Category Archives: personal

A Monstrous Monday

Posted on March 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am sitting on my couch, laptop on my lap (good place for it), typing in words and backspacing them out.  This is not a good start to my blogging week.  Darn it, I’m tired!  I had a marvelous time at the Crusader’s Wine Tasting yesterday, and I worked ten hours today, got my articles for next month’s Mohawk Valley Living magazine submitted…  OK, I have no excuse.  Well, this is going to be a Monday Mental Meanderings post.  Maybe I should add a few monsters.  As regular readers know, I like monsters.

“Is this where the water aerobics class meets?”

I haven’t shared the Creature from the Black Lagoon in a while.  I think it’s kind of sad he doesn’t have a real name.  Do you suppose his friends call him Blackie?  Maybe ‘Goon?  Or Creach?  These are the things I think about when I am supposed to be writing a blog post.

“I told him not to lose his head.”

As I was searching my Media Library for Creach, I noticed this lovely shot of Peter Lorre and Vincent Price.  I decided to include it under the contention that people are the real monsters.  That is definitely an argument one can make.  In fact, as I typed that in, I overheard somebody on Snapped call the murderess a monster.  I would really like to finish this blog post so I can watch the next episode of that show, by the way.

Did she reach her breaking point? Or is she just a monster?

 

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That Elusive Fabulous Outfit

Posted on March 18, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think I mentioned that part of my Scattered Saturday yesterday was spent searching for a fabulous outfit to wear as Philomena Billingsford, wealthy philanthropist, in Secrets at Suiter House, the murder mystery soon to be presented as a fundraiser for the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I was unsuccessful, but I have time. What I have less time for, though, is to come up with something to wear TODAY!

We are going to an event as soon as Steven gets home from work.  I am getting a little worried, though, because our friend, Kim, who was supposed to drive, has not gotten back to me.  Of course it is no problem to drive or even walk there ourselves, but these things are far more fun with a friend.  As soon as I figure out what to wear.

The event in question is St. Anthony Crusader’s Annual Wine Tasting.  Hobby and professional wine makers offer samples of their wares, which will also be adjudicated by professional judges.  It runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. today at the Herkimer, NY, VFW, I add in case I hit Publish and anybody reads this in time to go.  It should be a lot of fun; it has been in past years.

Cost is $10.  There are also prizes and raffles.  We did not win anything last year, but I won a beautiful necklace and earrings donated by Weisser’s Jewelers one year.  Ooh, maybe that should make up part of my fabulous outfit.

Anyways, this is my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  After all, what could be more swoon-worthy than having nothing to wear to a fun event coming up in — just over an hour!  Yikes!  Gotta go!

 

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Scattered Saturday: St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Posted on March 18, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my Scattered Saturday gyrations to make my blog post.  Actually, I was pretty much done with the gyrating and on to the house cleaning and laundry doing portion of the day.  Unfortunately, I got an upset stomach, probably from indulging in too many treats (don’t judge me).  I am trying the effects of a cup of tea and sitting on the computer while I drink it.

The treats are from Click’s Cakes in Herkimer, NY, my last stop in the morning’s jaunt.  I paused and had an eclair, then selected a few yummies to take home and share with Steven.  Apparently a chocolate pustie is not a good substitute for a nutritious lunch.  Ooh, was it good, though!

My stop at Click’s was after a trip to Dolgeville, where I had planned to visit two places recommended to me by a work friend. The first, Stella’s Styles, was excellent.  I did not find a fabulous outfit for Secrets at Suiter House, but I did purchase an Easter (or something) present for… somebody.  From there I walked up Main Street to the Motor’s In.  I had a snack and wrote a few notes on my next murder mystery.

I confess to feeling a little sad this afternoon.  I wonder if I shouldn’t be somewhere with friends, drinking green beer or something, or maybe have gone to the parade in Utica.  I saw some of the coverage by WKTV News, it looked fun.  I’m wearing green, but I lack anything really showy, like a green feather boa or sequinned scarf.  My friend, Kim gave me a pair of earrings of a green top hat (I’m only wearing one; I rarely wear matching earrings).  However, now I am sitting at home, what fabulousness I could muster wasted. I suppose not entirely, if I enjoy it, so I content myself with that.

Having reached 300 words in my blog post, I now must roust myself from my funk and get back to my Saturday.  For one reason, I believe the laundry is done.  My tea is gone (it did help the tummy), and adventures in cleaning and organization await.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everybody!

 

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Weather or Not I’m Lame

Posted on March 17, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Did you know that Tuesday is the first day of spring?

I particularly like the bare trees.

This is the view from my front porch.  I stepped out with my Tablet to capture a graphic demonstration of why I forgot that it is almost spring.

I’ve seen bigger snowbanks, but still.

Here is a view in the other direction.  My only pleasure is to see the bare sidewalks.  I have not been running lately and want to start again.  Perhaps tomorrow.

I love my tree.

This is not the best shot of this tree, I see now.  I thought as I took it that it might be better to move off the porch, perhaps even across the street.  However, I was in my slippers.  Hey, I bestirred myself to get off the couch.  I only have so much oomph on Lame Post Friday.  Or any other day.

Earlier this afternoon, my friend Kim and I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  We were not best pleased with the cold temperature, and even less so when it started snowing.

“Who ordered this?” she demanded.  I denied responsibility.  At least the wine tasting was good.  Perhaps I can write more about it in another post.

For right now, though, it is Lame Post Friday, and the best I can do is share these pictures and gripe about the weather.  You would think I would be in a better mood, if you thought about me at all, which I do not seriously expect.  Actually, that last sentence gave me a chuckle, which improved my mood.  Finishing my blog post improves the mood even further.  I hope to see you all again on Scattered Saturday, even if it does snow.

 

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It’s a Crime to Not Watch Movies

Posted on March 16, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

A distinguished cast of characters? Or a rogues gallery?  What’s bothering me is where is Cecil Kellaway?

I found this picture among my downloads recently and thought it might be a nice way to begin a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  Full disclosure:  I have another one of my headaches in addition to feeling quite lazy and whiny today.  I suppose you never feel lazy and whiny (you know who you are).  Well, I will bestir myself to type a few words including as few petty complaints as possible.

The above picture, in case you didn’t know, is from Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, one of my favorite movies.  My current profile picture on Facebook is Bette Davis in that flick:

“Oh, so you want a blog post, do you?”

I am feeling a little movie melancholy these days, because our DVD/VCR abruptly quit on us during the snow storm of March 2.  It happened right after we briefly lost power.  It seems a little odd, though, because we have a power strip, which I thought was also a surge protector.  The television and cable box emerged unscathed.  Phew!  The nice this that when we finally get a new player, we will not have seen all our favorite movies for a while.

One of my other favorites.

We don’t watch as many movies these days anyways.  As regular readers know, I am addicted to true crime television.  And when I really want a movie, I have a few on my DVR, including, if I am not mistaken, a couple of Hammer Horror flicks I recorded last October and haven’t watched yet.

Who could be uncheered by a vampire?

Or I could just read a book.

You were expecting War and Peace?

I see I am closing in on almost 300 words.  300 silly words, but aren’t they usually?  I’m going to watch a true crime show till bedtime.  Maybe a monster movie tomorrow.  Or perhaps I will have a Mohawk Valley adventure I can write a real blog post about.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Waiting for Brownies on Pi Day

Posted on March 15, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, a title is all I really have so far.  It is quite true: I am sitting here on my couch just beginning to smell the delicious chocolate aroma.  Mmmmm….. This is why I may never meet my weight loss goals.  But never mind that.  Let me get on with making my Wuss-out Wednesday post.

