Category Archives: personal

Too Beat to Blog

Posted on July 30, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night Steven and I drove into Rome to meet some people I graduated high school with, roughly a hundred years ago.

It was not the official class reunion. That was last year and I missed it due to the DARE 5K. A classmate who is living overseas was coming to town and asked on the class Facebook page did anybody want to get together.

A select group met at the Savoy. We had a great time. Now, last Sunday I said I was too tired to write a proper blog post, and at the end of the post, Steven told me it was so a proper post. That will not be the case this week. I am really truly too tired to write a proper blog post.

I could do my Middle-aged Musings Monday a day early and lament how I am just too old to party like it’s 1999 (no, I’m not pretending I graduated in 1999, I’m quoting a Prince song) (as a matter of fact, I think I partied more in 1999 than I did in 1981; I was a pretty innocent teenager) (Stop laughing! It’s true!).

I did get out and go running this morning and took Tabby for a short walk a little later (in addition to our usual post-run cool down walk). So I was not completely ate up. I don’t feel I should write about my run, though, because that would make three running posts in a row. And the walk with Tabby was strictly uneventful.

So here we have it: yet another post about Why I Can’t Write a Blog Post Today. I can’t keep doing this! People will get disgusted and stop reading me. I have to admit, though, these silly posts are kind of fun to write. It is comforting when I feel that I can’t possibly pick up a pen to find that I actually can make words on a piece of paper (or directly on a computer screen in some cases).

I am over 400 posts now, all on consecutive days (although WordPress sometimes dates two on the same day and skips a day; go figure). That is more than four hundred days of writing every day. That makes me feel pretty damn good. Now I just have to work on writing something worth reading. Here’s hoping you’ll stay tuned.

Leave a comment

Posted in blogging, humor, personal, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

I DARE to Do Another Post About Running

Posted on July 29, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I may be segueing from All Boilermaker All The Time to All DARE 5K All The Time. In any case, I like to use Saturday morning’s run for Saturday’s post. I don’t know why I feel I must explain that every week, with perhaps a hint of an apology. I could probably write a full blog post on writers’ lack of confidence. Maybe next Lame Post Friday.

Be that as it may, I made up my mind to get up and run today. Of course I like to hang with my husband before he goes to work, but, I told myself, I have to run while the running’s good. In the fall and winter I can hang with Steven, then get on the road at 9 a.m. or later.

As I started out, I knew I was doing the right thing. It was cool! It felt great! Maybe I hadn’t lost all the running prowess I had developed training for the Boilermaker! Maybe I would run up the hill out Main Street. Yeah!

I decided against that. I have things to do today. I can’t do a hardcore run and spend the rest of the day flat on my back drinking Gator Ade and reading romance novels (although I did renew the biography of William Randolph Hearst I got at Basloe Library; I could read that). I thought, the hill by Valley Health Services will do me fine. I have three weeks before the DARE 5K to get hard core. I can spend this weekend being medium core.

It really wasn’t the least bit of a problem getting up the hill, so perhaps I should have been a little harder core. Oh well, too late now. Then as my run continued, I realized the cool temperature had been deceiving. Humidity was still high, and my run became increasingly less comfortable. Nevertheless, I hung in there.

At one point I crossed the street to run in some shade. A crow on a wire made an inquisitive noise that seemed to contain a veiled threat. Crows are scary anyways. They are big and mean. They are practically ravens, and you know the trouble Edgar Allen Poe had with a raven. Perhaps some bird lover will tell me that I am quite wrong about crows. They are really very nice, sweet birds, and are in fact nothing like ravens, which Poe was wrong about anyways. Well, if any bird lover wants to so inform me, I am open to new information.

When I ran through Meyers Park, I saw portions of some big stick sticking out of two trash cans. I wondered if it was the big stick the rough boys were hitting each other with the other day when Steven, Tabby and I walked through the park (see previous blog post entitled, “In my Defense, It Was a Big Stick”). I was pleased to see nobody was hitting anybody with the stick (well, I guess it was sticks now), but there was no need to throw it in the trash. Wood is biodegradable. At the very least, it should be put with yard waste for the village to pick up. I left it where it was though. I don’t go digging through the trash.

