Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

lawn swing

Welcome Summer?

By 1 Comment

First lawn swing day. Put the canopy on for the first time in decades. Upside down. If at first you don’t succeed, you’re human!

Is it just me or has the world gone whack-a-doodle? Its been a wild and wacky couple weeks since we last chatted. I’ve been up to my eyeballs in the glamour(?) of book editing, formatting, and tech programs beyond my level of expertise. So when I get too frustrated, I go clean or sort something. Which does not make me that happy. Really.

So then I go buy discount craft supplies at Tuesday Morning. That makes me very happy. Then it is time to organize those new supplies. It feels like the movie “Groundhog Day” around here!

But I try to focus on the simple things in life to save my sanity. Because in a life well lived, it’s the little things that truly matter. Here is my list from the last several weeks:

  • Novocain is fabulous. Especially when you really need it. Twice in one week.
  • Avocado peels and coleslaw do not make the garbage disposal happy. But, you get a free shower when you pull the sink trap.
  • Power surges can cause smoke alarms to go off at 3 a.m. I am grateful they work and there was no fire. Good heart-rate test. 
  • Brooms are fabulous tools. Especially to reset smoke alarms on high ceilings. See above. 
  • A pair of Mourning Doves visit my backyard every afternoon. And do the wild thing on my fence. Pretty birdies?
  • Fresh strawberries are finally in at the farmer’s market. In spite of the two biblical hail storms we had.
  • On birthday week you eat chocolate cake, blackberry pie, chocolate cupcakes, BBQ potato chips, and pancakes! Once a year.
  •  One of my favorite romance authors, Jill Shalvis, released a new book; The Lemon Sisters!
  • Penny Black kitty stamps are my new obsession. I do not apologize. Keep calm and sniff the ink.
  • Potato salad deserves to wear a crown. Especially when someone else makes it.
  • Flip flops! Naked toes! Pink toenail polish! With glitter!
  • Kitty hugs from Spec Ops Cat. Even though I know he is just trying to get warm. Or fed. Or brushed. Or scratched.
  • First summer swing on the lawn swing. With Mom. On the Fourth of July.

What’s on your simple pleasures of life list? 

Ready For Summer?

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                       (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

I am in complete denial. Yesterday I noticed the leaves are turning colors. Fall shades to be exact. Earth tones. Like pumpkins. While I may be able to ignore the calendar and the shortening of the light, the turning leaves are a beacon of the seasons.

IMG_2123
Official first swing of the summer – 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, September 26th. All is right with the world.  

 

Who stole my summer? It went from a record breaking rain year with moss growing on everything, including me, to a heat wave extravaganza since the end of June. Then forest fires with smoke, plus more smoke shared from Canada. So because of all those events and roofers who have been on my house for two months, don’t even ask, it has not been an average summer.

Between the cascading weatherproof membrane pieces, flying white waterproof sheeting, sliding pieces of block and tackle and packets of shingles this summer, I did manage to get the lawn swing spray painted so it looks brand new.

In the process I got so carried away I didn’t realize I had spray painted my toes silver. Should have taken a picture before I stuffed each foot in the sink and scrubbed. Amazed my pedicure of red sparkles still came back after the episode. Not letting it dry too long must have been the key.

Words to the unwise: Do not wear flip flops when you spray paint near your feet. Overspray happens. Just saying.

Which is why yesterday was the big day. I put the lawn swing out! For two days. Before it rains again. The roofers have finally quit throwing projectiles from above, so it was safe to assemble my haven of heaven.

But in the grand scheme of life, times are grand. I’m happy to have a roof, power and running potable water, unlike our fellow citizens in the U.S. Virgin islands and Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Maria flattened our islands. But the Navy is moving the hospital ship USNS Comfort into place. The Marines landed days ago. Other support is finally getting to the island with the hard work of military personnel, the Coast Guard and FEMA workers getting the airport fixed and the harbors cleared.

Pilots of both planes and ships get cranky if you give them runways with gaping holes and harbors full of hull piercing metal. Great job getting the debris and junk cleared out to start the relief efforts.

In the Army I served with several Puerto Rican soldiers. They worked hard, taught me cuss words in Spanish, loved to play jokes and had the best laughs. Wishing hugs, hope and support to all in our islands.

Donate what you can, be grateful for the life we enjoy and prepare for Fall and Winter. The best thing about winter this year? It will finally end the hurricane and fire seasons!

That is worth celebrating.

For me, I’m enjoying my new nickname: Silver Toes.

Lawn swing ho!

 

 

Are You A Lawn Swinger?

By 3 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook                      (Twitter  @ WarriorTales)

Saturday was a big day in my backyard. Finally the official set up and use of the lawn swing happened. Friends used their mechanical skills to fix part of the seat the Sunday before, so all systems were go for launch.

IMG_1657.JPG
One of my happiest places on this planet. Got a lawn swing?

 

This was a big deal for several reasons, first being the weather was so stupid hot and wet last summer the lawn swing never made it out of the garage. The tragedy of it all. Second, this vintage lawn swing is a family heirloom and brings back so many memories. It’s built like a tank and keeps on swinging.

Third, there is nothing like taking a summer afternoon swing snooze or a morning reading nap while moving back and forth and hearing the clink of the metal bounce against the frame. A calming, quiet, soothing ritual of time passing in slow waves instead of maniac moments.

IMG_1671.JPG
Juliet is back in town! That girl has got to keep herself together. 

 

Other reasons to celebrate included Juliet getting herself glued together for the second time after falling apart again. Gave her a black duct tape belt this time too. Gnomeo was quite happy to see her back in the neighborhood.

Then The Fairy rose showed off some late blooms in the early morning light in the garden. Pink, roses and clusters all in one rose bush, be still my heart. Aptly named since the Fairy Rock Garden is still under construction in the vicinity.

IMG_1664 (2).JPG
This is the only rose in my yard with the guts and grit to grow in the clay soil instead of in a big pot. This Fairy Rose is hard core. Plus pretty in pink.   

 

August is a time to enjoy the lazy days of summer, take a snooze on a lawn swing and slow down and sip the lemonade.

Enjoy August!