Category Archives: personal

William Castle, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on May 5, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Monstrous Monday Post.  Once again I intend to pull monster pictures from my Media Library and hope to find something new to say about them. We shall see how successful I can be.

Who will win?

Full disclosure: I have never seen this movie.  I can’t help wondering if they are running out of ideas when they have to combine monsters.  Then again, I can’t judge, as I am suffering from a dearth of ideas myself.

A director who truly loved his work.

Here is a fellow who never seemed to run out of ideas, William Castle on the set of House on Haunted Hill.  Perhaps I can find some inspiration from a man who lived to entertain.

Scream! Scream for your lives!

In my search for inspiration,  I find a shot of Vincent Price in The Tingler, another Castle masterpiece.

Mine is not this big.

Not a Castle film, but one of my favorite pictures to share when I am feeling brain dead: The Brain From Planet Arous.

Great side eye, and totally deserved.

For my final picture,  I show the opposite of brain dead: The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, one of my all time favorite cheesy movies.

Yes, this is what I do when I feel unable to write: share pictures and spew nonsense.  Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to write something better, even without a brain or inspiration.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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Sunday Stroll

Posted on May 4, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today was so beautiful I wanted to twirl around, arms outstretched, like Julie Andrews in that movie I don’t like but everybody else seems to.  What a clumsy sentence, just because I can’t mention a movie without injecting my petty opinion.  Never mind.  I took a lot of pictures that I would like to share.  On with the post!

There are actually two bushes like this.

I first wanted to go to a house on my street that seems to be unoccupied.  Perhaps the residents are merely elusive.  In any case, I took a picture of a bush on their front lawn and made bold to go up their driveway for a picture of some tulips I had noticed earlier.

I spy some hyacinth, too.

I continued down Bellinger Street in search of a magnolia tree I had not checked on lately.  I noticed a magnolia tree in full bloom on German Street during my run this morning so felt sure the other one would be photo ready.

I took two pictures and continued down Bellinger to St. Francis Church, where I had seen the Saint himself following Covid Protocol.

I appreciate those who set an example.

I also got a shot of the tulips in front of Francis.

I positively must plant more tulips in my own yard.

I continued on through Meyers Park to take a picture of the statue of General Herkimer.

This is a true patriot.

I walked down Prospect to Albany Street, where I saw a flowering tree.

I LOVE flowering trees!

I saw a person ahead so, with social distancing in mind, I ducked into the alley behind the stores.  This was delightful to me, because it is not a route I have taken in recent memory.  Imagine my surprise to see a Christmas decoration!

I often say we must take our joy where we can find it!

I continued on up Main Street and through the park by Basloe Library.  At the beginning of quarantine,  it was only when libraries closed that I said, “Shit just got real.”  However, I was able to enjoy some perennials in the flower beds.

Tulips next to daffodils: nice!

I leaned in to get a shot of some grape hyacinths in the same bed.

 

These tulips were a little further in.

I got home without further photo ops, then proceeded to my back yard, where there are some different flowers under my rhododendron. Previously there have been forget me notes, but I do not know what these are.

At least they are pretty!

I close with a shot of my one hyacinth, taken previously and inexplicably not used in a blog post yet.

SO delighted it came up again!

I understand the weather is not expected to be as delightful in the coming week.  However, I feel I can rejoice that I sufficiently appreciated today.  Happy Sunday, all!

 

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Cinema Followed Scattered

Posted on May 3, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I shall attempt a Saturday Cinema post.  We are in fact in the midst of the movie-watching portion of the day.  I am even missing one of my favorite scenes in The Bad Seed as I type this.

Crazy eyes!

Before The Bad Seed, we saw a flick with several killer kids with even crazier eyes: Village of the Damned, screened by Svengoolie.  We DVR all the Svengoolie episodes we can.

I need more rubber chickens in my life.

Before Svengoolie,  we watched one of our all time favorites,  Deathtrap.

Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine, up to no good?

We have not been watching movies all day.  This morning I wrote a few post cards and walked with them to the post office.  I took a long way home, because it was such a beautiful day.  Before leaving for the post office, I put a load of laundry in the washer.  I’m afraid that is the extent of my multi-tasking.  I was happy to be able to hang the laundry on the clothesline.

While the laundry flapped in the breeze, I wrestled the garage door up and hauled out my non-power mower.  Pushing that sucker up and down the lawn is some good exercise.  I figured that would make up for my not running this morning.

I rewarded myself for the yard work with a cold beer, purchased at Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion (just to sneak in a plug for a local business).  Steven sat with me on the porch while I enjoyed my beverage.  We were both delighted that it was warm enough to do so.

