Author Archives: mohawkvalleygirl

Bare Bones of a Blog Post

Posted on October 2, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Crap! WordPress picked today to impose its new editor on me, and I have no idea how to share a photo. I purposely took a photo for that title! Curse you, WordPress!

One of my favorite wines.

After great effort, I find out I can add a photo I took earlier of a glass of wine I poured myself. Of particular note is the wine stopper, which I purchased yesterday at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit. I wished I had a Halloween bottle to put on it, such as Vampire Pinot Noir or Werewolf Merlot. However, I thought the scary picture of the convict was good enough.

You know, that grass looks pretty green. I SO do NOT want to mow again.

I just shared this picture yesterday but thought it fit with the Bare Bones theme of the post. Readers of yesterday’s post know it was another purchase from Pumpkin Junction.

Who doesn’t love a picture of a skeleton with a duck and Santa Claus peeking in?

I wanted to add one more skeleton picture.

OK, here is my story of today’s post. I invented the title first, meaning to share the picture I took, to show off the skull stopper and point out that, yes, I am once again drinking wine. Then I get confronted with this new editor, which I have been studiously and successfully avoiding thus far. So I have coped as best I can at the time.

The beauty part is that it is Non-Sequitur Thursday, so not making sense in fact makes sense. I will strive to make my peace with this editor. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Another Halloween Decoration Update

Posted on October 1, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I needed something to cheer myself up today.  My first thought was to go to a dollar store and get some cheap Halloween decorations.   Then I thought, don’t be silly!  Go to Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit and get some good stuff!  For one reason, in addition to being good quality,  it is quite reasonably priced.  Also, I thought it would make a good blog post.

It is a beautiful drive to Pumpkin Junction.  I take Higby Road out of Frankfort to Graffenburg Road.  I saw lots of color in the trees, and a few Halloween decorations in people’s yards.

Just walking around Pumpkin Junction is like exploring a haunted house.  I took a few pictures of some ghouls upstairs.

A couple of charming fellows.

There are also a lot of costumes upstairs.  Do I need something new to wear this year?  Could be.

I may have a hat like that.

I was more interested in taking pictures of the ghouls than the costumes.

Another sweet pumpkin head and friend.

I stopped taking pictures when I went downstairs, because I was busy shopping.  I hope to convince my friend, Kim, to return with me this weekend.  I’ll take more pictures then.  In the meantime,  here are a couple shots of the new decorations I purchased today.

I have always wanted one of those skeletons coming out of the ground!

The skeleton and gravestone are new;  the dead plant is from my container garden.

I’ll try to get one of her lighted up.

We got Witchy at Pumpkin Junction a few years ago,

The other side of the porch.

You can’t quite see the new ghoul hanging on the side of the porch roof.  I suppose I had better go out and get another picture.

Well, that didn’t turn out very well.

At least you can see some nice clouds.  A cloudy night is Halloweeny, I always think.

Pumpkin Junction is located at 2188 Graffenburg Road, Sauquoit,  NY, phone number 315-794-4604.  They are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

 

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Remember That Mini-Maker?

Posted on September 30, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I never wrote about running the Mini-Maker at Copper City Brewing in Rome.  This was a 15K organized by the Roman Runners as an opportunity to run our Virtual Boilermaker.   I have started this post several times but cannot seem to do the event justice.  Under the heading A Bad Blog Post Is Better Than No Post At All, I will share the pictures I took that day and hope that will give an idea of what a wonderful event it was.

Volunteers Kelly and Kevin at the registration table.

The event took place Sunday, Sept. 13.  I was among the first to arrive.  I had said I would volunteer, since I had already run my official 15K, but when the day came, I definitely wanted to run.  I thought I should accept the invitation to start early, since I could not guarantee how fast I would go.  Kevin helped me out by getting me my own personal bicyclist to make sure I did not get lost.

My bicycle guy Scott was awesome. I’m sure he was a big reason I went as fast as I did.

When I started running, I soon realized I was running faster than I had on any of my training runs.  What the hell, me?  I did peter out the last few miles as my back started to hurt and my breathing got a little ragged.  But I thoroughly enjoyed the run.  It went through some scenic areas along the canal and through Griffiss Air Force Base (I guess it’s not an air force base any more; it’s been a while since I lived in Rome).

Carrie and Steve Klepadlo of Broasters.

