Category Archives: personal

Well, What Do You Do with Bread?

Posted on October 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Under the heading, Things That Go Through My Head While I’m Running:  I read a quote a long time ago, not attributed to anybody, “If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy violets for your soul.” I pondered that thought, liked it, and considered posting it as a Facebook status when I got home.  Immediately I thought, if I did that, somebody would not doubt comment, “If you have two loaves of bread, give one to the poor.”  Somebody always has to be that way.

In fact, when I have two loaves of bread (and I often do), I selfishly put one in the freezer for later.  Then again, how many violets can I realistically expect to buy for what I usually pay for a loaf of bread, much less what I might sell a loaf of bread for.  Who’s going to buy a loaf of bread from me, anyways?  Anyways, I don’t eat a lot of bread.

As I type this, I remember there is a non-perishable food drive for veterans at my place of employment.  I’d better grab a few cans to bring in.  But no bread, that’s perishable.

So this is my Wuss-out Wednesday post.  I had intended to make a running commentary; I really did go running and think the first paragraph.  However, before making my bog post, I had to do the final edit and polish of my murder mystery script and get it emailed out to my cast.  I still have to print out hard copies for myself and a couple others, but I can do that before rehearsal tomorrow.

In the meantime, I ponder my conundrum:  violets for my soul or bread for the poor? Discuss amongst your selves.

 

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Was it a Killer First Draft?

Posted on October 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Words to live by!

Of course, the first draft I just finished should have been done a week ago, but we cannot always live up to the ideals we set for ourselves.  The important thing is, I wrote it, I typed it into the laptop, I printed it out, I will edit and polish it, I will email it to the cast.  Then it’s on to rehearsals and performance, but right now I’m writing about writing.

Well, maybe a little about rehearsal and performing.  The draft I finished was for A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre we are presenting as a fundraiser for Herkimer County Historical Society.  The performance will be Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. at the Ilion Moose Lodge.  For further information, you can reference the Facebook event.

I feel a little self-conscious admitting in public like this that I am just finishing the script.  We are a month away from performance!  Well, murder mysteries don’t take as much rehearsal as a full-blown play.  Up north, where we had a company called Murder For Hire, we used to put them together in three rehearsals:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and go on Saturday!  I was younger and more energetic in those days.  Now I feel more secure with a little more time.

However, I am feeling increasingly good about this show.  After a few glitches, I got a really wonderful cast.  I think everybody will fit their part fine and fill it out with little touches I didn’t even think of when I wrote the lines.  That is why writing scripts is more exciting than writing novels.

Writing a novel, incidentally, is my next project.  Why don’t I have a novel published yet?  I am almost 55.  I was about to say, time to get off my butt, but in fact it is time to sit on my butt in front of a notebook or keyboard and get going.  I’ll write a few blog posts about it along the way.

 

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In the Mood for Monsters

Posted on October 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Ya wanna see my bug collection?”

I need a little Tucker to cheer me up.  This is my friend Tucker in our recent murder mystery, Donate to Murder.  He was very funny.  I hit “New Post” wanting to make this a Monday Moan post, but it’s just a mood and there is no reason to inflict it on my readers (although I know I do sometimes).  So I thought a Monstrous Monday was in order.  When I went to my Media Library (you say “Media Library” in a pretentious tone of voice), this little gem caught my eye. I do feel a little cheerier.  I wonder what other monsters I can find to pep up my post.

Mmmmm… garlic.

I thought I’d throw in a little garlic first, in case I include any vampires.  This is from the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls, NY, last September.  Good times, good garlic.

“Curses! I forgot my sunscreen!”

It is ironic that the sign says “NO SMOKING” when Blackula is smoking hot.  I may have made that observation before, but even the best of us repeat themselves sometimes.

Christopher Lee is the favorite Dracula of many.

I do love a Hammer horror film.

Oh, he is a fine, scary dude!

You knew I was going to include Nosferatu, didn’t you?  I hope nobody minds a vampire-heavy Monstrous Monday.  After I put in the garlic, I felt kind of obligated. This has been, I admit, another foolish post. In my defense, I am working hard on the next mystery, A Trivial Murder.  More information on that will be forthcoming!  Happy Monday, everyone.

 

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Martians, Vampires, Prank Phone Calls, It’s Sunday Cinema!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Cinema Sunday post?  I have not watched that many movies today, but I have not done a whole lot else either.  I went running, I went shopping (grocery and other), I made a salad and other stuff for this week’s lunches, I cooked a nice dinner for Steven and me.  Perhaps this will be a rambling post, more of a Scattered Sunday.

While I was chopping and mixing, Steven put in Signs (2002).  Back when I used to like M Night Shyamalan movies.  But let’s not get into that right now.  I have not seen any of his recent stuff.

I just flashed on the Roger Miller “Hat” song, “Hey, Kid, where’d you get the Lid?”

