tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26346822597021862822024-03-17T20:03:28.412-07:00Romance Under the MoonlightWelcome to my home! Sit down and have a coffee or a brew. I'm easy. As I give the blog a 2023 update. Thanks for popping in and I hope you enjoy some stories under the moonlight. I support American products and occasionally will feature some of my favorite finds. Find me on Amazon at Stephanie Burkhart. My website is: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com<p>
</p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.comBlogger1045125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-52254273127483152852023-08-12T09:46:00.002-07:002023-08-12T09:46:32.436-07:00Made in America - Warpath Coffee<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx_zBPeGBLlV25srSOaJGuipYKnnoLP9bp9R5uP39iWUO3UJZGAi_cg_ORdTxOhE9FoOIbnObm4YMi9Y9E7dzCb2B3azfQ-z-nGSeUqdGPzvhCoNRN9fFPyJEQ_l93bGFON6VPRe-WfV4PCx2dRdiuF8hHCVrYezLhKo7RqLmQBBlQeY1DqS5Pbof-84/s2998/coffee.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2998" data-original-width="2653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx_zBPeGBLlV25srSOaJGuipYKnnoLP9bp9R5uP39iWUO3UJZGAi_cg_ORdTxOhE9FoOIbnObm4YMi9Y9E7dzCb2B3azfQ-z-nGSeUqdGPzvhCoNRN9fFPyJEQ_l93bGFON6VPRe-WfV4PCx2dRdiuF8hHCVrYezLhKo7RqLmQBBlQeY1DqS5Pbof-84/s320/coffee.jpeg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Made in America – Warpath Coffee <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Product: coffee<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What is it: beverage <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Address: Mailing: P.O. Box 1344, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82003; 401 W 19<sup>th</sup> St., Suite 301, Cheyenne, WY. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Owned by: Tej Gill, Family owned, veteran operated, Doug Juelfs is the registered point of contact for the company. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">From the Website: </span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Founded by Navy SEAL combat veteran Tej Gill, we are veteran owned, and we are family operated. We take great pride in being coffee connoisseurs who don’t like to compromise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 1rem;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our crew consists of passionate coffee lovers who would fight even Davy Jones for an aromatic cup of coffee. We are veterans, NYPD, wives, and a 30+ year coffee roaster. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taste and stimulation. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or a casual drinker, you will be blown away by our blend’s smooth-as-silk flavor, intoxicating aroma, and rich body. But don’t worry. It’s not all just bells and whistles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When it comes to stimulation, our blend is unrivaled. You will find no acidity, no bitterness, just raw, pure coffee energy that will get you through the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taste is #1<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 1rem;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are on a mission to make gourmet coffee a part of your daily routine. Every single bean is roasted in the United States using traditional roasting methods with a single goal; make every cup unique.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 1rem;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Warpath Coffee is meant to be drank black. Our coffee is perfectly roasted so there is never a bitter or acidic flavor, you don’t need sugar or milk with Warpath Coffee. Drink it black, be healthy and enjoy the perfectly roasted coffee is this bag.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Roasting Beans:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We small batch roast, meaning we do batch by batch, old school style Jabez Burns roasters were around since the civil war, the original civil war roasting style. Perforated drum, no tipping going on (burning the tips of beans). It's the historic American way of roasting. Hot air goes through the beans and escapes through the perforated holes in the side of the drum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 1rem;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We roast to caramelize our beans, that's why is tastes so good black. Most roasters carbonize(burn) their beans, that's why you need milk and sugar with other roasters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUX-b2T6Z6qjUHoN-aNJd9YJ4Mmza_V-cw5xv9M9G5eYP9XkLo_4nE9k2UHpRVKLJ4kaN_fuH5Erw3hK94g_gesu8QzZaoMD6itx_cBFUMbj7wgtzlplwlodmE_iaXUNrghytNjzJloMYgZkD53Xq3ZGI3EITsnfcGmCgD_7K6gU8n1CCy5KMEeXWIMY/s1001/warpath-coffee-coffee-tea-cups-mk1-coffee-mug-37268316094679_1200x1200-3831156375.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUX-b2T6Z6qjUHoN-aNJd9YJ4Mmza_V-cw5xv9M9G5eYP9XkLo_4nE9k2UHpRVKLJ4kaN_fuH5Erw3hK94g_gesu8QzZaoMD6itx_cBFUMbj7wgtzlplwlodmE_iaXUNrghytNjzJloMYgZkD53Xq3ZGI3EITsnfcGmCgD_7K6gU8n1CCy5KMEeXWIMY/s320/warpath-coffee-coffee-tea-cups-mk1-coffee-mug-37268316094679_1200x1200-3831156375.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">My comments</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">: I found Warpath Coffee through an online recommendation. As I love coffee, I was game to try it. One of the benefits for me was that Warpath was American made and I have a passion to buy American so that was a nice little incentive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They sell beans whole, ground, and k-cups. I can do any of the above but prefer k-cups. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>TASTE</b>: I love the taste. When they say never bitter or acidic, they mean it. Honestly, this is the best tasting coffee I’ve had in quite a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #232226; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SHOPPING:</b> You can buy direct from the website. You can also find Warpath products on Amazon as well, but I buy direct from the website. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Currently, I have a bag of ground beans - Medium Breakfast Blend which I recommend. Also, I have subscription to the Med Breakfast Blend K-cups. Now usually, I don’t subscribe to products, but I like to take the K-cups to work and brew up a cup right at the beginning of my shift. Honestly, my shift isn’t right if I don’t have my Warpath K-cup. I’ve no issues with the subscription.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>PRICE</b>: I think the price is reasonable for being a company where most sales are from the internet. The price for my K-cups are $12.99 (you can find K-cups in stores ranging from 6.99 to 12.99), so perhaps a bit on the pricier side, but I’m willing to pay it because the quality is there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>OTHER PRODUCTS:</b> They also sell coffee mugs on their website. They also sell gourmet coffee such as maple bacon, maple bourbon, and dark chocolate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WISH LIST:</b> I wish they sold bumper stickers, hoodies, and t-shirts. I’d definitely buy some. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I did not find where they made donations to any charities online. They are a newer company, with a start up date in January 2022, as far as my research can tell. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I highly recommend Warpath Coffee. The coffee is one of the best tasting coffees I’ve ever had and I’m very happy with the subscription to the K-cups. Honestly, I can’t give this company a better recommendation and they’re Made in America! If you need stars, this is 5 stars out of 5 stars from me! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">References:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Warpathcoffee/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.facebook.com/Warpathcoffee/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://twitter.com/CoffeeWarpath" style="color: #954f72;">https://twitter.com/CoffeeWarpath</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://warpath.coffee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">**********</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDltOp1kA-I7FvGakSAiWhmPflGQ9KkrxBg2NrXsmkXnMcMMGQ4Al5N-qml-qAgRnu__iUDJaeYom0R9XQXXLkTWyNusxuMb_QP656LYxWUabvIEw-VXaCKLR192K27cmM1KAjlQGTc46nux6NHxfG9w-4XRku28dgp-fAIC3mLtF84V2gCK4MfZt6ME/s799/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDltOp1kA-I7FvGakSAiWhmPflGQ9KkrxBg2NrXsmkXnMcMMGQ4Al5N-qml-qAgRnu__iUDJaeYom0R9XQXXLkTWyNusxuMb_QP656LYxWUabvIEw-VXaCKLR192K27cmM1KAjlQGTc46nux6NHxfG9w-4XRku28dgp-fAIC3mLtF84V2gCK4MfZt6ME/s320/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Check out my Summer read: Arrow Through the Heart! Only 99 cents on Amazon. Avail in ebook. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">BLURB: <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Summer vacation and the Fourth of July brings Ella to New Hampshire while participating in a tennis competition. Logan is resident who bumps into Ella and invites her for an ice cream. Attraction flares and they enjoy spending time together.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;">As things heat up between them, each evaluates their plans for their life. When Ella is confronted by a stalker, Logan comes to her aid, but can a summer attraction truly become a lasting relationship?</span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;">Review: 5 Stars: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a a delightful, warm novel of a new friendship that turns to love.</span></span></div><div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Buy Link: </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Through-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B0C5ZWD28D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YNEPU6GYZYTT&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1691858466&sprefix=stephanie+burkhar%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1</span></div>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-23685297817630149152023-07-23T05:00:00.003-07:002023-07-23T05:00:00.141-07:00Collecting Critters #2 -- Loricorn <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQZz5nqcyGQ7jY5UDcFJWucgVFmU7999Oy0pGupLupdEr5HegJdq8JCfjeFIRGyK4wn8Y3qJrhlHgrbVqidYuTxjQN5tCuYLi6-Ild1A4O4buCz6RUyBCgbXW9NSgkDFENKUHRcJnUh7ZBWZtc5Maq_kH02JUNNcJ8RWMMnsoNo8lcxIM9HLer-T8a44/s4032/Loricorn4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQZz5nqcyGQ7jY5UDcFJWucgVFmU7999Oy0pGupLupdEr5HegJdq8JCfjeFIRGyK4wn8Y3qJrhlHgrbVqidYuTxjQN5tCuYLi6-Ild1A4O4buCz6RUyBCgbXW9NSgkDFENKUHRcJnUh7ZBWZtc5Maq_kH02JUNNcJ8RWMMnsoNo8lcxIM9HLer-T8a44/s320/Loricorn4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love collecting hand knitted Critters and today I thought I’d share one of my oldest critters, Loricorn. Loricorn was made by one of my co-workers, Megan, who is incredibly talented with making critters. The first critter she made me was “Puggie.” (More on Puggie later. He might be in an upcoming critter collection post.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You might notice that Loricorn looks a lot like candy corn. I find people either like candy corn or they don’t, but candy corn makes a nice a little treat when you need a pick me up. Candy corn season usually starts in late August and runs through October. I usually get 2 or 3 bags from the local grocery store and make some snack size bags which I place on my console at work for my co-workers to stop by and pick up a bag when a sugar fix is required. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While Loricorn looks like candy corn, she got her name from another co-worker (Lori) who likes to make popcorn and share her popcorn with us. Her popcorn is usually pretty good – it’s just movie theatre butter flavor and no one can turn down a bag, so I decided to name my little after my co-worker, hence, Loricorn.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxujUe7ulp4-A2_hDTPOeDiMkoC6BHgLGSi14RBkygn8LkfZbITvzrUQ3_y0VpzJJG_CBYl-qqb-azJ4utTGYo6VMfG08ND9UBP3lw2lUFZj8_YpGn8JG6O4O_6mbvzKjha7v9tsYcMuUc8R0F_C7cIQRHUT_6oH4S9_ufnhbPjZWfiHo6yBgX4hiCng/s4032/Loricorn1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxujUe7ulp4-A2_hDTPOeDiMkoC6BHgLGSi14RBkygn8LkfZbITvzrUQ3_y0VpzJJG_CBYl-qqb-azJ4utTGYo6VMfG08ND9UBP3lw2lUFZj8_YpGn8JG6O4O_6mbvzKjha7v9tsYcMuUc8R0F_C7cIQRHUT_6oH4S9_ufnhbPjZWfiHo6yBgX4hiCng/s320/Loricorn1.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Loricorn’s favorite season is the fall & winter and Megan has been gracious enough to make a couple of hats for Loricorn to keep her little head warm. Loricorn also likes Christmas and getting gifts. Lately, Loricorn has been hanging at the house, but August and candy corn season is just around the corner so she’ll be heading off to work to spread more good cheer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Question for you: Candy corn – do you love it or hate it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">CHRISTMAS IN JULY HIGHLIGHTED STORY: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Christmas in Bayeux is now available on Amazon as a .99 ebook and has been featured in Bargin Booksy ads. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">BLURB: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocM4t7MG4TyXdNCqYYf-Hfh-7EdUY6GMfAEjmEeOaBNsg52J-usmLPXaQ4CyT2Lir9jClGkVbzGyk_jzxUj5mgq3MHYv_3yvAr5gRkk_V5Y0BTrz3E0GgIstASBGOpw3QArQAvoivhzKC26H2B_pm3p3TbK4gyAJIG38n6IGx4Bl2vIAi5DRcWBBaPQI/s1620/thumbnail-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocM4t7MG4TyXdNCqYYf-Hfh-7EdUY6GMfAEjmEeOaBNsg52J-usmLPXaQ4CyT2Lir9jClGkVbzGyk_jzxUj5mgq3MHYv_3yvAr5gRkk_V5Y0BTrz3E0GgIstASBGOpw3QArQAvoivhzKC26H2B_pm3p3TbK4gyAJIG38n6IGx4Bl2vIAi5DRcWBBaPQI/s320/thumbnail-4.jpeg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aiden is searching for that something he can’t define. After spending time in Iraq and losing his parents, he travels to France looking for that undefined something to give meaning to his life. Aiden reconnects with the one that got away, Noelle Rousseau, and quickly discovers that having purpose has ignited his life in a way he never thought possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Noelle is trying to make ends meet. After giving up teaching to run a bed and breakfast, she’s learning that new challenges can be daunting, even with help from her friends. When Aiden steps back into her life, she learns that trust is not only rewarding, but scary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Aiden thrives as he helps Noelle prepare for the Christmas season, but can both of them learn to trust, hope, and believe that love will offer them a future if they can only dare to believe? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />EXCERPT (Aiden and Noelle meet):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He didn’t think he could come to Bayeux if Noelle wasn’t here. He parked the car. The clouds above suspended the snow. A couple milled past the church on the sidewalk. Bayeux was a quiet town. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Aiden allowed a small smile to escape the corners of his lips. Since he’d last seen her nine years ago, she had gotten taller. Her brown hair peeked out from her cap, flecked with copper highlights. Her cobalt eyes pierced his defenses now, just as they had before. He took a long breath. Despite the heavy clothes, she was stunning. He hadn’t anticipated that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Her eyes swept over him and then sparked with recognition. “Aiden!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> “<i>Bonjour</i>, Noelle!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a quick hug. “<i>Bonjour!</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Her warm glow infused him, cracking a stiff battlement. Her genuine embrace filled him with a spark of a feeling, something other than numbness, but he had no word for the feeling. He took a step back and offered a small smile. “It’s good to see you, Noelle. You’ve changed…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> “Oh, I was just a girl when I was an exchange student in your house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> “You were sixteen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Her cheeks reddened. “<i>Oui</i>– now I am a woman. How are your parents?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Bayeux-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B09JBGVT7J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z2LCDSAF9Y1J&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1689957905&sprefix=stephanie+burkhar%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1</span><o:p></o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-21498576556252356852023-07-21T09:26:00.001-07:002023-07-21T09:26:22.719-07:00Book Review: The Duke and I - 3 Stars <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZAHyDbumDx24IhjjlzQoJxdPGUyALd6Bt_3D8OLy76Aye9ZmuVp10Zz3cn2FAnYOKW6Md28cv35uDZZtWXQejbyYxG0H8LlZX0nc8DUpShlSmkx2WgHpAiNY_vF9u3AR5M716yY8Y742yN0k492zdC-q-6MbrrejBJ_B_fRInYku6yv8pL6dD0yFmHI/s500/Duke.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZAHyDbumDx24IhjjlzQoJxdPGUyALd6Bt_3D8OLy76Aye9ZmuVp10Zz3cn2FAnYOKW6Md28cv35uDZZtWXQejbyYxG0H8LlZX0nc8DUpShlSmkx2WgHpAiNY_vF9u3AR5M716yY8Y742yN0k492zdC-q-6MbrrejBJ_B_fRInYku6yv8pL6dD0yFmHI/s320/Duke.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i>Book cover inspired the by Netflix Series</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Book review for:</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke and I<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Author: Julia Quinn<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Published by: Avon Books, 2000<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Overall rating: 3 Stars <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">PLOT: (3 Stars)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Daphne Bridgerton is a young lady in Regency England. The <i>ton</i> dictates society’s norms and it’s her turn to traverse the rumors and innuendos of the season along with Lady Whistledown’s gossip column. Daphne is well liked, heck, she’s everyone friend, so when it comes to finding a potential mate, he’s got to be something special because ordinary won’t do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Simon Basset is young, handsome, and the new Duke of Hastings upon his father’s death, only Simon never cared much for his father. In fact, Simon’s father abandoned him as a young boy when he discovered Simon had a stutter. Simon vowed to be opposite of his father – never to fall in love, never to marry, and never have children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Daphne and Simon meet, the incident is memorable for both. Friendship grows into attraction, but Daphne and Simon have opposite goals in life. Daphne wants to be married and have children. Simon doesn’t want any of marriage and children. When the couple is caught by Daphne’s brother in a compromised position, will a forced marriage bring happiness or misery? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5_D9q1klRoky1oJNWLqL67j6KVC-dP2ZMguopa4-na8kEkC0gytpSRr9luTDvnWJBkIWSuODr6cKtxiIaUz6Gwxz5T4Pw11Z7ye5UO_VasQDLIFhz_Td4SARhj7QibAB1hWnOFlIpmPcf1C_P23pxupO-1Sc8VR4-y39KouIqA8rOEkRKOBUJo5j7o8/s300/duke1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5_D9q1klRoky1oJNWLqL67j6KVC-dP2ZMguopa4-na8kEkC0gytpSRr9luTDvnWJBkIWSuODr6cKtxiIaUz6Gwxz5T4Pw11Z7ye5UO_VasQDLIFhz_Td4SARhj7QibAB1hWnOFlIpmPcf1C_P23pxupO-1Sc8VR4-y39KouIqA8rOEkRKOBUJo5j7o8/s1600/duke1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">CATAYLIST: (3 Stars)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was shopping at Costco and found the book. I liked the blurb, but thought the cover was ‘off’ – and it was reading the cover that I discovered Netflix made a series out of the book. The actress on the cover was ‘Daphne’ – she totally captured the character. The actor on the cover seemed off for ‘Simon’ – oh, he was handsome, but as I read the book, and developed my own inner visual for Simon, I found the disconnect a bit disconcerting. Still, I was intrigued enough to buy the book and read it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THOUGHTS: (3.5 Stars)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Daphne is easy to like. She’s honest, forthright, brave and knows her mind. Her family is easy to like, too – even Anthony, who can be a little rough, but it’s understandable why he is, and his love for his siblings always shines though.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Simon is the more complicated character. He’s had a hard time of it, having to overcome a stutter and the abandonment of his father. Simon hides his background and challenges well in society, but when confronted with uncharacteristic emotions, he buckles down on what he knows – avoidance. Daphne brings out the best and worst in Simon as she challenges him to confront his complicated emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT WORKS: (4 Stars)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The banter is witty. The plot moves at a nice clip until a certain scene. The characters are appealing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjq2MEgOZrWow-6exzIlJ7N2C1M3ycrGQ7Ublq0TXa084gnqibVet7t-W6ITUKEDGW9-sHKbcWrAJlasSj7mJNLi1uDe4cqjAMukinYBpYYTfv7AzWEpGgqVtpqKRcVjzZnAt83Nhl6M-1Bl0ChU4bwrjRfRNeBC3V7xnV099mcUxiE7A4Mg5Esq1qps/s276/duke4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="171" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjq2MEgOZrWow-6exzIlJ7N2C1M3ycrGQ7Ublq0TXa084gnqibVet7t-W6ITUKEDGW9-sHKbcWrAJlasSj7mJNLi1uDe4cqjAMukinYBpYYTfv7AzWEpGgqVtpqKRcVjzZnAt83Nhl6M-1Bl0ChU4bwrjRfRNeBC3V7xnV099mcUxiE7A4Mg5Esq1qps/s1600/duke4.jpeg" width="171" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME (WHAT WAS ‘OFF’): (2 Stars)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t mind sexually graphic scenes. The romance genre varies from sweet to heavy charged graphic scenes. There are such scenes here in this novel. However, there’s a point in the novel where Daphne has sex with a drunk Simon and he’s barely aware of his surroundings. He’s in no condition to really give his consent to the encounter. That said, Simon’s been firm about his wishes – he does not wish to have children. The scene ends with the opportunity for Daphne to conceive and yet, it’s not something that Simon wanted. Simon’s character development is not fleshed out to the point in this novel, when this encounter happens, where he willingly consents to Daphne’s desires. For me, a romance reader, consent is a must. Not drunken consent, not implied consent, consent given willingly and freely. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHY 3 STARS:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I liked the setting, the time period, and the escapism of the novel. I liked Daphne as a heroine. I appreciated the complicated character that Simon was, I just didn’t think the author took the time to develop the character to the point where he was in an emotional place to share Daphne’s desires when he has drunken sex with her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WILL I WATCH THE NETFLIX SERIES?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not at this time. I love a good escapism series and Bridgerton could very well be that, but I appreciate more the realism of the escapism then the reimagining of it. The series itself would stand much stronger on its own if it was its own world and not a reimagined world of the <i>ton</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr33KLzqMYkvso9BmAeS9LwTpW4PHqCQkOwyAsmh1RInoJeN37QvTrrXEbiALHT1fhD4N6jiCbPXlhvyfSfglYV3OrTJVOd_Zfsb6UCCU1tgvo9REJtHHhNbNSiID__JkgFvHLsrSfaqDUOJ3qmRGZchM5a9ItGnzIa7hUQ4Md0L43pN6dDr0vuT16AMA/s957/duke2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="957" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr33KLzqMYkvso9BmAeS9LwTpW4PHqCQkOwyAsmh1RInoJeN37QvTrrXEbiALHT1fhD4N6jiCbPXlhvyfSfglYV3OrTJVOd_Zfsb6UCCU1tgvo9REJtHHhNbNSiID__JkgFvHLsrSfaqDUOJ3qmRGZchM5a9ItGnzIa7hUQ4Md0L43pN6dDr0vuT16AMA/s320/duke2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">EXTRA: COVER SIDE NOTE:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As usually I do with a review, I download the cover and share it with the review. Well, I discovered the book had more than one cover. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, as it had a different covers when published in 2000 ,and then as it was published throughout the world, it was given different covers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thought it would be interesting to compare covers. Which ones have more appeal and which ones have less. I’d love to get your thoughts on it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-791088658527185372023-07-04T12:47:00.002-07:002023-07-04T12:47:41.508-07:004th of July 2023 <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPkj8DA0KxoqeCjRWiASdPax-0lkgeK0wZ1fWgMEMnE6mqLwwR_49DRdzVkydUY6xIe8a-OslBF09x5Vj0mFO_HoEngkZZPUkvKCe2JQC8QSicFZrnMH_M3RvFvn8k1Nz6ZcRtFawhDhw9Y21_uX1si0s4RoZEnaDgfR1S178XnivxfIxy51PsXvbqPk/s4032/dodgerfire.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPkj8DA0KxoqeCjRWiASdPax-0lkgeK0wZ1fWgMEMnE6mqLwwR_49DRdzVkydUY6xIe8a-OslBF09x5Vj0mFO_HoEngkZZPUkvKCe2JQC8QSicFZrnMH_M3RvFvn8k1Nz6ZcRtFawhDhw9Y21_uX1si0s4RoZEnaDgfR1S178XnivxfIxy51PsXvbqPk/s320/dodgerfire.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Happy 247<sup>th</sup> Birthday to the USA. Boy, that’s a lot of candles! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">It’s challenging birthday as well. Gas prices are up, Food prices are up. Home prices are up. And there are more controversial topics as well, but this 4<sup>th</sup> I wanted to strike a patriotic note. Yes, we live in challenging times and if we don’t stick up for the values the founding fathers fought for, we may loose some of those of those things that make America unique. That said,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2wMfYwAe7bEsxCWdZRCJghXR06LrnmO7oBkWHHkHEuOQw5hkJgtSVHB3zOiJ4_Gt3AR7lc39pqwBoTIoG3dwcNq6_UHRTe9Tx-sS_NG2Xm0nRd7M6_mXnJ_igpuecODWJ4nN0xlrNFR-NRFN-K0RJse-DI--bF3Ar4bR7zJU6F3F6ABMM6-0ptmE-Qk/s4032/Myflag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2wMfYwAe7bEsxCWdZRCJghXR06LrnmO7oBkWHHkHEuOQw5hkJgtSVHB3zOiJ4_Gt3AR7lc39pqwBoTIoG3dwcNq6_UHRTe9Tx-sS_NG2Xm0nRd7M6_mXnJ_igpuecODWJ4nN0xlrNFR-NRFN-K0RJse-DI--bF3Ar4bR7zJU6F3F6ABMM6-0ptmE-Qk/s320/Myflag.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">If you love this country, own it. Be proud. Fly your flag. Sing those songs – God Bless America! Be proud of the patriots who have fought in past wars and the patriots now who fight for freedom. Never forget what makes this country special and step up. Never be afraid to say “God Bless America.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Fun Facts:<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8uYvF-nA8tXUNnrKlLp26CBC5rwgv3rwggTmMLSy6Bj_bK2u6dp9t3jIUTHUJiBpDhyYi0cVAWLXgO1sld5-mX8MuXdzn3OxYfXssQxLlUhFYChN35n_M-sD51N57byvrrCfjsKe1s6VMue5DEAWTkbaX7S1X9GzHIdegqMIsmy119B2Vc7l9CmUYfc/s1920/Flag_of_the_United_States_(1776%E2%80%931777).svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8uYvF-nA8tXUNnrKlLp26CBC5rwgv3rwggTmMLSy6Bj_bK2u6dp9t3jIUTHUJiBpDhyYi0cVAWLXgO1sld5-mX8MuXdzn3OxYfXssQxLlUhFYChN35n_M-sD51N57byvrrCfjsKe1s6VMue5DEAWTkbaX7S1X9GzHIdegqMIsmy119B2Vc7l9CmUYfc/s320/Flag_of_the_United_States_(1776%E2%80%931777).svg.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The 13 original colonies are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">New Hampshire<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Connecticut<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Rhode Island<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">New York<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">New Jersey<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Delware<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">North Carolina<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">South Carolina<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Georgia <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">There were 2.5 million Americans in July 1776.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">56 people signed the Declaration of Independence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The first 4<sup>th</sup> of July parade was in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1785.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">In 1941, the US Government declared the 4<sup>th</sup> of July a Federal holiday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">In 1776 Dunlap printing printed 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence Only 26 remain. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Blue Fireworks are the hardest to make because the balance in chemicals has to be just right. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This Independence day is low-key for me. We’re heading out to Ventura to enjoy a picnic dinner before watching the fireworks at the college. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jm_mnCEpSxW4vp_8zNPwVzml-KTz4cDpdc-9oPU3AXzt631qMuWdIEpMVb63LndBZaaKqumyZAeuxxCrDG0xE-kwsGhqQb1wt-bROjABAOajIrX_MXwRykVQKrczMQiiJVJEyq2xlU24TLMbFwxb4OdKVaxFYlWMNO5to4pC8ZRr2HLEZo1Vs8qUV_c/s4032/4thpie2020.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jm_mnCEpSxW4vp_8zNPwVzml-KTz4cDpdc-9oPU3AXzt631qMuWdIEpMVb63LndBZaaKqumyZAeuxxCrDG0xE-kwsGhqQb1wt-bROjABAOajIrX_MXwRykVQKrczMQiiJVJEyq2xlU24TLMbFwxb4OdKVaxFYlWMNO5to4pC8ZRr2HLEZo1Vs8qUV_c/s320/4thpie2020.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Past traditions including visit Catalina Island and watching the 4<sup>th</sup> of July golf cart parade and the USC Marching band. Baking a blueberry pie and decorating it like a flag has been something we’ve done before. Buying 4<sup>th</sup> of July flowers and flying the flag has been something we’ve done. We’ve visited Pismo Beach and Cayucos California because there’s nothing like fireworks over the coast. One year, we went to see a Dodger Game on the 4th. In 2021 we traveled to New Hampshire and had a warmhearted friends & family get together complete with BBQ and pie! <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMHuz0jLU68a8qz2sGI5YTBzqZox3Qgl8aUFnQRV7zAW4VWNJNha7Rg7grlf84-F6_q8ykdt8l4u5ZY2C-Aoq_8kmLGImxWY5EYOPE1XezUHVOi5du5OuxEgu7_lu4_WlG8G1kNZq5bD_mZO2Nfy2TAHmPB5TAgjZ9420E0wtUZWrYj5agJwaxorLGA/s4032/JulyPismo2018.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMHuz0jLU68a8qz2sGI5YTBzqZox3Qgl8aUFnQRV7zAW4VWNJNha7Rg7grlf84-F6_q8ykdt8l4u5ZY2C-Aoq_8kmLGImxWY5EYOPE1XezUHVOi5du5OuxEgu7_lu4_WlG8G1kNZq5bD_mZO2Nfy2TAHmPB5TAgjZ9420E0wtUZWrYj5agJwaxorLGA/s320/JulyPismo2018.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">How do you spend your 4<sup>th</sup>? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">From the Declaration of Independence:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif;">We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. </span><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i> </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fUChW5mcPARrymKF-w2ESs95SsAXwu8W9OS9lYK2gkBbEuNuWnCUYvMoU3UK13YlS9Pc88qTTeLJvQjtUh_pkeP3eaHvvHQZfmvPB8XwZ-cr8Cd4NEpq4RvvKOW-xeKrPJ0VSc3AmpIhHKo1jKfydo0YFluulO8Nzq5pfo3UMIBM3o6oMp4dtGgp5fA/s640/4thofjuly20081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fUChW5mcPARrymKF-w2ESs95SsAXwu8W9OS9lYK2gkBbEuNuWnCUYvMoU3UK13YlS9Pc88qTTeLJvQjtUh_pkeP3eaHvvHQZfmvPB8XwZ-cr8Cd4NEpq4RvvKOW-xeKrPJ0VSc3AmpIhHKo1jKfydo0YFluulO8Nzq5pfo3UMIBM3o6oMp4dtGgp5fA/s320/4thofjuly20081.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">References:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/4th-of-july-facts/22075" style="color: #954f72;">https://wallethub.com/blog/4th-of-july-facts/22075</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-declaration-of-independence" style="color: #954f72;">https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-declaration-of-independence</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://selecthealth.org/blog/2016/06/7-things-about-fireworks" style="color: #954f72;">https://selecthealth.org/blog/2016/06/7-things-about-fireworks</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/5-facts-about-fireworks" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.energy.gov/articles/5-facts-about-fireworks</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">From my Summer 4<sup>th</sup> of July story, Arrow Through the Heart <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3codlpkeN3TFEvJ2mmNpQ0Z1zXcq1liwytBREP6irl6ElEi27mWbbhZvxD9yt1WEdJp2TbWDy0ExBxmzKey6qZtGVJYqDgNpujU5KpxdrzYCISjMyIUSPpHDWxA-d5amEo8hZrzsbtfQcmqrrYbgaLp40UxXR_lWnavgsyfaX-QKlTc-jmo0UXIBOI1M/s799/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3codlpkeN3TFEvJ2mmNpQ0Z1zXcq1liwytBREP6irl6ElEi27mWbbhZvxD9yt1WEdJp2TbWDy0ExBxmzKey6qZtGVJYqDgNpujU5KpxdrzYCISjMyIUSPpHDWxA-d5amEo8hZrzsbtfQcmqrrYbgaLp40UxXR_lWnavgsyfaX-QKlTc-jmo0UXIBOI1M/s320/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">BLURB: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Summer vacation and the Fourth of July brings Ella to New Hampshire while participating in a tennis competition. Logan is an innkeeper's son who bumps into Ella and invites her for an ice cream. Attraction flares and they enjoy spending time together, but each has their own plans for their life. Then disaster strikes Ella. Can a summer attraction truly become a lasting relationship?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">EXCERPT: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">They finished their meal and he collected their trash. Glancing at his watch, he discovered it was eight-thirty. Logan frowned, knowing he had to leave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Thank you again for everything. I had a nice day, despite finding my room trashed." The corners of Ella's lips tipped upward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">God, that smile was like an arrow through his heart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I had a nice day, too." He paused, looked away for a second, suddenly nervous, then back at Ella. "I'm busy tomorrow at the inn, but I plan on watching your meet." <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"You don't have to, if you're busy—"<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I want to." He drew in a breath. "Maybe we can spend the evening together? Go for a boat ride? I'll show you some of the islands in the lake. We could have a picnic dinner and watch the sun set."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"All right." Her voice was soft and low, and her emerald eyes sparkled in the subdued room light.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">He stood and walked over to the door. She followed him. His jaw tensed when he turned to look at her. He wanted to kiss her, but it was way too soon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I'll see you tomorrow," she whispered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Good night," he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Good night."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Through-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B0C5ZWD28D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26UOXJLEPU6XI&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1688498861&sprefix=stephanie+burkhar%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-77039455226924467292023-07-04T09:15:00.000-07:002023-07-04T09:15:11.688-07:00Christmas in July Special: Mr. Christmas Elf Christmas in July is a great opportunity to bring the joy and good will of the Christmas season to you! With that, I'd thought I'd share one of Christmas stories, "Mr. Christmas Elf." <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTZMgyzVxSpjpSdnYbTvkXQ1gOvyMcd0Yi6oCzbxb4dcKUDi9uyqb7MVOwu03aE3RZlAqZXLyPyNT9CxuIOQrwETsfzw8JHVmV9FgrnvEujgpRfvskHNLdM8cOv5koSvzjeB2FwNZVevWWscDpyKkBgt7rEPHYjhHXbZV9Lly_l8Naobk-H7MnD0LcX8/s600/Mr%20Christmas%20Elf%20SBurkhart%201%20%20%20web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTZMgyzVxSpjpSdnYbTvkXQ1gOvyMcd0Yi6oCzbxb4dcKUDi9uyqb7MVOwu03aE3RZlAqZXLyPyNT9CxuIOQrwETsfzw8JHVmV9FgrnvEujgpRfvskHNLdM8cOv5koSvzjeB2FwNZVevWWscDpyKkBgt7rEPHYjhHXbZV9Lly_l8Naobk-H7MnD0LcX8/s320/Mr%20Christmas%20Elf%20SBurkhart%201%20%20%20web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BLURB:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">Christmas is on the way, but Jules isn’t in the mood this year. She and her dad are barely making ends meet, and with extra bills piling up, how can they afford Christmas? Jules needs a new muffler for her car, and school tuition is looming—but the peppermint on top? Her boyfriend has just dumped her in a text message! When her boss at the coffee shop insists that all employees must write a letter to Santa and post it on the window, Jules decides to be painfully honest about what she needs—but is there any hope she will get it? When Elvis, a handsome hunk, shows up to visit with her about her car muffler, she begins to have an inkling of hope that this Christmas will be one to remember, after all. Claiming to be one of Santa’s elves, Elvis tells her all the magic the Christmas season has to offer can be hers, if she only believes. Is that too much to ask for?