Category Archives: personal

And Then Another Left…

Posted on September 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Regular readers know my usual sphere of activities is Herkimer, Ilion, Mohawk and Frankfort, with an occasional foray into Little Falls.  However, I used to spend quite a bit of time in New Hartford.  It is my old stomping ground.  No, really, I used to stomp around a lot when I had to go to work there.  Today I had reason to drive from Ilion, where I work, to Slocum-Dixon in New Hartford, where I had a doctor’s appointment.  It was an adventure.

Let me interject here that I was not having a good day today, for reasons which I will not air in this space (more air wouldn’t help anyways).  But I thought, a nice drive on a nice day might cheer me up.  It was a nice day, hazy sunshine, not too hot. I drove down 5s, a little surprised at the amount of traffic.

Now, when I was driving to New Hartford five days a week, I worked at the mall.  There are a couple of different ways to get to the mall, and I knew that one of them takes you right by the turn for Slocum-Dixon.  This would be no problem.

And it would have been no problem, if I had taken the right way.  I was buzzing down Commercial Drive (or was it Oriskany Boulevard?) (I knew where I was; I just don’t remember the street names) when I realized:  This wasn’t the way I wanted!  Damn!  Now what would I do?  Oh, I know, I’ll go into Whitesboro and from there… someplace.  Here was the turn.

Did you already guess that it wasn’t the turn?  There I was driving down a residential street with NO idea where I was!  At least before I knew where I was, even if I didn’t know how to get where I was going.  I cursed my stupidity.  Then, while stopped at a stoplight, I saw what looked like a busy street to the left.  A busy street was surely more likely to get me where I was going.  I turned left.

And found myself right where I would have been if I hadn’t tried to go through Whitesboro.  At least I knew where I was.  I kept driving.   I seemed to remember my father telling me a turn I could take along this road to get to Slocum-Dixon.  But was it a right or a left?  Hmmm…

When I got to the road, I saw an H sign with an arrow pointing left.  Yes!  Slocum-Dixon is right near the hospital.  This must be the right way (left way?)!

Or was it?  The road seemed to go on for a while with no other H signs.  Oh dear.  Then I could see the highway in the distance.  That was the highway I was supposed to be on.  Ooh, maybe everything would be all right.  The highway did not seem to be getting any closer. In fact, if anything, it was getting further away.  Oh dear.  Was that a turn I should take?  Why wasn’t there another H sign???

Getting a little further up the road, I saw… IHOP!  I knew there is an IHOP near where I wanted to go!  Yay!  I wasn’t lost!  Um, I wasn’t lost ANY MORE.

I was on time for my appointment.  It was not the thrill I was hoping for, but it would be tiresome to go on about my health problems.  I can’t say my day got a whole lot better, but, you know, now that I got my blog post done, things are beginning to look up.  Happy Thursday, everyone.

 

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Boy, Is My Face(book) Red!

Posted on September 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think my readers will be patient with me.  I think they understand that I am not a young woman and infinitely resilient (oh yeah, like I was EVER infinitely resilient).  Yes, friends, I am indulging in Wuss-out Wednesday.

I wrote earlier today, but it was not a blog post.  It was a letter to a friend.  I don’t know why, but I am really into writing letters these days.  I know, nobody writes letters, and they haven’t for years. Ah, here’s a blog topic:  communication between friends.

I remember when people were just starting to get computers and be online, distant friends would say to us, “Oh, I wish you had email.  I don’t write, but I EMAIL.”  So we got on a computer at Kinko’s (remember Kinko’s?) and got email.  Guess what?  Nobody really emails.  They just forward jokes.

And now there’s Facebook.  I know there are other things as well:  Twitter, Instagram, texting on cell phones, but I don’t know from technology.  I do like Facebook.

However, how much do people communicate via Facebook?  I personally enjoy the pictures of people’s kids and grandkids, fun activities, and even their yummy dinners.  I like when people post things like, “I just had a cup of coffee and now I’m going for a walk.”  I’m not so nuts about the cryptic posts:  “Oh, it’s such a big decision!”  “My whole life just changed.”  “Feeling sad/frustrated/angry/whatever.”  One day I posted, “Well, that really sucked,”  just to be that way.

