Category Archives: personal

Severed Head Sunday

Posted on July 27, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Spoiler Alert!  I’m going to be talking about several movies and I’m not going to worry if I give anything away.  Jaws, Strait-Jacket, Sleepy Hollow, The Brain that Wouldn’t Die.

We’re watching Jaws, because it is a good summer flick.  This is what I call relaxing movie viewing: something we’ve seen before that we can just enjoy.  Until the moment when Robert Shaw scrapes his fingernails along the chalkboard to get everybody’s attention during the big village meeting.  I cringed.

“My most UN-favorite moment of the movie,” I said.  “I don’t even mind the severed head.”

In fact, the first time I saw the severed head (you know, when Richard Dreyfus is underwater looking at the recently sunken boat), I jumped and said, “EEWW!”  But it’s a great moment in a scary movie.  Thinking about it, I came up with the title of today’s blog post.  I hope you like it as much as I do.

Last night we watched Strait-Jacket with the incomparable Joan Crawford.  This movie featured several severed heads.  It is one of my favorites.  I loved it even before I knew it was produced and directed by that master of such movies, William Castle.

Naturally I started thinking about other movies we could watch that featured severed heads.  My first thought was Sleepy Hollow, or as I like to call it, The Headless Everybody.  I told Steven we should watch some more severed head films and he said, “Like The Brain that Wouldn’t Die.”

“You’re a genius,” I said.

Ooh, as I typed all this in, the movie progressed and they are ALMOST to the moment of the severed head.  I must stop typing and watch.  As I look back on this post, I do not believe the Spoiler Alert was truly necessary.  No matter.  A couple of bold-faced words is always a good start for a blog post.  I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday as much as I am.

 

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We Interrupt this Scattered Saturday to Make a Blog Post

Posted on July 26, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been adventuring all afternoon after getting up at 3:30 a.m. and working overtime, with the result that I am too tired to compose a proper blog post (what a surprise, me not making a proper post.  Say it ain’t so!).  I will go with my usual Scattered Saturday method and give a brief overview of what we did.

We headed to Richfield Springs, NY to go to the Richfield Springs Historic Association Museum and Exhibit Hall.   We knew it was located at 134 W. Main St., but you know, Main Street in any town can be long.  We missed it the first time through but noticed a Farmer’s Market going on. We turned around and parked near that.  We figured it was a nice day for a stroll down Main Street in any case.

The Farmer’s Market had some interesting looking vendors.  I would have liked to purchase some cheese or produce, but since  I was not sure how long it would have to stay in my hot car, I refrained.  On down Main Street we went. Richfield Springs is a charming little village.  I pushed the button to get a Walk signal just about the time a fire engine was turning onto Main at that corner.

The fire truck was followed by roughly 8,764 motorcycles (no, I didn’t count them, but I thought that number was closer to the truth than “a bazillion,” which is what I started to type).  It must have been some official ride for something, although I never found out what.  Still, it was fun to see all the motorcycles.  I do love a parade.

When we finally found the museum, it still lacked ten minutes till it opened.  Luckily we had noticed a store a couple of doors down called “Finders Keepers.”  It was easy to kill some time wandering around looking at antiques, collectibles and, well, one man’s trash.  Then we were on to the museum.

I’ll write more about both Finders Keepers and the museum later.  For now I’ll just say we had a great time and both places are definitely worth another visit.  We walked back to the vehicle feeling that if that was all we did, it would not be a bad afternoon’s adventure.  As we reached our vehicle,  I noticed a lady walking down the sidewalk.

“Hey!  That’s Aunt Mary!”  I didn’t mention that my Aunt Mary and Uncle Ted live in Richfield Springs, but they do.  I had gotten their phone number from my mother thinking we might call and stop by at some point.  As it turned out, we would not have had a chance to do so, but Aunt Mary and I had a nice little chat on the sidewalk.

Our adventures continued and included Pail Shop Vineyards, Jerry’s Place, Dyn’s Cider Mill, Rustic Ridge Winery, and a whole lot of driving through windy, hilly country roads.   We had a wonderful afternoon.

And now I’m tired.  I’m having a cup of coffee, which may revive me somewhat.  One might think I could then write a better blog post, but I don’t think this one is contemptible. Or do I flatter myself?  No matter.  I’m over 500 words.  I’m going back to enjoying my weekend with my husband.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

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Undeserved Lame Time

Posted on July 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I almost always have Lame Post Friday, even when it is not a “real” Friday for me due to overtime on Saturday (love that overtime check, hate getting up early on a Saturday, DON’T tell me I have nothing to complain about!).  Lame Post Friday, in case you’ve forgotten, is my time for random observations and half-baked philosophy.  I actually had some half-baked philosophy earlier this evening.  Let’s see if I can remember it.

