Author Archives: mohawkvalleygirl

Blog then Bed

Posted on May 12, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Is it Mental Meanderings Monday or Middle-aged Musings Monday?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

I bet that wasn’t a very long discussion.  Probably a couple, “I don’t care what you call it,” a few, “Oh, no, not another silly post,” or even, “Oh, goody, another silly post.”   Perhaps somebody brought up my love of alliteration.  In admiration or annoyance? (Did you notice what I did just then?)

 

It seems I am too tired to write a decent blog post.  The reason I am so tired is that I have been working on my articles for Mohawk Valley Living, my favorite magazine.  I daresay I flatter myself, but I think they are pretty good.  If only I could get them finished, polished and submitted, my life would be perfect.  I know what some of you are thinking: why didn’t I just publish one of the articles for my blog post?  I have done that on occasion, but I kind of feel like it’s cheating (hey, that’s something else you can discuss amongst yourselves).

 

Another factor in tonight’s trouble in coming up with a blog post is that I really need to get to bed early.  My husband has an early shift at work, for which he prefers to rise at 3:30 a.m.  I go to work at my normal time of seven, making an early morning run a good idea.  Hey, that means I could write tomorrow’s blog post about the run.  Score!

 

In the meantime, we all know Monday can be a painful day for us Monday through Friday wage slaves, as is the day after a day or days off for those who work different hours.  As I said yesterday, all I can do is stay hydrated and try again tomorrow.  Happy Monday, everyone.

 

 

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Stay Hydrated and Keep Writing

Posted on May 11, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Did anybody notice that it is now double digits May?  That’s right, one third of the way through Finish That Novel May.  If I ever had a reason to have a Wrist to Forehead Sunday, this is it!

 

I know, I know, get my wrist off my forehead and WRITE.  I believe I’ve written numerous times about how it is not that simple.  And if anybody wants to stand there and say, “Yes, it is that simple,” oh, just go stand somewhere else and say it.

 

Sorry, kids, I’m not feeling very well today.  I think I spent too much time out in the sun yesterday.  It was pretty cloudy for the most part, so I feel a little ill-used over that.  However, I had a marvelous time (I expect to write a blog post about it when I’m feeling a little better), so if this is the price I pay, so be it.

 

Unfortunately, my brain is even less up to par than usual.  It truly is: I have been trying to write various things on and off all day.  It has not gone well.  The only thing I seem to be good for is to lie on the couch and read a Regency Romance (in my defense, it is by Georgette Heyer, who sets the standard for all such novels).

 

The best I can do, I’m afraid, is hydrate and try again tomorrow.   I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Salsa Dancing Next?

Posted on May 9, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

This time I went two days without running instead of three.   Oh, go ahead and judge.  Shake your head or your finger at me.  Better yet, shake a pair of maracas, let’s salsa dance (pause while I get up from the computer and do a little dance)  (I didn’t really do a little dance; I got my dictionary to look up how to spell maracas).

 

I got out of bed this morning and straight into my running clothes and outside.  It was prior to 6 a.m. but the sun was already up.  The temperature was just right.  How pleasant it is to run without my hands getting numb.  I worked up a sweat as I went along, but that’s OK too.  For one reason, it is nice to sweat for exertion and not because your place of employment is too damn hot (I said “too damn hot” to quote Cole Porter).

 

I had made up my mind to not run any hills and possibly do a shorter run, because Steven has the day off.  My beloved husband, in case you did not know, works retail hours.  This is only his second Saturday off all year.  It is kind of a big deal to me to have a day off with my husband.  I do not want to waste it being wiped out by too strenuous  a run.

 

Still, as I ran I remembered Wine Tasting Day last month.  I ended up running the same length of time as my then longest run, and I felt terrific all day.  So I did not rule out a longish run.  But hills were out of the question (I didn’t run any hills Wine Tasting Day either).

