Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Oregon

Seasons of the Heart

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A Double Delight rose for Dolly.

Is it still August?

Seems to me this month has been longer than usual. I know they call it the dog days of summer, but I think that just means dogs and people need to nap. A lot.

While on a small shopping spree at Dollar Tree last week, I saw the staff move out the school supplies. I turned and came face to nose with a wall of pumpkin and red truck harvest signs. Then I escaped around the corner and ended up in a fully stocked aisle of Christmas decorations.

No wonder I have no idea what month it is. They say when you’re retired, every day is Saturday. Okay. That was always cleaning day when I grew up. But retailers don’t make it easy to figure out the actual month either.

Given the fact both allergy and wildfire seasons came way too early to Oregon this year, shouldn’t I be carving a pumpkin by now? But nope, more to go.

A huge thank you to the incredible firefighters, pilots, cooks, support crew, mechanics, and law enforcement personnel taking care of the more than 13,000 firefighters on the line in Oregon and Washington, plus across the west and Canada. It’s been another very bad fire season.

And not to be forgotten, hugs and support to the people of Hawaii who seem to be getting ALL the rain. We could help out by using it here on the mainland to put out flames, but Mother Nature is not cooperating with any of us right now.

Which brings me back to August.

This is a transition month from the end of summer to the start of school and then into fall and winter. I tend to get a little melancholy this time of year. Most of it is the allergies wearing me down and the heat and wildfire smoke, but part is the change of seasons.

Then I jerk myself back into perspective and remain grateful that I am not on the fire lines – those folks have to be in amazing physical shape and brave – or bobbing around on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Iran. A salute to all of the above. It helps me realize how good I have it.

Then I remember it’s almost pumpkin everything time!

Which gives me an excuse to stay inside and read books, craft, write, and drink gallons of hot cocoa. Even though I pound down hot chocolate all year long. I don’t need an excuse to do all those things in the summer, but it is cozier in the fall and winter.

Yesterday I checked on the Akawa Butte Fire close to my favorite town of Sisters and it is ninety-nine percent contained. Then a turkey photo popped up. Given my recent book, Tactical Turkeys, imagine my surprise to see the wild turkeys forging back into the burned area to start over. So proud of those feathered fowl. They are tactical.

I’d put myself on a media diet this week to improve my August mental health. But when I checked an online order last night, I saw the news about Dolly Parton. WHAT? NO…

I loved that lady. Before going into a tailspin, I asked myself, “What would Dolly do?”

I purchased her Dream More ebook to find out. After reading the first two pages, it helped. Dolly is a legend who has left a hole in our collective universe. We were so blessed to have her in our lives. And being a smart cookie, she planned her legacy to live on after her. Epic.

While I process her passing, I will strive to embrace the four principles in her book that guide her Dollywood Foundation for the Imagination Library:

“Dream more. Learn more. Care more. Be more.”

How about that for a mission statement for all of us?

I can’t wait to read the rest of her book. She left us instructions.

Because I’ve got my own writing projects kicking my butt all over my office and I need to get back to the fight.

Dolly would.

And the wild turkeys are way ahead of me, leading the charge.

Dolly Strong everybody.

September is almost here.

Turkeys on the march into burned over ground in the Akawa Butte Fire. The caption “Birds, such as turkey, quail, and woodpeckers, are the first to return to a fire area, often as vegetation is still smoldering.” Photo taken 8-2-2026 Image credit to the Central Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville, Oregon.

Happy Harvest Time!

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Wandering in the pear trees…

Who swiped summer? Seems I was just chasing critters around my backyard at midnight and now pears and apples are almost ready to pick. If time keeps speeding up like this, I need to buy a new bathing suit right now.

Dashed out of town Wednesday to refill my inner orchard fantasies. Sometimes a girl just needs to sit among growing fruit to find some peace and quiet. Had a wonderful time getting lost in the pear orchards in Parkdale. Very cute town.

Then on to grab cookies and jam at Packer Orchards and Bakery, then lunch by the Columbia River at The Riverside Restaurant in Hood River, Oregon. Having folks deliver tasty food to your table is actually one of the seven wonders of the world. Far as I’m concerned.

A large ship at anchor in the river piqued my interest. Turns out it’s the National Geographic cruise ship Quest! Imagine, science tourism going on right outside our restaurant window. I learned something new and here is a link to check it out. https://www.expeditions.com/itineraries/columbia-and-snake-rivers-journey/   Sign me up!

Part of the reason for the trip to Hood River, besides buying jam and cookies, was to do some research for the book I’m editing. How wonderful is it to be a writer who has to escape to the country and buy treats as part of my writing research?

Since the apples and pears are not ready to pick for two to three more weeks, we have to go back in October. Oh, darn it.

Here’s hoping you’re looking forward to the harvest and finding time to sit under a tree or hug one.

It really helps.

Happy harvest!

P.S. If you want to spy on one of my favorite places, check out http://www.packerorchards.com and

http://www.packerorchards.com/the-bakery

Nothing like an Apple Cider donut snack to refuel! I love hands-on research trips!

