Category Archives: Pedestrain Post

Seeing the Sights on a Sunny Monday

It was a perfectly beautiful day in the Mohawk Valley, sunny and warmer than it has been in a long time.  I knew I would be happy if I got outside after work to enjoy it.  I decided to take a walk with my Tablet and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post.

I did not really know what I hoped to get pictures of.  The dirt-covered remains of snow piles?  Brown grass at last uncovered?  Bare tree branches?  The last actually sounded good.  I love to see bare branches against the sky.  I have been admiring them against whit and grey skies lately.  Today the sky was a lovely blue.

But could I get the shot?  When I finally picked a tree to try, I found I could not clearly see the screen of my Tablet because of the sun.  Oh dear.  I clicked and hoped for the best.

I just think the branches look so cool!

That one didn’t turn out too bad.  This is on the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal, a favorite place to walk or run. I took a shot of the path as well.

The painted spots invite you to step or jump on them.

Next I decided to walk by my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  I took pictures of all four corners, but I will only the best shots.

The Courthouse is a handsome building.

I have not made it over to see this exhibit yet.

This was outside the Suiter House of the Herkimer County Historical Society,  obviously one of my favorite places.

Gravestones in front of the Herkimer Reformed Church

I continued down Main Street to Basloe Library.  Naturally I wanted to give the library a shout-out.

I love libraries!

It was a very pleasant walk.  I am SO looking forward to spring!

 

Picture-filled Pedestrian Post

I finished a letter to my sister, Diane, and thought I would take a walk to the post office with it.  For one reason, I neither ran nor walked this morning and I need the exercise.  For another reason, I could take my Tablet with me and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post.

I actually started out with some trepidation.   After all, I have walked this way many, many times, at least a few with my Tablet.   Could I find anything new to take a picture of?  I decided to trust my luck and set out.

The plant that ate Bellinger Street?

I have been noticing these prickly bushes taking over what used to be a nice front yard garden.  I’m not sure if anybody currently lives in the house, but if anyone moves in, I hope they have clippers!

I think a professional company does the flowers.

I decided to take a picture of Saint Francis, in front of the church of that name.  He is a little backlit, but we can just pretend that’s his halo.  I continued on through Meyer’s Park.

You can’t see the school seals, but you can read the poem.

As I walked across the park to take a picture of the 9/11 Memorial Garden, I noticed this bench I had never seen, donated by Herkimer High School Class of 1959.

Another shot that didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.

And here is the Memorial Garden.  You can’t read it, but the bench says what it is.

I don’t think I have shared a picture of this before, but no promises.

After mailing my letter, I decided to get a shot of the Methodist Church across the street. Then I thought I would stroll over to Washington Street and take a picture of the old Lorraine Billings School. I found a couple other photo ops first.

I hope to write more about this place eventually.

This was the Baptist Church but is now the future home of the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer.

Pretty flowers.

Next I turned around and took a picture of some Queen Anne’s Lace I had noticed.  I have some of that in my lawn, but not as many blooms.  When I was a kid we used to pick it and put it in water with food coloring.

When it was for sale, they advertised it as a “Brick Bonanza.”

I’ve always been rather fascinated with this building.  I do not know who currently owns it or what might eventually happen to it.

Good subs, among other tjings.

Just to throw in a plug for a local business,  I took a shot of Carney’s Corners.  We often get take-out or delivery from them (but for beer, I go to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion).

I’ve been here many times.

I decided to turn down Mary Street and take a picture of the Elks Lodge.  I have performed there with LiFT, the Little Falls Theatre Company,  in Shakespeare plays and murder mysteries.  I wonder if they’ll have us back soon.

The DMV is here.

Continuing up the street, I got a picture of the county office building.  Next was Christ Episcopal Church.   I know I have taken pictures of that, so I took one of the sign and surrounding flowers.

The Episcopal church is very welcoming.

