Category Archives: personal

I Think I’ll Have a Drink Now

Posted on March 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Check out the hair! Mine’s curly! And Steven has, well, more than he has now.

No, it is not my wedding anniversary. However, I thought I would try for a Throw Back Thursday theme and share some old pictures. Naturally this one came to mind. Look at us sipping champagne out of those wide glasses. I prefer a flute, to preserve the bubbles (not that I generally nurse a glass of champagne long enough for it to lose its bubbles). Also, I love the look of a flute.

This is about what our hair looks like now, although I am getting my cut tomorrow.

And here we are, still together, still sipping the bubbly. This bubbly is beer from Woodland Farm Brewery in Utica, NY. This was actually some time ago. I have not worn that sweatshirt since my hot flashes got severe and frequent (not complaining, just noting the effect on my wardrobe).

Drinks and friends, what’s not to like?

I didn’t think I had another picture of Steven and me drinking (we’re not complete lushes, after all), and then I saw this one! It isn’t throwing back all that far, only till last October. This is a cast shot from A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, an interactive mystery we presented to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society. Ooh, and that brings me to the present time: our next murder mystery, Secrets at the Suiter House, is the day after tomorrow, Saturday, March 31, at Ilion Moose Lodge, once again to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society. For more information, consult the Facebook event.

Well, I kind of like how this post worked out: past to present. Does that make it Throw Back Thursday or Non-Sequitur Thursday? Or possibly Pictures of Me and Steven Thursday? You decide.

8 Comments

Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal and tagged A GRAVE Murder, blog post, blogging, husband Steven, murder mystery, Throw Back Thursday, Woodland Farm Brewery. Bookmark the permalink.

My Sinuses Say Spring

Posted on March 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I avoided Tired Tuesday but I am SO going to have a Wuss-out Wednesday. Sorry, folks. I’m not sure, but I THINK because the temperatures went back up into the 40’s, my sinuses decided it was indeed spring and time for the allergies to kick in. I have killer allergies in the spring. And in the fall, and much of the rest of the year, but never mind that. I feel like crap! But never mind whining about something that happens all the time anyways. On with the blog post.

I managed to go for a nice long walk after work today, in the interests of exercising for my health. I thought I could manage a Pedestrian Post, but things were not all that memorable, especially my thoughts at the time. I neglected to take my Tablet with me to take pictures, which might have helped. Then again, the last time I was on my Tablet trying to take a picture, I couldn’t get it out of “selfie” mode. As regular readers know, I am not technologically adept.

Still, pictures always pep up a dull post. Do I have anything in my Media Library I haven’t used recently? Let me look.

This is what I’d LIKE to see!

This is a picture from my yard taken last spring. Um, much later in the spring than now. I feel a little ill-used, suffering from spring allergies without actual spring, other than the 40-degree weather I mentioned earlier.

Be all that as it may, I see I am over 200 words. I call that not bad for a blogger’s sick day. I hope to see you all on Non-Sequitur Thursday. At least, it will be like a Friday for me, because I have Good Friday off, so I may have Lame Post Thursday. A little uncertainty adds suspense to my evening.

2 Comments

Posted in bloggers sick day, humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged allergies, blog post, blogging, health, pedestrian post, sinus problems, spring allergies, spring weather. Bookmark the permalink.

The Sandwich was Better than the Blog Post

Posted on March 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a brief cooking post in lieu of Tired Tuesday or Bad Attituesday. As usual with these openings, I end with a period not a question mark, because I intend to make the post with or without permission. Well, I just can’t write another post about not writing a blog post today! Check with me tomorrow. In the meantime, I fixed something yummy yesterday for my lunch today.

I love egg and olive. I was introduced to it by a young girl I used to babysit,many many years ago. It is egg salad, but with olive. Genius! But of course I can’t make it that simply. I have to add a little pizzazz. Along with the olives and mayonnaise, I added mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dill and lemon pepper. There were not as many olives as I would have liked left in the jar, but I cut up what was there. At least they were big. The jar said Martini Olives. I like martinis, too.