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Buy Link:</div><div>https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Christmas-Elf-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07K6QT51S/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3O2LKAOXWHV2Q&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1688485982&s=digital-text&sprefix=stephanie+burkhart%2Cdigital-text%2C180&sr=1-4</div>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-34917855493508145002023-06-30T13:26:00.002-07:002023-06-30T13:26:21.733-07:00Collecting Critters # 1 Meet Octo <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpmSMDRJFHZody58l83ENzLwynFE_lE_HlLHuuLi1cq4s2b-FmgqNyuAZbHxzOKhviCTBIqgFZHqX-gK9izVCLEt2ETiWf7BnA15cldSSAp0Dq-JmrbBG-SOd0M8_CwpMqIU_VFd7PE0T0jdFTQfjQDDeVev6DuM2ouAgiNNIUPByAOebahHDe959yuA/s4032/Octo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpmSMDRJFHZody58l83ENzLwynFE_lE_HlLHuuLi1cq4s2b-FmgqNyuAZbHxzOKhviCTBIqgFZHqX-gK9izVCLEt2ETiWf7BnA15cldSSAp0Dq-JmrbBG-SOd0M8_CwpMqIU_VFd7PE0T0jdFTQfjQDDeVev6DuM2ouAgiNNIUPByAOebahHDe959yuA/s320/Octo.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I love collecting hand knitted critters. Why? I suppose what I love about my little critters is that each one is made with love. </p><p> Today's critter is "Octo." Octo's maker is my sister, Christine, who usually makes octos for her kitties to play with. Here, Octo has joined on vacay in April 2022. Octo can't wait to try the Wahlburgers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqBVzGV_8D1LMQVqKRF4LHTDc283k-VghWCn5nh5fVX9_GkjqgILDcCKmxHgnFGfQLw4K9J3p0YehKxToNC8j1vXF7nYWLFd97XvtbWLPNoWK5oiqky9r8TvuWhPz3iUjHA_dkv-FMFl4egiJb4Qia28VseI1jYpE9kJJFE1auF0AdEx6QP6ejuQyGXw/s4032/Octo2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqBVzGV_8D1LMQVqKRF4LHTDc283k-VghWCn5nh5fVX9_GkjqgILDcCKmxHgnFGfQLw4K9J3p0YehKxToNC8j1vXF7nYWLFd97XvtbWLPNoWK5oiqky9r8TvuWhPz3iUjHA_dkv-FMFl4egiJb4Qia28VseI1jYpE9kJJFE1auF0AdEx6QP6ejuQyGXw/s320/Octo2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I liked my visit to visit Wahlburgers. It's not a chain that I see here on the West Coast, though I believe there's one in Los Angeles (kinda out of my way) . I had the tots and the "Our" burger. What's in an "Our" Burger:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beef Burger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Government Cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lettuce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomato</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Onion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pickles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and Paul's signature Wahl Sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can honestly say Wahlburgers was a hit and I would go there again. Now, I've never seen the show, but I do appreciate a good Wahl burger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">FOR YOUR SUMMER READING:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EFvrJdFiO_Q4fGF4nwct_LTIyUYKgG1UIWWkp5NL8OEoBrSpU7-lV8jJA-mNZFEsIXgdvShWLLtcvZObMMWbP4HH16MUz1d6__IF0sejDdfC8GR5BL-Ac2xkMLk3p7POUN1hDSxjn33nLx7X7eV0QVGBOIZPbEFQ5kdGgEkLyLGjafPnbNFN-5FvFcw/s600/Journey%20of%20the%20Heart%20SBurkhart%20Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EFvrJdFiO_Q4fGF4nwct_LTIyUYKgG1UIWWkp5NL8OEoBrSpU7-lV8jJA-mNZFEsIXgdvShWLLtcvZObMMWbP4HH16MUz1d6__IF0sejDdfC8GR5BL-Ac2xkMLk3p7POUN1hDSxjn33nLx7X7eV0QVGBOIZPbEFQ5kdGgEkLyLGjafPnbNFN-5FvFcw/s320/Journey%20of%20the%20Heart%20SBurkhart%20Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Journey of the Heart is available on Amazon as an Ebook for .99 cents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BLURB: </div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">James DiMera returns to his home in California after World War II, only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose. But after the loss of his dream, what can there be for him?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Rachel Santori's family winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he touches her lonely heart and soul with his kindness and the way comes to her aid. How long has it been since she had someone to depend on? Can James find a place of belonging in Rachel’s life? Can love mend both their weary hearts?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">EXCERPT: </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Wait a minute, Sir," James </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">interrupted</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, and peered at Rachel's spellbinding eyes for a second before looking at Mr. Smith. "You've tasted this vintage before?"</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"I have."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"So you know how much it's worth?"</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"I do."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"You seem like a fair man, Mr. Smith. At least you were with me. I believe if you offer miss Rachel one thousand dollars, you'll recoup your </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">investment</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> and more." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Now young man, how much do you know about wine?"</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Not much, but I do know human nature. You respected her father, and he, you, enough to share an expensive bottle of wine. Honor that respect now. I suspect if Miss Rachel didn't have to make this offer to you, she wouldn't have. She knew you and her father had a good relationship. Honor that like you honored my service."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"You're good, Son. I'll give you that. I'll offer you nine hundred dollars for the wine," he paused. "I know I've been hard on you Miss Rachel. You should consider hiring a young man who can help you manage the estate." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Thank you, Mr. Smith. I'll accept your offer and take your advice to heart." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mr. Smith grabbed his ledger, wrote a check, and presented it to her. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Do you have someone to carry in the cases? It's just Vito and I." She tucked the check into the purse. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Well --"</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"I'll do it," said James. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Grab my stock boy from the back, Son." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Rachel offered her hand to James. "Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your assistance. I'm Rachel Santori." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"James DiMera." </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">BUY LINK: </span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=15VI1AD1QJRVI&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1688153586&sprefix=stephanie+burkhar%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-4</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-41734906735519794152023-06-11T20:21:00.002-07:002023-06-11T20:21:21.733-07:00Visiting the Valley Greek Festival May 2023 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RNwGMdKLNa64hE0OSBuBJIeN8kATr3qrFOM62ogQd1Qm_vbAc0A_jjF7a0njqnSb11NMy-ggiZs0ElGMLgxSu4Lg2apnrrmhB6FXI0ndQfCch1HEtZBW0n5_cGc7ArvtlGfFbNBV7qVb9LLscpt9bBkflOtpYTgWbv-V47BUz8eaAwM64fSj_Scu/s4032/May23GFfestival.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RNwGMdKLNa64hE0OSBuBJIeN8kATr3qrFOM62ogQd1Qm_vbAc0A_jjF7a0njqnSb11NMy-ggiZs0ElGMLgxSu4Lg2apnrrmhB6FXI0ndQfCch1HEtZBW0n5_cGc7ArvtlGfFbNBV7qVb9LLscpt9bBkflOtpYTgWbv-V47BUz8eaAwM64fSj_Scu/s320/May23GFfestival.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The Valley Greek Festival in Los Angeles was back, and I was happy to visit. Opa! It took place at St. Nicholas Church on Plummer and Balboa. I grew up in a city with a prominent Greek community, so I’ve always had an affinity for Greek culture. In Germany, I loved visiting the authentic Greek restaurants. My favorites were the Gyros and Ouzo. Lol!! And Ouzo has a black licorice taste to it, but it’s so smooth, it’s worth the shot for me. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">First thing we did was check out the food. They had a big food tent, but the line was forever! So, we had to pass. My son and I visited the drink tent. Ouzo and Kona for us! We found some pork souvlaki, zucchini sticks, and calamari as well as fried cheese which was remarkably good. Hidden secret there. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGHo2uJ8ebSR7oOAQ29r4h7RSUrPYHl_79IA0zT78dYjj9w6gDlYUicdEmuTtgU3HR9Y8WIkp9phjQiozffFjBYwK1fXTl6iATCyp9AukA8YK9oMziS--8GemihkMwVUcfnUUxTpKTVuh8VJNBupdIuSJExQX5ODtSRbFYquzmA92WLjnWe7it7vk/s1312/ouzo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGHo2uJ8ebSR7oOAQ29r4h7RSUrPYHl_79IA0zT78dYjj9w6gDlYUicdEmuTtgU3HR9Y8WIkp9phjQiozffFjBYwK1fXTl6iATCyp9AukA8YK9oMziS--8GemihkMwVUcfnUUxTpKTVuh8VJNBupdIuSJExQX5ODtSRbFYquzmA92WLjnWe7it7vk/s320/ouzo.png" width="76" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Next, we explored the Greek Church, St. Nicholas. For me, I found a lot of things in common with a Catholic church. The vestments and ornaments seemed very ornate. There were differences, too. For me, I felt the reverence. My spiritual beliefs have been evolving as late, as I’ve been working on God/Source and that he is the vine and we are the branches. We are all one and yet separate. The reverence in church was humbling.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Next we watched some dancing, but the line for the Loukoumades was far too long to wait in so we headed over to the Arts and Crafts and found a Greek coffee booth. The coffee was smooth. The most impressive Arts and Crafts booth was the wood carving. It was advertised the carvings were from olive tree wood from the holy land. I was very impressed with the intricate carvings. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z1RihkgsKxOwS8_gS2P3U-ok_FeiKDzcK30jLaoeduLsgzLmWo0WvpCmaNuL8KVFNXnBhoX9VKs-hI_60FH3W_1ndr0dXeBsxrhztI9_VKEpgJTwFnDVEv2DYup6sDHIt2wCvMyvEoFepLwhrMhIY1CJj0h244gg68vVdBiwaNId5CrDWtrW93da/s4032/may23Greekwood2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z1RihkgsKxOwS8_gS2P3U-ok_FeiKDzcK30jLaoeduLsgzLmWo0WvpCmaNuL8KVFNXnBhoX9VKs-hI_60FH3W_1ndr0dXeBsxrhztI9_VKEpgJTwFnDVEv2DYup6sDHIt2wCvMyvEoFepLwhrMhIY1CJj0h244gg68vVdBiwaNId5CrDWtrW93da/s320/may23Greekwood2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Overall, it was a fun day and nice to get out. A bit overcast in Los Angeles, but still nice weather. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">What are your favorite Greek things? Drop me a line.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">My story, Arrow Through the Heart is now avail on Kindle Unlimited.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Ella paused next to her room's door. "This is it." Her voice was soft, yet had a hint of awkwardness to it.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cq_e_MHhgNZWb4hZvLtElch1b9j6LygQ3dnZzhsnVwN_4CaSmW7G5S0DGoAcaFhVvo21MiCdnGfJ-iDrnm_0DRsccky750RYF3sgr9hYBHxQqUKih2ir1CvGA2Gs-GIBs1GNJ-q5z1NGZLtXmP8Wc_WzoIg8z8HOMxvEKarAp4LZ15LinV54x-gg/s799/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cq_e_MHhgNZWb4hZvLtElch1b9j6LygQ3dnZzhsnVwN_4CaSmW7G5S0DGoAcaFhVvo21MiCdnGfJ-iDrnm_0DRsccky750RYF3sgr9hYBHxQqUKih2ir1CvGA2Gs-GIBs1GNJ-q5z1NGZLtXmP8Wc_WzoIg8z8HOMxvEKarAp4LZ15LinV54x-gg/s320/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Logan drew in a small, nervous breath and jammed his hands into his pockets, trying to appear casual. "Did you have fun today?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I did." She cast her eyes downward for a second, and then glanced back up at him. Her gaze smoldered. His heart skipped a beat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I'd like that." She pulled out her cell phone and typed in his number. Logan did the same.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"On the Fourth, would you like to spend the day with me?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I—" Ella placed her hand on the door and it swung open. She glanced at him, surprise on her face. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Was your door latched?" Logan asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I thought it was." <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Let me." A sudden urge to protect her swelled in him and he stepped in front of her, entering the room. The sheets on the bed were crumpled, bureau drawers were spread across the floor, and her clothes were tossed about. A rope had been tied to her tennis racket and it hung from the ceiling fan with a note attached to it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Through-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B0C5ZWD28D/ref=sr_1_6?crid=VKZ3MU4PNZ17&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1686535941&sprefix=stephanie+burkhart+%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-6 </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Find me at: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">FIND ME AT:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">WEBSITE:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/"><span style="color: #800040;">http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">FACEBOOK:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/"><span style="color: #800040;">https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true"><span style="color: #800040;">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">4RV PUBLISHING PAGE:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php"><span style="color: #800040;">https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">YOUTUBE BOOK TEASER PAGE:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@botrina"><span style="color: #800040;">https://www.youtube.com/@botrina</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-42027540413967551922023-05-25T17:04:00.000-07:002023-05-25T17:04:27.236-07:00Enjoy the Strawberries! CA Strawberry Festival 2023!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w3XiW3cwE83eQx6M7x98cr28dhQ6oEOH2WZptfmSVSo1yT__i-c1usWD2twbO9DhoVaZo0IBzW-2GnqbBMI-hqx8o1fCemD6G2ra4UdKtrm5qfC5xYhvEZIMeqHCJm1R-yqSb2jd5AUyZNHabW5nCRJx7JC-BNCcFTNNBX1nntai7dn9Dsvj2UDz/s4032/SBFlocalshirts2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1w3XiW3cwE83eQx6M7x98cr28dhQ6oEOH2WZptfmSVSo1yT__i-c1usWD2twbO9DhoVaZo0IBzW-2GnqbBMI-hqx8o1fCemD6G2ra4UdKtrm5qfC5xYhvEZIMeqHCJm1R-yqSb2jd5AUyZNHabW5nCRJx7JC-BNCcFTNNBX1nntai7dn9Dsvj2UDz/s320/SBFlocalshirts2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arts & Crafts 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><p> The California Strawberry Festival is Back!! One of my favorite festivals here in my neck of the woods in California is the Strawberry Festival. I think I started going when the boys were little, I want to say about 2010 around that time. I enjoy a good festival, and there's a little bit of everything at the Strawberry Festival - food, arts & crafts, strawberries, music, kiddie rides, and would could forget: The Strawberry Smoothie!</p><p> In the past, the festival was held at Oxnard College in Oxnard, but every year it grew and grew and this year was the first year it was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a venue that fit the growing event. One of the first things I would do would be to buy the boys a smoothie and I would hunt down a margarita. This year, my son shared a margarita with me. How the time flies!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJofws8-Cv4QzV0AcnSyufItUAcK-qxI8O1jJ9wa82dTk-XJIrf1AHvMvIskbbdLIbjVoJaetgI-SkhLNWTRtk7e-VzPaRbua62dmBKK7N0bTRULWuqcGDtmuJ8A6pWhR2ejbNhNyxtzoAayJqRucXrDriwgn_hhfRGjyBEoe8B5ZNhtOAU9KXKxR/s4032/SBFMargs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJofws8-Cv4QzV0AcnSyufItUAcK-qxI8O1jJ9wa82dTk-XJIrf1AHvMvIskbbdLIbjVoJaetgI-SkhLNWTRtk7e-VzPaRbua62dmBKK7N0bTRULWuqcGDtmuJ8A6pWhR2ejbNhNyxtzoAayJqRucXrDriwgn_hhfRGjyBEoe8B5ZNhtOAU9KXKxR/s320/SBFMargs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After out smoothies, we were usually on the hunt for Arts & Crafts. You can usually find some great gems at Arts & Crafts and this year was no exception! I found some "dangles" earrings - my favorite was Grinchy earrings and mini flip flops, but they had everything under the sun. I also discovered lemoncello chocolate almonds. They were delicious! I didn't even know they were a thing! Now I know I can find them on Amazon! One year I got a really top with stretchy material that had a Paris theme. </p><p>After visiting A&C, it was time to find a snack. Usually I go for the Garlic Fries, but there's a whole variety of items such as strawberry tamales, nachos, turkey legs, corn dogs, and hamburgers. Garlic fries are my favorite because you can't get them all the time. If there was space, we'd sit down and listen to the music.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvRpNcfb7o2_uEK4kv3wnPZYnh1_-V3JYZPT3GeWuBRUMC3DmuPWmcYRf3l6RxTM6LZxxPlJP14dpDfkkWzZyn59hZo-xnitasKLX45UUnDmTIdWeS4A28gGXBxv6RzWjQYaZI2bKqdkDyLQkRGsWIadfMxianj8aUBk6wOzNw04C8pMpLs3VX8s3/s4032/strawf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvRpNcfb7o2_uEK4kv3wnPZYnh1_-V3JYZPT3GeWuBRUMC3DmuPWmcYRf3l6RxTM6LZxxPlJP14dpDfkkWzZyn59hZo-xnitasKLX45UUnDmTIdWeS4A28gGXBxv6RzWjQYaZI2bKqdkDyLQkRGsWIadfMxianj8aUBk6wOzNw04C8pMpLs3VX8s3/s320/strawf3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxnard, 2019 </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> If we had an opportunity, we'd take the kids to the kiddie area and take pictures with the mascots. After that, it was time to find some flats and head home. This year we had the cool opportunity to find Tony's Pizza in Ventura - it was a local place with live music and the pizza crust was the best I've had in ages! </p><p> What I like about festivals is that it gets you out of the house, gives you an opportunity to explore and relax with no time constraints and you can always enjoy the strawberries! What's your favorite festival?</p><p><br /></p><p> My story, Arrow Through the Heart is now available on Amazon unlimited. </p><p>EXCERPT: </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><i>Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Ella strolled along the boardwalk next to the lake, exploring the shops. A store that sold beach gear caught her attention. Outside the door were several flyers and brochures in a display. After studying the flyers, she picked one up, and began reading it. Ella gnawed on her lower lip. Could she steady herself enough to allow the parachute to lift her? She stared at the parasailing brochure. The man on the front made it look easy, but if it was one thing she learned about life, it was that nothing came easy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Hey, you want to try it?" The deep, masculine voice startled Ella. She placed her hand over her chest to steady her heart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He walked around to her side so she could see him. "I'm Logan Donovan."