All this by way of admitting:  I had time to log onto Facebook, check my notifications and read down a few statuses (I didn’t scroll as long as I would have LIKED to), but apparently I do not have time to write a decent blog post. I was about to say don’t judge, but, well, perhaps I deserve it (hanging my head in shame).

Here’s an idea for me:  I’m going to get a camera that can transfer pictures to WordPress (did I mention I don’t know from technology?) .  Then I can indulge in Wordless Wednesday instead.  Tune in again on Non-Sequitur Thursday, when Mohawk Valley Girl says, “In my defense, shut up!”

 

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An Infinite Number of Blog Posts

Posted on September 23, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I cannot continue to publish post after post about how busy and tired I am.  Or can I?

The fact is, I find that I can always write SOMETHING.  My time spent gazing at a blank page does not last very long.  Of course, I don’t always write what I wanted to write. I can’t say what percentage of the time I write something good (although my inner critic will offer an opinion).  But words on paper, I can usually provide.

I think this is a good thing.  If nothing else, I’m helping keep the pen and paper people in business.  Additionally, I have always said: writing begets more writing.  If I keep writing nonsense, I increase the chances that I sooner or later churn out something worthwhile.   Or is that the infinite number of monkeys theory?

Let’s talk about that theory.  Of course I often spoil sayings by taking them too literally.  It’s kind of a hobby of mine.

The saying goes — and I’m not sure what the point is — that if you have an infinite number of monkeys bouncing around on an infinite number of typewriters, you will eventually get all of Shakespeare (it’s kind of an old saying; who uses a typewriter any more?).

Excuse me, what?  Leaving aside the infinite aspect of the situation (which makes it one of those impossible hypotheticals which I loathe), how exactly does this work?  Will the plays magically appear amidst the gibberish?  Or is it like a seek-a-word puzzle, you cross out all extraneous letters?  That might be fun.  Let’s try it.  Here I go, randomly hitting keys…

lkwhnfndbnb  b nmae,juisnb  oakn mblm jbiam  ,elmjhbun cvnvefn  g  kvjuiH.

I think it would take a damn long time to get “To be or not to be” out of that.  Do we also have an infinite amount of time in the saying?

As I said a few paragraphs ago, I’m not sure what the point is.  Perhaps some didactic type could explain it to me.  In the meantime, I’m up to over 300 words of this nonsense.  I’m going to call it a post.  Happy Tuesday, folks.

 

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Thinking about Theatre

Posted on September 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

The answer to the question, “What was I thinking?” is pretty much always, “You weren’t thinking.  You are a huge idiot and you bring all your troubles on yourself.”  There is something vaguely liberating in the admission.  Or am I just glass-half-fulling?

No matter.  For this week’s Monday Mental Meanderings, I bring you another theatre update.  Are any of my readers tired of hearing about Ilion Little Theatre?  I cannot fathom such a thing.  In any case I am too tired to think of anything else to write about (and it’s not even Tired Tuesday yet. Yikes!).

Yesterday was closing performance of Roxy,  (I think we can say it all together now:) the play presented by Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre  (ILT).  Naturally we followed up with a cast party.  Oh all right, I may have possibly had just a sip or two more wine than was strictly necessary.  I had a wonderful time with my theatre friends, but I got lousy sleep and I am feeling far from my best this morning.

Now I can hear the unkind laughter.   I assure you, I am laughing at myself at this point.  But why do I feel as if nobody is laughing with me but only at me?  Like you never did anything stupid!

Anyways, that is not what raised the question of what I was thinking, and as always I apologize for going on about my own ills.  On to the theatre update.

Tonight we begin rehearsals for the first official show of the ILT season:  Lunch Hour by Jean Kerr.  It is to be directed by Suzanne Rodio.  I am stage manager.

