Friends,

I love reading. I love escaping my life and living through the eyes of another. My favorite stories will always be fantasy, but I do love me a historical book now and then.

I even dabble in the mystery- but only if it doesn’t require me to carry a notebook and take detailed notes on who, what, and where.

Lately, I have been in a reading funk. Shhhhhh…. don’t tell anyone. But I haven’t finished a book in months.

Oh, I can tell you the beginning and the end. I could confidently say that I have read at least 65%.

But as far as the whole thing. Nope. Can’t seem to do it. I get to the point where the plot thickens, the good guy becomes bad, the lovers have discovered they love each other, and now they are off to save the world… and I am bored.

The good guys are always going to have a happy ending.

Now, before I get a flood of comments that say a happy ending is what the people want and that the good guy should always win, I agree. That is what the vast majority of people want, and I support them all.

But have you ever noticed that the characters are always in their 20s and 30s? That they are in perfect health with beautiful hair and haunting eyes? That the sex is always over the top? And that their souls connect on a fourth-dimensional plane of existence.

Where are the characters like me? Slightly chubby. No real skill set other than finding the best deal on peanut butter. Where are the women who haven’t had time for a decent haircut in months? Why can’t the middle-aged characters have an adventure?

Shit- can I go to Neverland?

Books are beginning to depress me because either they prove that I am already past my prime or that I failed to learn the basic traits to be a true warrior. You know, swordplay, dragon riding, stealth to be able to become a world-famous spy or a historian who actually discovers something. And I sure in hell don’t have the knowledge to run my own kingdom.

I could dive back into my historical books- but spoiler alert, everyone dies.

I think this is why I am struggling right now. Books used to provide me with a dream of something better. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I would relate. There was hope that I would be swept off my feet and taken far from the realities of everyday life. That there was the possibility of traveling the world and experiencing life to the fullest.

But in my 40s? According to the books- my life is pretty much over. There’s nowhere to go from here. I will live the rest of my days working a 9-5, and my source of happiness will be when I find a new brand of coffee.

Now, I don’t mean to depress anyone. Chalk it up to the ranting of a disgruntled federal employee. But I needed to get it off my chest. I need to talk it out so that as I finish the edits to Books 2 and 3- I don’t get sucked into regurgitating the same predictable ending as every other author.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Please, for the love of the gods, tell me I’m not.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 171/1500

Friends,

I went on my first ‘live’ last night on the TikyToc.

I had honestly been looking forward to the live event. The host even did this wonderful countdown video prior to its start time. And while I wasn’t 100% sure that this was the ‘space’ for me, I jumped in feet first, determined to insert myself as a player in the world of indie authors.

Because that is what we are supposed to do. Right?

Build a community. Reach out to our intended audience. Gain followers.

This is what I have learned.

Some people are meant to create fabulous videos and catchy’ catchphrases’ and stir the pot as far as controversy is concerned. They can form an admirable and enviable bond with the audience. These creators can say the damnest things, and somehow, their following skyrockets.

And then there are others, like me, that I think are meant just to write.

Sure, I can be funny behind the screen. If given the time, space, and freedom, I can rephrase and add my own flare for the dramatic. I love research, connecting the dots, learning new myths, and along the way- I know that I’m going to fail 100 times and get 1 or 2 wins.

But, put me on the spot. Nope. That’s not my area of expertise. I need to think things through. I don’t understand scarscam all the time. Jokes fly over my head. I am more literal than figurative.

And it honestly bites me in the ass.

I missed the mark. Or my over-thinking is telling me that I missed the mark. Duly noted when the host said, ‘You missed the mark.’ And the funny thing was that I was agreeing with them.

What the f**k.

Interestingly enough, this was something I actually already knew about myself. I learned it in the military. I wasn’t one of the cool kids on the block. I wasn’t a big drinker. I didn’t like to stay out all night dancing until I had blisters and no voice. And I sure in hell didn’t know what to do at BBQs.

Who the hell has that much to say without saying anything?

