Category Archives: humor

I Need Halloween Monsters!

Hello and welcome to another late Monstrous Monday post.  It is the season for monsters, after all.  I have not been in a particular Halloweeny mood recently, which is too bad, because it is my favorite season.  Yesterday I was struck with yet another bout of Don’t Wanna Do Nuthin’.  I kept bestirring myself to At Least Do One Thing, with varying degrees of success.  Here is the result of one fairly successful foray:

My mantle.

I was happy to find the lights to hang.  They were in a bag on the knob of the door to my attic, where they have been since I took them down from the porch, an embarrassingly long time after Halloween (then again, they only went up Halloween Day; feel free to judge me).  I don’t know if you can see Santa Claus in the background.  He stays there all year round.  I always think he looks like he is saying, “Good grief!”  In this case it is probably because he is wondering why it took me till nearly halfway through the month to get a single Halloween decoration up (although in general, I think it is because that long piece of paper he is holding is the Naughty List).

The well dressed skeleton.

I looked for a picture of the mantle decorated by my late, dearly missed husband Steve but could not find one.  He had a flair for decorating.  Here is the Halloween outfit he put together for Bonita, our skeleton.  She has been embracing nudity lately, but perhaps I will help her into some seasonal duds before too long.  Bonaparte, her small, admiring friend, you may have noticed on the mantle, sitting in a mug from Adirondack Railroad.  I think he is irresistibly cute.

The Ghost of Christmas Past? or Present?

I close with another decoration of my own:  our other Santa Claus dressed as a ghost.  I purchased that Santa the first year we lived in this house, 2005, walking home from the store with him tucked under my arm and feeling rather pleased with myself.  My mother gave us the other Santa one Christmas, having purchased him at an antique store in Pennsylvania when she was visiting my sister Vicki.

I guess this post has not been particularly monstrous, unless you dislike reading about personal reminiscences and the other drivel that comes out of my typing fingers.  Sometimes one can only type what comes out.  However, if you’ll stay tuned, I hope to have other Mohawk Valley Adventures later this week.

 

I Encourage Myself to Write

Ooh, look at the time.  I got on my Chromebook hoping to make Sunday’s blog post on Monday then got distracted by Facebook.  I am easily distracted.  Just about the time I thought I would get off Facebook and read for a while (you know, a book), I remembered the blog.  Full disclosure:  I have not much to blog about.  I confess that the main reason I continue to post every day (or as close as I can get) is to have myself Write Something, Anything.

By my rules for me, Any Writing Counts, be it here (and, yes, I often quote Truman Capote’s, That’s not writing, that’s typing), in the TV Journal, letters or post cards, etc.  By those rules, I do write every day at least something.  I keep hoping I can transition into writing novels, like my sister Diane E. Young does (I should talk about her books for a blog post sometime).  I used to work on novels all the time.

A few blooms to cheer myself up.

I decided to throw in a picture, because I was getting kind of bogged down.  These are some lilacs in my neighborhood that bloomed unexpectedly.  Can I, too, blossom unexpectedly?  People do it all the time, start new paths and projects at an advanced age.

I went searching for this in my Media Library.

A writing friend once pointed out to me that writing about not writing is still writing.  However, writing about not writing will not get me a novel, unless it is a novel about a dithery old woman who ends up not writing a novel.  Personally, I prefer a more plot-driven vehicle.

I guess this post has been to encourage me to take up my pen and start that first draft.  A week or so ago I jotted down some notes on a potential murder mystery.  I think I should pull them out and get started.  First I’ll have breakfast.  Best not to do these things on an empty stomach.

 

Slacker, Sick, and No Longer Saturday

Hello and welcome to my late Slacker Saturday post.  It is late morning Sunday; I slept in.  I was having the most fun dreams!  Then I dreamed I was trying to write them out, like a novel that might become a weekly series. But that is not what I meant to write this blog post about.  The fact is, I think I am coming down with something, or else my allergies are reaching dreadful proportions,

Random picture to denote passage of time while I get more coffee.

Last night we had our performance of Curtains for Frangelica, the murder mystery to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  We had a small but fun crowd, and enjoyed a delicious dinner.  In fact, I ate too much, but you’ll have that.  Earlier in the evening, I felt a little icky, but blamed it on my allergies.  I may still blame it on my allergies, although it may be emotional, as I warded off a panic attack at one point with some deep breathing.  Oh dear, how self-dramatizing I am.

Then again, drama is my life!

That is the cast for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, a murder mystery I often bring up in this blog.  For one reason, I have some great pictures of it.  For another reason, I would like to revive it one day, perhaps with a few modifications, since I probably will not be able to find the original script.

