Category Archives: personal

But Not a Metaphorical Blog Post

Hello and welcome to another Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  As regular readers know, this is the day I get all dramatic and swoon, the back of one wrist to my forehead.  I shall substitute the living room couch for a chaise lounge.  I really would like a chaise lounge to swoon upon.  Then again, it is a metaphorical swoon most Sundays, so I suppose I could make do with a metaphorical chaise lounge.

One of my all-time favorite scenes.

This is me actually posed with my wrist to my forehead, in a scene from Dirty Work at the Crossroads, directed by my late, much missed husband Steve at Ilion Little Theatre in 2013.  Wow, over ten years ago.  The lady in the scene with me, an ILT stalwart, Julianne Allen, sadly passed away too, some years ago.  Oh dear, all I wanted to do was laugh at myself for dramatically dreading Monday, and I am bringing up sad things.  I do try to keep a positive outlook and treasure good memories.  So there’s that.

This is one way to ensure a really bad Monday.

Full disclosure:  I am not really dreading Monday.  But I am discouraged with myself, because once again I did not get a whole lot done on the weekend.  And I got not much done during the past week.  What the hell, me?  However, yelling at myself does not seem to improve matters.  Where’s that positive outlook I was touting in the last paragraph?

You said it, Captain!

So I try to end on a positive note.  I plan to make more substantial blog posts in the week ahead. I did have a few Mohawk Valley adventures this weekend, complete with pictures (preview of coming attractions).  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Lame As I Ever Was

Hello, blogosphere, I am back!  What, blogosphere isn’t a word yet? I hear it all the time.  Perhaps I have it misspelled.  In any case, I am back on the blog after losing a few days to technical difficulties and my usual malaise which makes it a major effort for me to do anything.  I finally got back on my Chromebook. Phew!  I know, I could have posted from my Tablet, as I used to do all the time, but that, too has become problematic.  When I finish the post, I can’t type in a headline at all, and when I try to add categories and tags, the screen jumps every time I hit a key.  For the last post, I got on my phone to add headline and tags.

Now I feel a little ashamed for not going through such a rigamarole again (but I KNOW rigamarole is a word!  It has been a word for years!).

Random picture to denote passage of time.

I found it in my Webster’s dictionary.  “Rigamarole” is another spelling of “rigmarole.”  I think the extra syllable adds to the expressiveness of the term.  I recently read in an English history book about the origin of the word.  Of course I cannot remember it now, but I know which book it was in, and I will look it up for use on a future blog post.

My bestie, Kim, is coming to visit today.  Regular readers know she moved away early this year, to the detriment of my Saturday adventuring.  I’m sure we will have a lot of fun today, although I am a little concerned at the forecast of high 80’s.

This has been me and many of my co-workers all week.

I had actually been looking for a Mohawk Valley adventure picture to share, but I found this one and couldn’t resist.

 

Tired Is As Tired Does

One way I can tell I am getting older is that physical ailments, my own and others’ but of course mostly my own, become of increasing importance.  As I puttered around, getting ready to make my Tired Tuesday post (early Wednesday morning, judge me if you are so inclined), I was narrating in my head about the headaches I have had during the night lately that sometimes go away in the morning but not today…

How dull! Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up!

Now I am just a witch.

I kept scrolling down my Media Library till I got to a different mug from the last one I shared.  I hope.  Once again, this is not the mug I am currently using.  I am currently using my mug from Dikin Durt Distillery of Herkimer, NY, just to give a shout-out to a local business.  Note to self: see if I have a shot of this mug in the Media Library and if I do not, put one in.  For years now I have been thinking of making an index of my Media Library.  I could save it on a document that I could just pop up whenever I want to use a particular photo.  How do the other bloggers do it?

Well, that was annoying.  There I was, typing away on my Chromebook, and I accidentally hit something that signed me out of the whole thing!  Not just out of WordPress, but out of Chromebook, and I cannot remember my password.  What a dope I am.

However,  I see I am over 250 words (oh, I am on my Tablet, pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus, by the way).  Regular readers know I find that respectable (my predictive text thingy suggested “rude and selfish”!  When did I ever type that?).

And now I am over 300 words.  Woohoo!  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

 

Music on a Monday

Usually I visit Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY on a Wednesday night to hear good  music and eat good food.  This week I went on a Monday.  I saw on Facebook that Mark Macri would be playing.  I have not seen him many times, so it seemed like a good idea.  Additionally, it was quite a warm day, and I wanted to spend some time in air conditioned comfort.

The usual photo.

Of course I took the obligatory photo to share on Facebook and invite others down to enjoy the entertainment.  I also texted my friend Kathy to join me. I had a little trouble getting through, due to cell phone issues.  When we finally connected, I was already at Fratello’s, and she needed a ride.  The bartender graciously agreed to watch my wine and save my seat while I went to pick her up.