Here’s the other problem. Come in closer because this is a secret. Even with the intellectuals- I can’t keep up. My passion comes from stories about our past. Not dates, times, and places. That crap doesn’t really excite me. But without those small details- no one takes what you do know seriously.

The thing is- my brain won’t remember what it needs to remember.

I can tell you the story—why something happened, what caused it, and its effects. I can find connections in history that most people can’t see, and I pride myself on that ability.

Will I do another live? I don’t know. I’m sure when I get famous I will look back on these days and laugh. I will stand in front of a crowd (with notes) and remember these embarrassing moments.

Everyone keeps telling me this is what I signed up for. That once I put my art out for public consumption, I was luring the lions in. I just didn’t know that it would turn out to be a pack of hyenas. Hungry hyenas. With enough time on their hand to put Sherlock Holmes to shame with their digging into people’s past. With enough passion to tear down a person’s livelihood or mental health and walk away whistling.

It’s a funny world, this social media thing. People use it to escape reality. To find people across the world to connect with. At least, I think that’s why it was first invented.

Now?

Well, now it puts CNN, FOX News, and BBC to shame with its investigating abilities. It makes The View and Oprah look tame. I’m willing to go as far as to say Congress has a better chance of getting along than people on social media.

At least Congress agrees on a couple of things- budgets are not critical to running a country, and the TikyToc is the devil’s playground.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 171/1500

Friends,

My son is an inspiring artist. I use the term ‘inspiring’ lightly because he has sold his painting, and in the last four years, I can count the number of days on one hand that he has not been practicing his art.

He is an artist through and through.

For the last year, he has wanted to create a website. And I supported him.

Now, did he listen to me, the mother who has a website and has made ALL the mistakes when creating it?

No

Did he let me help him navigate the murky waters of WordPress?

No

Did he take my advice on how to set up his homepage?

Not a chance in hell.

But I supported him and let him do his thing. I’m just the mama with the debit card. Yesterday, he came to me and said it was time to link my shopping cart to his website so that people could buy his prints.

Which meant I could snoop under the pretext of making sure the links worked.

What did I find? A pretty amazing website. Damn it.

He did a fabulous job for 16. It is clean, easy to navigate, and intriguing in its simplicity. I sent him a message that I linked everything (I was at work, ‘working’), and it was ready to launch.

How did he respond?

Not with the overall glee and happiness that I was expecting. Nope. My kid said that he was going to launch it on Thursday because he wanted to ensure that it worked properly for the consumer. He wanted to make sure all the links worked, that it flowed easily, and that he wanted to take his time to make sure it was perfect.

When I launched my website, I think I pushed publish before the homepage looked good. My husband had to tell me that the link to my book was going to someone else’s Amazon page. You couldn’t even find my blogs.

It was a mess.

But my 16-year-old? He has nothing to worry about.

In a day and age when we complain about the younger generation and their obsession with the internet, I think we need to take a moment to self-reflect. These kids have the skills and knowledge to know what will work with social media and online promotions.

These kids are making movies off of their iPhone 7 that make films from the early 2000s look like B-rated Hallmark specials.

The kid has sold more paintings than I have books.

And I PAY for promotions.

My kid refuses to spend his money on promotions and rather uses his ever-growing bank account funds for college and art supplies. Since my husband and his grandparents buy his art supplies for him- he’s going to be a millionaire before I have $200.00 saved for retirement.

It’s 0515, and I have spent the last two hours taking notes on how he created his pride and joy.

Life is not fair sometimes.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 171/1500

Friends,

Running the rat race. Hustling with the hustlers. Keeping up with the Jones.

These are just a few things I struggle with.

And as I floundered with it all, I lost who I was as an author and historian. I am ashamed to admit that I got drawn into the drama of social media. Rarely did I comment, but I was a backstage peeper to what was going on. I made the popcorn and sat back, scrolling for hours, sharing the stories with my husband, and getting angry at people I had never met.

And the algorithm took me into the deeper and darker parts. It was fascinating! I have never seen such hatred, high school drama, and needless accusations in my life.

