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. CURRENT BLOG PROJECT:
RULES: 1. Blog has to be more than 2 paragraphs, some people have tried putting a one-liner response. That won't cut it. 2.You need to respond at least once every week to other participant's blog posts. This is a 7 week activity= 7 blog responses within each of the weeks. It's fun getting to see what others noted that you might have missed or hadn't thought about. 3. You don't need to blog everyday, catch-ups are allowed if you want to go for the bigger prize award. But each entry must be a separate entry. So, if you do all 51, you'll have 51 entries. 4. Please tag me Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() 5. Posting in a book is preferred to keep the forum from being clogged. You can use any book you want. ALONG FOR THE RIDE: HOST: Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! ![]() ![]() SandraLynn ![]() ![]() AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! ![]() ![]() Richard ~ Looking for Luck! ![]() ![]() WakeUpAndLive~Petra's Vacay ![]() ![]() Krista ![]() ![]() Jellyfish ![]() ![]() RECOGNIZATION: 10-24 Entries, MB plus 10K Awardicon 25-50 Entries, MB plus 25K Awardicon 51 Entries MB plus 50K Awardicon Merit Badges Collected from Virtual Blogging &Virtual Blogging Friends: ![]() BLOG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SEPTEMBER 2024: I participated in the
![]() Big thanks to WakeUpAndLive~Petra's Vacay ![]() ![]() OCTOBER 2024: I participated in the
![]() Big Thanks to Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() 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 ![]() ![]() 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" ![]() ![]() |
Subtitled: Don't feed SandraLynn ![]() ![]() Well, SandraLynn ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I LOVE a good beach. When I was growing up, I would go to Hampton Beach State Park in NH and ride the waves. I’d spend hours on the rocks looking for lobsters and starfish. Nowadways, one of my favorite beaches is at Avalon on Catalina Island. I love walking down the boardwalk, soaking up the sun, eating and ice cream and listening to the sound of the waves. It’s peaceful. Dewey Beach is an unique combination of both. There’s plenty of sand and waves. After the parasailing, I channeled my inner little kid again and went riding the waves with Jellyfish ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Parasailing was awesome. Jellyfish ![]() ![]() Krista ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() At the end of the day we went to a mom and pop shop for seafood. I LOVE fried clams and pigged out. Everyone tried the crab cakes and the fresh halibut. It’s hard work being on the beach and we were exhausted. Thankfully, SandraLynn ![]() ![]() |
SandraLynn ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A turn here and a turn there and we pulled into Winvian Farms. A visit here is hyped up as a big spa day and it was needed. Everyone was exhausted from Colorado! As soon as we checked in, the sweetest teenagers took Peyton, Sprout, and Peachy for their own spa day in the Pets area. The treehouse was HUGE. There were comfy bedrooms, a tea room, and big bay windows that overlooked a wicked green forest. Jellyfish ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The treehouse was made of wood and built around several trees. It had a rustic camping look to it. Everyone just sat back and let the muscles relax after the butt puckering we all had in Colorado. Then we rotated, our group went for the steam sauna, Krista ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() At the end of the day, we all went to the party bus and the staff end gave it a carwash and made it smells like strawberries inside. The teenagers brought the pets out. Sprout had a cute little bandana on and Petyon was nicely brushed. Even Peachy had some color around the the ends. SandraLynn ![]() ![]() |
Okay, when I found out the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado was the next adventure I freaked out. I’m not in my 20’s anymore. Heights is not my thing. Well, certain heights are not my thing. I can do a roller coaster with only 1 loop-da-loop. I can fly in an airplane. I think I could go parasailing, but I don’t need to do a zip line. That’s not an experience I really want to have at 57. Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The Royal Gorge Bridge is over 1,200 feet high and spans a big canyon. SandraLynn ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() While the high adventurers went to walk the bridge, us Jr. Rangers signed up to do the program. I took care of Peachy. As we followed the program, we saw sheep, falcons, learned how gorges were made and picked up trash to earn our badge. When we met up with the high adventurers, they were all wide eyed and wonder struck. “I’ve never traveled so fast in my life,” said WakeUpAndLive~Petra's Vacay ![]() ![]() “That was wild,” said Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() “Let’s do it again,” said “I’m game for some ice cream,” said Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() You can’t say no to Ice Cream. We all got in the party bus and we enroute to the nearest Ice Cream shop. |