Turning up Main Street, I soon found myself at my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  Rather than photographing the buildings, which I know I have done, I took a picture of the historic marker in front of the 1834 Jail, again including some flowers.

Again, you probably can’t read it, but I’ve written about the jail and will no doubt do so again.

After that, I headed for home, ignoring any further photo ops.  I was afraid my post would be too long, and I see it is beyond my usual length.  Thank you to whoever has stayed with me till the end!

 

Pedestrian Post for Wuss-out Wednesday

Have I used that title before?  I don’t care if I did.  Without going into tiresome details, I am in a mood to wuss out.   Come to think about it, I have pretty much been wussing out since June.  Judge me if you would like to.  It is immaterial to me.

Anyways, my husband Steven and I took a short walk earlier.  I took my trusty Tablet in hopes of getting enough pictures for a blog post.  First I tried to get a shot of the Lutheran Church on the corner of German and Henry.  The bright sunlight hindered me.

I run by this church almost every day.

Hmm.  Not well centered but at least it’s not backlit.  I did not have any more photo-ops on the walk so tried to pad things out with some shots of the lawn.  If only I had done more yard work (refer to earlier remark about wussing out all summer) (and no, computer, I do NOT mean “sussing”!).

The best bloom so far.

Our Black-Eyed Susans have had a lot of greenery but few blooms so far.  I am seeing a lot of buds, though, so things may improve.  That patch also has chives, some of which I put in a macaroni salad earlier (ooh, I could have done a cooking post!), and an unidentified plant which I just noticed today.

If they bloom I’ll take another picture.

 

Next I got a shot of our Rose of Sharon, also not blooming.

At least it’s too big to get mowed accidentally.

We planted another plant when we did the Rose of Sharon, but I do not know what it is called.

It turns red in the fall.

Then I noticed some purple flowers I had not seen before, amongst the sadly overgrown stuff near the fence.

Can you see the fence starting to fall? I’ve been meaning to fix that.

Also never planted by us are some Brown-Eyed Susans.  They first showed up a few years ago and there seem to be a lot of them now.

Also not blooming yet.

Now I see that title really does not fit the post.  And yet I cannot think of anything better.  Oh well, sometimes I have elements of Non-Sequitur Thursday on Wuss-out Wednesday.   It happens.  I prefer to look on the bright side: I’m closing in on 400 words, after not feeling able to frame a sentence earlier.  Can better blog posts be far behind?   I hope you’ll stay tuned to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Walk

I went running this morning in hopes of making a Running Commentary post. Also for the physical and mental benefits, of course, which is good, because my brain did not want to cooperate on the blog post.  Adhering to my rule of Any Writing Counts,  I finished a letter to my sister Diane (YES, we write snail mail letters to each other; it’s fun, you should try it).  After finally talking myself into walking to the post office with it,  I decided to take my Tablet and get a few pictures.  So here is your Mid-week Pedestrian Post.

It was not as warm out as I had feared, because clouds covered the sky.  A few raindrops were falling, but I hoped for the best. So far so good when I saw some daisies I thought I’d take a shot of.  They looked almost as good as my daisies.

Hmm… not as good a picture as I took of mine either.

I had hoped to get a shot of some peonies in Meyer’s Park, but they were past peak.  I petted an adorable little dog but did not ask if I could take a picture,  because raindrops were falling again (did anybody else just flash on “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”?) and I figured her person wanted to get home.   Then I thought to take a picture of the sign that makes me flash on the climactic scene in Poltergeist.

“You son of a bitch, you moved the gravestones but YOU DIDN’T MOVE THE BODIES!!!”

At the post office I paused as usual to look at the fliers of local events.

Preview of Comings Attractions

On my way home I paused at three large rocks.  I would love to have a few such boulders for my own meager attempts at landscaping.

Cue jokes about how the rocks in my head are probably as big.

I also got a shot of a front yard garden I particularly admire.

