Category Archives: personal

On to the Christmas Videos!

Posted on December 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know how good of a Sunday Cinema post this will be, since we only saw one actual movie.  Still, I think I can share a couple of pictures and say a few things that may entertain someone, even if it’s only me.

We started by looking at TCM, where this guy was talking on and on, and I did not pay much attention.  Eventually they got to the movie, which was Crack-Up (1946).  I said, “Don’t we have this?”  Steven thought not.

“I think I’ve seen it.  I must have DVR’d it.”  I used to DVR a lot more movies from TCM, and write blog posts about them.  I must begin doing that again.  However, I cannot do that with Crack-Up, because it turns out I already did, in 2013, in a post called, “Good Job, Leonard!”

This is Claire Trevor, who plays the love interest, although she gets to do a few brave, useful things.

The other reason I cannot write much about Crack-Up is that I did not pay too much attention to it.  I know, I often do not pay a great deal of attention to these things, but I was quite delinquent in that respect today.  After the movie, I found Forensic Files, although I was really more in the mood for Snapped.  Steven wanted something more joyful, so he bestirred himself to go up to the attic and bring down some of our Christmas movies.  Soon we were delighting in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Boris Karloff is the only Grinch for me. All others need not apply.

Next Steven chose Christmas Unwrapped, a VHS tape of a special that aired on the History Channel many years ago (at least, I don’t know how many, but it’s a VHS tape, so it must be quite a few, anyways).

Santa by artist Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly.

I tried to take a picture of the video cover with my Tablet, but it did not turn out well.  However, this is the Santa Claus that graces said cover.  I do love an old fashioned St. Nick.

After Christmas Unwrapped, I got to watch part of  Snapped episode.  Then I didn’t like the episode that was on next, so I put it on COPS while I made my blog post and Steven did the dishes.  Now Steven is deciding what to watch next while I am over 400 words.  Woohoo, that’s long for a Sunday post!  I wonder if he would like to watch that holiday classic, Die Hard.

PS.  He went another way and chose The Homecoming.

 

 

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Ready to Relax after Scattered Saturday

Posted on December 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Even after my tipsy night last night, I managed to have a fairly active Scattered Saturday.  As I am anxious to get on with the sitting on my couch, crocheting and watching television portion of the day (I have already reached the sweats on, bra off stage) (do NOT say TMI!) (you know who you are), I am going to make a fast post and hope to cover a few of the activities in greater detail in future posts (preview of coming attractions).

We slept in till almost 6 a.m., and I confess I had a bit of a headache.  I comforted myself with the thought that I have had worse headaches on less wine and got on with the day.  After a cup of coffee and some Gatorade, I felt ready for my run.  I think I have made up my mind to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls next Saturday, and I had not run since Wednesday, so I knew it was a good idea to go.  It was a pretty good run, and I petted two cute dogs along the way.

The rest of the morning was spent in a leisurely fashion, but eventually we bestirred ourselves and got out the door and into Mohawk, NY.  For non-local readers, that is a village right next to Herkimer (where I live).  Regular readers may recall that we went to Mohawk Village Market on Shop Small Saturday.  While there, we entered a drawing for a $25 gift certificate.  Steven won!  We spent the whole amount and then some, and I picked up a Donald Westlake book I have never read in their little library.  Score!

Next we drove to Ilion, which is right next to Mohawk, and went to the Medicine Shoppe to pick up a prescription.  More I cannot tell you, because, you know, HIPAA, but the Ilion Medicine Shoppe is a good place to fill your prescriptions.

After going home to put away our groceries, we got back in the car and drove to Little Falls, about six miles away, in case you didn’t know.  Our goal was the Open House of Joyfuls Vintage Designs, which had moved to a new location, 616 E. Main Street.  I had never been to nor in fact ever heard about this place.  What an awesome little business!  They refurbish and re-purpose vintage items and furniture.  The results are beautiful and show such imagination and creativity.  I will definitely write more about them and include pictures.

