Author Archives: mohawkvalleygirl

Hallowussout Wenesday

Posted on November 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I seem to remember making my first Wuss-out Wednesday post was when Halloween fell on a Wednesday one year (obviously I am too lazy to go back and check; I did say this is Wuss-out Wednesday, did I not?).

I only wish I could get this skinny drinking beer!

We just turned out the porch light, as it is the end of trick or treating in Herkimer tonight.  We had a lot of cute and nice kids show up.  We always love staying outside to greet them.  I just felt a little bad when I would mumble around a mouthful of Milky Way, “I’m not eating candy,” and none of them got the joke.  Still, they appreciated my witch’s hat, and that was something.  I even got a compliment on my black and gold caftan.  I certainly get a lot of wear out of that caftan.

I didn’t wear the jewelry or hold the wand, and I wore long sleeves under it, but this is basically the outfit.

I share a photo from last July, since we did not take any pictures today.  Steven wore the wizard hat I have previously worn with the caftan.

 

He also did not make the same silly grin.

Next time I will try to get a pic of Steven in the wizard hat. In the meantime, it is Halloween, or Hallo-wine as my friend Bruce calls it.  In fact, in my case, we can call it Hallo-whine.  Since I wish to inflict a minimum of whining on my readers, I shall sign off now.  Happy Halloween, everybody!

 

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Purple Potatoes on Tasty Tuesday

Posted on October 31, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I see I did a Tasty Tuesday post last week.  It may become a regular thing, because I intend to do another now.  For one reason: I can’t think of much else (oh why did I have to tell you that?  Sometimes I am too honest for my own good).

Last Sunday I roasted some purple potatoes.  I LOVE purple potatoes!  I got these at Hannaford, but I was introduced to them by T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables of Herkimer, NY, just to slip in a little local flavor (see what I did there?).  I used a 350 degree oven (does that mean I baked them?  I’m not up on my cooking terms) and tossed the potatoes in a casserole dish with oil and spices.  I used garlic powder, minced onion, paprika, basil, oregano, and Salt-Free All-Purpose Seasoning from the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica, NY (just to mention another local business).  They were yummy and there was a lot left over.

Tonight, after pouring myself a glass of Pinot Noir, so I could cook with wine, I put about half my leftover potatoes in a frying pan and started them heating.  While they sizzled, I grated some colby-jack cheese, taking frequent breaks to stir the spuds.  Once I had grated enough cheese, I cracked in two eggs and whisked.  There was more cheese than eggs, and it made an interesting kind of a pasty stuff.  I poured it over the potatoes, when I thought the potatoes were pretty much heated through.  I was kind of fascinated, because for the first time after many years of cooking eggs and cheese, I realized:  I was waiting for the eggs to HARDEN and the cheese to SOFTEN.  Paradox is a beautiful thing (I know, that little notion occurred to you years ago) (you know who you are).

It did not take long for the mixture to be done.  It was delicious.  Sometimes I am so pleased with myself as a cook.  I am far from a gourmet, but I likes what I makes!  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

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Why am I Smiling on Monstrous Monday?

Posted on October 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Can I have a Monstrous Monday after having a Many Monsters Sunday?  I think so, and not just because it is almost Halloween.  I like monsters ALL YEAR LONG!!! And, blogworthy activities-wise, I ain’t got much.  I will just mention that after last Saturday’s Haunted Historic Four Corners and the cancellation this Saturday’s murder mystery, I find myself in the rare and unfamiliar state of Nothing I HAVE To Do.  No commitments.  Nothing I need to work on and get done by a certain date.  (Oh well, my article(s) for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Let’s not talk about that; just let me savor this!)

My teeth are not this good, but I have a similar smile right now.

I have not idea who this wolfman is.  I went to the Facebook page The Golden Age of Monster Movies and looked through the photos for a happy monster.

This is what I looked like a few weeks ago, when I was still trying to cast the murder mystery.

This, in case you didn’t know, is Elisha Cook, Jr., in House on Haunted Hill (1959).  Full disclosure:  I didn’t remember his name and had to look it up.