When did 3/14 become Pi Day?  Math geeks will tell me that 3.14 has always been pi, and I seem to remember that from junior high. But when did it become something we celebrate?  Mind you, I’m not complaining.  I like math and I like pie.  I can’t always do the math, and I do not know how to make a pie, but that is not uncommon.  I wanted to buy a pie today but couldn’t find one (I didn’t look very hard, thinking about those weight-loss goals I mentioned earlier).  I impulse purchased a brownie mix, thinking to keep in reserve in case of emergency.

Turns out we don’t need an emergency to make brownies in this house.  Ooh, the timer just beeped, and Steven went into the kitchen to get the brownies out of the oven.  I think we must let them cool somewhat, which will give me time to finish my blog post.  I really thought I was going to get back into making good posts, you know, about Mohawk Valley adventures and stuff.  I may begin to do that tomorrow.

Or tomorrow I may write a post about how it is the Ides of March.  As classical scholars know, Julius Caesar had a problem on that day.  I may mark the day, but I can pretty much guarantee I will not be eating a Caesar Salad.

 

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I’m in a Monstrous Mood

Posted on March 14, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

A depiction of my mood today, only without the smile.

Folks, it is time for another Bad Attituesday, because sometimes it is better to bitch than to whine.  Only I don’t really want to do either.  I just want to make a fast blog post and relax for the rest of the evening.  As for what is causing my bad attitude,  to explain would involve either bitching or whining, and anyways, explanations are tiresome.  As I type, my mood lightens somewhat.  I bet if I shared a few more monster pictures, I’d feel better yet.  Maybe I could find a couple new ones.

A depiction of me before going on the South Beach Diet.

There’s a movie monster I’ve never shared pictures of.  I wrote one blog post mentioning the movie once.  I probably can’t find it, though, since that was back in the days before I knew about categories and tags.  Ooh, I found it: Real Screams?

He was ready for his close-up.

I thought I would share another picture, without the title obscuring the monster.  Notice Bela Lugosi listed on the marquis behind the Blob.  I find that to be a nice touch.

So thinking about monsters has cheered me up, and I see that I am over 200 words.  That is a respectable post.  I’ll just add one more picture for good measure.

“I’m a happy monster now!”

 

 

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Mmm… Coffee

Posted on March 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of a Mental Meanderings or Middle-aged Musings Monday, I thought I would give a belated shout-out to Utica Roasting Company, where Steven and I enjoyed breakfast during his Fabulous Four Day Birthday Weekend.  We had business in New Hartford, NY, and we just don’t like to do these things on an empty stomach.  After much debate, I suggested Utica Roasting Company as being right on our way, if we went that way (there are a few ways to get to where we wanted to go).

For the uninitiated, Utica is the city closest to Herkimer, and there are several surrounding communities that all run into each other.  I guess you would call it the Greater Utica Area, which I rather like the sound of.  I paused just now to Google (an even sillier verb that “blog”) “greater Utica area,” and I only got the magazine of that name, not a listing of the actual communities that comprise said area.  But I am no hand at computer searches.

Be that as it may, I drove, being more familiar with the area that Steven.  We went straight into Utica on 5S and with a little finagling, got to 92 Genesee St.  We easily found a parking space and walked right into the coffee shop.  I have been there a few times, and even wrote about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I knew Steven would like it, although he may be a little too mellow for a place whose motto is, “Wake the Hell Up!”

We ordered coffee and everything bagels (regular readers may remember that is my favorite), and sat down.  There was a tall table I would have liked to sit at, but the stools did not have backs, which Steven really prefers.  We sat at a regular table, once again eschewing the comfy-looking couch, as we did at Moose River Coffee in Ilion (perhaps you read my blog post about that fine establishment).

The two coffee places have good coffee, comfy couches, and everything Bagels in common.  However, Utica Roasting has a much more urban feel.  The walls are unfinished, the tables are metal, and it altogether looks like a hip, happening joint.  Oh dear, those are old slang terms.  There is some retro decor:  an antique scale, an old street map of Utica, so maybe old slang is OK.