My run was a little longer than Thursday’s and I felt pretty good afterwards. I feel I can run the 5K; I’m just not sure how I’ll feel afterwards. So that is my goal now: to not feel like crap after the DARE 5K. Oh, and to have some more Mohawk Valley adventures so I don’t do posts about running every day.

Leave a comment

Posted in DARE 5K, humor, personal, running. Bookmark the permalink.

Dithering on the Run

Posted on July 28, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had previously made a note to myself to don’t go five days without running. This being Lame Post Friday, I could go into some half-baked philosophy about setting high goals and not being up to ideals. Maybe later in the post.

I knew it would be a good idea to go running on Thursday after work, even though I had an Ilion Little Theatre Board Meeting (did I mention I’m their new secretary?) and several things to get done before that (note the use of “would be a good idea;” some of you may perhaps remember my half-baked philosophy about “should” and “ought to”). However, as my afternoon at work progressed, the heat and humidity increased. Oh dear. What have I learned about running when the weather is good, because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring? Many of us do not always act on lessons learned. I further philosophized half-bakedly that there really wasn’t that much difference between five days and six days, was there?

When I got home, I parked across the street, two doors down, since I had to leave again later. As I walked to the house, I thought, “This isn’t bad. I can rock this.” By the time I was suited up and out the door, the sun had come back out. As I started running, the humidity kicked back in.

Well, I didn’t have to go for a long run, and I didn’t have to go for a fast run, and I certainly did not have to attempt any hills. I shuffled along and lived with it. I’ve run in worse. Anyways, I told myself, it might be hot for the DARE 5K and the Superhero Sprint, both of which are in August.

A lady going into the bank said to me, “It’s too hot for that!”

“I know,” I answered. “But I didn’t run earlier in the week when it was cooler!”

As I continued down Main Street, I pondered my evening’s obligations. My library books were due. I had finished all but one. I had thought to return them on the way to my meeting, possibly renewing the one I hadn’t finished online (I’m slowly getting the hang of this online library thing). But would I leave the house in time? Maybe I should walk to the library with Tabby to return the books. I could be my cool down walk. Hmmm. Walking with four hardcover books. Tabby can’t go in the library anyways. I should drive. Was it too hot to take Tabby in the truck? What about my cool down walk? What time did the library close? As I ran by the library, I ran up to the door and looked. Five o’clock. If I put my books in the night depository after that time, wouldn’t that be like returning them a day late? I couldn’t risk it!

After the third or fourth calculation of “If I run for X minutes, then cool down, grab the books drive to the library, walk in all sweaty and gross…” I finally thought, “Stupid! Just renew all the books online. You don’t have to keep the ones you’ve read for two more weeks. You can return them at any time.”

I felt much better about everything after I had come to that decision. I made sure I got online and hit “renew” before 5 p.m., just to be on the safe side.

My run was not long, but I felt it was long enough to count. As I returned home I counted, “Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.” I hadn’t gone five days without running! I had only gone four! I was vindicated on all fronts, except, you know, doing the math.

Well, looking over what I have written, I believe this is a worthy addition to my Lame Friday Post collection. No random observations, but plenty of half-baked philosophy and with all my dithering about library books, I would say definitely lame. Happy Friday, everyone!

Leave a comment

Posted in half baked philosophy, humor, lame, personal, running. Bookmark the permalink.

Steven’s Yummy Reward

Posted on July 27, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s been a while since I plugged a local business. At least, I haven’t gone back and looked. I may do that before I type this in, but as I write this (in my notebook while at work)(on a break, of course)(oh, and a spiral-bound paper notebook, not a confusingly named computer) Where was I? Mid-sentence, but now I’ve lost track of the thought, so let’s get on with my post about Salvatore’s.

Wednesday Steven did some major yard work and deserved a reward, and I wanted a blog post, so I suggested we go out for dinner. I asked Steven where he would like to go for his reward. He wanted me to decide. Some reward: not to have to decide. Finally we settled on Salvatore’s in Herkimer.

