ice. Temps warm and then they drop. Then the melting snow freezes. Snow gets heavy to shovel. Traffic accidents happen. People fall. Wipers get frozen to the windshield. Fisherman (and kids, ladies & animals) can fall through the ice on lakes.

      Photo by Lars H Knudsen on Pexels.com

      A young guy bagging my groceries the other day warned me a snowstorm was on the way. I told him I didn’t want to think about another one. The cashier chewed us both out for complaining, saying if we didn’t like it we could move because it’s like this every year. It’s nothing new. In a kind voice, I told him, “Not everyone can just pick up and move.”

      On the positive side, snow is pretty to look at when it’s falling. It can come down in large, slow-falling flakes, or so hard and fast that it becomes a whiteout, and you can’t see for a few yards in front of you. If it’s windy, it’ll blow sideways and sting your face.

      When fresh snow isn’t walked or driven on, it’s beautiful. I call it virgin snow. Depending on where you are, walking in falling snow can be quiet and ethereal. It’s also nice to see trees with snow on the branches or pine boughs.

      snow day in March2

      I’m not a skier nor do I ride snowmobiles. I’d ride a snowmobile if I had one. You probably can’t live here and not drive on a lake at least once in your life, although no matter how thick the ice is, it terrifies me to be on the ice in a vehicle!

      Photo by Victor Novoseltsev on Pexels.com

      When I was young, I used to ice skate but didn’t mind the cold and snow then. It’s been about fifteen years since I wore skates, and a lot of the time I was on my butt. Maybe it’s the old bones now that can’t take the cold. 🙂  When I was a kid, I’d go ice fishing with my dad “up north” at my grandma’s house on a lake. I swear it snows daily up there.

      I heard cardinals singing recently when the snow melted for a couple days, but I haven’t seen a robin yet. Spring is around the corner, so to speak. I can’t wait, but before long I’ll be telling you how hot it is. 🙂

      Snowy branch

      Stay warm or stay cool depending on where you live. Have a relaxing upcoming weekend.

      Posted in #AmWriting | 9 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, 26th state, Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, Cowboy Books, Great Lake Basin, Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, Romance, Series Books, Snow Days, Snow Days in the 26th State, Snowstorm, sunrise, western romance, winter
    • Ok, Why I’m Sick of Winter ~ Thursday 13 Reboot

      Posted at 9:19 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 6, 2014

      I’ve been away from Thursday 13 for a long, long time. I think about it when I see other postings for it on Twitter. Here we are now in January 2023, I’m using “Press This” to have a little fun with a reboot since this post was originally published 2014.

      Why I’m Sick of Winter: 

      1.  For the season: 67.9 inches of snow. This is was a record in Detroit. It’s snowing now, again, after eight inches yesterday. UPDATE: It’s been snowing on and off (mostly on) for seven of eight days so far – January 2023.
      2. Below zero temperatures. Records were broken here, too. Update: You guessed it. New records were broken- January 2023.
      3. I can drive my new car, but I don’t in bad weather. Thirty minutes ago my son dug out someone who was out on the road. I don’t want it to be me. Update: This son moved out of state, so I’d have to help myself  – January 2023.
      4. I can’t see the cool color of my car when covered with snow. The paint changes between three colors. I love it! Update: I no longer have that car, but my current car has a cool color too.
      5. In one day: snow, rain, sleet, ice, snow, and wind. Okay, so this is typical for Michigan. Update: In one day, snow, rain, sleet, ice, snow, and wind – January 2023 in Michigan.
      6. I’m wearing gloves…inside. (While I type) Update: I’m wearing gloves – January 2023.
      7. Three layers of shirts plus a hoodie. Update: In my current apartment, I don’t need four layers of clothes  – January2023.
      8. Pushing a grocery cart through the parking lot? Update: Yawn. Yep – 2023, but I’ve played it smart and go when snow has been plowed. I’m not getting any younger you know.
      9. Trudging to the mailbox. Update: Mailboxes are inside our apartment buildings here! All I have to do is walk up and down a flight of stairs  – January 2023.
      10. Getting snow balls off my dog’s paws. Okay, I’m being picky here. LOL, she does it herself. Update: My dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge some years ago. 😥
      11. My oldest son invited me to California. I didn’t go. Update: Doggone! I didn’t go – January 2023.
      12. Salt on my car when I go out. But, I’m not complaining because it keeps the road from being slick. (When the temperature is warn enough, that is.)
      13. I’ll end this list on a positive note: Snow is beautiful when it first comes down. To those of you who love snow, I give you a big pat on the back. Enjoy. So you know—I could probably come up with a positive for most of these negatives. I like to live more in the positive than negative anyway.