After Signs, Steven let me pick, and I chose Dracula (1931).  It is more atmospheric than plot-driven, but I gotta love me some Bela Lugosi and Dwight Frye.

Ooh, those eyes!

I have to say, though, the movie does not chug right along, the way I like a movie too.  What can I say?  It’s just my taste in theatre.  After a highly respected classic, I wanted to watch a William Castle movie, which one might argue is a classic of a different sort (although I am no hand at argument).  We decided on I Saw What You Did.  It’s silly fun.  Of course, these days it is not so easy to make prank phone calls.  I never could make them successfully; people always recognize my voice.  But at least Joan Crawford never yelled at me!

I’d sure as hell go!

Now we are looking at Snapped while I make this blog post, but I’m not loving the episode on now.  I wonder if I could talk Steven into House on Haunted Hill.

When I was done screaming, I’d ask him for a few diet tips.

 

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Saturday Supper, In Progress

Posted on September 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am making a Saturday Supper post while I am actually cooking said supper.  I have not done a cooking post in a while, and I am making this dish up as I go along, so I thought it would be a good one.  If I am mistaken, I would point out that these things happen and we must make the best of them.

First I chopped up an onion and put it in some oil in my cast iron frying pan. I confess, I thought sadly that I do not enjoy washing that pan, but it is one of my favorite things to cook in.  I put in a little more oil than I had intended, but I just went with it.  While it fried, I peeled and crushed some garlic and set the timer for 15 minutes (to let the garlic breathe, so it could reach its full cancer-fighting capacity) (I guess).  I knitted and looked at Forensic Files while I waited.  Steven is a big fan of Forensic Files.  I like it too.

After putting the garlic in the pan and stirring, I added burger.  Steven had taken the burger out of the freezer a couple of days ago, but one cannot always be ambitious enough to cook supper the day the meat is thawed.  I broke it up somewhat, knowing I could break it up further as it cooked.

Eventually I did break it up more, and I thought all of the pink was gone.  Then I thought of adding Worcestershire Sauce, which I could have done while it was pink, but whatever, I put some in.  Looking in our cupboard, I saw we did not have tomato sauce, as I had thought.  Luckily I found some diced tomatoes as well as some canned mushrooms and tomato paste.  I put the diced tomatoes and mushrooms in.  The I threw in a few spices:  Salt Free All-Purpose from the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica (a great place, by the way), basil, garlic powder (can’t have too much garlic, after all), cumin, parsley… I think that’s it.

There! I just went out and stirred the sauce, which was boiling away.  I put in the tomato paste. After I finish this post and hit Publish, I will put on water to boil for pasta.  Will it be ruffles or elbows?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my Saturday.

 

 

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Late, Lame, What a Shame

Posted on September 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is that moment on a Friday, when I want to just not worry about being a blogger and go to sleep.

I typed that last night, then I went to sleep.  Full disclosure:  Steven and I got together with our friend Kim.  We went to Happy Hour at Asteroga Ale House then to the VFW for another drink.  We’re not members of the VFW, but Kim knows some folks there.  I told them I was V but not FW.  We found out we could join the auxiliary, so we may do that.

The point is, wine makes me sleepy.  Still, it was a fun Friday night.  We used to go out every Friday night.  When we lived in Potsdam, NY, it was Happy Hour at Alger’s.  When we moved to Norwood, NY, we went to Jeremiah’s. Good times.  Actually, it is the epitome of the expression, the good old days — we weren’t good, we weren’t old, and they weren’t days, they were nights.

So here I am at five in the morning, typing in something, anything, so I can still feel I am a daily blogger.  Well, why not?  We make up rules for ourselves and can bend them to our will.  I call myself a daily blogger.  If I miss a day and make two the next, I say that counts. If one is pure foolishness, I say it still counts!  And if I want to call it Lame Post Friday early on a Saturday morning, I will.  I hope your weekend is beginning splendidly.

 

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Ready for Ritz and Ragtime?

Posted on September 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

There’s a suspicious-looking bunch, if you like.

I begin with a throw-back photo, but with a purpose.  These are some of the characters from Rubbed Out at Ruby’s the murder mystery presented by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company, last year.  We made a reappearance at the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.  A few of us are making a reappearance next Saturday, Oct. 6, at this year’s event.

Only I don’t have anything to wear.  That is why I was at the Thrift Store (Salvation Armani, as I like to call it) yesterday.  I had no luck.  But that is not the important thing.  The important thing is to make a blog post.  First, a quick plug for the fundraiser:

October 6, from 7 to 10 p.m., the Historic old No. 3 Rutger Park Mansion,  will be transformed back to the 1920’s. There will be food, drinks and music in a beautiful and unusual setting.  Tickets are $25.  Although it is not necessary, period costumes are encouraged (and a lot of fun!).   For more information, you can visit the Facebook event page (which I have linked to on “event” in the first paragraph).

Sexy ladies, no?