And where did it lead me? Far, far away from the people who brought joy to my life.

Now I know—controversy sells. The more drama surrounds your name, the higher your sales may be. The data proves it.

Buuuuutttttt…..

Did it bring me joy? Not really. I gained 3 pounds because I was eating so much popcorn.

So, what can you do when you are drawn into a social media world that you don’t want to be a part of or surrounded by people who are not your intended audience?

Take a breath, and know you’re in for a world of work. What I mean is that you can change your algorithms. It’s going to take about a week, and you’ll need to be dedicated to liking, sharing, and commenting on the content creators that you want to see more of. And you’re going to have to ignore the drama.

The easiest way? Click that search box and type in what you want to see. History, pets, books (be careful on this one—be specific about what types), creators that you already enjoy, and see who they are following.

Personally, I have different ‘types’ of content creators that I follow on different platforms.

My Instagram is more directed towards art, DIY, and book readers (not official reviewers).

My Facebook reels are all about Motorcycles, veterans, and funny animal videos. On my ‘official’ authors Facebook page, I have more indie writers and artists.

I recently changed my TikTok to reflect more historical videos and creators. I have found some good recommendations for historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy books.

On X (formerly known as Twitter), I have all the cool historians and museum curators.

Why did I force such drastic changes across all platforms? Because I want to see a wide range of things. If I had allowed all my social media accounts to be focused on one thing, i.e., indie writers, then I would never see what other people are doing. I wouldn’t get the inspiration that I needed to expand my own thought process and curiosity.

I am not saying that you need to follow my plan. It took effort to make sure that I got myself out of my trap.

Now for the real question of the day. How do we, as artists, promote our work on these platforms? You read the room and create different reels, posts, and promotions that are more directed to what you see.

The downside is that it means you will have to be creative with your posts. I know a lot of people say you can post the same thing on each platform, but I haven’t found that to be true—at least in my world—because all my social media have a different algorithm.

On TikTok, I highlight my book as a fantasy because that is the more appropriate genre for the age group on the app. Fast-moving, short videos that don’t require much reading. It needs catchy music and lots of moving parts.

I also found that if you have a TikTok shop, you will get buyers, BUT only if you add in freebies. What I mean is that if you’re selling your book for the same price as Amazon, the buyer is going to want the book signed, with gilded edges, stickers, bookmarks, and character art to come with it.

On Facebook and Instagram, I tailor it (now) more to who my characters are and the history or ‘visuals’ of them. I tend to do more peaceful music, slower transitions, and longer pauses so that the full effect of the book or art can shine.

I don’t see much ‘purchasing power’ on these platforms. Most people are there for the visual effect, not to buy. But maybe I just haven’t figured it out yet.

Twitter—My ‘ads’ or postings are not the same as those on Facebook because of the sizing difference. Be careful using a Facebook post that is more square than a Twitter post, which is more rectangle. I tend to make them short, sweet, and sassy. I find that elevator pitches and sassy quotes work better here to promote your work. You only have so many words- so you have to make them count.

I’m not going to lie—I think a lot of my Amazon buys come from Twitter posts because I can easily link the website to it. And we all know that the ease of Amazon vs. visiting an artist’s website is what brings most of our sales.

There we go. That’s how I changed my algorithm to reflect who I was as a person—a multidimensional person with a wide range of likes and hobbies. I’m not going into website creation because I’ve not figured it out yet. But when I do- you’ll be the first to know.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 170/1500

Friends,

Just because sometimes Tuesday needs a little help to get through.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 137/1500

Friends,

I apologize for the interruption to your previously scheduled programming, but I wanted to go off track for a second.

I needed a break from the camouflage if you know what I mean.

We are in to month three of 2024, and I had a host of ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ that I made back in December. And since we are at the quarter mark, I kinda wanted to check in to see how I’ve been doing.

– Cooking more dinners. Check on failure. Wednesdays are my downfall. I’m so motivated on Monday and Tuesday, but by the time mid-week comes around, the peep in my step has diminished. I blame it on being retired and still having to work.

