Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Fall

Harvest Moon Tonight!

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Tonight is the full Harvest Moon and I can feel the nip of Fall in the air. Mornings are cooler and some leaves are starting to turn colors, so that means comfy blankets, reading books, Hallmark Holiday movies and tons of FOOD! Fabulous.

To celebrate this big moon, felt an old time song would do the trick. Haven’t seen this movie yet, but Gordon MacRae was a pretty handsome guy back in the day and he could sing too! Not just a pretty face. He starred in “Oklahoma” and “Carousel” too. I might break out in show tunes!

Doris Day is amazing. One of my favorites and a great comic actress as well. Plus animal lover. Love her a lot.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday! Stock up on hot chocolate mix and apple cider now!

 

Pink Clouds And Serendipity?

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

On my way home from the day job last night I noticed how the sunset started filling the sky with pink. So when I got stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident, evasive maneuvers were required.

I turned off onto a road I rarely travel and came across a great open spot to view the pink clouds.

Doesn't this look like a Monet painting? It doesn't look real.
Doesn’t this look like a Monet painting? It doesn’t look real.

Drove past. Then I turned around and came back. One must never pass up the opportunity to take pictures of pink clouds.

Monet is one of my favorite artists and these were his kind of clouds. Snapping off several shots, the light quickly faded and dark began to descend.

With the hectic pace of life we all lead, taking the time to appreciate beauty and savor the gorgeous does wonders for our human spirit.

It’s also a nice pause in the middle of a hectic day. I find it helps ground me again when all the pressures of a normal day crowd in.

Losing the light and the scene becomes more dramatic. The tree top at the bottom right provides some scale to the photo.
Losing the light and the scene becomes more dramatic. The tree top at the bottom right provides some scale to the photo.

The leaves are turning here in Oregon to beautiful yellows and oranges and the golden light of Fall is painting everything with a glow, including pink clouds in the sunset.

Saw a cute sign at a shop this past weekend that said, “Do One Thing Every Day To Make Yourself Happy.” Done.

Now spread some happiness around; it’s a good thing to share. Like pink sunsets!

Squirrel Shakes? Shake Squirrel? Who Knew?

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

So it’s not just me. Even the animal kingdom knows it’s Fall and they’re stocking up on food. This little squirrel went nuts over a milkshake. I can’t blame him I have the same problem with chocolate shakes, including trying to get the lid off the dang cup.

Of course, I don’t think we need squirrels high on sugar too. Chaos! So people, finish your milkshakes. Save a squirrel from sugar.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

September Squirrel, Holiday Shopping And Pumpkin Spice Lattes?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

Is it just me or has somebody cranked up the calendar and put the holidays before the horse? And the sleigh? Three weeks ago I noticed the Halloween candy was out at the grocery store. August, it was August! People were already buying their pre-holiday taste testing goblin candy to devour before they have to buy more candy for Halloween. (You know we all do it.)

Notice how dainty and well-mannered Mr. Squirrel is while he scarfs up all the purloined bird food.
Notice how dainty and well-mannered Mr. Squirrel is while he scarfs up all the purloined bird food.

Then this weekend I saw KMart advertising Christmas layaway on tv with Santa shopping from a scooter and a walking Christmas tree using a grocery cart. Hope Santa’s okay. Maybe his sleigh doesn’t work well in KMart. Reindeer droppings I bet.

Our weather dipped into the 50s on Sunday and didn’t reach 60 degrees all day. I went hunting my new alpaca socks to wear. Now the weather guy says it’s going to be 90 degrees on Friday. Must be Fall in Oregon.

I ripped out my tomato plants yesterday because we were both tired of each other. I took in the last harvest and now have a science experiment in progress to see if the green ones will ripen. Put them in a leftover Chinese takeout food plastic container which I think looks like a mini-greenhouse. Perfect. Harvest time. Must be football season! Yes!

On the local news Monday night they spilled the beans that the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, using real  pumpkin, would be available today. As opposed to using alien pumpkin ingredients I guess? BUT, if you wanted to get the treat on Labor Day, you had to use the password PUMPKIN. How clever is that?

Without great personal restraint this would be me in any bakery I enter. It's been a miracle I haven't climbed into a pastry case yet. The season's still young!
Without great personal restraint this would be me in any bakery I enter. It’s been a miracle I haven’t climbed into a pastry case yet. The season’s still young!

By accident I noticed the squirrel feeder was out of food when Mr. Squirrel was snacking at the ground bird feeder, instead of HIS feeder. Got a couple close up pics by carefully opening the screen door, but my favorite is the last one I had to shoot through the window for the perfect angle.

If winter must come then we all might as well chow down by hopping into the holiday food trough just like Mr. Squirrel. Forget dainty and bashful.

Local weather forecasters say due to a historic El Nino the Pacific Northwest should have above average temperatures and less rain this winter. Right.

Time to go find my snow shovel, reactivate my Netflix account and get a few cases of Halloween candy. Mr. Squirrel knows something.

Start hoarding the Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

It’s Time For A Bunny Break!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                     (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

There’s a bit of Fall snap in the air, even though we still have high temps here in Oregon. So what better way to get ready for the coming cool weather than to practice snuggling? What better role model than two baby bunnies!

How cute are these guys who are eating very carefully and sharing. Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!