 

My legs were not happy with me.  They have felt macaroni-ish all week long, not for any good reason most of the time.  I tried to ignore them and hoped they would get used to it.  They would stop complaining for a while then start up again, pretty much all through the run.  Well, I can’t worry about my body’s petty complaints. I have a Boilermaker to train for.

 

I crossed German Street, thankful for the early morning lack of traffic, and headed for Main.  I thought I would run down the nice path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  It is a pleasant little path, especially now that the trees are getting leaves.

 

I observed many trees in various stages of growing leaves.  I especially like the ones with flowers.  When I was younger I had the idea that I would get married in an apple orchard at the exact moment when they were in full bloom.  I suppose the timing would have been tricky, but I was a romantic adolescent.  By the time I actually got engaged (which by itself came as a surprise to many), I wanted a fall wedding.  And an indoor wedding, because you can’t count on the weather.  However, I don’t rule out renewing my vows one year in an orchard of dead trees (now that I am a macabre middle-aged lady).

 

I ended up running 40 minutes, the same length as my last run.  It was actually a little over 40.  I had stopped once to pet a nice dog of my acquaintance, so I ran for a little longer than 40 and called it 40.  I don’t care if stopping is bad for training purposes.  I like to pet a nice dog.

 

I feel pretty good about my run, and pretty good that I have a whole day of adventure still ahead of me.  Hope you all have a lovely Saturday.

 

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To My Lame Self Be True

Posted on May 9, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

One can always write something.  Yes, I have said that before.  It bears repeating.  If the project at hand really, truly cannot progress, turn the page (or turn back a few pages; my notebook is not the least bit organized) and work on something else.

 

Of course, this is tricky.  Sometimes if one perseveres in looking at the blank page, one finds one is able to progress on the project at hand after all.  Sometimes after working on something else, one never returns to the original stalled project.

 

On the other hand, sometimes projects stall for a reason.  Putting your head down and bulling your way through is not always the best way to go.  Except when it is.

 

Oh, here I am working up into that old saw, “To thine own self be true” (old saw as in ancient truism, nothing to do with those hideous movies) (yes, I KNOW some people loved those movies; let’s not get distracted on matters of taste, shall we?).

 

All of the preceding may have led some readers to deduce that Finish That Novel May is not going as well as I had hoped.  This would be an accurate deduction.  However, if one inferred that I successfully worked on another project (not just this silly blog post), that, too, would be accurate.

 

I tried to progress on the novel.  Finding that not going so well (or, indeed, going anywhere at all), I turned back a few pages and wrote some more on one of my articles for the June issue of Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I think it’s pretty good.  I felt pretty happy with it.  So I turned  some pages forward, past the stalled novel, and wrote the first four paragraphs of this post.

 

It being Lame Post Friday, I shall feel free to publish this as my blog post.  Since I have proven to myself that I can so write (at least SOMETHING), I shall tackle the novel once again.  As always, thank you for playing.

 

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My Train of Thought Jumped the Tracks

Posted on May 8, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Over a week ago I asked myself how I could de-funkify (I suppose that’s not a word, but I like it).  It seems I have not yet found the answer, as I sit here on Non-Sequitur Thursday with not a post in sight nor many thoughts in my head.  Another question I have asked before:  What’s a blogger to do?

 

I did not go running (what a surprise).  I took a short walk with my schnoodle Tabby, but nothing blogworthy.  I had thought to fix something interesting for supper and do a cooking post, but felt in too much of a funk to do so.  I finally forced myself to make a tossed salad.  The therapeutic benefits of chopping vegetables are not to be denied.  Unfortunately, today they only lasted as long as the vegetables did.

 

I managed to maintain enough oomph to make some Italian salad dressing (the kind in the envelope where you add oil and vinegar).  Then I made another envelope’s worth and put some stew beef in it to marinade for crock pot purposes tomorrow.  So apparently my funk is not completely incapacitating.

