Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

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Celebrate National Pet Day?

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This is how Spec Ops Cat trained for National Pet Day. This was grueling training on March 31st. Full on nap maneuvers. Very impressive skill level.

by Kimberly A. Cook

I’m behind in my writing duties since I was waiting on Spec Ops Cat hand and paw for yesterday’s National Pet Day. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Part of his present included me spending a long lunch with family having chai tea, chicken cranberry walnut salad on a croissant and a huge cookie.

Such sacrifice on my part. Leaving home so he could nap in silence was really his gift. (I write fiction for a reason.)

He celebrated his special day by waking me up with a 5:20 a.m. hairball. Always providing me with gifts. Such a giver. But he is my roommate, buddy and vice president of security operations, so he earns his keep.

Did you celebrate your pet yesterday? Feel free to do it today and every day. Make sure to ration those treats; no matter how much they beg.

Spec Ops Cat thinks he has a magic food bowl. Since he will chow down his wet gravy food too fast, I give him a tablespoon at a time in the morning to slow his gobbling. Works great.

But he tries to use “bowl patrol” during the rest of the day before dinner. If he stares at the bowl long enough, then looks at me, maybe more food will appear out of the heavens.

Know that feeling when you’re watching tv and you feel target lock? Turn my head into the kitchen and yup, bowl patrol. He’s giving me “the look.” He has plenty of dry food, but he’s a gravy guy.

Hug your pets and treasure them while you can. I’ve had four friends lose their loving buddies in the past five months.  Heart breaking. I’ve informed Spec Ops Cat he is not to go along with that crowd. As usual, he wasn’t listening to me, but napping in a sun spot.

Hug your fur babies today and every day!

Spring, Cats And Chaos?

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by Kimberly A. Cook

The blooms are coming! The blooms are coming! We are up to our eyeballs in buds, blooms and pollen here in the great state of Oregon. Sun breaks, rain storms, and buzzing bees. A big wind storm is on tap for tomorrow, so batten down your yard art!

It’s not just us humans who enjoy spring, felines get into the act too. Check out Simon’s Cat take on the joys of the season.

Have a great safe weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Got Spring Fever Snoozies?

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Hugging trees time!

by Kimberly A. Cook

Napping. That is all I want to do right now. Between the wacky weather going from ice in the bird bath to rain then warm exploding buds then back to a windstorm this Saturday, my body thinks winter might be returning. Or the pollen is cutting off my air supply. Think both actually apply.

While I should be working on business projects, reviewing the beta readers comments on my fiction book and writing, I want to snooze. Seems this always happens when the season turns from winter to spring and fall to winter. Primitive cave wiring, hibernate time.

While driving on errands I see folks jogging along the side of the road and get jealous. Not that their jogging, hate that after doing it five days a week every morning in the Army, but the fact they seem to have energy. Where do they get that? Caffeine? Red Bull? No allergies? Maybe all of the above. Scary.

So sometimes you have to slow down and take the nap. Don’t fight it. Spec Ops Cat is a ninja nap master. I have much to learn from him. Of course he gets to sleep a minimum eighteen hours a day, so he has it down to a science; upstairs naps, downstairs naps and hiding in the closet naps.

My Army Battalion Commander used to take a thirty-minute power nap at lunch every day. As a troop you really don’t want your Battalion Commander recharged for the afternoon, but it worked for him.

On my way home from Office Depot today, I stopped to take some quick photos of the blooms. So pretty. Bees were everywhere doing their job. Very busy. I also practiced my spring ritual of reaching out and touching the blossoms. Love to cup them in my hand. So soft.

Spring blooms burst upon us then leave quickly. Savor the season. Slow down and touch the flowers. Inhale the fragrant air.

Then take a nap.

Enjoy!

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Ready For Bunny Romp?

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by Kimberly A. Cook

Celebrated Spring Break this week by attending a private crochet camp. I flunked. Actually, it was two friends and my Mom with her friend teaching, but private crochet camp sounds so fancy. It confirmed I’m a knitter and got me back to a blanket project, so success.

Spring is my favorite time of year with the flowers blooming, more daylight and bunnies! I have been a huge bunny fan since I was young. We had a wild rabbit sighting in my backyard as a kid and I’ve been bunny bonkers ever since.

So while other folks might be dealing with basketball brackets, I’m enjoying bunny brackets. How about these seven-week-old Rex rabbits who have joined the Oregon Zoo family farm? So adorable!

Bet they are the star attractions for the Oregon Zoo’s Rabbit Romp tomorrow. Remember, don’t give rabbits as live gifts, but do eat your greens like these baby bunnies demonstrate. However, they are eating kale; good for them, but I think lettuce is fine too.

Have a great safe weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

Time For Spring Break And Surfing!

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by Kimberly A. Cook

Spring break next week here in Oregon. Makes me hark back to my youth of surfing movies, Beach Boys songs and the fact I can’t swim for beans. But I am fabulous at watching from the shore. I might try surfing in a pool; small wake.

This video may better explain my story last week about trying to get a rock out of the surf on this beach. Forgettaboutit!

The movie, “Ride The Wild Surf,” released in 1964. Love story too. In Hawaii. Explains so much about me and my girlfriends raised on these flicks. Still looking for Moondoggie…

Have a great safe weekend and Happy Quirky Friday! Cowabunga!

Happy First Day Of Spring?

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IMG_3303by Kimberly A. Cook

Here in Oregon the trees are budding and Spring may actually appear. We had a wonderful warm day yesterday and then the bird bath froze last night. Welcome to weather.

I read another Nor’easter is headed for the East Coast. So sorry. Thought I’d send some blooms your way. This is one of the trees on my street. Used the telephoto so we could all get up close. Tree climbing is not my thing.

Hope this finds you enjoying the small signs of Spring. Or if you can’t find the ground buried under snow,  I suggest silk flowers and bunny figurines. Couldn’t hurt!

Have a wonderful first day of Spring!