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Ella's breath jammed in her throat. Logan's wide smile and kind sky-blue eyes sparkled in the sun. Tall, broad-chested, and well-muscled, his stance radiated confidence. Men rarely snuck up on her, but Logan had, and he'd taken her breath away.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMrNkyexyfcy02EDMVugKKiIW9y38r6T4J3-rB-MTsk4-10mj1RQX00DKTku8s66Ei-xAJTdJwO1uyCoLJr3PL39UcmBCwAVL7uXb24ruO08zuHxsGxEZZemR-dHpx2usT-hNcKU0c70754KW4v9aYvxd3HAUQgdrD7gH-zxeUC_5eKooQ0Jk5rbu/s799/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMrNkyexyfcy02EDMVugKKiIW9y38r6T4J3-rB-MTsk4-10mj1RQX00DKTku8s66Ei-xAJTdJwO1uyCoLJr3PL39UcmBCwAVL7uXb24ruO08zuHxsGxEZZemR-dHpx2usT-hNcKU0c70754KW4v9aYvxd3HAUQgdrD7gH-zxeUC_5eKooQ0Jk5rbu/s320/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">FIND ME AT:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">WEBSITE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/">http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">FACEBOOK:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/">https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">4RV PUBLISHING PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php">https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">YOUTUBE BOOK TEASER PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@botrina">https://www.youtube.com/@botrina</a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-83007625404082168692023-05-16T16:57:00.000-07:002023-05-16T16:57:18.419-07:00Getting out: The Cowboy Festival 2023 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiecgJidjtrLIG3OZPWJb11tRv4uKyfica4mEQTV5JdI5bYxWqD3e4IoJyM7CxJBs6W8rc5xcrv8a96U7x3jKkf8m4WRtiPyHJobg739y4v5LvR5BLgFqM7UP4wF5w12bWzQgZBmBxDda1qqsPc05uRQfFubuAXGGDA7OVYPHfTuh-qAnNBCicVDA/s4032/CowboyFestival4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiecgJidjtrLIG3OZPWJb11tRv4uKyfica4mEQTV5JdI5bYxWqD3e4IoJyM7CxJBs6W8rc5xcrv8a96U7x3jKkf8m4WRtiPyHJobg739y4v5LvR5BLgFqM7UP4wF5w12bWzQgZBmBxDda1qqsPc05uRQfFubuAXGGDA7OVYPHfTuh-qAnNBCicVDA/s320/CowboyFestival4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've had an opportunity to update my blog. Forgive my absence. Most of the time I was busy supporting my boys with Scouting, but that chapter of my life is over and I'm ready to open a new chapter with getting back to my writing, blogging, and marketing, with some occasional posts on personal growth, recipes, flowers, traveling, and general overall fun things I like to do. </p><p>WRITING UDPATE:</p><p>I hope to have my short story, "Arrow Through the Heart" on the Amazon Kindle Unlimited format soon. I did a bit of an edit, but I didn't touch it up too much. It's summer based and focused on the 4th of of July, so it's a great read for summer and nice compliment to my other summer story, "Journey of the Heart."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljKLQFQWacc0Tyf-XrGKTLZDrIzpwsnhBopylkxhiuXc9jR19Cc9WPUkTvoLWy4IDzZu7Z0JI2S75voVpLbjsz51SffRyiHt0gB-gKw_38zOULvQ7t5CXC9rEE5DkjigesQSiXqTKZ8tzfu21-GPyVtQeIAFqJxbKyt8-Oe5gf31Xu2eDMObF_S4S/s4032/CowboyFestival3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljKLQFQWacc0Tyf-XrGKTLZDrIzpwsnhBopylkxhiuXc9jR19Cc9WPUkTvoLWy4IDzZu7Z0JI2S75voVpLbjsz51SffRyiHt0gB-gKw_38zOULvQ7t5CXC9rEE5DkjigesQSiXqTKZ8tzfu21-GPyVtQeIAFqJxbKyt8-Oe5gf31Xu2eDMObF_S4S/s320/CowboyFestival3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>BLOGGING:</p><p>Hope to be back on a more regular basis. A couple of weeks ago, I visited the local Cowboy festival. It was nice to get out again. The day was a bit sunny and a tad hot and I didn't really go prepared, but just getting out raised my vibes. The actual festival was compacted into a couple of blocks and it was a tad crowded, but I was happy. They had a Dutch oven peach cobbler booth, but the line was a forever line. I loved watching the blacksmith and the cowboy twirl his ropes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy9nK8-s8s6HtTlvWA4OegFkaBwyIRqZnEYCKkilnk9A0uZGC0w0fqH26op69y40PKTlv6AfZcRV0Zs1EawQUl5jiCq-tV3lEP-lSI4jWPdMiPap_LFSjl8Bf9j1Iwi_PKcZT32Y7w03-Qvq9LYrXnWdSmt7c2W-dRkoiSe2nGHG3jpaXF67ucvuW/s4032/CowboyFestival2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy9nK8-s8s6HtTlvWA4OegFkaBwyIRqZnEYCKkilnk9A0uZGC0w0fqH26op69y40PKTlv6AfZcRV0Zs1EawQUl5jiCq-tV3lEP-lSI4jWPdMiPap_LFSjl8Bf9j1Iwi_PKcZT32Y7w03-Qvq9LYrXnWdSmt7c2W-dRkoiSe2nGHG3jpaXF67ucvuW/s320/CowboyFestival2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>SELF PUBLISHING:</p><p>I hope to self-publish my back catalog in a more timely manner, starting with Arrow of the Heart. If anything, I wish there were 3 more hours added to the day. If you have any marketing tips, send them my way. Right now I use Fussy Librarian to get the word out, but I'd love to learn more. </p><p><br /></p><p>SHARING A LITTLE TEASE from ARROW THROUGH THE HEART:</p><p>Ella's a tennis pro who wants to win. Logan's an easy going guy who loves his rural lifestyle. When a stranger threatens Ella, will danger bring her closer to Logan or drive them apart? </p><p><br /></p><p>EXCERPT: </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><i>Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Ella strolled along the boardwalk next to the lake, exploring the shops. A store that sold beach gear caught her attention. Outside the door were several flyers and brochures in a display. After studying the flyers, she picked one up, and began reading it. Ella gnawed on her lower lip. Could she steady herself enough to allow the parachute to lift her? She stared at the parasailing brochure. The man on the front made it look easy, but if it was one thing she learned about life, it was that nothing came easy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"Hey, you want to try it?" The deep, masculine voice startled Ella. She placed her hand over her chest to steady her heart.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He walked around to her side so she could see him. "I'm Logan Donovan."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">Ella's breath jammed in her throat. Logan's wide smile and kind sky-blue eyes sparkled in the sun. Tall, broad-chested, and well-muscled, his stance radiated confidence. Men rarely snuck up on her, but Logan had, and he'd taken her breath away.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMrNkyexyfcy02EDMVugKKiIW9y38r6T4J3-rB-MTsk4-10mj1RQX00DKTku8s66Ei-xAJTdJwO1uyCoLJr3PL39UcmBCwAVL7uXb24ruO08zuHxsGxEZZemR-dHpx2usT-hNcKU0c70754KW4v9aYvxd3HAUQgdrD7gH-zxeUC_5eKooQ0Jk5rbu/s799/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMrNkyexyfcy02EDMVugKKiIW9y38r6T4J3-rB-MTsk4-10mj1RQX00DKTku8s66Ei-xAJTdJwO1uyCoLJr3PL39UcmBCwAVL7uXb24ruO08zuHxsGxEZZemR-dHpx2usT-hNcKU0c70754KW4v9aYvxd3HAUQgdrD7gH-zxeUC_5eKooQ0Jk5rbu/s320/Stephanie%20Burkhart_Arrow%20Through%20the%20Heart_thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">FIND ME AT:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">WEBSITE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/">http://www.stephanieburkhart.com/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">FACEBOOK:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/">https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true">https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-Burkhart/author/B003R00R5I?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">4RV PUBLISHING PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php">https://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;">YOUTUBE BOOK TEASER PAGE:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@botrina">https://www.youtube.com/@botrina</a></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-5105850469047098492021-11-14T04:00:00.001-08:002021-11-14T04:00:00.180-08:00Made in America - A & E Coffee <p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72QAfesgsi2y3kONcg2Z73q4TaMxceBELAXqs_IN1DBBsiNO5vFuAwROu_jyC7Wg-2DKsR2-rn-prbAgr9MvbIxnxtnclosfoU3zyRQvYbOo5Rzhk7R88luAoShXlXI-fz7UxEGe8j1g/s872/AE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="872" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72QAfesgsi2y3kONcg2Z73q4TaMxceBELAXqs_IN1DBBsiNO5vFuAwROu_jyC7Wg-2DKsR2-rn-prbAgr9MvbIxnxtnclosfoU3zyRQvYbOo5Rzhk7R88luAoShXlXI-fz7UxEGe8j1g/s320/AE.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />PRODUCT:<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>A&E COFFEE </span><p></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">WEBSITE:<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a data-auth="Verified" data-linkindex="0" href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Faeroastery.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce7e0513543874581740f08d9a20bb799%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637718993469691872%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=TsK04PxgJ%2B90WjXAMFHyhxiny6riN7RQMAVovHvL6XE%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://aeroastery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" shash="EaCA/mhKdmZyUC/rgBaw9enPNwlKD1Ta96A1NxfHm47S1XXkJKnbs81UOuWF/NXPvOKdnmk7fS3qkCwrk8xNb08+yXCBUobGPi4Hul7o00GFP9pezGptx0P/8Dvg498LIcp87ystRHVcE5oHB6QWvfoHS892RF+7It1BnRq1+Ew=" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Protected by Outlook: https://aeroastery.com/. Click or tap to follow the link.">https://aeroastery.com</a> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">WHERE IS IT MADE: Beans are roasted in Nashua, New Hampshire. <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>You can find Shops in the following New Hampshire communities: Amherst, Manchester, and Nashua. </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">MOM & POP: Yes </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ROOM TO GROW: Yes </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From their website: </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A&E Coffee & Tea opened in 2001 and was the first USDA Certified Gourmet Organic Coffee Roaster in New Hampshire. Each batch of our gourmet coffee is carefully roasted in our Nashua facility by our roastmaster. We source excellent coffees for both our single origin and blend programs, insuring quality + sustainable coffees across the board. It is batch-roasted to bring out the unique characteristics embedded in each coffee variety, with blending always happening after the roast. Our teas are distinguished by the quality of the leaf and flavoring components to ensure a premium cup every time. Buy specialty coffee online and get gourmet coffee delivered from our organic coffee roaster.</span> </span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The website offers an opportunity to subscribe to their newsletter. </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>NOTE: You can apply for a job with them online at their website. They offer a blog where you can keep up with happenings that involve the roastery and NH.</b></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>They do have an online menu so you can check out the menu before ordering. </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">They offer wholesale, merchandise and sell monthly coffee subscriptions.<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The website is easy to navigate. (AKA, yes, it’s user friendly) </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">REVIEWS:<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>The business has an average of 4 stars on Yelp and generally receives 4 to 5 stars reviews. </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">WHERE DOES A&E DONATE TO: </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">FROM THEIR WEBSITE: Charity: </span></strong><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As citizens of our local and global community, it is our responsibility to help our neighbors. We donate coffee and tea to local charitable organizations and sponsor fundraisers for national and international causes.</span> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>REACHER’S NOTES: I could not a specific charity or political candidate that the roastery had donated too, and it might be because they are still a local shop working on building up a base. </b></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">WHAT I LIKE:<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>It’s coffee. I LOVE coffee. I have ordered from them and shipped the order to my friend Jen who works at the NH Veterans home in Tilton because, as she told me on vacay, the Vets don’t get “good’ coffee. Since I’m a veteran myself, and knowing how a good cup of coffee starts off the day, I made it my mission to supply Jen and vets with a good cup of morning coffee. <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>I like the idea of recycling and reusing, and I support that. </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">N<b>OT TOO EXCITED ABOUT: The global community pitch. While I think the concept Is a well meaning one, the execution of such a concept is lacking. I’ve seen other Online Coffee stores that offer a more patriotic pitch, which I appreciate, more than the “global” approach. </b></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I, as a consumer and future buyer of their coffee would appreciate a more “Made in America” approach, and less global outreach. </span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>FURTHER RESEARCHER THOUGHTS:<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b>Coffee is good business but you’ve got to set a good foundation in not only a good product but great customer service.<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>I think A&E is still growing. I like that it’s local, Mom & Pop to NH, and reaching out. The product is Great, customer service is solid. Not sure where they get the beans, but the roasting, marketing, and appeal is all made in America and that’s a BIG plus in my book.<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>With Christmas coming up, A&E coffee will make a good gift. </span></span></p><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-33196027833503845062021-11-11T04:00:00.001-08:002021-11-11T04:00:00.190-08:00Happy Veterans Day 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjLmoHCebaihvfWc4gwFermiBIpe_9qR8PPSbMPczyoO5C8ahrS0FUy3L4QkUMBsr0mIif-3KZ5LFR-kpEjAWJEXKhJTlqYFj3Se7BiE0-Qoty_f-iGvGPDLvqUXw4l3uK0b1zlIoBP4/s2048/myflag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjLmoHCebaihvfWc4gwFermiBIpe_9qR8PPSbMPczyoO5C8ahrS0FUy3L4QkUMBsr0mIif-3KZ5LFR-kpEjAWJEXKhJTlqYFj3Se7BiE0-Qoty_f-iGvGPDLvqUXw4l3uK0b1zlIoBP4/s320/myflag.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">For everyone who has served in the Armed Services, I’d like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You for your service.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Check out this website for Veterans discounts: <a href="https://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This Veterans Day is still a somber one for me. Hard to explain. I feel like there’s a lot of domestic conflict; homelessness, along with crime is on the rise. I wish there was something I could do help in these areas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">What is a Veteran? The primary definition is a person who has served in the Armed Forces. I was honored to serve in the U.S. Army from 1986-1997. I was a 95B, Military Police. I did my Basic and AIT at Ft. McClellan, AL which is now a closed base. Ft. McClellan closed in 1999. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years! It was home to the Chemical Corps. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I was in the service during Gulf War I (Operation Desert Storm), but did not get deployed. Serving in the military was tough, yet awesome. I spent 7 years overseas in Germany and I loved it. On leave, I would go to Garmish and Berchesgarten and Paris. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Who is a Veteran? Here’s a partial list of Presidents who are Veterans:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">George HW Bush<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jimmy Carter<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Gerald R. Ford<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Richard Nixon<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Lyndon B. Johnson<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">John F. Kennedy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Dwight D. Eisenhower<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Harry Truman<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Teddy Roosevelt<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">George W Bush and Ronald Reagan served in the National Guard and Reserves. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UYGqs72HjdYn4opNy1kQF_X66syIhDxHEbYMSHjdOQA0JLvtQZWWVS_pOUUhiAO-ttQwTWPZj_-tblhJijEGW_xl0yv6J6_bTWu_D3K53mZa3IaFKQIcDWwLBu36qG49uK973hBH_9M/s251/JFK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UYGqs72HjdYn4opNy1kQF_X66syIhDxHEbYMSHjdOQA0JLvtQZWWVS_pOUUhiAO-ttQwTWPZj_-tblhJijEGW_xl0yv6J6_bTWu_D3K53mZa3IaFKQIcDWwLBu36qG49uK973hBH_9M/s0/JFK.JPG" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">JFK<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I’m reading a book right now about JFK written by Fredrick Logevall. This book focuses on JFK’s early years, how he became a studious student with a focus on foreign policy. He grew up in New England and went to Choate and Harvard. When his father was Ambassador to England, he traveled in Europe before World War II, in 1937 and 1938, getting a feel for the vibe in Europe. He traveled through Nazi Germany. These experiences helped to shape his politics. He served in the US Navy and was a PT boat captain. While I don’t know much about his medical conditions, it’s said he had medical issues his whole life, to include back pain. JFK was honored to have served and proud to be a Veteran. He wasn’t perfect, but he served in the Armed Forces with pride. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Veterans History Project:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> https://www.loc.gov/vets/EagleScout.html<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">If you have an opportunity today, thank a vet. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Be All That You Can Be<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">U.S. Army <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> **********************</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p>JOURNEY OF THE HEART </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p>In my story, Journey of the Heart, James DiMera is a World War II veteran, looking for purpose. When he meets Rachel, who is struggling to save her family's winery, he embraces the challenge with every fiber of his being. Journey of the Heart is avail on Amazon as an ebook for 99 cents. </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFEpVDlqY-Kk2vk16HePa5yiPe28dSKDXJHFwE4k6uoF5QHRv3VkvoFLqbTgDj_w7v9G2T80QEC653BedbxHaNOhPFk1pKIXdVpiBCqytzmMjPwDFprxDYnPeUxjn-2ibPpJR8ts2ADY/s600/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFEpVDlqY-Kk2vk16HePa5yiPe28dSKDXJHFwE4k6uoF5QHRv3VkvoFLqbTgDj_w7v9G2T80QEC653BedbxHaNOhPFk1pKIXdVpiBCqytzmMjPwDFprxDYnPeUxjn-2ibPpJR8ts2ADY/s320/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1636600116&sr=8-1 <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Thank you for supporting my writing. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-75979691390253500542021-11-06T19:49:00.000-07:002021-11-06T19:49:10.884-07:00California Dreaming<p> Forgive. I'm a bit late with my California post. Just recently we went to Pismo Beach to check out the Clam Festival. It was the 75th Anniversary of the event. As I'm from New England, I ALWAYS enjoy a good Clam Chowder. :) </p><p>But first I'd like to share this verison of "California Dreaming" done by the School of Rock. The leader sing kinda reminds me of Mama Cass (Voice-Wise!!) as she gives a really heartfelt, honest vocal performance with power and grit. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GlG-vN8i9Qc" width="320" youtube-src-id="GlG-vN8i9Qc"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pismo Beach is so low key. The weather was really nice when we went. There was a real chill vibe, and I loved how the focus was on the clams. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG1IONzeGyQra40T4SwjG39Lh1NdxITTeBLHNQ0tRFfrQxPA9AEW3pKUe9t48j6naGN3E5CfKX8kwVnHFRsj3mtIqbu7bJfHYZ-2vg0iSORXNm_126bvE-8poKq0yscnpP9XP3qpn6TM/s2048/OCT2021PBsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG1IONzeGyQra40T4SwjG39Lh1NdxITTeBLHNQ0tRFfrQxPA9AEW3pKUe9t48j6naGN3E5CfKX8kwVnHFRsj3mtIqbu7bJfHYZ-2vg0iSORXNm_126bvE-8poKq0yscnpP9XP3qpn6TM/s320/OCT2021PBsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's nothing like the peace of the beach and the beautiful coastline to make one relax.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13xvVAmJ3nRkHwFYLDNJC9TLH5LZpMlu_KcOXmfD6o2EhSkUgX8QpksLkLx2j8xlVeGx2VPbE235HntF5zF4Cr8gSCGjsTndpizW1O4dPf42THKWpX2sty0QmdANYEIwWGc6OuN_EPXc/s2048/OCT2021PBBeach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13xvVAmJ3nRkHwFYLDNJC9TLH5LZpMlu_KcOXmfD6o2EhSkUgX8QpksLkLx2j8xlVeGx2VPbE235HntF5zF4Cr8gSCGjsTndpizW1O4dPf42THKWpX2sty0QmdANYEIwWGc6OuN_EPXc/s320/OCT2021PBBeach1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Clam chowder tasting was on the pier. A lot of local restaurants particpated in the challenge. I picked #10. For me, that was the most authentic to a New England style chowder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNF0xXQbQNUnhCVzzyRxDP6YEP0MyOknbEh3_SJ5Xw8TPYXMCCbEkuBbusvmOH8lyOWmqmWawn1H1aUiH4fZ1kNWPcNu8RMq0MWG6Ge5a6bkX6gScMFhdIxLPw1lClb3MIUVvTrsvaYs/s2048/OCT2021PBPier1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNF0xXQbQNUnhCVzzyRxDP6YEP0MyOknbEh3_SJ5Xw8TPYXMCCbEkuBbusvmOH8lyOWmqmWawn1H1aUiH4fZ1kNWPcNu8RMq0MWG6Ge5a6bkX6gScMFhdIxLPw1lClb3MIUVvTrsvaYs/s320/OCT2021PBPier1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the Beach has fun with it's Pismo Beach sign! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymjUlvghcdKg6i9B5xdouIam3ZuEMHZ-pkuMk8oOxeMKTFGA5GJ3d6a6-JmlIDNcKs9JOaGUG-LTJGnoNir3uGGxyhdnyaG6XtA4a1AkKRQeXBD6VL9OQtwfcRbjxwjtPzHsEmriUCA/s2048/OCT2021PBSign2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHymjUlvghcdKg6i9B5xdouIam3ZuEMHZ-pkuMk8oOxeMKTFGA5GJ3d6a6-JmlIDNcKs9JOaGUG-LTJGnoNir3uGGxyhdnyaG6XtA4a1AkKRQeXBD6VL9OQtwfcRbjxwjtPzHsEmriUCA/s320/OCT2021PBSign2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pismo Beach is great for surfers. Here are a couple trying to catch a few waves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VcDMb5RUfKuUMxC7_WRJf96ewYgYuACBUJzRI5oBd1VMYpQEtEYYQVolezTspEl1SXH8ynTJtVgQnJibUo9CNaWZYE8duREdl-h3i_xBq6xgMTqdtOKXbLGFkI3MH_CoKfg2C_Zkg74/s2048/OCT2021PBwaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VcDMb5RUfKuUMxC7_WRJf96ewYgYuACBUJzRI5oBd1VMYpQEtEYYQVolezTspEl1SXH8ynTJtVgQnJibUo9CNaWZYE8duREdl-h3i_xBq6xgMTqdtOKXbLGFkI3MH_CoKfg2C_Zkg74/s320/OCT2021PBwaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">California may have it's ups and downs, but one of the most beautiful places in the state, IMHO, is anywhere on the coast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*************</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">STORY PROMO: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My ebook, Journey of the Heart, is set in the California Wine Country after World War II. It's available with the Kindle Unlimited program. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaB69N5tHUUk0xh6CjibXVlfB78QWzXk2abctWETUv4jSj2uN4dz4CFleHqaziUOfY4afqPpnt7troPXO8CF-0S4j5jZPyKTaWNbdMs_6pdY_M5vs6USiAabHxTr5KM9XalcYHNrMmvM/s600/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaB69N5tHUUk0xh6CjibXVlfB78QWzXk2abctWETUv4jSj2uN4dz4CFleHqaziUOfY4afqPpnt7troPXO8CF-0S4j5jZPyKTaWNbdMs_6pdY_M5vs6USiAabHxTr5KM9XalcYHNrMmvM/s320/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>BLURB:<br /><div><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">James DiMera returns to his home in California after World War II, only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose. But after the loss of his dream, what can there be for him?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Rachel Santori's family winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he touches her lonely heart and soul with his kindness and the way comes to her aid. How long has it been since she had someone to depend on? Can James find a place of belonging in Rachel’s life? Can love mend both their weary hearts?</span></p><p>BUY LINK:https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Stephanie+Burkhart&qid=1636253141&sr=8-3</p></div></div>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-65116671712404608232021-10-31T17:34:00.003-07:002022-01-10T08:14:29.554-08:00Made in America - Act Mouthwash<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7DIM3jnsob6php48-d1fae-FiVGQZ_5Bo8tJCxcq3-MIHOc02eBswKEbeGj6nuJrm6sX0JaVyTGuy7MNRHCeZKksNrhgHAdUdBmbYXTZYe2oSSpq0Cp61mMqonoItKV5qaQ0G2v2rGQ/s1280/iu.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7DIM3jnsob6php48-d1fae-FiVGQZ_5Bo8tJCxcq3-MIHOc02eBswKEbeGj6nuJrm6sX0JaVyTGuy7MNRHCeZKksNrhgHAdUdBmbYXTZYe2oSSpq0Cp61mMqonoItKV5qaQ0G2v2rGQ/s320/iu.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />PRODUCT: ACT<o:p></o:p><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Website: <a href="https://www.actoralcare.com/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.actoralcare.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">WHAT IS IT: Mouthwash<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">WHERE IS IT MADE: A little harder to find out this info. There are 2 clues on the label. “Chattem, Inc.,” and “Sanofi.” Let’s do Chattem, Inc first:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">CHATTEM: American Address: </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">1715 W 38TH St<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>Chattanooga<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"></span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">, </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #222222;">TN<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> , </span>37409-1259<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>United States<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">If it's a well known cream, oil, paste, pill, or powder it's likely that Chattem owns that brand name. The </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">Sanofi</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"> subsidiary markets some two dozen over-the-counter branded personal care products and dietary supplements, including skin care and pain treatments such as Aspercreme, Cortizone-10, Icy Hot muscle pain reliever, and Pamprin menstrual symptom reliever. The company also makes the Unisom sleep aid, medicated powder Gold Bond, Bullfrog sunscreen, Mudd clay-based facial masks, and Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo. Chattem sells its products to wholesalers and retail merchandisers. The company was formed in 1879 as the Chattanooga Medicine Company.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202122;">The company produces two-thirds of its products at its Chattanooga production facilities with the remaining produced by third-party producers. </span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Interesting: Chattem took control of Act when J&J and Pfizer had a merger in 2007.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Sanofi, who owns Chattem (Sanofi is based in Paris, France) gave 5 million in lobbying money. It’s not even in the top 10 of drug companies that give money to lobbyists or candidates. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">I can’t find who (what lobbyists) got the money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">My thoughts: Though unable to confirm that Act Mouthwash is make in Tennessee, I believe it is due to my circumstantial evidence I’ve found. The other 2 big makers of mouthwash is “J&J” and “Proctor and Gamble.” (Listerine and Crest)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">My thoughts: I believe Act is made in America and I’m happy to support. Chattem also makes the following products:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Aspercreme, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Cortizone-10, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Icy Hot muscle pain reliever, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">and Pamprin menstrual symptom reliever. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Unisom sleep aid, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">medicated powder Gold Bond, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Bullfrog sunscreen, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Rolaids<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Balmex diaper rash cream<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">Allegra</span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif" style="color: #3d3b3b; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-11551326988867231932021-10-27T16:17:00.003-07:002021-10-27T16:17:58.189-07:00Promo: Night of Magic <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUE54nONeiISwxC6S_EfLkLgFyu-cbSFtW4TKxg7jMEY5tDbDak2yrGAh8lwskjuAgTsB42sKx6HULmV0eCtNqQn3on-gi9-5ihpKKFdayEGQEmQap2pY3q5ou4kTWtG8ntyBX4ebuR8/s320/Night+of+Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUE54nONeiISwxC6S_EfLkLgFyu-cbSFtW4TKxg7jMEY5tDbDak2yrGAh8lwskjuAgTsB42sKx6HULmV0eCtNqQn3on-gi9-5ihpKKFdayEGQEmQap2pY3q5ou4kTWtG8ntyBX4ebuR8/s0/Night+of+Magic.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>A great read in time for Samhain. <p></p><p>BLURB:<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">It's 800 A.D. on the Emerald Isle and Samhain is the darkest night of the year. Five years ago, Prince Jasper lost his daughter, Aithne, to the world on the other side of the bonfires. Every year since, Jasper sends champions to this other world on Samhain when the barrier is at his weakest. This year, Finn braves the bonfires in search of Aithne, but dare he follow his heart or will his greed dictate his actions?</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> EXCERPT: </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Darius, the pretty boy, motioned for Finn to proceed down the center aisle. "Queen Aithne will come out once you kneel before the throne."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Finn grunted. He felt like a lamb being led to a slaughter, but he complied anyway, driven by an instinctual feeling he couldn't explain. Servants stopped to stare as he walked past. Men at the tables quieted. Finn furrowed his brow. Aithne? Wasn't that the name of the prince's daughter?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He kept quiet, only drawing a breath to tamp down his rising anxiety. He never cared to be restricted. Giving up control and submitting to another's will made him uncomfortable. His parents lost their lives when they trusted the soldiers from the east who invaded their homes. Finn swore he'd never trust anyone so blindly after that – but he had. Reluctantly, he had put on the mask, allowed himself to be taken by Darius, and had his wrists bound, and he'd hardly protested. Why? He needed to find the prince's daughter, but a part of him hoped to find the woman of his visions, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Darius placed his hand on Finn's shoulder and pushed him ta his knees. Finn snarled his displeasure. Darius had a problem with him – but what?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The side door opened. A handmaiden stepped out. The sweet, sensual scent of lavender trailed after her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"Head down." Darius whispered into Finn's ear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Finn swore the first chance he had, he'd give Darius a taste of his fists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He felt the woman's presence in front of him before glancing up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"Darius, rise with our…guest." Her voice was low and commanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As Darius tugged Finn to his feet, Finn found himself gazing into seductive, soulful emerald eyes. The woman of his visions was real and right in front of him!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">She raked her gaze over him from head to toe, surveying his appearance before finding his face. She said nothing, only cocking her head a bit and smiling, revealing that amazing dimple. As their expressions fixed on each other, Finn sensed a heated and sensuous light pass between them. She licked her lips, and his pulse quickened. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Satisfied that he'd elicited a response from her, he looked her over. Right away Finn noticed that the queen was tall, standing over many of the men and soldiers in the room. She wore a small tiara made of gold, with a ruby seated in the middle. Her golden red hair flowed down her back in long, thick waves. She wore a silver gown with sleeves to her wrists. The fabric of the gown hugged the curves of her body. A leather belt fastened around her waist. His manhood thickened under his kilt. She was a fine woman. Finn noticed he was the only man in the room taller than her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"My father's sent a man who is finally brave enough to walk through the bonfires, Darius."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">REVIEW: 5 Stars, Amazon Review:</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">his is an excellent piece of paranormal romance. It shows vampires in a new light, one where the purity of emotional connection is more important than the blood shared. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction, parallel worlds, vampires or other paranormal lives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">BUY LINK:</span>https://www.amazon.com/Night-Magic-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07HJ79NRP/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1635376562&sr=8-6</p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-34366437551560786242021-10-24T18:13:00.001-07:002021-10-24T18:13:26.158-07:00Made in America <p> With rumminations of a shortage coming up, I thought I'd feature "Made in America" products. I'll be featuring Made in America products along with Mom and Pop American stores, 1 a week for you to consider. If you have any suggestions for a featured product, please drop me a line! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMe3QN6YYb8FRHEOGtN-ASXGi1gSi-BaPeRKCruTXkKdoMmt4IprFpz8iPtvOiAKcKO85UOiAtN8M5jPrE6yCXFNL3UVsKW1uXIvAZXEeYFN-X9__isI9fjxR98mWT8ImbiH0t-II160/s515/quilted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMe3QN6YYb8FRHEOGtN-ASXGi1gSi-BaPeRKCruTXkKdoMmt4IprFpz8iPtvOiAKcKO85UOiAtN8M5jPrE6yCXFNL3UVsKW1uXIvAZXEeYFN-X9__isI9fjxR98mWT8ImbiH0t-II160/s320/quilted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />PRODUCT: QUILTED NORTHERN<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">What is it: Toilet Paper<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Where is it made: Ft. Edward, New York (1 location I can find) by United Steel Workers Union 4-2.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Owned by: Georgia Pacific<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Address of Georgia Pacific: 133 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Georgia Pacific is owned by Koch Industries. Koch is a privately held multinational conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Follow the Money check:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Info gleaned from <a href="https://www.followthemoney.org/" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.followthemoney.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Supports a majority of conservative candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Money was given to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders but from individuals and not from the Organization. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Koch gave to the 2 “defeated” senators from Georgia, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Grants have been given to help fund public school robotics and reading programs, college scholarships, job training initiatives, equipment for local fire departments, conversation projects (Wisconsin’s Trees for Tomorrow) and educational programs for young, female and minority entrepreneurs. Grants have supported local chapters of charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity, United Way and the Salvation Army. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">They have a program called “Acts of Comfort” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="has-text-align-center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">The 10 Acts of Comfort</span></strong><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.comfortcases.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Comfort Cases</span></a>: Backpacks with comfort items for foster kids.