I know a lot of people who retire from their first job and feel like they still have a lot to give back. They still have energy and want to feel like a productive member of society.

I am not one of those people. I’m tired of driving an hour every day to sit behind a computer and wasting eight hours of my life. I could easily do that at home, comfortably. Imagine staying home and writing, editing, promoting, and engaging. Hell, I might already be a New York Best Seller if I could give my goal the time and effort it needs.

I may even be able to sleep more because I wouldn’t have to do all the above mentioned between working, cooking, and doing chores.

– 365 days of blogs. Now, I have been on point with this. I try to preplan my blogs at least a week out so that I can take an occasional day off from writing, editing, and finding funny memes.

But unfortunately, the world of bloggers is dying a rapid death. Reading a blog is no longer an acceptable means of communication, not in the world of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube.

When I first started my blog years ago, I could usually count on at least 5-10 reads a day. Now? I can count on my mom, husband (when I remind him), and my sister. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t feel sorry for myself. This is a living diary. One day, historians might look back on these journal entries and will get to see the world from the eyes of the ‘common people.’

But maybe I don’t have to post ‘every day.’

This is hard for me because I don’t want to back out of my self-imposed goal, but at the same time, I’m getting burnt out. As the famous saying goes- ‘Read the Room.’

-Promote my book at least once a day. I have been doing this, and maybe it’s working. Maybe it isn’t. Did you know promoting your art usually comes with a cost? Not emotional. Financially. Book competitions, ads, catchy reels and TikTok videos- those all come with a cost. $25.00 here. $75.00 there. It all adds up after a while.

But you have to promote yourself to get ahead of the game. Slack one day, and another author has taken your place. Millions of readers are in this world, and I have only maybe found 1/100th of them.

What this has all boiled down to is that I have come up with a new goal for 2024.

I need to win the lottery.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 130/1500

Friends,

So there I was, standing in a motor pool, learning my new job. In case you didn’t know- a motor pool is where the military keeps all the vehicles.

On this particular day, we were going to learn how to drive the M915’s. For my civilian friends- 18-wheelers. I still remember the instructor telling us to enjoy because we would never see them again.

They were being phased out.

Discontinued.

Obsolete.

But I digress. If you have never driven an 18-wheeler, there is nothing more powerful, enchanting, or scary than getting behind one of the biggest vehicles on the road.

And the slowest.

It was like trying to tell a turtle to run. No matter how hard you stomped on the gas peddle, you were lucky to get to 15mph. Maybe they rigged the engine so we couldn’t go faster- I will never know.

If it were me, I would have. A bunch of exhausted 18 – 20-year-olds behind the wheel of a vehicle that could take out a house – 5 mph would have been too fast for me.

But the instructors had a stomach of steel and a death wish, so they climbed into the passenger seat with a prayer and a pack of lifesavers, hoping for the best.

By the time I completed my first lap, I was in heaven. I was whipping that tractor-trailer around the corners like a boss at a whooping five mph. I begged to take someone else’s spot. I slipped into the driver’s seat, hoping they wouldn’t notice.

They did.

Assholes.

Luckily, I was given another opportunity. Training went quicker than they thought it would, and we had plenty of time to take an extra lap. I was in the driver’s seat before they could say, ‘Load up.’

I will never understand why my fellow trainees would rather gossip or get in a quick nap than take the monster truck on a road trip.

Now, why would I tell this story if the Army was phasing them out?

Because that was a lie. Well, not really a lie- they were.

In the U.S.

Not in Germany…

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 130/1500

Friends,

I had to take a couple of days to think this blog out. You wouldn’t know because I preplanned most of them, knowing I would have to take a break on some days.

Memories are difficult.

What memories do I share? How many blanks do I leave in the story? You would never know if I did or not. You weren’t there. But I would know.

I also know that history will judge the words I have written just as it has for so many others who have come before me.

I could sit here and only remember the good. I could paint a lovely picture of an ideal soldier who did the right thing all the time. A hero. Someone worthy of praise. Hell, maybe I could get a parade.

