Category Archives: personal

Boilermaker Ambitions

Posted on March 11, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, I’m just going to put it out there: I might run the Boilermaker this year.

I say “might” because I still have to register. Registration filled up in something like 50 hours last year. You have to register online, and my computer is notoriously unreliable.

This year’s Boilermaker ambitions started when a friend expressed an interest in running it. To encourage him, I said I would run it with him if he wanted me to.

I think my friend could benefit greatly from running the Boilermaker. Training has well-documented physical and mental health benefits. Setting a goal and working toward it is a life skill that anyone might like to enhance. The satisfaction of crossing the finish line would be a nice boost. For my friend.

Who, me?

Do you think I need all those benefits? Setting a goal, training, making a commitment? Getting back into shape, organizing my life so I have time to get back into shape, planning ahead so I am in the right shape at the right time? Are you suggesting I could benefit from these things?

Yuh think?

Maybe I am just jumping on my friend’s bandwagon so I will have an excuse to experience another Boilermaker adventure myself. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. Oh well, sorting through motivations and the right reasons for doing things sounds like some half-baked philosophy better suited to Lame Post Friday.

So now I am looking at the weather forecast and the calendar and figuring out my training schedule. The first year I ran the Boilermaker, I started training in March and I did OK. I think I was in worse shape that year than I am now, so bonus. Of course I’m older by — eek! — five years. I’m in the over-50 age group now. Only a few months over 50, but still.

My main worries right now are registration and getting to the starting line on the day of the race. The last time I registered, it was quite the hideous experience (I wrote a blog post about it). Getting to the starting line should be less of a problem.

I can just see that annoying hypothetical reader shaking his head at me. “Maybe you should worry about actually RUNNING before you worry about that other stuff.” Oh, fooey on you, I’ll worry about whatever comes to mind at the time. In the meantime, stay tuned for the return of Running Commentary.

NOTE: Regular readers may recall that in a recent post I alluded to this post but said I could NOT publish it because I had not actually started running. If you deduced by the post’s appearance that I did indeed run, you are correct.

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An Hour Less Wrist

Posted on March 10, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh I meant, I really truly meant to write a good post today. Maybe I had too good a time last night at the police department fundraiser (don’t tell my mother) (oh, rats, I think she reads this blog) (now I’m being silly, what a surprise).

Where was I? Ah yes, another Wrist to Forehead Sunday or, to leave the day of the week out of it, yet another post about Why I Can’t Write a Post Today. I just took a nice walk with my husband Steven and my schnoodle Tabby. I had meant to write about that. The only thing that stands out, however, is the cold wind that kept tormenting us and our relative lack of success at dodging puddles.

Let’s blame the clock change. What a dumb idea that is! “We get another hour of daylight!” somebody will say, in that bright, squeaky voice I hate. We do not! We get the exact same amount of daylight! Only the clock says a different time. But I must ask myself, why does it bother me so much? One hour less of sleep one day (and it wouldn’t have been that if I had gone to bed earlier) does not seem such a great thing. One often gets up an hour earlier for some good or stupid reason. That’s no reason to go all wrist-to-forehead on us.

I think it is just my usual Sunday malaise. I just don’t feel like doing anything useful on a Sunday and I probably never will. Perhaps I can get my act together to the extent of writing an extra post during the week so that on Sunday I only have to hit Publish. But let’s not get our hopes up.

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I Just Have to Chat

Posted on March 9, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m having something of a Wrist to Forehead Saturday, but I will attempt to write a post about What I’ve Done So Far Today. Instead of the post on Why I Can’t POSSIBLY Write a Post Today, which is what my meager brain seems to want to dish out.

We got up fairly early. Tabby woke us up, which is unusual, because she usually waits until we are stirring, in a manner unusually polite for a cute little dog. This was good, because I had to go get some blood drawn for a medical appointment next week. I got to Centrex in Herkimer, NY about two minutes after seven, their advertised opening time. There was a line of people waiting at the door.

