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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.

I've got 2 boys who are young adults.

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 2, 2026 at 6:57pm
January 2, 2026 at 6:57pm
#1104948
Last night, a co-worker had her retirement roll call. This co-worker was a classmate of mine so it was a bit more emotional, and of course, I had to give a speech because I'm her classmate. I actually wrote my speech done because I didn't trust myself to speech from the cuff. We both joined in FEB 2000. What a different world back then! Right before smart phones! It was a nice gathering. After she burns her time, she'll have 26 years. I'm going another year with plans to retire FEB 27. Overall, it was nice, a tad bittersweet. I only have 2 more classmates left.

Again, those winds of change are stirring in the air...

The day before, on New Year's Eve/New Year's Morning was a busy one at the dispatch center. Lots of calls. Even in the rain people were firing their guns in the air and setting off fireworks. The most common types of calls on New Year's is Shots Fired/heard only, fireworks, DUI's and DV. Same can be said for the 4th of July but I'm usually on vacation that time of year.

Trying to catch up on my WDC daily five. I managed to get the Veterans Group caught up and now I'm working on the Bee Hive. The Quills are open for submissions and so I'd like to submit the following for your consideration in hopes you'll consider nominating some of my items for a Quill.

#1 my blog, Gemini Rising
BOOK
Gemini Rising Open in new Window. (18+)
Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts.
#1051691 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

I was really happy to have the time to pick up the pace with my blogging. I blogged for the 50 State Travel Blog over the summer, the WDC 25th Anniversary, The 13 Poetic Days of Halloween and the 12 Days of Yule. I also tried to keep up with my real life observations so I'm excited about my accomplishments.

#2 Poetry, structured:

 
STATIC
A Heart Full of Grace Open in new Window. (E)
Thankful for the Season
#2350192 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon
-- Rondeau
 
STATIC
The Sanderson Sisters Open in new Window. (ASR)
Limerick poetry inspired by Hocus Pocus
#2349281 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon
-- Limerick

#3 - Med Length Fiction:
 
STATIC
Return to the Lighthouse  Open in new Window. (13+)
Esther receives an assignment to return to Rockland - and the lighthouse.
#2352142 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon



#4 - Short Length Fiction:
 
STATIC
Code Talkers  Open in new Window. (13+)
Two Navajo Marines go into battle.
#2345707 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Mother's Day Open in new Window. (E)
Sherry never expected her boys to come through.
#2346203 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Meeting Rachel Open in new Window. (E)
Two Americans meet at the German Christmas Market.
#2351164 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


#5 - Best Activity:
FORUM
Show Off Your Best at the Bee Hive  Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Bee's Hive Official Spot for Parties & Special Events now CLOSED
#1092898 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

While Show off Your Best is closed right now, it was open during the month of the DEC for your Santa/Secret needs offering merit badges, awardicons and reviews and a raffle. Earlier in the year, we also also supported WDC's 25 year celebration with a raffle and the Bard's Hall 20th Anniversary with a Trivia game. So while Show of Your Best isn't open continuously, we do offer activities throughout the year.

#6 - Best Forum:
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

I've been working hard to make the Angel Army Lounge very engaging offering Q's of the Day and "Earn The Merit Badge" monthly opportunities. The activity has picked up over there and if you enjoy popping in, please consider it for Best Forum.

#7 - Best Group:
GROUP
Steph Bee's Bee Hive Open in new Window. (E)
Steph Bee's Home for Busy Bees and the Honey Pit
#1134558 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

The group has a great board with the Honey Pit with Trinket challenges, reviewing challenges, and a contest with Best of the Rest. We also offer trinkets throughout the year.

#8 - Best Reviewer
I'm always out there giving reviews that are succient, encouraging and to the point and several of my reviews have been recognized by ROAR.

Anyhoo... again, I would like to thank you for consideration for nomination for the Quills. If one of my stories, poems, and groups/forums/reviews, etc has touched you, I'm honored. *Heart*
*Thought*  Comment   •   View 3 comments


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