I thought I would fill out today’s post with a couple more photos from last year’s event.  You may be asking why I can’t wear the little red number I’m wearing in the pics.  Explanations are tiresome.  But here’s another picture.

It’s not really so easy to carry a flash in your garter like that.

I will no doubt solve my wardrobe dilemma.  I’ll be sure to write a blog post about how I do.

 

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Judge If You Want: It’s Wuss-out Wednesday

Posted on September 27, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sorry, folks, it’s Wuss-out Wednesday.  What little writing I managed at work today was on the next murder mystery.  I went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Ilion, NY, after work, looking for something I could modify into a 1920’s dress for an upcoming fundraiser.  I thought I could do a post about the shopping or about the fundraiser.  I could even do a post about the problems I am having writing and casting the murder mystery (one effects the other, you know).  I find I can’t.  I need my time sitting on the couch, knitting, and watching television.

Oh dear, it might have sounded better if I said something like, “I need my time for me” or “I need time to rest, relax and renew.”  Well, judge me if you like;) I know some of you will anyways) (you know who you are) (oh, what do I care if people judge me?  Don’t we all judge each other sometimes?) (Oh, I suppose YOU never do!) (again, you know who you are).

Where was I?  Ah yes, posting quickly so I can pick up my knitting needles, not to mention a glass of wine (again, judge if you are so inclined).  The important points about today:  I worked a little on my murder mystery.  I am having problems gathering a cast.  I shopped at the Thrift Store.  I have a fundraiser coming up with a 1920’s theme.  I hope to expand upon all these topics in future blog posts.

I hope your mid-week is going well.

 

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Writing About Writing for a Change

Posted on September 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Looking through my notebook for something else, I came across the following I had written on an unknown date, and I do not believe I have used it.  Since the only thing I can come up with now is more writing about not writing, I thought this would be a nice change of pace.

Having decided to concentrate on my writing once again, I further decided to start a new novel and finish it quickly. This is hazardous, given my long history of starting novels and NOT finishing them, but I am always one to take a chance.  In my further defense, I did write the closing scenes of the last novel I vowed I would finish, so one could argue that I finished the first draft.  However, I am no hand at argument.

So I was wondering what kind of a novel to write, and I had this idea to write a tale of romantic suspense.  I enjoy some of those Gothics, you know, the ones that show a castle under a full moon with a woman in a long dress running away.  Victoria Holt is the mistress of that genre. I love her.  I do not feel equipped to write a real period piece, but romance and suspense, I can do, or so I think (perhaps I flatter myself, but let’s not disillusion me at this point).

I know romance publishers often have strict guidelines, so I did a Google search of romantic suspense publishers.  I have been having better luck with Google lately, and I did find something.

One publisher said they wanted strong, smart heroines.  I can do that.  I hate having a weak, wimpy lead character (NEVER MIND how I may act in real life; I am not writing an autobiography).  They want her to have clearly defined goals and meet with real obstacles. Hell, that’s just good fiction.  What does your character want?  What keeps her from getting it?  Another thing they like is snappy banter, like from 1930’s screwball comedies.  I love those old movies!  And I am good at writing dialogue, even if I do say so myself.

Things they don’t want:  when the only obstacle to love is fear from previous bad relationships.  OK.  Men who condescend or are meant to woman.  Well, that’s good.  I hate it when women fall for those creeps!

That was when I got tired of writing about writing and started taking notes on the novel I wanted to start.  Full disclosure:  it petered out before I got very far.  However, now that I have typed all that in, I am anxious to try again.  I’ll be sure to keep you posted as to how it goes.

 

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I Can Run, But I Can’t Blog

Posted on September 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I went running this afternoon, specifically so I could make a Running Commentary post.  Well, I guess that was not the only reason.  I also want to get back into shape (that is, a shape other than round and puffy), lose weight, be able to run a 5K and better.  And I thought some exercise would help my mood.  I sure could use some of them there endorphins.

Obviously I did not get any.  I suppose I did not run long enough.  You’ll have that, especially when you are trying to get back into it.  I have to remember that in middle age, one falls out of shape a whole lot quicker than when one was younger.  Also, it is harder and takes longer to get back into shape.  I hope I do not appear to be whining about these things; I merely mean to make the observations.

Not actual footage of me after my run, but close.

I thought I’d better pep things up with a picture.  This lady’s face looks like how I feel.  It is Candace Hilligoss in Carnival of Souls (1964).  I got the pic from the Facebook page of that movie.

This is where I must admit, I am too tired and brain dead to make a decent blog post.  Was it the run that tired me out?  Or just the usual Monday Malaise?  No matter.  I’ll throw in a couple more pictures and hope to think of amusing captions.

I could be the old-fashioned slow-poke kind of zombie.

Actually, I walked my cool-down alone.

As I feel like a zombie, I find two zombie pictures.  Now I am done running and blogging for the night.  Happy Monday, everybody.

 

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