Salvatore’s is one of our favorite places to order delivery from. They are prompt and friendly, and the food is delicious. But sometimes I like to go someplace, sit down and have somebody bring me food. And know that they will do the dishes afterward. Of course this was Steven’s reward, not mine, but Steven likes those things, too.

When we arrived at Salvatore’s, some people were sitting at one of the outdoor tables. We opted to go into the dining room. The decor is lovely. I especially admired a wall hanging that was kind of a sculpture of a vase of flowers, with metal and glass. One wall was a mural of Italian countryside. At least, it looked Italian to me.

We both ordered chicken wrap sandwiches with pasta salad, bacon ranch for Steven, Caesar for me. They were quite yummy and plenty big enough to take leftovers home. The price was reasonable, too. We tipped our server more than 20%, because we thought she was worth more than 20% would have been.

It seems Salvatore’s does a larger take out than dine in business. Not many people were enjoying the dining room, but we saw folks coming in to pick up orders and heard the phone ring frequently. Perhaps it depends on the night.

I highly recommend Salvatore’s, for delivery, take out or dine in (at least, we’ve never done take out, but it would be odd for that not to be as good). It’s a good reward, if you’ve been working in the yard. They are located at 650 1/2 W. German in Herkimer, NY, phone 315-866-2600. If you “Like” them on Facebook, you will be enticed nightly with a listing of their specials.

As a final note: I did look back, and I have been plugging a local business about once per week. So I have at least maintained my average. Phew!

Leave a comment

Posted in dining, Herkimer, local business, personal, Restaurants. Bookmark the permalink.

In My Defense, It Was a Big Stick

Posted on July 26, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

As the relief from the oppressive heat continues, Steven and I were able to enjoy a walk through Herkimer with our beloved schnoodle, Tabby.

I feel I should offer an apology or justification for making yet another pedestrian post. But explanations are so tiresome. Let’s just get on with the post.

It was a little warmer by 6:30, when we set out, than it had been at 3:30, when I left work. The sun was warm, the breeze was gone. However, it was pleasant in the shade and not very humid.

Some kids across the street were playing with the hose. The girl holding it seemed to have a very take charge attitude as she lined the other kids up opposite. I don’t know what the game was but apparently it was taking too long, because the littlest boy started yelling, “COME ON!!!” (Yes, he yelled it with three exclamations points.) I knew how he felt. Maybe not about being squirted with the hose, but in general. Actually, when I was a kid I was never that nuts about being squirted with the hose. It always seemed to me such a poor substitute for swimming. Oh, I never passed up an opportunity. Hey, it was water and I was a kid.

We walked down Main street and passed an old, historic-looking building that was for sale.

“I wish somebody would buy that cool place and open a fancy restaurant,” I said.

“A classic movie theatre,” Steven suggested.

Tabby was more interested in sniffing a nearby telephone pole. We walked and dreamed on.

We passed my favorite Historic Four corners.

“I just saw a picture of the 1834 Jail and the Court House in the book I’m reading,” I said. Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited by Craig Brandon (North Country Books, Utica, NY, 1986). Good book.

Further on, Tabby wanted to cross Main Street, but we talked her out of it and went through Meyers Park instead. We walked by some boys who were playing rough with a ball and a stick. The object was not to hit the ball with the stick, apparently, but each other with either object. We walked on. We were almost a block away when we thought we heard one of the kids crying. My mother would say, “Fool around some more!” Some readers might think we were remiss for not going back and making sure everyone was all right, but to be honest, I was afraid one of the bigger boys would hit me with the stick.

It was an uneventful walk, but we enjoyed it (except, you know, for the crying kid and being scared of the stick). Perhaps we can indulge in less pedestrian Mohawk Valley adventures as the week wears on. Stay tuned.

Leave a comment

Posted in Herkimer, humor, personal, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Weather or Not This Constitutes an Adventure…

Posted on July 25, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

At last my bunions have been vindicated. For weeks they have been saying rain and all we’ve gotten has been humidity. As they say, be careful what you wish for.