I realized this morning that if I had thought about it for even a short time, I would not have agreed to such a thing. I’m tired, for heavens’ sake!  I’m not a young woman and I don’t lead nearly as healthy a lifestyle as I ought to.  Suzanne has set an ambitious rehearsal schedule.  I ought to be glad about that, because she is very organized and obviously means this to be a good show that does not have to pull together at the last minute (oh how I hate opening night miracles!) (although I suppose it is even worse when you need one and it doesn’t happen).

Well, just listen to me whine.  What a big, fat baby!  I’m going into a show with a strong script and a good director.  More to the point, I LOVE theatre!  I want to work on a play!

I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow, as long as rehearsal doesn’t run late and I get a good night’s sleep.  Here’s to not feeling too tired on Tuesday!

 

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When’s That Cast Party?

Posted on September 20, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

This would probably be a good day for Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  It is closing performance of Roxy (can’t say closing night; it’s a matinee) (I’m not going to say again what Roxy is) (Oh, OK, it’s a play I’m in).  I have to pick up Steven at work at one to get to the theatre late, and I have a number of things I must get done first.  Naturally, I have spent some time looking at Facebook and reading blogs before starting anything.

However, for your entertainment today, I offer a food post about my contribution to the cast party (can’t say cooking; it is raw):  homemade salsa.

I thought of the salsa when I saw that I still had some Roma tomatoes in my refrigerator.  I had purchased them from a vendor at the Mohawk Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls last Saturday, and I knew them to be flavorful and fresh.  I asked Steven to purchase some fresh cilantro when he went grocery shopping, if available.  I was in luck.

I made the salsa yesterday, when I was waiting for Steven to get home for lunch.  First I minced some red onion I happened to have.  You know how big red onions can be.  This one has enhanced several salads and was almost gone.  I minced what was left and hoped it would be enough.  Then I chopped the tomatoes.  After chopping two finely I went with bigger chunks for the other four.  For one reason, I was getting tired of chopping. For another reason, I wanted chunky salsa and thought some bigger chunks would be nice.

The aroma of the cilantro was intoxicating.  I pulled leaves off stems and started chopping.  I don’t know if I got the pieces small enough but I did the best I could.  I sometimes make salsa in the blender or food processor, which ensures finely minced cilantro, but it also condenses the tomato considerably and I only had six tomatoes. Also, I really like the chunky stuff.

Steven had also purchased a jar of pickled jalapeños, so I chopped up a few of those.  I was careful not to add too many, because I didn’t want to make Steven’s bald spot sweat.  Next I squeezed in some fresh lemon juice.  I know, lime is more common, but I didn’t have any fresh limes.  I added some cumin and lemon pepper.  After some thought I found the salt-shaker/pepper-grinder and added a grind or two of pepper and a very little salt.

I stirred well and put the mixture in the fridge so the flavors could blend overnight. I figured if I had accidentally put in too many jalapeños, I could add a can of black beans and some corn.   This morning Steven and I tried it.  Yum!  No additions necessary.

Of course I hope my fellow cast-members enjoy the salsa.  However, if they do not, I can assure you it will not go to waste.  Now I must hit Publish and get on with the dozen or so chores I want to complete before taking the stage for our final performance.  I feel sure you hope I will break a leg, so thank you, and Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

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Saturday Stroll in the Sun

Posted on September 19, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been saying and saying I must begin running again, but today was not the day.  However, under the heading Have to Start Somewhere, I took a half-hour walk so make bold to offer a Pedestrian Post on the beautiful Saturday morning.

I am trying to be very faithful with my post-card sending, because I hear from various sources that people like them.  Today I also had a letter to a friend.  Just as a side note: yesterday Steven was on the phone with a friend and mentioned how I had sent a letter to another friend.  She was quite fascinated by the idea that I wrote it on paper, stamped it and mailed it.  I must write her and her husband a letter soon.

But getting back to the walk, I had gotten a later start than normal.  In my defense, we were in a play last night (you had to know I would sneak in a reference to Roxy somewhere along the line).  Also, Steven did not work till 10, and some days I feel I must maximize my husband time.  However, I managed to set out soon after he left.

The sun was high in the sky, but I had taken the precaution of putting on sunscreen. I also put on my crazy old lady hat, which has a wide brim, and my prescription sunglasses.  Love my Rx sunglasses.  They are polarized.  I made sure the postcards and letters were properly addressed and stamped, locked my door, and off  I went.