Well, that sure didn’t take long to write about. It didn’t take long to make, either, once the eggs were boiled (and that didn’t take very long either). I put the bowl in the fridge for the flavors to blend. Later Steven made me a sandwich on whole wheat flat bread. He almost always fixes my lunch. It is very sweet of him.

I looked forward to my egg and olive sandwich all morning. It did not disappoint. If this blog post has disappointed, well, at least I didn’t whine about not being able to write. And there is always tomorrow. Happy Tuesday everybody.

Well! It’s Another Monstrous Monday!

Posted on March 27, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think Monstrous Monday is going to be a regular thing here, and I think many people can identify with the sentiment.

A common sentiment, am I right?

I know, I KNOW, I must plan ahead and write blog posts in advance. Well, some readers enjoy my silly posts about not being able to write a post, so there. Still, you can get too much of a good thing. Isn’t there some saying about going to the well too many times? I try to avoid such cliches, but I do say “well” a lot.

Be that as it may, on with the blog post. I wrote a very little on the next murder mystery, Spring into Murder, but am not making much progress in finding a complete cast. I thought everybody wanted to act! Oh well, I guess not everybody (see, there I go with “well” again).

I act, with gestures!

Speaking of everybody wanting to act, here is a picture of me acting up a storm in last summer’s The Tempest with LiFT Theatre Company. That was one of my big, dramatic scenes. OK, I am big and dramatic in all of my scenes, in real life as well as on stage. I always say, go with your strengths (I suppose that is a cliche. Oh well!).

A graphic depiction of how I feel about my continued inability to write a decent blog post.

I swerve into non-sequitur territory with a picture of fake poo. These were props from one of last year’s murder mysteries, He Laughed Himself to Death. I have long been an aficionado of fake poo.

And now I am over 250 words, which as regular readers (if any remain) know, I consider respectable. I return to my Monstrous Monday and, as always, hope for a better blog post tomorrow.

3 Comments

Posted in humor, Monstrous Monday, personal and tagged acting, blog post, blogging, cliches, fake poo, go with your strengths, I Can't Write a Post, lame post, murder mysteries, non sequitur, not writing, theatre, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

What to Wear on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on March 26, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I am hoping to get a blog post published before what may be our final rehearsal for Secrets at Suiter House, the murder mystery we are doing to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society. Do I know all my lines? Do we have all the props? Ooh, we totally do not have all the props. Well, I will work on that during the coming week.

In the meantime, I am progressing on the next murder mystery, Spring into Murder, for Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion on April 28. I think I have a full cast now, if one more person says yes. And if we can coordinate rehearsals. I have remembered that I do not particularly like rehearsing on Sunday. But one does what one must; it is a well known fact that the show must go on!

Oh dear, this is a very dull post. I have not even shared any new information. That is another reason why I am poised with my wrist to my forehead, ready to swoon. I suppose I could take a selfie with my Tablet, so you could really get the picture, but I am not really dressed for swooning. What does one wear to swoon? I am thinking a negligee, something with lots of flowy draperies. Then I need a pair of those mules, with heels and a fluffy thing on the toe. You know what I mean.

Now I am laughing at myself. I don’t exactly have a costume for the next murder mystery but I am figuring out what to wear while I have one of my dithery personal crises. In fact, I just sent my husband, Steven, upstairs to figure out what he might wear. I asked everybody to bring or wear costumes to rehearsal today. I am going to bring my back-up outfit, which I think will end up being just fine.

Between laughing at myself and reflecting that my back-up outfit will probably be OK, I am feeling increasingly less inclined to swoon. But I’ll let you know when I get dramatic again. Happy Sunday, everyone.

More Murder and Mayhem on Slacker Saturday

Posted on March 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m afraid it is a Slacker Saturday, or maybe a Sick Day Saturday. As it happens, I did not do much today except for take two naps. Judge me if you’d like to, I just didn’t feel too good. I feel better now but not up to a real good blog post. Again, judge me if you must. The second nap I took made me feel a little better, at least better enough to go to a local watering hole with my lovely husband Steven (a place I hope to write about for Mohawk Valley Living magazine). I have imbibed a trifle, again judge if you must. Now I am hoping to make a quick post and get back to enjoying the knitting and television watching portion of my Saturday.

It’s not Sunday yet, but any day is a good day for Snapped!

I am taking a look at a Snapped On Demand. Yes, it is more murder and mayhem for me. I may have a Dateline on DVR. We’ll have to check.

On NBC, ID, OWN, it’s all good!

I have the last rehearsal for Secret’s at Suiter House tomorrow. Come to think of it, I don’t have all the props together. Luckily rehearsal is not till 4:30. I also need to get the Clue Sheet together. That will be helpful for the actors when it comes to talking to the audience before the scripted portion of the performance. And I must progress more on Spring into Murder. I have another cast member, although I am concerned about his availability for rehearsals. Oh, the trials and tribulations!

I have to love every murder mystery cast!

I thought I would end with a cast photo of a previous murder mystery. I do like to use three graphics, and this is one of the all time great casts. Happy Saturday, everybody!

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Slacker Saturday and tagged blog post, Dateline, imbibe a little, judge me if you must, local watering hole, murder mysteries, Snapped. Bookmark the permalink.

I Get Theatrical on Lame Post Friday

Posted on March 24, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know if I can accurately describe what is going on in this scene.

It is 7:40 p.m. on Lame Post Friday, and as usual, I got nuthin’. At least, I have things I can write about but lack the oomph to actually do so. You’ll have that, especially with me. I thought I would resort to pictures. My husband, Steven, recently shared the above on Facebook as a Throw Back Thursday, and I thought it was fun. The scene is from a DVD the Herkimer County Historical Society made for a Celebrity Roast of Assemblyman Marc Butler back in 2015. It was just after the triumphant run of Roxy by Jack Sherman, the play the society put on at Ilion Little Theatre. I played the title role (I say modestly). The DVD was all about the the Right to Bare Arms, an issue near and dear to Assemblyman Butler’s heart. I don’t properly understand politics, but I enjoyed participating in the DVD.

Having downloaded that picture to share, I searched the Historical Society’s Facebook page for further photos. First I came across a cast shot from the most recent murder mystery we put on for them, A G.R.A.V.E. Murder (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).

G.R.A.V.E. stood for Ghost Retrieval And Verification Enterprises, if I recall that correctly (how embarrassing that I am not sure).

As I continued, I discovered some pictures from Who Shot JS? the first murder mystery we did for the society. We killed off Jack Sherman, who wrote the play Roxy that I mentioned earlier.

We didn’t take a posed cast shot, but I think this one shows everybody.

Well, now I am approaching 300 words, so I can hit Publish and go back to enjoying my Friday night with a clear conscience. I hope to see you all on Scattered Saturday, or whatever kind of a Saturday it turns out to be.

5 Comments

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged A GRAVE Murder, herkimer county historical society, lame post, murder mysteries, Roxy, Who Shot JS?. Bookmark the permalink.

More Murder and Mayhem!

Posted on March 23, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I believe I have mentioned that I have another murder mystery to write. I may also have mentioned (once or twice) that I have been having trouble writing ANYTHING lately. Well, just now I surprised myself. I wrote a brief overview of said mystery, to send to the venue for publicity purposes. The venue is Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY, and the performance date is Saturday, April 28, 2018. They are serving a roast pork dinner, which was quite delicious when we performed there last year and the year before.

