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 |  It's about adventure! Life, Scouting, Family, writing what else is there? |
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WELCOME TO: GEMINI RISING   UPDATED INTRO 25 OCT 2021: Just a little about me. I've been married for 30 years in NOV this year!! and currently live in Southern California, but I grew up in New Hampshire. I've got 2 boys in their teens. I work as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I enjoy my job a lot. I love to write, but since I've been so involved with the Boy Scouts program since 2015 (now Scouts BSA since girls were invited to come on board) I haven't written much. I hope to get back to more writing soon, as I'm scaling back my BSA commitment. Update on this: I was able to get out 2 stories that were previously published. The update/publishing is going slow. I like to get out in nature, take walks around Castaic Lake, drink coffee and watch football. Here's a little bi about my zodiac. GEMINI: Gemini, the sign of the Twins, is dual-natured, elusive, complex and contradictory. On the one hand it produces the virtue of versatility, and on the other the vices of two-facedness and flightiness. The sign is linked with Mercury, the planet of childhood and youth, and its subjects tend to have the graces and faults of the young. When they are good, they are very attractive; when they are bad they are more the worse for being the charmers they are. Like children they are lively, and happy, if circumstances are right for them, or egocentric, imaginative and restless. Their good qualities are attractive and come easily to them. They are affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, and thoughtful towards the poor and suffering - provided none of the activities resulting from expressing these traits interferes too greatly with their own lives and comforts. Geminians can be successful in many walks of life though their general characteristics tend to make them unreliable. They are often skilled manipulators of language, in speech and writing, and may be: debaters, diplomats (though in politics they are more interested in theory than practice), orators, preachers (brilliant rather than profound), teachers, authors, poets, journalists, or lawyers. This is me. I am a Gemini. Pure, Raw, passionate. The NEW focus of this blog is to share my adventures, book reviews, thoughts, opinions, and writing adventures from actual writing, writing/editing tips, marketing, research. I'll get there.  Find me at: WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor GOOD READS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart YOU TUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee Previous GRATITIOUS Warning, that I decided to keep in case I post about something that might offend.  WARNING I intend to be open, honest, and forthright. No topic is off limits from religion to you name it, I'm going there. If you think you might be offended...back up now - this blog isn't for you. For those who "dare"  check out the "Gemini Rising..." |
| LIVING IN JULY -- BBQ So, it's summer time and summer is known for BBQ. And thankfully BBQ is something you can do in your backyard, especially with COVID. If anything, learning to cook, experimenting with your cooking, and developing cooking techniques is a way to pass the time during COVID. Here in Southern California, with it the temps slowly climbling, I don't like to eat a lot of heavy foods, as they make me feel full and bloated in the heat. I much prefer BBQ'ing my meats. BBQ is short for Barbeque. And BBQ is about cooking your food on a grill using slow, circumvented hot air with the lid closed. There are all kinds of grills you can use: charcoal, gas, wood chips, etc. I think it's easy to confuse BBQ and grilling as grilling is a technique in which you cook with the lid up and direct heat on the bottom. I use a combo of both. So I grill and I BBQ. haha. My favorite things to grill are pork ribs, hot dogs, sausages, and steaks. I don't mind grilling grilling shrimp or fish but they require a bit more prep. Chicken is always a challenge as it does grill well, but if you prep it right, I can put it on the rack above the flames, put the heat on low, and turn every so often. Costco has been selling a lot of short ribs recently and so I came up with a marinade recipe that impresses the boys. SHORT RIB MARINADE veggie oil EVOO -- I use a fufu Garlic Oil from https://olivehillfarm.com/ (I like to support local, and while not local, local, (they are a two hour drive from my house) I can get them to mail me the fufu EVOO so I'm happy. My favorites are garlic and basil olive oils. minced garlic soy sauce fish sauce cilantro green onions 1 jalapeno I usually eyeball the marinade. It's so much funner that way. It's "Asian" inspired with a touch of Mexican but it comes out wonderful and it really flavors the meat. Anyhoo... just thought I'd share as it ain't easy living in a COVID word, but BBQ'ing and grilling is something that you can do when trying to stay busy. Do you have any tips, receipes, etc...you'd like to share? |