It would be even better if I had a shot of how overgrown this yard used to be.

The raindrops had been starting and stopping,  but I got home before the downpour began in earnest.  I paused to take a picture of our dinosaur-looking tree.  I wanted to document its progress.

It’s so unusual.

The rain is pouring down now, and it is the movie-watching portion of the day.  Happy Wednesday,  everyone.

 

 

A Little Walk, a Little Post

I went for a walk with my Tablet and the specific intention of making a Pedestrian Post.  The other reason was that I had not gone running this morning and thought exercise would be a good idea.

When I ran yesterday, I was struck by some overgrown bushes with overgrown grass opposite.   It was not a problem to run through,  but there would not have been room for two abreast.  I reflected that when I was a kid, I would have pretended it was a tunnel.

I had a vivid imagination as a child. I guess I still do.

I turned onto Church Street and walked towards my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.   First, however, I passed Temple Beth Joseph Synagogue and admired their rhododendron bush.

At least as good as mine if not better.

Next I noticed one of those garden balls I have always liked, in front of a nearby house.  I read a great thriller in which one was figured prominently.

One day I’ll have one in my garden. When I have a garden.

I turned down Main Street at the Four Corners and walked to Basloe Library.  Some major construction is going on there, so I took a couple of  pictures.

I made sure to get the sign in one.

 

I made a mental note of days the library will be closed.

When the construction is completed, I will have to do a whole post about it.  I was at Basloe yesterday (I should have made a post about that!), and it looks like great changes are in store.

My walk was not that long, but I enjoyed it.  Tomorrow I hope to go for a run.  A woman my age needs to keep up on her exercise!  And her blog posts.

 

Don’t Run, Walk!

There was little possibility of a Scattered Saturday post, as I spent much of the day fighting a headache and recruiting my energies for tonight’s performance for Morning’s at Seven at Ilion Little Theatre (just to continue my theme of All Morning’s at Seven All The Time).  When two naps did not resolve the problem, although 800 mg of ibuprofen took the edge off, I decided to try the effects of a little fresh air and exercise (am I the only on that every time I hear “fresh air,” a little voice in my head says, “Times Square!”?).  I took my Tablet along, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post.  Warning:  this post may be long and heavy on pictures.

I have not been running in too long a time, or I might have gone for a Running Commentary.  However, there are advantages in walking, one being that I could shower before and not after.  Also, the Tablet thing.  The only problem is, when I run and narrate in my head, I can choose not to use everything. When I take a picture, it just feels wrong not to use it.  No matter.  On with the post.

Yes, I still need to deal with last year’s leaves.

The first thing that struck my eyes was the beginnings of my peony bush, which magically appeared some years ago after Steven had successfully mowed down the wild day lilies enough times.  I said my stalker planted it, but I was just being silly.  Still, that is kind of a play on words:  plant, stalk.  Yes, I just have to be that way.  Anyways, I see I have to get out and pull up the day lilies AGAIN.  I’m not sure if the other greenery is violets or daisies, but I will let them live, because they don’t choke out the peonies.

Also in my front yard.

These are the same tulips I shared on my last Throwback Thursday post, two years later.  I hope to take another picture when they bloom.

Trinity Lutheran Church.

I walked up to German Street and turned right.  I hesitated to take pictures of people’s houses, because of privacy issues, but I thought a House of Worship would be all right.

You don’t know how anxiously I have waited to see green!

Further up the street, I got a shot of some white violets and dandelions.

This is an elegant place to stay, although I have never seen the inside.

I was certain a picture of the Bellinger Rose Bed and Breakfast would be good, because, you know, advertising.  I may save up for a night’s stay there, for the sake of another blog post as well as a romantic evening with my husband.

This is a relatively new sign, when they decided they no longer wanted to be called “H-Trip-C”

This is the sign at the bottom of the killer hill I run up when I am in good running shape (Preview of Coming Attractions, I hope!).

