%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
|
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. BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2025:
SEPTEMBER 2025:
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.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/community-WdC_Supportive_Friend.gif) ![Merit Badge in Earn the Badge
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for your donation to [Link To Item #2133333] - from Purple Princess.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Earn_the_Badge-2093257_1.gif){kind=icon} ![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.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Music-1050.gif) ![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.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Contests-235.gif) ![Merit Badge in Growth
[Click For More Info]
Good job earning the Growth Merit Badge in [Link To Item #2133333]](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Growth-1150.gif) ![Merit Badge in Word Searches
[Click For More Info]
Great job participating in [Link To Item #2133333] and completing the September 5th task.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/type-Word_Searches-19000.gif) ![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]](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Teamwork-210.gif) SUMMER 2025:
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!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Let_Dreams_Take_Wing-2335469_1.gif) ![Merit Badge in Normal Is Boring
[Click For More Info]
here's to another week of creating adventures!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-Normal_Is_Boring.gif) ![Merit Badge in Blog Camping
[Click For More Info]
Thanks for completing [Link To User elusive4lyn] July 2025 blogging vacation!! Great job!!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Blog_Camping-1788309_13.gif) ![Merit Badge in Travel
[Click For More Info]
Woohoo! We’re halfway through!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Travel-1975.gif) ![Merit Badge in BCoF 2
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for your participation in BCoF's 50 States Virtual Blogging adventure.
*^*Heart*^* Lyn](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-BCoF_2-1901868_14.gif) ![Merit Badge in Endurance
[Click For More Info]
51 days of blogging takes commitment, and you rocked it.
*^*Heart*^* Lyn](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Endurance.gif) 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~snowflake wonder   for hosting the contest! OCTOBER 2024 & 2025 : 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) ![Merit Badge in Determination
[Click For More Info]
You rose to the poetry challenges in 12 Poetic Days of Halloween in grand style.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Determination-2500.gif) ![Merit Badge in Ghost
[Click For More Info]
Thank you for your successful completion of 13 Poetic Days of Halloween *^*Heart*^* Lyn](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-Ghost-700.gif) Big Thanks to Witchy Woman  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*^*](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/community-WdC_Positive_Influence.gif) from FrosTIGGY ☃️  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..." 
|
| Today, Andy and I went to the USC game. They were playing UCLA so it's a big cross town rivalry game. Both teams are in the BIG 10, but UCLA hasn't fielded a decent team in years. Who knows why? I suppose investing in Coaching and talent are probably the two big issues. Any hoo ... Whoever wins the game gets to keep the Victory Bell for the year. The game was played in the Coliseum, so we drive down to the North Hollywood transit station, and take the light rail to USC Expo park and walk over to the coliseum. The Coliseum is a classic venue and part of the USC campus. Several sports for the 1936 Olympic summer games were held there. The Trojans have been playing there for a lot of years. My tickets were in section 111, which wasn't bad, it's on an angle just over the tunnel and it gets shade fast on early days which is nice. Today's game started at 430 pm PST which was pushing it a bit for me, since I had to work tonight. The game ended around 745 pm and we got to North Hollywood around 9 so I called in and got a 1 hour late in. By the time I go to bed I'll have been up 23 hours. Believe me, I feel the sandman teasing me. I'm a dedicated fan! BUT THE GAME WAS SO WORTH IT. It was a good game and UCLA showed up to play in the first half. USC came out the second half and dominated, winning the game, 29-10. USC got to keep the Victory Bell. The carriage is painted USC Cardinal (burgundy) for another year! It's always nice to go with Andy because he gets into the game like I do. We yell, we cheer, we get up and high five people. We do "Fight on" with our fingers. And College football is exciting because it isn't as polished as the NFL. There's a whole ambience to your team that you just embrace. Here's Andy and I at our 1st ever USC Game:  and Andy and I last year at a USC game:  Sadly, it's the USC game of the season.  Next year can't soon enough. |