(Yes, a bit of wildfire smoke hid the mountain, but donuts help everything.)

Spring, Squirrels And Snow?

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Looking North to Mt. Adams in Washington from the Packer Bakery last Thursday. Peach blossoms in the foreground.

Several days ago at midnight, I was herding a possum around my backyard wearing my long puffy pink bathrobe, nightgown, and black Skecher running shoes. It dawned on me I might have gone a bit off the edge. Not sure possum cross-fit training is a thing. Yet. But given all that is happening in the world, who knows. I’ve never been “normal,” so why start now.

Spring in Oregon is always a bit quirky, but this year Mother Nature seems to be going for the gold. Last Thursday a seventy-seven degree day was forecast. My friend and I headed for Hood River to catch the opening fruit blossoms and do cookie research. Packers Orchard and Bakery is our go to destination to perform this grueling task. We were not disappointed.

Peach trees blooms were pink and open, the white blossoms of the apples and pears, right on schedule. (There is a bloom watch website at http://www.hoodriverfruitloop.com) Purchased an array of needed cookie supplies and empanadas, took some pictures, sat in the glorious sun. Then off to The Riverside Restaurant for lunch, because it is right on the Columbia River. As the name suggests. Never did a tuna melt taste so good.

The hour drive home landed us in the middle of a freeway traffic jam, but we didn’t care; there were cookies in the car! My friend went home and mowed her lawn, since it was supposed to rain over the weekend.

Then this morning we woke up to snow. In April. In Portland. It’s the first time PDX has registered snow in April since 1940. Go figure.

Think this bird is as confused as I was about the snow this morning. But breakfast was provided!

Our fabulous Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood has had thirty-six inches of snow in the last seventy-two hours and expects to get about that amount in the next three days. The mountain looks so pretty all covered in white. And us valley dwellers cheer the rising snowpack for summer water reserves.

Since today is a snow day, decided to catch you up on all the goings on around here. The possum has disappeared. It may have been my outfit in the wee hours of the morning that did the trick. Or crossing the road. Always a gamble for critters. Not sure.

Also had a potential stray cat in my backyard and was trying to feed her/him/it when it took off. But the possum had found the cat food. Which he liked much better than the birdseed he’d been hoovering up. Which explains my midnight workout with the furry thing. But the possum rodeo might have done the trick.

But the squirrel is back. After the crows and hawk left. And now the little birdies and Mourning Doves have returned.

Nature is nothing if not resilient.

And so are we.

Enjoy Spring!

Recent sunbathing squirrel on my back fence. This is how I hope to spend my summer afternoons. This furry one is getting an early start. Watch and learn.

My blog post would not be complete without an Oregon Zoo video. This springy baby is adorable. It’s about how I felt in the orchards last week. But I can’t jump that high!

 

Be Kind To Yourself

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In the midst of holiday chaos, gloomy weather, and a never-ending pace of challenges for us earthlings, I find it best to focus on what I can control. Which is not that much these days, luckily, so that works with my limited ability to concentrate. I’ve been thinking about what I’m grateful for at the end of this year.

Here is my starting list.

  • My HVAC was fixed and I have heat again. After eleven days. REALLY like that.
  • When I showed up for my free flu shot, I got the booster too. Bonus!
  • My favorite new gadget is a manual can opener which replaced the ancient, rusty one. I’m smitten. It actually cuts metal and has a large cushy handle. Be still my heart.
  • I’m able to keep the birdies, squirrels, and chipmunk’s fed in my backyard. Barely. But I may need to get a dump truck load of seed. Impressive appetites.
  • My family and friends are relatively stable after this crazy year.
  • There are still health care workers, delivery drivers, grocery clerks, police officers, restaurant workers, teachers, banking clerks, tech workers, airline pilots, postal workers, military members, and city, county, and state workers who keep showing up to support us all.  

I’d be happy with three things on my list, so six is golden.

Today we celebrate the Winter Solstice and getting one more minute of daylight. I’ll take it! At my former day job, we used to celebrate this day with Hawaiian shirts, Macadamia Shortbread cookies from the islands, and Jimmy Buffet music. It always perked me up.

I’ve had Beach Boys music playing in my car this entire year. When things get a little dicey, I bring in the big guns and head straight to disco. Never underestimate the power of music.

And being kind to others.

Animals show us how to stay in the moment and enjoy life. We need to be kind to them too.

This year has been challenging for everyone.

Take time to be kind to yourself during these winter days.

Happy Holiday Hugs for you and your furry or feathered friends. Like the ones below at the Oregon Zoo.

I plan to have fun in 2022.

Who’s with me?

 

 

Prepare For Pumpkins And Comfort Food!

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Gala apples in full beautiful bounty at Packer Orchards and Bakery. Harvest time!

