Category Archives: personal

Pre Frangelica Jitters

Good afternoon and may I have your attention please for a Pre-Performance post.  Have I done one of those before?  I mustn’t take the time to go back and check; I just looked at the clock, and I must allow time to fuss with my hair and dither over my costume.  First, I hope, a cup of coffee.  I just put it on to brew.  I have traded coffee for Irish Breakfast Tea the past two mornings, so I have perhaps inflated expectations of how wonderful this coffee is going to taste.

The performance, as regular readers know, is Curtains for Frangelica, the murder mystery we are reviving from this past fall to present for the New Hartford American Legion tonight. I believe proceeds will go toward DAV vans.  I only do these murder mysteries for charity, not profit.  Killing for a Cause?  You alliterate.

Throwing in a picture to pep up the post.

This is a picture from when we were rehearsing the show last fall at Herkimer Elks Lodge.  It was fun then, and I have every reason to expect it to be fun now.  There is really no reason to feel nervous.  But of course I do.

Or will it be curtains for me?

The last I heard the show had not sold out.  If any local readers are suddenly inclined to attend, tickets may still be available.  New Hartford American Legion’s phone number is 315-736-7041.  They are located at 8616 Clinton St., New Hartford, NY.

I think my coffee is ready.  I know my nervousness will vanish and I will have a wonderful time once we start.  I only hope I can find a pair of pantyhose without runs in them!

 

The Skull in the Snow

Alas, I failed to post yesterday.  Today is Lame Post Friday, which I think I can manage.  I sometimes have to ask myself, “What the hell, me?”  However, I really do not intend this blog as a means of therapy, where I air all my mental and physical ailments and hope by talking, talking, talking about them to find solutions.  I fear sometimes it becomes such a means, posting as I usually do off the cuff.  Never mind all that.  What I have to offer today as means of entertainment are a few silly pictures.

I did not clean my deck off.  Oh dear, is that my finger on the bottom?

We got some more snow last night.  Not a vast amount, but I thought it was just as well to push off the top layer.  In any case, I had to brush off my car if I wanted to go to the grocery store, which I did.  As it turned out, it was not a deep layer and it was quite fluffy.  My chore was not onerous.  As I was putting my shovel away behind the house, I noticed a skull in the snow on the deck.  It amused me so much, I went and got my phone to take a picture.

It’s funny that skulls often look kind of cheerful.

I walked up onto the deck to take a closer shot.  I suppose I should have shoveled the snow off the deck, but I can only do so much.  Perhaps in the weeks to come I can make a greater effort.

Now he looks like he’s resting peacefully.

I took one more shot, because I liked the angle.  I’m afraid this isn’t much of a post, but it will have to do for Lame Post Friday.

 

Rehearse Yesterday, Skate Another Day?

I missed making my Tired Tuesday post but perhaps could manage a Wuss-out Wednesday.  We shall see.  Yesterday I should have made a Post Rehearsal Post about  Curtains for Frangelica, the murder mystery we are presenting this Saturday at New Hartford America Legion.  I reminded myself at least eight times to take a picture of rehearsal for a blog post but alas did not.

But we did rehearse and will present the murder mystery.

Just to give another shout-out, Curtains for Frangelica will be presented Saturday, Jan. 25, at New Hartford America Legion.  For tickets call 315-736-7041.  I believe they still have seats available.

Rehearsal last night went pretty well, so it is too bad I did not take a couple pictures to make a full post about it, because I do not have much else going on.  I did write a short article for The Daily Sentinel, which they said was OK, about the ice rink at the Frankfort Marina.  I guess that would be a good thing for Mohawk Valley Girl to say something about.

Too cold for anybody to skate the day I was there

I was disappointed but not surprised to find nobody there skating when I went to get a couple pictures.  For one reason, it was before school let out.  For another, it was quite cold.  I may try to find a pair of ice skates and take advantage of one of the village rinks.  It would make a good blog post (preview of coming attractions).  Don’t get your hopes up to see a picture of me looking foolishly awkward on the ice, though.  How could I take a selfie at such a time?

 

I’m a Sucker for Vampires

It has been a while since I made a Monstrous Monday post.  Of course that happens when I go days and days without posting.  I am trying to be better about that.  I am trying to be better about other things but with indifferent success.  One must persevere (one being me).

He’s scary!