We decided to take a stroll down the rest of Main Street.  We admired several businesses along the way but did not stop anywhere till we got to Ed and Bud’s.  There we saw a sign advertising Tom and Jerry’s.  This is, of course, a traditional Christmas drink.  We made a special trip to Ed and Bud’s to have one last December.  We succumbed to the temptation.  Yum!

So we had a pretty fun Saturday. Lots of Mohawk Valley adventures!  We may sit quietly at home on Sunday.  Then again, there is Christmas in Meyer’s Park on Herkimer and the tree lighting in Weller Park in Mohawk.  Scattered Sunday, anyone?

 

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A Tiny Lame Post

Posted on December 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is time for my Friday Lame Post and Full Disclosure:  I am tipsy. Steven and I went to Tiny’s in Utica, NY, with our friends Phyllis and Jim.   I had a few glasses of white wine and I am quite tipsy.  I feared this would happen. Phyllis is quite the bad influence.  It is part of her charm..

Oh dear. I am only up to 57 words (as of the end of the first paragraph).

On the left looks like what I did have; I shall return for the one on the right.

Ah, I find a few photos on Tiny’s Facebook page to help my post along.

Obviously not this time of year.

Here is an outside view of the place, which I also got from their Facebook page.  I took a few pictures tonight of their  awesome nutcracker collection. I must share them as well. And go back and take more pictures.

In the meantime, I am sorry tonight’s post is so lame.  Yes, it is Lame Post Friday, for which I usually make no apology.  However, since tonight I am more under the influence (of alcohol, not anything worse), I feel more culpable.

I say no matter. It is Friday.  I have posted.  I will strive for something more coherent tomorrow.  In the meantime, Happy Friday everybody!

 

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But Where Was Bela Lugosi?

Posted on November 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The bad blogging week continues with a blogger’s sick day.  I have had a dreadful headache all day.  At least, sometimes it was dreadful, sometimes it was just a common or garden headache, sometimes I was merely light- and heavy-headed at the same time (I just realized what a contradiction that is, yet that is how I felt).  But I must not go on about my ills. For one reason, they can’t have been that bad: I made it through a 10-hour work day and cracked a few jokes along the way.  Sometimes I become quite self-dramatizing about my stupid head.

Be all that as it may, regular readers know I can’t just say “blogger’s sick day” and leave it at that.  I have to chatter on for at least 200 words (I don’t know how I came up with that number, but that is how it has always been).  I know what, I’ll pep things up with a picture.  Perhaps it can also be a Throw-back Thursday, veering into my favorite, Non-Sequitur Thursday.

We’re not plotting anything nefarious.

Here is a throwback to 2017 and the 1920’s, and the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger’s Park fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.  I wore a different 1920’s outfit to the 2018 event but did not get a picture.

The three words that best describe me are as follows, and I quote…

To make this a Non-Sequitur Thursday (who says I can’t multi-task?), here is Steven’s and my newest Christmas decoration, purchased at Honey Brook Hobbies in Ilion, NY (ooh, I even threw in a plug to a local business).

I am over 250 words now, and my headache is no better, but I am kind of liking this blog post.  I think I will close with a picture of a monster, just because.

“Is this where the karaoke party is?”

I loves me a little Nosferatu.

 

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Running Commentary, One Letter at a Time

Posted on November 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, this is just swell.  I can’t get on WordPress on my laptop .  What’s that all about?  So here I sit on my Tablet  typing one letter at a time with the stylus,  occasionally benefiting from the anticipatory thingy.I really do not like posting this way.  Then again,  I meant to make a Running  Commentary post.  For once I am typing as slow as I run.  It! Could! Work!

Once again I did not want to run today.  I also felt that I did NOT want to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls Dec 8.  The run is part of the Christmas in Little Falls festivities,  which I similarly felt not in the mood for.  What’s that all about, me?  Finally I said to myself, “Just try.”

I put plastic bags over my socks inside my sneakers,  because it was quite wet and slushy.  As it turned out, I did not run through much wet.  I stayed in the road (left side, facing traffic, which is the right way to do it), which is not my favorite way to run.

Once I got started, my body didn’t feel too bad about moving.  I had promised myself I wouldn’t have to run more than 20 minutes.  Just a short run to keep my feet in (You know, like keeping one’s hand in, only it’s feet, because I’m running), in case I decide to run the Reindeer Run 5K after all.

