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 Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
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WELCOME TO: GEMINI RISING   UPDATED INTRO 28 MAY 2024: Just a little about me. I've been married for 32 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. This is me. I am a Gemini. Pure, Raw, passionate. The NEW focus of this blog is to share my adventures, travels, random thoughts, book reviews, thoughts, opinions, and writing adventures from actual writing, writing/editing tips, marketing, research. I'll get there. BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2024: I participated in the
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Congrats on your Honorable Mention in Blog Week Birthday Bastion 2024](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Nonfiction.gif) Big thanks to WakeUpAndLive   for hosting the contest! OCTOBER 2024: I participated in the
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Congratulations on completing the 13 Poetic Days of Halloween.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Halloween-2026567.gif) Big Thanks to Lyn's a Witchy Woman  for hosting the contest!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..." 
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| It's been a while since I've checked in, but I've been busy. Sigh... 2-4 May we went to Vegas for bowling league. I won $200.00 total which was a nice surprise. 80 on mystery doubles and 120 on Women's 5th place in my league. I put the money aside for my USC football tickets. The last payment is due 5/16, and with my savings regime, I'll hit my target so I'm happy about that but it wasn't easy! I always like getting out of town. Los Angeles can be so depressing. Mind you, I live a little north in the Santa Clarita area, and while the vibe is a little better, it's not by much. I do love to travel. We took the RAV4 to Vegas and it was a bit more comfy than the truck. We stopped by Peggy Sue's 50's diner on the ride out there. I had the clam chowder and hamburger. One thing I have noticed with weight watcher regime, is that I cannot eat the big sizes I used to eat before. When I get the rumblings of "you're getting stuffed," I cut it off. I wasn't able to finish the Peggy Sue hamburger, but it was tasty. I've been working on habits with
I've been dealing with a touch of cold in my throat/sinus area. Damn thing does not want to die. I've been throwing a butt ton of zinc at it lately which has really started to work. I've been working and sleeping with not much time for me. I did find a CCW class in nearby Piru that's going to cost me $700.00. Money well spent. I managed to put together my Romance/Love newsletter about "opposites attract" so I was happy about that but I did it over 3 days. I'm trying to manage my time. Sigh... Next week promises to be just as busy with work and all. I'm 1/2 through my Val Kilmer memoir book. I'm enjoying it. Val was definately a dude who danced to his own drummer. The new pope? Whoopie do - he's from America. I'm not impressed. We'll see how he shakes out. The Eaglets are huge. I might share an Eaglet update soon. Sunny is really it's wings and might be fledging soon. We'll see. Turns out the 3rd eaglet that died back in March, was the 1st one born. Sunny was born #2 in the order and Gizmo was the 3rd eaglet that hatched. |
| Keeping it Simple Today - USC Football Just sharing some random thoughts before we head off to Vegas. Yep. It's that time of year. We're off to Vegas for bowling league. I hope I do well. I need to win money to help pay off my season tickets for USC football.  So taking that though and running with it... I really like football as a sport. I like to watch it and I get invested in the games. I could never afford season tickets to a pro team, sadly. They are priced out of my price range. My friend at work has season tickets to the Chargers team at SoFi, but they're on the Top Deck and they weren't all that affordable with the budget I have to work with. College football is were I landed and I picked USC because I fell in love with their marching band when we would go to Catalina Island for the 4th of July and they would play in the golf cart parade. I've seen quarterbacks come and go. I'd really like to see Sam Darnold do well. He had a great year with the Vikings last year but I think he moved onto the Seahawks. Not much of a Seahawks fan, but I'll be rooting for Sam. I've seen JD Daniels play, I loved Kedon Slovis and I liked Max Miller. I didn't think Caleb WIlliams was all he was hyped up to be.  