So I guess my blog post has been both Cinema and Scattered Saturday.  Perhaps I should celebrate with another beer.

 

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Crazy Old Lame

Posted on May 2, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to make my Friday Lame Post when I decided to mix things up a little with a few pictures.  Accordingly, I put on some better footwear and ventured outside. A couple of neighborhood kids were riding their scooters up and down the street. I stayed out of their way. However, looking at my reflection in my Tablet before I got to camera mode, I realized I was in full Crazy Old Lady regalia. I start, therefore, with the last picture I took, just to give us all a laugh.

This doesn’t even show my sweatpants and sandals!

Yes, I have quarantine hair. Regular readers may remember I was supposed to get shaved for a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser,  only it got cancelled when all the schools were closed.  I shall patiently wait for my favorite stylist at Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer.

But I digress.  The main thing I wanted was a picture of a tree on my street which is just starting to get leaves.  I love the delicate green color.

I’m afraid you can’t see the color very well.  I will have to try again when the light is different.  In the meantime, I got a few more pictures that are worth sharing.

Preview of Coming Attractions.

This will be a tulip, if it does not get eaten before it blooms.  I also took a picture of some peonies that are just sprouting.

I think all the green stuff is daisies.

Going out back in search of more photo ops, I tried to get a shot of the sky plus a couple more trees.

I like it.

Next to our garage are some pink flowers that are coming up nicely.

We originally purchased the plant at a garden show at the Herkimer House in Little Falls, NY

These flowers have inexplicably migrated across the lawn, so I took a picture of them too.

Even prettier close up, if you’ll pardon the dead leaves.

So this is my Friday post.  I feel a little pleased with myself and can only hope the neighbors do not judge my crazy old lady appearance too harshly.

 

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Looking Back at and Forward to Mohawk Valley Adventures

Posted on May 1, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a nice Throwback Thursday post?  I only hope I do not repeat something I have recently thrown back to.  As usual, no promises.

Hubba, hubba! Or do I flatter myself?

This is from April 2017.  These are my friend Kim and I at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I have some better 1920’s clothes and accessories now.  I hope for a chance to wear them sometime.

Same place, different hotties.

And here are my friend Phyllis and I at the same place a few months later.  It was a delightful interlude each time.

So Sweet! And not just the people.

Here are my husband Steven and our friend Margaret, at Margaret’s business, the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica.  You can get lots of yummy sweets and treats there!

Another shot of favorite people at a favorite spot!

Here are Steven, our friend Thom, and Kim at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  I have mentioned this place many times and will no doubt plug them again soon.

I may be biased, but I think we’re a handsome couple.

Once in a while I get a selfie to turn out right.  This was taken one evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort,  where we had gone to eat good food and enjoy good music from local musician Phil Arcuri.

I can’t wait to go hear this guy again!

I feel happy now, looking forward to enjoying more good times at local businesses.  Of course I will stay home and safe — and keep others safe! — for as long as it takes.  But how happy I will be when I can go Mohawk Valley Adventuring again!

 

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Walking Where I Run

Posted on April 30, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Determined to make a better blog post today, I put my Tablet into a shoulder bag and set put on a walk.  I had an idea to finally photograph a couple of the hills I sometimes run up.  Accordingly,  I turned left onto German Street and headed towards Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC).

Would it have helped to get closer to the slope?

Out Maple Grove is what I call a minor hill.  It is a bit of an effort.  I turned up the street that Y’s off Maple (alas, I cannot remember its name), where there is a steeper hill I sometimes run.  On the way, I tried to get a better shot of Maple.

Rats! You can’t see the slope any better!

This is steeper than it looks, when you are actually on it.

I walked up the steeper way, getting a little out of breath, and headed towards Lou Ambers Drive, for a shot of a really good hill.

Around that curve, and up a little more, is Herkimer College.

I did not walk up the hill but went down toward German Street,  pausing to take a picture of some green that caught my eye.

It does my tired heart good to see green.

A little further down is the spring I take a drink from when the weather is not too cold.

This is a godsend on long runs.

On the corner of Lou Ambers and German is Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, one of our favorite places.

We’ve been getting delivery from them lately.

I continued home, pausing only once more to take a picture of some daffodils.

They were in front of Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

It was a pleasant walk.  I shall have to run those hills again soon.

 

 

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In My Defense, Here’s a Blog Post

Posted on April 29, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

What is it with me and missed blog posts these days?  It is most embarrassing. I’m on furlough, for heaven’s sake; what else do I have to do but write blog posts?  In my defense, we are all on quarantine, rendering many Mohawk Valley Adventures impossible. In my prosecution (I truly cannot think of a good opposite for “in my defense” and would welcome suggestions), do I not have a vivid imagination?  Should I not be able to think of things?

