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Fri, Feb 20, 2026

3:20am EST

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Gemini Rising

by StephBee

Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #1051691

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.

Me visiting Space Camp 1993

me in my 20's

I've got 2 boys who are young adults.

The family waits in line to get on next to the Ship.

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:

DECEMBER 2025:

I participated in:

FORUM

12 Poetic Days of Yuletide

(E)

12 different Poetry styles beginning December 21st- January 1st.

#2329171 by Witchy Yule Woman

this was a great challenge and I would highly recommend it if comes up again for next year. The blog earned the following merit badge:

SEPTEMBER 2025:

FORUM

It's WDC- 25th Birthday

(E)

7 day Challenge to celebrate 25 years of this successful writer's haven.

#2343390 by Witchy Yule Woman

Merit Badges collected and earned:

Awardicon earned: The blog earned the Green 50K Awardicon for 1st Place.

SEPTEMBER 2025:

FORUM

Earn the Badge - CLOSED

(E)

You want it? Earn it. How? Complete these simple tasks and the badge is yours!

#2133333 by Purple Princess

Merit Badges collected and earned from "Earn the Badge 2025"

SUMMER 2025:

FORUM

BCoF 's Virtual 50 State Bucket List

(18+)

We're going to explore one unique place in each of the 50 states in alphabetical order.

#2342653 by Witchy Yule Woman

Merit Badges Collected from Virtual Blogging &Virtual Blogging Friends:

SEPTEMBER 2024:

I participated in the

FORUM

Blog Week Birthday Bastion 2025

(E)

Blogging event from September 1-7, 2025. CLOSED

#2277665 by WakeUpAndLive~lifestyle change

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~lifestyle change

for hosting the contest!

OCTOBER 2024 & 2025 :

I participated in the

FORUM

13 Poetic Days of Halloween Contest 2025

(E)

Let your spooky poetry shine. Oct. 13th 12:01 am WDC time. - closes 11:59 pm WDC Oct 25th

#2328177 by Witchy Yule Woman

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:

Big Thanks to Witchy Yule Woman

for hosting the contest!

NOVEMBER 2025 :

from Tiggy

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..."

Another Signature

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Show Recent Comments

February 19, 2026 at 6:35pm

#1108821

Olympic Update - USA Women's Curling

Olympic update: USA Women's Curling

OMG - Curling has to be the craziest Olympic sport I've ever seen. Sliding rock/stones on the ice trying to get into "shuffleboard" circles. I don't get it.

Yet - I'm fascinated by the USA women's team.

Right?

Okay, it's hard for me to get into USA Men's curling. Why? I'm going to tell you RIGHT NOW UP FRONT that I'm being judgmental!! - It's hard for me to get into USA Men's curling because they look a little "fragile." What's fragile you ask? I think they look a little like "Duckie" from Pretty in Pink. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED Duckie in Pretty in Pink. I would have been happy if Duckie got the girl in PIP. But he didn't. That's the vibe I get from the Men's team. They're 4-4 and need to beat Great Britian to keep the playoff hopes alive. The men's team just don't have the sexy vibes. Go ahead judge me.

Now the women's team - Those Hotties can curl!!

Today was the final day of round robin play and the USA women's team HAD TO WIN to get into the Semi-finals but Switzerland was a tough opponent. This was not going to be easy. I guess that's what you get when you Italy and Great Britain beat you.

Did I mention everyone on the USA women's team is drop dead gorgeous? These chicks have sexy vibes.

Here's the Highlight reel: USA Women's is going to the semifinals! In Curling!

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February 19, 2026 at 2:40pm

#1108806

1980's Sounds - Til Tuesday

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#14 - 1980's Sounds - Til Tuesday

Til Tuesday was a band close to home, like Aerosmith. I think New Hampshire likes to claim Areosmith, but honestly, I think the band put in their hard work down in Boston, MA during the 1970's. Til Tuesday came out of Boston, MA in the 1980's. They won WBCN Rock and Rumble in 1983 and where signed to EPIC records. In 1985, their first album came out - Voices Carry.

