Category Archives: personal

I’m Not a Monster

Posted on December 31, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

This will either be a Wuss-Out Wednesday or Mid-Week Monsters. I wonder if I could be suffering from a post-Christmas letdown. Really, I feel quite ashamed of myself for being in any kind of a bad mood, let alone sliding into depression and despair. My life is not all that bad, especially when I look at what others are going through. Additionally, there is the thought that we must do what we can to improve our own circumstances.

Reflecting on those last two sentences does not always help. Sometimes it snowballs the mood, because of the added guilt and feeling of What-the-hell-is-the-matter-with-me? I am not currently experiencing such a snowball, so there’s that.

Kafka knew from monsters.

I was searching my Media Library for a monster picture, just to take a break from whatever we might call the preceding paragraphs, when I came across a quote I like. I was just questioning whether I should continue this admittedly foolish post. Kafka obviously feels I should. So there.

Like this monster, Kafka?

Now there’s a monster who never did any writing. He is from The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, one of my favorite cheesy horror movies. I wonder if I can talk Steve into watching cheesy horror movies for New Year’s Eve. Or we could go with the classics. Classic horror movies, of course.

He is fine, yes.

I see I am over 200 words, so I feel I have met my minimum standard. I am also feeling some improvement mood-wise. As I observed on Sunday, monsters often help.

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Here’s the Cow Bell!

Posted on December 30, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

This evening, I bestirred myself to take a picture of the Cow Bell I mentioned in my last blog post.

Is it not adorable?

I also took a better shot of the sugar cookies from the So Sweet Candy Cafe.

They tasted as good as they looked.

Yes, we already ate them.

For anybody just tuning, these were part of a Christmas present from my sister Cheryl. I wrote about it yesterday, I neglected to give any information on the local businesses where she shopped. In lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday Post, I shall do that now.

The So Sweet Candy Cafe, where she got the sugar cookies, is located at 531 Varick St., Utica, NY, phone number 315-765-6463. They are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Newport Marketplace, where she purchased the Cow Bell, is located at 7583 Main St., Newport, NY, phone number 315-845-8822. They are open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.n. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Awesome Country, where she found items pictured in yesterday’s post, is located at 106 Park Ave., Booneville, NY, phone number 914-489-1460. They are open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

I close with another picture of the cow bell, showing a few surrounding decorations. I am still feeling the Christmas Spirit, and I hope many of you are too.

There might be a couple of Halloween decorations there as well.

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I Forgot the Cow Bell!

Posted on December 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

My sister Cheryl gave me the most appropriate present for Mohawk Valley Girl: a basket of local stuff.

I should have taken the picture as soon as I opened it.

Of course I was not surprised to see items from the So Sweet Candy Cafe, our friend Margaret’s wonderful store.  I am surprised the Santa and Mrs. Claus sugar cookies lasted long enough for me to get a picture, and we have not eaten the Egg Nog Fudge, either.

Aren’t they cute?

I was delighted to see a card from local artist Maria Vallese of Retro Sorrento, whose works were recently added to the So Sweet inventory.  However, the item that made me do back flips (figuratively speaking, of course), were the turkey joints.

I must get more to send to my correspondents!

Turkey joints, for non-local readers, are a marvelous confection made in Rome, NY, where I grew up.  Steven had never had one, but now he is a true believer.

Lots of yum!

Other goodies included a big jar of garlic pickles and smaller jars with jellies and honey.  The whole thing was wrapped in a beautiful Christmas dish towel.

Cheryl loves dogs as much as I do.

I immediately made up my mind to take pictures for a blog post but got distracted (hey, it was Christmas morning!).  I luckily remembered to snap before Steven had eaten all the turkey joints.

Cheryl told me the pickles and jellies came from a place in Booneville called Awesome Country.  Sounds like a good place for Mohawk Valley Girl to visit!  The towel and ornament came from Newport Marketplace, another of my favorite places.

Ah yes, the ornament!  I forgot the ornament when I took my pictures, because I had right away placed it among our Christmas display on the mantle.  It is a very adorable cowbell.  I actually remembered it before I wrote this post, but I thought “I Forgot the Cow Bell!”  would be an excellent title.  Now I am wondering if “Cow Bell to Follow” would be more appropriate.  You may notice I am late in making my Monday post.  I dare not delay further for more photography.  Let’s just say I owe you a cow bell!