 

Finish That Novel May is progressing.  Not progressing nicely, but I am putting words on paper.  I’ve written a few more scenes.  Actually, they kind of flow one into the other, so it’s more like one long scene.  I was just getting to the exciting part when my break ended.  I hurriedly wrote two more sentences then went back to work.  My boss was near my work area but did not say anything to me.  It’s kind of too bad, because I was all set to say, “I was just getting to the poison!”

 

Oh dear, have I given away a major plot point?  I always say too much!   Oh, OK, not really.  I’m just being dramatic again.  In fact, I think I have said enough for this to count as a blog post.  Perhaps my funk will clear of its own accord in time for Lame Post Friday.

 

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Back on Track?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Note to self:  Do NOT take three days in a row off from running.  In my defense, each day it seemed to be the right decision.  Then again, one can almost always find a reason.   More important is to come up with a reason TO run.  Today my reason was:  I’ve already told many people I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K.  I cannot gracefully excuse myself.

 

It was a warm and sunny day (still is as I type this, although I have showered and eaten since the run).  I prefer to run in cooler weather, but it is unlikely to be 50 degrees in July (on Boilermaker Sunday), so I knew it would be a good idea to begin to get acclimated.  I used my usual trick of telling myself I did not have to run very far or up any hills.  Just a short, easy run would be OK.

 

Of course I wanted to go for a longish run.  For one reason, I knew my wonderful husband, Steven, was fixing hot dogs with toasted buns for dinner.  Yum!  But not exactly diet food.  A good run would help keep me on the weight-loss track.

 

I headed towards Herkimer College (formerly Herkimer County Community College or HCCC).  I would not run up the front way — the steeper run — but perhaps the back way,  longer but a more gradual slope.  The back way had the added advantage of being woodsy.  There might be more shade.  If  I really didn’t feel could make it, perhaps I could continue on German Street and go up the hill by Valley Health.

 

Oh, it was not fun to run.  This was my comeuppance for taking three days off.  I knew I must continue.  I would go up to HCCC the back way (oh, it’s just quicker to type than Herkimer College).  It seemed to take a long time, but I encouraged myself.  Just get to the curve.  Now the next curve.  More than halfway there.  Almost there.  Oh dear.

 

I ran down the front way.  It is a little steep for downhill, but I leaned back and took it slow.  The advantage of going this way was that I would go by the spring and could stop for a quick drink.  This was the first day it’s been warm enough that I didn’t mind sticking my hands in the cold water.  It was a fast stop.  I kept going.

 

As I ran, I waited for it to get easier.  It did not.  That was OK.  I told myself I was building up my ability to keep going when it really sucks.  Still, maybe I would catch a second wind if I kept going.  I did not, and I think I kept going long enough to give it a fair shot.  I ran as long as my longest run so far, 40 minutes.

 

My cool-down walk around the block with my schnoodle, Tabby, was better.  Sitting down when I got back home was better yet.  I did my stretches from a sitting position.  I had to stand up to take my shower, but that was worth it.  Oh how nice my husband was to fix dinner!

 

So new rule for me: no more three days off.  I hope I can stick to it.  I have just over two months to the Boilermaker.  It is a little too soon for this blog to become All Boilermaker All The Time, but if I run again tomorrow, I just might write about it.

 

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Walking Away from Bad Attituesday

Posted on May 6, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Two times of year I stare at the trees intensely, because the beautiful color lasts such a short time.  Fall, of course, and early spring.  In between bud and full leaf, the trees are such a delicate, beautiful light green.  I love it.  It lasts a shorter time than the fall colors, so I have to look fast.  Luckily, I did not trip over my dog on the walk we just took, as my eyes were almost constantly looking up.

 

I guess this is going to be a Pedestrian Post.  I suppose I could call it the Tuesday Trudge or, another standby, Tired Tuesday.  Earlier today I thought it must be my new one, Bad Attituesday.  But the walk put me in a pretty good mood.  Spring was a long time in coming to the Mohawk Valley, but (don’t say it too loud) I think it is finally here.