That inner dialogue could go on all day.

I am afraid I am not making good use of my time at home.  There, I have admitted it.  It is a source of some mortification to me.  Additionally,  I am afraid I have written about that in this space before.  Can I think of anything new to say?  Maybe I could just add a picture to pep things up.

Full disclosure: I did not step on each of those colored spots.

Here is a sight I see a lot these days.  It is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  I have been running and walking most days.  That is one thing I can feel pleased with myself about, although one could argue that I am not running as far nor as fast as might be expected.  I think I will not indulge in another self argument.

Preview of Coming Attractions

To further cheer myself up, I will remind myself of things I will be able to do again someday.  Meeples Mug House in Little Falls, NY, a board game cafe, was one of the first businesses to responsibly close for the pandemic.  It is one of the first places I want to go when quarantine is lifted.

So we have an apology, a self argument, a couple of pictures, and a plug for a local business. I’ll call that good enough for a late Tired Tuesday post.

 

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Mediocre but Macabre Monday Post

Posted on April 28, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

One of my new favorite guys.

I wanted a post with pictures, and I finally figured out how to get photos from Facebook to my blog via my Tablet.  I am so technologically inept.  No matter.  Here is Svengoolie to start off this week’s Monstrous Monday Post.  I only recently discovered Svengoolie,  and I am a big fan.  Also, I am quite envious.  What a great job!  I personally have made inferior career choices.  But let us not talk about me; let us get on with Monstrous Monday.

Regular readers know who my favorite is.

I stole this picture from Horror Movie Hedonists, one of my monster Facebook groups.  I spend a lot of time on Facebook looking at monster pictures.  I find them way more soothing than political posts.

Which is the real monster?

Here is a good movie with monsters of the human variety: Bedlam starring Boris Karloff.  I have this on on a DVD of two Karloff movies sent me by a friend.  I have been in the mood to see it again, but Steven does not share my love of the macabre (he appreciates murder and mayhem, just not to the same extent as me).

So this is my blog post for today. Full disclosure:  I am tired, not for any good reason, but these things happen.  Excuse the mediocre blog post and Happy Monday.

 

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I Plunge Into Excuses for Missing a Post

Posted on April 27, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I missed making my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, and I was about to call it my Wrist to Sunday post, so perhaps I am finally losing what is left of my mind.  Usually when I lose my mind, I can find it where it usually is: in the gutter.  But I digress.

We had toilet troubles again yesterday, necessitating a trip to Hannaford to try another kind of drain unclogger, if they had one.  We were low on coffee and out of apples anyways.  After I got home, somebody shared a  meme from a Hannaford employee scolding that they were open for necessities, not entertainment purposes, could we please show only when necessary!  I felt guilty, because I had not planned on going out at all yesterday.  However, I really, really needed the drain unclogger.  I was getting a overuse injury in one arm from all the plunging.

Incidentally, the clogs were NOT caused by using things other than toilet paper.  We know better than that.  I think my husband and I are just more full of shit than normal, and that is quire a lot of shit, if you will pardon my language.  But I did not mean to make another Plumbing Post (a new category I may have to add).  By the way, the drain unclogger worked.  Phew!

And now I am over 200 words.  I call that respectable for a late apologetic post.  I will try for a better post later today.  Perhaps with pictures.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Svengoolie on Slacker Saturday

Posted on April 26, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to call this a Slacker Saturday, because, quite frankly, I have slacked.  You may judge me if you are so inclined.  I maintain that no life is wasted, because I can always stand as a bad example.

I went for a pretty good run this morning.  I thought of making a Running Commentary post, but, alas, the moment has passed.  I finished the letter I had started yesterday at the laundromat and walked to the post office with it.  That got in my exercise for the morning.

Steven and I spent a good amount of time this afternoon just sitting on the front porch.  How delightful to savor the day.  We waved to passing cars and observed neighbors working on their homes.  At least, I think we observed people working on roofs and yards.  Whether they were residents or hirees, I could not say.

Back inside, we are on our third DVR’d episode of Svengoolie.   Yes, we have been drinking wine while doing so.  Is this another occasion on which to judge me?  No doubt it is.  I do not feel I should worry too much about who is judging me.  My only thought right now is that I should find some illustrations to enhance my post about watching Svengoolie. I’ll call that a Preview of Coming Attractions.  Happy Saturday,  everyone.

 

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