Before the race I enjoyed a cup of cold brew courtesy Broasters Coffee Company.  It is single origin and yummy.  They currently operate a wholesale business not open to the public.  However, they do events and farmers’ markets.  I wonder if it was extra caffeine boost that helped me run so fast.  I’ll have to get some more of that coffee!

Christina at the bar.

After the race, everybody had a great time, drinking beer, Bloody Marys and more.  I drank some Fallin’ For Pumpkin Ale, which I enjoyed very much.  I also enjoyed a free hot dog.

I liked the scene behind the bar, too.

 

Our most gracious host.

I had been to Copper City Brewing before.  I hope to go again soon.  Roman Runners are holding a 5K this Saturday.  Do you think I should go?

 

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It is the Monstrous Time of Year!

Posted on September 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

For this week’s Monstrous Monday Post,  I took some pictures of the evolving Halloween decorations at my house.

His name is Harold Ghoul.

I purchased this ghoul from a neighbor’s yard sale this year.  Our other ghoul,  Elliott Ghoul,  is in the front window.  I could not get a good picture due to reflections.

A work in progress.

You can’t see the Keep Out tape very well, and I need to place the scarecrows more advantageously.

I am especially proud of this little group.

The black tulips that Bonita is holding were a prop from Spring Into Murder, one of the dinner theatres written by me (regular readers know I like to mention my murder mysteries at any opportunity).  The gorilla in the mask is Bert the Birtday Gorilla.  I got him at a post-Valentine’s Day Sale for Steven’s March birthday, a number of year’s ago.

Lots of little things here!

I meant to put just a few things on the mantle, but once I got started…

The shirt is too worn out for me to wear, alas!

Since this Santa Claus stays out all year, I like to dress him up a little for Halloween.  Maybe next year I will try a vampire cape or witch’s hat.  It is nice to have these little improvements from year to year!

 

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Some Skeleton, Mostly Cinema Sunday

Posted on September 28, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

We have been having an enjoyable, leisurely Sunday, and I am not that into making a blog post. What a bum.  However, according to my rules for me, I am obligated to make a blog post if I possibly can.  I am pretty sure I can, but it may be of the Wrist to Forehead Sunday variety.

He is fine, yes.

As often is the case, I watched a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie. I record that show every week. I love it.  We watched Brides of Dracula, a Hammer Horror Film, which I believe I have seen before, without benefit of horror host. I may actually have a picture of this movie in my Media Library,  but I despair of finding it tonight.

Three of my living room friends.

Here is Bonita, one of our skeletons.  I arranged her differently today for Halloween decorating purposes.  I mean to take some pictures for blogging purposes soon.  Santa, in the background, is also dressed for the season.  Darling Duck, not yet.

A young Christopher Lee!

How nice: I found a picture of another movie we watched: Horror Hotel.  It is creepy, yes.

I might look good in such an outfit.

We also watched The Invisible Man with Claude Rains.  What a marvellous actor that man was.  We also watched a DVR’d episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, but that one barely rates a mention.

However, I have managed over 200 words of a Cinema Sunday.  I guess I do not have to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead after all.

 

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Ssssso… Here’s My Blog Post

Posted on September 27, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

W

Last night I tried to make a blog post but could not.  This morning, I noticed a Draft in my posts.  This was it: W.  I previously did a post where I looked for pictures in my Media Library that began with w.  If I am going to do that again, I want to pick a different letter.  I choose S, for Saturday Post on Sunday.

Sexy skeleton: that’s two s’s!

I was not going to share this one, since I used it so recently, but then I scrolled for a while with no s’s found.

Rats! I don’t think they are open on Sunday!

I looked at September 2019 and found Salvatore’s, one of my favorite places to eat!

Don’t bother; it was dumb.

September 2018 gave me this.  Steven and I often watch the Patty McCormick version of The Bad Seed, so we were interested in the re-make.  It was not the thrill we were hoping for.

A much better theatre experience.

This was another story about a bad seed, although his problems stemmed from different sources.  I do love a local, historical murder.  I wonder if there is one I could write a play about.

Another picture with two s’s!

Now here is something I am happy to come across: a suggestion of a cheesy movie to watch later!  I am hoping to have a Cinema Sunday.

 

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Is It Friday? Or Is It Halloween?

Posted on September 26, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Be still, my heart!

I was just watching a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie so open with a picture of my new hero.  Being a horror host is my dream job.  The movie was Billy the Kid vs. Dracula, which really seemed more suited to Mystery Science Theatre 3000 than Svengoolie, but of course Sven is free to feature whatever he chooses.  My opinion was not sought.

