Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A Cook

Are You Having Garden Daydreams?

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

This past weekend I got caught in a rain storm, a thunder and lightning storm, sunshine and hail; all in the same two hours. Welcome to Oregon in the Spring! Between March Madness on the tv and political crazies everywhere, it seems the safest bet for mental health these days is to plan my garden.

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Found these gents hanging around in the garden center a few years ago. Okay, I had to draw the line somewhere with these three-foot tall dudes, so I took their picture. But they were on sale….. Back away from the gnomes!

 

I’m thinking about buying a very big blue pot to move either the fairy rose or the boxwood into. A focal piece. Then surround it with inspired fairies, gnomes and gorgeous rose quartz rocks I picked up at the Richardson’s Rock Ranch last Fall.

Downsizing the yard work and upping the fun factor is my mantra this year. Since I have clay soil the consistency of concrete, I keep everything in pots. From herbs to roses to strawberries and ferns, pots r us.

The Burpee seed catalog arrived before my tax packet from the accountant in early January. Now that the taxes are out of the house, I can focus on what plants to buy and how to rearrange all the pots. Thinking more color this year. The pots I mean, the flowers are always colorful.

So since we had more hail storms yesterday and 22 inches of snow on the mountain in the last two days, of course it’s supposed to be sunny and 65 degrees on Friday. Welcome to Spring!

Support a bunny, plant lettuce. Got garden plans?

 

Scrat In Space!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                            (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Not sure how I missed this trailer in December, but so glad I stumbled across it this week. Scrat is my hero! It also really lets us know how the universe was born. So if you’ve got rain and the will winter never end blues, let Scrat help you out. Scrat in space!

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

Do You Have Any Cat Clutter?

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by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Spent part of the weekend reading my latest how to kill clutter book. I have at least a dozen of those guides. No matter how I try I’m always purging and cleaning  out my desk, closets, cabinets, the garage, my purse and the pantry.

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To kitty nap on new summer tops, perchance to dream. 

 

How do we get so much stuff? Part of my collections I give a pass; books, beads, bears, shoes and DVDs. And office supplies – I have an unholy addiction to office supplies. But if OfficeMax is closed, I’m covered, and so is most of Oregon if needed.

So while looking back at photos from March 2014, digital photo clutter, I happened upon a bunch of my favorite feline doing his best to help me organize. Not. These were three brand new blouses that I had laid out on the bed to put away. Before I could turn around and chant “blueberry pop tarts,” Spec Ops Cat made himself a new bed.

Not that he needed another bed, he has at least five “official” beds downstairs and three upstairs. But he felt the need to add a special frilly one to his collection. Good thing he’s cute, cuddly and performs perimeter patrol.

While vacuuming this past weekend I also had to move his toys. Not all his toys, just the bunch which are currently spread all over the house until I rotate them with his stash in the closet. Of all the toys I buy him and Grandma gets for him, the twist ties off the new electronic gadgets are his favorites.

I bet I could get my home organized, but all the books have never mentioned what to do with cat clutter. Perhaps that’s because we all know when it comes to our pets, they rule. A plaque I have says, “When all else fails, hug the cat.”

Who needs decluttering books anyway? Got pets? Got clutter? Enjoy it!

 

 

 

Ghostbusters Gals Rock It!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Ghostbusters is almost back! This summer the women are going to rock the box office showing off their brains and ghost catching skills. The only thing I like better than a 1980s classic movie, is a great sequel!

Can’t wait to watch this flick. In the meantime, let’s all hum the theme song all day long. Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Got Your 2016 Vacations Planned?

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

It’s a dark and stormy day here in Oregon with heavy rain and high wind warnings. So what better time to daydream about where and when to take vacations this year? I’ve already requested time off from the day job and I’m looking forward to playing in Oregon.

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Suttle Lake outside of Sisters, Oregon – one of my top favorite lakes to visit. Priceless!

 

The 2015 vacations were all about flying to places and one staycation at home. This year is all about not flying anywhere and motoring around my home state. Places on the travel list are my favorites; Sisters, Depoe Bay, Madras, Sisters again and maybe a surprise or two.

One of the best parts about vacations is the planning and anticipation. A vacation bonus is spending time and making memories with family and friends. There is nothing like a vacation road trip to bring out the nutty and bizarre. This has been true whether travelling with family, friends or in the military. Really wacko things happened in the military. And with my family and friends too, come to think of it.

After my bag dragging days in the Army and Air Force, I now specialize in princess travel as I like to call it; full mosey mode with no aircraft to load, tents to pitch or screaming Drill Sergeants.

It’s always good to get away from home and explore the beautiful sights and sounds of my very own state. Even a quick day trip up the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River seems like a long vacation break. It doesn’t take an overnight trip to get that vacation bounce back in your step.

Got rain? Got vacation plans? Where are you going to venture this year?

 

It’s Baby Hippo Time!

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Spent this week getting off processed sugar and back on lettuce and protein. The added cashew weight from last Fall is not budging. But then I saw this news story about the new addition at the Prague Zoo in Czechoslovakia and I didn’t feel so bad. How cute is this baby hippo?

So while I am walking and back on the treadmill, this little babe is the darling of the news media. Listen to the camera shutter clicks. A star is born! Somehow that gives me comfort. Beauty comes in all sizes.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!