Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A. Cook

Got Blown Glass?

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Glass shopping heaven on the Oregon Coast!

Getting out of town is a time to find new places to see and visit old friends. That’s what we did on our beach trip. On the way home we decided to stop by the Alder House III glassblowing studio. It had been decades since we visited, so the time was right.

When we walked into the studio, Treasure was demonstrating his glass blowing techniques and educating the onlookers. We quietly joined the small crowd and realized everyone was listening and learning. Not a piece of tech in use!

Treasure hard at work using the 2000 degree furnace. Another reason this studio is at the beach.

He was working on a glass vase and went through the process of firing, blowing it hollow, shaping and adding embellishments to it. Fascinating. From the hot glass to the super hot furnace, his artistry was on display.

I know it’s really hot everywhere right now, but this is a true furnace.

      After the presentation we wandered the wonderful glass items on display. Three pieces of artwork magically jumped into our hands. We had to take them home.

Treasure applying the detailing on the outside of the vase. Art in action.

            My friend Kathy started with one bowl and then the matching two pieces in the set also jumped into her hands. We happily packed them up and put them in the back seat with the seat belt on. Precious cargo.

This glass heart insisted on going home with me. Who am I to fight destiny? Inspiration for my romance writing. Truly.

If you want to visit, the Alder House III, it is located a half mile north of Salishan Lodge on Highway 101, at 611 Immonen Road, between Lincoln City and Gleneden Beach at Siletz Bay. The lovely three-fourths of a mile road leads you along the river and through the woods. Literally. There is also Mossy Creek Pottery studio next door.

You can check out their website at www.alderhouse.com They are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 1st through the end of October. The five glass artists make creations for everyone, so don’t be surprised if one launches itself into your hands. It’s a good thing!

Art is for everybody!

Alder House awaits for those willing to venture down the less taken road.

Black Bear Bath Time?

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Lucky for me, our annual beach trip coincided with the spike in the heat wave last weekend. Fog and drizzle never felt so good! But we did have glorious sun in the morning, then when the valley heated up, the fog came in. Best of both worlds.

Today is a nice cloudy day so I can get some work done outside. But the heat is coming back, so take some tips from our black bear, Takoda, at the Oregon Zoo. He figured out how to beat the heat; bear bathing!

Have a great, safe weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

It’s A Pachyderm Pool Party!

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We’re dealing with a heat wave here in Oregon, much like everywhere else. So what do our girl elephants do at the Oregon Zoo? They hit the pool! Nothing like getting the beach towels out and having a great day in the water.

Stay cool everybody and Happy Quirky Friday!

Practice water safety!

Is Fiction Editing Like Spray Painting?

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This park bench has been in my family for years and ended up at my house this summer. Little worse for wear. A first draft.

Yes. Yes it is. When you think you’ve finished a chapter or a book, the editing process really begins. A first draft is just that, a draft. In spray painting prep terms, it might look like a good specimen, but the closer you look, the more cracks and peeling paint you see. This is a good thing.

First you need to assess the situation. If this is the first draft of book chapter one, keep writing! Otherwise you might polish the first draft of the first chapter into nothingness. Any piece of wood or metal can only take so much sanding or polishing before it becomes dust.

After using my new mouse sander. Looks like how I feel before makeup in the morning.

If you have a finished first draft of a book, it’s time to take a much closer look and find its flaws. They may be minor or major, but taking off the layers will show you the bones and if major or minor revisions are needed.

Some coarse sanding might be in order, then medium, then fine. Once you have a manuscript stripped down to the bones and not a word wasted, you can paint on the layers of polish, aka paint.

Polishing of a first written draft is the same as a first coat of paint; you’re going to need more paint to fill in the gaps.

Take your time to round out the fiction world you have created. Bring in multiple coats of paint and words to create a smooth story and paint surface. Allow time in between layers of words and paint to let it dry and show itself.

You will make editing mistakes. Be patient with yourself. Whether you are spraying your toes or making the book worse, scrub the book and your toes to make them both sparkle.

Then on to final finishing with fine sanding and words to get all the pieces in place, sanded and glowing. One more coat to seal it and then you are good to go.

Whether you are finishing a painting or a writing project, attention to detail and time are key. With each project you undertake, you improve your skills. You find out how you write a book or chapter, not how someone else does it.

The biggest surprise? You never stop learning. With writing or spray paint!

Perfect priceless pink!

 

Sea Otters On Ice?

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No, it’s not a new Disney ice rink show. It’s how our furry sea otters at the Oregon Zoo kept cool during our heat wave last weekend. Too cute for words! They even chew on the ice. Eddie, Juno and Lincoln are no dummies; ice in their kiddie pools.

Here’s hoping those ice making machines are ready for the next heat wave coming Sunday. Crank up those machines to keep our fine furry friends comfortable.

Everybody else do the same!

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

Astoria, Captain Flavel And Clouds

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Flavel House Museum, Astoria, Oregon

 

When the going gets tough, I leave town. During the crazy of the web site remodel, construction project and heat wave, a day trip to the coast seemed like the best course of action. My friend and I headed for Astoria for cool breezes, clouds, seafood and research.

We both have wanted to tour the Flavel House Museum for years and finally our timing was right. The Flavel House was finished in 1886 for Captain George Flavel, a mover and shaker in early Astoria.

Captain George Flavel of Astoria, Oregon.

Not only did Flavel see the coming shipping boom, his most impressive feat for me is being the father of the Columbia River Bar pilots. These men and women today continue his legacy of heroic measures to keep river traffic flowing across the Columbia River Bar, considered the most dangerous bar in the world.

Flavel did it with wooden ships, sail and row boats. Yowsa.

So working hard and smart his whole life, he had an 11,600 square foot home built for him and his wife, Mary, and daughters Nellie and Katie. His son, George Conrad Flavel, had married and did not live in the home.

 

The most amazing part of all Flavel’s accomplishments? He was regarded as a fair, good man by the community.  He was truly mourned when he died in 1893, after living seven years in his retirement home.

Music Room.

The house went on the National Register of Historic Places in 1951. The refurbishing of the home over the years has been nothing short of astounding. The additional Carriage House was built in 1887 and now holds the Visitor Center, gift shop, introductory video, and exhibits.

The home and Carriage House take up one whole city block. With a great river view of course.

The Library!! Be still my heart.

This grand old lady is well worth taking a visit to see. The fresh sea air, cool interior and fabulous food in town made for a great day getaway.

New favorite reading chair. Got to get me one of these.

I took more than one-hundred twenty photos and I could have taken more. I’m lazy so I take pictures of the placards so I can read them for in-depth research later.

Astoria is famous for movies being filmed there like “Kindergarten Cop,” “Short Circuit,” “Sometimes A Great Notion,” and of course “Goonies.”

But I think the star of the town is the Flavel House. She was there first and she’s the belle of the town.

For more information:  www.cumtux.org

Then finish your visit with a nice sit by the pond and watch the goldfish. Heaven.