Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Quirky Fridays

Ducks And Eagles Oh My!

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTakes)

Quirky Friday post is late today because I’ve been a bit bummed about Chip Kelly leaving our U of O Ducks and heading East to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. (By the way, when you live in Oregon, anything past Montana is back East to us.) But now I’m over it.

Since we don’t have an NFL team in Oregon, I’ve decided to adopt the Eagles. When I started watching football back in the stone age, the Vikings were my team, then the Jets with Namath and then I settled with the Raiders and Snake Stabler. Still a Raiders fan, but I can adopt Philly too.

Felt better after I watched Chip’s press conference yesterday, so thought I would share. Think there are a lot of good points from his football philosophy that translate to writing. Plus, he’s fun to watch when he messes with the media. So if you’ve got some time, check Chip out. I’m looking forward to the NFL Fall! Happy Quirky Friday!

http://youtu.be/5S7CjK8jaoM

Have You Had Recess Today?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                      (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Here we are with a fresh start in a new year trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. Sometimes the best thing to do is get out of our adult heads and get in touch with our inner toddler. To help us out with that exercise today, it’s time to visit with our favorite 300 pound plus zoo baby, Lily.

More than one month old now, Lily is living with the herd at the Oregon Zoo and enjoying playtime with her mom and aunties. There isn’t sound at the beginning of this video, but you can hear Lily roar near the end.

Maybe the best thing to do on this Quirky Friday is to go out and play on recess. (Personally, I think we should still have recess and especially nap time with milk and graham crackers for adults.) So to Lily and all the toddlers in the world who can teach us a thing or two about playing and enjoying the moment, play on!

Are You Smarter Than A Cat Or A Border Collie?

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Me neither. This adorable duo has more brains than most of us as we start into the new year. If you’re trying to give your activity and fitness levels a kick in 2013, take lessons from these two athletes. The real trick for all of us is to move, stay busy and have fun doing it!

With everyone getting back into the work mode next week after the holidays, let’s see what new tricks we can teach ourselves in 2013. Perhaps the best one is to play with our pets and let them train us! Now, if I could get them to write my books…..

Happy Quirky Friday!

Let’s Bounce Into 2013 Together

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Hope you are enjoying the holidays. Emotions have been like a ping-pong ball this past month and I’m ready to put 2012 in the rearview mirror. The promise of a fresh new calendar and year always gets me motivated. Primary on the list for 2013? Fitness!

Between the day job and writing at home, my butt is beginning to resemble an aircraft carrier; excellent for an aircraft carrier but not for moi. Since Nora Roberts does an hour on the treadmill each morning before she writes, time to gear up. Author brains need oxygen. Frequently.

I always look for inspiration on YouTube and I found this gem by accident. Notice how this fit athlete uses skill and agility to master the challenging game of ping-pong. Before all the modern-day wanna-cats, Dagwood was doing it old school, better and on national tv. This athlete refused to be swayed by big paychecks and fancy reality show deals. She stayed home and did it her way. That’s on my list for 2013 too! Happy Quirky Friday and see you in the brand new spanking year.

http://youtu.be/xfy3CrTYJMY

Happy Holidays To Our Troops Around The World

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

This Friday we head into the holiday weekend and my thoughts and prayers are with our military troops around the world keeping us safe. When we’re away from our families in the military, we make the best of it, but there is a special little place in our heart that wishes we were with our loved ones.

For all our troops around the world, here is a favorite video to let you know we care about you and to thank you for your service. We appreciate the sacrifice and hardships you and your families deal with on a daily basis and especially during the holidays. We wish you all return home safe and sound very soon.

Always on duty, we know the men and women at NORAD are getting ready to clear the airspace for Santa and his reindeer. Thanks again for yet another job well done!

Back To Clackamas Town Center Mall Because Santa Needs Us

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

This has been a tough few days for my neighborhood. A lone shooter killed two people in our mall, wounded a young girl and then took his own life. My family and friends were all checking where each other was on Tuesday afternoon. One friend had just left the mall, two others were on their way and I was going after work from my day job.

I am grateful to our Clackamas County Sheriff Deputies who trained for this scenario earlier this year, the supporting law enforcement officials, plus the amazing work of Clackamas Fire District 1 and all our first responders. The mall security staff did their jobs with precision and bravery and mall employees and shoppers worked together to prevent a much greater tragedy.

The mall reopened an hour ago and I am off to shop at my favorite stores. You can’t let the crazies win. When an incident like this happens and Santa has to duck and cover and be rescued by a SWAT Team, you know angels were very hard at work on Tuesday.

We will remember the two wonderful people we lost and support their families, the loss to the distraught gunman’s family, help the wounded girl and her family and support all the employees and affected shoppers to get through this tragedy. Hold your loved ones close and be thankful for your friends and family.

On this truly Quirky Friday for those of us here in Clackamas County, I offer this video to help us start healing. Celebrate each day. Embrace the true meaning of the holidays as my fellow employees and citizens acted with goodwill toward each other on Tuesday. The good and brave of us outnumber the bad in our great nation. It gives me hope for the world.

http://youtu.be/S9leSsJAFu4