Of course I first saw the song and band on MTV, but honestly, Boston MA is just a stone's throw from NH. Mind you my ability to go to a concert was non existent, but it was a nice feeling knowing a band close to home made MTV. Til Tuesday's song, "Voices Carry" captured just about high and low I was going through right before I joined the Army.

Aimee's range (Aimee Mann, the lead singer) is 2.6 octaves going from contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano. When I was singing I was a 1st Alto - so in the same range as Aimee. When Voices Carry came out, it was one of the rare songs I could sing and be on pitch. It's been said her voice is intimate with a natural tone and a narrower range which allows her to add emotional depth and authenticity to her songs and I would have to agree. I bought the the Voice Carry album and LOVED IT. The songs were a bit more on the gritter sing, but honest and emotional. I could feel the authenticity as she sang. And the video to Voices Carry had just the right emotional touch for my teenage self. I was that rebel the way Aimee was in that video, but did I have the courage? Yes, I could relate to Til Tuesday.

Sadly, the band broke up in 1989 and Aimee went solo. I have the 1st and 2nd albums of the band and every so often when I'm alone in the car, I pull out Til Tuesday and just sing at the top of my lungs - right on pitch.

Aimee Mann could relate to me. She could sing like me. She tapped into emotions and wore them on her sleeve. And she let me know it was okay to express yourself in the face of conformity. That's what Til Tuesday gave me then and reminds me of today.

TIL TUESDAY
Voices Carry

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February 18, 2026 at 8:25pm

#1108676

Here's an update with Jackie & Shadow

Catching up with Jackie & Shadow...

Well, it's been a while so thought I'd catch up with the Big Bear Eagles. The Bird watchers who watch Jackie and Shadow have a feeling that there was enough in the breeding season for Jackie and Shadow to "reset" their hormones for eggs. Since losing the first clutch, Jackie and Shadow have been caught mating and bringing sticks to the nest. As I understand it, bringing sticks to the nest is good because they are fortifying it for young ones.

Since they lost the clutch, there have been some "bad guys," aka ravens trying to hang out and even a juvie has come to visit. Some watchers have speculated the juvie eagle is Gizmo or Sunny but honestly, there's really no way to know.

Just recently it snowed in Big Bear, but don't worry, the eagles are built for snow. This watcher thought Jackie might be "pancaking," which is a sure sign that she's getting ready to lay one. Pancaking is just a way to say Jackie is sitting/laying down in the nest and basically she's hogging the nest bowl, "pancaking" to it. That said, I can't imagine its fun to pancake in the cold and the snow.

A 2nd clutch for Jackie and Shadow could possibly arrive between 20-70 days after losing the first clutch and typically the sooner the better, with most Internet research saying it's closer to 20 days. So the timing is good for Jackie to start pancaking. We'll see...

Here's a bit of video if you'd like to watch.

Comment • View 1 comment

February 18, 2026 at 6:43pm

#1108671

1980's Sounds - INXS

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#14 - 1980's Sounds - INXS

I heard the "Listen Like Thieves" album in 1985 and saw a couple of videos on MTV so I knew who INXS was. I always thought the Saxophone was a pretty interesting instrument for a rock band and I liked their beat.

While I was stationed in Germany from 86-88 INXS released "Kick" and I was hooked. It had a slew of great songs - "New Sensation," "Devil Inside," "Never Tear us Apart," and Michael Hutchence was one of the most attractive men I've ever seen in my whole life. To. This. Day.

Being stationed overseas can leave someone with an incredible case of "homesickness." Heck, plenty of fellow friends and soldiers - that was all they could talk about - going home. Me? I was the chick who went to finance and changed my dollars into marks and slaughtered the German language because I wanted to get out and have the "experience." On leave or on days off I'd been to Koln, Giessen, Bremerhaven, Enchende, Frankfurt, Lembach, France, Berchesgarten, and Garmish. And accompanying me on these trips was INXS. Going on a trip? Don't forget your INXS! I remember driving from Munster to Frankfurt with a fellow soldier and his family because his family member had a doctor's appointment with INXS blasting in the background. Who didn't like INXS? Even my friends back home Aly, Idgy, and Karen were hooked.

INXS were my traveling buddies, especially when a blast of loneliness hit. (I was young only 18-20 during this time. Hormones were still doing their hormone thing. Mood swings anyone?)

