Category Archives: personal

A Day Without Writing Is Not a Good Day

I am up to my old tricks again, missing posts.  What is it with me, do I want to write or not?  The answer is yes, of course I do, I love to write.  Why, then, do I not do it more often every day?  I do write at least something almost every day. I work on a letter (yes, I handwrite and snail mail letters and postcards; you should too, it’s fun), I make a note in the TV Journal, I work a little on the current novel or murder mystery,  I MAKE MY BLOG POST.  As I said, almost every day.

The reason I started this blog (9 years ago, is that possible?), it was to get myself to definitely write every day.  I thought it might segue into other writing, and I guess it has, but not enough.  Next question: Is there ever enough?  Discuss among yourselves.  Please comment with any conclusions (is that too needy, asking for comments?  Oh, well).

In the next four weeks I will have more time to write, because I have been furloughed from work again.  Previous furloughs have been less successful for me, but that is obviously my fault.  Equally obviously, it is up to me to do better this time.  Will I do better?  I make bold to say, YES, I WILL!!!

I put the three exclamation points to encourage myself.  I will make a plan, set a schedule, and write a few blog posts sharing my successes, if any (you see, a little pessimism must sneak in) .

So this is my Wuss-out Wednesday Post, published early Thursday morning: a pep talk to myself.  Thank you for bearing with me.

 

My Beautiful Bouquet

I love flowers.  To me they are a never-failing source of beauty and joy.  I found a lovely source of such beauty and joy at House Flower Farm in Little Falls.

I can’t remember if it was I Spy CNY or My Little Falls who shared Houle Flower Farm on Facebook, but right away I said, “Ooh!”  Pro tip:  Facebook is a great source for finding local businesses to try.

So rustic!

Houle offers bouquets at a self-serve hut outside their farm on the corner of Rt. 170 and Davis Road.  Driving from Herkimer, Google sent me out Rt. 28 and West End Road, which is a lovely rural drive.  I pulled in to find one bouquet left to purchase.  Phew!

Pro tip: go early for the best selection!

I loved that the bouquet was in a mason jar.  I was especially happy when it fit right into my cup holder for the return drive.  This time I took Rt. 170 into Little Falls.  Being me, I was soon wondering if I had chosen the right direction.  I confess to yelling, “Yes!” and making a fist pump when I realized I had.

My lovely bouquet was soon gracing my mantle.  Different flowers will be available, depending on what is in season, so I look forward to treating myself to more beauty and joy.  Houle also offers flowers by the bucket for special occasions and events.  You can contact them at houleflowerfarm@gmail.com.

So pretty!

The hut is located at 2115 Davis Rd., in Little Falls.  They are open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. till Sold Out.  You can check their Facebook page to see if they are sold out.  You can also see some lovely photos there, so I highly recommend Liking their page!  For more information, you can visit their website at http://www.houleflowerfarm.com/

 

A Disjointed Post Is Better Than None At All

Oh what a difference a day makes!  Yesterday I was so ambitious!  I came home from work, mowed the front lawn, did the dishes, mended a pair of work pants, made my lunch, did a good blog post (or do I flatter myself?), and even had time to lounge on the deck with my husband.

Today I was thwarted in my plan to go running by a sudden thunderstorm.  I did a load of laundry and started to run in place on the mini-tramp (cue unkind remarks about how I personally am a large tramp).  This did not work out for me either, because my back started hurting fiercely.  At least the laundry is done (although still in the drier, this is the bad day, remember?).

So I guess this is a Tired Tuesday Post.  But at least it can be a Tired Tuesday With Monsters!  Where’s that Nosferatu?

“You were looking for me?”

Is Tuesday too early for Mid-week Monsters?  I cannot debate the matter now.  The fact is, my brain seems to be rotting into a putrid mass.  I can’t write.  I can’t even think.  Oh dear, it seems I am still capable of whining.  Quick, add another monster!

“I’m hungry!”

A monster of the natural variety.  We watched JAWS around the Fourth of July, which is an excellent time for it.

THIS is what my brain feels like!

A co-worker and I were talking about Steve McQueen today.  He was mentioning all the famous movies McQueen was in, but I confessed to having a soft spot for The Blob.

I do go off on tangents once I add monsters.  However, I am over 250 words.  I am going to call it OK and try again tomorrow.  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

Floral Photos on Monstrous Monday

So pretty! But they haven’t jumped up anywhere else yet.

