Fought the Lawn, Fought the Deck, What Next?

I got out early in hopes of making a Lawn Order post instead of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday blog post.  Well, fighting the lawn (and the lawn won) did cause me to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead, but I felt I got something done, so I took a few pictures and I will attempt to make a blog post recounting my adventures.

No, really, this IS the “after” picture.

I maybe should have taken a “before” picture.  I spent some ten minutes yesterday and a little bit longer today with clippers, chopping away at dead daisies and past their prime peonies (I made up the alliterative titles while I worked) while trying to let the purple flowers live.  There was a insidious invasive species I tried to do away with as well.  One sprig of purple blooms ended up in my green waste container, but I clipped it with a pair of scissors and it now resides in a bud vase in my living room.  Sorry there is no picture of it, but my living room is quite cluttered.  I hope to fight that mess to a standstill as the week progresses.

Not party ready yet, but getting there!

After puffing and panting out front (bending and straightening is not fun for my age and weight) (yes, I KNOW I can do something about the latter, I’m trying, but these things take time, give me a break!) (you know who you are), I went out back to my deck.  There were still leaves on it from last fall, which I know is extremely harmful to the wood.  I huffed and puffed first with a rake then with a broom.  I feel I met with some success.

Luna, the dog next door, came out on her back porch and barked at me.  There were no balls handy for me to throw for her, as I explained to her.  She watched me work for a while, making sad noises from time to time but in general acquiescing in my refusal to play with her.  I felt bad, but there is only so much an old lady like me can do, after all. Quite frankly, if there had been a ball handy I might have thrown it a few times and let some of the leaves go hang, but we’ll never know.

Yes I know the lawn needs mowing.

Three containers is the most we can leave out.  Also, they don’t like stuff to stick up over the top of the containers.  So I felt I was in compliance.  I went back in the house and like any normal person got on the internet for a while.  After scrolling around, I noticed some weird brown puffy things on my shirt.  Oh dear.  This is what happens when you don’t get into the shower right away.  It was awkward to get a picture of the shirt (I do like to document these things), but luckily there were some on my socks.

It’s an old pair of sneakers.

This is turning out to be a long blog post.  Isn’t that nice?  Maybe I should try to write a few other things.  Maybe that novel I keep talking about.  I’ll let you know how that turns out.  Maybe a horror novel about invasive species and little brown puffy things who terrorize old ladies who just want to have parties on their decks.  What do you think?

 

Slacker Saturday, but Hopes for Sunday

Oh dear, I have once again neglected to make a blog post and even worse neglected to do any blogworthy activities.  There is nothing for it but a Slacker Saturday post.  Can I manage such a thing.  Probably.  Will my Media Library help?  I hope so.

One bloom.

A protracted search brought no inspiration, so I share one lone Black-Eyed Susan.  I do not know if I will have any Black-Eyed or Brown-Eyed Susans this year, although I have had many in the past.  My yard, I fear, will be a great disappointment.  I resign myself to this being another rebuilding year.

These are pretty!

To share something happier, here is a view from July 2017.  I’m not sure where all these purple blossoms came from but I like them.  There are a few purple pretties out there now.  I hope to cut them down before I lay waste to the dead daisies and peonies that make my front lawn such a disgrace as it is now.  That is my project for tomorrow, I hope.

Will is be a Slacker Sunday?  I hope not.  For one reason, it will make a better blog post if I can accomplish a little lawn order on my property.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

High Temperatures, Lame Blog Posts

Oh crap, I forgot to make my blog post earlier!  AND I already used my “I’m MELTING!” picture earlier this week.  Who knew I would be melting even worse today?  I guess anybody who was watching the weather reports, which in fact, I have been.  Anyways, it is Lame Post Friday, so I am just going to rattle on for 200 or so words, perhaps indulging in a few random observations or some half-baked philosophy. It is Friday; I checked.

There are wine tastings on Fridays.

This is a picture from last week at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  Full disclosure:  It may have been Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.  They have tastings all three of those days.  I believe they do not have a tasting tomorrow, on the Fourth. I did not attend yesterday’s tasting.  I am thinking of going to today’s tasting, which has already started.  It runs till six.  I have time. I just have to put my pants back on (do NOT say TMI) (you know who you are).