 

I know, I know, I should have gone running.  Boilermaker, weight loss, and I could have seen all the trees running as well as walking (really just as well; I don’t run very fast).  In my defense, my feet hurt.  I need to get some of them there gel insoles for my work shoes.  Anyways, it is very pleasant to walk with your loved ones (in my case, husband and dog) in warm air,  seeing daffodils, tulips and hyacinths (I didn’t look up the whole time).

 

We walked by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners.  I remembered that Museum Day is in May.  The 1834 Jail will be opened one Saturday, I hope.  I must find out when and go there.  I have a few friends that would like to go, too (Preview of Coming Attractions).    Going down Main Street, we turned into the park near Basloe Library.  Ah, the library.  Must make a trip there soon.

 

We walked on down Prospect Street then over to Meyers Park.  There we saw an adorable shaggy little white dog.  She barked at us indignantly.

 

“She told you,” I said to Steven.  The dog’s person told us she was still young and had not been outside many times.  We didn’t mind.  It was a very cute dog.

 

It was a very enjoyable walk.  I’ll try for a run tomorrow.

 

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Bob Barker Would Approve

Posted on May 5, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I always liked how at the end of The Price is Right Bob Barker used to and now Drew Carey does remind us to spay and neuter our pets (although I do not watch that show on a regular basis).  I am pleased to participate in a fundraiser for spay and neuter programs.  I am especially delighted to do so when the fundraiser uses a play on words for its title.   So I made a definite plan to go to the Spay-getti and No Balls Dinner sponsored by 4PetsSake food pantry (whose name is another good play on words), last Saturday at the American Legion in Mohawk, NY.

 

The Legion is in a lovely building.  I admired the staircase and woodwork as Steven and I walked in.  When we purchased our dinner tickets, I asked would it be all right to go into the bar area and purchase a glass of wine.  It was all right with them if it was all right with the Legion.

 

The Merlot was tasty.  The dinner was even better.  The spaghetti was not overcooked, as sometimes happens with these large dinners, and despite the No Balls title, two delicious meatballs were included.  We waited till after we had finished dinner and a yummy dessert (brownie for me, red velvet cake for Steven) before looking at the items available for the Chinese auction.

 

After we left, we sat on the front porch for a few minutes.  I do love sitting on a front porch and am so happy we finally got the weather for it.  Mickey and Minnie Mouse and a large dog were playing on the lawn with a few kids.  The dog petted one little girl.  When we left he was rubbing her tummy.

 

It was an enjoyable evening, and it got even better when Steven got a phone call that he had won a basket of dog treats from Adirondack Puppy Truffles in Remsen.  They are wheat free, corn free, soy free, handcrafted and all natural.  Tabby loves them.

 

All proceeds from the dinner benefit 4PetSake’s low cost spay and neuter program.  For more information on that, contact 4PetsSake at 315-796-2584, email pet-sake@hotmail.com, or visit their website www.4petsakefoodpantry.org.  For more information on Adirondack Puppy Trifles, call 315-272-3532, email truffleb@me.com or visit their website, www.adkpuppytruffles.com.  Both also have Facebook pages.

 

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On Timing and Topping

Posted on May 4, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I keep noticing that WordPress is 12 hours ahead of me.   I log on and hit My Site, then my statistics show up and it seems that I have had no activity yet that day.  This is usually about four in the afternoon, when I get home from work.  First I think nobody likes me, then I notice that it is already tomorrow and say, “Huh.”

 

Leaving my problems of low self-esteem aside (I know some people like me, don’t tell me nobody does or you will hurt my delicate feelings), let us consider the time warp.  While I am in the midst of my Wrist to Forehead Sunday, other bloggers are on to Monday, which may or may not be a Funday (or a Runday or a Punday, etc.)  (I can keep that up all day).