But that wouldn’t be the truth, would it?

On the other hand, I could be open and candid – fill you in on all the gory details and most likely get more readers. But that opens the door to people talking about me. Judging me. Feeling like their opinion on my life is warranted for a TikTok video or Facebook meme.

Which might be detrimental to my end goal.

What is my end goal?

Just wait…you’ll see. It will be worth it in the end. I hope. My fingers are crossed because this could bite me in the ass later if I’m not careful.

But I digress. You’re probably wondering what happened at AIT.

Two things. One that would have an immediate impact and the other that wouldn’t really affect me for a few more weeks. Let’s focus on the immediate life lesson.

I got my first Article 15.

What’s Article 15? I’m happy to explain.

Standard answer? It is a way for the military to punish service members for offenses without court martialing them. Usually, smaller crimes. Sometimes, more serious crimes if the chain of command feels like the service member can be ‘reformed.’

My definition? It’s the equivalent of being grounded.

Now, what in the world could I have possibly done in the middle of training and while being watched by adult babysitters?

I got caught smoking at the bowling alley while on a weekend 4-hour pass.

The Army is not big on smokers during training. Ironic because a lot of us take up smoking to help with stress and stay awake, and it’s the perfect opportunity to walk away and clear your head.

I was a smoker before joining. Newports. And seeing as I was only 18 but had been smoking for years, you can bet your paycheck that I thought I was pretty damn sneaky.

Do you know who was more sneaky? My damn adult babysitters.

Now, if my memories serve me correctly, what happened was a group of us went outside while bowling (in uniform, mind you), thinking we were being sly, and had a quick smoke. Someone saw us, called the drill sergeants, and ratted us out.

Not nice.

When the company showed up that evening for accountability formation, the drill sergeant announced that he had gotten word that some of us couldn’t follow the rules. Some of us had no discipline. Some of us thought we were smarter than drill sergeants.

But it had been dark, and the tattle-tell hadn’t seen our name tags.

But you know what they could see? The bun. A dead giveaway that there was a female or two in the midst of the group.

Fuck me. Just another point against being female in the military. We didn’t blend in.

Now, there were only so many females in my company. A handful, really. And the drill sergeant was playing it real cool. He wouldn’t mass punish the group if the guilty party admitted their mistake. Come forward and take their punishment like a soldier.

We would just have to stand in formation until it happened.

This was not an ideal position to be in. The person beside me was drunk off their ass, along with a few others – but they hadn’t been caught yet. They could get away with their crime if the smokers came forward so they could go inside and lie down.

I wasn’t too keen on tattling on myself. I stood there trying to figure out what to do while I drill sergeant walked back inside and waited.

One minute.

Five minutes.

15 minutes.

I will give it to us smokers. We were solid in our solidarity.

But the drill sergeant was stronger. And the person next to me was about to be sick.

I knew mass punishment was coming if one of us didn’t take the fall. As soon as the drill sergeant learned all the rules we broke, they would be pissed. Not to mention, there were many who did the right thing. They didn’t deserve to be punished.

Guilt is an unpleasant emotion. It makes you feel slimy. So, I did it. I fell out of formation and stood in front of everyone, declaring myself a troublemaker.

I got a lot of raised eyebrows. I was quiet. Didn’t make waves. Hell, most of them didn’t know I was in the company; that’s how quiet I was.

But there I was, all 5’5 of me shuffling my way to my first punishment.

Want to know what happened next?

Not one fucker came to stand beside me.

Life lesson, my friends. There will always be a fall person. One person who will take the heat for the masses.

Legally, I could smoke. At least as far as the civilian world is concerned. It was considered a fundamental right that if you hit a certain age, you could destroy your body however you saw fit.

But in the military, that’s not the case. They have the right to tell you what to eat, when to wake up, when to run, when you can smoke, and when you can go home to see your parents.

That one signature takes away all your ‘rights.’

And because no one ‘forced’ you to sign your life away – you have to follow the rules.