Well, the party bus went west – Destination: Joshua Tree National Park. Somewhere in New Mexico Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() Personally, speaking, few deserts are mesmerizing for me. They’re just full of dark yellow dirt and sand. BUT the desert has it’s own ecosystem, it’s own plants, trees, shrubs, animals, rhythms of life. It’s nothing you’ve never known. Joshua Tree National Park was actually created in 1994 to preserve the desert environment, the habitat, the way of life. As a National park, there’s park rangers, campgrounds, and visitors’ centers with information on the various hiking trails. By the time Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() One of the Park Rangers said we should do the Sunrise Hike so Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() At 4 am, the park ranger woke us all up and took us on the Sunrise hike. Honestly, 4 am is too early. It was wicked dark and you could see for miles. If you were a stargazer, you’d be in stargazer heaven. Anyhow, I didn’t even have time to brew coffee. We were up and out. Our guide zigged and zagged on the sandy dirt path and took us past the Ryan Mountain as we made our way to The Cholla Cactus Garden. Did you know there’s more than one type of cactus? Jellyfish ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Honestly, I don’t know how we dragged outrsleepy asses back to the bus, but when we got back, we slept for 5 hours straight before we had to get up and get ready for the next adventure. |
Fun on Catalina Island This year for the 4th of July we made the decision to go back to Avalon, a city on Catalina Island and I as soon as we did, the vibes were happy. I'll to make a long story short - I want to say around 2000, Brent and I went to Avalon for the 4th and loved it. Everything was chill. There's no rushing around. It's all laid back. We stayed out by the golf course and watched the fireworks before the casino. It was the BEST 4th of July ever so we wanted to go back. ![]() It took a bit, but we finally went back with baby Andrew I want to say around 2005. We had a blast. In 2006, Brent took Andy and the inlaws as I was pregnant with Joey and had to work the 4th of July. I believe we went back 2007-2012 but every year kept getting bigger and longer and the in-laws started coming along which put pressure on the vibes. 2012 the vibes exploded and Brent said we were never going back. And we didn't until now. The boat ride was smooth with a stop at 2 Harbors. To my surprise, it was not as packed as it had been in previous years. It's just me, Brent and Joey as Andy is on the island but on Emerald Bay doing his Boy Scout thing. He visited us when we arrived so that was nice and we got a pic with him. The first day we settled into our rented condo in Hamilton Cove. We like renting there because it's a very homey feeling. Mind you, prices have increased about 200-300 dollars since the aughts but we saved for it with a vacation fund. There's only 1 Vons now but it's a mega Vons (for Avalon) and it's still busy. We got some food stuffs for b'fast mainly and then had a nice dinner at the Buffalo Nickel. Yesterday, we walked around Avalon proper looking for Catalina shirts and souvenirs. I got my step count in which I was happy about. A few more people milling around. The USC Marching band gave an hour concert in Wigley Square which I loved! I love live music. I became a USC fan because of the marching band. I went to a USC/UCLA football game in 1999 when Carson Palmer was the QB for USC at the Rose bowl. I wore USC colors unknowingly, but neither college really spoke to me. When Brent and I went back with Andy in 2005 or was it 2004? and saw the Golf cart parade that's what made me a USC fan. The marching band was at the beginning of the parade and was immediately impressed. I just loved the music, the marching, the fun, etc. A USC fan was born that day. I started following their football games and realized that I could afford USC college football tickets. I usually bought single games or a mini package. I got season tickets in 2018 and I just bought season tickets for the 2025 season. Mind you, prices have gone up on the games, too, so I saved so I could afford it. That and I hit on the daily 3 and 4 a couple of times during the springtime! Thank goodness for Lotto! More thoughts later... For Now - Happy 4th of July! ![]() |
Well, I’d never been to Arkansas before, but I knew someone in the Army from there. Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! ![]() ![]() SandraLynn ![]() ![]() AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! ![]() ![]() Richard ~ Looking for Luck! ![]() ![]() WakeUpAndLive~Petra's Vacay ![]() ![]() Krista ![]() ![]() Jellyfish ![]() ![]() Noisy Wren ![]() ![]() Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Me, I brought my Instagram account. Gotta put my pictures somewhere. The party bus drove for 2 days straight and we made it time for the 4th of July. Jellyfish ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() So we got to the gardens and all signed up for the Golf Cart tour. I dunno how we did it, but we all packed into 10 seat golf cart. Peyton sat in the front next to the driver like a good wolf, and they gave him the dog rate - $5.00. Needless to say when the golf cart hit a rut, we all bounced up in the air. AmyJo-Downhill slide begins! ![]() ![]() The gardens were surrounded by a lake, and honestly, they reminded me of the gorges in the Fingers Lakes region of New York. It was really green this time of year. Pine trees lined the forest, their large canopies keeping us shaded. The scent of earthy pine cones filled the air. We drove past waterfalls and brooks. There wasn't a tree that wasn't a pine tree. In fact, it was pretty piney. I got some great pictures for my Instagram. Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Richard ~ Looking for Luck! ![]() ![]() |