 

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Sometimes Monsters Help

Posted on December 28, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not know why I feel so tired. I have accomplished very little today, and even less in the area of writing. I know, the only thing to do is to pick up a pen and write. Or a stylus and start picking out one letter at a time. So this is my Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.

“Follow me! To the Graveyard!”

I throw in a picture to pep things up. I love this shot of Elliott Ghoul. The reflection makes it look like he is holding a Santa Claus doll. My Christmas decorations stay up till at least January 6th. I would really like to have a fabulous 12th Night party, but this is clearly not the year for that.

Another favorite ghoul.

I loves me some Svengoolie. We watched a DVR’d episode earlier. I got some knitting done.

December 2019.

This post is becoming a little disjointed, but I guess I have kind of a spooky Christmas theme going on. Above is our skeleton Bonita, in last year’s Christmas outfit. In the background you can see Santa Claus and Darling Duck.

I am strongly tempted to grow my hair out.

One more Christmas monster picture. I wonder if I can blame today’s post on my Post-Christmas Letdown. Hmmm…. sounds like a lame-ass excuse to me. All I can do is hit Publish and hope for the best. As always, thank you for tuning in.

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Slacking at the Pub

Posted on December 27, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is after 11 p.m. on Saturday, according to my clock (I know my WordPress timestamp disagrees). Time enough to make a Slacker Saturday Post.

The height of pandemic fashion.

Earlier today my friend Kim and I went to the End Zone Pub and Grub for a drink. I wore the mask she gave me for Christmas so naturally asked her to take my picture. I took one of her and the bartender.

A little backlit, but nice.

I also took a shot of the ceiling, which I always admire.

I think it is the original ceiling.

No, I really did take a picture of the ceiling. I did not drink too much and end up flat on my back staring upward. That may have happened a time or two back on the ’80’s, but We’re not talking about that now.

You may have come to the conclusion that I have slacked today as a result of wine consumed at the pub. I must confess, I slacked before that. But at least I made a blog post.

End Zone Pub and Grub is located at 129 N. Main St., Herkimer. They are open 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday, noon to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 12 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

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Hercule Poirot, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on December 26, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had such great plans for a really good blog post today. Then I spent all day celebrating Christmas and now it is Lame Post Friday. Maybe I can share a few more Christmas pictures and be reasonably entertaining.

Obviously on the Naughty List

OK, this not a Christmas movie, but we are watching Murder on the Orient Express because there is a lot of snow. It stars Albert Finney, who is one of our favorite Scrooges. I’ll allow it.

Love the car.

Earlier we watched Hercule Poirot’s Christmas starring David Suchet, another worthy portrayal of the great detective. Steve gave me the DVD some Christmases ago. I spend the whole time critiquing the adaptation, but I enjoy watching it every year.

We watched other videos and DVDs today as well as a movie DVR’d from TCM just this afternoon. However, if I go chasing around the internet for pictures, I will miss the movie, which in fact we are watching at my suggestion.

Well, what does anybody want from me on Christmas and Lame Post Friday. I think I will look for one more photo from my Media Library and hit Publish. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Mom’s Christmas tree from last year.

I hope all my readers managed to be reasonably merry while staying healthy and safe, whether they celebrate the same holiday as me or not.

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Christmas Past Post

Posted on December 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

As the Grinch famously said, “Tomorrow is Christmas. It’s practically here!”

“Looking for me?”

Since it is also Thursday, I chime in with a Throwback Thursday picture. This jolly old elf made his first appearance on our mantle in 2016. We acquired him from the Herkimer County Historical Society. It is, in fact, only half a Santa. He had blown into their yard during a windstorm. They posted him on Facebook, but nobody claimed him. I am certain I have told this story before, but as I often say, reduce, reuse, recycle.

There’s a happy girl!

This picture is from December 2017, a close-up of a busier area of decoration. I have mentioned that we were more elaborate in previous years. Perhaps we will be more so in the future. I started to put “No doubt,” but in fact I have my doubts. However, my purpose now is not to dwell on doubt but to enjoy Christmas Eve with a Throwback Thursday Post.

Here’s a fun bunch!