I wrote yesterday about some heat lightning we had experienced. That afternoon a nice rain watered my plants. It was not until after I went to bed (I go to bed early, for maximum beauty rest) that the storm started.

I never heard such thunder! Some of it didn’t even sound like thunder. It sounded louder and meaner. Well, for all I know, it wasn’t all thunder. Maybe some monster trucks with muffler problems happened to be driving by. Or maybe they were actual monsters. I have a vivid imagination when I wake up in the middle of the night.

I could be wrong, but I believe it was prior to midnight when we lost power. I knew we lost power because the fan went off and I said, “Crap!” I went to the bathroom and, sure enough, no power. No night light in the bathroom. No LED coming from the computer room. No glow from Steven’s clock. I wasn’t too worried about the loss of the clock, because my alarm is battery operated. Also, I have my watch alarm, and my watch has Indiglo.

The loss of the fan, however, was soon felt to be a major detriment. You might think that all a fan does is blow around the hot air, but it seems to me the air must cool off as it moves or something, because the bedroom went from comfortable to sweltering in a very short time. Oh dear. I only had a limited amount of time to sleep. That, of course, is a deadly thought for an insomniac. As soon as you start thinking about the fact that you are not asleep, it becomes clear that you will NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.

Of course that is not really true, and I knew it was not true, so I relaxed as best I could and tried to think cool thoughts. I could hear Tabby panting. Poor doggy. First the thunder, now the heat. Later, when I realized I was thinking about a dream I just had, I knew I had been asleep. Phew!

By 3:30, my usual wake up time, power had not been magically restored. I woke up Steven and told him we were without power. We own one flashlight which, fortunately had batteries and even more fortunately was right next to my side of the bed (sometimes I read with it when I can’t sleep and don’t want to disturb Steven).

I got dressed in the dark, thinking, “This is what blind people do all the time,” and also about the joke, “Did you get dressed in the dark?” that you say to somebody who has made an unfortunate wardrobe choice.

I volunteered to go in search of coffee. Most of the street lights on Bellinger were out, so that was a little weird. All the lights were on at Fastrac, but they were not overrun with early risers in search of caffeine. Well, I guess a quarter to four is pretty early rising.

The clerk told me Wal-Mart was closed and the cops were out patrolling the streets. I wondered if I had been supposed to stay home. You know, “No unnecessary travel.” Then again, how would I know that with no TV or radio? That reminded me to turn on the truck radio. Nothing but music. It’s only in the movies where they turn on the radio and immediately hear the weather report or the breaking news story that’s a major plot point.

Steven wanted to turn off the flashlight to save the batteries and I did not want to sit in the pitch dark, so we had our coffee on the front porch. Even without the streetlights there was more light outside, and the temperature was definitely more pleasant.

I felt I had had an adventuresome morning. I don’t know how many readers will consider it blogworthy, but it was the most exciting thing to happen to me recently. So, unless something major happens before I get home, type this in and hit “Publish, this has been your Mohawk Valley Girl story for the day.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Luau, Limbo and Loving It!

Posted on July 23, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night (Saturday), Steven and I attended the H.A.L.O. Chicken Barbeque and Luau Party at the Polish Home in Herkimer, NY. Today I am too tired to write a proper blog post about it!

H.A.L.O., which I have written about before, is Helping Animals Live Organization, a non-profit, no kill cat shelter based in Little Falls. I can’t possibly adopt a cat due to allergies, but I support their fundraisers whenever possible.

I had been looking forward to the Luau Party all week. For one thing, I knew there would be dancing and I love to dance. My only regret was that I could not find a grass skirt. I did find a large flower for my hair and some colorful leis. I also found a seashell necklace I’ve had for a while. We put on matching Hawaiian shirts and felt ready for the evening.

The chicken dinner part was quite tasty, but it was when the dancing started that the fun really began. Music was provided by Dave Silvers of Bug Country. He played a mix of country tunes and oldies, very danceable stuff. Steven did not want to be the first couple on the dance floor, but I talked him into it. As soon as we started boogeying down, though, he was as into it as I was.