I hate it when you say you do something and somebody else says, “I don’t have TIME for that” for whatever reason.  Doesn’t it make you feel like a huge slacker with loads of undeserved leisure time?  Oh, don’t tell me that nobody can “make” me feel a certain way, we are not having that discussion today.

The fact is, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. Perhaps  I do use those hours to my best advantage.  But I don’t need anybody telling me that!  That’s rude!

Oh, I know, the “I don’t have time” person said nothing about ME, why am I taking it so personally?  Still, I can’t help feeling that they are drawing an unflattering comparison.   This could be a whole other discussion about people saying things and putting it all on you if you feel offense.  “I didn’t say anything about YOU!”  Oh yeah, right.  I don’t think we should abdicate responsibility for our implications (how’s that for a fancy turn of phrase?).

Full disclosure:  I went to a wine tasting at Ilion Wine and Spirits before I wrote this.  I had a very good time and intend to write a blog post about the winery who hosted the tasting.

Right now, however, I have to begin the relaxing portion of my evening prior to going to bed and getting enough rest for tomorrow’s overtime.  I hope to also have a couple of Mohawk Valley adventures after work.  I hope you’re all having a lovely Friday.

 

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Actually, I Prefer Paul Verhoeven

Posted on July 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said to my husband Steven, “I can’t have a Non-Sequitur Thursday after I had a Tired Tuesday AND  a Wuss-out Wednesday.”  And he said, “They expect if of you by now,” quickly adding, “in a good way.”

On overtime.  In a play.  Having wine on the deck right now.  Have to go to dinner or stay here and cook something before getting to bed early for more overtime tomorrow… Yeah, I’m going to make another silly post.

I really do love writing a blog.  I love trying to come up with something every day.  I sadly cannot say “something different,” because sometimes I fear I am depressingly the same.  “I can’t write anything today!”  or “I must write a silly post today”  or… you know all my variations on a theme (perhaps that would have been a good title, but then it wouldn’t have been Non-Sequitur Thursday).

One reason we sat out on the deck drinking wine is that we were waiting for a friend to come over and borrow an army thing of mine.  I hope he does not mind my mentioning that. I thought I would bring it up for the sake of plugging his blog, The Dorky Daddy.  I really like that blog.

Speaking of liking blogs, I was going to write a post titled, “So Many Blogs, So Little Time,” because I don’t always have time to read all the blogs I follow or even check out other blogs who have Liked or Followed me.  Sorry, fellow bloggers!  I’ll try to do better!

In the meantime, Happy Thursday, everyone. And I believe we are going OUT for dinner.  I may even have another glass of wine.

 

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Wednesday with Quentin Tarantino

Posted on July 23, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Wuss-out Wednesday follows Tired Tuesday when one is on overtime and in a play.  I do love the overtime. For one reason, it gives me a good excuse to slack on everything else.  Uh, I mean, it gives me a chance to further my career, make a contribution in the workplace and… oh hell, nobody’s a good enough actor to sell that line of bologna.  I’m sure you’ll believe I can use the extra cash, but it is vulgar to brag about one’s income (especially when it’s really nothing to brag about) (so don’t bother hitting me up for a loan) (you know who you are).

Where was I?  Ah yes,  striving to post something, anything before going to rehearsal.  At last night’s rehearsal I showed that although I know my lines, I do not know my blocking (that’s moving where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there, for you non-theatre folks) (and for any pedantic theatre folks who want to correct my definition, oh just give it a rest!).

In my defense,  it is kind of a complicated play.  There are flashbacks AND re-enactments.  I think it’s a little bit like a Quentin Tarantino movie.  I can’t even add “but without all the violence,” because my character chops off her husband’s head (that’s not a spoiler; everybody knows that about Roxalana Druse).

I studied my lines again today while on breaks at work (I know, I should have been writing my blog post; one can’t do everything, after all).  I even said them to myself while I was working.  Luckily, my job is not one where I deal with the public.  I don’t think my co-workers were particularly disconcerted.  After all, they’re used to me.

Right now I’m as tired as I was on Tuesday with rehearsal tonight and more overtime tomorrow.  But that is OK, because the show must go on!  Tired is not too great a price to pay for stardom!  Or even for having fun being in a community theatre play.

 

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NOT Tired of Being in Plays

Posted on July 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

This will be a Tired Tuesday post.  Except that I CAN’T be tired, I have to go to rehearsal!  For the sake of anybody just tuning in, I am in the play Roxy, at Ilion Little Theatre.