 

People who hate Monday (and there are many of them), probably scorn these whining Sunday posts (oh how I HATE to admit I am whining!).  “You think YOU have problems,” they sneer.  “I’m at work!  At the beginning of the week!”

 

If there is one thing I hate worse than admitting I am whining, it is a topper.  You know the sort.  If you have a headache, they have a migraine.  If you are broke, they are bankrupt, homeless and the sole support of their aged, ailing mother.  Conversely, if you just got a new car, they have traded in their Corvette for a Lambourgini (is that how you spell it? My computer doesn’t seem to think so).

 

Hey, I just realized something.  If my readers are toppers, I can’t win no matter what.   Even if I peel my wrist off my forehead and get positive, they will have something better going on.  In fact, I bet they write better blog posts than me.  What are they even reading my silliness for?  Possibly for the feelings of superiority.  If that is the case, you’re welcome.

 

As for the rest of you, thank you for reading.  Happy Sunday, even if for you it is already Monday.

 

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One Must Persevere

Posted on May 3, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Twice this week I ran, thinking to do a Running Commentary.  Twice I found I could not.  Then I ran today (Saturday), thinking Saturday Running Commentary, why would I not make a Saturday Running Commentary?  At first I thought I would run my commentaries together (so to speak) and just make a post about This Week in Running.  As I started to write (yes, I’ve gone back to re-write the intro after writing most of the blog) (just to insert a note about The Writing Process), I found myself saying quite a bit about Tuesday’s run.  Not wishing to tax my readers’ patience, I shall just comment about one run today.

 

Tuesday I wanted to run into the Unknown Park.  A friend told me it is Brookfield Park.  I have called it the Unknown Park in this blog, because it is not clearly labelled.   That is how I still think of it.  These during the week runs are tricky, because it is not so easy to cross German Street at that time of the day (fourish).  All the hills I know of in Herkimer are on the other side of German Street from my street.

 

This time I managed to cross it with very little problem.  So I felt I was not off the hook for hills.  After all, if I have managed to get across the busy street, why waste it?  I sure did not feel like running, but I persevered.  The park would be interesting.  I had not run it since sometime last fall.  I might even see some buds on some trees.

 

Imagine my chagrin on discovering that the entrance to the park was blocked by a chain with an orange triangle attached.  There is a space where a pedestrian could sneak in, but I have to think of safety first.  Suppose I ran into some kind of trouble (and you know I have a vivid imagination that can come up with all sorts of trouble)?  Who would be likely to come along and help me in a blocked off park?  I ran on.

 

Running up the hill to the college was clearly ineligible, so I went up the hill by Valley Health and ran around in the suburbs (I know they aren’t really suburbs, it’s just a handy term I use).  As I went slowly up, I realized I am in no shape for the Boilermaker 15K.  I’d better step up the pace of my training.  And by step up the pace, of course I mean to continue my shuffling, overweight middle-aged lady pace (not that gender makes a difference), but more often and for longer periods of time.  No more two days off between runs, maybe not even one day off.   And I definitely have to at least walk on the days I do not run.

 

As I ran on, at one point I had a choice:  turn left and continue on a level road or go up a steep-looking hill.  I decided I would turn left.  I was tired.  Then I thought, “Step up the pace.”  I  would go up that hill!  I felt bad ass.  As usual the hill looked less steep when I got right up to it.  It was steep enough.  I made it up.  Then I took a left turn to run by a sign that said, “Do Not Enter.”  I felt bad ass doing that too.  Oh, you don’t have to tell me: they mean cars not middle-aged ladies jogging.  Don’t spoil my fun.

 

I felt quite pleased with myself for running and especially for tackling that second hill.   I was dreadfully tired as the evening progressed, but that is the difference between running after a long day of work and running first thing after sleeping in on the weekend.  As I often observe, one must persevere.

 

 

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