As you may have guessed,  I am now leaning SLIGHTLY in the direction of running.  I’ll let you know.  And I’ll make a longer blog post, after I get my real keyboard back.  In the meantime , we’ll call this a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.

 

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Out of Oomph on Tired Tuesday

Posted on November 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said I would try for a better blog post today, and I really, truly thought I would.  Now I’m thinking, how long have I known me?  Why did I even think that?  In my defense, I went back on overtime and I think I am coming down with a cold.  I know, I know, it’s a lame excuse and today is certainly not Lame Post Friday. Now that I thought about Friday, I feel even worse!

I’ve been pretty much feeling like an idiot all day, although I was aware that it was Tuesday.

I hadn’t thought to use that photo today, but since somebody brought up Friday, I thought I would.

So now this is a Tired Tuesday post when I had thought to take a Blogger’s Sick Day.  I meant to run after work and do a Running Commentary, but after work my body rebelled, and my mind was too tired to fight it.  Furthermore, I am re-thinking my intention to participate in the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls Dec. 8.  I just don’t feel I can muster the oomph to do it.  I don’t feel as if I can muster any oomph to do anything!

Then again, feelings pass.  As I often point out, sometimes you just have to feel that way till you don’t feel that way anymore.  I can only hope to feel a different way soon.  I’ll be sure to write a blog post about it when I do.

 

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Vampires for Christmas on Monstrous Monday

Posted on November 27, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

He looks kind of like I feel.

Hello, it’s Monstrous Monday.  I am dreadfully tired.  Did I work too hard today?  Did I play too hard all weekend?  Does it really matter?  I say no, it does not. What matter is that I make some semblance of a blog post before I sleep.

He does not look as if he is bidding us velcome.

Well, that didn’t work.  I was just looking for a Christmasy picture in our downloads, since Thanksgiving is over and so Christmas can begin.  Instead, I saw this lovely shot of Bela Lugosi that I don’t think I have used before.  Well, who doesn’t love a vampire for Christmas?

“Did somebody say vampire for Christmas?”

This vampire is hanging in my living room.  My nice husband Steven gave him to me for Christmas several years ago.  Please note the green stocking hanging around his neck.  You can also just about see the green jingle bell in his right hand.  We often mix holidays in our house.

Oh dear, as I was looking through my Media Library, I saw that I did have that picture of Lugosi.  Well, I can’t remember every picture of Bela Lugosi in my collection.  It is unreasonable to expect it.

I don’t really look anything like this, but the words fit.

I close with the picture that reminds us:  I’m not perfect, and I can’t even pretend to be close.  On the other hand, I have made some semblance of a blog post.  I’ll try for a better one tomorrow.

 

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I Needed a Little Christmas

Posted on November 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Instead of a Wrist to Forehead Sunday nor yet a Sunday Cinema, I will post about our up and coming Christmas decorations. Today was a little warmer than the past two days, so we seized the opportunity to get some lights onto our front porch.  The results fall short of other front lawn and porches, yet I feel they are worthy of some notice.

Oh yeah, we put up a couple of wreaths, too.

After impatiently waiting for the sun to go down (yes, much earlier this time of year, let us not begin that lament!), I stood across the street in the road and got this picture.  Actually, I walked into the middle of the road, but no cars were coming, so it was all right.

He looks better in real life than in the picture.

New this year, I put one of our Santas in an upstairs window.  Full disclosure:  I thought of this after I had carried said Santa from the attic to our second floor.  I did not want to carry him down another flight.  Our other Santa has been on the landing, three steps up from the ground floor, since last Christmas.  I think this Santa looks cool in the upstairs window, although he is a little washed out in the picture.  These things happen when one is not a professional photographer, as obviously I am not.

He’s older, he’s awesome, thanks Mom and Dad!

We put our older, better Santa on the porch. My Mom and Dad found him at a second hand shop when they were visiting my sister in Pennsylvania.  I just love a vintage Santa Claus!

“I’m just an angel in disguise!”