I do not have mine in a row, by the way

I throw in a duck, because who doesn’t love a duck (if it is you, I believe you have come to the wrong blog, because I love ducks and often include them)?  That is a duck I won in a claw machine in Boulevard Diner in Whitesboro and subsequently presented to my friend Michele on her birthday.  I won a spangly blue duck in a claw machine at Friendly’s in New Hartford yesterday.  It is presently residing on my coffee table, which really needs cleaning.

It is, in fact, too hot for me to worry about cleaning my house right now.  Perhaps I can get something done after the heat of the day today or before the heat of the day tomorrow.  Will it be worth a blog post?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my weekend.

 

I’ll Never Get My Phil!

Yes, I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY last night and enjoyed the musical stylings of Phil Arcuri!  It was great!  I had fun!  Everybody had fun!  I loves me some Phil!

He is the best!

I confess, this is not a picture from last night  I did take a picture as soon as he started and shared it on Facebook, inviting all my Facebook friends to come on over and join me.  Full disclosure:  nobody ever has.  I could feel unloved because of that, but I choose to think they are all busy or perhaps live too far away.  Why give my already low self-esteem another knock?

Phil greeted me right away, when I was gimping out to my car because I had forgotten something.  He immediately expressed concern over my crutches.  I assured him I would dance my way out regardless.  I chair danced pretty much they whole time as soon as he started playing.  Well, barstool danced, if you want to be didactic.  I sang along as well.  Most local musicians like it when you do that.  All the ones I follow are so nice about it.

I had not been to Fratello’s in a while, so I was glad to return.  They are located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY.  You can follow them on Facebook to get the musical lineup.  The food is pretty good, too.

 

Fiery Weather, Festive Attire, and Phil?

Today shall be a Wayback Wednesday post, if not a Wuss-out Wednesday.  I have spend the day lounged in front of a fan, pausing only to take a cool shower, AAAAaaaahhhh! In my defense, WKTV Weather declared it an Alert Day due to severe heat.  At my age, one had to be wary of these things.  For one reason, I have suffered from heat injuries in the past. Once you have suffered from heat injuries, you are all the more susceptible.  Stop playing those miniature violins!  I wasn’t asking for sympathy; I was merely stating a fact.  I encourage everybody out there to stay hydrated and not to overexert.

I usually spell it with a b.

Yes, this is me on many occasions.  However, I hope to revive myself as the afternoon wears on.  I may even try to put on some festive attire and venture from the house.

He is such a wonderful musician and human being!

My thought is to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY and hear Phil Arcuri, one of my favorite local musicians.  I used to go to Fratello’s almost every Wednesday for food and music, but I have not been in recent weeks.  What’s that all about, me?  This might be the week I make it back there!  But what to wear?

It is festive attire, yes?

This is the outfit I wore to the Pride Stride 5K in Little Falls in 2021.  Pride should be all year, should it not?  And I do love all the colors of the rainbow!  I think I still have the headband, but the t-shirt is worn out.  I shall have to see what I can come up with.  It should at least be worth another blog post!

 

 

Not Just Monsters: Parades and Players!

Well, I did a few posts on Mohawk Valley Adventures, and now I am back to doing a Tired Tuesday post.  In my defense, do I really need to defend myself?  I am just keeping my spirits up as best as I can while attempting to be at least marginally entertaining in my daily blog.  Let us see what I can come up with for today.

“Now this won’t hurt a bit. Of course I am a colossal liar.”

I don’t know who the two women are, but the man is a young Christopher Lee in Horror Hotel, also known as City of the Dead. Both titles are misnomers, though, because it involves an inn in a village, but it is a pretty entertaining creepy movie.  I have not seen a creepy movie in a while.  I unhooked my DVD player in hopes of getting it worked on, but the place in town that works on these things seems to be out of business, alas.

Any excuse to wear my tiara!

I did not want to make this post all about monsters, so I throw in this from a few years ago.  I am all set to participate in the DooDah Parade with Ilion Little Theatre (ILT),  part of the Ilion Days festivities.  ILT has not participated these last few years, which I find sad, but groups need people to take charge and get these things organized.  My friend Kim was a mover and shaker in days past, but she, alas, moved away. I myself am not much of a mover or shaker currently.  Perhaps that will change, but not in time for this year’s DooDah Parade, I’m afraid.

Another tiara shot!

And speaking of things I’m not up to this year, here is a shot from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the show I was in with Players of Utica last year.  Will I ever be on the stage again?  One can hope!  In the meantime, at least I made another blog post.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Return to Yetty’s

Yesterday, feeling hungry and remembering how much I love restaurant leftovers, I made my way to Yetty’s in Herkimer.  I ordered a Muffaletta, a marvelous sandwich olives and cold meat on a delightful bun.  I can only eat a quarter of it, leaving three more quarters for my future dining pleasure.

