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 Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
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WELCOME TO: GEMINI RISING   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. CURRENT BLOG PROJECT:
RULES: 1. Blog has to be more than 2 paragraphs, some people have tried putting a one-liner response. That won't cut it. 2.You need to respond at least once every week to other participant's blog posts. This is a 7 week activity= 7 blog responses within each of the weeks. It's fun getting to see what others noted that you might have missed or hadn't thought about. 3. You don't need to blog everyday, catch-ups are allowed if you want to go for the bigger prize award. But each entry must be a separate entry. So, if you do all 51, you'll have 51 entries. 4. Please tag me Lyn's a Witchy Woman   in your entry so I can keep track of your entries for the prizes.5. Posting in a book is preferred to keep the forum from being clogged. You can use any book you want. ALONG FOR THE RIDE: HOST: Lyn's a Witchy Woman Princess Megan Rose  and her wolf, PeytonSung'manitu  and his pet rock, Peachy AmyJo-Downhill slide begins!   SandraLynn  AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! Richard ~ Looking for Luck!  WakeUpAndLive  and his dog SproutKrista Jellyfish RECOGNIZATION: 10-24 Entries, MB plus 10K Awardicon 25-50 Entries, MB plus 25K Awardicon 51 Entries MB plus 50K Awardicon Merit Badges Collected from Virtual Blogging &Virtual Blogging Friends: ![Merit Badge in Let Dreams Take Wing
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To my upcoming virtual traveling blog companion. Dream big and fly high!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Let_Dreams_Take_Wing-2335469_1.gif) ![Merit Badge in Normal Is Boring
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here's to another week of creating adventures!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-Normal_Is_Boring.gif) BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2024: I participated in the
![Merit Badge in Nonfiction
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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
![Merit Badge in Halloween
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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  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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The California Strawberry Festival is Back!! One of my favorite festivals here in my neck of the woods in California is the Strawberry Festival. I think I started going when the boys were little, I want to say about 2010 around that time. I enjoy a good festival, and there's a little bit of everything at the Strawberry Festival - food, arts & crafts, strawberries, music, kiddie rides, and would could forget: The Strawberry Smoothie! In the past, the festival was held at Oxnard College in Oxnard, but every year it grew and grew and this year was the first year it was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a venue that fit the growing event. One of the first things I would do would be to buy the boys a smoothie and I would hunt down a margarita. This year, my son shared a margarita with me. How the time flies! After out smoothies, we were usually on the hunt for Arts & Crafts. You can usually find some great gems at Arts & Crafts and this year was no exception! I found some "dangles" earrings - my favorite was Grinchy earrings and mini flip flops, but they had everything under the sun. I also discovered lemoncello chocolate almonds. They were delicious! I didn't even know they were a thing! Now I know I can find them on Amazon! One year I got a really top with stretchy material that had a Paris theme.  After visiting A&C, it was time to find a snack. Usually I go for the Garlic Fries, but there's a whole variety of items such as strawberry tamales, nachos, turkey legs, corn dogs, and hamburgers. Garlic fries are my favorite because you can't get them all the time. If there was space, we'd sit down and listen to the music. If we had an opportunity, we'd take the kids to the kiddie area and take pictures with the mascots. After that, it was time to find some flats and head home. This year we had the cool opportunity to find Tony's Pizza in Ventura - it was a local place with live music and the pizza crust was the best I've had in ages! What I like about festivals is that it gets you out of the house, gives you an opportunity to explore and relax with no time constraints and you can always enjoy the strawberries! What's your favorite festival? My story, Arrow Through the Heart is now available on Amazon unlimited. EXCERPT: Logan couldn't deny Ella was a stunner, but there had been something else – a quality he couldn't quite put his finger on. Was it loneliness? Sadness? She had to be in her twenties. So why was she alone on her working vacation? He definitely wanted to spend time with her and get to know her better. "You're quiet all of a sudden," Ella remarked. "It's nothing. Say, you never told me what you do." She coughed. "Well—" "Don't be modest." She cleared her throat. "Spit it out." He flashed her an amused grin and playfully tapped her arm with his fist. Her cheeks turned red. "I'm a professional tennis player and I'm here to play in the invitational." AMAZON LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5ZWD28D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OT77BTTTW3XG&keywords=step... FIND ME AT: WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/ AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&st... 4RV PUBLISHING PAGE: https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php YOUTUBE BOOK TEASER PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/@botrina   |
| Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've had an opportunity to update my blog. Forgive my absence. Most of the time I was busy supporting my boys with Scouting, but that chapter of my life is over and I'm ready to open a new chapter with getting back to my writing, blogging, and marketing, with some occasional posts on personal growth, recipes, flowers, traveling, and general overall fun things I like to do. WRITING UDPATE: I hope to have my short story, "Arrow Through the Heart" on the Amazon Kindle Unlimited format soon. I did a bit of an edit, but I didn't touch it up too much. It's summer based and focused on the 4th of of July, so it's a great read for summer and nice compliment to my other summer story, "Journey of the Heart." BLOGGING: Hope to be back on a more regular basis. A couple of weeks ago, I visited the local Cowboy festival. It was nice to get out again. The day was a bit sunny and a tad hot and I didn't really go prepared, but just getting out raised my vibes. The actual festival was compacted into a couple of blocks and it was a tad crowded, but I was happy. They had a Dutch oven peach cobbler booth, but the line was a forever line. I loved watching the blacksmith and the cowboy twirl his ropes.  SELF PUBLISHING: I hope to self-publish my back catalog in a more timely manner, starting with Arrow of the Heart. If anything, I wish there were 3 more hours added to the day. If you have any marketing tips, send them my way. Right now I use Fussy Librarian to get the word out, but I'd love to learn more. SHARING A LITTLE TEASE from ARROW THROUGH THE HEART:  Ella's a tennis pro who wants to win. Logan's an easy going guy who loves his rural lifestyle. When a stranger threatens Ella, will danger bring her closer to Logan or drive them apart? EXCERPT: Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire Ella strolled along the boardwalk next to the lake, exploring the shops. A store that sold beach gear caught her attention. Outside the door were several flyers and brochures in a display. After studying the flyers, she picked one up, and began reading it. Ella gnawed on her lower lip. Could she steady herself enough to allow the parachute to lift her? She stared at the parasailing brochure. The man on the front made it look easy, but if it was one thing she learned about life, it was that nothing came easy. "Hey, you want to try it?" The deep, masculine voice startled Ella. She placed her hand over her chest to steady her heart. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He walked around to her side so she could see him. "I'm Logan Donovan." Ella's breath jammed in her throat. Logan's wide smile and kind sky-blue eyes sparkled in the sun. Tall, broad-chested, and well-muscled, his stance radiated confidence. Men rarely snuck up on her, but Logan had, and he'd taken her breath away. FIND ME AT: WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/ AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&st... 4RV PUBLISHING PAGE: https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php YOUTUBE BOOK TEASER PAGE: https://www.youtube.com/@botrina |
| Yikes!! It's a been a busy Summer and I'm just getting my spike proteins in order over here. Okay, let's catch up! GARDENING The dog keeps knocking over my basil but finally, I managed to save half a pot and I have some nice sprouting basil. One summer squash made it and I roasted it up with some zucchini and ate it. hehe. But, eventually, the heat pretty sucked the plant dry and despite a lot of blooms, I only got 1 summer squash. I ate the cilantro and planted oregano but it's not sprouting. The Marigold plant looks like something vicious attacked the stalk, but it's still blooming. I planted some pumpkin seeds but their not hatching either. With winter looming, I might take the season off. My bonzai is coming along, but it is still small. WEIGHT I was so busy in New Hampshire on vacation, I lost 6 pounds. Still doing Weight Watchers, but I've pretty much even out. Need to crack down on my carbs. I've lowered them a bunch, but there is more work to be done. The spike proteins are still hefty at 202.9 tho. ROMANCE Christmas is Bayeux is now avail on Amazon unlimited for your Kindle! It was published 12 OCT. If you can swing over and support, it's much appreciated. The 2021 version is more "meatier" than the 2010 version. I'm not starting work on "A Polish Heart" and "Matchmaking Amusement." Both are shorts. SUMMER TIME I took my younger son, who is 14 back to the homeland, New Hampshire for summer vacation. Let me tell you, big difference from Commiefornia. The biggest difference is the mask. In CA we still wear masks indoors. In NH, masks are optional. No option in CA. We kept the vacation low key. We visited the mansions of Newport. My favorite is the Breakers, but they are all a marvel. We visited Canobie Lake Park, a local amusement park, took a boat ride out to the Isle of Shoals and visited with family. Joey enjoyed spending time in Karen's basement when I visited her for coffee. It was nice recharging the batteries. When we came back , it was back to work. I've been pretty much working, sleeping, trying to find free time to read. There's dishes and laundry and really, we don't get out much. Finally we took a "family" and last Saturday, 16 OCT we went to Pismo Beach to visit the Clam Festival. We taste tested the chowder and trolled the vendors. It was very low key. The coast was cool and Pismo is a quaint CA beach town. Don't want to get into politics too much here, but not much has changed in the way of the homeless problem. Just yesterday there was a big fire next to the 101. Homeless fires are up. Tents are all over. Just the other day "Gutter People of LA" posted a video of a homeless person taking a poo at a bus stop and I've got to think we are better than that. Why can't we build affordable "assisted" living facilities for the homeless that offer 3 hots and a cot, along with in house programs for mental illness issues and drug rehab? It's not enough to build shelter. There needs to be another layer to it. All the best to you. Peace out. |
| Hi all! It's been a while since I was able to pop in. Forgive. I've been a busy little Spooky Bee. I'll do a seperate post to catch you all up on my summer adventures, but with all these containers ships sitting off the coast of California, I thought I'd research American Made products. I want to get into buying more local, more American products. If you have a suggestion for a great American product let me know. I'm always looking for coffee and chocolate! haha. No, I'll take anything at this point. I realize I will still need to buy off of Amazon and at Costco (which I love!) but I'm trying to minimize my foot print there. Again, if you know of a great product, please drop me a line. Today's product is about Toilet Paper! Enjoy ************* PRODUCT: QUILTED NORTHERN What is it: Toilet Paper Where is it made: Ft. Edward, New York (1 location I can find) by United Steel Workers Union 4-2. Owned by: Georgia Pacific Address of Georgia Pacific: 133 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Georgia Pacific is owned by Koch Industries. Koch is a privately held multinational conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas. Follow the Money check: Info gleaned from https://www.followthemoney.org I like were they spend their money. Grants have been given to help fund public school robotics and reading programs, college scholarships, job training initiatives, equipment for local fire departments, conversation projects (Wisconsin’s Trees for Tomorrow) and educational programs for young, female and minority entrepreneurs. Grants have supported local chapters of charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, United Way and the Salvation Army. They have a program called “Acts of Comfort” The 10 Acts of Comfort (from their webpage:) Comfort Cases: Backpacks with comfort items for foster kids. A Friend of Mind: Offers free yoga and meditation services to youth to combat mental illness and eliminate mental health stigma. Bow Wows & Meows: Hospice nurse helps shelter animals get exposure and get adopted. Haute Healing Foundation: Giving makeovers to chronically ill, homeless and disadvantaged youth. Everyone On: Computers and Wi-Fi for families in need. Veggielution: Volunteers cultivate and grow crops which are then donated to the hungry. One Warm Coat: Provides free coats to any person in need (adults and children) through coat drives. (maybe my son can make a BSA service project out of this. We'll see) My Block, My Hood, My City: Introduces teenagers to places in their own city they’ve never seen or experienced—showing them that their block should not be a boundary. Education Through Music: Work with schools to implement music programs as part of the schools’ curriculum. Danny’s Farm: Special animals for special kids with autism.Danny's Farm | Petting Farm Serving the Los Angeles Area Danny's Farm serves Los Angeles’ most vulnerable populations by providing a Petting Farm and a variety of Animal... My thoughts: I’m looking to buy Made in America products and I’m glad I found Quilted Northern. The TP is soft enough for me. I’m glad to support. As to where they spend their money, I see they have the "Acts of Comfort" and I'm okay with where they spend their money politically. I recommend this product!! |
| Another 2 weeks just flew by so I thought I'd post an update. I'm a busy little Virus. I won't get another day off until 19 MAY and that day is pay day so I'll be running around spending money. hehehe. GARDENING Well, the Marigolds and 1 basil didn't make it. Some "plant like bug" killed them. I managed to save one basil pot and the oregano is coming along. I will try to plant some more marigolds here in a bit. The cilantro is really coming along, young, but nice and full. I had two summer squash seeds sprout! They are very young, but nice and healthy. Still watering them. I'll try to get a pic here soon. My Bonzai Black Spruce finally hatched!! I have four of them. They are very small right now so I'm watering them and putting them in sunlight. As soon as they get bigger I'll move them to another pot. WEIGHT Since going back to in person meetings. (I've been to 3 now) I've lost 3.5 pounds. Still tracking. I've continued with the habit of walking during lunch. NEW