Category Archives: personal

To Trot or Not to Trot

Posted on October 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Spoiler alert:  I’m probably not going to trot, but I thought of that title while I was running this morning and I like it.  I wondered if I would ever do another Saturday Running Commentary, and it looks like I am about to.

I had actually thought about not running today.  I had an excellent run yesterday (I believe I mentioned it in yesterday’s post) and can certainly run tomorrow.  Additionally, I have been getting brutal headaches on Saturdays (regardless of whether or not I tie one on Friday night) (um, I mean, I never tie one on), and I fear running in cold air makes them worse.  It is cooler this weekend, real fall weather.  I love it, but my sinuses are less than thrilled.  However, I do not allow my sinuses to run my life.  Try not to anyways.

So I decided to run.  My thermostat said it was 47 degrees, two degrees above my usual cut off for shorts and short sleeves.  However, since I am not in really good running shape, I put on leggings and long sleeves.  I was glad I did.  For one reason, as I started out, I realized it was raining.  What was that all about?  I didn’t hear any rain on the tin roof outside my bathroom window!  I felt quite ill-used, but once I’m out there, I usually keep going.  Yesterday when I started out, I realized I had left on my reading glasses instead of switching to my running glasses.  I kept going for a blurry run. I remembered the running glasses today, but once they got rained on, the run was no clearer than yesterday’s.  No matter.  I could see well enough.

I debated running up a hill.  Regular readers may recall that hills are in short supply in Herkimer, NY (where I live).  I was inclined to stay off the incline (just to make a play on words).  But one must run hills to train properly, especially if one wants to run a 5K in Little Falls (which I do).  I was headed towards Main Street.  I could go up a hill there, if only I crossed German at the four-way stop.  I made a bargain with myself: if there were no cars at the intersection, I would cross.  If not, I would immediately turn down Main Street.  For one reason, my glasses were by now spotty enough that I could not reliably see if a driver was waving me across.  There were cars.  I was off the hook (don’t judge me) (oh, go ahead and judge me; I don’t run for anybody but myself).

It was not as enjoyable a run as yesterday, but it wasn’t too bad.  It got better as I went along.  I started out thinking if I only did 20 minutes it would be OK.  My longest run lately has been 28 minutes, and I have been plateaued there for two weeks.  My main goal is to do the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  I did it last year and it was great fun.  There is a Turkey Trot 5K in Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day.  I could be in 5K shape by then.  Well, not if I stayed plateaued at 28 minutes or, worse yet, went backwards (ooh, running backwards is a good way to get in shape, but I’m not talking about that).

Another reason I probably cannot participate in the Turkey Trot is that I plan to go to Rome to my Mom and Dad’s house for Thanksgiving.  I had planned to go the night before, in case they need help getting the turkey stuffed and in the oven at 6 a.m. or whenever they need to do it.  I can also peel potatoes, something I never do for myself but know how to nevertheless.  Still, I have always wanted to do a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.  Additionally, this Thanksgiving is my birthday.  I can run 5K on the day I turn 55.  How cool is that?  But would I even be in 5K shape if I only ran 20 to 25 minutes today?  And so I debated as I ran, and that is when I came up with today’s title.

I was on my street, figuring I would at least get to 25 minutes, when I heard a voice behind me:  “I thought I was the only crazy one!”  It was a lady I had encountered on another run.

“I didn’t know it was raining till I set out,” I told her,  “and I said, ‘Oh well, I’ve got the sports bras on!'”

“It’s raining and we’re training!” she said.

Well, that kind of inspired me, and I went around the block and ended up running for 31 minutes, an increase (at least the way I did the math) of the recommended 10 percent.  I felt pretty darn pleased with myself.  If I don’t make it to Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day, I will just have to trot by myself in Rome.

 

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Cooking with Wine Tasting

Posted on October 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday Food does not have the same appeal as Saturday or Sunday Supper.  Yet, I feel I would like to make a cooking post today.  I had meant to do a Running Commentary, because I had an excellent run this morning (I posted a Facebook status of “THAT is how a run is SUPPOSED to feel!”), but, you know, things happen.

I was supposed to be away this weekend, but those plans were derailed by a stomach bug my husband, Steven, is currently suffering.  He has not wanted to eat much, so I thought a pot of homemade chicken soup would help.  Accordingly, I took some chicken out of the freezer. It was two thigh sections, which is a good dinner for two people when baked and served with a vegetable.  I have also found that it will also make a good pot of soup

I put the chicken on to boil about 3 p.m., when I was doing laundry and waiting till it was time for a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY (where I live).  After it had boiled a while, I used a slotted spoon to scoop some of the brown crud off the top.  I don’t think the brown stuff seriously degrades the taste of the soup, but I skim off what I can.  I was waiting for my friend Kim to pick me up for the wine tasting.  Eventually I got tired of waiting and had a small glass of white wine we had on hand (don’t judge me; I wasn’t driving).  I also thought I should progress further on the soup so peeled and crushed some garlic.  I turned off the burner under the chicken; I figured it was cooked through, and I did not want it on when I left for the wine tasting.

