Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

summer

Welcome Summer?

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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? 

House Cleaning In August?

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There should be a law against cleaning house in the summer. There are too many other fun things to do. But the dirt is relentless. Thought this video was too fun watching Cole and Marmalade adjust to their new house vacuum.

Pretty sure Spec Ops Cat would still be in the next County if I had one of these. It would also need to climb stairs; little tiny crampons and roping skills required. Spec Ops Cat doesn’t mind fireworks, but the vacuum is the devil’s spawn! 

Have a great, safe, summer weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Doggie Days Of August?

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With the end of another heat wave today, it’s time to celebrate! Before the next one arrives. August may be dog days, but I’m sure cats, parakeets and us people are having hot days right now too.

So lather on the sunscreen, relax, hydrate and pace yourselves. Live like a dog!

Have a great, safe, weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

Black Bear Bath Time?

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Lucky for me, our annual beach trip coincided with the spike in the heat wave last weekend. Fog and drizzle never felt so good! But we did have glorious sun in the morning, then when the valley heated up, the fog came in. Best of both worlds.

Today is a nice cloudy day so I can get some work done outside. But the heat is coming back, so take some tips from our black bear, Takoda, at the Oregon Zoo. He figured out how to beat the heat; bear bathing!

Have a great, safe weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Kick Up Your Heels!

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It’s been a lazy summer week, so I’ve been lazy. Think I’m still basking in the glow of finally getting the new web site up. It’s not done, but that hurdle is over. We all need to celebrate our successes.

I think that is exactly what baby Mountain Goat Parkour at the Oregon Zoo is doing. She’s learned how to climb and she keeps practicing. Mountain Goat cross training, for real.

Wish I had her energy!

Have a great safe, weekend and stay cool! Happy Quirky Friday!

Summertime Crazies?

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Face sleeping. When you know it’s a long holiday weekend.

by Kimberly A. Cook

Its been a weird week. Since I’m not watching the news, can’t blame it on that. Mother Nature is acting up all over the place, but it seems odder, like dragons are waiting in the wings. Or I need more chocolate. Or both.

Saturday morning decided to wander over to the Farmer’s Market to get some asparagus. On my way down the sidewalk an apparition appeared at the market driveway. An adult-sized chicken was playing the violin. Doing a rather nice job of it too.

Of course, the one time I didn’t have a camera on me. We’ll see if he/she shows up Saturday.  I’ll be poultry paparazzi. Maybe it was the holiday weekend nutties.

Did bag the asparagus and bonus strawberries, their first appearance. Go fruit!

Decided to work like a maniac on the house and yard on Saturday and Sunday, not sure why. Then went out for lunch with family on Memorial Day. Filled up on pasta and bread sticks and that shot the rest of the day. Carb overload.

Tuesday I ventured out for an appointment and to run errands. In quick succession this is what happened; someone cancelled my appointment – not me – so they worked me in. Driving to the store some brat threw mud or something at my car and a shopping cart had attacked Subie when I came out of the store. I drove home and my driveway was blocked by the roofer’s trucks.

All minor things, but I was pretty sure I needed to hide under the bed. Went into my home office and found Spec Ops Cat sleeping on his face. Obviously, the cat had the best idea all along.

I did watch the Las Vegas Golden Knights kick butt on Monday night at the Stanley Cup playoffs, so all ended well. We will not talk about last night’s game. Ate way too many “Goobers” trying to help the team score.  They look like pucks! Kinda. (Dollar Tree store. One dollar a box.)

All of this is probably a way to admit I’m procrastinating working on my big tech project; moving and consolidating the web site and blog and redesigning it all. I’ve even been writing to avoid doing it.

If the blog suddenly goes missing, don’t blame me; it’s the dragons.

To quote the plaque on my desk;

“I have flying monkeys and I’m not afraid to use them!”