Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Blog

Can You Say Snow Cone?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

So here’s the deal. Last weekend I bought a new snow shovel because we were supposed to get a few inches of snow on Tuesday-Wednesday. The prior storm I used a round-tipped shovel to try and scrape ice and it was not an effective tool. Went to Ace Hardware and bought a square snow shovel gem for $9.99. Bargain.

Then my Mom bought new snow boots Tuesday. Next my sister and brother-in-law decided they needed a new snow shovel too and got one from Ace Hardware on Tuesday. The snow started around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. It dumped at two inches an hour. I apologize Portland!

So a foot of snow later and icy temperatures, I used that spiffy new shovel on Wednesday. A lot. I got to use it yesterday too. But the sun is out and it is a balmy 25 degrees which is hot for the past several weeks, so we’re good.

I’m not going anywhere until Monday when the monsoons come in and melt all this.There is a large snow drift outside my garage door which can just turn to rain, thank you very much.

But Nora our fabulous Polar Bear at the Oregon Zoo had a blast in the fresh snow. The elephants were pretty pumped too. The Oregon Zoo has been closed, but the animals are having a blast without us visitors. Par-tee!

Happy Quirky Friday! Stay warm!

Winter Photo Wrap Up?

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Optimistic headline at best, but I can dream can’t I? With another potential snowstorm heading in to the Portland area tonight, wanted to share some more pics of the season. One of the few things I’ve been able to achieve these two months is taking photos.

img_4669
Clear, crisp and sunny. East wind enough to rip your lips off. So pretty.  

 

A quick trip to Mom’s place on Jan. 7 featured clear views of both Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. Besides the East wind blowing my skin off my face and my eyebrows turning to ice, it was lovely. Trees were in front of Mt. Hood, but got this shot of Mt. St. Helens across the farm lands.

She was such a pretty mountain before she blew her top off on May 18, 1980. She looked like a pile of sugar before, now she has a flat top. A volcanic buzz cut so to speak. But the snow still makes her shine.

The next day another snowstorm hit. I’d done my duty by refilling the birdie food, putting out the suet block and making sure the bird bath heater was keeping their water warm; a balmy 33 degrees. When it is 14 degrees out before the wind chill, bath water matters. This little feathered friend appears to be ready to throw himself in the middle of the pile of food. I do not judge.

img_4679
Since this was taken through a window, not as clear, but the bird doesn’t care. If that was kettle corn popcorn, I’d throw myself in there too.  

 

Last but not least was this pic I took on Christmas Eve. Spec Ops Cat and I were watching the Hallmark Channel’s Yule Log presentation with Happy the Cat and Happy the Dog. SOC became quite interested in Happy the Cat. Think he thought there was an invasion.

When the kittens showed up for Happy the Cat to play with, SOC had to go investigate. He even went so far as to look behind the flat screen tv to find one of the kittens. Stealth kitten was not to be found. Once SOC was sure there were no additional felines in the house, he cuddled up for a long winter’s nap.

img_4628
Spec Ops Cat always on perimeter patrol, in case Happy The Cat tries to invade from the tv.

 

No idea how long this crazy weather is going to last all over the country, but we can be sure Spring and Summer will come again; not soon enough for me!

Happy winter photo taking. Wear your mittens!

 

How About A Beach?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Time to head to Maui. Thought I’d take you all with me! On video that is. It’s going to be a snow/sleet/ice/freezing rain/locusts and/or zombies invasion this weeeknd; weathercasters haven’t figured out which. So let’s go to Maui!

Have a Happy Quirky Friday and don’t forget to put on sunscreen!

Looking For A Warm Spring?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                         (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Living in the land of denial is high on my list. Especially right now when the majority of us in the good old USA are freezing our giblets off. In the Pacific Northwest we get cranky when it gets down to 32 degrees in the city, so these 20 degree temperatures plus wind chill are a force to be reckoned with this week.

IMG_0018.JPG
Took this picture of Mt. Hood on Dec. 28 while on a quick photo field trip in my neighborhood. Wanted to work with the fading light and my zoom lens. Clouds came in faster than expected and mucked up the visibility.  Snow belongs on the mountain, not in the city. Just say ‘in.