So this is my Friday Lame Post, only yesterday was my Friday this week, and I may not have another real Friday for the next few weeks.  Yes, I have been furloughed again.  I mean to make good use of my time, just to have something different from other furloughs and, indeed, the rest of my life.  But never mind serious topics.  I want to make a silly post.

He’s just hanging out.

I went outside just now and took that picture.  I put out a few Halloween decorations last weekend.  I hung the skellington straight down, but the wind blew his leg over the lights to put him in the sexy pose. I love it when nature helps improve your decorations.

Another angle.

I have not finished my decorations.  Witchy is not plugged in yet, but doesn’t she look cheerful?  The scarecrow has been there for a while now. I must find a better spot and pose for him.

Less sexy, but cheerful.

This is from last Halloween.  As you can see, it was a rainy night.  There was some flooding, but we escaped any damage.

I guess I will have plenty of time to decorate my porch and front yard.  Rest assured, you will be able to read about it here.

 

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Murder to Leading to Silly… I Love Theatre!

Posted on September 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

What’s in the box?

For this week’s Throwback Thursday Post,  I looked in my Media Library at September 2019.  I was gearing up for Fabulous and Fatal,  the interactive murder mystery we presented to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society last October.  The box shown was an important prop in the story.

It was given to me by the cast of Leading Ladies, the play I directed for Ilion Little Theatre in 2016.

One of my all-time favorite casts.

Drawing your attention to the costume worn by the “lady” on your far right, I just mention that it is a costume piece I have owned many years and used many times.

Definitely more silly than scary.

I wore the caftan to be a silly wizard for an event for the March of Dimes in May 2018.

I was probably the silliest.

Once again, I was associated with some wonderful people.  This is the thing when you go to do anything theatrical:  theatre people are awesome!

Another appearance of the silly wizard!

I wore the caftan again that year for the Doodah Parade for Ilion Days.  I rode on the float for Ilion Little Theatre.

More fun theatre people!

As the song says, there’s no people like show people!  I hope soon I will be able to make more theatre memories,  if for no other reason than that I will need something to throw back to in 2021!

 

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Winesday for Mohawk Valley Girl

Posted on September 24, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

The duck says, have a glass of wine!

Is it really Wednesday?  My week is dragging by so slowly, I was afraid we would be stuck for a few days on Tuesday.  However, I thought I might try something new:  a Winesday Post.  Full disclosure:  I am enjoying a glass.  Judge me if you are so inclined.

See? A nice small glass!

I add a picture of the glass I am using, because it is from a local business, Prospect Falls Winery.  I LOVE Prospect Falls Winery!   I must get there again soon.  As I type that, I realize there are a lot of places I want to go to soon.  I need more Mohawk Valley Adventures!

Two of my favorite people!

These are our friends Phyllis and Jim.  The wine often flows when we get together, at least for Phyllis and me!  It is not just places I want to visit again, it’s people!

Another person, another place!

Here is my friend Kim at Heelpath Brewing Company in Frankfort,  NY, drinking wine from Rustic Ridge Winery in Burlington Flats.

Same place, different wine.

And here I am, along with Jeff, the proprietor.  I am drinking Untamed Red, from Rustic Ridge.  Kim’s is Sweet Little Blond, appropriately enough.

I think Winesday is a pretty good day, and I hope it makes a reasonably entertaining blog post.

 

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Don’t Be Blank! Plug a Local Business!

Posted on September 23, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess my brain is still on Planet Arous,  because last night I had a terrible case of Writer’s Blank.  I don’t think I have mentioned this affliction in a while.  I stare at a blank computer screen or page (I tried both yesterday) and feel that my mind is similarly blank.  It is all very well to say, “Just write something, anything!”  Sometimes I can, and sometimes I can, that’s all.

It seems that this morning I can.  Let us not dwell on last night’s failure and complete a late post now.

Perhaps not the best angle, but you get the idea.

One help is that my lovely husband, Steven, brought me a cup of hot coffee.  Aaaaaahhhhh!  I took a picture, because he put it in a local mug.  We have not been to Dyn’s Cider Mill yet this year.  It is a charming place, with yummy cider and delicious donuts.  Additionally, they sell the BEST popcorn.  I wonder if I could persuade Steven to take a drive out there on Saturday.

Another good reason for heading in that direction:  we can go through Richfield Springs and stop at the Community Food Cooperative.  Just to plug another local business, and include another picture.

One of my new favorite places.

 

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