I have been meaning to take an updated shot of my Johnny Jump-ups, and at last I have!  I am sitting on the back deck with my delightful husband, Steven, recovering from my first day back at work.  Rather than my usual Monstrous Monday Post,  I thought I would share a few floral photos.

Where the flowers used to bloom.

OK, this is not a picture of flowers.   It is a couple of lawn decorations trying to cheer up where my peonies and daisies used to be.  I hope to plant more flowers in the future, so they can tag team blossom.

Blooms and a box. Oh dear.

So much for the front yard.  Returning to the back, I took a shot of the more recent addition to the container garden, in the foreground, and an original pot which is growing well.  As you can see, I have not swept my deck lately.  Neither have I arranged the pots in a harmonious  display.  What do you want from me?  At least I water the damn things.

Two not bad pots.

Both these are part of my original container planting, but I added the white begonias to the pink after the little purple flowers with the pink died.  There were little purple flowers in the pot in the background as well, but only a little greenery remains.

Mmmmm… pesto!

Not a bloom, but the pride of my container garden is the basil.  I have made two batches of fresh pesto so far and intend to make more.  Or I may make those little salad bites, where you have a leaf of basil, a slice of mozzarella, and half a cherry tomato, with balsamic vinegar drizzled on top. Is that the whole recipe?  I must research the matter.

Ooh, look at this, over 300 words and not a glimpse of Nosferatu.  Pretty good for a Monday, I say.

 

Enjoying What’s Left of Vacation

Oh Kitty, you’re just making your Monday worse!

Time to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I am at the end of two weeks off.  Truth be known, I would not have chosen the first two weeks of July for my vacation. Still, time off work is time off work.  I managed to enjoy myself.

It is not heinous to return to work.  For one reason, I enjoy the possibility that getting back into a routine will help me accomplish a few things.  Yes, this is how I am:  when I am at work, I think, “Oh, if only I had time!”  When I have time, I think, “Oh, how I need routine!”  Will I ever get anything done?  We’ll see.

“One more thing!”

Earlier we were watching Colombo.  We have Season 1 on DVD.  We must get more!

Haven’t we all at one time or another?

Before Columbo, we enjoyed a few episodes of Snapped.  I am always happy when I can catch an episode I have not already seen.

How have I never found this photo before?

We are now watching The Big Chill, a mellow movie with a great soundtrack.  I call it a Sunday Night Movie, because to me it feels right to watch it on a Sunday night.  I can’t tell you why.

In any case, I am over 200 words, which regular readers know I call respectable.  I shall now get back to enjoying the movie and what is left of my Sunday.  I hope to see you all on Monstrous Monday.

 

Not Scattered, Shout-Out!

I cannot make a Scattered Saturday Post,  because I have not scattered enough.  I took a long run this morning then pretty much sat around and wished it was not so hot and humid.  YES, I am a wimpy whiner, one must put up with these uncomfortable weather situations, blah blah, woof woof.  Hey, at least I managed a long run up a major hill before wimping out.  I suppose that does not count with some of you ( you know who you are).  Hmph!

Where was I?  Ah yes, trying to make a blog post when I have not indulged in many blogable activities.  My friend Kim picked me up in the afternoon, and we went to the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer for a couple of drinks.  It was a lot of fun, as it usually when Kim and I get together.

No, I did not fall off my barstool to take this picture.

I was just scrolling through my Media Library looking for pictures of the End Zone, and I found this shot of the ceiling, complete with a Herkimer jersey.  Some of these older buildings have the best ceilings!

Always stuff to look at!

I enjoy looking at the sports and beer memorabilia on the wall.  There are also several television screens, usually with different games going on.

So I guess my Scattered Saturday Post has turned into a shout out for a local business.  Regular readers may recall that I have given shout-outs to this business in the recent past.  So sorry to repeat myself.  I also apologize for making my Saturday Post early Sunday morning (by my clock, anyways).  I can only hope to do better on Wrist to Forehead Sunday!

 

No Sweat: It’s Lame Post Friday!

And yet, I am gaining weight. Go figure.

I will try not to spend this entire post whining about the heat and humidity, but no promises.  Sharing the above picture reminded me of a high school friend who used to quote Shakespeare referring to her midsection: “Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself to dew.”  Is there a problem with spending an entire post lamenting my weight gain worries?

The beauty part is that today is Lame Post Friday,  so I am going to call whatever I come up with OK, as long as it runs to 200 words.  Maybe another picture would pep things up.

I think they are pretty.