| All the Prep and planning paid off! I got home from work at 630 am and went right to bed so I could sleep and get up at noon. Hubby got up and started cooking. Andy got up around 10 and put the touch up on the downstairs cleaning. I was up at noon, showered and went downstairs. More finishing touches were added and I started putting together the Charcuterie board. Brent told everyone to show up at 2. Surprisingly, MIL didn't show up until 130! (Usually she's an hour early to all events). I finished putting together the board. There were salamis, prosciutto ham, and other salamis I couldn't pronounce!  I did get some Manchango Cheese for the board and asked Andy to cut it. Hubby, Andy and MIL were making fun of the cheese which annoyed me a little. They had never heard of it!  Well, when they did try it, they started raving around it. Ooooohhh this is sooooo good. Good grief!! I know what I'm doing with a charcuterie board! Anyhoo the masses showed up at 2, and Richard Jr. was late because a car caught on fire on the Freeway. (Everyday occurrence over here) On the Menu: Turkey - the skin was okay, it had crunchy parts but was a little moist Mashed potatoes Stuffing with cranberries and sausage salad rolls Cheesy potatoes Let's not forget at the booze at the house. I kept it simple - malibu rum, pineapple juice and spite. I had 2 glasses and called it quits. Need my wits about me after all. But offered 2 different tequilas, rums, Jack Daniels, and wine - Riesling, Gerwursteminer, and Lambrusco. and we had Andy's pies for dessert. Thank goodness for Football! The Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys were playing. Chiefs are looking tired this year. Me and cousin Tony talked football and caught up. Richard Sr kept asking "Is Patrick Mahomes playing?" Usually he's pretty sharp so I wondered what was up. After dinner, Richard Jr. said he noticed some memory issues. I have to agree. Hope MIL is doing something about it. I said my gratuitous hellos to MIL, the Evils, (you have to do some pretty dastardly things to be label "evils" in my house, but Brent's Aunt and Uncle are all about me, me, and me, and I've been just nasty to their DIL, Sandy so until there is some redemption, which I doubt, evils it is) My SIL stayed away as the evils make her feel uncomfortable. Can't say I blame her. Wish I had that option. Clean up duty was spread between me, Brent, and Andy which was helpful. After pie and coffee, people were out the door around 530 pm. Now it was recovery time! Yesterday was low key but busy. Joey suggested we go to Japanese for dinner last night so we did. Sushi was never so tasty. I did 3 loads of laundry while working on my Lodestar entry which I slaved over. I had to cut down some of the description to get it in under 5K words which I did. I'm proud of the entry but it could have been more.  Today at 1 pm, Andy and I are off to go see the last college USC football game. They're playing UCLA at the Colisum. I love going to see USC play football so I'm looking forward it. Now that my Lodestar story is done, I can get back to my edits for Gifts. |
| One of the most inspirational stories, for me, about Thanksgiving is the story about Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench. It's been 10 years now and they're still sharing Thanksgiving Dinner. Their story captures the  of Thanksgiving for me. |
| Thanksgiving prep continues. I pretty much slept the day away and got up around 130. Andy had already baked 2 pumpkin cheesecake pies. I got moving and went to bake my pie. I reached for the can of blueberries and discovered....drum roll... they were blackberries. Hubby was at the grocery store and I asked him to pick up blueberries. Guess what? No blueberries. So... we're having blackberry pie. Gotta improvise. I remember when the boys were little and Marie Callendars was still in business I would go down a day early and wait in line (usually anywhere between 30-60 minutes) for pies. Oh, I'd stock up. Growing up, Thanksgiving was about PIE for me and so when the boys were little I went a little wild on the pies. We had apple crumb pie, chocolate satin pie, key lime pie, pecan pie, cherry pie, blueberry pie, german chocolate pie. I'd spend between $50 to $70 just on pies. Well, Marie Callenders went out of business in my area around 2019 and so, since then, Andy and I bake our own pies. At 430 pm PST I left to go to work for my overtime shift from 630 to 1030 and then I work my regular shift until 6 am. It's nice to have the holiday money. Gotta pay for Christmas. I'll sleep all morning while the husband and Andy does some last minute cleaning. At noon, I'm going to get up and start making the charcuterie board. I can't wait. I'm a sucker for a good charcuterie. Anyhoo... The inlaws are supposed to come at 2 but my MIL will come at 1 because she's like that. I'm going to watch football all day and catch upon my sports while the vapid in-laws visit with each other. When it's time for turkey I go for the wings.  If you eat turkey, what's your favorite part?   |
| Well, the Thanksgiving Prep continues.... Today I got up at 1030, took Joey to school, then went back to sleep and got up at 2. Then it was non-stop! I put the dishes away, cleaned the sink and prepped it with cold water. Had Andy get the turkey from the garage frig and brought it. Plop it went right into my sink water. Checked the butt - clean. Took out the giblets, neck and disgusting stuff and chucked it. I rinsed that bad ass 18 pound off, dried it, (it did look a little freezer burned) and then sunk it in my brine. Then Andy and I brought that huge ass bird back to the garage frig to soak in all that wonderful salt and spices. Got my fufu body wash soaps from Bath and Body today. Cucumber Melon is a favorite of mine, but I also like Spearmint Eucalyptus. Then I went shopping for my charcuterie board. I picked up 6 different meats & cheeses, some almonds, friend fruit, olives, raspberries and mustard. This board is gonna rock. After that, I went to Walgreen to get Joey's med, Toppers for Pizza, then picked up the kid from school. It was 5 pm. Went home, ground some coffee beans then a power nap before going to work. Usually I go bowling, but I can't be up that long. It's exhausting. Tomorrow is Day 3 of Thanksgiving prep. Andy and I cook pies...  |