I didn’t realize I got my sneakers in this one.

I thought to include some purple violets along with the white ones.

I tried not to get the house in but loved the tulips.

 

I missed the buds in the tree. Rats!

These two were taken at the same house.  They also had tulips next to their front walk, but I did not get a picture.

I was afraid the colors would not come out quite right.

My favorite part of this time of year is the delicate green of the trees with brand new leaves. I’m afraid this picture did not adequately capture it, but it’s the best I could do.

These have actually spread to two places in my lawn.

When I got home, I went out back to get a picture of some perennials which came up.  I positively must get out there and clean things up so others can bloom.  After getting the picture, I went further back, to retrieve the cup I had seen this morning (and mentioned in my Late Lame Friday post).  It turned out to be a yogurt container, which no doubt blew out of somebody’s recyclable “one and done” container.  I picked it up and put in in ours.

Bunny and daffodils! Alas, not a good picture of either one.

I unfortunately startled a visitor to my lawn.  Yes, I know, these animals eat flowers and the vegetables I hope to plant, but I think they are cute.

The walk turned out to be just what I needed.  I am feeling much better, although it is almost time to start getting nervous for tonight’s performance.  Happy Saturday, all!

 

Monday Mail Meanderings

This is not a Monday Mental Meanderings but a Pedestrian Post.  I walked to the Post Office to mail the post cards I usually send out on Saturday.  I took my Tablet along to take a few pictures, thinking to make a change from my usual Monday Monsters (don’t worry, monster lovers; no doubt I will resort to my frightening friends later in the week).  I thought of this alliterative title as I walked home.

I put the Tablet into a soft bag I got at Paca Gardens in Little Falls (just for a little more local color).  I did not trust myself to carry it the whole way, especially not in its case.  I was only a little worried I would not be able to see the screen properly, because it was quite sunny.  I put my prescription sunglasses in the bag, thinking I might need them.  Not neglecting to also put in the post cards, I set out.

Right away I saw what I considered a cool-looking tree.  I love the look of bare branches against the sky. I got the Tablet out of the bag and tried to log in without the stylus.  That didn’t work, because I was wearing gloves.  So I got out the stylus and promptly dropped in in the snow.  It is a combination pen/stylus given to me by Herkimer County Historical Society after Shattered Angel, the play they put on at Ilion Little Theatre last fall.  It says “Shattered Angel/Ilion Little Theatre” on it (see? more local color!).  It is a very cool thing.  I brushed it off as best as I could, logged into the Tablet, and could not get the picture. I include the story of me trying, because it is just so typical me.  I walked on.

As I approached St. Francis de Sales Church, I thought I would get a shot of the statue of St. Francis wearing a red scarf, as he does this time of year.  I worried it would be back-lit, but it did not turn out too bad.

He looks saintly, does he not?

After I crossed the street, I tried to get a shot of the whole church.  That one turned out too shadowy, so I do not include it here.  I walked on into Meyers Park, where I knew I could take a picture of the statue of General Herkimer.  First, however, I saw the stone bench I have often admired but never sat on.

I was hoping the inscription would be legible.

Beyond the bench is a statue, only I do not know who it is. However, according to the inscription, he was instrumental in having women work for the government. I’m all about good jobs for women!  I was worried I had cut his head off, but I see now that I did not.

It seems they engraved his signature but did not print out the name.

I also got a shot of the pavilion, which is always a pivotal location when the park hosts community events.

It may not look like such a much now, but the potential is there.

I think my picture of General Herkimer is just a little back-lit, but in a blog about a walk in Herkimer, I feel I should include the General.  Here he is, in the iconic pose, directing the battle though morally wounded.

I see he has a similar scarf to St. Francis’.

On the other side of the park, I walked by the Methodist Church and decided to get a shot of that.  It turned out better that the one of St. Francis, so I include it.

