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Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #1051691

Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts.

WELCOME TO:

GEMINI RISING

Banner for my blog, "Gemini Rising"
*Flower1* *Flower1* *Flower1* *Flower1* *Flower1* *Flower1*

UPDATED INTRO 30 JUNE 2025:

Just a little about me. I've been married for 33 years this past NOV and currently live in Southern California, but I grew up in New Hampshire.

Me visiting Space Camp 1993
me in my 20's

I've got 2 boys who are young adults.

The family waits in line to get on next to the Ship.

I work as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I enjoy my job a lot. Still. If you can believe that.

I love to write. Thankfully both of my boys achieved Eagle Scout. My Scouting days are over and I'm back to focusing on my writing.

I like to get out in nature, drink coffee and watch football.

Here's a little bio 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.


BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

DECEMBER 2025:

I participated in:
FORUM
12 Poetic Days of Yuletide Open in new Window. (E)
12 different Poetry styles beginning December 21st- January 1st.
#2329171 by Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon

this was a great challenge and I would highly recommend it if comes up again for next year. The blog earned the following merit badge:
Merit Badge in Seasons Winter [Click For More Info] Congratulations on successfully completing 12 Poetic Days of Yule. Enclosed is the bonus gps for trying the Terza Rima Sonnet successfully!

SEPTEMBER 2025:

FORUM
It's WDC- 25th Birthday Open in new Window. (E)
7 day Challenge to celebrate 25 years of this successful writer's haven.
#2343390 by Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon


Merit Badges collected and earned:
Merit Badge in Writing.Com Birthday [Click For More Info] Thanks for rockin' WDC's birthday with me. *^*Heart*^* Lyn
Awardicon earned: The blog earned the Green 50K Awardicon for 1st Place.

SEPTEMBER 2025:

FORUM
Earn the Badge - CLOSED Open in new Window. (E)
You want it? Earn it. How? Complete these simple tasks and the badge is yours!
#2133333 by Purple Snowflakes Author IconMail Icon


Merit Badges collected and earned from "Earn the Badge 2025"
Merit Badge in WdC Supportive Friend [Click For More Info] Thank you for participating in [Link To Item #2133333] . Congratulations on completing the September 2nd Daily Task. Merit Badge in Earn the Badge [Click For More Info] Thank you for your donation to [Link To Item #2133333] - from Purple Princess. Merit Badge in Music [Click For More Info] Thank you for participating in [Link To Item #2133333] . Congratulations on completing the September 3rd Daily Task. Merit Badge in Contests [Click For More Info] Thank you for participating in [Link To Item #2133333] . Congratulations on completing the September 1st daily task. Merit Badge in Growth [Click For More Info] Good job earning the Growth Merit Badge in [Link To Item #2133333] Merit Badge in Word Searches [Click For More Info] Great job participating in [Link To Item #2133333] and completing the September 5th task. Merit Badge in Teamwork [Click For More Info] Great job for picking a teammate and completing the September 6th Task at [Link To Item #2133333]


SUMMER 2025:

FORUM
BCoF 's Virtual 50 State Bucket List Open in new Window. (18+)
We're going to explore one unique place in each of the 50 states in alphabetical order.
#2342653 by Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon


Merit Badges Collected from Virtual Blogging &Virtual Blogging Friends:
Merit Badge in Let Dreams Take Wing [Click For More Info] To my upcoming virtual traveling blog companion. Dream big and fly high! Merit Badge in Normal Is Boring [Click For More Info] here's to another week of creating adventures! Merit Badge in Blog Camping [Click For More Info] Thanks for completing [Link To User elusive4lyn] July 2025 blogging vacation!! Great job!! Merit Badge in Travel [Click For More Info] Woohoo! We’re halfway through! Merit Badge in BCoF 2 [Click For More Info] Thank you for your participation in BCoF's 50 States Virtual Blogging adventure. *^*Heart*^* Lyn Merit Badge in Endurance [Click For More Info] 51 days of blogging takes commitment, and you rocked it. *^*Heart*^* Lyn


SEPTEMBER 2024:

I participated in the
FORUM
Blog Week Birthday Bastion 2025 Open in new Window. (E)
Blogging event from September 1-7, 2025. CLOSED
#2277665 by WakeUpAndLive~snowflake wonder Author IconMail Icon
which was a big challenge for me due to my schedule, but I hunkered down and got it done. There's some great entries for the contest and the blog earned the following:

Merit Badge in Nonfiction [Click For More Info] Congrats on your Honorable Mention in Blog Week Birthday Bastion 2024

Big thanks to WakeUpAndLive~snowflake wonder Author IconMail Icon for hosting the contest!

OCTOBER 2024 & 2025 :

I participated in the
FORUM
13 Poetic Days of Halloween Contest 2025 Open in new Window. (E)
Let your spooky poetry shine. Oct. 13th 12:01 am WDC time. - closes 11:59 pm WDC Oct 25th
#2328177 by Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon
in 2024 which honestly was a big challenge for me considering my schedule, and again I hunkered down and did it! Update October 2025: I had so much participating in the challenge last year, I did it again for 2025 and successfully completed it. There's some great spooky poetry to be found in October and the blog earned the following merit badges:

Merit Badge in Halloween [Click For More Info] Congratulations on completing the 13 Poetic Days of Halloween. Merit Badge in Determination [Click For More Info] You rose to the poetry challenges in 12 Poetic Days of Halloween in grand style. Merit Badge in Ghost [Click For More Info] Thank you for your successful completion of 13 Poetic Days of Halloween *^*Heart*^* Lyn

Big Thanks to Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon for hosting the contest!