It was after right after this that Kim texted me that she was ready to go to the wine tasting, so I did not bother setting the timer for 15 minutes (to let the garlic breathe, remember? I’ve talked about that before).  I figured we’d be gone at least that long.   And we were.  I came home with two boxes of wine, one red, one white.  Yum!  I may do a blog post about the tasting (I have been seriously remiss in not making more posts about the wine tastings I attend).  I poured myself a glass of red and continued to cook.

I pulled the pieces of chicken out of the broth and put in the garlic.  I sliced a yellow onion, put it in the broth and turned the burner back on.   I took the chicken off the bones and put it in the broth too.  After a while I will add some frozen vegetables.  Probably some spinach (Steven only likes it in soup, dip or sauce), maybe some broccoli or corn; I’ll see what’s in the freezer.  And I will cook some pasta, probably ditalini.  Yum!

For you wine snobs out there, I will no doubt switch to white with my chicken soup.  I do not want to injure anybody’s sensibilities unnecessarily.  Anyways, this is my Lame Post Friday post for the week.  I hope you are all having a good supper and enjoying the beverage of your choice.

 

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Non-Sequitur Sick Day (Have I Used This Title Before?)

Posted on October 12, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I’m sitting here half-watching a 20/20 on OWN and trying to make my blog post.  I unsuccessfully searched for a picture of the 20/20 logo, to pep up the post, but no luck.  I’m better at finding monster pictures. It’s really interesting episode, to me anyways.  It is the case of Stacy Castor, who killed two husbands with antifreeze.  We have enjoyed other true crime shows about her.

I tried to write my blog post earlier today, while at work.  I only got as far as, “It’s my Friday and I’ll cry if I want to.”  I have tomorrow off, so it is like Friday.  That makes this a Non-Sequitur Thursday right off the bat.

Full disclosure:  I’m not feeling well tonight.  I wanted to bag this blog post till tomorrow, but I have been doing that far too often these days.  What’s a silly blogger to do?  I guess I’ll find a Throwback Thursday picture to share, so this post doesn’t look completely pathetic.

“Want some candy?”

I used this picture two years ago.  It is a delightful witch we got at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit.  I must get back there soon.  I’m sure I need more Halloween decorations.  And maybe a pumpkin or two.  Maybe if I’m feeling better tomorrow.  And we’ll certainly hope for a better blog post.

 

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Wednesdays are Murder

Posted on October 11, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Shall we blame this on menopausal brain fog, seasonal allergies, or, well, me?  The fact is, after Monstrous Monday and Tired Tuesday, today is Wuss-out Wednesday.  But perhaps I can give another plug to A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I just got back from another rehearsal.  I need to learn my lines.

The setting is a special taping of “Who Knows Herkimer History?” that popular game show, with our new host, Gary “Herk” Henderson.  The previous host, Jack German, died under mysterious circumstances, but let us not allow such gloomy thoughts to intrude. Tonight is also exciting, because of our returning champion, Ned Frances, who has been winning for an unprecedentedly long time.  Will someone cut off his winning streak?  Will our glamorous Prize Girl, Scarlett Scarsdale, be awarding cash and prizes to a new champion?  According to producer Evelyn Moore, our resident historian, Dr. D. Devonshire, has promised some tough questions.  All the excitement will be recorded by Bernie Woods, writer for Game Show Gambit magazine.  Things will be started soon by our announcer, Rod Toddman.

How does that sound for program notes? I think I’ll email it to the historical society and see what they think.  In the meantime, local readers might like to make reservations for the show:  Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, 6 to 8 p.m. at Ilion Moose Lodge, 302 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY, doors open at 5 p.m. $25 per person for turkey dinner and the show.  For reservations, contact the society at 315-866-6413.  For more information, consult the Facebook event.

 

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A Ghost of a Post

Posted on October 10, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tired Tuesday follows Monstrous Monday some weeks.  My allergies are kicking my butt, which is hardly a surprise at this time of year.  But I like to make a blog post every day, so I ask my readers to bear with me while I try to come up with something.

Hmm… nothing is coming. I’ll throw in a picture to distract from the lack of substance.

Does this kind of thing make your head hurt?