| It's a been a busy week with a lot of drama. Lucky me. There's work drama that had me stewing in my tomatoes. I'm kinda over it, but it's lingering and I'm hoping for the best and I shared my frustration with my work peeps so not feeling like going over it again. MASK DRAMA Then there's the ya gotta wear a mask at work. Believe me, I've no issues. I'll wear my mask. I got my mask back in March. It's a cotton mask with a NE Patriots design on it. I wear it everywhere. Well the darn thing has started to slink down my nose and show my nostrils and my supervisor keeps yelling at me to put the thing over my nose. I was getting mad when I realized, that the mask is "old" (only 3 months) and it's probably a little saggy. Lucky me. So I went to my mask lady and bought a whole bunch. I got a USC mask, a LA Clippers mask,and a happy fruit mask. Once I wash them, They are getting rotated and I'll retire my 3 month old mask. Until then, it's back to my Survivor buff from Ghost Island because it's always reliable. haha. What kind of mask(s) do you use? COSTCO I get paid every 2 weeks on Wednesday. Payday! I LOVE  payday! So every payday I go to Costco. They got everything you need in bulk. Shopping patterns have changed a bit. When the boys were young-lings, I bought diapers. Now, I need a meat aka steak, water, paper towels and toilet paper. I am MYSTIFIED at how they sell out of toilet paper and paper towels every day. How does that happen? And then don't get me going on Lysol and Wipes. I can't find them at Costco. I can find Wipes at Smart N Final and I have to pay my co-worker to get Lysol aka like the black market or the Hob in District 12. I guess I should troll Amazon more often for the Lysol. I just saw that I can get a 2 pack for 33.00 and have it delivered by 28 JUL. haha. HOWEVER, I just broke down and bought a portable UV light off of Amazon. It's suppose to arrive today when I get home. I like to troll the book section in Costco because you can always find a gem there. And I like to get my work jeans there. They sell Gloria Vanderbilt pants there which I find fit me well. I like the shrimp packs, and the vitamins section. They have good dips there, too. I like to get my raspberries there, too. Of course, I'm a sucker for free samples which have been lacking thanks to COVID. And we've gotten some nice TVs and printers from there. I pay for the Executive Membership because I usually buy enough through the year to pay itself off. Any Costco fans out there? What do you like to buy at Costco? WRITING I was able to update one of my short stories, "Young Witchcraft," which I'm thankful, for. Since I have extra time since I'm not scouting. I'm hoping to update my writing. I'm trying to find a home for a couple of stories/novels that lost homes when Victory Tales Press and Desert Breeze went out of business. My progress has been slow since I've got a bunch of other stuff to do, but it's nice to find time here and there to work on it. THE HOUSE The other "big" thing I did this week was coordinate with All Bright Painting to get the exterior of our house painted. We've owned our house for 20 years and it's time. The paint job is looking a little haggard. A lot of other houses in the neighborhood have painted and they look fresh. We look old. So... we got our estimate (5995.00) and saw the color lady who updated our colors and took the "pink" out of the paint. Not sure what happens next. I'll sure I'll find out next week. But it is exciting to think the house will look fresh again. We got an estimate to stain our patio cover which was 6700.00 (more than to paint the house!!) so Mr. Bee decided to do it himself. Him and big boy Bee are sanding today. Well, that's my week. How was yours? |
| It's been a busy week. I've been meaning to check in sooner but time got away from me. MY LIFE Well, it was another work week for me. Thankfully didn't have to work the non-emergency line this week. The non-emergency line is tough and it's like balancing a fine line between empathy and apathy. The previous week I took a phone from an older lady. It went like this: Person Reporting: There are two hispanic ladies walking down the street with their dogs and not wearing masks. ME: Where are you? Are you socially distancing? Are you safe? PR: Yes, I'm in my car. I want to report them. They're not wearing masks. ME: (Keep in mind I have to follow the policy where if there is a chance the police are going to get the bad guys, I send. If not, I don't. At the most, this is a non coded call for police service and depending on how busy the area is they may not get there in time and it's not a crime, all the police