We enjoyed our breakfast there, and the coffee did help us wake the hell up.  For more information about Utica Coffee Roasting Company, you can visit their website at www.wakethehellup.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

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I Might Actually Swoon This Time

Posted on March 12, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh, it is late for me to be posting on a Sunday, even a Wrist to Forehead Sunday, which this definitely is.  Alas!  Alack!  Oh woe is me!  Yes, I am being dramatic.  We’ve discussed this.  It is what I do.

Earlier we had another rehearsal for Secrets at Suiter House, the murder mystery we are doing to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  Before that, Steven and I were at a Chinese Auction to benefit H.A.L.O., the cat rescue organization. I donated an afghan.  We won a basket of beanie babies.  Fun times!  Earlier yet, we had breakfast at The Knight Spot in Frankfort.

So you see, I have a number of topics for a real post.  Can I manage to write one.  NO!  That is why I am poised, the back of my wrist against my forehead, about to swoon in anguish.  If only I had a chaise lounge to swoon upon, my life would be perfect.  Instead I shall have to make do with a couch.  It is almost impossible to type while holding that about-to-swoon pose, and even more so when one is actually swooning.  Oh, OK, I will admit it:  I have never actually swooned.  I don’t even usually make the about-to-swoon pose. Yes, wrist to forehead is just an expression.

“Real post”  is just an expression, too.  I am going to hit “Publish.” Some people might read this nonsense.  If so, I hope they find some amount of entertainment from it.  As for me, I shall try for a better blog post tomorrow. Happy Sunday, folks.  

 

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I’m Just Getting to the Good Part

Posted on March 11, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, time for a fast Scattered Saturday post before I get back to enjoying my Saturday.  Full disclosure:  It has not been such a great Saturday for the most part — entirely my fault, but please don’t judge.  Oh, all right, go ahead and judge.  Shake your head, or your finger, or your booty at me.  Tell me I’m a worthless human being!  Call me out for whining!  Even — good heavens, not that! — stop reading my blog!

Got that out of my system.  Regular readers cannot be surprised if I become a trifle, shall we say, dramatic.  I am in the midst of putting together an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre (I am responsible for the theatre, not the dinner), and I am in the midst of writing another one.  By the time that’s finished, it may be time to audition for the summer Shakespeare production with LiFT, Little Falls’ theatre company.  I am so ready to speak forsoothly again!

Be all that as it may, I am getting to the good part of my Saturday, but I will give a quick overview of what went before.  My wonderful husband, Steven, and I were able to sleep in a bit, because he did not have to be to work till eleven.  I found some postcards I thought I had already sent so had a good selection to pick from for my weekly postcard writing activity.  The main problem I have with the postcards is that I get tired of writing them after three or four, and there are more people I would like to send them to.  I thought I might write more later in the day but have yet to do any such thing.

When Steven went to work, I drove to the post office to mail the above mentioned cards, then when to Cliff’s Local Market (formerly Nice-n-Easy) to use the ATM.  From there I drove into Ilion to Cornerstone Consignment, where they were having a sale.  I need a fabulous dress for Secrets at Suiter House, my upcoming murder mystery, and I would like a 1920’s-ish dress, in case I find an occasion to wear one in the near future.  As it happened, I found a couple of dresses that might have worked, but I just could not work up the oomph to try them on.  Fairly disgusted with myself, I went home.

At home, I managed to do a couple of chores (too boring to mention) and studied my murder mystery lines for a while.  Eventually it was time to walk to Asteroga Ale House, where I had plans to meet Steven when he got off work.  That was a nice little walk, and a nice interlude at the Ale House.  I may write a full blog post about that in the near future.

In the meantime, I am over 450 words.  I call that quite respectable for a Scattered Saturday.  As I mentioned earlier, I am getting to a very enjoyable part of the evening:  sweats on, bra off (don’t you DARE say TMI!), glass of wine to hand, and true crime show on TV.  Once I pick up my crochet, my life will be perfect.  Happy Saturday, all!

 

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