“It looks like we’re lined up to buy tickets for a rock star,” I said. You know me; I just can’t help but chat. “Those guys have been here since 3 a.m.” A man at the head of the line assured me he had not. A few minutes later I said, “I just saw a light go on. Which is not the same thing as a light going on over my head, which hardly ever happens.” The lady in line ahead of me rewarded that silly joke with a chuckle. When we had all signed in and the first man in line got called I said, “You see, it paid off, getting here at 3 a.m.”

This is how I amuse myself when I have to get stuck with a needle on a Saturday morning.

You know, I was going to continue my post including a visit to the post office, a stop at the ATM, putting air in my tires… but I’m approaching 300 words. That is quite respectable for a post when I started out without anything to say. I just love writing a blog.

I hope to see you all (figuratively speaking, of course), on Sunday, when I will strive to keep my wrist off my forehead.

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Not Lame Hair

Posted on March 8, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of my usual Friday Lame Post, I would like to give a brief shout-out to the Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer, NY. I just got a really cool haircut there.

The cut was important, because Steven and I have an event to attend on Saturday, March 8 (um, that’s tomorrow). It is the HPD/MPD SRT Tasting Event from 6 to 10 p.m. at Francesca’s Banquet Hall in Ilion. Proceeds will be split between the Herkimer/Mohawk Special Response Team and K9 Ape Memorial. K9 Ape, you may recall, was killed last March during the shootings which shook Mohawk and Herkimer.

The evening promises to be fun, with several wineries, a brewery and a distillery offering tastings. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Some of the members of the Special Response Team involved in last March’s terrible events will attend.

So naturally I want to look my best. I’ve been agonizing over what to wear, but I knew my hair would be OK if I could get an appointment at the Hot Spot. I was lucky enough to get in with Claire right after work on Friday.

Clair remembered what she did with my hair last time, which I liked. I told her she could go even shorter on top this time. I do like my hair short. While she clipped, we talked about the tasting event. It turns out Clair and Amy both plan to attend.

“What are you wearing?” I asked. She was undecided, so we discussed options.

My hair turned out fabulous. While I was paying for it, I chatted up Amy on what she was going to wear. We are all excited about the different wineries who plan to be there.

“I’ve been to some of them,” I said. Amy has been wine tasting in the Finger Lakes, too, so we talked about some of our favorites.

“My sisters, cousin and Mom are going again on April 5,” I said. “I was undecided on if I was going with them, but now…”

“You’re going,” Amy said.

So I had a fun time, and I got a good cut. The Hot Spot is located at 121 Albany St. in Herkimer, 315-866-9113. Their website is www.hotspotsalonandspa.com.

If you’re all interested in going to the tasting event, contact the Mohawk or Herkimer police departments. But if you do, better hurry. Last I heard, they were selling out.

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Just Saying

Posted on March 7, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier today I wrote the title of a blog post. Then I drew a line under it and wrote a paragraph of a different blog post. Then I turned the page and wrote pretty much an entire other blog post.

And here I am, typing off the cuff. Yes, I am taking another Blogger’s Sick Day. I have had a dreadful headache for most of the day. I know, other people have debilitating headaches and manage to write decent blog posts, or at least not to complain to all and sundry about them. Well, you may have noticed previously, in most cases, I am not other people.

The sad thing is that last Friday I had a much worse headache and actually managed a not bad blog post. Or do I flatter myself? Probably. In my defense, I had that post already written and had merely to copy it.

Ah, my astute reader asks, what about the entire other blog post you mentioned in paragraph one? Can’t you just type that one in? Somehow, I just don’t feel I can. You see, I wrote about how I MIGHT run the Boilermaker. Only, you see, I wrote the post, but I did not come home and run. How hypocritical is that? A whole post about running the Boilermaker from a person who did NOT run? I can’t do it.

I did take my dog Tabby for a walk. As I walked, I reflected on a saying I made up earlier in the week:

Standing burns more calories than sitting, walking burns more calories than standing, running burns more calories than walking, and walking your dog is just always a good thing to do.

I will now try to come up with a silly headline and wish you all a pleasant Non-Sequitur Thursday.