I even won a limbo contest. True, there were only two contestants. But still, a win’s a win. I said that I bend over backwards for H.A.L.O.

We stayed till the very end and even helped put away the chairs and tables. Our reward was a cake left over from the dessert table.

“We take the cake!” I said.

We really had the best time. We met some nice people and supported a good cause. For more information about H.A.L.O., you can find them on Facebook.

Now that I’ve written this and read it to Steven, he says it is so a proper blog post. Phew!

2 Comments

Posted in animals, humor, non-profits, personal. Bookmark the permalink.

I Try to Get Back on Track

Posted on July 21, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s really not unusual to crash and burn after a run like the Boilermaker. In fact, I wrote it in my datebook: Sunday, run the Boilermaker; Monday, crash; Tuesday, burn. I was only half joking.

It seemed I had escaped that fate when I ran Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday the following week. And then it all fell apart. I woke up Sunday and said, “To hell with it! I run every Sunday of my life, this is my last day of vacation, I’m going to hang with my husband till he goes to work!” It was a very pleasant Sunday.

Who knew it would be so brutally hot Monday and Tuesday? Um, I guess we all knew since it had been extremely hot the whole previous week and it was all over the weather reports, which I did in fact see. Wednesday we had some relief, enough to go for a nice walk with Tabby (I wrote a blog post about it; we heard Fritz’s Polka Band). Thursday we had a wine tasting. Friday I was determined to run.

Of course I tried to talk myself out of it. I had taken five days off, how big of a difference would it make if it were six? It really wasn’t much cooler. Steven and I had evening plans; maybe it would be better to take the dog for a long walk. Et cetera (my computer is underlining that, but the dictionary says it is correct).

Well, I went for the run. I debated in my head for three or four blocks about running hills. None at all? Valley Health? Up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC)? I finally decided on the Unknown Park. It’s a minor hill into the park, then I could run down the forest path and come out on the back road to HCCC. If I felt really ambitious I could go on up that hill. I didn’t seriously expect myself to do any such thing.

I could hear bagpipes and had no idea where they were coming from. It was the oddest thing how the sound echoed. I thought it was down Henry Street. Then I thought it was coming from a house on German Street. The sound faded then got louder. I turned into the park and could hear it loud and clear.

Soon I saw a car parked off to the side, on a path I’ve never gone on, because it’s not really much of a path. I looked over and thought I saw a person standing near some trees. Had that person driven all the way out here to practice? I thought about running closer to check it out, but I didn’t knew who it was or why they were there. You often hear bagpipes at funerals (lovely, mournful sound). Suppose there were people I couldn’t see having some sort of a memorial service? Or if it was the lone player, playing a solitary tribute. I ran on.

Eventually I came to where you run across a little footbridge into a picnic area and onto the forest path. Eek! There was a critter on the footbridge! I couldn’t tell if it was a woodchuck or a beaver or what. I didn’t get much closer. I turned around and ran the other way. I don’t mess with wildlife.

As I ran away, I wondered if I should mention in the blog that I turned tail and ran at the sight of a woodchuck. I’m not afraid of a woodchuck, but I realize that as soon as I say that, many people are going to disbelieve me. In fact, anyone who is right now giving me the “you’re full of shit” look, wipe that look right off your face! I hate that look! I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving a wild animal a wide berth. I believe they prefer it that way. Anyways, you don’t know if it might be rabid or have babies nearby, which can make the gentlest animal turn fierce.

I don’t know why I’m sitting here defending myself anyways. I saw the animal, I turned around. Point and laugh if you must.

The bagpiper was still playing when I ran by. She played Taps and Happy Birthday, so I think that means she was rehearsing. I think it was a girl. I didn’t want to stare.

It was a short run, but at least I did it. Note to self: don’t take five days off again.

Leave a comment

Posted in animals, humor, personal, running. Bookmark the permalink.

Wine for Ilion Days

Posted on July 21, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m missing a lot of the Ilion Days events — most notably tonight’s delightfully named Doodah Parade — but Steven and I did make it to a wine tasting at Ilion Wine and Spirits Thursday night.

