Category Archives: personal

Mid-Week Monsters, Random and Related

Posted on December 10, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I promised myself I could do a Mid-Week Monsters Post. Who could be uncheered by monsters? That is an homage to Winnie the Pooh, who famously said, “Who could be uncheered by a balloon?” I may have that quote wrong, but nobody is perfect.

It is no shame to be unable to pick.

Regular readers know who my personal favorite is, but I love them all.

He is fine, yes.

I continue with a picture of one of my personally owned monsters, Harold Ghoul. I got him at a neighbor’s garage sale last summer. I gave him the name.

He’s scary!

Back to movie monsters with my beloved Nosferatu. I am currently reading an annotated version of Dracula by Bram Stoker. It is absorbing and educational.

Talk about a hot flash!

Here is a dramatic scene from Horror Hotel, another favorite of mine. I guess this week’s monsters are not particularly interrelated, despite my using Nosferatu twice. But what is wrong with a random stroll among monstrous memories?

Not exactly a monster, but close enough.

Here is a picture tangentially related to the first one. Vincent Price was in The Fly. This particular picture is not from that movie, but please bear in mind my earlier assertion about nobody being perfect. In fact, I am not a fan of The Fly, but I LOVE House on Haunted Hill.

One of my favorite purveyors of monsters.

This picture is related to the one immediately previous. It is of the producer-director extraordinaire William Castle, coaching one of the other actors in House on Haunted Hill.

My Mid-Week Monsters Post has, indeed, cheered me up. I hope my readers are reasonably entertained. Happy Wednesday, everyone!

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I’m Having Trouble With This One

Posted on December 9, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I wrote a whole blog post and WordPress would not let me publish it.  It would not even save it at first, telling me I could not use those terms.  Then I found it in Drafts with no Categories or Tags (which I had so included), so I am trying again. 

This is going to be a Tired Tuesday Post. I did not do much today except to move a little closer to becoming employed. I don’t like to say much about that. For one reason, this is not a work blog. For another… well, I had another reason and started to tell it, but it was too complicated. Or incoherent.

Aren’t they jolly?

I decided to throw in a picture to pep things up. These Santa Clauses did not make it downstairs this year. It has not been a good year for decorating for me.

How about this cutie?

I decided to throw in a little snow for good measure. This is a picture from this year. All that snow went away and has not been replaced yet, which is completely fine with me.

This is me.

This picture showed up in my Facebook Memories. It was two years ago, at the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY. I hope the Run returns next year.

I seem a bit disjointed today. This is not unusual for me, especially lately, and I guess it is not really surprising. I am having a difficult time doing anything, and when I do something, I am plagued by the certainty that it is the wrong thing to do and I am doing it poorly in any case.

There, I was trying not to whine about my petty little malaise and I went ahead and did it anyways. I offer my apologies but will not delete the paragraph. For one reason, I see I am over 250 words. By my own rules for me, making a blog post is the right thing to do, so I have that going for me.

I hope to see you all tomorrow. I will strive not to have a Wuss-Out Wednesday, but no promises.

 

 

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Short Walk, a Few Pictures

Posted on December 8, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl
I thought I would go for a little walk with my camera instead of my usual Monstrous Monday Post.  It was just starting to get dark, so I could admire neighbors’ Christmas lights.  I probably would not take many pictures, because neighbors are not usually out for me to ask permission.  However, I did not despair of getting a few shots.

Can you read it?

The first thing that caught my eye had nothing to do with Christmas. It was in the parking lot of the apartment building at the end of our street.  I think they could use a new sign, but since nobody was, in fact, parked there, perhaps that one is OK.  Continuing through the parking lot, I saw something I could definitely take a picture of.

Baby Jesus isn’t there yet!

This is at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Next I remembered a wreath on a hitching post nearby.  That should be OK to photograph. 

I have long been fascinated by a hitching post in this day and age.

As I continued to walk, I saw a tree in a yard I liked, but it was still too light out to get a decent shot.  Then I saw a jolly snowman and friends that I could not resist.

I thought it would be OK, since you can’t really see the house.

Soon I was heading toward my own house, which I graciously gave myself permission to photograph.

I took it at an angle, so Frankentree would not block the lights.

My Santa Claus will not light.  I tried changing the bulb, but no luck.  I can’t think of anything else to try.

It was a pleasant little walk.  I must walk or run in the evening more often, so I can enjoy the decorations.  If I see any neighbors, I will ask permission to take pictures. 

 

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Foul Mood, Foolish Post

Posted on December 7, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am in a rotten, rotten mood, and it does not matter why. What does matter is that I cannot find a decent stylus so am attempting to post with one bad finger. No, it is not eligible for me to move to my laptop for ten finger typing. Again, it does not matter why.

