Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

writer

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

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Time For A Summer Surfing Break?

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We are finally out of the cold weather for a bit and back to the warm rain here in Oregon. With putting up holiday decorations and trying to get my list ready for Santa, thoughts turn to a warmer time of year and surfing goats! Who knew there are actually surfer goats besides the ones we met at Surfing Goat Dairy in Maui. Maybe they could be spokesgoats for the Dairy.

This California Pismo Beach kid, too true, is the cutest ever. Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Lost Your Glass Slipper?

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by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Cruising YouTube and stumbled upon this new movie trailer to Disney’s “Cinderella.” As a life long romantic and believer in HEAs (Happy Ever Afters) this is right up my alley. And the real fantasy part is a pair of high heels that are comfortable!

Get ready for the holiday movie release season, but this film opens in March 2015. Bet it will be a hit, more than 6 million views since yesterday! Now to find a pair of glass slippers……. Actually, I have a pair that are really close to glass slippers in my shoe collection. They are in a box next to the Ruby Red Slippers….

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

What Does A Retired Baseball Legend Do? Publish!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Catching up on my overloaded DVR this past weekend. Decided to check out Derek Jeter’s visit to the “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.”  I can’t stay up that late on a work night. Or just about any night these days. Anyway, the guy is such a class act and easy on the eyes to boot, it was fun.

AND found out he not only has his book coming out today, “Jeter Unfiltered,” he has started a publishing company including books for kids and a media platform for professional athletes.

http://youtu.be/AejNA_42RRA

How can this guy get any cooler? Not sure. His company www.jeterpublishing.com is launching both his book and a series of book for kids about the ten rules he follows in his life and career. Great list for all of us. The goal of his “Turn 2 Foundation” he started in 1996 goal is to turn kids away from drugs and toward healthy lifestyles. Not sure how the name came about, but I know it’s a Navy phrase for “get to work.” Hmmm.

In addition, he has started a media platform for professional athletes to be able to tell their stories directly to the public, not hampered by paparazzi or journalists. This venture is titled www.theplayerstribune.com

Read a very interesting article by Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks quarterback, about how he was a bully as a kid and how that has to stop in todays epidemic of domestic violence. Pretty hard-hitting writing. http://www.theplayerstribune.com/lets-talk-about-it/

Now, I am definitely more of a football fan than baseball, but I always admire smart and classy and Derek Jeter is both. So maybe this means when I finish my writing career, I can become a New York Yankees shortstop? Don’t think it quite works that way, but I can dream!

Link to The Tonight Show appearance: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/segments/12976

How About Basic Training For Kittens?

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Discovered another video I can’t believe I haven’t seen before yesterday. Spec Ops Cat loves his Friskies wet food, plus his Science Diet, so it makes sense this little training video has been a big hit online. It’s always a good thing when the old timer shows the FNG (#$^ new guy) the ropes, be it soldier or kitten.

Have a great weekend and stay warm and dry! Happy Quirky Friday!