I spent my breaks at work going over my lines and I seem to know them pretty well. I have something of a reputation for learning all my lines pretty quickly (I know,  you thought I was going to say I had a different kind of a reputation, oh you of dirty mind)  (you know who you are).  I hate to disappoint people.

It isn’t just a generic people-pleasing thing, though. I could do a whole other blog post about being a people pleaser  (which I don’t think I am,  judging from the number of people who are none too pleased with me most of the time) and whether or not that is a good thing, but that’s not really the dynamic at work here.

I strive to be the sort of cast member that directors, backstage people, and other cast members like to work with.   For one reason, it makes things a lot more comfortable if nobody’s mad at you.  More to the point, it makes a better play, because the sort of cast member most people like working with is the one who helps make it a better play.

Oh, I can see some of you raising your hands, ready to share with me stories about this or that sonofabitch who you wanted to KILL during rehearsals nonetheless came through and made it the best show ever.  The important thing, you are ready to sniff, is not whether or not you get along.  The important thing is can you ACT?  (You may or may not say “ACT” with a gesture.)

I would argue that theatre is a collaborative art.  We produce the best plays when we work well together.  Additionally, this is community theatre.  We are doing it for fun and for love of theatre.  Of course we want to put on the best plays possible (what fun is it to be in a turkey?), but why make the process harder by working with sonsofbitches?

So I try not to be a sonofabitch.  I learn my lines.  In fact, I’d better go look them over again before tonight’s rehearsal.

 

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Half a Fest Is Better than None

Posted on July 20, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

With all my activities yesterday, I missed a new Mohawk Valley event that I hope will be held annually:  Herkimer’s Diamond Festival and Gem Show.

The festival ran for two days throughout the Village of Herkimer.  Three indoor locations hosted gem dealers while street vendors lined Main Street, Park Avenue and Meyers Park.  There were raffles, music, face painting, all kinds of good food… and we missed most of it.

This morning (Sunday) Steven suggested we walk down and see what was still going on.  We figured Sunday wouldn’t be as good as Saturday, but it should still be worth a walk. It was supposed to be hot and humid, which does not agree with me.  Then again, I can’t hide myself in the house with the shades down all summer.  Facebook told us things started at 11 a.m.,  so we started out right at 11, to beat the heat.

We didn’t beat much.  Still, there was shade under trees and sometimes a breeze blew.  We walked to Meyers Park, where a lady at the Information booth gave us a map to the Festival.  As I had suspected, things had condensed somewhat since Saturday. She explained that $5 admission would get us into all three locations.

“And of course the street vendors are great,” she said.

We decided to check out the street vendors.  I was glad I had just eaten breakfast as we walked by the food vendors.  I am trying to get back into healthy eating habits, with no notable success so far.  Street vendor food, while quite yummy, would not have helped me reach my weight-loss goals.

We sampled some tea, admired some gems, jewelry and clothes, and I tried a Pain Relief lotion (I didn’t mention that I had a most dreadful headache, because I did not want to complain) (oops).  I was soon overheated and happy to head home before too long.

I was glad we had made it down to at least partially partake of the festivities.  I hope next summer is a little less busy for me, so I can attend the entire Herkimer Diamond Festival  and Gem Show.  It will probably make a really good blog post.  However, for Wrist to Forehead Sunday, I’m afraid this will have to do.

 

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Ups, Downs and Team Uncle Leo

Posted on July 19, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Does anybody know what happens when a blogger gets up at 3:30 in the morning to work Saturday overtime, works said overtime, goes to an outdoor craft show to help a friend with a fundraiser, leaves for about an hour for a very sad reason, returns and attempts to help, and during this time takes a few walks across parking lots in the heat, one of which in dress shoes?  As I say, when all this happens, do you know what you get?  Anybody?  Bueller?

You get a silly blog post is what you get.

The fundraiser booth was to benefit Sitrin’s Stars and Strips Run/Walk for veteran’s rehabilitation programs. I am part of  Team Uncle Leo.  We had a booth at the Craft Fair which was part of Ilion Days.  We sold cold drinks, snacks and baked goods, and we had a Chinese auction type of raffle.  The drawing for the raffle will take place in August, after a couple more  fundraising tables at different events.

I was tired and hungry.  After walking across a couple of parking lots to find a place to change out of my work clothes, I purchased some chips and two cookies from Team Uncle Leo.   Then I got a Gator Ade.  Must stay hydrated after all.  We sold a few baked goods and raffle tickets. I am not what you would call a persuasive salesperson, but I tried.  Then again, when you offer yummy cookies and tempting raffle items (several local businesses were generous with gift cards) for a good cause, people will often make a purchase.