One does not expect to be in a foul mood in December. One naturally expects to be filled with the Christmas spirit. It just feels wrong to be in a foul mood. Then again, that makes this perfectly eligible for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.

So here I am, typing one letter at a time with my finger instead of a stylus. Does anybody else feel devoid of the Christmas spirit at odd times this time of year? Or even at all times? I don’t know about anyone else, but as soon as I feel I ought to be in the Christmas spirit, that is the exact opposite of how I feel.

Come to think about it, I was just thinking about how I ought to make a blog post. That would explain the foolishness of this blog post. On the other hand, I am at 200 words. That makes this respectable, even for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post. I hope my readers are in a better than foul mood.

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Slacker to Cinema

Posted on December 6, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

This will be a Slacker Saturday Post. I just have not managed to get a damn thing done all day. I did watch a little TV and knitted. Oh, and I went for a run and did a load of laundry earlier. Not much to blog about, I’m afraid.

A tense moment.

One of the movies we watched was Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, as presented by Mystery Science Theater 3000.  I like that silly movie even without robot heads.

“We’ll have the Lord’s bright blessing!”

We also watched one of Steven’s personal favorites, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.  It was one of the first videos we purchased, back in the day when a VCR was a great thing to have.

Gotta get me a red outfit like that!

Now Steven is watching White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Rosemary Cloonie, and Vera Ellen.

I guess this is now a Saturday Cinema Post.  A short Saturday Cinema Post.  These things happen. Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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What It Is, Is Lame

Posted on December 5, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Bad habits are much easier to stick with than good habits. That is a bit of half-baked philosophy for a late Lame Post Friday post. I have no excuse. I had a bad headache all day yesterday, but it was gone by bedtime. I suddenly found myself in an extremely foul mood, for no particular reason, but that is no excuse. EVERYBODY knows you cannot write only when you feel “in the mood” to do so (ooh, goody, now I have Glenn Miller playing in my head). I guess sometimes some things just are, and never mind why.

That last sentence smacks of my husband Steven’s most hated expression: “It is what it is.” Really, kind of a silly thing to say. How many things are what they are not? If you can think of any, please comment with them, because I am blank. Personally, I think a much better expression is, “That’s just the way it is” or even “That’s the way it is,” because in these situations, it is often not “just” in the meaning that it is not justice.

So, me not making a post yesterday is just the way it is.

Now, the other thing about “it is what it is” is that people often use it to justify the way it is. The unspoken but implied clause is “and you can’t do anything about it,” or more accurately, “I’m not going to do anything about it.” This certainly applies today, because I do not have a time machine. No post can ever be made on Friday, Dec. 4 by Mohawk Valley Girl. To use another cliche, and mix metaphors (a favorite hobby of mine), that ship has sailed.

For many things that, forgive me, are what they are, we can do something about them. We can’t fix everything, but we can do what we can do. This is why we give to food banks, donate to animal rescue organizations, clean our houses. OK, some of your houses may be perfect someday; mine never will.

This is why I make late blog posts. I cannot be perfect about posting every day, but I do the best I can. And in this respect, I can improve. Fewer late posts. Can I have no late posts at all? It is a goal to strive for.

In the meantime, I have rattled on for over 350 words. I find that quite respectable for Lame Post Friday. I can’t wait to see what kind of a Saturday post I make later. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Who Me? Be Silly?

Posted on December 4, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Even a Yeti needs to put her feet up sometimes.

I do not know why this stupid Block Editor will not center my caption. It is very annoying, and detrimental to my self esteem to reflect that I cannot figure these things out. Additionally, I am REALLY ready to return to ten fingered typing.

And now I am.  I moved to my seldom-used laptop, carefully poised on my dining room table.  It must, it must continue to work while I am on unemployment, because my login and password are saved to the site where I put in for my weekly benefits.  Of course there are workarounds if I lose them or the laptop dies, but I am so unmotivated to follow them.  Enough of my computer woes.  I was about to make a Throwback Thursday Post, hence, a picture from December 2016.  The leggings are still intact, but I have completely worn out the awesome slippers.

It is a tradition for Steven to get me slippers for Christmas.  I always need them, and he picks such good ones.  It is hardly a throwback to show the ones he got me last year.

Recently seen in this space; recently heard in my house.

Incidentally, once on the laptop I switched to Classic Editor, and fixed the first illustration and caption.  Now my opening paragraph does not make any sense, but I will let it stand.  It will make a kind of a Non-Sequitur Thursday out of it.  In fact, today is kind of a non-sequitur for me, because I was thinking, “Ooh, a Throwback Thursday would be nice, but maybe I can have a Way Back Wednesday.”  Then I said, “Idiot, it IS Thursday!”  I should stop calling myself an idiot.  It is not very nice of me.