I started with the Tanto Trabbiano d’Abruzzo 2010 from Italy. It reached my ultimate accolade of “yummy.” The hand-out said it was “floral, fresh and very well balanced.” I’m not sure about the floral — I almost never taste the notes of whatever, either — but I found it refreshing.

I continued on whites with the Indaba Sauvignon Blanc 2010, France. It was yummy, too; I usually like Sauvignon Blanc. I liked the d’Abruzzo a little better, though.

The last white I tasted was the Sauvion Vouvray 2010, France. I got a little silly (who, me?) declaring, “Vouvray! It’s fun to say!” Nobody seemed to mind. The Vouvray was a little sweeter than I like, but other people at the tasting were highly recommending it to each other.

I skipped the last two whites they were offering, because they were definitely on the sweet side. I nibbled some of their munchies, which Steven had already raided (he only comes to these things for the food) before moving on to the reds. Crackers with two kinds of cheese spread (one with horseradish. Yum!) and that divine warm dip with cheddar, onion and mayonnaise, which they have had at the last few tastings.

I started my red sampling with Vina Borgia 2010, Spain. I asked if it was any relation to Lucretia Borgia, but of course I was still being silly. Those Borgias were Italian. The hand-out promised “light peppery notes,” which I think I tasted. I marked that one “yummy” too.

Also rated “yummy” was Snap Dragon Pinot Noir 2010, California. I almost always like Pinot Noir. The other two reds were all right, but I was not loving them.

I don’t always try the “Other Offerings” but decided to take a chance. They were Sips Sparkling Cocktails: Cucumber Mojito and Pineapple Mandarin Tropitini flavors. I know some girls who love this kind of thing. I had never had a Mojito before. Who knew they had mint? I know, probably everybody but me. The Tropitini tasted very orangey to me. Both were bubbly. I’m sure they would be good to serve at a party.

When Steven and I returned to the main part of the store so I could make my purchases, I was delighted to note that all my favorites were quite reasonably priced. We also purchased raffle tickets for an artist-painted Adirondack chair.

I enjoyed the wine tasting very much. As the weekend wears on, perhaps I can take advantage of other Ilion Days events. For a complete listing I can log onto iliondoodah.com.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Ilion, local business, personal, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Fritz at the Folts

Posted on July 20, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I thought I was in for the evening. Aaah! Then I looked at the paper and saw that Fritz’s Polka Band was playing at the Folts Home in Herkimer. I couldn’t miss Fritz’s Polka Band! I love those guys!

I first heard FPB at the Folts Home Summer Concert Series last July. I’ve been Facebook friends with Fritz ever since. I briefly enjoyed their sound recently while I was running the Boilermaker.

Steven and I had already done some minor running around and were about to enjoy a late supper, but it was still prior to seven. I had felt bad earlier in the week because it had been too hot to take our schnoodle Tabby for an evening stroll. I suggested, therefore, that we walk Tabby to the Folts Home and listen for a bit.

It was still warm out but not nearly as oppressive as it had been. After discouraging Tabby from stopping to sniff every damn tree, lamppost and street sign (we let her sniff some; we’re not monsters), we came within earshot of the Folts Home. Right away we heard the rhythm of a polka. Yay!

We had not carried lawn chairs with us and at first we were content to stand on the lawn and listen. Tabby wanted to go check out all the people sitting and listening. I’m sure she would have found somebody who wanted to pet a cute doggy, but I did not want to disrupt the concert.

After a while the sun came out, so I looked around for a friendly patch of shade. We saw some park benches way off to the side so made for those. We could hear perfectly well but could not see a thing. After a while we switched benches. We still couldn’t see the band but could watch some of the audience enjoying the show. I was only sorry nobody was dancing.

We listened to a couple of polkas and a couple of waltzes. Then some bugs starting buzzing around our heads, and Tabby got restless, so we continued our walk. I was glad I got to hear one of my favorite groups at least briefly. It made kind of a celebration for the hot spell being temporarily over.

2 Comments

Posted in Herkimer, music, personal, Uncategorized and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →