Category Archives: personal

I’m Totally Guilty of Having a Slacker Saturday

Posted on July 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I like regular Dateline, too.

I was all set to wait till tomorrow and do two blog posts, but then I thought, “Oh, do a stupid post.  It won’t be any worse that what you would do tomorrow morning.”  Well, it may be worse, it may be better, but here is my Scattered Saturday post. Oh, OK, it is really a Slacker Saturday.  I am a slacker blogger; I admit it.

As you may guess, we are watching Dateline: Secrets Uncovered.  That guy totally did it.  My husband Steven tells me I would make a louse juror.  He proves it thusly:

Steven (pretending to be an attorney during jury selection):  Can you listen to the evidence objectively?

Me (being me):  Yes, but he totally did it.

I actually was a juror once, not for a murder trial.  In fact, we found the guy guilty, but I believe the evidence showed it.

We may watch it again tomorrow.

Earlier we watched Snapped.  I know, the graphic says “Every Sun,” and today is Saturday. I cannot always be strictly accurate.

Regarding what else we did today: we did some yard work, we walked to the post office to mail my weekly post cards, we went on a Mohawk Valley adventure that I hope to write a whole blog post about.  I did not do as much as I sometimes do on a Saturday.  You’ll have that.

In the meantime, I’m up to 200 words.  That is what I consider respectable.  As usual, I’ll try for a better blog post tomorrow.  Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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Tasting and Typing on Lame Post Friday

Posted on July 7, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was all set to make my Friday Lame Post when Steven said, “Write about our tastings!”  So I will.

Earlier today, I thought we were into the relaxing portion of the day (full disclosure: we have been pretty relaxed all week since I’ve been off work).  I knew there was a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, but I don’t have to go to every possible wine tasting.  Then I saw on Facebook that Beer Belly Bob was having a beer tasting.  I don’t have to go to every possible beer tasting either, but all of a sudden, going to two tastings sounded like a fun thing to do!  I put my jewelry (and my bra) (please do NOT tell me TMI!) back on and off we went.

The wine tasting only featured two wines:  Harken Chardonnay and Exitus, a red blend.  The lady pouring (I stupidly did not ask her name) said the Chardonnay was buttery but not too oaky.  I’m not nuts about buttery Chardonnays, but I gave it a try.  I felt it was distinctive, not too buttery, but I wasn’t nuts about it.  The Exitus, though, was yummy.  It was Bourbon barrel aged so had a higher alcohol content, 16 percent.  Yikes!  Well, just a small taste was fine.  We purchased a bottle, which we will save for a special occasion.

On to Route 51 Beer Belly Bob’s Discount Beverage Center in Ilion!  I mention as an aside: this was our second trip to Ilion for booze.  Earlier we went to Ilion Wine and Spirits for a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir, one of my favorites.  One reason we like Ilion Wine and Spirits is that they are big supporters of Ilion Little Theatre.  All kinds of local shout-outs today!

Adirondack Brewery was offering samples today.  A few people were already enjoying tastes.  I right away grabbed a cracker and some Original Herkimer Cheese Spicy Tomato Chutter, which was on the bar.  I loves me some Original Herkimer Cheese!

Stacy (I remembered to ask her name) poured us some Hefeweizer.  She was very good at keeping track of who had tasted what, pouring for several people at once as she was.  We liked the Hefeweizer as well as the Bobcat Pilsner we tried next.  Those were our favorites, although we also tried and liked Bear Naked Amber, Tangerine Dream Dirty Pale Ale, Wildest Dreams, and Bear Wizz Root Beer.  I took detailed notes about each of these.  At least, I took notes.  But I guess it is still Lame Post Friday, because I’m not going to go on about them.

We purchased a mixed 12-pack, because that was the only way our two favorites were available.  I considered purchasing some of the root beer, because I thought it would make a great float with chocolate ice cream, but regular beer won.  I’ll keep the Bear Wizz in mind for future purchases.

We are now back home. I fixed a quick dinner, and we are definitely back to the relaxing portion of the evening.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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Ghosts, Birds, Heat, and Bette Davis on Non-Sequitur Thursday

Posted on July 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am so tired of this heat!!!  There, I complained. I have been all day on and off Facebook and have not, but now I did.  And I have more blog followers than I have Facebook friends, which gives me no virtue for refraining to complain there only to complain here.  So judge me if you are so inclined. Never mind that, I want to make a blog post, even if I feel too wrung out and mildewy to do so. Pretty much all I have done today is to  watch movies, so how about a Non-Sequitur Thursday movie post?  I’ll even include pictures.

