Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Kimberly A Cook

Happy Almost Valentine’s Day Everyone!

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Kimberly A. Cook                   (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Valentine’s Day Eve, the day when those of us who are single get to buy ourselves presents! The current man in my life at the moment, Spec Ops Cat, is a little tight with his wallet so I shop for myself. Let me tell you, I have excellent taste.

So what better way to celebrate the almost holiday than to view one of my favorite romantic scenes of all time from the only perfect movie version of “Pride and Prejudice” in my opinion, this fabulous clip. See, we all love it so much folks put it on YouTube. And, yes, “The course of true love never did run smooth;” did it Shakespeare?

And huge Happy Birthday hugs and love to my Mom, the best Valentine’s Day baby ever!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all and Happy Quirky Friday!

Sending Blooms To Boston

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Boston, I don’t know what to tell you. You’re dealing with a snowtastrophe. I spent this past weekend thrilled to PIP (Putter In Place) at home for two days while we got hit with rain from the Pineapple Express. Boston folks are experiencing cabin fever of epic proportions at this point and I bet it’s not too fun.

Saw a YouTube video of a cat losing it trying to get out the front door of snow.  How do you even explain it to your dogs? Do they have doggie snow poop scoopers?

Mom brought this over Sunday from her back yard. Gorgeous camellia. No, she does not have a green house.
Mom brought this over Sunday from her backyard. Gorgeous camellia. No, she does not have a green house.

Since Mr. Whiskers the hedgehog at the Oregon Zoo predicted an early Spring for those of us on the West Coast, his record is 1 percent better than old Phil the Groundhog’s (40% to 39%), I feel I should apologize since we’re getting an early spring out West. They’re even predicting 65 degree weather here on Friday. I kid you not. Of course that unleashes the tree pollen, but I bet Boston would take that too.

So the best thing I can do is perhaps give you  hope that blooms will blossom eventually by showing you some of ours.

My saxifrasia will survive even a nuclear blast I think, but the cold weather didn’t slow them down this past winter. This backyard one was so happy in its pot I didn’t even realize it had bloomed. What a wonderful surprise. So I know you Boston folks are tough and I hope storm Marcus eases up on you soon.

Valentine’s Day is coming, so maybe you can make red or pink snow hearts? Use cherry juice? Seems you have plenty of snow to work with right now.  Hope the Blooms for Boston help!

Have you noticed the pink theme with my plant blooms? Pink rocks!
Have you noticed the pink theme with my plant blooms? Pink rocks!

Have You Seen Snowball Cat?

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

The East Coast, New England and Boston are getting hammered by yet another snow storm. They are truly living the movie “Groundhog Day.” Well, it seems like one cat is taking this all in stride and has some pretty cool moves.

Don’t mess with snowball catching cat, he might just throw it back at you!

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday.

Got Spring Fever?

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by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

The Super Bowl is over so it must be Spring. Wait one. Poor Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog had to use an ice ax and a snow blower to even reach daylight yesterday, so seeing his shadow was a guarantee. More winter for all. While the East is under their thirteenth snow attack it seems, flowers are blooming here in Oregon.

How is this for a perfect pink camellia blossom?
How is this for a perfect pink camellia blossom?

At my writer friend’s house Saturday to carpool to our support group, she had a fabulous yard full of blooming camellias. Could not resist taking a few pictures, but I have no idea of the camellias names. An article in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago said the camellia in my backyard which blooms during the winter and sets off Spec Ops Cat’s allergies is a Yuletide. Makes sense since it is bright red with a yellow center.

I’d chop it down but the birdies love it. Plus Spec Ops Cat enjoys watching the birdies, Cat TV from inside, so it’s a Catch- 22. Since we had sun on Saturday and rain on Sunday, made me want to either take a nap in a sun spot or cuddle up in a blanket. Spec Ops Cat chose to sleep in the sun spot. Smart boy.

It might be the transition time of year here but we can always get another snow event, like we did in February 2014. Think it is the possibility of Spring that makes me want to run and break out my sandals. Too cold now, but my toes love to run naked when they can.