Perhaps I should learn how to photoshop out power lines.

I was happy to get a shot of the post office.  I think I had a post card of it but already sent it to someone.  I do love sending local post cards.  In fact, I am not sure if the post card was of this post office or Little Falls’.  They are similar buildings.

My weekly destination. I do love post offices.

I had meant to talk more about the actual walk, over the ice and through the snow.  However, I see I am approaching 700 words.   Do my readers want to read over 700 words on a Monday? I hate to try people’s patience.  Additionally, Dateline is on OWN as I type.  So I say Happy Monday, and stay tuned for monsters later in the week.

 

Good Walk, Dull Post

Today I decided I would do what I should have done yesterday: put on my flood boots and walk instead of run.  Then I thought I could write a Pedestrian Post.  For one reason, I realized after I hit Publish that I did not even mention the weather yesterday and it was WONDERFUL!  I should have waxed rhapsodic on nature’s Preview of Coming Attractions.  OK, I have never waxed rhapsodic in my life, but I have always wanted to use that phrase in a sentence.

I second-guessed myself a I left work, because the walk to the parking lot was so dry and bare.  If the sidewalks of Herkimer were similar to that, I would feel bad for not running.  Then I thought there would probably be plenty of ice and puddles to walk through.  I was right.

The weather was even a little warmer than yesterday’s mid-40s.  Oh, it felt good.  I really, truly believed that spring is coming and will get here, and that is something that is often hard to believe in the middle of February.  I had on a raincoat and my crazy old lady hat.  I put a knitted headband in my pocked in case my ears got cold.  On the other hand (in fact, in the other pocket), I also carried my prescription sunglasses, in case it got too sunny.  Neither was needed, but I like to be prepared.

Right in front of my house was one of the iciest, puddliest patches.  That happens sometimes when you shovel a narrow path between snow banks, but what else can I do?  We are supposed to keep our sidewalks reasonably clear.  I try to at least do a shovel-width.  I walked slowly and carefully and was happy to get to a snowier patch further on.  I like walking in the snow.  I used to hate it, when I was always walking to get somewhere, sliding back a little for each step forward.  Now I appreciate the extra effort, because it may burn a few more calories.

I did not look around a whole lot at the scenery while I walked, because I had to be careful where I stepped.  I did not bring the Tablet to take pictures, because I felt there was too great a chance of me dropping it in a puddle.  I am quite clumsy.  So I guess that makes this a kind of a boring Pedestrian Post.  Sorry about that.

I walked for 35 minutes and feel pretty good about exercising two days in a row.  I’m going to go for three, and try to make it a daily habit.  I think it is good for me.  Eventually I hope to have more energy, so I can have more Mohawk Valley adventures, and write better blog posts.  I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Teeny Tiny Steps

It was another crappy day weather-wise in the Mohawk Valley.  We were relieved that Steven did not work till 11:30 this morning.  I should have taken some pictures when the sun was still up, but I can’t think of everything.  I did walk to the post office, since the mailman (yes, ours is a man) did not see the post cards and letter I had attached to our mailbox, so I will attempt a short pedestrian post.

Sidewalks were not consistently plowed, and I was soon out on the road, left side facing traffic, OF COURSE.  There was glare ice under the snow, so I walked very slowly, taking teeny-tiny steps.  Earlier I had seen on Facebook a post from Rock City Runners asking if anybody was braving the weather to run.  A few were.  I, alas, was not.  As my feet slipped out from under me, I realized this was the right decision.  If I had been running, I would not have remained upright.

A neighbor stopped at a stop sign offered me a ride, but I told her I was good.

“I need the exercise,” I said, which was quite true.

“You’re a brave woman!”

