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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~lifestyle change 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~lifestyle change 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 27, 2026 at 6:51pm
January 27, 2026 at 6:51pm
#1106956
It's that time of year for colds and viruses, but honestly, I don't worry. I take zinc on a pretty consistent basis.

Steph, what's this about Zinc?


Zinc is AMAZING when it comes to VIRUSES. Zinc hates Viruses and KILLS THEM DEAD.

But you're no doctor, Steph.

Nope, I ain't. But I got a story for you about zinc.


When Joey was in 4th grade and just diagnosed with ADHD, I went into Mama Bear mode and started researching everything I could to help him. One the things I found was zinc. I learned the majority of people/children who have an ADHD diagnoses typically have a zinc deficiency. "Normal" people, without the diagnosis only need about 9 mg a day of zinc, but someone with ADHD needs about 25 mg. Zinc can help curb impulsivity in children so it was important to me that Joey get his 25 mg a day of zinc. But, typically, the pill comes in a 50 mg dose. So I cut the pill in half and gave him half and I took the other half.

Tip: Don't take zinc on an empty stomach. Zinc will make your stomach upset if you take it on an empty stomach.

Anyhoo...that was primary reason we were taking zinc, but zinc has other benefits - it helps to boost your immune system and metabolism.

And if you have a cold. Throw a ton of zinc of it. How does it work? Viruses typically take over a healthy cell and then replicate. Cell after cell, they just gang attack. The while blood cells come on over and it's on - Replicating Viruses and White Blood cells go to war. You have a cold.

Zinc kills viruses dead. Viruses hate zinc. You want to stop the replication of the virus, because if you don't the virus will get worse as it replicates. When I do get a rare cold I usually take 100 mg of Zinc plus Quercetin. It's an over the counter anti-inflamation booster. I usually buy Quercetin at Walmart. What quercetin does is open up a pathway into the damaged cell so Zinc can get in. Once it's in, it kills that Virus dead. (Dead viruses usually show up as green mucus. I know, Gross)

Joey and I were never diagnosed with Covid. We never got it. I started giving Joey zinc in 2016 along with myself, and we've maybe had 2 colds in 10 years. And we got over them pretty quick by throwing extra zinc at the them. That's why I have over 800 hours of sick time in my work bank. I never get sick. If I get sick it's usually some sort of stomach ailment.

I swear growing old is not for the faint of heart, but I am impressed with zinc and quercetin. I also take cortisol detox supplement as well as bromelain which helps as an anti-inflammatory because when you're over 50 inflammation skyrockets. I also take provitalize for gut health and I haven't had an UTI in 2 years. I know - TMI. There are all several over the counter tricks that can really help you out as you age. I also use caster oil and poke root on places that are swollen such as my ankles to get the blood going again.

Every little bit helps.

*********

I just want to say a quick word for 🌝 HuntersMoon Author IconMail Icon - Ken. I saw the message on the newsfeed, first from Schnujo Author IconMail Icon and then THANKFUL SONALI Get Well Ken Author IconMail Icon. Very unexpected. I just want to send up *Pray* and good vibes into the grid for his healing and recovery. I think iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon said it best - Don't stay away too long and we'll keep your port shiny and polished until you get back. I just want to thank Ken for all he's done with the Veterans Group and how supportive he was of the Group and of the WDC community in general. *Salute* - I would encourage you to offer up your well wishes on his notebook. I think he'd really like it and if you'd like to leave a message at the Roll Call over on the Veterans Group, I think he'd like/appreciate that as well.
IN & OUT
Veterans Group Roll Call  Open in new Window. (E)
Roll Call! Tell us about your Military Experience! New Challenge for JAN 26.
#2342930 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon


*Salute* Steph



*Thought*  Comment   •   View 2 comments


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