It was warm in the direct sunlight, but I did not despair of finding some shade along the way.  I sure was missing my little dog, Tabby, but one must carry on. Rocky, a dog across the street, was on a rope in the backyard, barking at all and sundry.  I wanted to go over and pet him, but I am not that close with those neighbors so thought I better not.

I saw a little black and white dog frisking around another neighbor’s lawn.  When I got closer I saw a man and boy on the porch.  I asked if I could pet the dog.  The dog, however, was having none of it.  He ran up to me barking, but when I bent down and offered my hand to sniff he backed off.  The man on the porch said the dog was nice, which I believe, but I also know that some dogs don’t like to be petted by just anybody.

Further down the sidewalk I saw a beautiful retriever-looking dog on a leash.  His guy was talking to another guy while the dog sat by, looking like the best-behaved beast ever.  As I got closer the dog jumped up, apparently interested in checking me out.  I asked if I could pet him, and the owner said I could.

“He’s just a puppy, so he gets pretty excited,” he warned.  The dog was certainly eager to be petted.

“Oh, he’s nice,” I said. “He’s a friendly one!”

“Too friendly,” the owner agreed with a laugh.

“He’s a cutie!”

“Thanks.”

We parted friends.  After I mailed my stuff at the post office, I continued to walk, going past Main Street to Green and eventually to the nice path over what used to be a hydraulic canal, one of my favorite walks.  The sun continued to beat down on me, making what shade I could find quite welcome.  Still, it was a beautiful day, very summery.  I sure many people were embracing it, especially as fall is not far away.

I saw one more dog in front of a house, his person right at the door.  Alas, he was not into being petted either.  However, the friendly dog was so friendly, I felt he made up for the dogs that snubbed me.

My walk felt pretty good, even if I was quite sweaty by the end (after all, I’m washable).  I shall continue my quest for more exercise in the coming days.  You’ll read about it here (at least, I hope you’ll keep reading).  Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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Post then Play

Posted on September 19, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh SWELL!  I’ve got the dreaded Type It In And Backspace It Out disease!

I grit my teeth and somehow keep from erasing that sentence.  Oh this is bad!  On the brighter side, it is Lame Post Friday.  I think we’re all expecting something foolish, so here it is.

I just sat here looking at the blank space and wondering what to put next.  So far, I got nuthin’.  In my defense, I have a play to do tonight.  I have to fix my hair, brush my teeth, get my stuff together, put the right clothes on… I already looked over my lines twice today.  Perhaps a third time would be better…

For anyone just tuning in, the play is Roxy, presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre.  We opened last weekend.  We close this weekend.  Three more performances!  We sold out last weekend, and we have already sold out for this weekend.  People seem to like us.

However, I have a blog post to make.  A Friday Lame Post.  Traditionally on Lame Post Friday, I indulge in random observations and half-baked philosophy, so here it is:  At work today, I looked out the window and saw the dog that lives in a house across the street.  I said, “There’s that good dog.”  And that is also my philosophical observation for the day, I like to think that all dogs are good.  Discuss amongst yourselves.  I have to go get ready for my play.

 

 

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Who Are You Calling a Dip?

Posted on September 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tonight is the first monthly dinner meeting of Ilion Little Theatre Club for the 2015-16 season.  I plan to attend.  After all, I like to believe I am a valued member of the organization.  Then again, every member is valuable.  We all make our contributions.

I intend to bring chips and dip as my contribution to the meal.  I usually bring an appetizer kind of thing, because I am usually hungry as soon as I get there (full disclosure:  I am hungry most of the time; that’s why I’m overweight).  Sometimes it is pepperoni, cheese and crackers.  I thought this time I’d mix it up a little.  I thought, “I’ll make my famous garlic dip.”  However, since I am sometimes mandated to work late, I asked Steven to pick up a package of onion soup mix, so I would have a faster option.

At work today, I pondered what I would do.  If I got home at my usual time, prior to four p.m., I would crush some garlic and get to work.  If I got home later, I had my onion soup mix back-up plan.  Everything would be great.