 

Hi, buddy!

Of course I was happy to see the actual Yeti looking down on us diners, of which there were not many, since I was late for lunch and early for dinner.  I had forgotten the pictures I took of him the last time I was there are somewhat blurry.  That will be my excuse for another stop at Yetty’s!

My other excuse is to try another of their delicious desserts.  I had not tried any before but ventured on a piece of carrot cake.  It was yummy!  And huge.  I could not finish it and left the restaurant completely stuffed.

Today I am going to attempt a trip to Hannaford, to purchase some regular food.  Previous to this, my sister Cheryl and my parents have brought me some provisions.  However, I like to take responsibility for my own nutrition.  I was going to use Hannaford To Go but I really want to get a puzzle book with anacrostic puzzles, and you really need to look those over in person. I hope my leg holds out.

Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are currently open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday.

 

A Welcome Blast from the Past

Yesterday I drove to Little Falls, NY, and back in time to Rock Valley Brewing Co. for their Blast from the Past Music Festival.  The music started at noon, but I got there sometime after one and enjoyed the tunes of One Lime Summer.  There were a lot of people there, many of them wearing fraternity and sorority letters I remembered from my days at Potsdam College.

My friends showed up shortly before two.  We were there to see Double Axle, the premiere bar and beer blast band from the ’70s and ’80s in the greater Potsdam area.  They were celebrating 50 years, looking and sounding very good indeed!

They were fine, yes!

The crowd loved them!  I loved them!  The inevitable happened:  crutches and all, I got up and danced.  It was awkward.  It was silly.  I have no regrets.  Soon other people got up to dance.  Feeling I had done my job, I sat back down and continued to chair dance.  Actually, since I was at a picnic table, I guess I was bench dancing.

I did not stay as long as I would have liked to.  The sun was hot, and I have a bit of sun sensitivity (my late, lovely husband used to say I was part Addams).  However, I stayed long enough to feel deeply satisfied with nostalgia and music.  I think everybody else there was having just as good a time.

Rock Valley Brewing is located at 56 West Mill St., Little Falls, NY.  They are a great place to visit even when they are not hosting a music festival.

 

An Excellent Dinner

Last night I was hungry as well as wanting to get out of the house, so I went to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer, NY.  I was not disappointed!

One of my go-to places!

It was right around four when I got there, so I had my choice of places to sit.  I ordered broiled haddock with a side of pasta, then got an antipasto salad to take with me, thus ensuring a few meals in the coming days.  I also took some of the fish and pasta home, so I am set!

My waitress was one of my fellow actresses from Ilion Little Theatre, so that was nice.  We were able to enjoy a little chat, although more diners arrived after me, so she was a little busy.  I really miss my theatre friends.  I must make my way back to ILT soon.  I think I saw something about auditions in the coming weeks.  I wonder if there are any parts for actors on crutches (preview of coming events).

As I ate, I enjoyed the music: classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s.  Yes, they are “oldies” now, but so am I.  I embrace it.  I only wish my body had waited till after the Boilermaker 15K to give out as it has, but let me not hark back to my foolish problems.

Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  They do a booming take-out business as well as offering a full-service sit-down dining experience.

 

Almost a Perfect Tasting

Emboldened by my success with breakfast out yesterday, I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I do love wine.  I checked:  a little bit of wine is not incompatible with the medications I am on (I risk a HIPAA violation to soothe any fears my well-wishers may harbor).  Wines from two wineries were offered.

She was very knowledgeable.

First I tasted wines from Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, a New York State winery using grapes from Long Island.  I did not even know they grew grapes on Long Island.  Anita, the lady pouring, told many things about the wines, but I was not very quick at taking notes.  I enjoyed the Perfect Rose.  The Perfect Bubbly was sweeter than I like, but I am sure it would be perfect for many.

Revelation wines from Columbia Valley in Washington State were next.  This is a third generation winery, making sustainable vegan wines.  I tasted a lot of grapefruit in the Sauvignon Blanc.  The Riesling was sweeter than I like, but then I like really dry wines.

I decided to purchase a bottle of the Perfect Rose.  Anita nicely carried it to the register for me, and a young man carried it to my car.  Two crutches make things awkward, but one does what one can.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY.  They have tastings almost every weekend.