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Steve’s Birthday Dinner

Posted on March 6, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

As part of Steven’s Birthday Weekend, we enjoyed dinner out at PK’s Pub in Herkimer, NY. I’ve given PK’s shout-outs before, but I always like to give another, because it is always a good time and a great meal.

We arrived shortly after 4:30. Pete escorted us to the room with the fireplace. We chose a table by the window. I debated what kind of wine to order, because I wasn’t sure yet what I wanted for food. Then again, I am not that knowledgeable about food and wine pairings. I don’t think my palate is sophisticated enough to notice a less than ideal combination. I finally settled on Cabernet Sauvignon. Steven had Merlot.

For food I got Chicken Riggies while Steven chose Chicken Marsala. Yes, we both had red wine with chicken. Wasn’t that bold of us? I said I don’t know much about wine and food, but I know the most basic rule of white wine with chicken, red wine with beef. Perhaps real oenophiles are horrified (I don’t even know how to pronounce oenophile), but I thought it tasted pretty good.

I did not eat all my entree, because I was saving room for dessert. That worked out pretty well, because I was able to heat up the leftovers as part of our dinner on Tuesday, when I was tired.

Desserts are always a highlight at PKs. I got chocolate chip cheesecake. I completely cannot remember what Steven’s dessert was called. I know, if I was a real blogger, I would have made a note of it at the time. Let’s not open that can of worms. It was a kind of cream pie with chocolate and nuts and other stuff. I know it was yummy, because he nicely gave me a bite.

PK’s Pub is located at 221 King St. in Herkimer, phone (315) 866-3494. They are open Tues. to Fri. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 4:30 to 9 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. You can Like them on Facebook. I did.

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No Wonder I’m Tired

Posted on March 5, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

For this week’s Tired Tuesday entry, I will give a brief summary of some of Steven’s and my movements last Saturday. Regular readers will recall that this was Steven’s Birthday Weekend. He and I took three days off to celebrate. I went back to work today. It should surprise no one that I am tired.

Our first stop Saturday morning was a certain big box store which shall here remain nameless, because I don’t think they need a plug from Mohawk Valley Girl. Of course I prefer to shop at a distinctive local retailer, but alas, the Mohawk Valley does not boast one that sells the kind of yarn I like.

After purchasing our yarn and bread (we are nothing if not eclectic), we went to breakfast, which formed the subject of yesterday’s post (perhaps you read it). From there we went to the post office. I wanted to mail some postcards I had written and purchase some postcard stamps for future postcards. While there, we noticed a couple of fliers for future events.

After that, we wanted to visit the Herkimer Community Museum, but we were too early. However, the museum is handily located next to Basloe Library, so we moseyed over there. In the library, we enjoyed looking at a display of old pictures of Herkimer. What a bustling Main Street our village used to have. Perhaps one day it will bustle again. I will certainly write about it here when it does. Of course I also found a couple of books to check out, one of which I had finished by Monday.

The museum still was not open, so we went home to regroup before continuing our Birthday Weekend adventures.

NOTE: Looking back at that headline, I perceive that some readers may still wonder why I am tired. I mean, store, breakfast, post office, library. Run of the mill errands. However, I am too tired to think of a more appropriate headline, so I’ll let it stand. Please join me on Wednesday, when I will strive not to wuss out.

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Big Smiles and Full Stomachs

Posted on March 4, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

One thing Steven and I had been especially looking forward to on our weekend off together was going out to breakfast. We used to have breakfast out together all the time, but when our work schedules changed, it became a thing of the past. We set out Saturday morning with big smiles and empty stomachs.

We went to Liz’s Diner on Main Street in Mohawk, the previous home of the Mohawk Diner. Donna and Liz greeted us as we walked in the door. We remarked on how happy we were to be there.

Donna brought us coffee. We admired the chicken-themed decor as we perused the menu on the wall. They offered some tempting specials, but I just wanted scrambled eggs and toast. Steven got eggs over medium with bacon and toast. However, it was toast from Heidelberg bread. Yum! I got Italian while Steven had peasant.

As we ate, we were amused by the interactions of Liz, Donna and the regulars sitting at the counter. Two men with long beards were especially amusing. After they left, Donna told us she called them ZZ Top. I thought that was very appropriate. I like ZZ Top.