Dashed up the Columbia River Gorge for a pre-harvest comfort food haul before Labor Day. What to my wondering eyes appeared but a pile of mini pies at my favorite bakery and fruit stand, Packer Orchards. With the first of much needed rains coming in tonight to help drown our forest fires and clean the air, I am secure in the knowledge that tucked in my freezer are two huckleberry and peach mini pies. Plus a bunch of huckleberry empanadas. Emergency rations for the coming winter.

This is the time of year I’d like to gather a fuzzy blanket, a pumpkin pie, a can of whip cream and head for my overstuffed chair with a pile of books. Not only does the coming cold wet weather give me a chance to snuggle in and read, but the eats are amazing. Which is why I also have an electric treadmill. Actually using it seems to be an issue. But even my stretch jeans have limits.

Tower of mini pies! Heaven on earth.

Its been a summer of three months of August, according to my temperature chart. I find one month of August quite enough, but the three we had this year kept everyone confused. And holding our breath. At this time last year we were coming off fire evacuation alerts and trying to breathe in a smoke inversion which outdid Beijing, China, on their worst day. Hoping we can all take a deep breath and relax after this weekend. We are supposed to get a couple inches of rain. The trees will be so happy. And the wildland fire fighters. I may frolic in the drops myself.

This has been a summer, a year, and a couple years of crazy for everyone. For me, I’ve learned to really appreciate the little things and keep life simple. My decluttering work goes on, so maybe by next year I can find my carpet and the garage floor. Gives me something to do when it rains.

Monday is the Harvest Moon and Fall officially starts on the twenty-second. The Halloween candy in the stores is getting picked over and I just bought my new Christmas gnome decorations at Dollar Tree. Tis time to shop for the seasons. Or hoard mini pies.

Enjoy these waning days of summer and the glory of the changing leaves. We’ve been through a lot lately, my fellow earthlings. But we’re made of tougher stock than we realize.

Spring will come again. And boy howdy, do I have some pent up adventures to take. Make your travel list now.

A day trip to anywhere counts. Including the backyard or a city park.

Cans of whip cream and holiday cookies count too. COOKIES!

Fall Ho!

P.S. Filbert at the Oregon Zoo shows the exact attitude that makes him our state animal. His work is never done on that blasted dam and he has to cut and haul major snacks back to his den. I appreciate his commitment. We snack seriously here in Oregon. He illustrates me getting food ready for the NFL football season! Did you SEE the RAIDER game Monday night? Good times!

 

Ahoy Hugs And Bon Voyage Heat!

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This is what I do for fun in a heat wave. Take pictures!

Life is odd. Yesterday I had concerns my plastic bird bath was melting. There was a definite list to port. But the marine air fought its way in from the coast and saved us from the crazy weather we’ve had for three days. It was thirty degrees cooler in Maui than Portland on Sunday. That’s just so wrong.

But I’d prepared last week and stocked up on ice cream. Like most of my neighbors, if the decimated ice cream bar case was any clue last Wednesday. We Oregonians treat heat over ninety like a snowstorm; go home and hunker down. With snacks.

But I celebrated an early birthday present this month too.  I got to hug my mom for the first time since March 16, 2020. It felt longer, let me tell you. I managed to get two hugs. I became fully vaccinated June third and my first visit inside mom’s apartment was June 10. Fabulous!

Hugs are what I’ve missed most during the pandemic. I consider them energy transfers. Hugs are back!

I even got a hug from my computer repair wizard last week. Plus he gave me a ride in his new Tesla. Scared the bejeezus out of me. I’m not a fan of going over seventy miles an hour and quick acceleration with other traffic around. Maybe if I was driving? No. Don’t think so. But it was an adventure! I would like to drive an M1A1 tank. My fancy vehicle choices are different. And much more expensive.

But Oregon is very close (69.4%) to having seventy percent of our adult folks vaccinated. By tomorrow we should be there and the Governor is lifting restrictions. But we have to be on our guard, because mutant variants are literally roaming the country and multiplying. The unfortunate thing is unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people are at higher risk of hospitalization and death from the Delta variant. It takes five weeks from your first shot, of the two-shot regime, to be fully vaccinated. Run for the vaccines!

On flight status with the Air Force Reserve, I had to keep shots current for worldwide deployment as an Aeromedical Evacuation Operations Officer. We had monthly printouts to remind us what shots we needed. It was a bunch. Then if we deployed, we got more shots for that region. Please get the vaccine. Let’s put a wooden stake through this virus’s mutant heart, cell, replication, you get my drift.

Because I have a lot of missed hugs to gather and I need to know you’re all covered. Vaccinate to hug up America!

And with our new Oregon seasons of wildfires, ice storms, and heat waves upon us here in the West, I bet we get a snow storm in August. Time to buy more snacks!

I finished off that two pound bag of peanut M&Ms because they were past their good by date. I hate waste. That’s my story and I’m using it.

Summer Snacks ahoy!

Marine air from the Pacific Ocean works a four-hour miracle last night. This is what I call a happy ending! (No, I did not put the outside sensor in the freezer.)