TIP: Since I'm a little bit more on the heftier side for a Virus, I'm pretty achy. It's nothing I can't deal with but it's annoying. I discovered when I took 1 Advil, the achys went away, BUT I don't want to be taking Advil all the time to deal with my achys. ....Enter Pineapple Juice!! Come to find out Pineapple Juice is a natural anti-inflammatory. So I said why not try it? I got me one of those 6 oz Dole cans and I felt a big difference. Then I discovered that the enzyeme that is responsible for pineapple juice is called bromlain. So I bought some. Thank goodness for Amazon prime. Since using Pineapple juice and bromlain I have definitely felt less achy, which is very nice. ROMANCE My Romance/Love NL is due next week. Trying to work out an interesting topic. Taking suggestions. WRITING I'm in the editing phase of "Christmas in Bayeux." I'm anticipating about another week or 2 before it's finished and then I'll upload it to Amazon! Very excited about the story!! TRAIN RIDE I took the train to work today. I saw a bunch of tents along the freeway (the 101) but nothing on the sidewalks where I need to walk from the train station to work. I suspect they were cleaned out for the Oscars. We'll see how long it takes for them to come back. California is a socialist pit and there is a lot of homeless here. It's really outrageous. I get calls the time for drugged out homeless ppl who are usually naked and run into the middle of the street stopping traffic. Then we have ppl who find needles near schools. It's not so bad now as most of the kids in this area are doing online learning 5 days a week, but we do have some school districts doing a hybrid model. Then we have ppl who call and say a HUMAN BEING defecated and urinated on their front lawn (like a dog!!) and they want us to clean it up. We send a further request to sanitation to clean it up but they are so backed up it's takes 10-14 days to respond to requests. It's shameful out this way. |
| Wow, that was the fastest 2 weeks ever. GARDENING I planted marigolds, cilantro, sweat pea, summer squash and basil. It's spring time and I'm always motivated to plant something. Oh, I planted some bonzai trees too for good vibes. Well, the marigolds, basil, and cilantro have sprouted! Sadly, my summer squash, sweat pea and bonzai haven't. And the dog knocked over a marigold and sweat planter so I lost them.  But it feels good to see the fruit of your handiwork sprout. I'm going to tackle oregano next. First chance I have, I'll post of pic of my growing flowers and herbs.WEIGHT Weight Watchers is meeting in person again! As I'm no fan of Zoom, I was able to reserve a spot for an in person meeting again. I always do better when I go to meetings. I have been using My Fitness Pal, logging my food on the app (and cardio) for 93 days. I like how MFP has everything and it's easy to fit. Sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for on the WW app. Some ppl who use Noom like it. My friend at work showed me some of the features I liked, but I need a pay by the month program. I can't shovel out 150.00 up front for 5 months. Sounds nice, but my budget doesn't work that way. I am glad that I have such a streak with MFP, and its linked up to MAP MY WALK so it adds my earned burned calories after a walk. I can't say I've lost weight though. I haven't gained any. I saw my doctor the other day, and she suggested try cutting carbs. it's a process but I have increased eating carrots and cutting out mcdonald fries. haha. Allons! Steph |
| I was jamming the other day to my ITunes playlist in the car and this song came on: I've always loved this song. Not sure why. It's about the Reaper coming for ppl. Go figure, right? I try to be a good vibe person. Maybe it's because I discovered the song shortly after Romeo and Juliet in 9th grade. Of course the lyrics refer to that ill fated couple, but if you personalize the lyrics to you, it might mean more. They might give you comfort. They might only tell Juliet's story. They might foreshadow something bad in your life. Anyone else listen to Blue Oyster Cult? Share your favorite song. ***** Still writing my story, "Christmas in Bayeux." I have two more scenes to finish. Can't wait. hehe. But I got some great feedback from my Beta reader and I switched some stuff around, so I'm writing and editing. Hope to finish up the writing by the end of the week. Hopefully I can have it up in 2-4 weeks. I tweaked my blurb a bit: After a rough year in a war zone and losing his parents, Aiden travels to Bayeux, France. There he meets up with Noelle Rousseau, who was an exchange student previously with his family. Noelle is happy to see him again, but faces her own challenges, trying to make ends meet at her estate, Mont Saint Theresé. Can a little Christmas spirt heal their wounded hearts or will family demands keep them apart again? **** Spring cleaning anyone? See my notebook... |
Happy Tuesday to all.  Just some random thoughtsWDC It's my 16 year Anniversary on Writing.Com. I'm very happy to be here and be a member. I can honestly say being a part of the community has helped to improve my writing and I'm very proud of some of my accomplishments. So, this anniversary I'll be sharing some of my favorites. One item I'm proud of is "Spontaneous Decision" which earned 8th place in the Writer's Digest Annual Writing contest. I submited it for Mainstream literary.