Oh dear, I had not meant to write about all this.  I had meant to mention it briefly in the first paragraph and go on to a cooking post (cooking with wine, of course).  After second guessing myself that far, I am now third guessing myself and wondering if I ought to include the previous two sentences at all.  This is what happens when I have a busy day that includes spending a lot of time outdoors in the heat and humidity.

Where was I?  Ah yes, wondering if I ought to mention the sad reason that took me away from the fundraiser and into a dress and the closest I get to high heels.  It was calling hours for the father of a friend.  It was a very sad occasion.  I never met him but felt I knew him from hearing my friend’s stories about him and seeing pictures on Facebook.  He was a wonderful, inspirational man who overcame many obstacles and loved his family very much.

It was in a somber mood, then, that I returned to the fundraiser.  I walked across different parking lots looking for a place to change this time.  It seems I am not as familiar with that section of  Ilion as I thought I was, because the business I was going for was further away than I had envisioned.  Thank heaven I wore my wedge-heeled clogs instead of my patent leather pumps (I almost never wear those pumps).

I think we raised some good money for Uncle Leo and veteran’s rehabilitation, although I don’t have a total.  I know my friend was happy I had made it to the calling hours, as of course was I.  I was grateful that the fundraising table was in the shade of a canvas cover plus a few trees.   All in all, more good things today than bad.

Except, I guess, for my blog post.

Sorry, friends.  Amongst the heat, humidity and everything, my brain is a mushy lump of I don’t know what (and it was that way BEFORE I started cooking with wine, so just wipe that superior smirk off your face!) (you know who you are).  Then again, I’m not feeling too bad for a Scattered Saturday.  I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

 

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It’s Only Lame Post Friday, After All

Posted on July 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a simply dreadful time. This is at least the  fourth time I have logged onto WordPress in the last hour and I cannot seem to compose a blog post.  Even a lame one.  What, I ask, is my problem?

I know, a lot of you have been asking that question for years (you know who you are).

Full disclosure (I use that phrase a lot, don’t I?):   It’s not a “real” Friday for me.  I have to work tomorrow.   Of course overtime can be a beautiful thing, especially when one has already spent the money (who, me, not stay within my budget? I daresay I might if I had one, but let’s leave that alone for now).

I mentioned in yesterday’s post that I have a fun adventure planned for tomorrow.  At least, I hope it will be fun.  It involves some nice friends and helping a worthy cause.  What’s not to like?  Tonight I have rehearsal for Roxy, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre, another Mohawk Valley adventure.

Now that I think about it, I seem to remember a few other adventures I never wrote about.  Must think back and try to remember those; I don’t suppose it is too late.

All this by way of introduction to a very brief whine about how I can’t seem to get my brain to write anything substantive TODAY!  I feel certain that this is not an uncommon phenomenon among writers.  Perhaps I could overcome it if I sat here and tried.  Unfortunately, I do not have time for such exertions right now.  I must scurry to rehearsal, and when I get home I must hustle to bed to be up early tomorrow.

As I said, I feel dreadful about it.  But not too dreadful to post this piece of nonsense.  I hope you’re all having a marvelous Friday.

 

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Did Somebody Say Non-Sequitur Thursday?

Posted on July 17, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, hands up, who’s going to the Ilion Days Craft Fair?

Full disclosure:  I have never fully taken advantage of Ilion Days, a celebration that lasts for over a week and includes village wide garage sales, the delightfully named Doo-Dah Parade, a Craft Fair, and more.  I’ve gone to the garage sales in years past.  This year’s were last weekend, when I was busy hydrating for the Boilermaker.

Further full disclosure:  I don’t know that much about the “and more.”  OK, I don’t know anything about “and more.”  I don’t even know much about the Craft Fair, but I’m going to be there.

I may have mentioned that I am a member of  Team Uncle Leo for Sitrin’s Stars and Strips Run/Walk to benefit veterans’ rehabilitation programs.   On Saturday, July 18 beginning at 10 a.m. at Ilion’s Central Plaza, Team Leo will have a table at the craft fair.  We plan to sell water, soda, chips, candy and baked goods.  We are also offering several desirable items in a raffle (including an afghan in camouflage colors made by me).

As it turns out, I may not personally be there at the crack of 10, because I may have to work, but somebody will be there.  I hope to be there at some point.

Right now, I’ve got to go finish my contribution to the baked goods portion of our table.  I’m a little disappointed that I shall once again miss the Doo-Dah Parade.

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