Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

snow

Got A Squirrel Snow Plow?

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by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Sunday before last on Jan. 3rd we all woke up to snow. It was quite the surprise since we were expecting freezing rain at 4 p.m. not snow at 7 a.m. But Mother Nature doesn’t like to disappoint, so we got freezing rain later in the day too. Fantastic!

Us Portlanders who listened to the weather reports swarmed the grocery stores on Saturday; one must not be iced in without snacks and junk food. I’d filled the bird and squirrel feeders too, just in case they had those YakTrax non-slippy things for their feet.

Spotted bird tracks in the snow, but no squirrel prints. Until I saw this video, little did I know he might have been out working the power lines with our PGE crews. How good is this squirrel at plowing? Would you do this for peanuts? He did! Bet his nose was cold too.

Have a great weekend 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

 

 

 

 

Can You Tuck And Roll In The Snow?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Spent the last two days in fog, literally, but the sun poked out today.  Yeah! A co-worker at the day job shared this video with me yesterday and it is too cute for words! Love to cuddle the baby panda, but he might not quite cuddle back.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!