The Mamas and Papas song, “California Dreamin” comes to mind, but my version would be Spring Dreamin. I checked the planter full of bulbs and the brave ones are raising their little green heads above the soil. On Feb. 16, President’s Day, it will be time to cut back the roses.

The days roll on and suddenly we will turn the clocks back and then Spring will arrive. Spring is my favorite season with all the new growth and buds. And Easter bunnies! Here’s wishing us all dreams of Spring and warmer days.

Took this photo of the moon from my backyard last night. The calendar says tonight is the Snow Moon. Don't tell the East Coast!
Took this photo of the moon from my backyard last night. The calendar says tonight is the Snow Moon. Don’t tell the East Coast!

And hopefully someone gave Phil the Groundhog a nice big cup of cocoa with mini-marshmallows to keep him warm until Spring arrives.

If you want to check on Phil: www.groundhog.org

 

 

 

 

Clear the DVR! It’s Kitten – Puppy – Super Bowl Weekend!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

I’m one of those folks who likes to be surprised, so it’s been quite the challenge trying to avoid the early release of the Super Bowl commercials. Mostly I’ve succeeded except for the whole puppy-gate dust-up about the G D commercial, (I am not giving them more press by using their company name.)

But an article in today’s paper about a commercial to broadcast during Kitten Bowl II sparked my interest, so here it is for your viewing pleasure. While we are all celebrating the kitten and puppy bowls, The Lucy Pet Foundation had a special effects pro donate 90 percent of his team’s time to make this important commercial about the importance to spay and neuter our pets. Bravo Lucy Pet Foundation!

And how did they EVER get those cats into mini football helmets? Have a safe and great Bowl weekend everybody. Happy Quirky Friday!

Are There Hidden Photo Gems On Your Computer?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Drove out to the Columbia River for a car picnic with my Mom this past weekend. We packed a lunch, enjoyed the sun and river sights and stayed in the car. Unusual warm weather for January. (Sorry East Coast blizzard people)

We talked about photography and how much I enjoy it, plus the fact my current home computer must be replaced since it is out of memory and eight years old. Obviously the Windows self destruct program hasn’t activated. Yet.

Photo stalking the wild chipmunk in his native habitat. A true test of photo skills. Especially when they appear ready to charge!
Photo stalking the wild chipmunk in his native habitat. A true test of photo skills. Especially when they appear ready to charge!

Back at home I decided to print out a couple of my favorite vacation photos to take to the day job; scenic memories to give me a mini-vacation sun break time out. I focused on recent trips to Sisters, Oregon, with my friend Joann, one of my top five favorite places.

I rediscovered fun memories and a few good pictures I’d forgotten about. When I switched from film to digital photography in 2007, the whole “I can’t see my pics” problem began. It’s so easy to forget the fabulous pixels we have stored on our hard drives, which I also back up three other places since I’m paranoid.

Half of my digital photos are organized by date and the other half by topic. The goal is to switch all the pics into topic groupings, but I keep taking more pictures and not finding the time to sort, and now the computer memory problem.

Two of the crafty camera shy sprinters in one picture. Miracles do happen.
Two of the crafty camera shy sprinters in one picture. Miracles do happen.

But it’s time to take action soon and get a new computer with enough memory to last a couple of years. Then start the transfer and sorting of photos, video and stories. (This will require tons of peanut M&Ms to accomplish, just saying) Since I haven’t loaded new photos for the past couple months, who knows what wonderful photo gems I’m missing. Or not.

So here are a few pictures from one of my Sisters, Oregon trips to encourage you to frisk your computer hard drive and find some fab photos. Enjoy the trip!

Sneak attack! Or sneaker attack, you choose. Love this photo even though I had to contort myself into a pretzel to get this shot of my friend's foot when she was sitting beside me.
Sneak attack! Or sneaker attack, you choose. Love this photo even though I had to contort myself into a pretzel to get this shot of my friend’s foot ala chipmunk when she was sitting beside me.