Since I do not have to begin writing another murder mystery till 2019 (for Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY in probably April), I can turn once again to writing novels.  I tried it this morning, but things did not go very well.  I have been jotting notes and inventing characters.  I have a few ideas, so I will persevere.  I will let you know how it goes.

I must bear this thought in mind.

 

I’ll remember this dictum as well.

OK, that was my pep talk to myself.  I will close with another monster, just because.

“Don’t forget about me!”

It was a choice between Michael Myers and Nosferatu.  Jaime Lee Curtis, I love you, but for me, Nosferatu always wins.

 

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Many Monsters on Cinema Sunday

Posted on October 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It has become something of a routine with me to have Sunday Cinema.  I just love to knit or crochet and watch movies on a Sunday.  Why not make a blog post with movie pictures as well?  Of course we are watching Halloween movies right now (but you know I love to watch Halloween movies all year ’round).  Additionally, we saw on Facebook that it is Elsa Lanchester’s birthday today.  Accordingly, we started with Bride of Frankenstein (1935).

Isn’t she pretty?

My favorite part of the move is the introduction, with Lord Byron, Percy Shelley,and his wife, Mary, who, of course, wrote Frankenstein.  In the movie, the events that follow are not in her original tale, but in parts of The Bride of Frankenstein are in the book Frankenstein.  I must re-read that book.  So may books, so little time.  After that fun movie, Steven suggested one I have been in the mood to watch for a while now, Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) with the divine Bette Davis.  It also features a wonderful Agnes Moorehead, the bitchy Olivia DeHavilland and another favorite, Cecil Kellaway.  Oh, now I fell badly for not mentioning Mary Astor and Joseph Cotten.  Now I’m thinking I did not even talk about the magnificent Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein.  Well, I can’t mention everybody all the time.

Bette Davis. Who else do you need in a movie?

After Charlotte, I suggested one of our cheesy movies, because those are often shorter.  We love Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, but it is a long movie, which is kind of a detriment on a day when I like to watch multiple flicks.  I read off titles on our DVD collection, 50 Horror Classics till Steven said, “Let’s watch that one.”  It was The Mad Monster, with the marvelously theatrical George Zucco (I quote the booklet that came with the collection).

I just didn’t want the wolf to come to a bad end.

Full disclosure:  I missed part of the movie while I went into the kitchen to make my salad for the upcoming week’s lunches.  Sometime the worst thing about Sunday is that tomorrow’s Monday.  However, I shall not repine.  I have finished my blog post and there is still time to watch another movie.  I hope your weekend was grand.

 

 

 

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Pre-Haunting Post

Posted on October 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve posted before rehearsals and performances.  I guess tonight’s event is in the nature of a performance for me, but to be seasonal, I chose the above title for this week’s Scattered Saturday post.  I must soon begin fixing my unruly hair for the Haunted Historic Four Corners Tour.  I will get home late and will no doubt be tired.  I will be happy I already did my blog post.

I got up just prior to six, and it was still dark out when I went for a run.  I was happy to wear the reflective vest (“road guard vest” is what we army folk call it) my sister Cheryl gave me some time ago. It had been raining and was just beginning to sprinkle again as I walked my cool-down.  Full disclosure:  I meant to do a Saturday Running Commentary post but got distracted with, well, Saturday.

I don’t know if I mentioned that Steven is feeling poorly, but of course I won’t say much, because, you know, HIPAA.  But I had to pick up a prescription for him so headed to the Medicine Shoppe in Ilion.   After getting that, I stopped in to the handily located Ilion Wine and Spirits.  Barefoot Pinot Noir, yes, please.  I felt fortunate to be able to take a left out of that parking lot and headed a short way down the road to Moose River Coffee and Beer Belly Bob’s.

