Category Archives: personal

Thelma Todd Tuesday

Posted on January 10, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, I am not watching a movie featuring Thelma Todd.  I am drinking a Hot Toddy.  Thelma Todd’s nickname was Hot Toddy, so sometimes I refer to my Hot Toddies as Thelma Todds.  It works for me.

So instead of having a Tired Tuesday or taking a Blogger’s Sick Day (and I almost literally took one, publishing nothing today and hoping to do two tomorrow), I decided to give a shout out to DikinDurt Distillery of Herkimer.  I decided that after making myself the aforementioned hot drink and coming up with my headline.

I made the toddy the way a doctor once told me, when I had a dreadful case of bronchitis.  He said it was merely hot tea, lemon, honey, and a shot.  He recommended whiskey or brandy.  I’ve used both and enjoyed them very much.  Today, however, I have on hand a bottle of Mohawk Valley Fire by DikinDurt Distillery, a local business I have mentioned here before as well as written about for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.   The flavored moonshine adds a nice cinnamony taste to my drink (and I do not care if “cinnamony” is not a word; it is what I mean).

The distillery is located at 115 Smith Rd., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-868-1536.  The tasting room is open Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m., Monday through Wednesday by appointment, closed Sunday.  Their fine products are available at many area liquor stores, a list of which is available on their website, https://www.dikindurt.com/.

 

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More Murder and Mayhem on Monday

Posted on January 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a plan today that I was going to come home from work, write my postcards (which I neglected to do over the weekend), walk to the post office with them, take the long way home, then do a Pedestrian Post.  I felt certain there would be plenty to observe and comment on.  Herkimer is good that way.  Well, as my day at work wore on, I realized I am not feeling well.  Am I coming down with a cold?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!  In any case, coming home and lying down on the couch started sounding better and better.

When I left work, I felt happy that it was nowhere near as cold as it was all weekend.  How pleasant to walk to my vehicle and not have my face hurt!  I did not even mind that I had to brush wet, heavy snow off my SUV.  Ah yes, it snowed.  I had to utilize my 4-wheel drive to get into my driveway.  Damn!  Steven’s car is small and NOT 4-wheel drive. I figured I’d better do a little shoveling.

As I worked at it, a neighbor told me that Steven had done it once already, but the plow had been by again.  I thought that was nice of him to tell me, in case I was thinking unkind thoughts about my husband (I wasn’t).  I did not do a very good job shoveling, but I tried.  And I decided that could count as my exercise.

Anyways, now I am sitting on my couch, cooking, typing, and watching Snapped.  So I see that it is over 250 words into my post that the headline makes sense.  I find that highly amusing, but perhaps that is just me.  I ended yesterday’s post questioning my future as a blogger, but not feeling up to answering my questions.  I feel in the same state now. However, I have over 300 words and an alliterative headline.  I am going to hit Publish and hope for the best.

 

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Another Wrist to Crime Sunday

Posted on January 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello, and welcome to Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I just cooked a not too contemptible dinner, so I suppose I could do a cooking post instead.  Or I could just rattle on for 200 words or so and hit Publish.  Which to do you think I am more likely to do?

My favorite.

I am actually having an enjoyable sort of a day.  My husband, Steven, and I have been hanging out watching True Crime shows, which regular readers know I love.  In fact, I posted on Facebook, “I cannot get enough of murder and mayhem.”  I gave it a red background, at the fear of being too obvious.  At least it was a darker kind of red, more like dried blood than the freshly shed kind.

We watched a couple of DVR’d Datelines, one of which looked quite familiar.  As regular readers know, I love to see the same case on different shows.  Apropos that, when we got done with a DVR’d episode and put it on Forensic Files, we saw an episode dealing with Stacy Castor, a local murderess who poisoned two husbands with “antifree.”  Steven saw some actual trial footage while it was happening, when Court TV was a thing (it is TruTv now.  Some shows are still enjoyable, but it has not nearly the class).

I prefer Snapped or Dateline, but Forensic Files will do in a pinch.

