Visiting Little House - Big Sky Ranch

I learned in March that the outdoor scenes of Little House on the Prairie were taped in Simi Valley, and since the 50^th reunion festival was such a big hit, the chamber of commerce decided to host tours to the sets. This past June they had a tour booked for every weekend, but now I believe they offer tours one Saturday out of a month. 

 

Well, I know my friend from New Hampshire would have loved it if I went and I didn’t want to let her down, so I signed up for another trip – this time to see the outdoor sets.  

 

Personally speaking, I thought the $75.00 price tag was a bit hefty, but I really can’t complain.  This was a bus tour and you had to pay for the bus somehow. 

 

The name of the outdoor film location was called “Big Sky Ranch,” and it was the home to the Ingalls home and the town of Walnut Creek. It was about an hour from where the indoor scenes were filmed in Hollywood. The episode where Nellie gets pushed into the water was filmed on the Big Sky Ranch, and the Sweetheart tree is still growing on the ranch. 

Sweetheart Tree

 

Unfortunately, there was a fire in 2003 which destroyed most of the actual structures that were left on the ranch, but for the 50^th festival, they created some mock-ups and placed them on the ranch so you would get a flavor of where they stood on the set.

 

My tour was set for 1215. I really should have picked an earlier time, because it was kinda’ hot – in the 90’s when it was time to take off.  Dean Butler was on the tour before me, but he wasn’t on my tour. I did manage to get a picture of him, which was nice.  They had a kiosk that sold coffee, water, and snacks. I stopped by a local place to eat a bite for lunch. Our tour was late leaving because the previous tour was late getting back.   I think it took about 15 minutes to make it out to the Ranch.

 

When we got there, it was dusty. As I was sitting in the back of the bus, it was hard to hear the tour guide. The Ranch had several rolling hills.  

 

I think the easiest visual for me, was the opening scene, when the girls are running down the hill. The bus stopped in that area, and we were allowed to get off and take pics, but we couldn’t go past the roped off area because of critters and snakes. 

 

I got some nice pictures of the area, and it was nice to connect with like-minded people and fans of the show. It’s absolutely amazing how many people just loved the show and enjoyed the books. They were selling some souvenirs, but I didn’t pick up any at this time. 

 

Overall, if you’re a fan of the show, you’ll enjoy the getaway. I took some cool pics and got to see something I wouldn’t normally have. 

 

Extra links:

https://collider.com/little-house-on-the-prairie-filming-locations/

Walnut Grove, then and now 

*****

Check out this great summer read:

Re-released: Journey of the Heart - Can James help Rachel save her winery?

"The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart." -- 5 Stars, Goodread Review, Joy Cagil 

Buy Journey of the Heart

Health Topic - Staying Cool in the Heat

It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I’ve been working long hours at work and picking up some overtime shifts.  I haven’t had a chance to work on some of my topics such as Alaska and self publishing, but I hope to work on them soon.  With the weather getting hot, I’d thought I’d tackle a health topic today – Keeping cool.

I personally stay cool by using my AC. Mind you, my electric bill is no joke so hench, I must work overtime to help pay for that bill. {e:smile} Sigh…. We all have our techniques – swamp coolers, fans, spending the day at the beach or the lake. Ah, but what are the benefits? Why stay cool? 

Wearing a hat to stay cool. 

 

I think when we get too hot, the heat illnesses are prone to occur. They range from heat cramps to heat exhaustion. Heat cramps occur when your muscles spasms after working out in the heat.  Some say it is caused by an electrolyte imbalance caused by the heat, others say the heat causes the muscles to lose their ability to contract.  Heat exhaustion’s symptoms include exhaustion, excessive sweating, cramps, headaches and nausea.

 

One of the big things you can do to help avoid heat cramps and exhaustion – drink water. You don’t want to get dehydrated. When you get dehydrated, you feel lighthearted, may faint, your urine turns bright yellow and get headaches.   I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s not fun. 