It seems I have skipped around this morning (in the blog, that is; I am not up for that much movement right now), which is not surprising, since my head is doing a little spinning.  I guess I’ll call it a Blogger’s Sick Day and drive on.  Will I manage to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post on Sunday?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

Jim Beaming

I often go to the weekly tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY but have not made a blog post about them in a while.  Yesterday (Friday; yes I am making my Friday post late, but for once I hope it will not be Lame) I had a nice time sipping Jim Beam and chatting, so I thought I would make a blog post about it.

I was actually out for a walk, bringing a notebook and adventure book with me, because I did not know where I might end up. I had vague thoughts of stopping by Valley but since I did not want to purchase anything heavy I would have to carry, I hesitated. I stopped at Cliff’s to get some cash out of the ATM.  Could I cross the street to the liquid store (as a niece referred to such stores when she was four)?  A car stopped and waved me across.  What else could I do?

She was great!

Caroline, the pourer, was happy to see me, remembering me from other tastings.  She likes that I take notes about what I taste.  I always chat up the person pouring; it is one of the sociable things I enjoy.

I started with a mixture Caroline had made with 1 1/2 parts Honey Jim Beam, 4 parts lemonade, a splash of club soda and lime.  It was very tasty and refreshing.  It would make a good punch to serve at a party.  I moved on to tasking the flavored product straight.

The Jim Beam Fire was not as hot as I had expected but flavorful with a cinnamon taste.  The Jim Beam Vanilla was delightful.  Caroline said that was everybody’s favorite.  The Jim Beam Sunshine Blend tasted more like a straight whiskey to me; if you prefer unflavored spirits, this would be the one for you.  The Jim Beam Apple was, well, apple-y.

For anybody tsk-tsking me because I got free tastes but didn’t purchase anything, I intend to return the Valley Wine and Liquor today and buy something.  Will I get there at the time of the Saturday tasting?  Perhaps I will.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.

 

I Follow Different Directions

I went for a walk yesterday but did not take any pictures, so no Pedestrian Post.  I guess the best I can do is a Throwback Thursday, and, yes, I am making it Friday morning and not that early either.  Judge me if you feel so inclined.

But first, another plug!

Ah, but before I throw back to anything, here is one last plug for Curtains for Frangelica, our latest murder mystery.  The last I knew, there were still tickets available, local readers!

The eyes have it.

Before I decided to begin with a plug, this picture from the past caught my eye.  It is the end of my Black-Eyed Susans, before that patch became entirely overgrown with all manner of weeds and things.  That reminds me, I need to get out there and cut everything back.  Perhaps later today if it does not rain (my bunions are non-committal, and I forget what I saw on WKTV News Tuesday).

I think he’s cute.

I was looking for other dead vegetation pictures and came across this adorable fall decoration.  I have no idea where he is now, but I see he is sitting on a Roger Ebert book, I Hated, Hated, HATED That Movie!  I do like reading bad reviews, although I do not agree with all the movies Ebert hated.  I am actually a little uncomfortable looking at the portion of the title showing, because in general I greatly prefer love to hate.  But I digress.

A dramatic conclusion indeed.

Since this is turning out to be something of a Non-Sequitur Thursday, I close by going in yet another direction with a shot from Horror Hotel, from one of my horror movie DVD collections.  I guess this kind of loops back to the beginning: murder mystery, horror movie.  I may be stretching a point.  However, I am over 300 words on one of those mornings when I had at first felt inclined to bag it altogether.  Let that be a lesson to me.  And thank you for tuning in.

 

A Few Sights of the Season

Now I can do my Waste Not Want Not Wednesday Post, and we can pretend it is not early Thursday morning (I said we CAN pretend, I didn’t say you had to! Sheesh!) (you know who you are).  These are just a few pictures I took on walks.  Perhaps today I will take a walk and take some more for a real Pedestrian Post with Pictures (preview of coming attractions).

They smelled pretty good, too!

I took this during one of my cool-down walks after a run, because I was so surprised to see lilacs blooming in October.  I later noticed something somebody shared in a Facebook comment saying how sometimes lilacs would bloom late and why.  Of course I did not read the whole thing, nor further research the matter.  I just enjoyed the sight of the flowers.

LOOOOVE the changing leaves!

Here is a more familiar October sight:  beautiful colored leaves!  I do know why this happens; I read it somewhere and had it explained to me by a biology student, but I shall not burden my readers with the knowledge.  For one reason, I might remember it wrong and look even more foolish than I normally do.

I tried to get a closer look.

This is not as good a shot as I had hoped, but I did say Waste Not Want Not.  I actually took the tree pictures a week ago (I just checked on my phone; you see I do research some things).  There are more colors to see now.  I’d better take that walk, while the colors are still here!

 

Tired Time Warp

It’s not Wednesday, it is Tuesday.  How did I get into such a time warp?  I have been sitting here debating whether to do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday or a Wuss-Out Wednesday, when it hit me, TOMORROW is Wednesday.  I’ll be damned.