I throw in a monster, before I get bogged down in justifying my lack of success and begin to wonder how hard I am really trying.  A nice creepy silhouette of Nosferatu from the eponymous 1922 silent movie will take my mind off my shortcomings.  I mean, my problems.  There is a new Nosferatu in theatres now, and I have been thinking about making a trip to New Hartford, NY to see it.  I know, I know, it is cheaper to stream, but I don’t know how to do that.  Additionally, it is more of an event to go see a movie on the big screen.  And there are some great eateries around the cinema, so one could make a day of it.  If only I still had a husband to drag along.  Oh dear, that sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself, which perhaps I am.  Quick, throw in another monster!

It says NO SMOKING, but he is smoking hot, yes!

Here is a different vampire, Blackula.  I rather enjoyed that movie.  I once started to watch the sequel, Scream, Blackula, Scream.  I do not remember why I did not see all of it.  Perhaps it was a DVR malfunction.  Alas that it has never come my way again.  I really must learn to navigate Roku TV.  I would imagine there are any number of movies I would like to see available for free (I am a widow on a fixed income, you know) (yes, more whining; judge me if you are so inclined).

Somebody offer that vampire a napkin!  And some Visine!

I searched my Media Library for another vampire and found the incomparable Christopher Lee.  He looks as if he was interrupted mid-bite.

The man that set the standard.

I felt I should include Bela Lugosi, who many consider the quintessential Count Dracula.  My late husband, Steve, always found this movie a little slow.  I see what he means, but I enjoy it.  I guess I’m just a sucker for vampires (see what I did there?).  Ooh, that would make a good headline!

 

Wrist to Forehead After Wine

Who me? Drink and type?  I am hoping I can manage at least a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, but I confess, I went to the Elks Lodge in Herkimer, NY and indulged in a few glasses of wine. I am in the process of becoming an Elk and have been having a lot of fun going to the Lodge and being sociable.  Regular readers may remember I have been to the Elks Lodge previously to rehearse and present murder mysteries, so I have met several members and gotten a very good impression of the place.

A previous murder mystery at the Herkimer Elks Lodge.

The murder mystery I am currently in rehearsals for is at the New Hartford American Legion.  I hope to be  working on one to be presented at the Herkimer Elks Lodge this spring (preview of coming attractions).  I was working on writing it earlier today but shall not share any teasers at present.

Me being dramatic in another setting.

I have also done Shakespeare at the Herkiuner Elks Lodge with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  The above picture was not taken at the Elks, but it was of the last play we did at the Elks.  I think LiFT needs to do another Shakespeare play, both at Little Falls and at Herkimer Elks.  I’ll have to work on that.

So this post is at least over 200 words, a little scattered, but you’ll have that.  I think it is okay for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  If you disagree, feel free to take me to task in a comment.

 

I Like Art

Sometimes I get a little culture.  For example, last Saturday I went to the Renaissance Pub in Little Falls for a Meet the Artist with Frank Wilcox.   The Renaissance periodically hosts local artists in cooperation with Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts.

I am acquainted with Frank from being in a play with him (Strike Story written by Angela Harris), and I have seen his work in several area venues.  Full disclosure:  my original plan was to write about the Renaissance (or the Ren as it is sometimes called) for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I missed the deadline for the February issue, so I will try again for a future issue (unless another writer beats me to it).  In the meantime, I wanted to give the place a shout-out, and give folks a chance to go see some of Frank Wilcox’s paintings.

I can’t quite get a good picture of behind the bar.

Of course I sat at the bar and had a glass of wine.  One must support a venue that promotes local artists.  Unfortunately the kitchen was not open yet, because the food there is very good.

It’s hard to take good pictures of pictures.

I was there early enough that it was not too crowded yet, so I did not have to worry about asking a bunch of strangers if it was OK if they were in the picture.  I did not take too many pictures in any case, because they did not seem to be turning out very well.  Therefore, I encourage all local readers to go to the Ren and take a look for themselves.

Erynn Lowery and Victoria Cheney

I was fortunate enough to get a picture of the proprietress and bartender.  Unfortunately Victoria, the bartender, was moving soon.

You really should go see this one.

I took a picture of my favorite painting.  I was happy to get a chance to tell Frank how much I liked it.  Unfortunately, there are no walls in my house big enough to properly show off a picture that big.  As I type this, I look around at all the nice pictures on my walls now, which include at least a few by local artists.  That was my husband Steven’s talent, hanging pictures and interior decoration.  Still, I could retire a couple of pictures if I acquired any more art.  I certainly hope to attend more Meet the Artists at the Renaissance.

The Renaissance Pub is located at 550 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-556-1006. Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts is located at 401-403 Canal Place, Little Falls, phone number 315-823-0808. You can Like them both on Facebook.

 

More Curtains for Frangelica!

