Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

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Honor With Remembrance Those We’ve Lost

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

While we go about this long weekend spending time with families and friends, we must remember why we have Memorial Day. That is the day the nation honors and remembers the men, women and military animals who have given their lives in defense of freedom.

We take time to honor and remember those who have given the greatest sacrifice since we became a nation. Take a few minutes this weekend to think about and thank those who gave all for our country. Say a prayer for their friends and families who go on without them.

There are thousands of individual stories of these brave military service members who didn’t come home to their loved ones. Below is one story of a veteran who honors our fallen every day by using his talent.

Stay safe this long weekend and enjoy your freedoms; they were earned at the highest cost. Freedom isn’t free.

https://youtu.be/0htvj2qMtzY

Got Commute Crazies?

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by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Is everybody out driving today possessed by demons or is this just commuting? Everyday I head for the day job I see all sorts of bizarre and dangerous driving tricks. My hope is to get to work and back in one piece.

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And we’re off into the slowdown! I always feel like a dragster at these ramp lights. But I never get very far in rush hour. Yes, I took the pic when the light was red and before I accelerated. Don’t try this at home campers, I’m a professional photographer. 

 

I don’t text, talk on a phone or even sing to myself in order to keep track of everyone who thinks they are in a video game. With a long weekend coming up I wanted to list a few of my pet peeves and see if I can get some cooperation out there on the roads.

Turn Signals – These are not an accessory, they are driving tools. The goal is to use the tool BEFORE you make a move. Pulling into the left turn lane and then signaling means you must think I’m psychic. In the military when we marched cadence we had two commands to listen for: the prepatory command and the command of execution. Like RIGHT…… FACE. When a dril sergeant yelled RIGHT, we all knew in a breath to get ready to turn, then when FACE came, we pivoted and turned right together. Most of the time. Turn signals are the same. Put on the turn signal as the preparatory command, then execute a move. Simple.

Bumper Stickers: To amuse myself while stuck in traffic jams or driving I like to catch up on the latest bumper stickers. Favs include “Bark Less, Wag More,” “Cowgirl Mafia” and “Silly Cowboy, Trucks Are For Girls.” So imagine my consternation on a recent drive to work when I spotted a Grumpy Cat bumper sticker that said, “Grumpy Cat Doesn’t Care” and I couldn’t read the rest of it because the type got smaller! So I tried to cuddle up to this person’s bumper at the four way Stop sign, but they took off. I had to Google the darn thing and it turns out “Grumpy Cat Doesn’t Care About Your Stick Figure Family.” Great. Bigger type please.

Off Road: You cannot be too careful when you are out of the car also. A recent shopping trip to Home Depot found me almost getting t-boned in my shopping cart when a dude on an electric cart shot out from a potted palms display and almost took me broad side. It was like being attacked by a tiger popping out of the jungle. Not the best for ones nerves.

So be careful out there in the traffic and keep alert. That includes watching out around palm tree displays. Stay safe out there!

 

Time To Train For Summer Naps?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

It’s been a long challenging week and I think it’s time for naps all around. Who better to learn from than these sleeping cats and kittens who are pros at snoozing.

With wacky weather and a day all to myself, it’s jammie time! Or in other words, the cat’s pajamas.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

P.S. For all veterans, active duty, reserve and National Guard members, tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. We’ve earned TWO naps! Thank you for your service.

Back To The Garden?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Last Saturday I ended up in a speed tomato planting race against the incoming rain and thunderstorms. Weather hit a sunny 90 degrees on Friday and then dropped like a rock to 66 degrees with incoming rain the next morning.

Taking my time Saturday I checked the  Doppler radar at 9:38 a.m. and saw a blob of green, yellow and red moving my way. Tossed on my garden clothes and proceeded to weed, remove old potting soil, put in new potting soil, plant three tomato plants, add their cages, plus change the burned out garage light bulbs all before the storm hit. A quick fifty-five minutes flat. I did get misted on and a cool draft down my back.

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First tomato in, a favorite yellow pear. Planted two each. I use plastic painter buckets with three holes drilled in the bottom sides. They were pink, but they’ve faded in the sun. Yes, that is a purple tomato cage.   

 

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Normally I use Sweet Cherry 100s, but am trying this yellow cherry tomato hybrid since the Sweet 100s were not in sight in the store. Notice the yellow blooms in back? Yellow tomato cage to coordinate! 
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The mint is growing by leaps and bounds since I planted it. Love the aroma.
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Farmer Bun is already surrounded by blooms from the Fairy rose and blooms from a plant where I saw a hummingbird drink ing. You can rock it with a container garden.
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Of course Spec Ops Cat wanted to come outside and help me, but since he doesn’t do rain or mist he stayed inside and supervised. Smart cat!

Got a garden? Let’s grow!

 

Do You Have A Musical Moose?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

After a crazy work week it’s always nice to take a breather. My Mom told me about this video she saw on the news about a moose taking time to stop and play the wind chimes in Alaska.

A very talented and gentle moose she seems to be, enjoying the lilting sound of the chimes. Maybe the moose knows how to relax better than us human types.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

Can You Dance Like A Storm Trooper?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                       (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

So I stayed up late Monday night watching the Trail Blazer game against the Golden State Warriors. Nuf said. Still bummed out. But our Rip City team fought hard and we’ve got some classy players. So in the interest of cheering myself up, I stumbled upon this on YouTube and decided to share.

More photos and tales next Tuesday. In the meantime, Go Blazers on Wednesday night!

https://youtu.be/Ax7tmaYObIQ