Okay, so the gang was waiting outside the Circus Circus in Las Vegas for pick up. Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() SandraLynn ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() We passed over the Hoover Dam and by the Rout 66 Museum before arriving at Peach Springs. Boy was it hot. Our Indian guides met us at the bus. Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() Richard ~ Looking for Luck! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() One of our Native American guides, Tatanka, herded us like cats to our white water raft. Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() Water splashed up over the side of our raft. Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A wave hit Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hi Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() Well, I’m on the party cruise with all my buds Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Who knew Fairbanks, Alaska was in the middle of the state? Alaska is HUGE! It can be a lil challenging maintaining that just right balance of tipsy and some people don’t do helicopter rides well. I have a cast iron stomach and nothing makes me puke – not even an Army helicopter. The party people made it to Fairbanks and our pilot acted as our guide. He took us to the Birch Hill ski lodge where the sun was due to set at 11:37 PM Alaska Daylight Time! What did we care? We kept right on partying. Our pilot, Gus, made sure the munchies never ran out. We danced the night away. I asked the pilot if Sarah Palin or Lisa Murkowski lived in Fairbanks. He just frowned at me and gave me another drink. Time flew by and before you knew it Alaska lived up to its motto – “Land of the Midnight Sun.” The sun set. Gus rushed us up to the roof and WOW. The Aurora Borealis was in full view! Hues of greens and oranges danced in rhythmic waves before us, singing a silent song of harmony. We were all mesmerized. And one by one we all fell asleep. The next thing I know the pilot was tapping me on the shoulder. “Time to get up and back on the helicopter. You’ve got a cruise to catch!” |
Hi Lyn's a Witchy Woman ![]() ![]() I maybe 57 now but I visited Space Camp in Huntsville, AL in 1993 when I was 25 years old. I love space so the park blew me away. It had Saturn 5 rockets that were built to size, a mock up of the Space Shuttle and a model of the American Space Shuttle next to the Soviet Space Shuttle (Russia did away with the USSR and became the Russian Federation DEC 1991). In fact, there were mock ups of Soviet capsules and even Soviet mission patches. I still have some of those in my photo books. While I was there, I did spin around in a version of a multi axis trainer. That was a lot of spinning! ![]() I’d love to take Sung'manitu ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() When I went to Huntsville, I went with Kathy and Dave. At the time we were attending a non-commissioned officer school in Anniston, Alabama and we did a lot of off duty stuff together. All of us were pretty easy going, easy to laugh, and hard workers. What did it feel like? I barely remember. There was a lot of spinning, and yet, I don’t remember it being terrifying. I didn’t mind the sensation, but getting out of the trainer took a bit because your head was still spinning. That said, I don’t remember that sensation lasting long. Other things I’d like to do at Space Camp is fly in a jet simulator, build a heat shield, and launch a rocket. Honestly, a week at Space Camp is not enough for me! I just went to Alaska last year on a cruise so I'm going to take Princess Megan Rose ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Misc Thoughts: Well June is winding down and it's been a busy month out on the blogs for the Bard's Hall contest. I've enjoyed visiting all the blogs but it does take me away from other things I need to do on WDC - like catching up on my emails! ![]() Work Adventures I had to go to downtown Los Angeles today for my 4 hour overtime shift. It's about a 40 min on the freeway, but I usually take the Metrolink which takes about an hour. I don't mind. I appreciate the peace of mind I get not having to worry about the traffic. The Metrolink trains are usually very clean. I usually walk up from Union Station to the PSAP which is about 10-15 mins. I don't mind but in the last 10 years there's usually homeless encampments out and about. Today, it was fairly clean and the tents were closer to Union Station at the park. The sidewalks were tent free but there were a couple of drugged out zombies sitting in front of the Federal Bldg. There was a good faith effort to clean up the graffiti from the ICE riots but there's still plenty of "F-Ice" graffiti to find. I've only got a 4 hour overtime shift, but right now, it's the only CASH overtime in town. Everything else is time and that's wouldn't be so bad but we can't use the time. Why? Because we're short personnel. If anything, we've been on a hiring spree, but that's probably going to slow down because the City is FLAT A$$ BROKE. We need at 650 working bodies and we've probably got bet 500-550, closer to 500. I make enough money to pay my bills, but if I want to buy gas, I should work some overtime. Living in California is not cheap. Quote of the Day: "Honesty is an expensive gift, do not expect it from Cheap People." Question: Do you take a train when you travel or go on vacation? Why or why not? |