%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
|
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
![Merit Badge in Nonfiction
[Click For More Info]
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~doingNaNo'24   for hosting the contest! OCTOBER 2024: I participated in the
![Merit Badge in Halloween
[Click For More Info]
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..." 
|
 I love collecting hand knitted critters. Why? I suppose what I love about my little critters is that each one is made with love. Today's critter is "Octo." Octo's maker is my sister, Christine, who usually makes octos for her kitties to play with. Here, Octo has joined on vacay in April 2022. Octo can't wait to try the Wahlburgers. I liked my visit to visit Wahlburgers. It's not a chain that I see here on the West Coast, though I believe there's one in Los Angeles (kinda out of my way) . I had the tots and the "Our" burger. What's in an "Our" Burger: Beef Burger Government Cheese Lettuce Tomato Onion Pickles and Paul's signature Wahl Sauce I can honestly say Wahlburgers was a hit and I would go there again. Now, I've never seen the show, but I do appreciate a good Wahl burger. **** FOR YOUR SUMMER READING:  jThis is a retro cover and not the current cover of the book on Amazon Journey of the Heart is available on Amazon as an Ebook for .99 cents. BLURB: James DiMera returns to his home in California after World War II, only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose. But after the loss of his dream, what can there be for him? Rachel Santori's family winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he touches her lonely heart and soul with his kindness and the way comes to her aid. How long has it been since she had someone to depend on? Can James find a place of belonging in Rachel’s life? Can love mend both their weary hearts? EXCERPT: "Wait a minute, Sir," James interrupted, and peered at Rachel's spellbinding eyes for a second before looking at Mr. Smith. "You've tasted this vintage before?" "I have." "So you know how much it's worth?" "I do." "You seem like a fair man, Mr. Smith. At least you were with me. I believe if you offer miss Rachel one thousand dollars, you'll recoup your investment and more." "Now young man, how much do you know about wine?" "Not much, but I do know human nature. You respected her father, and he, you, enough to share an expensive bottle of wine. Honor that respect now. I suspect if Miss Rachel didn't have to make this offer to you, she wouldn't have. She knew you and her father had a good relationship. Honor that like you honored my service." "You're good, Son. I'll give you that. I'll offer you nine hundred dollars for the wine," he paused. "I know I've been hard on you Miss Rachel. You should consider hiring a young man who can help you manage the estate." "Thank you, Mr. Smith. I'll accept your offer and take your advice to heart." Mr. Smith grabbed his ledger, wrote a check, and presented it to her. "Do you have someone to carry in the cases? It's just Vito and I." She tucked the check into the purse. "Well --" "I'll do it," said James. "Grab my stock boy from the back, Son." Rachel offered her hand to James. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your assistance. I'm Rachel Santori." "James DiMera." BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=... |
 The Valley Greek Festival in Los Angeles was back, and I was happy to visit. Opa! It took place at St. Nicholas Church on Plummer and Balboa. I grew up in a city with a prominent Greek community, so I’ve always had an affinity for Greek culture. In Germany, I loved visiting the authentic Greek restaurants. My favorites were the Gyros and Ouzo. Lol!! And Ouzo has a black licorice taste to it, which, generally, I don't care for, but it’s so smooth, it’s worth the shot for me. First thing we did was check out the food. They had a big food tent, but the line was forever! So, we had to pass. My son and I visited the drink tent. Ouzo and Kona for us! We found some pork souvlaki, zucchini sticks, and calamari as well as fried cheese which was remarkably good. Hidden secret there. Next, we explored the Greek Church, St. Nicholas. For me, I found a lot of things in common with a Catholic church. The vestments and ornaments seemed very ornate. There were differences, too. For me, I felt the reverence. My spiritual beliefs have been evolving as late, as I’ve been working on God/Source and that he is the vine and we are the branches. We are all one and yet separate. The reverence in church was humbling.  Next we watched some dancing, but the line for the Loukoumades was far too long to wait in so we headed over to the Arts and Crafts and found a Greek coffee booth. The coffee was smooth. The most impressive Arts and Crafts booth was the wood carving. It was advertised the carvings were from olive tree wood from the holy land. I was very impressed with the intricate carvings.  Overall, it was a fun day and nice to get out. A bit overcast in Los Angeles, but still nice weather. What are your favorite Greek things? Drop me a line. My story, Arrow Through the Heart is now avail on Kindle Unlimited. EXCERPT: Ella paused next to her room's door. "This is it." Her voice was soft, yet had a hint of awkwardness to it. Logan drew in a small, nervous breath and jammed his hands into his pockets, trying to appear casual. "Did you have fun today?" "I did." She cast her eyes downward for a second, and then glanced back up at him. Her gaze smoldered. His heart skipped a beat. "Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked. "I'd like that." She pulled out her cell phone and typed in his number. Logan did the same. "On the Fourth, would you like to spend the day with me?" he asked. "I—" Ella placed her hand on the door and it swung open. She glanced at him, surprise on her face. "Was your door latched?" Logan asked. "I thought it was." "Let me." A sudden urge to protect her swelled in him and he stepped in front of her, entering the room. The sheets on the bed were crumpled, bureau drawers were spread across the floor, and her clothes were tossed about. A rope had been tied to her tennis racket and it hung from the ceiling fan with a note attached to it. Find me at: 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 |
| Well, I was looking around for something to inspire me and I glanced at my water bottle. It's nothing special. Just a 24 oz water bottle, plastic, Crystal Geyser with a blue flip top. So, I thought I'd riff on it. Why am I drinking water out of a water bottle? Well, I live in California and you learn pretty quick you don't drink the tap water. Straight up, the tap water in Cali tastes AWFUL. The tap is okay to brush your teeth and take a shower but you don't want want to drink it. Not all bottled water is created equal. There's filtered from local water supplies and spring water. Dasani is filtered from local water supplies. I suppose the filtering "saves" it, but it doesn't tastes great either. I prefer spring water. Out here it's Crystal Geyser and Arrowhead. Arrowhead doesn't taste all that great, but Crystal Geyser is good. Mind you I'm a sucker for alkaline water like they sell at Costco. That's plain water, but has a hint of flavor. Mind you, I put Crystal light ice tea in all my water because that makes it easier for me to drink. What's your favorite water? Tap? Spring? Alkaline? |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