I skip ahead to December 2019. I think all of these decorations were acquired prior to that year. A few of them are still out. It is my way of making Christmas last all year. Oh, don’t start on how making Christmas last all year is about giving and goodwill etc (you know who you are). I KNOW THAT!!! I hate those holier than thou sorts.

Look at the size of that list!

I close with another shot from 2018. This Santa is in front of our fireplace this year. He is a Throwback piece himself; my mother found him for us in an antique shop in Pennsylvania while she was visiting my sister.

I hope everyone is having a delightful Christmas Eve and will have a Merry Christmas. Or, if you do not celebrate, a delightful Thursday and merry Friday. I personally plan on having a Lame Post Friday. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Will Santa Come Down That Chimney?

Posted on December 23, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Who could blame me for having a Tired Tuesday Post on Tuesday of Christmas week when I am trying to learn a new job? Oh, you probably could (you know who you are).

It is increasingly difficult for me to write. I have barely written in the TV Journal.TV Journal. Writing is not the only thing that is difficult for me. Clean my house? Not likely. Shop for Christmas presents? Nope.

And just listen to me whine about it! What a pathetic display. Maybe I could lighten things up with a picture.

A jolly scene.

Here is a picture of my fireplace taken earlier this month. Regular readers may recognize it as a different angle from a picture I took for last night’s blog. You may notice the absence of fake poo.

What a difference a year makes.

This is my mantle I 2019. Steven did the decorating. I believe he has a knack for it.

Just look at all that stuff!

This is December 2017. If I was trying to cheer myself up with these blasts from Christmas past, the effort has failed. All I can feel is disappointed in myself for having such meager decorations this year. But let us not travel further down THAT road.

I occurs to me as I look at these pictures that Santa would have a hard time coming down this chimney, if he were inclined to do so. Lucky for him I was bad all year.

 

 

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I Need a Little Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Christmas is just days away. I wore Christmas socks and a Christmas vest today. I listened to Christmas music as I drove to and from work. And yet the Christmas spirit eludes me. Perhaps I can chase it down with a few Christmas pictures.

I draw your attention to the little Christmas trees.

My sister Diane sent me a picture of her mantle via instant messenger. I was delighted, because she used the garland of crocheted Christmas trees I made for her some years ago. I invented the crocheted Christmas tree back in the mid 1980’s. I was pretty pleased with myself.

It is not as elaborate as when Steve does it.

I naturally sent her a picture of my own mantle. Full disclosure: we did not make a concerted effort with this. We just put stuff up as we found or acquired it.

Pardon the mess.

And this is our fireplace. Yes, that is fake poop on top of a pile of scripts on an old television. I just now noticed it. When I took the picture, I was more annoyed with myself about the bottles and jars I left sitting n the stool with the wine light. Not annoyed enough to clean it up and re-take the picture, I’m afraid.

Now I am laughing at myself. Here is my messy house, with Christmas decorations and fake poo. It’s not quite the Christmas Spirit, but it’ll do.

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Thank You, Elks and Others

Posted on December 21, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

People have been helping people a lot this year, and I have had my share. Today I got a free turkey from the Elks Club, an offer they made to everyone who was laid off from my previous place of employment.  They sent a letter with a form to fill out saying you wanted a turkey and how many in the household.  Then they sent a voucher with instructions for pick up.

This morning, I went to Mary Street, where Herkimer Elks Lodge is located, and there were not many cars in front of me.  I had my mask on, as did the volunteers, and I did not have to leave the car. 

The view from the driver’s seat.

Two volunteers met me at the end of the street and looked at my voucher.  As I drove past, I thought to grab my phone and take a couple of pics for a blog post.

I stuck my phone out the window to try for a better shot.

Santa Claus handed me two candy canes.  I said I had to get a picture of him for my blog.  The other volunteers told me I could take him with me if I wanted.

“Hop in!” I said, but he did not avail himself of the invitation.

It was quite a fine Santa suit.

In addition to the turkey, they gave us potatoes and a box of stuffing mix.  The food was in a nice reusable bag.  What a generous gift!  A paper in the bag told me it was from the Doug Christman Project.

Several organizations involved!

Now that I am gainfully employed again, I must find ways to pay this forward.  In the meantime, the turkey is in the freezer, and we may use some of the potatoes tomorrow in a Shepherd’s Pie.

 

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