Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A Cook

Who Waxed The Floors?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

I love baby goats and when they come with matching white puppies, even better. This little four-day old guy cannot figure out what the scrambling dog wants.

The baby goat is also trying to figure out the slippery floors. Meanwhile the puppy is so excited he might have a matching playmate he actually bounces. And of course they were supervised by adults. With a video camera.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

P.S. Sorry about the ad on the video, but the kid and puppy are worth wading through it.

 

 

A Photo Interlude?

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by Kimberly A. Cook         (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

I can’t seem to get my act together with a trash compactor these days, so today’s late post will feature some oldie but goodie photographs. Have a ton of new photos to share from recent adventures, but can’t get on top of things. Stay tuned, some day I might get organized. Maybe.

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You can never go wrong with good food and drink. Two of my favorites here. Perfect for rainy cold weather.  

Then we need to add some beauty to our visual break.

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One of my favorite roses, the Double Delight. Yes, Spring will come again and while a few roses are still blooming now, this gives me hope!

And last but not least, every writer needs a wingman, so here is mine, Spec Ops Cat.

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And I wonder why the paper jams in my printer; must be the cat hair. Spec Ops Cat doing his impression of a paperweight. Good boy!

 

Ready For An Ice Cube Bear Break?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Between Hurricane Matthew on the East Coast and politics, I didn’t feel too Quirky this past Friday. So I decided we could all use a Nora the Polar Bear break today. Checking in on our favorite bear in quarantine at the Oregon Zoo, we find her playing up a storm in an ice bath.

Share the joy! If that kiddie pool was filled with Dove Dark Chocolate pieces I’d be doing the exact same thing as Nora, rolling in it. Have not been able to figure out if the red ball she is playing with in the pool is a fancy football or not, but our girl’s got game.

Can’t wait to visit her when she decides to make her royal appearance sometime this month. In a world of crazy weather and crazier elections, polar bear girls just wanna have fun!

Happy Quirky Nora Tuesday!

 

World War II Birds Take Flight In Madras, Oregon

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Spent last week in Sisters and Madras, Oregon shopping, relaxing, digging thundereggs, and soaking in hot tubs. One fabulous exhibit we stumbled upon is the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.

Nestled in a refurbished World War II aircraft hangar at the Madras airport were more than twenty military aircraft complete with floor diapers for their oil leaks. They are still dripping oil since most of these rare birds are still flown on a regular basis.

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This B-17G is so big I could have backed up to the highway and still not get all of her in my wide angle lens. Notice the ball turret gunner “bubble” underneath. Very tight quarters.

Aircraft on display include a B-17G Bomber, P-51D Mustang, FM-2 Wildcat and even a ME-109 Messerschmitt. While wandering all around with my camera, I could not locate the Vought F4U Corsair, a favorite of my Dad’s. Found out it was in the shop for a tune up. Guess I will have to go back!

This collection started in the 1970’s by Jack Erickson and then his grandson Mike Oliver caught the airplane bug and serves as the General Manager of the Collection today. Pretty sure he might have been the one leading a tour of folks around the collection while we were there; the red Corvette parked out front a give away perhaps?

Since Madras served as a training base for B-17 pilots during World War II, it is the perfect place to host these fabulous machines. The stories of the men who flew these beauties were nicely displayed in the collection, especially since so many were local boys.

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USS Ranger magic strikes again. “Heavenly Body” is at Madras, Oregon. Priceless! 

The women were not left out either with the role they played building these machines on display. Since USS Ranger magic is everywhere, one of the photos featured the time a B-25J Mitchell flew off the USS Ranger in San Diego, CA harbor to commemorate the Doolittle Raid.

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Here she is!

Many of those Doolittle Raid pilots were drawn from the local area. Think USS Ranger was giving me a sign. If you get a chance, venture over and visit this amazing collection in Madras, Oregon.

Check them out at www.ericksoncollection.com

P.S. Did I mention there is an air show too? Must make another trip…..

 

 

Otterly Adorable Zoo Baby!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

We are overwhelmed with cuteness here in Oregon. Not only are we awaiting Nora the polar bear’s debut next month, but we have baby otter Ottumn to watch too. Can you feel the love?

Not sure I’d like to learn to swim the way Mom drags the baby into the water, but it’s worked for them for generations. Cute squeaks too!

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

Nora Is Here!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                        (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

I may be a day late, but I’m not a polar bear short. Nora the polar bear has arrived at the Oregon Zoo. She’s getting acquainted in her private digs behind the scenes like any big star, before she gets to meet her fans and her new roommate. She’s got thirty days in quarantine and then she might decide to come out and see us in mid-October.

Seems she is specializing in grass stains, sand rolling, swimming, back scratching and mud runs while she adjusts to her temporary digs. She’s one of us already!

A huge polar bear thank you to Ohio for sending us 10-month-old Nora!

Hope you’re having a great weekend and had a Happy Quirky Friday!