That said, USC football is getting pretty pricey too. I've been going to games since about 2013-4, so about 11, 12 years now. I started just getting single game tickets, then I committed to a mini game package. I like mini game packages because you get 2-3 games and it's affordable. I had Season Tickets in 2018. The seats were okay. I had 4 seats because all of us were going back then. That was about 6 games and it was hard to work the schedule to see 6 games. I think I missed 2. Thankfully there are resale sites. Then I did mini games packages again. This year I bit the bullet again and got a season ticket package. This package was just as much as the one I got in 2018 and I only got 2 seats this time! Inflation I figure has a little to do with it as well as USC moved from the PAC 12 to the Big 10 so there are different teams that are more well known around the nation and we're getting 7 games instead of 6. The final bill was around 1500. I almost fainted and asked to be put on the payment plan. I played the Daily 3 and 4 and prayed for some extra dough to come my way. Mind you the seats were about 1300, but I had to pay 200 to be part of the Trojan Athletic Fund to have these seats. My payments were due March, April, and May. $67.00 for the Trojan Athletic Fund and $454.00 for the tickets. March was good. I had some winnings from my Daily 4 lotto and used about 100 from my 52 week savings plan. April was good. I hit the straight on the Daily 3. May - I haven't hit any lotto numbers but I'm hoping to catch some winnings from bowling. I've got the May Trojan Athletic Fund covered. Now I need about $400.00 more bucks. Wish me luck. I blocked out the games in my calendar and I've got Andy who will come with me and some friends so I'm looking forward to it. What did I think of draft? That's another post... |
| Got my CCW approved to go onto the next phase. What's CCW - Concealed Carry Weapon permit. Honestly, if you live in LA County in California, it's a good idea. Mind you I started the process in AUG 2023. Actually, I started the process in May 2023. California has a lot of RED Flag laws. (I think they call them RED flag laws) so if you want to do it right, which I do, I go step by step. First, I went and passed a 30 question test to get a permit that says I can own firearm. Cost me 30 bucks. I ace'd it, due to being in the Army. Next I had to put the gun in my name. CA DOJ does that. Cost 50.00. It was a family transfer from my husband's name to my name, that's why it was so cheap. That took about 8-12 weeks. Then I submitted an online application with LASO office and paid a $45.00 fee for that. At the same time, I had to submit a fingerprinting application. That was another $50.00. My first appointment was for FEB 2024. In JAN 2024, they canceled that appointment, said they were backed up and said my appointment was in AUG 2024. I thought I was going to down to the office in downtown LA. Nope. When the appointment finally came it was over the phone with a detective. Sigh... He said it would take 90 days to put the packet together and get his boss's approval to move on to the next phase. That would have been in NOV 2024. Well, here it is, today, APR 2025 and i have approval to move onto the next phase. What is the next phase? I have to take an approved firearms class then pass. I need a CERT of completion and A shooting proficient standards form. Sigh... I have 60 days to do it and submit my forms. What's after that? I'm sure more waiting before I get the final approval on my CCW. I'll keep you guys updated. We used to say in the Army, "Hurry up and Wait." This process is about patience. I'm really proud of the patience I have demonstrated. Still, with the amount of violence and crime in SoCal, a CCW gives peace of mind. Peace of mind that niggles at me. |
| Proverbs: 4:23 --"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This is one of the most of the most meaningful Bible verses to me. We are a reflection of what we part into our hearts. It was not an easy lesson to learn, but once learned has resonated throughout my life's journey. What's a meaningful Bible verse to you? |