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.afriendofmind.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">A Friend of Mind</span></a>: Offers free yoga and meditation services to youth to combat mental illness and eliminate mental health stigma.</span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.bowwowsandmeows.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Bow Wows & Meows</span></a>: Hospice nurse helps shelter animals get exposure and get adopted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.hautehealing.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Haute Healing Foundation</span></a>: Giving makeovers to chronically ill, homeless and disadvantaged youth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.everyoneon.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Everyone On</span></a>: Computers and Wi-Fi for families in need.</span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://veggielution.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Veggielution</span></a>: Volunteers cultivate and grow crops which are then donated to the hungry.</span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.onewarmcoat.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">One Warm Coat</span></a>: Provides free coats to any person in need (adults and children) through coat drives.</span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.formyblock.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">My Block, My Hood, My City</span></a>: Introduces teenagers to places in their own city they’ve never seen or experienced—showing them that their block should not be a boundary.</span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></span><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://etmonline.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Education Through Music</span></a>: Work with schools to implement music programs as part of the schools’ curriculum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(61, 59, 59); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"><a href="https://www.dannysfarm.org/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; text-decoration-skip: objects;"><span style="color: #79ae59; text-decoration: none;">Danny’s Farm</span></a>: Special animals for special kids with autism.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">My thoughts: I’m looking to buy Made in America products and I’m glad I found Quilted Northern. The TP is soft enough for me. I’m glad to support. As to where they spend their money, it’s mostly conservative candidates and I’m happy with that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">I recommend this product!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #3d3b3b; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-46291454524086573162020-09-06T17:10:00.000-07:002020-09-06T17:10:00.581-07:00What makes Labor Day 2020 Special? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlU85k1hgmSWaxWB_ZBamIq4bLKxl6K-BkrP-sIgy9a2iL2YHIvZVEMlU-PHq52gbAnuzn7Yu5OYfVOfvDPbrxZI07l6oQMRQEzn0RJnAujE9_BxhfBOLO5AEnArWnu6RFKkZafFVV_E/s2048/labordayflowers2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlU85k1hgmSWaxWB_ZBamIq4bLKxl6K-BkrP-sIgy9a2iL2YHIvZVEMlU-PHq52gbAnuzn7Yu5OYfVOfvDPbrxZI07l6oQMRQEzn0RJnAujE9_BxhfBOLO5AEnArWnu6RFKkZafFVV_E/s320/labordayflowers2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think we all enjoy having the first Monday of September off. It’s a nice break since the last holiday was the 4<sup>th</sup> of July. That’s a long span not to have a holiday. So, what’s Labor Day about?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It’s dedicated to the American worker and all they’ve done to strengthen the nation, help make America prosperous, and boost the overall well-being of the country. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">While the origins of the holiday are debated, what we do know is that one of the first Labor Days came about in the 1880’s out of New York City, and the intent was to celebrate with a picnic. By 1894, 23 states celebrated Labor Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first Labor Days involved a street parade with floats and exhibits that embodied the strength and Esprit de corps of the trade or labor unions. After the parades, there would be festivals, picnics, amusement to help entertain workers and their families. I, for one, enjoy a good autumn festival. Today there are “Highland Games” that take place in the fall, State Fairs, Apple festivals, etc… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Labor has contributed to the high standard of living in America, and the worker deserves to be acknowledged for their contributions. I think that’s the heart of the holiday that we shouldn’t forget. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Labor Unions were very important when they first formed. Labor Unions were formed in the private sector for manufacturing jobs. They helped establish fair practices. Labor Unions not only negotiated fair wages, but also for the 8 hour work day, and benefits from sick time to holiday pay. Labor unions helped to protect workers. They helped to do away with children laborers as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Labor Day is now approximately 125 years old. It’s still considered the unofficial end of summer, as schools usually back up after the holiday. But do unions do the same thing now in 2020 that they were conceived to do in the 1880’s? The times have changed since 1880’s and now. The Industrial revolution is over and now there’s a technical revolution. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">What makes a Union successful in 2020 is the ability to successfully negotiate contracts. There are public unions and private unions. Public service unions have grown while private ones have gotten smaller. Public unions focus on retaining good pay, good benefits and job security. Public sector unions also have a political influence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Private unions have declined due to the jobs market declining in certain jobs such as health care, restaurants, and hospitality as well as manufacturing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As for the holiday, I would love see America get back to basics with parades and festivals. (which would definitely be challenge in 2020 due to COVID) What makes the holiday special for me is the day off to relax and appreciate all the benefits I have due to the hard work of laborers before me. So, for Labor Day 2020, I’ll be BBQ in my backyard, share my Labor Day flowers with you all, and read a good book. I might even go shopping at Target. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> ******</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBgQJC_v-ozceDrJMKjEbjB46KYGICN4RfddKFNydGikD6xnF0PSGq7LE_lF9I-QwBXbh1G0lUlrmnMPoyznV2vAUBQwPgUHJSeqfsuZNFurUUmlbbKYfqCFlwlxTpbjn3c52ootpkJU/s2048/Stephanie+Burkhart_Young+Witchcraft_artist-Katrina+Gillian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBgQJC_v-ozceDrJMKjEbjB46KYGICN4RfddKFNydGikD6xnF0PSGq7LE_lF9I-QwBXbh1G0lUlrmnMPoyznV2vAUBQwPgUHJSeqfsuZNFurUUmlbbKYfqCFlwlxTpbjn3c52ootpkJU/s320/Stephanie+Burkhart_Young+Witchcraft_artist-Katrina+Gillian.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Check out my New Release, a Young Adult story: Young Witchcraft. </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia;">BLURB:</span></o:p></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Rachel’s secret would have Cotton Mather rolling over in his grave. She’s been raised from an early age to use magic for good, despite her temptation to cast a spell against Phil the bully who can’t stop teasing her.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Joe thinks Rachel is cool, especially when she weaves her healing magic on him, but he’s got his own problems. It’s not easy keeping Rachel safe from Phil’s constant threats.</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;" /><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">When Phil poisons Rachel, can love and a little young witchcraft bring Rachel and Joe together or have the years of Phil’s bullying ruined their relationship for good?</span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Amazon Link:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">https://www.amazon.com/Young-Witchcraft-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B08FVMD4LP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1599423645&sr=8-1</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">5 Star review for Young Witchcraft: <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111;">This book is a most engaging story of young people, with mystical powers. It is set in New England and the writing is rich in detail of the fall season in that area throughout the years. The descriptions transported me as a reader to a different place and time. Bullying is dealt with in a sensitive and straightforward manner. Anyone can be bullied, even a witch with all sorts of powers. The power of love and friendship is tested through the years as the main characters of Rachel and Joe find their way to life at college, which will test them in more ways then they know. I found the story was rich in environmental and historical description. Loyalty, friendship and doing the right thing are strong themes that are well portrayed throughout. I read it in one sitting, which is unusual for me these days. I would recommend it highly and can picture these characters vividly after reading.</span> </span></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-65260908558033033352020-08-25T09:56:00.001-07:002020-08-25T09:56:22.813-07:00Day Trip to Ventura (trying to stay cool)<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvZl0E6zFxPCItmWog7lPUgSM9v9bIhc00ct59_DBDUoEmUZD8ulNZ8maorpQEX0TcIqFCAsLsZvjkkdb6QUKHtdzofbEznmiRCYHNw_WsEP9kSSDCbCtvItQdggr7l5VsTJNeHmJBSU/s2048/beach6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvZl0E6zFxPCItmWog7lPUgSM9v9bIhc00ct59_DBDUoEmUZD8ulNZ8maorpQEX0TcIqFCAsLsZvjkkdb6QUKHtdzofbEznmiRCYHNw_WsEP9kSSDCbCtvItQdggr7l5VsTJNeHmJBSU/w328-h246/beach6.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> Last Saturday, the family had a day off. It was going to be hot in Santa Clarita, and Castaic Lake was closed (since it is the command post for the Lake Fire) and we needed to get out. We've been a good little family since COVID restrictions hit. We don't get out much, but there's not much to get out to. Here in So Cal, especially LA County, a lot of things are still closed. Nail Salons/Hair places can only operate outdoors. Restaurants can do take out or offer outdoors patio dining. (That's tough because it's HOT and not a lot of ppl want to eat outside in the searing heat) School are closed and are online ONLY. The Pac 12 is not playing fall sports which in include football, so no college football. Our typical day is: I go to work, do physical therapy, (on my knee, this is my last week) go home, eat dinner. Watch TV, do housework, read a book, go to bed. The boys go to school online, and hang out at the house. (The one plus is that Joey is signed up for a Volleyball clinic so we got out of the house last night) -- The bowling alley is closed. There's no boy scouts. Everyone wears a mask and even at work they preach social distancing. sigh... If anything, it's mentally draining. The amusement parks are closed. The only thing open is the beach.</p><p><br /></p><p>So last Saturday we said, let's get out of the house and go to the beach. The good thing about the beach is that it's usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the searing heat of Santa Clarita. </p><p><br /></p><p>It was nice because it was off the cuff and nothing was planned. We just went with the flow. We left around noon and our first stop was the Outlet Malls in Camarillo. As we cruised through Ventura, we discovered a rally on the corner of a park. People were wearing red, white, and blue, waving flags. There were two banners -- back the blue and Trump. It was heartwarming to see since I'm a 911 dispatcher and a veteran. </p><p><br /></p><p>The Outlet Malls were packed. Some stores had waiting lines outside of the establishment so as to mind social distancing. We found some athletic shorts that my son liked and then it was off to the local seafood place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y-NxasU9qxEskO6MA5lzXS6QsGynerlRR5zklKR1NfAB9RzTmyiwi3Udch7ZF1EfBTTrNYWlM-1xGKG-UfQ03MXeYriM7Qo4X8vbFVBKQp3tnN_uGvpQWXO7zd69aYM8b38l5LPhHSc/s2048/beach4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Y-NxasU9qxEskO6MA5lzXS6QsGynerlRR5zklKR1NfAB9RzTmyiwi3Udch7ZF1EfBTTrNYWlM-1xGKG-UfQ03MXeYriM7Qo4X8vbFVBKQp3tnN_uGvpQWXO7zd69aYM8b38l5LPhHSc/w410-h307/beach4.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p>The local seafood place is in the Ventura Harbor and it's called Andria's. The fish there is very fresh. I split the meal with my husband. We had a mixed platter with beer battered fish, calamari, scallops, and shrimp. Yummy. My fussy son got chicken nuggets and fries from a place close by. The temp was 82 but it was humid so it felt hot. We ate outdoors, so it was a tad hot for us (but not as hot as it would have been in Santa Clarita!!) Afterwords we crossed the street and put our foot in the water. On the beach, it felt much cooler. </p><p><br /></p><p>I love the water. I'd love to live in Ventura (or Catalina Island) when I get old and retire, but it probably won't happen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAoIVbWx0Yo4Q_kbuslMt3q_X9MSdPM1Qi5BD7WUQcWwYeE_FMFjnrmJc2yxdF-7-VuAx3RpXQ2nL_RAZtMVGIw4HfWX7-inIGzXm8bMHUTqaHSGZ5BCPzSWE0u_VgcUgTyRI2gb4khs/s2048/beach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAoIVbWx0Yo4Q_kbuslMt3q_X9MSdPM1Qi5BD7WUQcWwYeE_FMFjnrmJc2yxdF-7-VuAx3RpXQ2nL_RAZtMVGIw4HfWX7-inIGzXm8bMHUTqaHSGZ5BCPzSWE0u_VgcUgTyRI2gb4khs/w410-h307/beach2.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Next we go, we'll plan a tad better and be a bit more organized, but not bad for a spur of the moment pack up and go. </p><p><br /></p><p>I'd love to hear what you do to stay cool or what stuff is open in your part of the USA.</p><p><br /></p><p>Have a good one</p><p>Steph</p><p><br /></p><p>Check out my story, Mr. Christmas Elf. Can Elvis the Christmas Elf help Jules salvage Christmas? Avail on Amazon in the Kindle Store for 99 cents. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WYKXqd3wgaDTA_JRfXPJr85GtYb2Y3S-w7WRst5w-5OEmAVJAI1dqIblO1J4qYuMjRj2EVk3MOmgufX3kDHd-cBxHHms4f7AvGcvvvJWN23Xco_lN597o32PHI-ZDSTNO-SdFcmKKk8/s240/91SWOirQUSL.SR160%252C240_BG243%252C243%252C243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WYKXqd3wgaDTA_JRfXPJr85GtYb2Y3S-w7WRst5w-5OEmAVJAI1dqIblO1J4qYuMjRj2EVk3MOmgufX3kDHd-cBxHHms4f7AvGcvvvJWN23Xco_lN597o32PHI-ZDSTNO-SdFcmKKk8/s0/91SWOirQUSL.SR160%252C240_BG243%252C243%252C243.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Christmas-Elf-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07K6QT51S/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1598367926&sr=8-3">https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Christmas-Elf-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07K6QT51S/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1598367926&sr=8-3</a></p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-8741081888212394482020-08-11T12:48:00.001-07:002020-08-11T12:48:34.586-07:00I Wish I was a Genealogist <p>I wish I was a genealogist. Why? Because then I would have answers to my past that would help me explain the following photo:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPziTES7E2Ib_13ySmaQsdNOy1AWWJ1mSCeYJuaIAxFMsABFc-MZyHMLEoGrwqmEnnrSf7hkJhjDBD8MomVpw-8uj7Wa-cBr6wvhuOf2r-uvVwCWLzJF_Jd0spbRQ_F8UVn1USSXH1ECM/s906/MCDriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPziTES7E2Ib_13ySmaQsdNOy1AWWJ1mSCeYJuaIAxFMsABFc-MZyHMLEoGrwqmEnnrSf7hkJhjDBD8MomVpw-8uj7Wa-cBr6wvhuOf2r-uvVwCWLzJF_Jd0spbRQ_F8UVn1USSXH1ECM/s640/MCDriver.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Dispatch Riders (or Despatch Riders) were used by the British in World War I and World War II as messengers to deliver urgent orders or communications from headquarters to field units.</p><p><br /></p><p>In World War II when men were in field units, the British used WRENS as Dispatch Riders. WREN stands for Women's Royal Navy Service (WRNS) . As men were out to war, the service drafted women to be dispatch riders with the important mission of delivering orders/communications. They worked in all kinds of conditions from the Blitz to bad weather.</p><p><br /></p><p>The women who were initially selected needed to have knowledge of motorcycles, how to ride one, and how to provide maintenance on a motorcycle. They were usually well known competition drivers from local racing circuits. As the war grew on, they selected untrained women and would train them up. </p><p><br /></p><p>Their work during the Battle of Britain was praised since traveling during those conditions where dicey to say the least. </p><p><br /></p><p>The bike this dispatch rider is on is a BSA 250cc, which is a common bike of the time. The photo is dated 10 May 1941. An article about the dispatch riders that share some information on their background and heroism can be found here: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/female-dispatch-motorcycle-riders-world-war-ii/</p><p><br /></p><p>Why do I wish a genealogist? Because the women on the bike looks just like me. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEX-wI3SsH5jZZYD1szztRBgkQFMEIJB5yJHUuAPARe9q8bBlH8afBzccSvf8LkvAlJ3lU2aZCJl-AKZ6Zm9F43wXMDmPGc0omMqbJIHs_lnNOfI3ELz7BRf9HdvUjerXzkN49zoW0UE/s516/steph7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEX-wI3SsH5jZZYD1szztRBgkQFMEIJB5yJHUuAPARe9q8bBlH8afBzccSvf8LkvAlJ3lU2aZCJl-AKZ6Zm9F43wXMDmPGc0omMqbJIHs_lnNOfI3ELz7BRf9HdvUjerXzkN49zoW0UE/s0/steph7.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I'm a tad older in this picture, in my 30's, but you can see the resemblance. When I saw this picture I was stunned.</p><p><br /></p><p>A co-worker found it on a Pinterest board and shared it with me. We were both floored. I was able to find out a date on photo, the type of bike, and from what's she's wearing, determined she was a British dispatch rider, but that's it. </p><p><br /></p><p>I want to know more!!</p><p><br /></p><p>I did 23andMe about a year and half ago and found out some interesting things about my genes. </p><p><br /></p><p>I'm 44% Eastern European from Poland and Ukraine. Not surprised. My mother's family came from those areas. From what I've been able to find out, My maternal grandmother's parents, Michael and Petronella (from Ukraine) left in 1913 to come to America so Michael wouldn't be drafted into the Russian army (World War 1) . They settled in Massachusetts and my grandmother settled in Hinsdale, NH with her Polish husband. I don't know his story at all, but would interested to learn it.