I went into the coffee shop first and got a 12 oz cup of the smoothest coffee ever and a raspberry-filled cookie.  While I nibble and sipped, I worked on my latest attempt at finishing a novel.  I am still at the note-writing stage.  I know who’s going to die and how, but not sure who the killer is.  Perhaps a character I have yet to invent.  But already I’ve said too much.  It is a mistake to talk to much about stories while you are writing them; you can talk yourself out of writing them.

After savoring the last drop of coffee, I went into Beer Belly Bob’s for some beer.  I told them I was disappointed about yesterday’s tasting being postponed.  They were sorry about it as well.  I got some stuff I know I like the taste of.  In fact, I am enjoying a can now (don’t judge me).

The only other thing of note I have done thus far is accompany my friend, Kim, to Ilion Little Theatre, where we borrowed accessories for our costumes tonight.  We are impersonating a couple of murderesses from the 1800’s.  She is a new one (to us), whose name escapes me, while I am reprising my iconic role of Roxy.  I hope to talk more about the haunted tour tomorrow.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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A Brain With No Beer?

Posted on October 27, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I really wanted to make today’s blog post about beer.  Beer Belly Bob’s was having a tasting, and I need to get more beer anyways.  I always feel more secure when I have beer in the fridge, even now that I rarely drink it.  Unfortunately, the scheduled tasting was cancelled.  I’ll have to get over there and purchase some beer for the fridge, but I just didn’t have enough oomph to leave the house again tonight.

Do I have enough oomph to make a blog post? The answer has to be yes, of course.  It helps that today is Lame Post Friday.

Only I don’t have a blu-ray.

Yes, we are watching The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (1962), which I believe I referenced in a blog post earlier this week.  It is one of my favorite cheesy movies.  I need more cheesy movie watching in my life.

That reminds me of a few guys I used to date.

I just thought I’d throw in a picture of the monster from that movie, perhaps to distract from the fact that this is a particularly lame Friday post.

I was just looking all through the pictures on Beer Belly Bob’s Facebook page, but I did not see any that would particularly enhance today’s post.  What to do?  Admit I am lame and move on?  Or search obsessively for a photo that fits?  Or just throw in a picture I like, hit publish and get back to enjoying my Friday?  I think you know what I am going to pick.

“What are you bothering me for?”

You just knew I was going to pick Nosferatu, didn’t you? Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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Did Someone Say Beer?

Posted on October 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel a Non-Sequitur Thursday post brewing in (what’s left of) my brain, but first: a sad (to me, anyways) note:  A Trivial Murder has been postponed till spring, date to be determined.  I had all my lines learned and was working on everybody else’s (it is helpful to know the whole script, so you can help out if the actors get off track) (but that’s a whole other blog post) (then again, why should I worry about getting sidetracked on Non-Sequitur Thursday?).

Where was I?  Ah yes, nowhere.  As usual at these times, I will look for a picture to post.

“Doh! Wrong holiday!”

What could be more non-sequitur than Santa Claus in a Halloween shirt? (That could be a rhetorical question, but if anybody has an answer, feel free to comment below.)  This picture is from last October, but Santa is wearing that shirt now.  Alas, I cannot wear it myself any more, because I have worn it out.  It is riddled with itty bitty holes.  We have not decorated much for our favorite holiday this year.  Perhaps tomorrow or Saturday I will take pictures of what there is (besides Santa) and make a blog post about it.  I’m too lazy to do it now.  Additionally, I have to run soon to a rehearsal for the Haunted Historic Four Corners Tour I mentioned in yesterday’s post.

I need another picture.

Whodunnit? We’ll never tell!

Since I’m feeling a little sad about A Trivial Murder, I’ll share the picture of last October’s A G.R.A.V.E. Murder.  That was a fun one.

“Where have you been all my life, tall, dark and gruesome?”

Just to add one more photo, and to remind myself that it is so Thursday (I’ve had a four day week so get a little confused), I close with this.  Who doesn’t love Frankenstein’s monster with a mermaid? (That one was definitely a rhetorical question.)  I wonder if I have any beer in the fridge…

 

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I Hope to Haunt

Posted on October 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would take today’s post to give a quick shout-out to an event I am taking part in this Saturday, Oct. 27: Haunted Historic Four Corners in Herkimer, NY, hosted by the Herkimer County Historical Society.