I was flattered.  The paths through Meyers Park were not plowed, what a surprise, but the road around it was.  I could see the ice shining at points.  I laughed at myself for the teeny-tiny steps I was taking.  I had been singing “I Will Survive” while Steven and I had shoveled the driveway (aided by a kind neighbor with a snow-blower, by the way).  I kept singing it, teeny-tiny stepping in time to the music.  It did my heart good to sing about being a strong woman, although I assure you my husband has NOT tried to break me with good-bye.

I purchased more post-card stamps after I mailed my stuff, enjoying a brief chat with the fellow behind the counter.  I did not realize or had forgotten that post-card stamps are now Forever, like first-class, so I felt happy to purchase a hundred.  Lots of postcards!

I walked up Main Street to get home.  I confess, I did not enjoy my walk as much a I usually do, because of the ice.  However, I did not land on my ass.  I’ll call that a win. Maybe I can start running again soon. Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

A Walk for the Run

I went running this morning and intended to make a Running Commentary post, even though I recently did one.  I say no matter about that. I’m training for a 5K; this blog may become All Reindeer Run All The Time.  I felt pretty good after the run, and not too awful during it.  Yay me!  I think the fresh air/Times Square helped my headache (Steven and I rarely say “fresh air” without adding “Times Square”).  But I ran into a big wall of Do Nothingism.

The fact is that lately my depression has been completely kicking my butt.  Others who suffer from depression will understand:  there are many things we can do for ourselves that may help.  When in the throes of depression it is VERY DIFFICULT to do ANYTHING.  Oh, go ahead and judge me if you want.  I know a lot of people think depression is a made-up thing and we could get better if only we would.  Sometimes I feel that way myself and I can tell you it does not help.  Ooh, I’m seeing a definite parallel between depression and writer’s block, and not just because it is also difficult to write when depressed.  But that is a topic for another post.

Where was I?  Ah yes, sitting at my laptop, NOT making a Running Commentary post.  As I thought in a vague sort of way about my running and the Reindeer Run 5K, I remembered that I printed out but had not yet filled out and mailed my registration.  I find it helps me meet my weight loss goals to walk and run on the same day.  Additionally, exercise is a well-known and underused anti-depressant.  I found that form and filled it out!

And immediately found that I was entirely correct to wait until today to fill it out.  They wanted to know my age.  It’s my birthday!  Oh well, I’m not bumping up an age group, so I suppose it doesn’t make a BIG difference.  Still, it felt kind of cool to write my new age down.  It’s the little things.  Putting the form and check into an envelope, I had another decision to make.  To put stickers on the envelope or not?  I had to do something, because the glue on the envelope didn’t work any more.  Scotch tape would be more professional.  Then I thought how the nice people at Mohawk Valley Living magazine always put stickers on the envelopes they send me. So I thought, oh heck, it might brighten someone’s day.

It started raining almost as soon as I started out.  Oh well, it rained on my run, too.  As I always say, I ain’t sugar, I won’t melt.  I was dressed warm enough for the cold.  After I left the post office, I decided to continue walking for a full half hour.  I read somewhere that a half-hour walk is equivalent to 50 mg of Zoloft.  I have no idea if that is true or not, but at least it burns some calories.

As I walked, I felt that this is what November should be:  grey and cold.  It certainly suited my mood, which, ironically enough, made me feel better.  Maybe not so ironically.  Sometimes the worst part of depression is feeling that you ought to be feeling a different way.   You think of all the reasons you have to be happy, then you don’t feel happy, so you feel you are the biggest, most ungrateful putz there ever was.  So I did not list my reasons for happiness (yes, I have some).  Instead I looked around at the gloomy day and just kind of enjoyed it.

The rain stopped, started again, stopped again, then started again as snow.  Whatever.  My face got cold, but I tucked my hands into my sleeves, and everything else was covered.  I ended up walking over a half hour.  I was feeling better about things as I finished my walk.  After all, I did two things:  I registered for the run and I took a walk.  Ooh, and I made my blog post.  Let’s see if I can find something else to do.  Perhaps it will form the topic of tomorrow’s blog post.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.