We liked our breakfast, too. It was a great start to our weekend. Liz’s is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving breakfast and lunch. I noticed the lunch menu on the wall. Some of the selections looked pretty tasty. I may have to go back, even if I can’t bring Steven.

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No Brain for the Oscars

Posted on March 3, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

I believe I mentioned yesterday that I have had a few Mohawk Valley adventures I intend to write about. I hope nobody was looking forward to that too eagerly, because today is Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I’m sitting at my computer, typing this off the top of my head and it is not going to be very long.

I am not actually in distress, as Wrist to Forehead may imply (I’m probably not a beautiful maiden, either, but whatever) (you know, from the fairy tales: beautiful maiden in distress? So much for literary references). I am actually having quite an enjoyable weekend. As I mentioned, it is my husband’s birthday weekend. We both have three days off. We like to have days off together.

So why am I not writing a real post, which might even take less time than trying to come up with excuses why I’m not? I say, that is a good question. I guess the only answer is that my brain is not in gear. It may not even be in my head (it made kind of a hollow sound when I tapped it just now) (just kidding; I didn’t really tap myself on the head, I thought it would be funny to pretend I did).

One reason I need to get this post written is that I have snacks to fix. It is Oscar Day, the movie buff’s equivalent of Superbowl Sunday. I have not seen any of the movies nominated, or in fact, any movie made within the past ten years. Well, at least three, anyways. But you know me, any excuse to fix yummy snacks. I may even write a post on what I fix. But not today. Happy Sunday, everyone.

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Birthday Walk

Posted on March 2, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

I like to start my Saturday with a run or a walk. Unfortunately my difficulties running continue. Barring a run, I like to walk with my schnoodle, Tabby, to the post office and mail postcards to a few people. Accordingly, I wrote five postcards and stamped them.

Then noticed it was eleven degrees out. Yes, I know, at least it was double digits. I can be thankful for small favors and still stay inside. We drove to the post office. By this afternoon, the temperature had risen into the upper twenties. That sounded good to me. Steven graciously agreed to accompany us on our walk.

I should perhaps mention that Steven is usually working on Saturday. This weekend we both have a glorious three days off to celebrate his birthday. Well, to celebrate yet another anniversary of his 29th birthday. So I suppose this was along the lines of a birthday walk (his actual birthday is Monday, in case anybody was wondering).

It was one of those hazy sunny days, where the light scatters and the snow doesn’t help. I was glad of my prescription sunglasses. They are brown polarized, perfect for such a day. I hope nobody thinks I am a spoiled, rich brat that I have polarized prescription sunglasses. I got them several years ago, when I worked in the optical industry. They were free.

(Reminder for next Lame Post Friday: philosophize half-bakedly on why I felt the need to point out that I do not spend infinite dollars on eyewear.)

We walked past Tabby’s beloved Historic Four Corners and down Main Street in Herkimer, NY. Steven stopped into Smoker’s Friendly to purchase lottery tickets. By this time tomorrow, we may be millionaires. That might be worth a blog post. We continued down Main Street.

We once again realize we have not gone to the new pizza place, whose name escapes me. We also noticed that Burrito Jones is now open. All kinds of meals yet to have. Oh, and we smelled something good coming from Brian’s Roast Beef Deli, where we have eaten many times and will no doubt eat again. We also saw that Exclusive Barbershop has a new awning, nicely painted. I need a haircut, but I usually go to the Hot Spot Salon and Spa, where I can also get a pedicure.

It was not too bad walking. The temperatures were not as glorious as last weekend, but at least it didn’t make our faces hurt. The sidewalks were pretty good, except for a few patches of ice which I warned Steven about. Usually my warning Steven comes right before I land on my own butt, but today I avoided such an eventuality.

We had a few other Mohawk Valley adventures today, and plan a couple more before the weekend is over. However, I like Running Commentary or a Pedestrian Post on Saturday. I enjoyed our walk, and I do like writing about them. I hope my dear readers are enjoying their Saturday as much.

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