The television is tuned to Snapped now, my perennial favorite. This past week I have been questioning my blog, wondering if it is not time to stop bothering you all with my crap, since I so rarely do “real” posts any more.  I just do not have the mental wherewithal to answer these questions now.  I shall continue to watch my True Crime and see what I can come up with for tomorrow.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

I enjoy “Snapped” most days of the the week.

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Saturday Supper

Posted on January 7, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a cooking post today? Quite frankly, I kept my happy ass home today.  It was cold and, as I said yesterday, nothing I have to do was so damn important after all.  I wrote a little, I watched a monster movie (which I may also write about), I took a nap.  Judge me if you like (some of you will anyways) (you know who you are). As Popeye said, I yam what I yam (although I am not cooking yams).

Steven was due home in, I hoped, less than a half hour, so I went out to the kitchen to see what I could do.  I like to cook with wine so poured myself a glass of Chardonnay.  I had taken boneless, skinless chicken thighs out of the freezer this morning. I had also mentioned the possibility of baked macaroni and cheese to Steven.  I had a tentative plan.

I put on water to boil for mini shells and pre-heated the oven to 350 degrees.  I put some spices on the chicken:  garlic powder, onion powder, and Salt-Free All Purpose from the So Sweet Candy Cafe (just to give them another shout-out).  Judge me if you like for not using fresh garlic and onions, but only if you are quite finished judging me for the nap (I would not want anyone to pull a muscle on my account).  I have some mozzarella I grated yesterday but did not use all of for flat-break pizzas (which would have made a dandy post, I suppose).  I also grated some extra sharp cheddar and Monterrey Jack.  Then I came back into the living room to write my blog post.

When the chicken is cooked, I will chop it up to put in the macaroni and cheese.  I have some leftover garlic dip and a can of mushrooms I will add to the mix.  I shall throw in a little milk and/or butter if it seems like a good idea at the time.

I believe it will be a delightful dinner.  I make bold to hit Publish without assuring that it is.  That is the kind of cooking post I make.  Happy Saturday, everybody, and if you live in Central New York or someplace equally cold: try to keep warm!

P.S.  Steven is due home in another five or so minutes. Yay!

 

 

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It’s a Lame Story

Posted on January 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So there I was, sitting at work, determined not to indulge in Lame Post Friday. I’ve had a week of stupid posts!  I was going to have a Mohawk Valley adventure and do a REAL post!  There were all kinds of things I could do.

For example, I could make my annual trip to Melfe’s Shoe Service for my work shoes.  That would be right on the way home.  Or I could go the other way but still in Ilion, and have a cup of Moose River Coffee.  Mmmm… hot coffee would set me up for the evening.  Or, right next to Moose River Coffee is Beer Belly Bob’s.  I could go with a different beverage, although I would have to go home to drink it.  If I wanted to drive a little further, I could go to Original Herkimer Cheese and get some Chudder (tastes like cheddar, spreads like butter).  Yum!  I could also see if the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm is still open.  It is under new ownership.

Perhaps I could go home first and change my clothes.  Then I could take a drive to Little Falls.  I have been wanting to go to Huckleberry Letterpress again.  I could probably write about them for Mohawk Valley Living magazine (I think my deadline is soon).  There are several other shopping destinations in Little Falls:  Prima Donna’s Boutique, Rochette, the Selective Eye at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, Little Falls Antique Center and the Shops at 25 West.  Hmm… maybe I was getting a little too ambitious.

I was still undecided as I left my place of employment.  To make a long story short (I know: too late), I went home and posted the following on Facebook:

So I sit at work thinking, “It’s going to be even colder tomorrow. I should do my shit today and stay home tomorrow.” Then I leave work, and it’s face-hurting cold and the roads suck, and I think, “What have I got to do that is so goddam important, anyways?”