So I got home at the regular time and felt utterly exhausted.  I don’t know what my problem is. I came home and stayed there Monday and Tuesday.  Only on Wednesday did I have to rush back out for our pick-up rehearsal.  Could it be I am getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO! Let’s blame it on the extra weight.  I can lost weight (maybe) but I sure as hell can’t get any younger (and anyone who says they can is LYING!).

The first thing I saw when I came into the kitchen (after my beloved husband), was the box of onion soup mix (store brand, by the way).  I debated.  For one reason, I had planned to write my blog post about making my famous garlic dip.  Food posts are usually fun, and well received by many.  First I would sit down, have a cup of coffee, take off my work shoes, breathe a little…

You can see where this is going.  I still have not mixed up the dip, but I intend to as soon as I hit Publish (oh yeah, and share the post on Facebook).  It will be the easy kind.  I think my theatre friends will be OK with it.  I only hope my blog reading friends are OK with a post about… well, this. Then again, this is Non-Sequitur Thursday. Happy Thursday, everyone.

 

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First You Take the Blog Post…

Posted on September 17, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

So there I was, pressed for time, short of brain, and I wanted to make a blog post.  Would I get it done in time?

First, I thought, I will make Steven’s sandwich.  You see, I must meet him at his work at six, to go to our pick-up rehearsal at 6:30 for Roxy, the play I will apparently never stop talking about.  Steven nicely left me a recipe for the sandwich.  I will share it, with explanation and memories, for today’s post.

I had asked Steven to leave me a note, reminding me to make the sandwich. Included in the note was the sentence:  “First you take the sandwich.  Then you make it.”  Now I will explain that.

Many years ago, when Steven and I had recently moved into our first apartment together, we were discussing things we could fix for dinner.  I suggested meatloaf.  Steven did not know how to make meatloaf.

“Oh, it’s easy, ” I said.  “First you take the meat.”  Then I realized I did not feel like going through the whole process, so I just said, “Then you loaf it.”

He was not gratified by the explanation.  However, some time later we had gotten some fish, which Steven also did not know how to cook.  He was to arrive home first that day, so I undertook to leave a note explaining what to do.  My note read:

“It is very easy.  First you take the fish, then you loaf… oh wait, wrong recipe!”

I went on to explain the intricacies of cooking fish (you put it in the oven with butter and garlic, if you want to know), and we both thought it was a very funny joke.

I believe this explains why we are still so happily married after almost 25 years. We laugh at each others’ silly jokes.  Perhaps nobody else will find our jokes so amusing, but I thought for a Wuss-out Wednesday, it would do.

 

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Roxy to Romance

Posted on September 16, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Tired Tuesday, folks, and you can just get mad at me, because I’m not apologizing  (“I’m sorry but I’m not apologizing” is one of my favorite sayings).  In fact, I wrote most of a very good post about Saturday’s visit to the Garlic Festival (full name Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival).  But, as often happens with me and this kind of post, I want it to be BETTER.  I’ll work on it.

In the meantime, here is an update on theatre news.  The first official production of Ilion Little Theatre will begin rehearsals with a read-through tonight.  Roxy (you know, that play I’ve been blathering on about for weeks), if you recall, is actually a production of the Herkimer County Historical Society AT Ilion Little theatre.  It is not officially part of the ILT season.

The first ILT production is Lunch Hour by Jean Kerr, a romantic comedy.  I have agreed to be stage manager.  I have not acted as stage manager since sometime in the early 1990s, but I daresay I have not forgotten how.  At least I don’t have any lines to learn.  Auditions were held a couple of weeks ago.  The play is cast and we are read to go!

And I am missing the read-through tonight.  The director said it will be OK.  She understands that I am tired.  After all, killing your husband with an ax, burning the body and then getting hung for it all weekend kind of takes its toll.  And I have to do it all again this weekend.  I’m not complaining, mind you; I love to be in a play.  A good night’s sleep tonight will be just what I need.  Hope to see you all on Wuss-out Wednesday.

 

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