I had no idea INXS were from Australia until Michel Hutchence died. I hope that doesn't sound ignorant, it's not meant to be, but it's the truth. I just knew INXS was different (heck they had a saxophone!) Like me, stationed in Germany back, then - I was different. They were different, great traveling buddies, and had the best looking lead singer ever.

NEED YOU TONIGHT
INXS

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February 17, 2026 at 6:24pm

#1108602

1980's Sounds - The Bangles

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#13 - 1980's Sounds - The Bangles

I first heard "Walk like an Egyptian" at the nightclub in Munster, Germany. The nightclub is on the tip of my tongue. Like if you said it, I'd know it. I'd heard "Manic Monday" before, but the Bangles hit it out of the park with this song. Who were they?

I managed to find out who they were - Susanna, Michael, Debbie and Vicki and Debbie and Vicki were sisters. They were just 4 girls from SoCal who liked to jam. One thing that really impressed me were the vocal harmonies of the girls. These girls could harmonize like the Beatles. I picked up the "Different Light" CD and it went into the playlist. Now Michael wasn't the original bassist, it was Annette, but Annette left and Michael joined them just in time for All Over the Place. The Bangles did release an EP with Annette on it in 1982. I have that. On cassette. Michael left the band in 2005 and Annette joined back in 2018.

In 1989, when I was stationed in Romulus NY, I went and saw the Bangles play at the NY State Fair in Syracuse NY. It was general admission and I was right up front by Michael. Some guy rushed Susanna Hoffs but security got him. I got all their albums: All Over the Place, Different Light, Everything, Doll Revolution, and Sweetheart of the Sun. Over the years, the Bangles have been a little bit of everything to me - relaxing, jamming, fun, and a balm on a wounded soul. Mostly, they've been a good jam when I needed one. I've got a lot of favorite Bangle songs but the ultimate Bangle tune is "Walk Like an Egyptian."

In 2000, The Bangles were entered into the Vocal Hall of Fame. They deserved it! Even today, if I just want to let go and enjoy some music, I turn on the Bangles.

WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
The Bangles

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February 16, 2026 at 9:25pm

#1108539

Olympic Highlights: Women's Monobob Bobsled & Ski Jumping

Time for Bobsled!

I had to watch some bobsled today and I thought I'd share. These aren't the medal rounds, but the American Women have a strong showing.

Note: American Elana Meyers takes

in women's monobob bobsled!!

Time for Ski Jumping!

and here's another favorite of mine - Ski Jumping. You gotta have nerves of steel to jump like that! Enjoy the Olympics!

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February 16, 2026 at 4:35am

#1108467

1980's Sounds - Kate Bush

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#12 - 1980's Sounds - Kate Bush

Kate Bush blew my mind. I first heard Kate Bush on MTV. It was her video, "Running up that Hill." I thought the video had amazing artistry for the time and her voice was something I'd never heard before. It was higher, more vibrant, yet in control.

Why did she want to make a deal with God and swap places? I puzzled about that for quite a time. Introspective lyrics - solid word play - left me curious about her music and expression.

Ultimately, I never figured out what Running up that Hill was about until years later - I had to think of it in terms of empathy and then the resonance went deeper.

Needless to say, I bought the cassette and listened to it often, trying to figure Kate Bush out. This was right before I entered the Army. When I was in training, I didn't listen to music. Who had the time to listen to music? I was busy doing push ups! I think I remember George Thorogood's song "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," playing a lot in training.

But Kate was there. Waiting for me.

In DEC 86 I was sent to Germany and assigned to the 583rd ORD Company in Handorf, Germany. The major city was Munster. There were 10,000 British soldiers and 200 American. And every 6 months we'd go on a field exercise with our British units.

I blew them away with my love of Kate Bush. (I didn't know you Americans listened to Kate Bush!) They blew away by having real rations and eggs and not MREs!

In 1989, I picked up Kate's "The Sensual World." I absolutely LOVE 2 songs from that album - "The Sensual World" and "Love and Anger." Those two songs really tapped into my emotions at the time (I had a couple of dates and was tapping into my femininity) and because of that have resonated throughout the years. Kate's put out a lot of music in her career and I haven't gotten all her albums. I think the last album I picked up was "The Red Shoes." I love these albums for their creativity and expression.