Next life lesson – discipline is key.

I didn’t have to smoke. I could have done the right thing. It would have been too easy to follow the rules. Even if I thought they were idiotic.

That wasn’t the point. Soldiers need to learn early on that rules are rules. Not to be questioned., Because later in life, breaking the rules could cost someone’s life.

I got an Article 15. Grounded for a week. When everyone else was off on a pass, I had to stay behind and do lawn work or clean the barracks. Now, there is no record of this. I got the smallest punishment possible, and as soon as I left AIT- the record was destroyed.

No one would ever know.

Unless I told on myself. Which I did. I couldn’t help it. It’s a funny story.

And it would be the first of many.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 130/1500

Friends,

Between Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), soldiers are permitted to have a bit of a break.

Time to shake off the last ten weeks of intense training and let our hair down. Literally. My hair had been pulled back in a bun for so long that I got bald spots on my temples.

Another rule about the military was that hair had to be off a soldier’s face and out of their eyes. Men had to shave their heads, but females could employ the sock bun look.

What does a sock bun look like? Glad you asked. Take a long sock, cut off the toe, and roll it until it looks like a bun. Put your hair in a ponytail, slip the bun on, cover it with your hair, and secure it with a headband. Twist the remaining hair and wrap it around the bun.

TaDa. The sock bun look.

Very convenient. The bun, when worn with the helmet, acts as a mantel for the back of the helmet to sit on. Helps with all the swushing and swaying of the too-large tin can.

Downfalls of the look. It broke your hair and could cause massive headaches if it was too tight. Later in my career, the Army would slacken their requirements for how females were required to wear their hair, but back then, it was pretty cut and dry.

The Army would ease up on a lot of requirements, actually. But I digress.

My mother came to my graduation. I don’t remember the whole dog and pony show, but obviously, I was there because my mother has pictures of the day. I know she was proud of me. I was one of hundreds, but my mom spotted me from a mile away. I was the short one, with a smile and ready to go to a bookstore.

I think we were given 3 to 4 hours between graduation and reporting down the street to my next training. I showed my mom the barracks, the line of payphones, and, more importantly, where the chow hall was located.

And then she watched me march my happy ass to the next set of drill sergeants. Parents got to follow us on the long march, listening to all the questionable cadences that had become our battle cry and seeing that we learned how to follow instructions.

There were a lot of ‘Left Face,’ ‘Right Face,’ ‘Counter Columns,’ and even some ‘Left Step Marches’ just to show off.

I would miss my platoon and my home away from home. I had fallen into a routine. I had a system. I was comfortable. But I soon learned that the Army is really effective at snatching you out of your comfort zone.

I think the drill sergeants were happy to see us go. I know now that they got a quick break before resetting before the next group of victims flooded in. But for 2.3 seconds, I think they were proud of us. We survived. We overcame. We had learned to become a unit.

They wouldn’t remember us. But we would all remember them.

The new barracks looked just like the old one, except the front door faced a quad with grass and trees in the middle. The AIT drill sergeants weren’t as intense as the basic training ones. I honestly don’t remember them. They were there to shuffle us back and forth to training, make sure we ate, and ensure we maintain an acceptable level of physical fitness.

And make sure we didn’t do anything stupid.

Something I obviously failed at. Because AIT would be the first time and not the last time, I would get into trouble.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 130/1500

Friends,

Now you’re probably wondering if the story has ended. Was graduating from basic training the shining accomplishment of my military career?

Honestly? The last few weeks were just an introduction. If this was a book, you just read the prologue. We haven’t even gotten started yet.

My family follows these blogs. I’ve never told them about my military career, at least not in a story format. My sister told me she reads these when she’s on the toilet. The jokes on her; I read her letters in a porta-john in the middle of Iraq. Beat that!

But they play an integral part in the story. So, I thought I should introduce them now since they will come up later.

As you all know by now, I come from a long line of service members. All ranks. All branches. All kinds of different jobs. Hell, a quick Google search will reveal most of them. Protecting the innocent is difficult when they all share my last name and have already made it into the history books.

