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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:

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 Woman Author IconMail Icon


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 writing writing writing Author IconMail Icon


Merit Badges collected and earned from "Earn the Badge 2025"
Merit Badge in WdC Supportive Friend
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 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 Woman Author IconMail Icon


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! 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~NOV Word Monger 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~NOV Word Monger 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 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 Woman Author IconMail Icon 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

*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
August 5, 2025 at 4:44pm
August 5, 2025 at 4:44pm
#1094770
Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon got a kick driving down old route 66 in Oklahoma. I found a great song on the radio about Route 66



And we just had a blast jamming out and singing and talking about all the things we were going to buy at the Cherokee Trading Post.

Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon couldn’t find a 7-11 but we found an old Mom & Pop Drive-in that still had A&W Root Beer! This place was a blast. It had a 1950’s vibe with an old juke box and the waitress wore those square paper hats they wore in the 50’s. Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon filled her Big Gulp with Root Beer and everyone else enjoyed a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert.

Back to the Party Bus and more travels through Oklahoma on Route 66 -



We were jamming so hard that Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon almost drove right past the museum! Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon screamed at the top of her lungs, “It’s here! It’s here! A hard right and the Party Bus burnt some rubber stopping.

The Museum really captured the essence and the feel of what it was like to drive along Route 66 from the 20’s to the 70’s. There was a section for every year. Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon favorite year was the 50’s room. Šuŋgmánitu Tȟáŋka Author IconMail Icon liked the outdoor part and seeing the old buildings. Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon gravitated toward the hippie room. She had a thing for the VW buses painted with peace signs. Krista Author IconMail Icon took a picture of her next to one of the peace vans.



WakeUpAndLive~NOV Word Monger Author IconMail Icon reminded us we only had an hour until the Cherokee Trading Post closed so off we went. For me, it reminded me of Salmon Falls, the pottery store in Dover NH with its focus and charm on native American articles. I found a really nice poncho with a square pattern in earth tones. Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon bought a leather purse and talked Krista Author IconMail Icon into buying one, too. Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon loved the pottery and bought a couple of pottery honey pots. Krista Author IconMail Icon gave the store a glowing review on their Instagram account. AmyJo-Where did 2025 go??? Author IconMail Icon bought some really cool mocasins and Šuŋgmánitu Tȟáŋka Author IconMail Icon got some nice rattlesnake boots. WakeUpAndLive~NOV Word Monger Author IconMail Icon bought some coats and shoes.


That night, we made a trip to Mesa, OK and pulled up the camp chairs, watching the night sky and drinking hot chocolate. It was a nice day to end a very rewarding and fun day.

August 5, 2025 at 3:58pm
August 5, 2025 at 3:58pm
#1094767
Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon was driving the Party Bus today to give Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon a break but she stopped by the 7-11. Seems Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon has got Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon hooked on the 7-11 64 oz Big Gulp.

We drove from North Dakota to Ohio. Ohio is known as one of our “rustbelt” states. It was a state that in the early 1900’s was very industrial, but as globalization hit, it lost a lot of manufacturing jobs. Still, I noted a sense of perseverance and a hard work ethic with whoever I met and I found most Ohions very down to Earth and sincere. Yeah – I got all that from the couple working at the 7-11 *Blush*

Anyhoo….. The Party Bus drove into the Cedar Point parking lot and one look as these crazy ass roller coasters spiked that adrenaline rush! Šuŋgmánitu Tȟáŋka Author IconMail Icon talked us daredevils – Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon, Me, Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon, Krista Author IconMail Icon AmyJo-Where did 2025 go??? Author IconMail Icon and Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon into riding a coaster called Valravn. OMG that coaster looked sick! WakeUpAndLive~NOV Word Monger Author IconMail Icon and Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon said they were taking a hard pass and found the carousel.



Well, I insisted on riding in the middle. I don’t need the front seat. Everyone agreed. I just closed my eyes and prayed the entire time, but after that 2nd death defying drop, I was okay. Thank God I used the bathroom before getting on that ride!

We caught up with WakeUpAndLive~NOV Word Monger Author IconMail Icon and Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon at the carousel and I personally appreciated the opportunity to get the adrenaline under control. Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon went to the gift shop and started shopping for miniature carousels. I got one, too.

Krista Author IconMail Icon wanted to get some steps in so Šuŋgmánitu Tȟáŋka Author IconMail Icon joined her and she walked all over the park taking pictures of all the roller coasters for her Instagram.

After all that adventure we went to the Eleutheros Cooke House and Garden. It was a great way to time travel. The house kinda has a 1950’s feel. I was impressed with the kitchen. Seeing the kitchen made Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon hungry.

Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon had rented us an Air BnB house so went shopping at the local grocery store when we were done checking out the Cooke House and Jellyfish Author IconMail Icon cooked us all mushroom pasta. WakeUpAndLive~NOV Word Monger Author IconMail Icon prepared a salad. Witchy Woman Author IconMail Icon and Princess Megan Snow Rose Author IconMail Icon made us some cocktails. I cleaned the dishes. Maid of the Mist Most Macabre Author IconMail Icon Krista Author IconMail Icon AmyJo-Where did 2025 go??? Author IconMail Icon and Šuŋgmánitu Tȟáŋka Author IconMail Icon played Spades. It was a nice way to relax after all the excitement earlier on in the day.





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