Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

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Have You Given Your Brain A Break Today?

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Last night I listened to a radio program about how our tech toys and tools are making us forget to play. We’re so plugged in we can’t unplug and unwind. If we can’t play our creative muse will take a walk. Maybe it’s time to back away from the tech.

Spec Ops Cat demonstrates one way to daydream using the advanced mastery pose.

Recently I switched from a Blackberry cell phone to an Android. We are still getting used to each other, but what has overwhelmed me is the number of apps available on the thing. Who on the planet has time for all these apps?

There are a few apps I see doing good things, like the PTSD Coach app the Department of Veterans Affairs has come up with to help veterans manage their PTSD symptoms. Yes, there is an app for that, see here http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/7895/mobile-app-helps-veterans-manage-ptsd/

The ebook apps work for me, of course. But I’m not sure why AT&T thinks I need 10 different apps to manage my account. They came loaded on the phone. There are the apps to check up on the other apps. While I am enjoying my new tool, I really am able to shut it off and put it to bed. It needs a nap and so do I.

On Sunday I actually sat on the lawn swing in the back yard for a few hours and read an old school paperback book. Outside. Natural light. No batteries required. Amazing. With all the demands of our busy world, our creative brains need a break. Daydreaming is required work for writers. We need brain down time to let our subconscious run free in the woods and solve our writing dilemmas.

Perhaps the increase in yoga and meditation these days is to give our brains a chance to unplug from the non-stop digital streams and just be a brain. No batteries needed. Give your brain a break today. Go play!

Stay In Shape With The Navy!

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Heard about this video going viral this week so had to check it out. This spirited takeoff by the Navy Cadets is great. If anyone wonders if our future men and women warriors can handle the military needs of our nation, they need look no further than this demonstration of teamwork, creativity and fitness. Our tax dollars at work. Bravo Zulu! (That’s a Navy term I’ve learned – means good job – I think.)

Happy Quirky Friday!

Body Armor? One Size Does Not Fit All

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Back in the dark ages when I went in the Army – 1975 – women were beginning the ramp up to increase our percentages in the ranks. The Vietnam War had taken a toll on recruiting and women were seen as a viable new soldier labor pool.

101st Airborne Division female Soldiers first to test prototype body armor. Photo by U.S. Army

There were some things we noticed right away about being in a man’s world. Our barracks bathroom had urinals. Now, we figured if we had to clean the damn things we might as well use them; to wash off our combat boots. Worked for us.

Fort McClellan, Alabama was home to the Women’s Army Corps then, so there weren’t that many things out-of-place. The firing range was interesting. Using an acronym the Romans must have come up with for fighting – BRAS – Breathe, Relax, Aim and Squeeze – was a reminder for us as well as the Military Police School students stationed there on how to fire our M-16s. This early introduction to being in a man’s world seemed natural. One adapted.

Perhaps this is why when I read the article yesterday about the Army getting around to testing women’s body armor, I paused. Women have been in the Army a LONG TIME. Took them this long to figure out different body armor was needed? During Desert Storm we pulled flak vests from Air Force Reserve troops in Alaska to outfit our flight nurses, med techs, ops officers and admin staff in my Squadron when we deployed them overseas.

But even back then in the Air Force Reserve in 1989 I had been issued men’s fireproof (?) long underwear for under my flightsuit. And don’t get me started on who flightsuits were designed for in the first place. Unless you are thin and skinny, us women with curves had challenges getting the darn things to fit. Then add the extra bulk of the long underwear front slot where I didn’t need it. Imagine. Looked like a badger was having a fight inside my flightsuit at times.

I’m glad the Army is getting around to covering my warrior sisters with proper fitting body armor. About time. Hope they cancelled the makeup class I had to attend in basic training. Just saying….

Read the article here http://www.stripes.com/news/army-testing-body-armor-made-for-women-1.189212

Time For A Little Hula?

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

With weeks like this sometimes a diversion is a great thing. Here is a scene from a favorite movie of mine with one of my all-time favorite singers. I do not apologize for being an Elvis fan, I revel in it. Take a break and enjoy a little dancing and singing. Happy Quirky Friday!

Remembering September 11th With Action

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by Kimberly A. Cook        (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Today is Patriot Day, a day to remember what we lost on September 11, 2001. In life how we go forward from a tragedy many times says more about us as a nation and as individuals than the immediate aftermath. This was true after Pearl Harbor, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan, the attack on the USS Cole and the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut.

How we move forward in action shows who we really are not only to ourselves, but to the world. On this 11th Anniversary of 9/11, give to others for those who can no longer give and for those who fought and tried on 9/11/01 to save us all.                                                                             #military     #911Day

Ready For Fall And Winter? Me Neither

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by Kimberly A. Cook        (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We’ve gotten past Labor Day so now the relentless march to the holidays begins.  Being a sun lover here in Oregon, the only thing that gets me through this light-challenged time of year is hope for a long summer into October and future holiday food. My feelings can best be summed up by these cute little orphan owls. My eyes are about the same size as theirs when I realize here come the holidays!

Happy Quirky Friday!