 

No pictures of me and Kathy, just Mark.

We had an enjoyable time, listening to music and catching up.  It has been a while since we have gotten together for music and fun.

I think it is a nice smile.

I missed getting a picture of Mark smiling so asked him to smile again.  He said he hated having his picture taken, but I told him it was for a blog post.  I do not know how impressed he was, but he gave me a smile.  It was an enjoyable evening, especially for a Monday.

 

Mmmmm… Tomatoes!

I recently had a conversation with a co-worker about how much better homegrown tomatoes taste.  Of course they are best out of one’s own garden, but a farm stand or farmer’s market can be an acceptable second.  Last Sunday I went to And Stuff of That Nature to feed my fresh tomato appetite.

Right there, inviting me to buy something!

The stand is handily located on State Route 5, between the Frankfort Bridge and Watkins Road.  There is space enough on the shoulder to pull over; you only have to be a little careful getting out on the driver’s side.

There are many choices available.

There are many vegetables to choose from, but tomatoes were what I mainly wanted.  I could also have gotten honey or a hanging basket of flowers or a dozen eggs.  Well, it isn’t that far from my house; I can easily return for more fresh goods.

Lots of choices!

I was tempted by the hanging baskets but was skeptical of my ability to remember to water one  This is another reason I am not as disappointed as I might be about not achieving my container garden.  In years past I have remembered to water.  These days I question myself.

And Stuff of That Nature is located at 3759 State Route 5, Frankfort, NY.  You can follow their Facebook page for updates about items available.

 

Late, Lame, at Least It’s a Post!

I guess I had a couple more blogger’s sick days in which I did not even have the wherewithal to post a few whiny words about how I couldn’t make a blog post.  Ooh, here’s a Freudian typo:  I first put “shiny words.”  I guess I want to feel that my talent as a writer always shines through.  It is my one talent, after all.  Or do I flatter myself?  Never mind, on with my Lame Post Friday post, made early-ish Saturday morning.

That magic elixir, coffee.

I am on my second cup of coffee.  I am enjoying it quite a bit.  I went without if for two days, substituting tea for my morning cuppa (I believe I mentioned it the last time I made a blog post).  I love tea, but coffee is what gets me going in the morning.  Not that I am actually going right now, but I am blogging, so we’ll call that a win, however lame this post may turn out to be (I am thinking very, but I am also my worst critic) (that earlier line about my writing talent notwithstanding).

Only a dream?

It took me a long time to find a second picture to liven up the post.  This is from 2017, a really good year for my container garden.  I was determined to have one this year, but, alas, not determined enough.  Perhaps I can get out and at least do a few things in the yard this morning.  Unfortunately, it is supposed to rain (my bunions and the weather forecast said so).  I think I even heard a few drops earlier.  I suppose I could do a certain amount in the rain, then take a very soapy shower, hoping not to track too much mud between the door and the bathroom.  It might be a good idea to eat breakfast first.

 

These plants don’t seem to have any problem growing.

I wanted to add one more picture.  Regular readers may remember that this was meant to serve as inspiration for the murder mystery I must finish.  That will be a good thing to work on if it pours rain later.  Such plans!  Such ambition!  Will I accomplish anything?  The uncertainty will add interest to my Saturday.

 

A Whiningly Late Tired Tuesday Post

I am taking Tuesday as a Blogger’s Sick Day.  I got home from work last night, managed to do a couple chores, then succumbed to a bad head.  I don’t know what else to call it.  It is more light-headedness than pain, and a neurologist once told me it was a form of migraine.  Oh dear, and here I am whining about it.  Anyways, I felt unable to do anything much so went to bed early.  This morning (Wednesday, early), I am feeling equally as bad with an upset stomach for good measure.  I am sipping tea instead of my usual coffee.  It is quite tasty and may settle my stomach (to add an un-whiny comment).

Pretend there is tea in the mug.

I like to add an illustration when possible.  I am not drinking out of that mug currently, but it is the first one I came to in my Media Library.  In fact, it is kind of what my stomach feels like now.  Maybe not that bad, luckily.  I certainly must go to work today and Friday.  If I do not, my employer will not pay me for July 4th. It is a good policy, really, or a lot of people who had not foresightedly asked for those days off might be tempted to call in.

And here’s an interesting grammar point.  My Chromebook does not like the word “foresightedly.”  I do not see why I cannot make an adverb by adding “-ly” to any handy adjective.  Some writers eschew adverbs and rail dementedly at their use in any and all situations (you see what I did there?).  I personally need all the help I can get and will avail myself  of any words I like, even if I have to make them up.