Up the stairway, into the unknown…

We began our movie watching with The Haunting, the 1963 original, not the pathetic remake.  It is an excellent movie I have written about before, extremely scary using only sound effects, lighting, and acting.

I’m thinking they don’t want chicken for dinner.

We continued our movie watching with another movie from 1963, The Birds.  It is a perennial favorite of ours.

All that beauty, all that talent!

Next I suggested Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), because it takes place where it is very very hot, so we could totally identify.  Steven agreed that he could not object if I left him for Paul Newman.  I feel the same way about him and Elizabeth Taylor, although we did not discuss that.

There’s a Rogue’s Gallery, if you like.

My next suggestion was Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), because it was another southern movie.  Bette Davis, Cecil Kellaway, Agnes Moorehead, just to name our favorites!  In fact, I think I will close with Bette Davis, in a shot I have used for my Facebook profile picture.  I loves me some Bette Davis.

“I could spit right in your eye!”

 

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I’m in a Cheesy Play!

Posted on July 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I went to a rehearsal for the play I was unexpectedly asked to take part in:  Where’s the Cheesecake?  by Angela Harris.

Angela Harris, a resident of Little Falls, NY, also wrote Strike Story, the incredibly well-researched reader’s theatre play which gave LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company, its start.  I got to participate in that production when a cast member could not make certain performances.  Perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it.  Harris has also written several short plays about the ongoing adventures of Mac Blac, “Little Falls’ only professional problem solver.”  I saw one of the plays three years ago, at the Little Falls Cheese Festival.  I probably wrote a blog post about that too.  At least, I hope I did.  When I was asked to take a part in the latest adventure, I jumped at the chance!

This episode is done as a radio play.  We stand up and speak into microphones. Sound effects of doors closing and chairs moving help set the scene.  Oscar Stivala, as The Man with the Horn adds atmosphere. I loves me some Oscar Stivala!

The play takes place right before the Little Falls Cheese Festival and, obviously, involves a cheesecake.  More than that I will not say, because I do not want to give away any salient plot points.  I will say it is very mysterious and a lot of fun.

It’ll be more dramatic when we’re in costume.

Where’s the Cheesecake? will be presented on Saturday, July 14 at 11:30 a.m. at The Shop, 590 E. Main St., Little Falls,  as part of the Little Falls Cheese Festival.  The Cheese Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street.  Come buy some cheese and see a play!

 

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Beat the Heat with Books!

Posted on July 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The heat wave continues in the Mohawk Valley, and I do not have air conditioning.  However, libraries do!  In the last two days, I went to two, so I thought I would give them a shout out instead of having my usual Tired Tuesday post.

Monday I went to Basloe Library in Herkimer, NY.  I actually went so I could print out the script to Where’s the Cheesecake?, the play I am in during Little Falls Cheese Festival, July 14 (I’ll make tomorrow’s blog post about that, by the way) (preview of coming attractions).  I still don’t have a printer, but I was just as happy to go to the library.   As I paid for my printed pages, I remarked that it might be time to purchase a printer of my own.

“Then again, I’m not too unhappy to be here in the air conditioning,” I told the clerk.  She agreed that this was a good place to be, especially since they also have books.  With that in mind, I found a few books.  Then I sat down and tried to write.  That did not go so well, because I had a headache.  As I left the library, I saw they had changed the sandwich board outside to say, “Come on in!  It’s cool and we have books!” I only wish I had had my Tablet with me to take a picture.

Today I went to Weller Library in Mohawk. I was determined to write more.  For one reason, I did not have a headache.  For another reason, they have the most beautiful reading room.  Once again, I ought to have had my Tablet with me.  Next time!

Well, once again, the writing did not go so well, so I looked for books. I thought I found a couple of Agatha Christie’s I had not read, only to discover that they were novelizations based on, I don’t know, a movie or a play.  I put them back on the shelf and found a couple of authentic Agatha Christie novels, one of which I actually have not read. Score!

I managed to get a little writing done: some on a novel that I fear is not going to go anyplace, and some on a murder mystery for the fall.  I think the murder mystery is going to work out. I’ll write more on it tomorrow.