Maybe I should have given them a heads-up before sitting down to type my confessions.

I think they’ll forgive me. Fingers crossed.

My father served in the Navy. One of those real Navy men. With the stained coffee mug, his bag packed and ready by the front door, and an unhealthy obsession for video games. He was a leader. A pit bull to his subordinates. A pain in the ass to his higher-ups. But dedicated to the Navy. Ride-or-die kind of dedicated.

I don’t remember him being around a lot during my childhood. From what I remember, the Navy breaks things down into cycles. Three years of shore duty followed by three years of sea duty. Sea duty was training. If you’re in the Navy, training happens at sea. Which means there were months he was gone- 3, 6, and 9-month deployments, to be exact.

If you did the math, you know where I’m heading. Yup, this was long before cell phones and high-speed internet. Were there international collect calls back then? Did he have to use quarters at a payphone to call home? Maybe he sent seagulls? I really don’t know. I should ask him.

What I’m trying to say is there were no emails. No instant messaging. No text messages. No constant communication. Just a hope and a prayer that my mother was sitting by the rotary phone when he called.

The washing machine broke down? She’d have to figure out how to fix it.

Having a bad day because the kids are acting up and the bills are piling up on the kitchen table? She dealt with it alone.

She was dedicated; I can tell you that. A ride-or-die military wife. And a spectacular mother.

My father was never a ‘letter-writing’ man. I used to wonder about that. Why didn’t he send more letters? Shouldn’t we have gotten one at least once a week? Looking back, I understand. It’s hard to explain what you’ve done, why you’re doing it, or where you’re going next.

I could never figure out how to put everything on paper, so I’ll give him a break.

But I digress, back to the home front while I was in training.

My parents moved while I was in basic. Rude! I didn’t even know they were house-hunting. I must have missed that paragraph in the letters. I just remember hearing about it during one of the few times we were given permission for a five-minute call.

Talk about a wake-up call. Life was trucking along outside my world of MREs, endless classes, and mass punishments. What do you mean the world didn’t stop because I was training to go to war? Shouldn’t my family have been sitting around the telephone waiting to hear from me? Shouldn’t time have stopped so I didn’t miss any of the big things?

But it doesn’t.

At this moment, while you read this, billions of others are living a life you will never know about. They are rushing to work, getting the kids ready for school, moving, dying, being born, buying houses, and selling stocks.

They are in basic training learning how to pew pew.

My parents buying a house was life-changing for me. It meant I was no longer a key player in their lives. It meant that this was no longer a game. This was my life. On my own. With a shitty paycheck and everything.

I should have stayed in college.

As I was coming into the Army, my dad was preparing to leave the Navy. He’d done his time. My mother had made her sacrifice. My sister deserved to grow up in the same town, with the same friends, and have some sort of stability.

It wasn’t until I retired that I understood what major life changes they were going through. Their whole lives were uprooted as they moved into the ‘civilian realm.’ And I wasn’t there. They never told me. They wanted me to focus on what I was doing and not worry.

I laugh because this would be the first of many ‘secrets’ between me and my family. They bought a home, and I had a duffle bag, $500.00 in the bank, and a roll of lifesavers.

We were now officially on two different paths.

Until tomorrow, my friends- Keep Reading and Stay Caffeinated.

If tales of legend, myth, and fantasy topped with a cup of coffee interest you, I suggest checking out my book, The Writer and the Librarian. It’s a historical fantasy about a middle-aged woman faced with a decision: accept what is written in the history books or find out for herself the truth behind the stories. Limited edition copies are now available on my website (Shop – R.L. Geer-Robbins / Author (rlgeerrobbins.com) or at

Amazon: https://a.co/d/flQhakX

Barnes and Noble: The Writer and the Librarian by Rose Geer-Robbins, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Target: The Writer And The Librarian – (the Raven Society) By R L Geer-robbins (paperback) : Target

And on any of your favorite Indie Book Store websites!

Current sales as of today= 135/1500