My dear friend Ẃeβ࿚Ẃỉtcĥ gifted me a Moon Witch MB. ![Merit Badge in Moon Witch
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*^*Star*^* Happy 16th WDC Anniversary, Steph! May you reach the stars by the light of the moon, and enjoy many more years of WDC fun, friendship and creativity!
Webbie *^*Witch*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Moon_Witch-444444_14.gif) I love Astronomy. It's one of my favorite songs by Blue Oyster Cult.What's your favorite BOC Tune? haha.!! And I love real, nighttime Astronomy as well! AND I love witches!! here's one of my favorite witch stories:
I  ♥HOOves♥  who has also gifted me a By the Sea MB. I really do enjoy being out in nature. I love smelling recently bloomed flowers, the salt of the sea, fresh cut grass.![Merit Badge in By the Sea
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Happy Sixteenth Anniversary Week! Thank you for all the wonderful things you do here! *^*Heartb*^**^*Cow*^**^*Heartv*^**^*Tulipp*^**^*Heartv*^**^*Cow*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-By_the_Sea-2040601_14.gif) Here's an early poem dedicated to the sea.
And it's National Poetry Month. Throughout the years on WDC, I've experimented with various styles. Today I'm sharing a Villianelle.
WATCHING TV Well, I have decided that TV is pretty unwatchable as of late so I've been junking on 80's mini series. Just finished watching:
I remember seeing it when it first came on. It really was an amazing story. I thought the casting was spot and I thought Rachel Ward was good in the role of "Meggie." I saw the special features at the end of the DVD and I heard it came down to Rachel Ward or Jane Seymour for the part. Why didn't Jane Seymour get it? Because she wasn't able to tap into the vulnerability the character needed. Anyone else watch the Thorn BIrds? I got the Kindle book from Amazon. LOL!! But I have a ton of other books to read first. |
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| So October, November, December, January, February, and March BLEW by like the wind. Where did the time GO???? WRITING & MARKETING STUFF: I've been striving to keep up with marketing. I don't want to say it's been a grind, but it kinda feels like it. There's 2 marketing sites I use: Fussy Libriarian and Free Kindle Books & Tips. They're affordable, but FKBT requires a min of 8 reviews on Amazon so I can only promo 1 out of 4 books. FL is more affordable. I finally paid off my overs for Praire Rose Publishing and I made some money on the stories last quarter so I'm happy about that. I've been targeting my VTP stories, reviewing, editing, and updating them. I've been focusing on them as they are shorter, but I'm finding that even though they are shorter, they still require a quality review. Right now, I'm working updating my Christmas story called "Christmas in Bayeux." The original story was published in 2011 for the VTP Christmas Collection, Stimulating and was only about 5K long. This update is now at 23K. I've added a lot more meat to the bones. So with that I updated the cover as well. I had some "alternate" covers made as well, which I'll share, but right now here's the new cover:  I'll share an excerpt or two as I get closer to publication. Right now, I have to finish it, and I'm about finished. Hoping to finish within the next 2-4 weeks, then I'll need editing and formating for the Kindle. HOLIDAYS: Holidays in Covid has been tough. For Halloween I dressed up as "Covid". haha. I'll post a pic in a few. November, Knotts Berry Farm did a "Taste of Knotts Berry Farm" where you go to the amusement and walk through. You can't ride the rides but you go from restaurant to restaurant taste testing the food. Then there was the election. I have no comment on the election but to say politics is divisive and I really don't want to go there on my Blog. My Blog is my happy place. December was challenging as it was the holidays and my governor, Good Ol' Gavin locked California down hard. I never shopped so much on Amazon in my life! But I did use some mom & pop places. I found "The Soap Kitchen" out of Pasadena and I love Stonewall Kitchen which is in Maine. JANUARY Work took away Brewed coffee at work so we had to rely on K-Cups. I discovered my favorite K Cups was McDonalds Medium Roast and Costco Medium Roast. I decided to be a bit more active in politics. Not much mind you. But I have been sending my CA Assemblymember and Senator my thoughts on issues that are important to me. I'm very excited to have my Assemblymember coming to visit the dispatch center in April. I also email my Congressman my thoughts. Mind you, I'm very polite. I do support the Recall of Gavin Newsom, but one of the biggest reasons I do is because the EDD (Employment Development) is a hot mess. I loved the Bernie Sanders meme of Bernie and mittens. FEBRUARY Happy Valentines Day. I love reading the Cupid Slam entries for the Bard's Hall