My favorite Tuesday meme.

It is actually fine with me that it is Tuesday and not Friday.  I need more time to study my lines and figure out my costume for Curtains for Frangelica, the murder mystery to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society this Saturday at the Elks Lodge.

In case anybody wants all the info.

I got back from rehearsal a short time ago, so I guess I can bill this as a Post-Rehearsal Post.  It is an odd thing, but I have noticed WordPress no longer lets me categorize my blogs under “humor” and “personal.”  I guess humor is subjective, and one could argue that not all of my posts are humorous (regular readers know I am no hand at argument), but personal?  What else is this but a personal blog about me, a person?

This is too much for me to figure out on a Tired Tuesday.  I’ll add another picture for good measure and call it a blog post.  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

From a previous rehearsal.

 

 

I Wine, I Wuss, I Make a Wednesday Blog Post

So there I was, debating between having a Wuss-out Wednesday or a Waste Not Want Wednesday.  Then I said, oh just make one of the posts you have been putting off making. So I started to do that, then realized I did not have all the relevant information in my head.  I can’t possibly go looking for the right notebook now.  So how about a Preview of Coming Attractions, using a couple of the pictures I hope to use when I finally write those elusive “real posts.”

Who me? Drink wine?

This is me at the Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY, enjoying a flight of wine from their Wine Tasting Room. I sat in their lovely garden and took a picture of my hand and a glass for Facebook posting purposes.  The bracelet, one of my favorites, I got from One Of A Kind Designs Handcrafted Jewelry by Debora Bruce (OOAK).  You can find OOAK on Facebook, and if you like jewelry, I recommend you do.   So now at least I gave shout-outs to two local businesses.

One of my favorite spots!

Here is a picture of the Eckler Building and Suiter House, where the Herkimer County Historical Society resides.  I took this picture for another Post which is not easily condensed into a few words.  However, these buildings are also important in the murder mystery I am currently writing and hope to start rehearsing soon.  It will benefit the historical society and is to be presented at the Herkimer Elks Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Ah, I see I have gotten over 250 words.  Regular readers (if I still have any) know I consider that respectable.  I thank you for bearing with me as I struggle with my blog and other problems.

 

I’m a Monstrously Bad Blogger

I attempt once again to make a blog post today and then one tomorrow etc.  I do not, unfortunately, attempt to make a blog post about one of those Mohawk Valley adventures I keep promising to report on.  I guess I’m going to play the widow card again.  I am having a hard time getting my act together, but I try every day to do a little something.  Sometimes that something is just to get through the day.  I hope to up my game.

An oldie but a goodie.

I was thinking about this meme today, because I wore a shirt that I usually wear on Friday.  I was, of course, aware all day that it was not Friday.  I was only happy that it was also not Monday. One must count one’s blessings, after all.

“But… you said it wasn’t Monday!”

Having missed Monstrous Monday (as well as Saturday and Sunday), I thought to share a couple more monster pictures.  Of course I include my favorite, Nosferatu from the eponymous 1922 silent movie. I think he looks a little bit surprised in this shot.

See? I’m not the only one.

Jumping around, I found this profound caption with Elsa Lanchester as The Bride of Frankenstein.  It is true I have many good intentions:  to blog every day about the Mohawk Valley, to clean my house, to write a novel, to get my act together.  Will I fulfill any of these intentions?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my week.

 

One More Lame…

Here I sat thinking, oh, it will be all right if I make my Lame Post Friday post early Saturday morning; I have done it before.  Then I decided to make my post tonight.  Full disclosure:  I have had a couple of glasses of wine.  I like wine, especially on a Friday.  I like Friday.

Who me? Howl?

Here’s a funny thing:  in other posts I have looked for a particular picture in my Media Library in vain, sometimes spending a foolish amount of time looking.  Today, this illustration was in the very first place I looked, if you can believe such a thing (and why would I lie?) (when I do lie, I call it fiction).

I am not up to any Mohawk Valley adventures tonight.  I did think about going out to dinner, but once the bra was off, I was not inclined to put it back on (kindly do not say TMI, as if most of us women do not wear bras!).  So I have remained comfortably ensconced in my living room, looking at the computer then looking at Columbo and crocheting.  Yes, Columbo is usually for Sundays, but I was in the middle of an episode, so I finished that one, then there were two more on that DVD… you know how it is, and if you do not, well, just take my word for it.

My wife says…

I thought I would put a different caption from “One more thing…”  I think it would be a good idea if I started watching different DVDs so I could talk about other things than Columbo in my blog posts.  I know, more Mohawk Valley adventures would be a good idea too.  However, I can make no promises for tomorrow.  Perhaps I could reach back and make one of those posts I should have made a couple weeks ago.  But here I am blogging about what I could be blogging about.  Is that like a snake eating its own tail?  Discuss amongst yourselves.