      You can find some of my old 13’s by typing Thursday Thirteen in the search box in the sidebar or toward bottom on a mobile phone.

      Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Update: This link no longer works – January 2023.

      Posted in #AmWriting | 18 Comments | Tagged mary j mccoy dressel, meme, snow, Thursday 13 meme, winter
    • This Site is Not Intended for Children Under the Age of 13.

    • COPYRIGHT 2007 – 2023 by Mary J. Dressel All Rights Reserved

    • Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel on WordPress.com
    • Click to sign up for Mary’s Newsletter. Powered by MailChimp.

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Link
    • THANK YOU READERS!

      I appreciate your support.

    • Search this Sight

    • Bull Rider #1
      Bull Rider #1
      #2
      #2
      #3
      #3
      Heartbreak's Reward, Mary J McCoy-Dressel
      #2
      Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Blog post snippet
      #3
      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Western romance, series romance, book cover, cowboy, barn, two horses
      #4
      New Release, Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, western romance, small town romance, first love. second chances
      Spin Off Series #1
      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Secret Santa's Rundown Sleigh A holiday romance novella, New Release, Book Cover man and woman embraced at dark with snow falling, blog post Mighty Mac the Mackinac Bridge
      Single Title
      BlueSnowintheMoonlight_MED
      #3
      #3
      #2
      #2
      new release Seasoned with Destiny: A Gift of Love Book #5, Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, book announcement on Series page
      #5
      #1 Double Dutch Ranch
      #1 Double Dutch Ranch
      #1 Two-Five Ranch Outlaws
      #1 Two-Five Ranch Outlaws
      Book #2
      Book #2
    • Mary J McCoy-Dressel, western romance, cowboys, series romance
    • Top Posts & Pages

      •   Welcome Hi, I'm glad you found your way her…
          Welcome Hi, I'm glad you found your way her…
    • Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel on WordPress.com
    • Website Last Updated February 1, 2023

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Link
    • Updated Mailchimp Newsletter Privacy Policy 2022

      Privacy Policy

      Terms of Use

    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    • © Mary J. Dressel, Author Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J McCoy-Dressel Books 2007 – 2023. All Rights Reserved.

      Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and prospective copyright holders, e.g., guest posters, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Books and/or the author of guest posts with appropriate and specific direction to the original content with this Site’s URL.

      Read additional Terms of Use.

    • Terms of Use & UPDATES FOR MAILCHIMP NEWSLETTER Privacy Policy

      Terms of Use

      Privacy Policy

       

    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Privacy Policy Link is in the Menu.

      Join 6,050 other subscribers
    • Blogroll

      • a) Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
      • Apache Trail
      • Automattic Inc.
      • Bloganuary 2023
      • Chicago Manual of Style
      • Marketing for Romance Writers Blog MFRW
      • Military Working Dogs: Facebook
      • MockupShots
      • Romance Writers of America
      • South Mountail Park Stables
      • Suguaro Lake in Arizona
      • Superstition 1 Arizona State Parks, Lost Dutchman State Park
      • Superstition 2 Superstition Mountain
      • Superstition 3 Apache Junction Public Library
      • Superstition 4 Welcome to the Superstition Wilderness Trails
      • Superstition 5 Superstition Search & Rescue
      • Superstition 6 Hiking Flatiron
      • Superstition Mountain Trail Rides
      • The Writer's Forensic Blog by D.P. Lyle, MD
      • Tonto National Forest, Arizona
      • WordPress.org
    • Follow Mary J. McCoy-Dressel on WordPress.com
    • Meta

      • Register
      • Log in
      • Entries feed
      • Comments feed
      • WordPress.com
    • Mary’s Publishing Imprint

    • Follow Mary on BookBub

      western romance, series romance, mary j mccoy-dressel, cowboys
  • Click to Subscribe to Mary’s Newsletter. Powered by MailChimp.

  • © 2007 – 2023 by Mary J. Dressel, Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    © Mary J. Dressel, Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, and Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Books, 2007 – 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Mary J. McCoy-Dressel Books with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    • Daily Prompt: Canopy Walk
      Daily Prompt: Canopy Walk
    • Writing Prompts at Your Fingertips
      Writing Prompts at Your Fingertips
    • Let's Get Real
      Let's Get Real
    • Whatever it Takes
      Whatever it Takes
    • Snippet Saturday: Of the Cowboy's Own Accord
      Snippet Saturday: Of the Cowboy's Own Accord

  • Follow Following
    • Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
    • Join 326 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.