So, my advice to anybody who is tired of the head and doesn’t have air conditioning:  go to the library!  It’s cool, and they have books!

 

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No Monster Monday? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!

Posted on July 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is a monstrously hot Monday.  I don’t think I can write a really good blog post, but sometimes people are amused by my nonsensical posts, so I will see what I can do.  Of course I would like to include some monster pictures, so I thought I ought to look for some new ones and not rely on my Media Library (but I just love mentioning that I have a Media Library).

…

That did not work out well.  I just went to the various monster pages on my Facebook and found nothing.  Of course there were a lot of nice pictures, but nothing inspired me to share it, which an apropos remark.  Well, we cant have a Monstrous Monday post without monsters, can we?

“Hey, cutie, wanna go for a swim?” “No, thanks, I’m working on my tan.”

I thought Creature of the Black Lagoon would be appropriate, because right now, I would jump into the water where a monster might be.  I looked for a picture I hadn’t used but did not see anything I liked any better than what I already had.

I think this owes something to the original JAWS poster, don’t you?

Here’s another movie where it was not safe to go back in the water (to steal the tag line from JAWS 2).  We just watched Lake Placid yesterday.  Fun flick.

Full disclosure: I have never seen this movie, and I don’t know anything about it.

When I was looking for the Lake Placid picture, I sat this one from Hell Night and thought, “How appropriate.”  To be completely accurate, I always picture Hell with more of a dry heat than the soggy stuff we are currently dealing with.  Still, I imagine many are saying, ‘”It’s hot as hell around here!”  I’ll sign off before I complain any more myself.  Happy Monday everyone.

 

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Hitchcock to Betty White to Agatha Christie: It’s Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on July 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in our movie watching (actually I have not paused the movie, I add in the interest of strict accuracy) to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I am indeed about to swoon, from the head and humidity today.  I don’t care for extreme heat, especially wet, sticky heat, but never mind that.  I shall instead talk about the movies we have been watching, because I think I have pictures of all of them in my Media Library.

One of our all time favorites!

We began with Rear Window, an excellent movie to watch in the hot weather, because it takes place during a heat wave, in the days before air conditioning.  At least, before lots of people had air conditioning; I’m too hot and tired to look up when it was actually invented.

I think today was even too warm to enjoy riding around in a convertible, but these two seem to be having a fine time.

We continued the Alfred Hitchcock theme with It Takes a Thief, which also stars Grace Kelly, so it was kind of a Grace Kelly theme as well.  However, we did not continue with a theme, because we could not decide where to go next.  Finally Steven suggested Lake Placid, as a fun, entertaining movie, and I agreed.  We enjoyed it.

This is a shot of all the major characters. While still monster movie, I feel it is a character driven device.

 

Lake Placid is a silly movie with did not get a lot of critic love, but I think it has good characters and an involving plot.  I will say I think it is a cheap laugh to have Betty White saying vulgar cuss words, but that is really a small part of the flick.

I perhaps should have looked for a picture with more of the actors, but I do like this shot.

The last one we have watched so far was Evil Under the Sun, a star-studded Agatha Christie romp.  I do love my star-studded Agatha Christie movies.  Perhaps we will watch another one next.

If this has been a dull blog post, I apologize. However, it is really, really warm in here and I need to get this laptop off my lap. Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

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Running, Errands, Blues… My Scattered Saturday

Posted on July 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here’s another non sequitur for us, because I’m making my Saturday post on Sunday morning.  Once again, I offer no excuses.  As Popeye said, I yam what I yam and that’s all what I yam.  I’ll try for a Scattered Saturday post, although, full disclosure:  I did not do that much.

We got up extra early, due to insomnia, but I did not feel too ill-used by my body.  I was looking forward to going for a long run, which I attempted to do after coffee.  The run did not feel as good as I had hoped at first.  I wondered if I would make it for 35 minutes, which was my goal (to equal my last longest run and increase it on Sunday).  I ran up a pretty good hill, felt even worse, kept going anyways, and eventually got into it.  I ended up going for 35 minutes and feeling pretty damn good about myself.  Yay me.  I feel I am in 5K shape now.

After a shower, my recovery beverage of chocolate milk, and a protein-filled breakfast of a cheese omelet, I wrote some post cards.  Steven nicely agreed to walk to the post office with me.  It was still pleasantly cool, although hot temperatures were predicted.  It felt SO GOOD to walk! I love walking!  We passed by the Historic Four Corners, and I mentioned to Steven that I had used pictures of the 1834 Jail and County Courthouse in a recent blog post.  He had read the post.

