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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. BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2025:
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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..." 
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| This has got to be one of my favorite Holiday videos: Okay, I want to know what the "new old fashioned way" is. There's a part in the video where several of the party goers give their dance for the "new old fashioned" way. It's a hoot. And so is Santa. He even finds the video recorder. Honestly, this video is a hoot! Give it a try you might like it! I swear, there's never enough time in the day! I was hoping to work on my story Gifts, but no. Ran out of time. AGAIN. I blame the holiday rush. I went to See's Chocolate after bowling to buy more chocolate because I didn't have enough. Grrr.. Well, heck, you never know who you have to give a box of chocolates too until the time comes up and you're a box short. I don't like being short on my chocolate. I am slowly getting better from the Food Poisoning. My strength is coming back but stomach is still not ready for certain foods. Joey seems to be continuing to deal with it. He had some pepto bismo earlier and took some advil for a headache. He's probably dehydrated and needs to drink more water. He knows he needs to so I'll try not to nag him.  in case you're looking for some Christmas/holiday stories, I've got a couple on Amazon:
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| Well, I'm enough recovered from the Heinz 57 food poisoning to go back to work. Mind you, I'm not a 100% - more like 85-90% percent. My stomach can handle a wider menu but it's not game for anything too fancy. I'm still feeling a little weak and achy, but nothing I can't manage. Today I had tickets to go to the Little House on the Prairie Reunion in Simi Valley. It was held at the Streathern Historical Society which was kind of neat. There were a lot of old fashioned buildings giving it that "Prairie" feel. I just had general admission tickets which was $60.00. I went with a retired co-worker who lives in Simi Valley. We got there fairly early, around 10 am. I thought there would be a bunch of people there but it was not as packed as the 50th Reunion was (I went in March 2024). A lot of cast members were there including the "heavys" "Nellie" and "Almanzo" (Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler). Karen Grassle was also there. Melissa Gilbert was not. We walked through town and took some scenic pics. The line for "Nellie" was long and while the temperature was mild (we weren't roasting) the line was a good 1 1/2 wait. Kim and I had to take turns sitting down in the hall. In the hall, they were playing a Homecoming documentary and Christmas episodes of the show. There was also a display of the blue dress that Ma knitted Half pint in the show. A lady had found the dress and restored it. It is just amazing to me how much this show means to people. Me? I watched a couple episodes at the time it came out (in the 1970's) - but at that time it didn't resonate with me. I was more interested in Star Wars, Star Trek, and Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galacticia. Nowadays, I really appreciate the resonance this show has. It has a ton of fans who just loved the stories, loved the characters, and loved the wholesome message of the show. What's the message? Family. Community. Be kind to each other. Hard work pays off. Yes, it's folksy, but even today, those messages mean a lot to people. My friend, Kim, was like me. Never watched the show hard when she was young, but was impressed that it had the resonance it does today.Anyhoo we had a 1 1/2 hour wait to meet "Nellie" and then she took a 30 minute break! Couldn't blame her I suppose. Her line was the longest. So I hung out and meet Patrick Labyorteauax (Andy) and Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle). Patrick was very nice. He had several shots from his time with JAG. He was on that show for about 10 years, and he said Little House for 4, but most people remember him from Little House.  Charlotte was a hoot. Honestly, before meeting her, I didn't realize she was "Miss Beadle" on the show. A lot of people in line talked about how they LOVED Miss Beadle and thought she was the best teacher ever. Come to find out, Charlotte lived quite the Hollywood life. There was drugs, sex, rock & roll & Jim Morrison. She told a story of how she took a road trip with Jim Morrison 5 months before he died. She said nothing happened. I tend to believe her. I don't know if I'd want to boff Jim Morrison at that time in his life either. She said when she turned 65 she retired from acting because she couldn't remember her lines. Can't say I blame her. I just really enjoyed meeting her and listening to her stories. I was so impressed, I even picked up her book which she autographed for me. Finally! I got to see "Nellie." The visit didn't last as long as with Charlotte, but it was fun. I got an autographed copy of her book and she did the Nellie face for a couple of my photos. I wouldn't have minded sitting in the hall and watching the documentary, but both Kim and I were worn out from all the standing. We went to have lunch after then and home. Overall, it was a nice day. Charlotte Stewart is quite the character and I'm looking forward to reading her book. I had a great visit with a friend and I can't wait to retire myself!!  |