Recently, Kate's song, "Running up that Hill," hit the music charts again because of the show "Stranger Things." I'll be honest, I haven't had time to watch that show (maybe when I retire!) BUT it says a lot that Kate's song has hit the music charts 40 years after it's debut. That's amazing music. Kate's earned her spot in my Soundtrack.

RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Kate Bush

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February 15, 2026 at 7:11am

#1108394

1980's Sounds - A-Ha

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#11 - 1980's Sounds - A-Ha

"Take on Me" has to be THE BEST music video ever. In my book, at least. When I first saw it on MTV I thought it was amazingly innovative, and incredibly creative. It appealed to my love of comic books and storytelling. And let's face it, back then, all of A-Ha was adorable - Mags, Morten, and Paul.

Their album, "Hunting High and Low," was released in 1985 and I bought it on cassette. Remember them? I had a Walkman that played cassettes and I often listened to this album. I grew to know the songs and lyrics by heart. Songs like "Train of Thought," "Hunting High and Low," "Living a Boy's Adventure Tale," and "Here I stand and Face the Rain," all spoke to me - to my deep seated sense of loneliness, looking for something to do when I graduated high school that would give me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, but also wasn't boring and offered adventure.

Throughout the years, A-Ha has always been there when I needed them. During my deployment in Hungary, their greatest hits album kept me company - Headlines and Deadlines it was called. Songs like "Early Morning," and "The Blood that Moves the Body," became new favorites.

Back in July 2022, I had the opportunity to see them in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Again, they were there for me. Somehow, A-Ha always knows the right things to say when I need to hear it.

TAKE ON ME
A-ha

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February 14, 2026 at 4:19pm

#1108359

1980's Sounds - Prince

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#10 - 1980's Sounds - Prince

It was 1984 and a time to discover yourself. Prince gave me permission to do just that. His movie "Purple Rain," just came out and the music was electric. Heck - Prince was electric.

I wondered - Who is he? A real Prince? Is that his name? How did he get to play guitar so good? How could he write such introspective lyrics? Back then there was no social media so Prince was a mystery to me - but a good mystery.

Probably the BEST songs on Purple Rain were "When Doves Cry," and "Purple Rain." I discovered Prince's prior songs - "Little Red Corvette," and "1999" after Purple Rain came out. However, it was "Let's Go Crazy" that had the emotional resonance I was looking for.

I believe we all need a little crazy in our life to give us some spice.

Throughout the years, Prince was unabashedly and unapologetically himself and that's how/why his music resonated with me. He helped a teenage girl ask some questions about herself and grow.

LET'S GO CRAZY
Prince

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February 14, 2026 at 3:41pm

#1108355

1980's Sounds - The Eurythmics

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life

(18+)

Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!

#1970896 by Jeff

#9 - 1980's Sounds - The Eurythmics

As the early 1980's progressed into 84 & 85, MTV was a big thing for us teens. Carol and I loved going to her house after school and watching the videos hoping to see our favorites. One British band that stuck out to me at the time was the Eurythmics.

At the time ,I thought Annie Lennox had an unusual look, but it didn't matter. She kinda had that David Bowie androgynous look, if you ask me, but boy, did she have some pipes! Her pipes caught your attention. The look taped into curiosity, and the lyrics made you think.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) was a song that really resonated with me at the time, especially the following lyrics:

Sweet Dreams are made of this
Who Am I to disagree?

I travel the world and the 7 seas
Everyone's looking for something.

The beat was catchy and infectious but "Who am I to disagree?" that really hit hard. Those lyrics phrased as such behind the beat - I often come back to them when I need to pause and evaluate a situation.

I've always tried not to be too judgmental of anyone and anything. Now mind you, I do have things that resonate right and wrong for me, but I'm a firm believer in "You do you, Boo." -- I respect you for who you are -- but be respectful back and let me "Be me, Boo." That's what I took away from the Eurythmics and it's something that's echo'd throughout my journey in life.

THE EURYTHMICS
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

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