It is difficult to get a good picture of our front porch with that large tree in front, but Steven will not hear of cutting it back. Nonetheless, I tried to get a picture of the angel that graces the middle of our lights.  I hope she shows up enough for the pic.

So here is my little bit of Christmas, for the end of Thanksgiving and my birthday weekend.  Tomorrow I go back on overtime, so I hope I can still manage somewhat decent blog posts.  Time will tell (Time is certainly a blabbermouth, although I have already done that joke).  Happy Sunday, everybody!

 

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Shopping Small on Scattered Saturday

Posted on November 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I may have used this title before, but it is getting late on Saturday, and I have had a few drinks, so I must make my post as best as I can and hope it is OK.  I went running this morning and hoped to do a Running Commentary, but time got away from me.  For one reason, I went running late and still had to write my post cards.  And call my Mom and Dad (I have called home on Saturday mornings for many years).  And check Facebook (I am still Liking birthday wishes from Thursday).

Our first stop was The Medicine Shoppe in Ilion, NY, to pick up a re-fill (more I cannot say, because, you know, HIPAA).  It is a shop local shop, because it is a locally owned franchise. Nice!  It was also handily located for a stop at Honey Brook Hobbies.  They were having a craft fair. Nice!  Additionally, we found out our dear friend Jerry is now employed there part time as a baker.  He is quite awesome in every respect. Yet another reason to like the nice people at Honey Brook!  In fact, when we paid for our purchases, we told the lady at the cash register that Jerry is one of our best friends.  She said theirs, too.  I said I guessed Jerry became best friends with almost everybody he meets.

After Honey Brook, we went two doors down to Ilion Wine and Spirits.  We got a couple of bottles to ensure our good cheer.  On the way home, we stopped at Mohawk Village Market, where we purchased sausage and chicken gizzards.  Yum!  I did not see any books to borrow from their Little Library but made a mental note to bring some books to donate. I know I have some.

After relaxing at home, we ventured out again with our friend Kim to a liquor tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.   Amaretto, Vodka and Fireball Whiskey, yum!  After that we went to Asteroga Ale House for another drink and a little food.

I fear I am too tired after all these stops to include links to all these businesses, or even their addresses and hours.  Perhaps you could google any in which you are interested.  Or perhaps tomorrow I will remember to edit and add same. In the meantime, Happy Saturday, and I hope you found an opportunity to shop small.  It’s fun!

 

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The Blog Seed

Posted on November 24, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I know I had my Lame Post Friday on Wednesday this week, but I really don’t have much in me today except that silly title.  We are watching foolish movies and had made our way to The Bad Seed (1956) when I thought I had better make my blog post before I get too tired.

Those psycho eyes!

Steven always says he would like to watch a version of this where the little girl, Rhoda, really seems like a sweet little girl at the beginning, so you are shocked when she turns out to be a murderer (I didn’t need a spoiler alert for that; everybody knows that’s what The Bad Seed is about).  I wonder if I could get Ilion Little Theatre to let me direct it.  Then I wonder if I could find a kid actor good enough to be Rhoda.  Of course, I have supreme confidence in my own directing abilities to think I could pull it off.  I rather doubt I will have a chance to be disproved in this case.

Earlier today we watched The Ape (1940) with Boris Karloff.  Today (November 23) is Karloff’s birthday.  The movie is part of our DVD collection of 50 Horror Classics.  Karloff gets to use his beautiful voice, but the movie is kind of slow.

The poster is more exciting than the movie.

After that, we went on with the primate theme with The Ape Man (1943) starring Bela Lugosi.   The movie is part of a DVD I gave Steven called The Best of the Worst.  I don’t know if it was the worst movie, but it was certainly a very bad print.  We couldn’t understand most of the dialog.  When I had completely lost track of what was going on, I suggested we take it out and put in another movie, finally settling on The Bad Seed.

We did not watch long enough to see this dramatic scene.

There is no chance I will lose track of this movie, since we have seen it many times.  It is one of our favorites.  Still, what is the point of watching it if one does not actually watch it?  Therefore, I will hit Publish and return to the movie watching portion of my day.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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