 

Ways to keep cool in the heat? 

 

#1 Drink water. Help your body out – you can spray yourself with water using a mist bottle or what I would do when hiking, I would get out a bandana, get it wet, and keep it wrapped around my neck. 

 

Drinking water is one of the biggest things you can do to help maintain your body temperature. 

 

#2 Wear cooler clothing like cottons and light colors.  

 

#3 take cooler showers with lukewarm water. 

 

#4 eat snacks instead of meals – salads, watermelons, and fruits. 

 

#5 stay in the shade as much as you can. 

#6 - wear a hat 

********

Did you know? Journey of the Heart had 3 different covers? Journey of the Heart has been re-released with its 2nd cover.  Find it on Amazon!

Can James help Rachel save her winery? 

"The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart." - 5 Stars, Joy Cagil, Goodread Review.

Buy Journey of the Heart

 

 

Looking for Sarah Palin #4

Ketchikan!

Well, I wish I could have gotten to this entry earlier, but it’s been busy out my way, my apologies.  Next on the itinerary was Ketchikan. We arrived early, around 7 am, but didn’t have much time in the town. The ship was going to leave at 1 pm.  We had excursions to visit Totem Bight State Historical Park and see a Lumberjack show. 

 

Ketchikan is probably first “big” town in Alaska you’ll come to on the inside passage.  The inside passage is that arm of Alaska that reaches down into Canada on the coast. There’s a lot of islands and inlets. It’s considered the southernmost entrance of the inside passage. It’s also considered Alaska’s first city, as it’s the first one you’ll encounter as you come up from Puget Sound.  Ketchikan’s airport is on a separate island close to the coast, but once you land, you need to take a ferry to reach the city proper. 

 

On the day we visited, there was a light rain and mist. We rushed off the ship and found our line to visit Totem Bight State Park. It’s 33 acres and features vivid totem poles by the Tlingit and Haida Native American Indians. Not only that, there’s a Tlingit Clanhouse among the poles. Each totem pole told an amazing story (sadly, I don’t remember many) but what a rich culture. In the early 20^th Century, the area was abandoned by the native peoples, and in the 1930’s the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) was hired to restore the poles. They’ve done an amazing job. I would love to spend more time in this area. 

 

Here's a link for more info: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

 

At the park this was this plant called a skunk plant. I remember it was a big plant with bit yellow blooms. I guess the native wildlife will eat it, but it’s a bit of laxative and it really loosens the bowels. We were cautioned not to eat it.

 

We must have been there around an hour and 15 mins. I would have enjoyed more time visiting the park, but we had to make the Lumberjack show. 

 

Who knew Lumberjacking was a thing? We went into Ketchikan proper and found the show. I learned there are colleges which offer courses in lumberjacking. Lumberjacks climb poles, spilt logs, throw axes, etc. It was a very excited show. The small seating area was spilt into 2 and our section was rooting for the Canadians who won. After that we rushed to boat and stopped at a tourist shop with just enough time to buy souvenir stickers! 

 

I fell in love with Ketchikan. It was so lush and green. Heck, it’s considered part of a National Forest! I wanted to bring an NHL Hockey team to Ketchikan. But I don’t know if that would be do-able.   Heck, I was looking on Zillow for summer homes in Ketchikan. 

 

I definitely wanted to spend more time in Ketchikan and learn more about the town and its history. I heard Ketchikan is called the salmon capital of the world, but I was so rushed, I didn’t have time to discover why. Maybe next time I’ll try the salmon. 

***

 

When Sarah Palin was running for governor, she supported a bridge be built between Ketchikan and Gavina Island, the home to the Ketchikan airport. As governor, she vetoed the legislation that would have provided it, citing fiscal responsibly. Sadly, this decision made the residents of Ketchikan a bit miffed, and boy do they hold a grudge. In 2022, the Republican party of Ketchikan voted to censor her to that decision she made back in 2007. 

 

Here are a couple of my favorite quotes by Sarah Palin:

 

“Buck up or stay in the truck.”

 

“America is looking for answers. She’s looking for a new direction; the world is looking for a light. That light can come from America’s great North Star; it can come from Alaska.”

 

“I love those Hockey moms. You know what they say is the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull is? Lipstick.” 

 

****

Re-released: Journey of the Heart - Can James help Rachel save her winery?

"The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart." -- 5 Stars, Goodread Review, Joy Cagil 

Buy Journey of the Heart

Book Review: Takedown Twenty

Book Review for:  Takedown Twenty

Written by: Janet Evanovich

Published by: Bantam Books

ISBN: 978-0-345-54288-5

 

I read: the Hardback

 

4 Stars

 

Exciting, but could do without the giraffe.

 

Evanovich pens another interesting cozy mystery with “Takedown Twenty.” Morelli’s uncle, Sal Sunucch, jumps bond and Stephanie’s been tasked to rebond him. Uncle Sunny has a lot of friends, and no one want to turn him in. Stephanie is also helping Ranger to find out who’s been killing the old ladies who like to play bingo and get discounts at the local store. 

 

The cherry on the top is that there is a giraffe running wild on Stark Street that only Lula and Stephanie see. Stephanie comes close to taking down Uncle Sunny a couple of times, but breaks her finger, her nose, and gets thrown into the river. As the danger amps up, Stephanie gets cold feet, throws in the towel, and goes to work for a butcher. Can Stephanie catch Uncle Sunny and figure out who is targeting the old ladies at Bingo before her grandmother is next? 

 

Evanovich’s writing style easily draws the reader in and keeps them interested. The Uncle Sunny plot has readers engaged and curious. The giraffe subplot feels forced and only served as an unneeded distraction. 

 

The characters were entertaining as usual, and readers will find themselves among old friends. The ending sneaks up on the reader. 

 

Overall, Takedown Twenty is a fun read with old friends and new challenges. If you’re looking for a cozy read to pass the time or to catch up with friends, this one for you. 

*****

Check out my story, Young Witchcraft:

Blurb: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.

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.

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?

Buy Young Witchcraft

4th of July 2024 Musings...

What does the 4^th of July mean to me?  A lot. 

 

One of my earliest memories was my parents and family going down to the bi-centennial parade in Manchester, NH. I was just a kid, but it was impressed on me that it was a big day and I wouldn’t experience another milestone like this. I have a few pics from that day, but they’re a bit faded now.  I often think back of my family walking up from my house to Deerfield Park in Manchester to watch the fireworks.  Fireworks bring out the little kid in me. They capture an “awe factor” It’s a reminder of Freedom to me and having an appreciation of that freedom. 

 

Growing up when I did in NH, civics was important. I learned a lot about NH government as well as the nation’s. I think the one of the lasting impressions I have from that period is that “Fair” means a lot.  And it’s important to me that I’m a fair minded person. 

 

In 1986, I entered military service on 8 July.  Not quite the 4^th, but I remember the spirit of patriotism was soaring high in the nation. It was the time of Reagan, and I was very proud to serve under Reagan as a president. 

 

Between 1986-to about 2005ish, the 4^th meant a time to relax, enjoy the lazy summer day, BBQ, fly your flag and tip your hat to American’s birthday with a fireworks display.  Then in 2005, our family went to Avalon, CA on Catalina Island for the 4^th.  It was amazing.  Nothing said “home” California style than the golf cart parade and the USC marching band.  After a BBQ on the beach, we went and saw the fireworks on the beach in Avalon. We went to Avalon from about 2005 to 2012. It was a memorable time for us and the boys. They still have warm memories of the 4^th.  So to all the founding fathers – thank you. 

 

Home of the Brave and Land of the Free. 

We have a Republic. Let’s keep it. 

Happ 4th to the USA!!

 

"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."