I return to the blogosphere after an unexcused absence with a Post-Rehearsal Post.  It is in fact, the next day after rehearsal, a day in which I have already overslept and am feeling flustered about several things that I have left undone and cannot quite settle on the order in which to do them.  As I say, it is not easy being me.  Some days it is not even all that entertaining, but you’ll have that.

Picture to denote passage of time while I do at least one thing I should have done yesterday.

This is my wonderful cast from Curtains for Frangelica, the murder mystery we are presenting at the New Hartford American Legion in a scant two weeks, Saturday, Jan. 25.  Yikes, it’s more like a week and a half! The above picture is from when we were in rehearsals to present it at the Herkimer Elks Club to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  We rehearsed at the legion last night, and it went very well.

From the Legion bulletin board.

They did not have any fliers we could take to hang up, but a cast member snapped a shot of the one they had hanging in the bar (it’s a really nice bar, by the way; if I lived in New Hartford, I would totally join that legion!).  In case you can’t read it, the New Hartford American Legion is located at 8616 Clinton St., New Hartford, NY.  The show is Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 with dinner at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $45.  There were still tickets available as of last night.  The legion phone number is 315-736-7041.

I am definitely looking forward to offing Frangelica again!

 

Spice on the Snow?

Lame Post Friday has always been the place for random observations, and today I have one!  As I was taking a walk this afternoon, I looked ahead saw something red on the snow.  Was it blood (obviously the first thought of one obsessed with true crime as I am)?   Had somebody gotten sick on their way home (obviously these things happen sometimes)?  What else could it be? As I got up to it, I saw that it was red powder on a freshly plowed snowy sidewalk.  I have never heard of paprika being used as an ice melt or means of friction.  Who knew?

Alas that I did not pause to take a picture.

Unrelated snow picture.

I just scrolled through my Media Library looking for a picture of snow, since I really have nothing else for this blog post.  I took a long-ish walk today, but I did a Pedestrian Post yesterday.  I stopped at the Herkimer County Historical Society, so I can give a shout-out to them.

The Suiter House.

I will no doubt have more to blog about the Historical Society as time goes on.  For one reason, I am hoping to to a murder mystery for them this spring.  I may do some other volunteer work for them, just to keep myself busy.  I will no doubt get some blog posts about from these endeavors.

In the meantime, this must do for my Lame Post Friday post.  Happy beginning of the weekend to you all!

 

Oh, the Snow!

I have not been going on my usual walks lately, largely because of the dreadful winter weather.  Yes, yes, lots of places are having worse weather, and worse things than weather.  I did not mean to complain; I was merely pointing out cause and effect.  Today I did a bit of walking to run some errands.  Alas, I did not take pictures as I went, so you will just have to picture in your head the blowy snow I walked through, and imagine the fluff to be plowed through and the treacherous ice beneath.  But maybe I can find a few appropriate  pictures in my Media Library so my post will not be completely without illustration.

Random snow picture. 

This picture is from March 2017.  I was actually looking for a picture of Basloe Library, which was my first stop today.  I could not even find an un-snowy picture.  The snow is, in fact, not this deep, especially in my driveway.  For one reason, I have been out shoveling almost every day, so as not to let it pile up, which I have been guilty of doing before.

I could not help feeling that the weather was pretty crappy as I walked to Basloe.  It was cold, especially with the wind chill.  The sidewalks were not cleared, although some had been cleared previously.  I walked where there was some semblance of a sidewalk, especially where somebody had left footprints I could walk in.  Sometimes, however, I had to resort to the road.  Left side, facing traffic!  Most cars were considerate, slowing down and moving over when possible.

My other stops involved crossing Route 5.  Yikes!  But I managed that without too much trouble.  Only I didn’t dare hurry much.  I was afraid if I slipped on the slush and ended up flat on my back, I was more likely to get run over than if I stayed upright.

Another old snow illustration.

I prefer walking over driving when the roads are bad, because I feel more in control.  However, by the time I was headed for home after finishing my errands, I was wishing I was in my nice heated car.  It is funny how much longer walking seems to take when there is wind chill, whether or not you are walking with or against the wind.  But here I am whining again.

Another fairly unrelated picture.

Once I got home, I recklessly decided to shovel the driveway, which I had not done before I left.  I did not go into the house first, for fear I would just stay there and say to hell with it.  I put my purse on the porch, got the shovel, and dug in as fast as I could get away with.  I felt fairly pleased with myself that I had done it, especially clearing a shovel-width on the front walk (I really don’t feel I can manage more than that).  Since I am grateful to people who clear their walks, I try to return the favor.

Perhaps tomorrow I can take a picture of this year’s snow, so we can do a little compare/contrast with previous years, although I fear the similarities will be striking.