Other errands we ran included a trip to the bank to deposit a check, a visit to Hannaford to purchase coffee, a graduation card, and a gift bag.  Back home, I took a nap, because of getting up so early.  Then I had to put on a mini fashion show for Steven.  The reason for the show was that I had to figure out what to wear to a cousin’s graduation party we wanted to attend.  After two or three changes of heart as well as shirt, my decision was made.

To get to the party, we had to drive to Rome to catch a ride with Mom and Dad to Baldwinsville.  It is always nice to spend a little time with my parents.  Additionally, they played blues music in the car on the ride.  I love the blues!

It was a very enjoyable Saturday.  I only feel bad that I waited till Sunday morning to make this post.  However, these things happen and we must make the best of them.  I hope you’ll all tune in later, when I make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.

 

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Snap! It’s Lame Post Friday!

Posted on June 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

For the record, I have not reached mine yet.

My husband, Steven, and I are watching Snapped, one of my favorite guilty pleasures.  It is, with some exceptions, about women who kill people, most often women who kill their husbands, ex-husbands, lovers, or boyfriends.  I think it is a mark of great trust in my husband that he does not mind that I sometimes watch it with a notebook and pen handy.  Ahem, it is the TV Journal, not an Evil Plan Book.  I don’t have an Evil Plan Book, although now that I say so, it sounds kind of cool.  Note to self: get Evil Plan Book.

Where was I?  Ah yes, Lame Post Friday.  However foolishly I may have posted all week (I admit that some weeks it is a lot of foolishness), I still feel free to be silly on Friday.  You can shake your head, your finger, or you booty at me.  It won’t change anything.

That’s not me on the poster, but I was Roxy.

Speaking of women who snapped, a few years ago I played one who did in Roxy by Jack Sherman, which was presented by Herkimer County Historical Society and Ilion Little Theatre.  I wrote a few blog posts about it at the time.  I won’t link back to all of them.

On the Historic Four Corners, one of my favorite spots in Herkimer, NY.

The story of Roxalana Druse was a famous local story.  To make this a post of more local interest, I include pictures of a couple of the sites where some of it took place.  Above is the 1834 Jail, where Roxy stayed during the trial and awaiting execution.  She was hanged behind the jail, the last woman hanged in New York State.

Across the street from the jail.

This handsome building is the Herkimer County Courthouse where the trial took place.

Well I don’t know how lame this post turned out to be.  I started out with television and veered into local history, not saying very much about either one.  And I don’t know why I told you what I did; if you’ve read this far, you know what I wrote.  Kind of lame of me, would’t you say?  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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Words, Work, What to Do?

Posted on June 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I did not make my Non-Sequitur Thursday post on Thursday.  Judge me if you like, I shall not explain, because explanations are tiresome.  I am sitting at my laptop with coffee at 4:30 in the morning (which is actually a normal time for me to be out of bed on a workday), and I’m going to type a few words and hit publish.  Then on to my last day of work before two weeks off, yes.

Here is a Freudian typo:  when I went to put “workday” just now, my fingers first typed “word.”  Since I want to be a writer (technically I am a writer, but I dream of finishing longer things than blog posts and murder mysteries), I find that appropriate.  Next Freudian typo:  I typed “wend” instead of “went.” This implies that I am wending my way through this post. Quite appropriate for a Non-Sequitur Thursday.

“Ah, about that…”

I thought I would throw in a picture of Nosferatu, just because.  On the one hand, I feel that makes this more of a non-sequitur post.  On the other hand, if you actually say you are making a non-sequitur, I think it makes it less of a non-sequitur.  And now I veer into half-baked philosophy, the purview (I love that word, purview) of Lame Post Friday.  And since it is, in fact, actually Friday, now I am veering back into sequitur territory.  What is a blogger to do?

Which is not the same thing as “I saw what you did there.”

When in doubt, throw in another picture.  I loves me some William Castle.

Incidentally, this is what I felt like yesterday, when I missed posting.

I just grabbed the next picture I saw in my Media Library (“Media Library” should be said in snooty tones), because I want to finish this up.  I am over 300 words, which is a little long for a foolish post, especially a late one.  If only I could think of a silly headline, my life would be perfect.  Late Happy Thursday and Early Happy Friday, folks!

 

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