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Not Enough Murder on Non-Sequitur Thursday

Posted on January 5, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am sitting here watching an episode of 20/20 on OWN and loudly calling bullshit on the murderer who is trying to pretend he is innocent.  I need to make my blog post so I can pay more attention to the next episode.  As you may guess, I did not write a blog post while on break at work today nor do I have a brilliant idea for a non-foolish post I can write now.  So it is another Non-Sequitur Thursday.  What a surprise.

This is a four day work week for me, because I fortunately had New Year’s Day off.  On Tuesday, I said, “Yay, it’s not Monday!”  On Wednesday, I said, “Yay, it’s already Wednesday!”  Today I said, “Why is it Thursday and not Friday yet? Damn!”  I am sure other people with a four day week feel the same way. Those of you who worked Monday and/or are in the middle of a more than four-day stretch, just go ahead and turn your nose up at me.  I’ve been there, done that.  Revel in your own virtue and superior work ethic.

John Quinones, News Personality.

I just thought I’d put in a photo of John Quinones, our host.  Only I don’t know how to put a tilda on the first “n” in his name.  My bad.

Ah, the next episode has started.  It seems to be about identity theft, not murder.  The first episode was just the kind of case I like:  a cheating, murdering spouse.  I suppose I have rather sordid tastes.

No matter.  The best thing to do with a foolish post like this is to keep it short, so I will.  I will just throw in another picture for good measure.  Maybe I can find a nice murder in my Media Library.

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of my favorites.

 

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We’ll Call This Wuss-out Wednesday

Posted on January 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Oh shame! Oh degradation!”

I open with this picture from Dirty Work at the Crossroads, the melodrama that my husband ,Steven, directed at Ilion Little Theatre some years ago, because I am, as I was on stage, hanging my head in shame.  In the play, it was because the villainess in yellow was about to expose my deep, dark secret.  Right now it is because I am making yet another foolish blog post.

In my defense, it is too cold for any Mohawk Valley adventures!  Actually, that is not strictly true today.  It was supposed to get up to 21 degrees.  That is practically a heat wave.  I could have gone for a nice walk or even a run, if only I had had enough oomph.  And here we come to the ugly truth about me.

Too cold for adventures, I tell you!

I had meant to write something while at work today.  I thought I might wax eloquent about things I MIGHT do.  Kind of a Preview of Coming Attractions.  Instead I worked on a letter to a friend, wrote a few more notes on my new novel, and worked on cryptogram and crossword puzzles.  Um, I did all this while on breaks, so any co-workers reading this don’t need to go squealing on me to the bosses.

Do you suppose that I am getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Of course I am older than I was yesterday; everybody is, that’s how it works.  The fact is, although I spent most of today feeling less tired than I felt yesterday, I am once again VERY TIRED NOW.  Dammit.

This is what I feel like doing.

It is early January.  I declare it not too late for New Year’s Resolutions (oh don’t go snootily telling me you don’t DO New Year’s Resolutions; I am not up for an argument).  I shall make one now.  Better blog posts!

Incidentally, the above photo is our dearly departed doggy, Spunky.  I included it because he looks so relaxed and happy to be resting.  It makes me think of another change I’d like to make in 2018.  I want to find another doggy friend.  Now that would be something to blog about!

 

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I Repeat: I’m Tired!

Posted on January 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh, is it ever Tired Tuesday!  It is actually a little embarrassing that I am SO tired.  My job is not that difficult, my life is not completely stress-filled, I’m not even that old and unhealthy.  I am, however, one of the kvetchiest babies you are likely to encounter.  Well, I will attempt to make some semblance of a blog post without too much whining.  I wonder if I can find any pictures of tired monsters.  I am almost always in the mood for monsters.

A quick look at Facebook revealed that last July I made a post called Sad Monsters on Tired Tuesday.  I do repeat myself, don’t I?

Well, it is kind of sad, how this big fellow ended up.

Here is an apropos picture, because we almost watched this movie the other night.  I am really into watching old movies lately, especially monster movies.  However, Steven was not really into this one, on account of all the time Fay Wray spends screaming.  He gets a little tired of that.