. That was the best part of February. haha.Well, we got a puppy we named Ollie. Ollie is a good dog, but he's a lot of work. No crate for Ollie. It's not his thing.  He was 8 pounds when we got him and now he's up to 30. He's had all his shots and loves to play fetch and go on walks. I started using my Notebook a bit more often on WDC to engage. I kind of like it. I like the "Quickie" aspect of it. MARCH I wore Green on St. Patricks Day. haha. My son, Andy made Crock Pot corned beef. It took FOREVER to cook, but when it finally finished it was lick-lipping good. So Cal and LA County has entered the Orange Tier and so more things are opening up and capacity is being expanded. I'm glad COVID is "shrinking." I'm so over my mask I just want to have a mask bonfire when all this is said and done. We got BREW coffee back at work. Imagine me doing the Snoopy Happy dance! WDC: Well, I turned 16 yrs old today on WDC. That's awesome! The Bard's Hall always keeps me busy. I love passing out the awards!! And Webbie and I have expanded the Bard's Hall Merit Badge Collection which I love. I also like the customized Awardicons for the Bard's Hall. I haven't really added anything new, but photos and notebook entries, but I might do a promo for Christmas in Bayeux when I finish it.
Right now, I'm helping Elle with the Quills as a Judge for the Blog Contest. And that inspired to catch up my own blog. READING: I'm the kind of person who reads multiple books at one time. Just finished: The Godfather. It's only a tiny bit better than the movies. Currently reading: Family of Secrets -- about the Bush family Licensed to Lie -- by Sydney Powell about Brady evidence Beyond the Keep -- A prequel to the Tearling Fate of the Tearling -- book 3 of the Tearling The Secret Service -- by Ronald Kessler - a look into the Secret Service, their duties and responsibilites. Blessing to all this Easter, from me, Hoppy Bunny, Lily Flower, and the Ukrainian Easter Eggs.  |
| I can't!! Where did it go? The last 9 days have been a blurr... I go to work, go home, eat, watch TV go to bed. I haven't been anywhere interesting and when it's payday, Wednesday, I catch up on my errands and go to Costco!! I  Costco. I still need reviews on my short stories so I can book marketing sites. So here is a gratitious plug: Here's the blurb: Night of Magic…Samhain—Dark…Dangerous…Powerful…The year is 800 A.D. on the Emerald Isle, and Prince Jasper is determined to regain that which has been lost to him. Five years past, Princess Aithne was taken from her father, Prince Jasper, by the forces of the Other World. On Samhain, the veil between the worlds is thin, and can be breeched more readily—especially if one walks amid the ceremonial bonfires. When Princess Aithne disappears, her father vows every year to bring her back. He tempts many champions with a chest of gold, but only one man can succeed. This year, Finn is determined to lay claim to that treasure, but to do so, he must tempt Fate. Will he survive his journey to the Other World to bring the princess back? Will he dare follow his heart? Or will greed determine what lies in store for him on this NIGHT OF MAGIC? Much thanks for your support. Every review is one step closer to my marketing goals! FUNDRAISING IN COVID Fundraising for the boys has always been a thing. When they were in elementary school, teachers would send home a list of items/supplies they needed for the classroom. Us room parents would pitch in and I even volunteered in the classroom to help out. If anything I was irked because CA taxes are SKY HIGH and it broke my heart that after all the TAXES I pay, teachers still dont have $$ for supplies for their classroom and they have to ask room parents. Of course, I support, especially at the elementary level, just sad. BUT... since school is online, fundraising from schools is practically non existent which is kinda nice, however Joey's high school is still food fundraisers. I don't mind supporting them either because usually when I get home, I am practically out of energy and don't have the stamina to actually cook a meal. Boy Scouts is still fundraising. Right now they have a popcorn & Christmas wreath fundraiser. I don't mind giving them a shout out on my FB page. Still, popcorn is expensive and I hate sounding like I'm begging. haha. The Christmas wreaths are nice though. If anyone is interested in supporting, let me know and I'll send you a link. Boy Scouts have been good for my boys. Andrew is an Eagle Scout. Joey is Star right now. I like the protocols they have in place now with youth protection. Well, that's all I have. Looking forward to tonight's presidential debate! Smiles Steph |
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