Well the Thanksgiving holiday adventures have been begun! Today I cooked my brine. This is my standard brine receipe I've been using for years. Seems to work. Every time I use it, the inlaws gush the turkey was delicious, but I'm game to try to new things. Barney Kilakarney 🎅🎄🦌  mentioned a BEER brine that I'd be willing to try next year. I was a little short on the sea salt and almost send Andy to the store to get more but then I found regular salt and course ground salt so I called him off and mixed it up so the speak. I used a gallon of veggie booth - mixed herbs - thyme, majorium (because I couldn't find savory) rosemary and sage and A LOT Of salt. Brought it up to a boil, simmered and now it's cooling. I need cool brine for when I stick the turkey in the brine tomorrow. We got an 18 pounder. Personally, I think it's too much, but the husband wanted a bird on the bigger side. Going to work on my Lodestar story a bit before power napping for work. smiles Steph |
| My friend, Lori, who retired last year from Dispatch and now lives in Arizona, came to Burbank to do an Arts and Crafts show with another retired co-worker, Lorena in Burbank. It was called the Burbank Wine Walk. Well, Andy and I cleaned house in the morning and then at 1 pm headed down to Burbank to visit and check out the Arts and Crafts. Lori and Lorena sell homemade repurposed clothes and Lorena sells really nice fluffy styled Mickey Mouse Ears. When Andy and I got there it wasn't that busy, but I saw some more co-workers had come to visit. Lori is definitely missed. She's known for being a big "Grinchmas" fan and she loves the Minnesota Vikings. She also told one of our Air Units to "Shut the Fuck up" over the air. Very ballsy (and unprofessional) but everyone got a laugh out of it. Yes, she was highly embarrassed. Andy and I walked around the crafts. He good some pokemon cards and I got some Star Wars memorabilia. I also picked up some hot sauce for my husband and I got some honey sticks for work for the coffee club. Andy and I had a late pizza lunch and it was nice, casual time. I put some pics up on Facebook. If I have time tomorrow, I might post a pic or two here. I really do poking around a good arts and crafts fair. As for the Wine Walk, it started at 4 and we left around 4. Not sure what it was about, but I did see some venders setting up tents. I think you paid a fixed price and then went wine sampling. Q for you: Have you been to an arts and crafts exhibit? What do you look for? I like looking for offbeat things, soaps, nuts, honey, candies, some clothing items if original. |
| Well, Andy and I went shopping for Thanksgiving. We did a lot of shopping at Walmart (because Dad wanted us to get a roasted chicken from there for dinner). Found a nice sized 18 pound turkey for $15.00. Good price!! In fact, we only spent $115.00 at Walmart. It was raining though. If anything, it put us in the holiday spirit. Heck Southern California could use a little rain. Then we went to the local grocery store and got the rest of the items we needed. Let's just say the refrigerators and the pantry is STUFFED - like a  |
| It was soooo cold in California. How cold was it Steph? Well, when Andy woke up this morning he found ants in the pantry making a beeline to the dog food!! I was proud of that boy, too. While Brent and I were at work, he took apart the side of the pantry that was affected and sprayed the raid killing the ants. He got rid of the old bag of dog food and cleaned everything up. I had no idea there was a crisis until I came home and told me about it. I told him I was very proud of the way he handled it. That said it got down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit last night. Mind you, that's cold here in SoCal, but in New England you'd see ppl wearing shorts claiming it was rather comfy, considering. Personally, speaking, 45 degrees F is jacket weather. Turns out Hubby had the temp set for 67 before the heat kicked in! I was freezing in bed last night and that's WITH the next blanket. I bumped it up to 70 degrees. But Steph, it's ONLY 45 degrees.... It's cold enough for the ants to find a path into my pantry and go for the dog food. So let's hear it - is 45 degrees Fahrenheit cold or comfortable? |
| Well, the hubby is ALL EXCITED to be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at the house. Me? I'm not so excited but hey, I'm doing my best to be supportive. Too many in-laws coming over if you ask me. I'm going to find a good football game and thieve oxygen on the couch. That said... He's been working on the menu: -- I usually brine the overstuffed bird, so I'll be making/cooking my brine on Monday and putting the bird in the brine Tuesday for a min 24 hour soak. Then he's going to prepare the bird like Claudia does:
However, last year, the came out not so good. Mind you, I'm not trying to set hubby up for failure again, but he's insisting he wants to do it Claudia's way... POTATOES He's going to make mashed potatoes from real potatoes. We'll see. The boys think he's going to use Instant. I'm taking bets. STUFFING This year he's making Gina's Italian stuffing with sausage and cranberries. Honestly, beats his grandmother's recipe which I politely decline every year. PIES Hubby wants Andy to make his famous pumpkin cheesecake pies. Two. Andy's game for it. I'm going to make a blueberry pie because that's what I ate when I was growing up. CHEESE and CRACKER Board I've been put in charage of the charcuterie board since I went to a class for it. I'm thinking fancy Italian meats, cheeses, grapes, crackers, olive spread, jam.... The possibilities are endless. DRINKS Hubby bought Lambrusco, Riesling and Gerwurstermlner. I'm going to have some Malibu rum, pineapple juice and sprite. What are the in-laws bringing you ask? I have no idea..... Andy and I go shopping on Thursday. |
||||||
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
Puzzle Hub
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
I guess they have a newer, more modern Old Fashion cocktail recipe! 
Works for me! ...
) because I'm in the middle of something else, but I'm planning to read them over Christmas.
Yeah, I'd avoid the shady buffets after that! As for Potlucks we have a lot at my work so I'm picky about what I eat. Heck, here's hoping I lost 5 pounds just time for Christmas! 