“Every Who down in Whoville, liked Christmas a lot…”

You know what, I still need a little Christmas.  Since the Grinch is a kind of a monster, and Boris Karloff played a very famous monster, I am still in keeping with my monster theme.

If I continue this post, I will commence to whining in a most unbecoming fashion.  So I am going to call this my Tired Tuesday post for the week.  Well, maybe one more picture.

I am wearing these as I type.

It’s me as The Abominable Snowman.  Sometimes I embrace my inner monster.  Happy Tuesday, everyone.

 

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Foolishness Part Two

Posted on January 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been looking forward to making this post since I signed off on my last one.  Here are pictures from July through December 2017.

“I don’t always do Shakespeare plays…”

I was going to choose Nosferatu but decided on my friend Tucker looking like the Most Interesting Man in the World.  He is in costume for The Tempest, LiFT’s Summer Shakespeare production, a wonderful theatre experience for all involved.

“I could do a Shakespeare play.”

OK, here is Nosferatu.  I couldn’t leave him out, could I?  This is the shot in which I thought the background looks like the Little Falls Antique Center, which LiFT rehearses and performs in front of.  So the pictures kind of relate, right?

It was the first annual, and I was there!

This being a kind of a Year in Review, I include something about running.  I ran the Boilermaker 15K in Utica in July, then I ran the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K in October (although this photo was under September in my Media Library), AND I did the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  Full disclosure:  I have not been running since.  But I mean to take it up again soon.  No doubt I will make blog posts about it.

He looks quite delighted to be there, doesn’t he?

Here is a Halloween-y photo and a plug to a local business:  The Old Barn Marketplace on Route 5, Little Falls.  I wrote about them for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I shall no doubt go there again and write a blog post about it.

Gotta love me some Joan Crawford.

Here’s a shot from I Saw What You Did, a William Castle movie Steven got me for my birthday in November.  I just loves me a cheesy horror movie with Joan Crawford.

It was a fun day!

I thought I would end with a picture from the Reindeer Run 5K, which I mentioned earlier.  It was a fun run on a fun day.

And this has been a fun post to make.  Happy New Year, everybody, and let’s have a great 2018.

 

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Year End Foolishness

Posted on January 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

For my New Year’s Eve Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, I am going to go into my Media Library and select one picture from each month of 2017, re-share it, and say something about it.  A kind of a Year in Review, which I have missed all week on the morning news shows, because I have not been paying attention.  I am not too concerned if anybody pays any attention to me, either.  It is that kind of a New Year’s Eve.  Here we go.

He was such a sweetie! When he wasn’t being a stinker. Kind of like me.

Lots of good choices from January, but I have to go with the dog.  This is our dearly missed Spunky.  We had him for a very short time.  Wow, way to start off on a downer note, Cindy!

What a great bunch! I am the one in red, getting strangled by the blonde.

This is the cast of LiFT’s production of Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, a real highlight of 2017.  Which reminds me, I have at least one murder mystery I need to get to work on.

I know just how she feels.

This, of course, is a shot from House on Haunted Hill, the original William Castle/Vincent Price version.  We just watched it again the other night, which is too bad, because it might have been a good choice to watch tonight.

Now I’m thinking about The Headless Everybody.

I had to go with another William Castle movie from my April pics.  Strait Jacket, starring the inimitable Joan Crawford, in case you did not know.

“Charles Nelson Reilly isn’t wearing socks.”

I was watching re-runs of this the other day, too. Match Game, by the way (Match Game ’78 is what I was  specifically watching).  I remember back in the ’70’s watching them change the year on Dec. 31.  Yes, I’m old; what’s your point?

Yes, sometimes I venture out of doors.

I thought I would change things up with this shot of actual flowers growing in my actual yard.  I have not much of a green thumb, but some things bloom.  I always think I am going to do better next year, so we shall see what 2018 brings.

Well, now I am going to change things up further and make this a two-parter.  I am now at the six month mark.  I shall do July through December tomorrow.  This is good news for me, because I won’t have to think up another idea.  Happy New Year, everybody.

 

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