Look, at that, a whole paragraph about my psycho grammar, not whining about my stomach or head.  On that note, I thank you for tuning in, and sign off with hopes for a more productive Wednesday.

 

At Least I Have My Monsters

So I broke my streak of posting daily by missing both Saturday and Sunday.  I have a couple of Mohawk Valley adventures to blog about, but as often happens on a Monday, I am too tired to do so now.  I may also be too tired on Tired Tuesday.  I have not been sleeping well.  But just listen to me whine.  The fact is, I am disinclined to post even now but feel I must not miss another day.

Sometimes I get carried away, too.

I put in a picture before I got more bogged down in whining about how tired I am.  I figure I can mange a Monstrous Monday post, only hoping I can find pictures I have not shared too recently.  I think the above one qualifies.

Mine is certainly not this big.

Here is one I have shared many times, The Brain from Planet Arous.  It is my favorite picture to share when I am feeling particularly brain dead.

Ah, a cup of tea.

Perhaps I should emulate the Frankenstein monster in the picture and relax with a cup of tea.  I could make it herbal so as not to further disturb my sleep patterns.  Then again, it is a bit warm for hot tea.

I see I am over 200 words, which regular readers now I consider respectable.  As usual, I will try for a better blog post tomorrow, and I hope you will again tune in.

 

Lame Plans, Late Post

Just to round out the week of late posts. here is my Lame Post Friday blog post, being typed in early (by most standards) Saturday morning.  I kind of feel the week is Monday through Friday, and the weekend is a separate entity.  Monday through Friday workers often feel that way.  I do not care for other work schedules, but to each his own, as the old lady said when she kissed the cow.

Random picture, to distract from a boring opening paragraph.

My daisies are well over, and i must cut down the drooping stems and dead blossoms.  However, it is pouring rain right now.  No walk, run, or gardening for me for yet a while.  I know, it is quite eligible to pull up weeds in the rain, I understand they come up easily and sometimes the roots along with them.  I couldn’t worry too much if the roots came up with the daisies, since they are taking over my front lawn.  However, right now I am on my first cup of coffee and still in my nightclothes.  How ambitious must I be prior to 6 a.m.?  Sheesh!

My real plans for later in the day,.

I searched for this picture, because I thought it would be a funny one.   As a matter of fact, it is symbolic of my plans, because I plan to clean then relax.  Right now as I look at the end of my couch, I see, a few afghans, one incompleted, a pillow, a purse, the TV Journal, and a book I was reading yesterday. My legs are a little to the right of where you see them in the picture (isn’t that how you spell incompleted? My Chromebook is underlining it) (or are you supposed to say incomplete?  or not completed?  You would think I would know better grammar by now).

I actually feel a little uncomfortable that I have mentioned my plans.  My problem with making plans is that whenever I make a plan, the plan goes to hell. I can accomplish small plans, like “make a phone call after work” (did that yesterday), but so many plans get lost in a morass of  “oh, first I have to do this” and “oh, wait, I can’t do that” and “well, that did not work!”  Still, one does what one can.

Now I have rattled on for, ooh, almost 400 words.  Score!  Time to finish my coffee and get on with my Saturday.  I hope I can make my Saturday blog post on time.

 

I Remember Roxy

And it’s another late post, but one can be late on Non-Sequitur Thursday, yes?  Or will it be a Throwback Thursday?  Once again, I resort to my Media Library.

He was so handsome.

I was just thinking about Roxy the other day.  This was a play, beautifully researched and written by Jack Sherman and presented by Herkimer County Historical Society and Ilion Little Theatre in 2015.  Wow, almost ten years ago.  My late beloved husband Steven had several roles.  This is him as Dr. Suiter.  He was such a good actor and had quite a way with a monologue.

He had it coming.

I had the honor to portray Roxalana Druse, who killed her husband with a gun and an ax.  She did not feed his body to the hogs, as legend has it, but tried to burn him up in the stove (the play doesn’t show that part).  She may have had better luck with the hogs, because it was the nasty scent of burning body that first alerted the neighbors that something was wrong.

I thought the poster was cool.

The play had a huge cast of ILT regulars and newcomers.  Things got a little crowded backstage and in the one dressing room, but we all got along, and I made a lot of new friends.  That is the best part of community theatre:  the friends we make.  Come to think about it, that is the best part of life.  Sorry to get a little sentimental, but one might as well say it.

So this is my theatre throwback post.  I often do throw back to theatre memories, because community theatre is a big part of my life.  I need to get back into a play.  And finish writing that murder mystery I mentioned yesterday.  At least I made my Thursday blog post.  A little late, but over 300 words.  Yay me?  I hope so!