Category Archives: Uncategorized

Merry Christmas Anyways

Posted on December 26, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I wonder if anybody has noticed that I have not posted since Sunday.  I have no valid excuse.  I have a few lame ones but I am loathe to share them, largely because my mother reads this blog and I don’t want her to worry.  Ooh, too late now, unless I delete this paragraph.

I can’t do that.  I haven’t posted for three days; I can’t get the type-it-in-backspace-it-out disease now.

However, it seems I can possibly get the hit-Save-but-don’t-Publish-it disease.  I confess to having a few atrophied partial posts floating in my Drafts.  Every so often I pull one out and try to finish it.  No luck so far.

So basically, what I am offering today is Yet Another Post About Being Unable To Make A Decent Blog Post.  Could that possibly be worth a three day wait?  You tell me.

The main reason I have not been able to post is my ongoing struggles with depression.  I dislike mentioning it, because I do not want to be whining, especially as I feel my problems are far less than what others deal with.  Incidentally,  the latter reflection makes me feel even worse.  What an ungrateful wretch am I!

However, perhaps other readers also suffer from depression, and they might like to feel that they are not alone.  They may even get a frisson of superiority if they are dealing with their problems with greater aplomb than I can muster.  Remember: no life is wasted, because one can always stand as a bad example.

In summary:  I have not been posting lately, because I have felt paralyzed by my depression.  However, it is nothing for anybody to worry about, should anybody feel so inclined.  This will probably just morph over into a common or garden post-Christmas letdown. I have survived those before.

On the brighter side (see, I can usually find one of those), once I hit Publish,  I have finally made a blog post.  Phew!  I was getting worried that not posting was going to become a habit.

 

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A Wrist to Forehead Birthday Party Post

Posted on November 18, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I am feeling somewhat better from my illness.  I went running this morning.  I went to my grandnephew’s 5th birthday party at my parents’ house (having been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, I was not contagious).

He is just as cute as a bug’s butt!

I love spending time with my family!  They are pretty wonderful people.  Why, you may well ask, am I having a Wrist to Forehead Sunday?  Well, partway through the birthday party,  my sinus infection kicked back in. I felt headachy, I felt tired.  But I felt really happy I had wished our Sheppie a happy birthday.

This is a Kirby Cake.

One thing the party taught me was how ignorant I am about things our young people are currently interested in.  Sheppie got several presents of Pokemon.  Apparently there are many characters involved.  Another present was a Paw Patrol something or other.  I’ve heard of Paw Patrol but don’t really know anything about it.

My favorite picture of the day.

I hope my lovely mother and niece Jenna do not mind my sharing this picture.

Two handsome men.

I’ll just share one more picture,  of Sheppie and my husband Steven.

So for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post,  I guess this turned into a not bad post about a family party.  Happy Birthday,  Shep, and Happy Sunday to the rest of you!

 

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Is It Saturday? I’ll Be Damned

Posted on September 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s that moment on a Saturday when I must make my blog post and I don’t really want to.  I went on a long(ish) run this morning and thought I would make a Saturday Running Commentary post.  Then I went a couple other places, making a Scattered Saturday post perfectly eligible.  Yet, here I am, sipping a little Pinot Noir and not feeling like posting a damn thing.

Another thing I did today was to type in couple of character sheets for my next murder mystery, Fabulous and Fatal,  which will benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society. It needs more work, but I think it will be one of our better performances.

Full disclosure:  after some taking of decongestant and enjoying of some wine (in my defense, nobody told me not to mix the two), I am not feeling up to much of a coherent post.  Oh how I wish I had taken some pictures during the Scattered Saturday portion of the day!  No matter.  I will see what I have in my Media Library that will fill the proverbial bill.

I would like another couple of bottles of wine.

I thought I would like to include a couple more bottles of wine,.   These  were two I saw in the Media Library which I have enjoyed.  In the meantime,  I will enjoy the bottles I have here, of which I have a few.