can do is ask them to put on the mask, but if they don't want to, they don't have to). ME: Are they still walking? PR: Yes. ME: This is a civil issue. The officers won't be able to respond and mind you, if they do, all they can do is ask them to put on the mask. They don't have to. PR: What do you mean they don't have to? ME: There's no plenty for them. There's no fine, there's no jail time, it's a civil matter, not a crime. PR: Well, I want the police to come out. ME: I'm sorry, but in accordance with policy and procedure... PR: My husband's a lawyer, they threatened me. I know my rights. ME: What did they say to threaten you? PR: They called me a bitch for asking them to put on their mask.They made a criminal threat to me. ME: Ma'am a criminal threat is if they said they would kill you. Did they say that. PR: No. ME: Then there's no criminal threat. PR: Humph. And she hung up. This type of call is mentally draining to me. I know COVID is rough. I know people are scared. I really have no words. Rationally, I understand both sides. I know what the right thing to do for me. All I can say to you is be safe. Do the right thing that will keep you safe. My trainee showed up so we hit the ground running worked tied frequencies. Tied frequencies are very busy so she has to be able to work at a busy pace. We're almost there. HOME When I'm not at work, I'm at home. I usually get home around 3ish. I have to do my physical therapy exercises, cook dinner, which quite honestly, I never feel like doing because I'm usually mental toast by the time I get home and I just want to eat, watch TV, read and sleep. Chores like mopping the floor and laundry are usually set side for my days off. READING Currently I'm reading "Aging Successfully." Its a tad dry but it's interesting. Gives me perspective as I continue to age. It's important to have a good diet so I'm on weight watchers forever until I lose the weight. Since COVID and the safer at home orders started, I've maintained. I haven't gained, I haven't lost. A tad frustrating. Clearly I need to meal plan better, but it's hard when you are a mental veggie. SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES I re-read Mockingjay. I loved the Hunger Games series. I'm currently reading Songbirds and Snakes and I wanted to re-read Mockingjay for clues. I have a theory, but there are a lot of theories. Maybe I'll tackle them in another post but I'm convinced Katniss is Lucy Gray Baird's granddaughter. Now to prove it. If you the series, read the books, have a theory, I'm ready to hear it. So it's the start of another week. Usually I'm on vacation during July but thanks to COVID no vacay. Maybe in December I can take my vacation? Wishful thinking... |
Passing along some happy 4th wishes: From about 2000-2012 the family used to go to Catalina Island/Avalon for the 4th of July. The weather was beautiful, warm, but not too warm. The USC marching band played patriotic music. There was a golf cart parade, buffet at the casino, more marching band music, fireworks over the bay. And every year more and more in laws came, until it was a fiasco. The last 4th on Catalina was 2012. It was crazy. It was a long story, but we had at least 15 plus in laws, had to rent 2 condos, had a 200.00 cabana that we had to pay for and didn't want. Every meal was dictated by the evil in law nazi, Mr. Bee couldn't handle it, got drunk and Mr. Richard got yelled at for it. After 2012, Mr. Bee said never again. So went camping. One year we went to the Redwoods. I think. One year we went to Cayous on the coast but the marine layer kinda put a damper on it. Two years we stayed home and I participated in the Cub Scout 4th of the July parade and went to Ventura for fireworks. One year Mr. Bee took Little Bee to the in laws for a pool party and I volunteered to stay home with the dog who didn't do well with fireworks. That year, I ordered Dominos and held my dog's paw while we watched storage wars. One year I took the little bees to Magic Mountain for fireworks but they were kinda a bust. One year we went to Pismo beach. That was fun. Last year we went to the Dodger Game. That was fun. This year, COVID got us good. We're not going anywhere. So I baked a blueberry pie and I'm going to make it look like a flag. I got some red/white/blue/flowers. We'll BBQ trip-trip. Planning to watch Hamilton on Disney Plus. On a more personal note, I always like to see the fireworks. Even since I was little bee growing up in New Hampshire. When I was in the military and overseas in Germany I don't recall any fireworks shows, but we had picnics that were fun and we always felt/had a patriotic vibes since we were serving our country. Here's hoping your 4th of July is safe and fun filled. Maybe next year... What are you doing for the 4th? |