This was in my Media Library from last October.  I’m sure people have written stories about ghosts being haunted by humans, but I have never read one.  There was that one movie, but I don’t want to mention which one, in case you have not seen it.  It’s the big reveal at the end.  Oh dear, I’ve already said too much.  Now every ghost story you see onscreen, you will be asking yourself, “Which one is really the ghost?”

“Spoil my movie viewing, will you?”

You might get so mad at me, you’ll tear my head off, as Vincent Price has apparently done to Peter Lorre. I wonder what Peter did that was so annoying?  Additionally, I wonder what happened to all the blood, but I do appreciate the neatness.

It’s a beautiful building.

For a third picture, here is Ilion Little Theatre in Ilion, NY, a marvelous community theatre (perhaps you have read a few of my blog posts about it).  It is also reportedly haunted, just to fit it in with today’s theme.  Or are WE the ghosts?  Discuss among yourselves.

 

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I Want My Mummy! And Some Dateline

Posted on October 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a cheesy headline for a Monstrous Monday.  I’ve just been trolling Facebook for monster pictures I have not used, and I came across a movie poster from a Mummy movie I have not seen.

Cecil Kellaway and George Zucco, what’s not to like?

They may have shown this recently on TCM.  I know there were a few mummy movie on Sunday night I had meant to DVR.  Oh well, I have other things on my DVR I have yet to watch.  So many movies (and Dateline episodes), so little time.

Who would disturb his rest?

Now there’s a mummy, if you like.  I did not notice what movie it was from, but I believe it is Lon Chaney, Jr.   I like the black-and-white, spooky atmospheric quality.

In searching for more mummy pictures, I found about 3,568 of Tom Cruise.  I had the opposite of desire to see that remake.  Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz for me!

He is fine, yes, and so is she!

I like The Mummy Returns (2001) even better.  It is rare that I like a sequel at all, but this one was thoroughly delightful.  I shall close with a scene from it.

I could not wear such an outfit, nor would I try.

Rachel Weisz gets to kick butt in the sequel.  I gotta love a gorgeous woman kicking butt.  Maybe I should go kick a few myself.  But first, I’m going to watch a little Dateline.  Monday is the day OWN shows multiple episodes. I love Dateline.

 

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Fun in Rutger Park

Posted on October 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

First the good news:  I found my red feather boa.  Now the bad news (although some may consider this good news):  I don’t have any pictures of me wearing it.  I did take a few pictures last night, though, and the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser for the Landmarks of Greater Utica.  I thought I would share them in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  In case you missed my previous blog posts on the topic, I participated as a volunteer with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.

It is a fine ride, yes.

This car was parked right outside of the mansion where the fundraiser took place.  Last year, us LiFTers spent a lot of time around it, greeting people as the approached and giving them the password.  This year we spent more time inside.  However, we took a few shots outside first.

My husband, Steven, and our friends, Kim and Wayne.

 

Of course, we couldn’t really drive the car, but we didn’t let that bother us: we’re actors!

 

See? Acting!

 

This was the scene right inside the door.

I spent a lot of time walking around talking in a fake flapper’s voice, telling people they looked fabulous and extolling what a great speakeasy this was.  Many people really did look fabulous.

I didn’t get their names, but don’t they look great?

I asked these folks if I could take their picture for my blog post and they graciously agreed.  It might have been nice to get a few more pictures of the different outfits, but things got a little crowded.  Also, I could not see very well closer than arm’s length, because I was wearing my new distance-only contact lenses.

It’s Kim and Tucker, but I keep thinking of them as Mavis and Jimmy the Shiv.

A few people there remembered Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which was flattering.  I think the Rutger’s mansion would be a wonderful setting for a murder mystery.

I loved, Loved, LOVED the band!

The band was wonderful, playing tunes from the 1920’s and beyond.  Steven and I danced to an ’80’s tune.  I did not recognize what they were playing when we left, so it may have been from anywhere between the late ’90’s to now.

It was a fun time, which everybody seemed to enjoy.  I hope they made a lot of money, and I hope when they do it next year, they ask LiFT to participate again!

 

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The Mystery of the Missing Boa

Posted on October 7, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Who loses a red feather boa?  I just now posted that as my Facebook status after repeating it in my head 7,348 times (approximately) while looking in all the likely spots and several unlikely spots not once but several times.  I found two padfolios (isn’t that a word?), several headbands, countless dust bunnies (don’t judge me, but you may judge my housekeeping) and, most usefully for tonight, my yellow beaded bag.  But no red feather boa. I HATE it when that happens!

We felt fine, yes.