 

 

Fun Facts: 

 

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 2 of our founding fathers, died on the same day - 4^th July 1826.  50 years after the Declaration of Independence. 

 

200 copies of the Declaration of Independence were drafted, but only 27 are accounted for.

 

Congress declared the 4^th of July an official holiday - in 1870!

 

The Star Spangled Banner was inspired by the War of 1812. A poem put to music, it became the USA's official national anthem in 1931.

*****

My story, Arrow Through the Heart takes place in New Hampshire around the 4th of July.  Logan & Ella have a fun celebrating, but danger surrounds Ella. Can Logan help to keep her safe?

Buy Arrow Through the Heart

 

 

 

Welcome to July 2024!!

I just want to welcome the Blog followers to July! The 4^th of July is just around the corner, and I bought tickets to see the fireworks show at Ventura college. We’ve gone before. It’s nothing special, but it feels more special than just staying in Santa Clarita and watching the fireworks at the mall.  I love Santa Clarita, but fireworks at mall is a tad crowded and there’s too much asphalt. 

 

We’ve gone to Ventura a couple of times, now. It’s at the college and we get to sit down on the grass and bring items for a picnic. We can bring in coolers, lawn chairs, blankies, but there’s no alcohol, no pets, no smoking/vaping.  There will be food trucks, which are kinda’ neat.  I think I got an ice cream from them last year.  When the boys were little, they went and played on the bounce houses.  This year we just have Boy #2, Joey, who is 17. Boy #1, Andy is on Catalina Island at Camp Emerald Bay during the 4^th doing his Boy Scout thing.  The only thing with Ventura is that it can get a little cramped feeling. Boy #2 has never been big on fireworks, as he’s also sensitive to loud sound. The vacuum cleaner drove him crazy when he was younger. 

 

For a long time, we used to go to Avalon on Catalina Island for the 4^th of July.  What started out as a 2-3 overnighter turned into a week-long event.  And trust me, you can pack a whole week of 4^th of July fun on Catalina.  We usually rented a condo on Hamilton cove and drove the golf cart everywhere. There’s BBQ’ing, fishing, relaxing, and the fireworks in the harbor were very memorable.  There’s the golf cart parade and the USC marching band. 4^th of July on Avalon was something special, and I think we did it from 2005 to 2012 when the boys were little.  We stopped because the in-laws started coming and honestly, 2012 was not as pleasant as it could have been. 

 

We might go back next year.  Boy #2 suggested we go while on vacation and Hubby and I are seriously considering it – no in laws. We’re putting our foot down. I think Joey, heck - we all do - have great 4^th of July memories on Catalina and we’d like to go back.  The 4^th of July isn’t the same when we’re not in Avalon. 

 

This year I bought some fun decorations at Walmart and Dollar tree to spruce up the lawn. I’ve got beads and headbands.  I want to bring Popeye’s chicken to eat on the lawn in Ventura. Last year Hubby made sandwiches and they were okay, but it was too much.

 

What do you have planned for the 4^th? 

********

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.

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?

Buy Arrow Through the Heart

The Adventure - Self Publishing #1

Background - My Why 

Just recently the small press publisher that held my titles, Journey of the Heart, Night of Magic, and Mr. Christmas Elf downsized and I received my “Revision of Rights.”  I was bummed to have this happen, as they were great stories which were well received. Journey of the Heart had been my best seller over the years and had over 59 reviews. 

 

That said, I’d thought I’d do a mini blog series on Self-publishing. Honestly, it’s not something I saw myself doing. I’m confident in my writing skills and I wanted to get my stories out.  Back in the day I still had some growing to do. In the aughts I queried a lot of traditional publishers and didn’t hear anything back. So, I went back to the table to grow and really fine tune my writing. I joined Writing.com, got a subscription to Writer’s Digest, bought a couple of books on self-editing and the writing process in general, and fine-tuned my stories. Mind you, I could probably talk about this process, growing as a writer, which maybe I will in the future, but today, I just want to give you some background as to what led me to self-publish. 