NOVEMBER 2025 :
Merit Badge in WdC Positive Influence [Click For More Info] Thank you for all you do on WdC. I appreciate your encouragement and support *^*Hearto*^*
from Tiggy ❄️ Author IconMail Icon



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

*Exclaim* WARNING *Exclaim*

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" *Wink* check out the "Gemini Rising..."


Another Signature
January 12, 2026 at 9:41pm
January 12, 2026 at 9:41pm
#1105857
THEATRE THOUGHTS

I was inspired by this entry "Jesus Christ Superstar" Open in new Window. from Tiggy ❄️ Author IconMail Icon to flesh out my thoughts a bit more. Just an FYI - I discovered Tiggy's blog last June when she blogged for the Bard's Hall and I *Heart*. If you're looking for a good blog to follow, I'd recommend hers. It's topical, up-to-date and interesting.

Now onto the show...

I've always enjoyed the vibe I get when I got a live show at the theatre. Mind you, until 2019, I didn't really go on a regular basis. I think I saw a show or two when I was in the military and I saw the Sound of Music in Las Vegas in 1994, I believe. And I'm a SUCKER for the Sound of Music. Say that and I show up. I'll never forget visiting Salzberg, Austria in 1988 and seeing all the sites from the movie. It really struck at my emotional core.

In 2019 I discovered Frozen was playing at the Pantages. The Pantages is an art deco theater here in Los Angeles, specifically Hollywood. It was built by Alexander Pantages in 1929. It has a rich history, which honestly is another blog post in and of itself so I might save that for later. Anywho I went to see Frozen in 2019 with a co-worker and I LOVED IT! The seats were okay. The theater was classic the show was awesome and I brought my sons to see the show as well. I got a mini-package back then to see some shows, but then covid hit and it was hard.

Frozen Comes to the Pantages in Hollywood! JAN 2020

I did see "My Fair Lady" at the Kodak theatre a bit further down on Hollywood. The Kodak is much more modern and nowadays it goes by the Dolby theatre. Last year, I saw "Wicked" in January with my son, Andrew. His major was technical theatre and he enjoys a good show.

Traveling to the Pantages is okay. I usually drive the car to the MTA Red Line in North Hollywood and take the light rail 3 stations down to Hollywood/Vine and the theatre is right across from the rail station. I'd rather do that. Parking around the Pantages is a minimum $20.00 - and you want to get there early enough to get something to eat which is not cheap. Oh, parking at the Red Line in North Hollywood is $3.00 so you can see and feel savings. The only thing you have to worry about is the homeless and the crime. There's always someone acting strange on the streets here in Los Angeles.

Anyhoo... I went to check out what shows the Pantages was offering this year and I got all excited! The Sound of Music was one of them! I had to get tickets! BUT!! There's always a but you have to BUY A MINI PLAN!! A Mini plan is 4 shows. Sigh... Okay, There's Beauty and Beast. *CheckG* Then Spamalot. Doesn't really appeal to me but okay *CheckG* I need 1 more show. I can't decide between MJ the Musical and Tina Turner. I'm leaning Tina Turner. I'll let you know what I pick when I pick the shows but I'm probably looking at a minium $400.00 for my mini plan. It's a good thing I have savings.

Q for you: What show is a "MUST SEE" at a live theatre for you?
*Thought*  Comment
January 12, 2026 at 9:21pm
January 12, 2026 at 9:21pm
#1105855
As we ease into January, I've been working on some things here around WDC.

I completed my Bard's Hall reviews for the DEC Contest, and Webbie and I picked the winners. I updated the Bee Hive and Veterans Group and finished my reviews for Anniversary's Reviews. I picked Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon port to poke around in and I found her
FOLDER
Recipes by Lyn Open in new Window. (E)
All recipes are subject to interpretation and personal creativity.
#1939205 by Witchy Yule Woman Author IconMail Icon
which I really enjoyed. The recipes are easy to make, don't cost much, and I look to be very tasty. There are several I'd like to try for a work potluck.

While there's still more to do at the Bee Hive & Veterans Group, I did manage to get my "Earn the Badge" Challenge firmed up for the
FORUM
The Angel Lounge Open in new Window. (ASR)
Plug a work, mentor another, learn and grow, share and encourage. Stop by today!
#1188310 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon
which will run 15-20 JAN. I, personally, think it will be a lot of fun and I'm hoping there's a good turn out for it. All I'll tease for now is that involves our fearless leader at the Angel Army and it will require 500 words for less. *Smile*

I did manage to write a "Dear Me" for 2026. I went back to Writing Jungle and visited old friends like the hippos, Baby Fufu, Sir Hiss and the dreaded Dust Bunnies.

 
STATIC
Dear Me 2026  Open in new Window. (E)
The Writing Jungle is relentless. New Year. New Goals & Baby Fufu is growing up.
#2352926 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


I also put together a Word Search about Civil Rights. Mind you, I'm NOT overly political, (disclaimer: I'm a moderate Republican) but with the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday right around the corner, I did want to produce something that all could relate to. I haven't put it on the newsfeed yet, kinda waiting until we're closer to the holiday, but I'd like to preview it here first. I hope there's a good reception.

 
SEARCH
Civil Rights Open in new Window. (ASR)
Honoring a History of Civil Rights
#2352872 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


Next, I'm working on my Angel Army Reviews. We have to review 5 newbees and I found 3 that were pretty solid and I enjoyed their ports: Emberly Gray Author IconMail Icon TeeGateM Author IconMail Icon bobaturn Author IconMail Icon

Tomorrow I hope to tackle my Lodestar Editing for my story
STATIC
The Lighthouse Keeper's Secrets Open in new Window. (13+)
It's the 1930's, and Damian meets Esther for the first time.
#2350762 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


I also need to work on an entry for the Veterans Group Challenge, so there's lots of stuff still in January to keep me busy.
*Thought*  Comment   •   View 2 comments


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