You see, it isn’t nice to call people idiots.

Now we’re really mixing things up:  Friday?  Tuesday?  I don’t know what day it is!  And this post is getting sillier and sillier.  But why not?  There are worse things to be.

Speaking of silly…

Here is one more Throwback picture, the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY, from December 2017.  I am the silly one in the middle.  The Moose made a reappearance at the Turkey Trot 5K recently.  I fear there will be no Reindeer Run this year.  Perhaps I could do my own personal run.  I have a reindeer poncho, and I can use Map My Run on my phone to make sure I go for 5K.  I’ll be sure to make a blog post about it, with selfies.

In the meantime, I see I am over 400 words.  That is a lot for a foolish post.  No matter.  I shall hit Publish and look forward to Lame Post Friday.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Two in Utica

Posted on December 3, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I took a drive to Utica today and went to two spots, one new, one familiar: Joseph Putrello Coffee and So Sweet Candy Cafe. This time I took pictures.

I had never been to a Barista Bar.

The Barista Bar is located on Genessee Street, in a space with glass walls. I sat in a mezzanine area and looked out as I enjoyed my coffee and croissant.

My view.
My view if I turned around.

I had parked behind the building. When I left I took an unfamiliar turn and soon found myself heading toward the Boilermaker finish line. I know where that is near! My friend Margaret’s shop on the corner of Varick and Columbia streets, the So Sweet Candy Cafe.

Yummy stuff!

I foolishly did not take a picture of the outside or the sign, but here is one of the tempting displays of treats. I noticed the Turkey Joints on top, a local seasonal treat. I wandered around wondering what I should indulge in. Nothing, really, considering my weight loss goals, but I do like to support a local business.

These Bombs seem to be all the rage this year.
Ooh, no calories here!

I had seen on Facebook that Margaret is now carrying items from Maria Vallese of Retro Sorrento. I was not familiar with her work, but I see I have been missing some beautiful stuff.

I greatly enjoyed my visit to Utica. I may have to make the trip on a more regular basis.

Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar is located at 268 Genessee St., phone number 315-790-6719. They are open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

So Sweet Candy Cafe is located at 531 Varick St., 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.

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Just Type, Don’t Backspace

Posted on December 2, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Tired Tuesday, and I have very little to show for it.

Well, what do you know, WordPress saved that sentence after I backspaced it out.  I am making another late post, by the way.  Last night I typed that one sentence (one letter at a time with the stylus, as I usually do these days), backspaced it out, and decided I did not want to play that game.

Full disclosure: I seem to be playing that game today, as it took quite a bit of trial and backspacing to get that last paragraph.  Some writers say you should never do that.  Write the whole thing, the advice goes.  Then go back and edit.  I’ll have to try that sometime.

I almost backspaced out that last sentence, because I do use the “edit later” advice when I am writing fiction.  Most of the time.  In those cases, I just go, the writing flows, my pen can’t move fast enough.  I really need to write more fiction.

Right now, however, I am trying to write a blog post.  I spent a good portion of yesterday running around not getting much done.  I was at a few local businesses and foolishly did not take any pictures.  Then again, I went years of having no pictures.  I shall post about those businesses soon.

In the meantime,  I am over 200 words.  I find that sufficient for a late post about Not Writing.  Please stay tuned for posts of more substance!

 

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Monsters and a Murderer on Monday

Posted on December 1, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have a couple new pictures for this week’s Monstrous Monday post, if I downloaded them properly and can get them uploaded here properly. Regular readers know I am technologically challenged.

He looks sad, and I don’t blame him.

My sister Vicki tagged me in a comment for this one. I’ve never seen it before. I’m not even sure which movie it is from, but one of the older ones. My favorites are the old ones.

They’re not monsters, but they play them in the movies.

Vicki also recommended this one of four horror icons. I’ve seen it before but never saved it. Now I have. The movies made by these gentlemen are old movies now, but not as old as the first picture. I’m old enough that I remember when some of those movies were new.

Oops! He’s no monster!

As I was scrolling through my Media Library looking for one more monster picture, I accidentally selected this one. It is, of course, no monster but my sweet husband Steven. This was taken at a rehearsal for a murder mystery, so he may have been a murderer. I say close enough. Additionally, I mentioned Steven in yesterday’s post but did not include a picture.

I do enjoy my Monstrous Mondays, even when they are a little short, as with today’s. I hope my readers enjoy them as well.

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