Regular readers may remember that Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners is one of my favorite places to walk or run by.  They may not know that each of the four corners is reputed to have at least one ghost.   On Saturday, participants can walk a tour of two of them: Suiter House and the 1834 Jail.  The New York Shadow Chasers will be on hand to share their findings when they have investigated the sites.  A few ghosts may be on hand as well.  That is where I come in.

At least, there may be a few actual ghosts on hand; I can’t speak to that.  However, there will also be actors there impersonating some of the more famous ghosts.  I will reprise my role of Roxalana Druse (I was in the play Roxy by Jack Sherman in 2015; perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).   Jean Gianini and Chester Gilette are two other murderers that may be there, as well as one or two that haven’t had plays written about them (ooh, a future writing project for me?).

Here I am when I played Roxalana last year. I have better hair for it this year.

The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.  Pre-sale tickets are $10.00 and available at the Herkimer County Historical Society, 406 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, Monday-Friday, 10-4. They will be $15.00 the evening of the event. Tickets will be sold by time slot – tours will leave every 15 minutes. Proceeds will benefit the Historical Society and the “Friends of Historic Herkimer County” who are renovating the 1834 Jail.  For more information, contact the Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

 

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Pizza with Pesto on Tasty Tuesday

Posted on October 24, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Tasty Tuesday post instead of my usual Tired or Bad Attituesday?  I just made a yummy flat bread pizza and I think I can come up with 200 or so words about it.

Steven got me some nice flat bread last week, and over the weekend I had the idea of making a flat bread pizza.   Accordingly, I went to the store on Sunday and purchased Dino’s sausage (from Utica, NY; just to give my post some local flair), fresh mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese.  I lazily picked the washed and sliced mushrooms.  It did not seem to be much difference in price between that and the whole ones. I already had black olives and pesto.  The pesto was homemade: I made it in my blender with oil, basil, garlic and whatever else I felt like throwing in at the time (I don’t remember now what that was; this stuff keeps a long time in the fridge).

I cooked all the sausage on Sunday, knowing it would be good for more than one pizza, so I was all set in that respect today.  While the oven pre-heated, I grated mozzarella.  After spraying the pizza pan with no-stick, I put the flat bread on it and spread it with pesto.  I arranged sausage and mushrooms, sliced the black olives over them, then covered the whole with cheese.  I baked it for ten minutes.

YUMMY!!!  My Sunday pizza was made with the same recipe, if you can call it that (I suppose in my blog I will call it what I like).  I’m not sure if I have shared this recipe before, but there is every chance I will share it again sometime.  Perhaps I will make some variations on the theme or maybe take pictures of the work in progress and the finished product.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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The Brain That Wouldn’t Blog

Posted on October 23, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It has not been a particularly Monstrous Monday, so I’ve got that going for me.  What I do not have going for me is much brain power.  What’s that all about, head?  Now is where I usually share the picture of The Brain from Planet Arous, but how predictable of me.  Perhaps I could come up with something different.

Nice side eye.

How about The Brain That Wouldn’t Die?  You can’t see her brain, but she does have one.  It is also known as The Head That Wouldn’t Die, although I think either title is something of a misnomer.  However, I suppose both are catchier than The Brain Whose Maniac Boyfriend Wouldn’t Let Die.  This is why I don’t have a job writing titles for Hollywood movies.

“We want to eat your meager brain!”

Zombies can help demonstrate my current state of mindless.  I am not really up on zombie lore; do they feed on brains or flesh?  If it is brain, they would starve to death on me.  Perhaps I could find a book at the library and find out before I actually meet any zombies.

“This is a good boy!”

And here’s a fellow that got gypped in the brain department.  Igor got the brain for Frederick Frankenstein’s monster from somebody called Abby Normal.  If you’ve never seen Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, I highly recommend it.

So now I have rattled on for some 200 words. Not bad for a chick with no brain.

 

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