 

Our Mt. Hood snow skiers might find this face freezing cold fun, but I do not. My days pulling 4 a.m. post guard at Fort Carson, Colorado wearing full arctic cold weather gear pretty much gave me all the thrill I needed with high altitude cold weather training.  You haven’t lived until you’ve tried walking in Army Mickey Mouse boots in a snowstorm.

If I wanted to live in these temperatures I’d move to Antarctica or someplace colder, like Wisconsin. (Go Packers!) So I’ve taken precautions. Moved the Gardenia plant into the garage for a balmy 37 degree spa experience. Duct taped the foundation vent hole blockers to ensure they stay put in the high winds forecast for tonight.

Bought four more holiday blankets on clearance to hang over the big windows; plastic blinds are not the best for insulation. Stocked up on goodies from cookies to beans. Got myself a plug in Warm-Me-Up Heated Pocket Wrap to cuddle into while in the LaZBoy.

My sister got Mom one for Christmas. I beat feet to Bed, Bath and Beyond and bought one using my 15% off coupon. When I combine that with the heating pad, will be toasty as long as I don’t trip the breakers.

img_4663
Spring Bunny Squad! It’s just around the frozen corner.

 

So you can imagine how excited I was at the store today when I spied this row of new merchandise on the shelves. Spring bunnies! We will make it through this cold and the daffodils will rise again. They started peeking up last month then all this cold hit and they went back down into the ground. Smart move.

Stay warm, stay safe and keep any important body parts covered. Words to live by this New Year. Happy 2017!

img_4660
Had to take this picture before Christmas. How happy are these giant bears? If you can find one on clearance, snap it up. Big teddy bear snuggles will keep you warm!

 

 

 

Time To Explore Our National Parks In 2017

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

This final Quirky Friday of 2016 calls for something good to start off the new year. I’m promoting visiting our National Parks. Since the National Park Service celebrated their 100th Anniversary in 2016, it’s time we get out there and enjoy the amazing lands owned by We The People. We also need to thank the wonderful National Park Service employees for their dedication and service.

I’ve visited the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Olympic, Pearl Harbor Memorial, Yosemite, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Arlington, Olympic, Fort Vancouver and The Capitol Mall for a quick list; only about 399 to go.

Thank you all for reading my blog this past year. Have a safe holiday weekend and a very Happy New Year! Let’s go hike in a National Park in 2017!

This link will help you find a National Park near you.

https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

Holiday Observations And Blessings?

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                      (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

This week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is always a time for me to think about what the past year taught me and what I might learn in the New Year. Part of that is because between all the cookies, cashews, pie and turkey I’ve eaten, I can’t move from my LaZBoy coma of watching Hallmark holiday movies with football thrown in for variety.

img_4477
Spec Ops Cat is a Zen Master at relaxing and enjoying the moment. Watch and learn. 

 

I’ve convinced myself that thinking about exercise counts, but my jeans do not agree. The treadmill is waiting patiently for me to return, but it knows I will not be as nimble and light as the last time I jumped on it. Cookie weight. Hope it’s ready for 2017. May need to get a roll bar for it. Plus a Wide Load strap.

Family and friends are worth more than their weight in gold; up that to diamonds and platinum. The folks who put up with me each year should be getting Starbucks stock for their challenging duty. Thank you all for the support. Cuts the cost of therapy.

Dreams are for all of us. Especially when we think they are not. I’ve had more fun starting my Fairy Rock Garden in the backyard. Playing in the dirt can be the best idea. We all need time to play and dream and create. Fill up your creative well. Take time to be.

There are a lot of things that can be cured by a purring kitty snuggle or a doggie lick. Our four-footed friends are much better at living in the moment than we are. They also don’t carry smartphones and calendars. That must be a big part of their secret to relaxing.

This is a time for renewal. We get a new calendar! A time to start over and give it another shot. Life has bumps, dumps and sinkholes, but it also comes with joy, fun and laughter. I try to lean toward the fun side if at all possible. Being a cranky pants ends up annoying even me, besides others. I’ve always found the best antidote is to MOVE. Do something.

If I’m really upset, I clean. Not only does it accomplish something positive, it also poops me out and gets out some of that bad juju. I can’t keep that stuff inside, it will constipate me in too many ways. Medicinal dark chocolate is a good reward after cleaning too. Just saying.

Here’s wishing you new dreams and adventures in 2017. In the meantime go find a pet to cuddle, a person or a cookie. I’ve got my chips and dips for the holiday weekend. Let the parties begin!