| I rarely get sick. I'm a firm believer in Zinc and take it pretty regularly but there's TWO things no amount of Zinc and prevent: A headache and a stomach ache. So last night at work I got the stomach ache from HELL. Honestly, though, let's all it like was - I food poisoned!!  My first break is at 11 pm and I usually have a little snack with my friend Araceli. The Menu: (and one of the offending items) 3 slices of Tri-tip, 6 grapes, Heinz 57 sauce and 2 cups of coffee. My $$ is on the Heinz 57 sauce. So I sit down and eat. Araceli wants me to take over her relief slip at 430. I'm game to do it. Not much work in the office. I tell her, "I got you covered." At midnight the first wave hits - Mad rush to the bathroom. It was vile. But I think I got most of it out. I'm good, I think. But the stomach aches. I think I can manage. I tough it out until 215. I can't go on. My stomach's rumbling. I go home sick. Get home at 3 am and proceed to  from 3 to 6 am. Side note: Thankfully Araceli was able to go home at 430 and burn her time but I felt really bad. At 9 am I ask my boys for water. Still got the body aches. Finally about 20 mins I get my water. Sigh... boys... I try to get up and I can't. I'm too weak. I pass out my Earn the Badge from the Angel Army Lounge and go back to sleep another 3 hours. Got up around 1 and I'm doing better. Still achy and I need rest but I'm on the mend. Andy took Joey to school and got me bananas, saltines, and ginger ale and made me chicken noodle soup. I think when he realized I was really sick he kicked it into gear. I know this may be a little TMI -- but hey -- it's something to write about it. I'm gonna get my Daily 5 in and then rest some more. oh! oh!! Wicked proud of this story:
I won first place in the Lodestar contest!! I really worked hard on it. It's a prequel to
Well, I'm going to see what I can cook up in December, but I might be challenged due to the holiday rush! Wish me luck. |
| Just Musing... Thoughts maybe random today. Let's see where I go... First. I worked hard on Saturday and banged out a big chunk of my Christmas cards. I still have about 1/4 more to do, but the majority is done. I'm hoping to finish my cards tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm off, but I have to sleep first. Andy is going to take Joey to school, so I can get uninterrupted sleep, but I'll be pretty much sleeping a good chunk of the day away and I still to the "basics" - dishes and laundry. Second - the boys brought in the house decorations, but did not put up the outside lights. I swear, we're the only house on the block with no lights. I might have to go to Walmart and look for an inflatable Grinch to put on the lawn. The tree is up and the lights are on, but now the tree needs to be decorated. Just add that to my "to-do" list for tomorrow. TO DO: Dishes Laundry Christmas Cards Decorate the Tree Decorate the the Dining room Buy an inflatable Grinch at Walmart So instead of waking up at 2 pm, maybe I should set the timer for 1 pm? Sigh... And Dinner. I have to cook dinner. I was flipping through the web for something quick and easy - Chicken stirfry. But I need Veggies (broccoli, peppers, and peanuts) And that to the to-do list. TO DO: Dishes Laundry Christmas Cards Decorate the Tree Decorate the the Dining room Buy an inflatable Grinch at Walmart Buy stir fry veggies for dinner Maybe Andy can help me with some of this stuff?  Tuesday SHOULD BE payday. More I gotta shop for Christmas before Brent pays the bills I need to ship some gifts back to NH to family and friends NEED to buy Christmas Chocolate at See's!! What's Christmas without CHOCOLATE?? NEED to buy a BUTT TON of Gift Cards I'll make a Tuesday To-Do list --- tomorrow night. Anyone else make to-do lists? Earlier in the day I wrote some stuff for:
Time to embrace the Holiday Rush!  |
| Well, it's been a while since I had an opportunity to pop on over. I always find that once the Christmas/Holiday season starts it accelerates and leaves me in the dust to cough and catch up. THE HOLIDAY RUSH As far as the holidays go, I got my cards in from Shutterfly, but now I need to work on my 2025 yearly letter. It will be easy. I just take up a page, but I need time. The Shutterfly calendars are in. They look decent, I just wish I had more family pictures. I guess we were all doing our own thing a good chunk of the year. If anything, I would have liked more pics with Andy, but he was away half the year. The boys sent me links for some gifts but I have to wait until payday - 9 DEC to buy them. So come 9 DEC I'll be going on a buying spree. I'd like to think I'm simply - Bath and Body. Can't go wrong with that. Amazon gift cards. I should put something together for the boys. BAKER 2 VEGAS It's time to Prep for Baker to Vegas here at the Dispatch center. In my 25 years, I've never participated so this year, being my last full year before retirement, I decided to join. What is Baker 2 Vegas, you ask? It is a 120 mile relay race that takes place in 20 states which begins Baker, CA and ends in Las Vegas, NV. It started as a local law enforcement race in California but agencies come from all over to participate. You can either run or be support. I hate running so I'm support. A lot of support involves taking your runner out to their start point in the relay or picking them up. I don't mind. When I was stationed in Germany, I got used to driving. BUT - we also have to fundraise. There's a $2500.00 entrance fee and then there's all kinds of stuff you have to buy, supplies, vests, etc, and if you "MUG" you have to buy your own mugs. Right now we're just in the fundraising stage so I'm trying to come to the table with some fundraising ideas, which, honestly, is not my forte. Right now, I got some sample "lanyards" that say "Baker to Vegas" which I'm waiting on the team captain to approve and I got some "Meat Snacks" that are kinda like slim jims. They're moist and different flavors and people seem to like them. A box cost $118.00 but if you sell the whole box you'll earn $100.00 LIGHTS Hopefully tomorrow the boys will put up the outside lights. Crossing my fingers. GRINCHMAS MEAL I see McDonalds has a Grinchmas Meal. Anyone pick one up yet? I got socks with mine but I think Andy gave the socks to Joey! |
| 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...  |
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) because I'm in the middle of something else, but I'm planning to read them over Christmas.