| Bummed out So, today we have taken the boat to Catalina Island. Instead, I did a 4 mile hike around the lake, got a manicure, pedicure, turned in the recycling and now I'm working on the Bard's Hall blogs. I got through 4 blogs, but I'm tired and I want to get in an entry so there. I think I'll pop in Catching Fire tonight and watch Katniss kick some butt. Wish I could be on Catalina Island though. (shakes fist at COVID 19) Recycling California makes it hard to do the next right thing. I recycling plastic & aluminum. I don't recycle glass because that's not worth it. I put the money toward the boy's BSA camping fund (but we haven't been camping since January so the stash is adding up quite nicely.) We used to have a company called RePlanet and they would be at the major grocery stores. I used to go to the one by the Ralphs near the house. All the RePlanet's couldn't afford to be in business in California due to increased business costs and falling prices of aluminum and PET plastic. California is a not a business friendly state. Now the good news is there is ONE mom & pop recycling center left STILL OPEN where I live called Sammy's. They are efficient and on the ball BUT everyone goes to them because they are the only game in business. It's a shame there aren't more places to recycle. That said, sure, I could throw all that plastic/aluminum in my blue recycling bin the trash man picks up once a week, but I pay for that!! So if threw my money makers in there - plastic/aluminum than the state is making 2x the amount of money for me - 1x by charging me to recycling and 2x by recycling my plastic/aluminum. There I said my two bits. I truly do believe in recycling but the state shouldn't make it so hard. I'm sure Sammy's is alive because he's the only business in town. Golden State Killer I came back from my walk and started trolling my TV channels and found a special about the Golden State Killer. I missed a bunch though. It was a 2 hour special and I only saw the last 45 mins. Bummer. But it was interesting and it focused on how they linked the DNA evidence together regarding the East Area Rapist, Vanilla Ransaker, and the Original night stalker. Hoping I can catch the full show here soon. Ordered Sushi for dinner. I got the salmon skin roll and the poke hand roll. I wanted some crispy rice but it's a lot and Mr. Bee and Andy Bee didn't want it. Still, I'm happy. In the mood for fish. What type of sushi do you like? |
Finally had a day off. I visited the wrist doctor who ordered some more physical therapy for me. Happy to have it. I had to do physical therapy on my knee and wrist as I fell down on them when I was a work. The knee is in rougher shape. The knee physical therapy made more of an impact. I **wish** I could go to a gym and target my PT exercises on the knee, (I need a stationary bike which I don't have at the house) but I don't think it's a smart idea during this COVID infested time. I've done some exercises at the house, but it's not quite the same. I'm missing the weight, the bikes... I am icing more which I think helps. No PT this week  COSTCO So after the doctor, I went and did my errands. One was to visit Costco. They have TP and paper towels now but still no lysol, wipes, or paper plates. I've been fortunate enough to visit the "hob" and visit "Greasy See" who will still me the stuff for a profit of course, but still, wish I didn't have to do that. PLAYED MARIO KART 8 last night with the family. I suck at video games but I seem to be improving. Instead of dead last I'm now between 5-9th place. haha. CATALINA Well, about 10 days ago we booked a condo/boat ride to Catalina Island for the 4th of July. Sadly, we had to cancel because the COVID 19 crackdown in LA County. My younger son was pretty upset. Me, too, but if anything it's taught me that wishful thinking will get me in trouble. Just call 2020 a bust and pray 2021 is better. I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK When the book came out it was around the same time that they found the Golden State Killer using DNA. Which the author, Michelle McNamara thought would have to happen to solve the crime. The book is a fascinating read into GSK's crimes and Michelle was such a good writer. I like to read True Crime but I am picky about what true crime authors I'll read, and I would definitely recommend Michelle McNamara. It's so sad she was able to see the GSK brought to justice, but it rewarding to her husband, Patton Oswalt was here for it. I just saw part 1 of the HBO series and it's a great opening episode. It gives a great overview of Michelle, her work on TrueCrimeDiary.com and her desire/obsession with the GSK's case. Moving on... Hummm... What crazy stuff will happen in July? Earthquake? Fires? Aliens? Meteor hitting the Earth? Hurricane? Where's a funny meme when you need one? |
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I love gyros. We have a Greek church and restaurant in town and a festival. But... I'm not there. 