So I have been writing this mystery in bits and pieces, and second guessing myself about everything. I tried writing the overview twice on breaks at work today, to no avail. Finally I sat down at my laptop and said, “Well, I’ve got to do this now.” And here is what I wrote:

Spring into Murder takes place at the kick-off dinner for the Tulip Festival sponsored by Two Lips Cosmetics. The founder and CEO of the company loves everything to do with The Netherlands, so much so that she changed her first name to Holland and hired a bodyguard named Dutch. On the agenda for tonight is the unveiling of the spring line of lipstick colors, to be modeled by Holland’s spokesmodel and partner, the beautiful Ariel Angelica. Holland is accompanied by her new husband, Rod. Also on hand are Holland’s nephew Benedict and recently adopted daughter Windy, as well as the designer of this year’s colors, the brilliant if eccentric Giselle Ellison.

Unfortunately, all is not beauty and harmony at Two Lips Cosmetics. Rumor has it that Holland did not want to take on Ariel as a partner, that Benedict wanted Windy to be the spokesmodel, that Giselle feels badly paid for her work, and nobody knows quite what to think of Dutch. Additionally, we don’t know who sent Ariel a bouquet of BLACK tulips!
There may be murder before the night is out! Who will solve the crime?

I was rather pleased with it myself. The new husband got his name as I wrote it, and Giselle Ellison (my part) changed from a dedicated secretary to a lipstick designer. I think diva is much more fun than downtrodden.

Having written that much, I feel fired up to get the whole thing done. I’ll share more information about the performance — times and prices — when I know more.

It’s My Secret

Posted on March 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would give another plug to Secrets at Suiter House, the murder mystery dinner theatre to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society. The event will take place at Ilion Moose Lodge, 302 Barringer Rd., on March 31. Doors open at 5 p.m. $20 per person includes an all you can eat spaghetti dinner. There will also be a Chinese Auction with some really good prizes.

It is one week from Saturday! Yikes! I still don’t know what I’m wearing! And there are a few more props I need to gather! And does everybody in the cast know about the next rehearsal?

Oh dear, that was not a plug. That was me dithering and probably did not leave a good impression. I must correct that. This murder mystery will be a lot of fun. There are some good laughs in the script, along with some intriguing clues and local references. Actually, the whole script is local. It concerns a wealthy philanthropist (played by me) who is sponsoring the next exhibit at the Herkimer County Historical Society (whose museum, of course, is located in the Suiter House). The dinner is a contest to decide who will be the curator. Naturally there are a few hard feelings amongst the would-be curators, and EVERYBODY has a secret or two.

I last heard some 20 tickets were still available. Are they still? I don’t know! For more information you can contact the historical society at 315-866-6413.

4 Comments

Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged entertainment, interactive murder mystery, murder mystery, murder mystery dinner theatre, Secrets at Suiter House. Bookmark the permalink.

A Blog to No Where

Posted on March 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Can my readers bear yet another post about How I Can’t Write a Post Today. I can’t write ANYTHING today! And it has been that way for a very long time.

OK, that is an exaggeration. I can write something. Here I am, typing in nonsense I intend to pass off as a blog post. Sunday I wrote two articles to submit to Mohawk Valley Living magazine. I wonder if they were any good. I can’t worry about that now. Where was I? Nowhere, it seems.

Now I am sitting here staring at the word “nowhere.” My computer is not underlining it, but it looks wrong. Like it really says “now here.” These are the things that keep me from moving on to the next paragraph.

The next project I am dithering about is the murder mystery for Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY, planned for Saturday, April 28. I think I have a situation, and the names of some of the characters. I have a victim but not yet a murderer. This is not uncommon. Sometimes I write the whole script before I decide whodunnit. You can do that with a ten-page script. I wouldn’t try it with a 300-page novel. No, I have not written a 300-page novel, but I have written 300 pages on a novel. At least a couple of times.

And now I have written a 200 word blog post. It looks kind of sad without any pictures of monsters. Maybe I could include just one.

“Where have you been all my life?”

There you go: a monster and a beautiful girl. What’s not to like? Oh, I’m sure somebody could find something. Once again, I’ll try for a better blog post tomorrow.

6 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged blog post, blogging, Creature of the Black Lagoon, monster, murder mystery, not writing, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Mohawk Valley Girl