| Went to the Los Angeles Police Academy for training. It was supposed to be 8 to 5, but the instructor powered through, gave us 5 mins breaks and only 1 hour lunch so we were out of there around 3:30. Still a long day. Traffic in Los Angeles is bad, so I determined I had to leave around 530 am, so I did. I got there around 6:15, went to the cafe, had a bit of a b-fast, biscuits, gravy, coffee and bacon and finished around 7. I hung out chilling in my car until 7:35 and then I found my classroom. The Academy is really classic. While the building that I did the training in was new or on the newer side, the entrance and old fashioned vibe still greats you. There's still a "Los Angeles Police Academy" sign over the roadway into the main complex. The building the cafe is in is dated, the stone bricks are worn and even. I saw academy classes being conducts with military bearing. My class was called ABLE training - Active Bystander for Law Enforcement. It was interesting enough. The concept was if you see something that isn't right, say something, not only in police culture, but when you deal with the public as well. The idea was founded by Dr. Ervin Staub, who at 95, is a Holocaust survivor. He's dedicated his life to understanding why people do good and evil. Here's a link to a real interesting article. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54339252 Anyhoo... it was interesting being back at the Academy. One of my early times there was EBO school back in Sep/Oct 2000. That long ago. I think the last time I had training there was AICC school - Academy Instructor Certification Course. I took level one at the LA police academy back in 2013, I believe. At first I didn't think I was going to like it, but then I did and went on to take AICC levels 2 and 3. Ah, the stories that compound could tell... As I was leaving, there was already a line for Dodger Stadium. And I do like the dodgers but ticket prices are unreasonable. Before, my husband and I would sit on the field for anywhere bet $40-60 dollars a game. Now, those same tickets for tomorrow's game are $288.00. A regular ol' dodger dog now cost $8.00 and before it would be around $4.00. The last time we went to a Dodger game was the 4th of July 2019 and I believe we had field level seats, but unless I find deal somewhere, I'll be watching Dodger games on TV. |
| Here's an Eaglet update from Big Bear: The eaglets are looking BIG. Both of them now have the majority of their young feathers. Both are stretching the wings and hobbling around. Sunny, the older on, is trying to be more independent, trying to eat by itself and likes to move around sticks. Gizmo tries to eat but gives up and goes to mom, but Gizmo also like to move around sticks and tries it's hand at it. It's warming up in Big Bear. I know in So cal were I'm at it's the low 50's at night so Big Bear is probably in the 40's which for this time of year at night it's probably typical. Wild times in Los Angeles - there was a homeless guy going around with a chainsaw and cutting down trees. Yikes! They caught him, but really? Sigh... The mayor is going to cut 1600 jobs. Don't worry, I have job security. Just when you think it can't get any "crimier" in Los Angeles - it does. The west side of Los Angeles still looks apocalyptic, sadly. No time today to exercise - even with weights. Andy and I shared a chipotle burrito for lunch. Good call because that thing was HUGE. Off to nap before I have to go to work tonight. What did you have for lunch today? Sunny and Gizmo would probably say "Fish."  |
| Keeping it simple today. Going bowling today and then off to work. Sigh... these days can be a bit more challenging because I lose about 2-3 hours before I have to go into work. The new wood floors are done. They look very nice. Now -- need to find time to put everything back! Going to volunteer at the local Boy Scout camp 20-26 July on Catalina Island but there is a TON of paperwork. Sigh... The journey has just begun. I need to get in a little better shape if I'm going to camp so I need to crack down on my weight watcher and give up some sleep so I can start working out with the weights and walking. Finding the time won't be easy. Smiles for the journey. Steph |
| Happy Easter to all. Son #1, Andy, and I went to 8 am mass. The church was packed. We got there around 725 am and parked in the Starbucks parking lot down the hill and walked up. There was a massive crowd walking up to the church and even I was huffing and puffing. We got into the church around 735 and barely found 2 seats together. Overall, it was a nice mass and we renewed our Baptismal promises. I always like that part of the mass. I was just thankful and grateful that I got to spend it with Andy. Lent Reflections I went into Lent wanting to grow or work on a more spiritual connection. Sometimes I think the church has too many man-made rules that don't accurately reflect the intention of Jesus or the Creator. I got one of Bishop Ken Utner's little black books for Lent, which I really enjoy. There's always a story that relates to the reading and then a short scripture and a short reflection. The intent is to be about 6 minutes and then you can spend time on your own reflection.