 

In 2010, my first novel came out “The Hungarian” with a small press. I thought I’d go the way of small press after honing my craft because they responded to my queries. Kindle on Amazon was just getting big about that time. Small press in the teens was a big rage. Also around this time, a lot of independent writers were exploring the self-publishing market.

 

I’d say the self-publishing market has a had a “bad rap,” but with advances and more care, you can find a lot of good stories and great products these days.  Mind you, you can still get a self-publishing book or story that looks very amateurish, so it’s important to follow the process, take your time, and make sure every step is polished. 

 

Well, my small presses went out of business in 2018. Another small press picked up 3 of my Amazon kindle titles, but then told me they weren’t going to pick up any more and recommended I self-publish.

 

So, there I was. In 2019 I found myself looking at self-publishing. I knew my stories were solid.  I had pretty good reviews for my stories, and several had been recognized by Reader’s Favorites and other small press magazines that had recognized small press writers. 2 of my short mainstream fiction stories had placed 8^thin the Writer’s Digest Annual competion. 

 

The big question was – where to start? 

 

I think the first thing was knowing my limitations and understanding I needed patience. My limitations included being committed to the boys, their schooling, and scouts. Time would be limited. I decided to respect that. 

 

I also decided I would focus on the short stories that I had published with Victory Tales Press first.  They were mostly between 10,000-20,000 words and would need a light edit. I had coordinated to buy most of the covers when they went out of business, so that was one worry that I didn’t have.  Mind you, I had a bunch of titles. They were:

 

Christmas in Bayeux

A Polish Heart

Journey Through the Heart

Feast of Candles

Night of Magic

Gifts

Young Witchcraft

Mr. Christmas Elf 

Arrow Through the Heart

 

I’d work on my Desert Breeze titles after that. At least that was the plan.  Journey of the Heart, Night of Magic, and Mr. Christmas Elf were published with my “new” small press Prairie Rose Publishing. 

 

First up, I decided to tackle Christmas in Bayeux. It was a short story, about 12,000 words, but when I re-read it, I wanted to expand it and make it longer.  That would take time and patience. 

 

Next: The Process

Check out my Amazon Kindle story: Arrow Through the Heart:  Can Logan save Ella from a stalker?  Buy Arrow Through the Heart

Great Summer Read: Journey of the Heart 99 cent on Amazon Kindle

 

BLURB: 

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?

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?

EXCERPT: 

She approached the older man behind the counter, her stride resonating with purpose, her expression full of determination. 

"Good day, Mr. Smith."

"Miss Rachel. How are you today?" He folded his hands in front of him, offering her a smile. 

"I have a business proposal for you."

"Go ahead."

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. 

"I'd like to sell you three cases of my best wine."

He raised a bushy eyebrow. "The 1928 Chardonnay?"

"Yes."

"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."

"The harvest is coming and I need to be able to pay my workers."

James slowly inched closer, listening intently.

"I can offer you five hundred dollars."

"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."

"Vito, I'm running a business."

"There's no need for you to take advantage of Miss Rachel because her parents aren't here." He paused for breath. "The wine will sell – at a good price, and you know it."

"All right – eight hundred dollars."

"Wait a minute, Sir." James interrupted and peered at Rachel's spellbinding eyes for a second before looking at Mr. Smith. "You've tasted this vintage before?"

"I have."

"So you know how much it's worth?"

"I do."

"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 investment and more."

"Now, young man, what do you know about wine?"

"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." 

"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 younger man who can help you manage the estate."

REVIEW: 

5 Stars, Amazon, Joy Cagil

The story is short enough to be enjoyed in one sitting whether you are at the beach or on your easy chair enjoying a glass of wine, making believe it is the Santori Chardonnay. In short, this is another happy, heart-warming tale of love from the experienced pen of Stephanie Burkhart.

Buy Journey of the Heart - 99 cent Amazon Kindle