I have been watering my Johnny Jump-ups and my container garden almost every day.  The forecast keeps promising rain and even thunder storms, but they seem to bypass me.  I keep thinking I should take an updated picture but have not done it yet.  And no, I can’t run out and do it now, because it is dark out.

Speaking of dark, I will be glad when we start to get a little more of it.  I’m sure that is an unpopular opinion, but I usually am out of step with the rest of the world (you may have noticed).  Mostly I am looking forward to a later sunrise.  That way, when I go running in the morning, I can begin my run in the dark and end it in the light.  I love that.

Ooh, look, I am over 250 words.  I think I will just close with a picture.  Happy Friday, everyone!

A shot of my neighborhood being rained on, because I hear it starting to rain as I type this.

 

Non Sequitur Movies and Post

I was going to call this a Throwback Thursday Post to when I decided to watch old movies on my day off.  The only question is whether I will have sufficient pictures to make it interesting.

She is SO fabulous!

The first picture I see is of our second feature, Being Julia starring the wonderful Annette Bening.

Here is a revolting development:  I cannot find illustrations for Rear Window,  which we watched before, or Gosford Park, which we are watching now.

Point that portable keyhole!

I’ve loved Rear Window for years and often remember the first time I saw it, on a small black and white television in a crappy apartment in Potsdam, NY.  Yes, the good old days, when we were neither good nor old nor were they days, they were nights.

Love the 1920’s styles!

That took me a long time, to find appropriate  illustrations. The above is from Gosford Park, a rather delightful murder mystery set in the 1920’s,  one of my favorite eras.  I have written a couple of murder mysteries that take place in the 1920’s.  I do not rule out writing a few more.  People love the 1920’s.  Is it the beads?  Is it the booze?  Is it the fringey dresses?  Or is it the jazz music?   So much to love!

It is also very enjoyable to write a blog post about watching movies on a hot and sticky night.  Some people love summer.  I do not.  To each his own, as the old lady said when she kissed the cow.

 

Maybe Not Balanced, But a Good Lunch

Steven and I just had a delightful lunch with our friends, Phyllis and Jim.  Was wine involved?  Could be!

A truly delightful couple.

We met at Applebee’s in Herkimer, NY.  In general, Mohawk Valley Girl prefers to stick to locally owned businesses.  On the other hand, local people work at Applebee’s.  Why should I not support them?  Oh well, right or wrong thing to do, we met at Applebee’s.

Jim in a mask.

Naturally we wore masks on our way to the table.  I was intrigued by Phyllis and Jim’s masks.  They told me they  were their granddaughters’  artwork and had come from a website called artsonia.com.  I do not put it in as a link, because I have not yet checked it out myself.  That may have something to do with the second or third glass of Cabernet Sauvopignon, but let us not worry about such things now.

Applebee’ s was concerned with social distancing, with some booths blocked off.  This is always good to see.

We did not sit there,.

We talked about the problems of businesses reopening.  Were our facemasks enough to stop the spread of COVID-19?  We can only so the best we can do.  Phyllis observed that if we cannot have time with the people we love, we do not have anything.  I had to agree.

Other bloggers can make these mirror selfies work! Me, not so much.

When we got back home it was still pretty warm.  I put on a shirt Jim had given me.  I felt the snowman motif was appropriate for our current situation.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch.  I agree with Phyllis: we need time with those we love most!  Let us strive to maintain a balance from our own mental health and the physical health of all!

 

 

Still Supporting Local

These days I am torn between the desire to stay home, stay safe and keep my germs to myself, and the desire to be out and about, get material for blog posts and support local businesses. Lately I have erred on the side of Support Local.  Isn’t that what one would expect of Mohawk Valley Girl?

Today I went to my beloved Herkimer County Historical Society on Main Street in Herkimer.  For one reason, when I was there before, I missed some post cards.  For another, I wanted to grab a couple more masks.  The masks were donated to the society specifically to be sold to raise funds.  And they have some lovely designs.

Post cards and masks; I’m all set!

Next I went to Renewed and Rescued further down Main Street.  They have expanded!  It’s awesome!  I must make a blog post telling more.

And there is plenty of room for even more merchandise!

I had come in specifically to look for clothes, but first I had to walk all around at the new space and stuff.  Finally I stopped browsing and found myself a dress, a pair of shoes, and a present for Steven (I did not go in looking for the last item, but what’s wrong with an impulse buy?).

Some of the clothes were on sale!

I counted my trip as successful, although I can’t help wondering if the blog post is up to par.  No matter.  We’ll just call it a Tired Tuesday and drive on.