It was in 2017 when I last wore the thing.  This is me and my friend, Kim, at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  Fun times.  The ironic thing (as if I don’t get enough irony in my diet!) is that I spent all day wishing I had some other color of boa than red.  Now I would be SO thankful to find the red one!  There’s a lesson here somewhere, but one is generally not receptive to lessons when one has been stomping around the entire house looking for an elusive costume piece.

So I guess this is a Wrist to Forehead Saturday post.  I have paused in my searching to drink some water (one can withstand most things, even frustration and self-loathing, if one remains hydrated) and make my blog post.  Eventually I must begin getting ready for Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park.  I think I have an outfit I can stand wearing.  I can even bear to go without the boa.  I didn’t wear a boa when I dressed as Ruby in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s.  At least I know where my long holder and fake cigarette are.  And one must not discount the self-confidence-enhancing benefits of a yellow beaded bag.

 

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Tie It With a Clara Bow

Posted on October 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The title is, in case you did not notice, and I feel sure you did, a reference to yesterday’s title.  Clara Bow was a personality in the 1920’s, wasn’t she?  I suppose I should Google it, but it is Friday, Lame Post Friday to be exact, and I only want to type in 200 or so words and get back to Friday evening activities.  I pride myself that I am posting on actual Friday and not early Saturday morning. Who does that?  Never mind.

We just got back from the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY (where we live).  We were hoping to meet some friends there but apparently misunderstood the plan (if there was one).  I had originally thought I was going to rush home from work, shower, change, go.  That did not happen.  Instead I was able to take some time with a costume piece I thought would work for my 1920’s event tomorrow, which I talked about in yesterday’s post.  Yesterday I said the velvet gown I had found in Ilion Little Theatre’s costume collection would work. I woke up at two this morning with the realization that it would not.

I have in my possession a filmy almost dress I think I could put over a sheath dress to look kind of sort of 1920-ish.  However, it is very wrinkly and has a few stains.  I didn’t even know if it would fit.  I tried it on. Then I tried to iron it.  It was so filmy, I was worried it was too thin to iron, so I used a press cloth, by which I mean a handkerchief.  Only at first I could not find a clean handkerchief.  When I finally found one, I found what I have found every time I have attempted to use a press cloth:  it doesn’t work!  No doubt I do it wrong.  However, I managed to iron the thing without mishap.

I put it on over my black sheath dress (which no longer fits so good since I have put on weight), and showed Steven, saying, “I guess this isn’t going to work.”

He said, “I was about to say, ‘Add some beads and accessories, and that’s good.  But you have to get rid of those stains.”

Long story short (too late!), I have it soaking but am not hopeful.  I still have tomorrow morning and afternoon to make this work or find something else!

In the meantime, it is Lame Post Friday, and I find this post (as well as my costume for tomorrow) lame.  Happy Start to Your Weekend, everyone.

And I am over 400 words.  Go figure.

 

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What Would Clara Bow Have Done?

Posted on October 5, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to title this one Post Rehearsal Post, but then I thought it might be a Non-Sequitur Thursday, in which case, the title ought not directly reflect the content of the post.  Oh the conundrums of the daily blogger!

I just returned from the first rehearsal for A Trivial Murder, the murder mystery we are putting on to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  It will be Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5), at the Ilion Moose Lodge.   The cost is $25.00/person. To purchase tickets, stop by the Society, Monday-Friday, 10-4, or send a check in the mail and they’ll send your tickets to you – HCHS, 400 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY 13350. For more information, call 315-866-6413.

I brought my Tablet to take a couple of pictures, but neglected to actually take any.  Instead, I offer a picture of a previous murder mystery for the Historical Society.

That was a fun cast, yes, but this one will be great, too!

Before rehearsal, my friend Kim and I went up to the costume rooms at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) looking for a 1920’s costume for me for the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser on Saturday.  We and a other members of LiFT (Little Falls Theatre Company) are volunteering and must look the part.  I did not want to wear the dress I wore last year (also borrowed from ILT) (and returned); I wanted to wear the dress worn by another character in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s (a murder mystery presented by LiFT last year).

This is what I wore last year; some people thought I looked pretty fine.

 

I was looking for the black dress on the girl sitting next to me who is NOT strangling me.

However, after looking for a while, I just wanted to find ANYTHING that worked.  Eventually I found a black velvet gown that will do. Alas, it does not look like a flapper dress.  Maybe I’m a little too old to be a flapper.  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  After rehearsal (which went pretty well), I went home and sought out accessories to make the gown 1920’s ready.

So this is my Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  At least I plugged two upcoming local events, and included a couple of pictures.  I call that respectable.  Happy Thursday, everybody.

Oh crap, I still have to think of a title.

 

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