</p><p><br /></p><p>My father's side has a rich Canadian history that can be traced back to the "Daughters of the King" (Fille Du Roi) where Louis XIV (14th), wanting to increase the French population in Canada, sent approximately 800 young women with dowries he provided them to Canada to find a man and start a family between 1663-1673. According to 23andMe, I am 15% French/German. (Interesting side note, according to 23andMe, my German comes from Nord Rhine Westphila -- the area where I was stationed when I was in the US Army 86-88.). My French comes Normandie. </p><p><br /></p><p>I'm 15% British/Irish. </p><p><br /></p><p>When I was little girl, I once asked my Granny (my father's mother) where she was from. She said, "I don't know. I'm a mutt, I'm little from here and there." Me: Are you Irish? (because St. Patrick's Day was around the corner and I wanted to wear green.) Granny: Maybe a little, I don't know.</p><p><br /></p><p>Come to find out, Granny was a lot more Irish -- and British -- than she thought!! </p><p><br /></p><p>23andMe says I'm from all over Britain, but the big "hit" is in the London area. I'm 2-3 generations removed according to them, which sounds about right if one of Granny's parents (or both) had British roots. </p><p><br /></p><p>I would love to know the woman's name in the picture. Where is she? Is she in London? Who are her family? Is she a cousin of mine? Why does this woman in the picture look remarkably like me?</p><p><br /></p><p>Ah... it's something only history -- and a genealogist can tell me. </p><p><br /></p><p>Check out my .99 cents story, Journey of the Heart, now available on Amazon . In the aftermath of Word War II, can James help Rachel save her winery? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j9QwqHadnb7vGJJWWJEqSc2UXZ9vWqNO0u1v3sBne1vEbk8ffXLdHyreEpnueYPD83TVSJDUDg7yGT-wtaLrQO1VTtr-PKAjQVV8pjFzn7z9vhiJeLF5juPAjAfxoDri-Zqdt-QqsLk/s600/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j9QwqHadnb7vGJJWWJEqSc2UXZ9vWqNO0u1v3sBne1vEbk8ffXLdHyreEpnueYPD83TVSJDUDg7yGT-wtaLrQO1VTtr-PKAjQVV8pjFzn7z9vhiJeLF5juPAjAfxoDri-Zqdt-QqsLk/s0/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" /></a></div><p>Link to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Stephanie+burkhart&qid=1597163547&sr=8-1</p>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-60269865928017828922020-07-19T12:35:00.000-07:002020-07-19T12:35:52.445-07:00Living Life in July -- it's all about Costco <div align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333015441895px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="norm"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCDOL9kUGCYREYRLBfquuLqRHz0O-ZlN5Slqb2DwFD0wWW45dt7m1ZtfOe5JQcW4Y3xzDoq4e1t4vPd40GfFOBSvpn4a2LNyzl8vrwdEZ3PLLudZ51bbFYBMEW9QUSovfceboQ5mzzKk/s300/costco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCDOL9kUGCYREYRLBfquuLqRHz0O-ZlN5Slqb2DwFD0wWW45dt7m1ZtfOe5JQcW4Y3xzDoq4e1t4vPd40GfFOBSvpn4a2LNyzl8vrwdEZ3PLLudZ51bbFYBMEW9QUSovfceboQ5mzzKk/s0/costco.jpg" /></a></div><font face="georgia"><br /><br />It's a been a busy week in July for me, so I thought I'd jump right in with a visit to Costco! <br /><br /><br />COSTCO<br />I get paid every 2 weeks on Wednesday. Payday! I LOVE <span style="vertical-align: text-top;"><img alt="*Heart*" border="0" class="emoteZ" height="15" loading="lazy" src="https://images.writing.com/imgs/writing.com/writers/e15/heart.png" style="vertical-align: text-top;" title="Heart" width="15" /></span> payday! So every payday I go to Costco. They got everything you need in bulk. Shopping patterns have changed a bit. When the boys were young-lings, I bought diapers. Now, I need a meat aka steak, water, paper towels and toilet paper. I am MYSTIFIED at how they sell out of toilet paper and paper towels every day. How does that happen? And then don't get me going on Lysol and Wipes. I can't find them at Costco. I can find Wipes at Smart N Final and I have to pay my co-worker to get Lysol aka like the black market or the Hob in District 12. I guess I should troll Amazon more often for the Lysol. I just saw that I can get a 2 pack for 33.00 and have it delivered by 28 JUL. haha. HOWEVER, I just broke down and bought a portable UV light off of Amazon. It's suppose to arrive today when I get home. <br /><br />I like to troll the book section in Costco because you can always find a gem there. And I like to get my work jeans there. They sell Gloria Vanderbilt pants there which I find fit me well. I like the shrimp packs, and the vitamins section. They have good dips there, too. I like to get my raspberries there, too. <br /><br />Of course, I'm a sucker for free samples which</font><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="norm"><font face="georgia">I</font></td></tr></tbody></table><font face="georgia"> have been lacking thanks to COVID. <br /><br />And we've gotten some nice TVs and printers from there. <br /><br />I pay for the Executive Membership because I usually buy enough through the year to pay itself off. <br /><br />Any Costco fans out there? What do you like to buy at Costco?<br /><br />WRITING<br />I was able to update one of my short stories, "Young Witchcraft," which I'm thankful, for. Since I have extra time since I'm not scouting. I'm hoping to update my writing. I'm trying to find a home for a couple of stories/novels that lost homes when Victory Tales Press and Desert Breeze went out of business. My progress has been slow since I've got a bunch of other stuff to do, but it's nice to find time here and there to work on it. <br /><br />THE HOUSE & THE LATEST HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT <br />The other "big" thing I did this week was coordinate with All Bright Painting to get the exterior of our house painted. We've owned our house for 20 years and it's time. The paint job is looking a little haggard. A lot of other houses in the neighborhood have painted and they look fresh. We look old. So... we got our estimate (5995.00) and saw the color lady who updated our colors and took the "pink" out of the paint. Not sure what happens next. I'll sure I'll find out next week. But it is exciting to think the house will look fresh again. We got an estimate to stain our patio cover which was 6700.00 (more than to paint the house!!) so Mr. Bee decided to do it himself. Him and big boy Bee are sanding today. <br /><br />Well, that's my week. How was yours? <br /><br />****<br /><br />Check out my summer romance, "Journey of the Heart:" <br /><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkXbjHa7dYKtW3I3wnqQNhR9724pwPDD56UKPGvM8Ck5xsMZjKnFkWSMWIAN_WJ1TmCM2z70KuMscKVTKUq8QNueRUcL2PnuajZWPsBCJsoXspqzDc_KKSSFbEnEhZiSaXYniUmp2e7o/s600/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkXbjHa7dYKtW3I3wnqQNhR9724pwPDD56UKPGvM8Ck5xsMZjKnFkWSMWIAN_WJ1TmCM2z70KuMscKVTKUq8QNueRUcL2PnuajZWPsBCJsoXspqzDc_KKSSFbEnEhZiSaXYniUmp2e7o/s320/Journey+of+the+Heart+SBurkhart+Web.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia">James returns to his home in California after World War II only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia">Rachel Santori's winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he penetrates her soul with his long, lonely looks. Can James find a sense of belonging at Rachel's winery? Can love mend both their weary hearts? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia">EXCERPT:</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">The bells over the door jingled as a customer left. A young woman in her early twenties walked in escorted by an elderly gentleman dressed in brown slacks, a white shirt, suspenders, and a polka dot bowtie. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">She glanced at James, her eyes widening a little, and a spark passed between them. Slender and tanned, the lady possessed a mane of thick ebony hair and soft moss green eyes that pierced his heart. She had high, exotic cheekbones, yet worry etched the lines of her face. Had she known hardship recently?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">She approached the older man behind the counter, her stride resonating with purpose, her expression full of determination. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Good day, Mr. Smith."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Miss Rachel. How are you today?" He folded his hands in front of him, offering her a smile. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"I have a business proposal for you."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Go ahead."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">The elderly man remained at her side. James walked toward the counter, his sandwich and soda in hand. Something in his gut told him she needed help – really needed it. The sound of her voice? The way she avoided the man's question? The hint of desperation in her expressive eyes? He wasn't sure. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"I'd like to sell you three cases of my best wine."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">He raised a bushy eyebrow. "The 1928 Chardonnay?"<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Yes."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Why, I shared a bottle with your father before he died. He was very proud of that vintage – wanted to save it for special occasions."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"The harvest is coming and I need to be able to pay my workers."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">James slowly inched closer, listening intently.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"I can offer you five hundred dollars."<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">"Now, now, Mr. Smith." The elderly gentleman tapped his gnarled finger on the counter. "You know the wine is worth much more than that. Five hundred is not a fair price."</font><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">Journey of the Heart is part of the Kindle Unlimited program. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="georgia">Amazon Link: </font><span style="font-size: 13.333333015441895px;"><font face="georgia">https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Stephanie+burkhart&qid=1595187253&sr=8-1</font></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-39119516574845921192020-05-31T05:30:00.000-07:002020-05-31T05:30:07.751-07:00Congrats to Space X!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In 1972, I was four years old, but I think that’s where my love of space began. I want to say I vaguely remember seeing/hearing about the Apollo missions – going to the moon!! How was that possible? We went to the moon!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the time, I didn’t realize Apollo 17, which launched in DEC 1972 would be the last time we went to the moon. I just remember images – the lunar rover, the men in suits, the rocks. I also remember the feeling – awe. I just sat in front of the TV mesmerized. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I remember going to the library and signing out a ton of books about space. Of course, my favorite books were about the planets. I love science fiction. Star Trek was one of my favorite shows. I loved Spock!! I’m not really sure why I love all things “space,” maybe because it taps into the ultimate imagination gene. You can imagine anything about space. You can explore like Star Trek, you can fight, like Star Wars, or you can let your creativity grow by taking pictures of the planets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I remember where I was when the first manned Space Shuttle flight took off. I was in my 7<sup>th</sup> grade science class. It was 12 April 1981. My teacher brought in a TV and we watched the flight live. I was the geek mesmerized by the TV. So, when I went to high school it was only natural I took all the Astronomy classes they had to offer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My Astronomy teacher was a great guy. He took me to Boston to see Carl Sagan lecture. It was all about the night sky in high school, telescopes and freeing the imagination. There were more than the planets. My teacher, Robert Veilleux, was one of the 114 semi finalists selected for the Teachers in Space program in 1985. When Christa McAuliffe was selected, my high school (Central High, Manchester NH) was electrified. I still cry to this day when I think of the Space Shuttle Challenger. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think going to space is important because it stimulates, the mind, the imagination, the creativity, and ambition of everyone involved. It challenges us to think outside of the box to solve problems to go to places that are near impossible. I was so bummed to hear the last Shuttle mission was in 2011. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then came Elon Musk and Space X. And I was excited about Space again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Space X is something special. It’s a civilian business, not a government run one. Space X was founded in 2002 and most of its facilities are in southern California. It received a permit in 2014 to build a 4<sup>th</sup> launch site (commercial only) in Brownsville, Texas. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Falcon 9 is a medium lift rocket which is reusable. So are the Dragon capsules. It’s the reusability factor which allows Space X to be competitive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m so excited about today’s launch. America is back in space and it feels right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Question for you: What’s your first memory of America and space?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her story, “First Flag of New Hampshire” takes the reader on a journey with Aly and Miguel to find the missing flag. It’s available through 4RV Publishing. You can also find it on Amazon in paperback and as an ebook. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>BUY LINK:https://www.amazon.com/First-Flag-Hampshire-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B00UW2R71Q/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=Stephanie+burkhart&qid=1590889293&sr=8-9</o:p></div>
Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-41315222077158400102020-05-25T05:00:00.000-07:002020-05-25T05:00:15.932-07:00Honoring Memorial Day during a Pandemic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Memorial Day Thoughts for 2020<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">A lot of citizens think of Memorial Day as the informal start to the summer. They make plans to visit the beach, the lake, and plan an awesome BBQ meal. As a veteran, Memorial Day holds a more solemn meaning in my heart, and this year we’re all challenged to find the appropriate way to celebrate while social distancing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">BEHIND THE DAY: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Memorial Day was known as Dedication Day and born out of the ashes of the Civil War. Waterloo, New York is considered the birthplace of the holiday. In 1866, several citizens got together and decorated the graves of the Civil War dead with flowers and flags. They also honored their war dead with a moment of silence. Soon after, parades became a staple of the holiday. It’s also a tradition to lower the flag to half-staff to honor the war dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> After World War I, these traditions expanded to include all of the war dead from all wars. I tried to do some research on the 1919 Memorial Day (then known as Dedication Day) while the Spanish Flu was ravaging the world, but my research was spotty. Several towns continued to hold their Decoration Day parades to honor their war dead and veterans. The Ironton Lawrence County parade was held that year (as reported in the Daily Dispatch out of Huntington WV). There were 2,400 people in attendance and “full honor was paid to the soldier boys, living and dead…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson changed the name from Decoration Day to Memorial Day and it was finally recognized as a federal holiday in 1971. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe's Cub Scout Pack, Joe is the last one on the right</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">BRINGING IT HOME/MODERN DAY PERSPECTIVE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Both my boys have been active in the Scouts BSA program. Since 2007, when my oldest was a tiger cub, his Cub Scout Pack would coordinate with the local cemetery to place flags on the graves of veterans to honor Memorial Day. They’d get dressed up in their scouting uniforms and place the flags with their adult leaders assisting. I thought it was a great way to not only teach, but honor those who had served their county.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">This year Scouts BSA is unable to hold such an event due to the pandemic involving COVID 19. So what can we do to honor the holiday in 2020? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">I have to work half the day, but before I go to work, I’m planning on flying my flag and I’m going to get a plant from Home Depot. I’ll be planting my plant in the front yard when I get home after I change into an Old Navy flag shirt, flying my flag, and offering a moment silence at my house in honor of my Uncle Harold who fought in World War II before I start my BBQ. Uncle Harold recently passed away in Massachusetts, so while I can’t be there, I hope to hold him close to my heart here in California. I’ll have my boys help me plant my plant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">If you have a loved one you’d like to honor at a nearby cemetery, I might suggest reaching out to the cemetery and finding out what their guidance is; will they allow you to visit? Decorate a grave with flowers or a flag? If not, maybe set aside in your yard or a use a planter to plant a small plant/flower and place a flag. You could put it on your balcony. YouTube is a great source to find out more information about the holiday or even pull up an old parade. And when you’re ready to BBQ in your backyard, maybe you could play some patriotic songs? Suggestions, only. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Here’s a fun video geared for younger kids about Memorial Day: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJApBnLcAo" style="color: #954f72;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJApBnLcAo</a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Question for you: How do you plan to celebrate Memorial Day? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;">Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her story, "First Flag of New Hampshire," is available in paperback and as an ebook on Amazon. Can Aly and Miguel find the missing flag for their history assignment? </span></div>
Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-19004253872711064032020-05-24T05:00:00.000-07:002020-05-24T05:00:03.224-07:00An American Hero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Post #2 of Memorial Day Weekend 2020<o:p></o:p></div>
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Losing a loved one while they are in the military on active duty can be heartbreaking. And it was heartbreaking for the thousands of civilians who lost loved ones in the Civil War. One of the ways to find comfort is to lay flowers or flags on the graves of those who gave their life in service to this country. The citizens of Waterloo, NY in 1866 are generally credited for the beginning of a tradition that eventually led to Memorial Day. Wanting to honor their Civil War dead, they decorated those graves with flowers, flags, and offered a moment of silence. Originally known as “Decoration Day,” the name was changed to Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. Nowadays, Memorial Day doesn’t just honor those who gave their lives in the Civil War, but in all the wars that the United States has been involved in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So much has been written about World War II, but I didn’t know very many personal stories. I knew my Grandpa had been in the war, but honestly, I don’t know his story. He passed away when I was 15 and I never really got to ask him about it. My husband’s grandfather was in the Navy in the Pacific. I always knew my Uncle Harold had been in the war, but I don’t remember him really telling me tales about his experiences. I remember when I visited him in 1991 with my husband, we brought an old WW II map we found in the basement of the Bad Hersfeld police station and he appreciated it. He told us some of the places he went to, but he didn’t tell me any real stories. If he did, it’s my fault I don’t remember them. I do remember he was proud of my service in my military. It was unspoken. It was his knowing smile, his questions, and his curiosity about what Germany was like that communicated his approval to me. (I was stationed in Germany from 1986-88 and 1989-1992, 40 years after he left.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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My Uncle Harold was drafted into the Army National Guard in 1942 and in February 1944 he was sent to Britain. He landed on Omaha Beach on 10 June 1944. He was an Engineer (30<sup>th</sup> Infantry Division, 105<sup>th</sup>Combat Engineers) and an expert on the Browning 50 Cal machine gun. His troop was involved in the Battle of Bulge and his unit was one of the first ones to enter Holland and Belgium. He liberated two or three concentration camps to include Buchenwald. My husband and I visited Buchenwald in 1990, 45 years after he liberated it! He was 22 years old in World War II. Shortly after arriving on Omaha Beach, he broke down, but pushed past his fear. Once he was battle hardened he said, “As time goes on, you get to be a zombie. You’ve had no sleep, you’re tired, and things don’t worry you as much as they did at the start.” </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harold Williams</td></tr>
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For his heroic actions, Uncle Harold was awarded the Legion of Honor from the French Government at the age of 91 in 2013. I wish I had been there to see that. He passed away in July 2018. On Memorial Day this year, I’m going to place my flag on my house and honor him with a moment of silence before I go to work, because even now that I’m no longer in the military, his courage and bravery still inspire me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher with LAPD. She served in the US Army from 1986-1997. Her Uncle Harold served from 1942-1945. She is a Children’s book author published with 4RV Publishing. Her book, “First Flag of New Hampshire” is available in Kindle and as a paperback from 4RV Publishing. </div>
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Check out the video for the book here: </div>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIyKiMxpdU8&t=4s<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-10132117313058549252020-05-23T08:54:00.000-07:002020-05-23T08:54:33.214-07:00Memorial Day Weekend 2020: Book Review for Killing England <div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Blogger's Note: It's time to restart my Blog! I know it's been a while and I apologize. I've been very busy with my job (911 dispatcher for LAPD) and dedicating my spare time to assisting my sons' Boy Scout troop as an adult leader. But 2020 is a time of change and I can now, slowly, start to dedicate some of spare time to my writing and my own projects. My oldest son is graduating high school and is an Eagle Scout. My younger son is moving onto high school from middle school. Both did well with their distance learning challenges. </div>
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Thoughts on COVID 19: I think I would be neglectful if I didn't mention that "Safer at home" orders and COVID 19 have effected us and our communities this year. We are just now starting to reopen our communities as the curve has flattened. It's been a challenging time for us. Thank you for picking my blog up, after months of neglect and giving me a chance. Going forward, I'll be sharing some of my COVID frustration, my highs and my lows, and sharing ideas to keep it positive going forward. </div>
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As I've picked Memorial Day weekend to jump start my blog, this weekend's focus will have a military focus. Today, I'm sharing my book review for "Killing England" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. I hope to have a new Memorial Day essay for you soon and a look a military hero. </div>
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I'd like to rededicate my blog to my writing (so you'll see little blurbs about my books and writing projects), what's going on in my spare time, my likes, my dislikes, my weight loss journey, my thoughts on the year 2020, exploring my neighborhood, and maybe work, but let me tell you, being a 911 dispatcher is not that exciting. At least, I don't think so. I think to be a 911 dispatcher, you have to be a "jack of all trades" and I'll find that a re-occuring theme going forward. </div>
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For all those who have lost family members to military service, from World War II to our time in Afghanistan and Iraq, my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Book Review: Killing England</div>
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Written by: Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard<o:p></o:p></div>
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Published by: Henry Holt/Macmillian<o:p></o:p></div>
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ISBN: 978-1-62779-0642<o:p></o:p></div>
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I read: The hardback<o:p></o:p></div>
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5 Stars<o:p></o:p></div>
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O’Reilly and Dugard pen a comprehensive tale of hardship, perseverance, and determination with “Killing England.” The revolution set America on its own course, that’s unfortunately, given a dry treatment in the US History books. Not so with O’Reilly and Dugard. Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson come alive as real people, their flaws exposed and raw; their strengths – amazing and almost superhuman. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the main causes of the American Revolution is “taxation without representation,” yet it’s made clear the Americans are subjects to the British, meant to support the elite, and that won’t do. O’Reilly and Dugard give the events that led up to the start of the war a fresh look with anecdotes that have been lost to time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and other key figures such as George III, Cornwallis, Marquis de La Fayette and Prussian general Von Stuben are portrayed as real people. Their personalities shine and give rise to the birth of a nation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The writing is easy to read. The reader will learn a lot about the American Revolution including how the battles were fought, Washington’s courage, Franklin’s patience, and Jefferson’s loyalty. There’s always a new fascinating, historical tidbit to discover. “Killing England” is a griping read that will have the reader turning the pages to discover yet another historical nugget lost to time. It’s raw, it’s surprising, it’s gritty, it’s war. And O’Reilly and Dugard hold no punches. I highly recommend this book. <o:p></o:p></div>
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****</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD0wrDPx4hRnaWaK0iyNENEEW670ucl_GC3qxd93yvWk__GfSzXgwVMUaDsPJPzuw-v3NJZgNDgFuj2tUC-CcDiQdldd0e85x3WzkdgYSO1EP_qJJs-ouY0ymi4HYNdIsAZ77hwrPT18/s1600/FirstFlag-cover+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD0wrDPx4hRnaWaK0iyNENEEW670ucl_GC3qxd93yvWk__GfSzXgwVMUaDsPJPzuw-v3NJZgNDgFuj2tUC-CcDiQdldd0e85x3WzkdgYSO1EP_qJJs-ouY0ymi4HYNdIsAZ77hwrPT18/s320/FirstFlag-cover+.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It’s the start of the school year, and Alyssa has to take American Studies for college prep. She’s paired with classmate Miguel De Soto to find the first flag of New Hampshire, but the flag has only flown four times in New Hampshire’s past. Can Alyssa and Miguel track the flag through history before time is up?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First Flag of New Hampshire is available from 4RV Publishing on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the 4RV Publishing website as a paperback and Kindle book. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">4RV: </span></span></span></div>
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http://4rvpublishing.com/brown-and-burkhart.php</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Amazon Link:</span></span></span></div>
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https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00UW2R71Q&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_xzuYEbZEW7DYT</div>
Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-65344519333893142982018-11-28T12:14:00.000-08:002018-11-28T12:14:00.398-08:00New Release! Mr. Christmas Elf : Sweet Contemporary Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLmHL24XJlDQD2oLTCT59zFu1nzZKkUdKfmWyb_yhodmf4UHKxVL_3IXv3s5ZNjXj-XINyZ0oemJo4uJlAxQbswBUqGNnYYiGuGAh81t3ZJPTTW-r7Ug05lYCUvDxdg2CqN_fsz599Os/s1600/Mr+Christmas+Elf+SBurkhart+1+++web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLmHL24XJlDQD2oLTCT59zFu1nzZKkUdKfmWyb_yhodmf4UHKxVL_3IXv3s5ZNjXj-XINyZ0oemJo4uJlAxQbswBUqGNnYYiGuGAh81t3ZJPTTW-r7Ug05lYCUvDxdg2CqN_fsz599Os/s320/Mr+Christmas+Elf+SBurkhart+1+++web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Christmas is on the way, but Jules isn’t in the mood this year. She and her dad are barely making ends meet, and with extra bills piling up, how can they afford Christmas? Jules needs a new muffler for her car, and school tuition is looming—but the peppermint on top? Her boyfriend has just dumped her in a text message! </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When her boss at the coffee shop insists that all employees must write a letter to Santa and post it on the window, Jules decides to be painfully honest about what she needs—but is there any hope she will get it? </span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><br style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">When Elvis, a handsome hunk, shows up to visit with her about her car muffler, she begins to have an inkling of hope that this Christmas will be one to remember, after all. Claiming to be one of Santa’s elves, Elvis tells her all the magic the Christmas season has to offer can be hers, if she only believes. Is that too much to ask for?</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><i>EXCERPT</i></b></span><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"></span><br />
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"Come on, Jules, write your Christmas list, or I'll dock your pay another thirty minutes." <o:p></o:p></div>
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"Why do you have to bully me, Joe? It's a depressing list."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"It's Christmas, and no one disappoints my Sally on Christmas."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yeah, I'd feel bad if I let Sally down, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I wrote: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1gaALoawQz-vije-aGMD5VPjFm051hjoGLKAeUTYg4LDAMUpAKaf7U5Pj-Vmsl96O6_UWxkXDyXkt6-lfr63dtkVH45YXSxoRAh6xpr0vUCfWJCeXNGyNrGTAwUUqOqhO4M_SdmXB54/s1600/santa+list+jules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #6699cc; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="608" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1gaALoawQz-vije-aGMD5VPjFm051hjoGLKAeUTYg4LDAMUpAKaf7U5Pj-Vmsl96O6_UWxkXDyXkt6-lfr63dtkVH45YXSxoRAh6xpr0vUCfWJCeXNGyNrGTAwUUqOqhO4M_SdmXB54/s200/santa+list+jules.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>Dear Santa, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I need a new muffler, a hundred bucks to pay off my root canal, cigars for my dad, a lottery scratcher, and a new boyfriend. P.S. I'm praying for world peace too, especially on Christmas. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Love, Jules.</i> <o:p></o:p><br /><i><br /></i> I thought I'd throw the scratcher in there for a giggle. Hey, it's affordable. I probably won't win anything, but you never know.</div>
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Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Christmas-Elf-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07K6QT51S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1543416987&sr=8-6&keywords=Stephanie+burkhart</div>
Stephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2634682259702186282.post-69889779423736928632018-10-20T05:57:00.000-07:002018-10-20T05:57:18.113-07:00New Release in time for Halloween! Night of Magic with Prairie Rose Publishing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC20v3av0XvPV9wvGTZedS1uRCDw3ZqdUa4XD-MnFT1xmvm3QWBwmQ_TvSjF8yg0jNfOanbW9klGqlNVfTqeydFtgFy_A40U67LQ-9g59nmqrWZiRvYy6tFp5YdubZ0VQ3C7N6sQgIhuQ/s1600/Night+of+Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC20v3av0XvPV9wvGTZedS1uRCDw3ZqdUa4XD-MnFT1xmvm3QWBwmQ_TvSjF8yg0jNfOanbW9klGqlNVfTqeydFtgFy_A40U67LQ-9g59nmqrWZiRvYy6tFp5YdubZ0VQ3C7N6sQgIhuQ/s1600/Night+of+Magic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Night of Magic…Samhain—Dark…Dangerous…Powerful…The year is 800 A.D. on the Emerald Isle, and Prince Jasper is determined to regain that which has been lost to him.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Five years past, Princess Aithne was taken from her father, Prince Jasper, by the forces of the Other World. On Samhain, the veil between the worlds is thin, and can be breeched more readily—especially if one walks amid the ceremonial bonfires.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">When Princess Aithne disappears, her father vows every year to bring her back. He tempts many champions with a chest of gold, but only one man can succeed.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> This year, Finn is determined to lay claim to that treasure, but to do so, he must tempt Fate. Will he survive his journey to the Other World to bring the princess back? Will he dare follow his heart? Or will greed determine what lies in store for him on this </span><b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">NIGHT OF MAGIC</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">?</span><br />
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<b style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><i>EXCERPT</i></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> "Darkness is coming."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Finn Breifne sat on the bed polishing his sword. Glancing up at his friend, Kellis, he winked. "I know it is."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Kellis walked to the window and drew back the drapes, gazing onto the open field. The sun dipped below the horizon casting deep orange, rust, and grey shadows over the land.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Finn continued with his task. He was the finest fighter this side of the isle, and he wasn't prepared to shy away from the prince's challenge.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Samhain marked the start of the darker half of the year. The people in this part of the country celebrated with a festival of the dead. Every night for a week there was drinking, whoring, and bonfires. Cows walked between roaring pyres of fire as part of a crazy cleansing ritual. The boundaries between this world and the dark, mystical world of spirits were considerably weaker on this eve, the high night of Samhain.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Finn didn't believe in magic or gods. He was here for one thing – to collect the nobleman's daughter. Upon her safe return, the prince would give him a chest full of gold and silver. He'd grown up poor, and was sick of living from town to town scraping by as a sellsword. Now, he was going to do something for himself. Was he greedy? Some might think so, but Finn was tired of wandering and he wanted a better life. He wanted to find a wife, raise a family, and not worry about finding work to support them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"> Kellis turned away from the window. "The prince just arrived. They're goin’ to light the bonfire."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Finn stood. "Good." He sheathed his sword, forged out of the finest steel by one of the best blacksmiths in Dublin. He tightened the laces on his sheepskin boots and walked to the table before the mirror. Picking up his dagger, he tucked it into the holder on his belt.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Amazon Link: </span>https://www.amazon.com/Night-Magic-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07HJ79NRP/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1539862384&sr=8-2&keywords=Stephanie+burkhartStephanie Burkhart http://www.blogger.com/profile/16952130018587727063noreply@blogger.com3