Delores Cannon's book about Jesus and Essenes is fascinating. I recommend a read. It might challenge you and your beliefs, but if you are curious about Jesus, it might answer some questions. To try and grow my spirituality, I tried to quiet myself a bit more, which honestly, is a challenge with my work and sleep schedule. When I quieted myself, I tried to open myself to hearing the Lord. Sometimes he says nothing. Sometimes he leads me to a passage or an interesting item. I've always believed if you light a candle in your house you're inviting the spirit of the Lord in. It could be an impulse to just light a candle. I find that when the Lord wants to move me, it is an impulse that I don't recognize right away, but I do when the impulse pays off. When I talk to the Lord I try to be more candid and more conversational and not so formal. Do say my prayers and one of the ones I always pray is "The Lord's Prayer" as it was taught in the Bible. I always try to raise the vibe. I think raising vibrations is important, but it's hard because it's something I'm not used too. I believe the Lord works in mysterious ways, but with all going in my in my life, it's hard to suss it out. I was very good about fish on Fridays. I might try to incorporate a meatless day going forward. I'm still working on my Weight Watchers. Overall, it was one of my better Lenten seasons since 2020 and I'm glad for the time I spent on my reflections. |
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| Diamondbacks Baseball After our naps, it was time for Baseball. When Lori was working she always known to go to 7-11 on her breaks and get a diet coke and hot dog so I made her stop by the local 7-11 and get a diet coke and a hot dog. It was for the nostalgia. And I have to admit, my hot dog was pretty good, even though 7-11 had run out of onions. We picked the boys up. All of us were wearing out Diamondbacks gear. It was another 30 minute drive into Phoenix. There was no official parking. There was a parking garage closer up, but we didn’t see it. It was Lori’s first D-backs game and she’d been living in Arizona for a couple of months! We parked in a lot for about 20 bucks that was about 4 blocks and walked over. The park is newer and it’s an indoor park with a roof. I’d never been to a indoor baseball park. I’ve been to Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, Fenway Park, Petco Park (where San Diego Plays) and the SF Giants Stadium and none of them are a closed park. I suppose it has to be though because it’s hot in Arizona and AC is a must. Lori got the tickets for $50.00 each which I was affordable. Dodger tickets are outrageous and honestly, I’ve been priced out of dodger games unless I want to sit in the Top Deck and I don’t. We were sitting in an upper level, put in a front row and had a great view of the game. The D-backs were playing the Brewers and the Brewers were winning. It was 0-4 in favor of the Brewers come the bottom of the ninth. What I liked about the ballpark is that it didn’t have that “crowded” feel I get every time I go to a Dodger game. (Last time was in 2019, honestly, I’ve been priced out of games). There were lot of brand name concessioners, and the prices were affordable. A beer was 8 bucks. During the 6th inning we went to the Team store and bought hats and then got an ice cream. The ninth inning was amazing. The Brewers ran out of pitchers and the D-backs found their bats. Soon it was 1 to 4, then 2 to 4 and then 3 to 4. The D-backs just kept on hitting and came back to win the game 5-4. I’ve never seen a 9th inning quite like that! We all had a positive experience visiting the park and we’d do it again. After the game, Lori dropped us off at the hotel and then we were off to California early in the morning. We got back to our home about 4 pm. But honestly, that 6 hour drive in a long in the tooth when you’re taking the family. I think next time if I go, I’ll take a plane. But if the family’s going again, then maybe I’ll take my RAV4 or rent a car that’s a tad more comfortable for the ride. Anywhoo…the D-backs have a new fan in me. |
| Eaglet update: Sunny and Gizmo are getting bigger. Yesterday they had duck and fish! Sunny is older and his feathers are coming in nicely. FOBBV are speculating that Sunny might be a male due to his size, mind you speculation only at this point. They are speculating that Gimzo might be a female due to the size of her feet. Speculation only. Gizmo is still half and half with the feathers and fur. Sunny is wingspaning nicely, Gizmo wingspans but not as much as Sunny. Neither bird is flying yet. Sunny tries to feed himself, but he's not good at yet and still depends on Mom and Dad to feed him. Sunny still gets feed by her parents. They have gotten wicked big in 6 weeks! Hope you enjoyed this eaglet update. I'll be doing an Arizona update hopefully tomorrow. I did write something for the Honoring Our Veterans challenge this month. It's a look at how I acquired my first car. It's meant to be humorous so I hope it is.
All the best Steph |
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