 

 

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Boris Karloff, Can You Help Me Now?

Posted on August 13, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think we all knew today was going to be Monstrous Monday.  At least, anybody who gives any thought to my silly blog knew it.  Anybody who did not think about it is probably not surprised. No matter.  On with the monsters!

Not exactly a monster movie…

This is from Bedlam, starring the marvelous Boris Karloff.  It is only a monster movie in a people-are-the-worst-monsters sort of way.  It is really an excellent flick.  I highly recommend it.

There’s the Karloff we know and love!

OK, here is a real monster,  two in fact. Bride of Frankenstein is billed as “The Monster Takes a Mate,” but it isn’t really much of a love story.

Who doesn’t love Una O’Connor?

Here is another shot from the same picture, just because I love Una O’Connor.  The other person in the picture is of the monstrous variety, Ernest Thesiger as Dr. Pretorius.

I once had a ‘do like that.

Here is a better view of the lovely Elsa Lanchester.  I love her especially in the introductory scene, as Mary Shelley.  “She is an angel!”

“You were looking for me?”

And here is one more of Karloff looking more like Karloff.  I don’t know what movie it is from.  I had thought Arsenic and Old Lace, but he was not in the movie.  Perhaps it was a publicity shot from the Broadway show.

At last I am over 200 words!  Happy Monday,  everyone!

 

 

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Fun Time on a Sunday

Posted on August 5, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is a quick shout-out to Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY.  My husband Steven and I were having a delightful time sitting on our deck but eventually decided a change of scenery would be nice.  Hence we headed for 800 Mohawk Street and looked for a seat at the bar.

Steven naturally drank a toast to me.

We sat at the bar and ordered appetizers, my favorite thing to do.

I tried to get a couple more pictures of the wider view.

Through the screen but interesting.

A better view.

I admired a baby a man was holding.  He also had a little girl,  who was very taken with the view.  I tried to get a shot of the family catching Li’l Diamond.

Here they are!

No, here!

Eventually I only wanted a shot if our bartender.

Here are Dawn and Steve.

We had a delightful afternoon.  I hope to visit the  Waterfront Grille again soon.  Perhaps we will even go on a boat cruise. I believe a variety of tours are  available.

 

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Copper Moose is Cool!

Posted on July 31, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was so hot and sticky today, all I wanted to do was to go someplace air conditioned for a while.  Luckily, my husband Steven agreed to dine out with me.  I suggested Copper Moose Ale House in Little Falls,  since I had noticed some yummy-sounding specials on Facebook.

I called to see if we needed a reservation, but was told they were quiet enough that we could just walk in.  Sure enough, there were several tables available.   However, after the waitress seated us at one, I asked if we could sit at a tall table in the bar area.  I do so love to sit at a tall table.

Isn’t he handsome?

They gave us a beer list; an impressive array of craft beer is available.  I asked if we would lose all cred by drinking wine and was reassured.  We both drank Chardonnay.  We also ordered the same thing: a cup of creamy mushroom soup and a chicken taco.

That soup was amazing!  Three kinds of mushrooms with croutons and parmesan cheese.  Yum!  The tacos were delicious as well.  We could have eaten more but decided to stop before we were stuffed.  I asked to take a picture of our bartender Henry, who had been taking such  good care of us.

Great bartender, great time.

Henry offered to take a picture of us and suggested we pose by the titular Copper Moose.

We love that Copper Moose!

It was a lovely evening.  I hope to return to the Copper Moose Ale House soon!

Copper Moose is located at 5518 E. Main St., Little Falls NY,  phone number 315-508-5156. They are open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday,  4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

 

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Wrist to Father’s Day?

Posted on June 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am torn between my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post and posting a profound thank you to my father, in honor of Father’s Day.  Well, I am poised with the back of one wrist on my forehead because although my father deserves the most profound and thankful of posts, I just don’t know how capable I am of writing such a post.

I really have the most wonderful father.   When I was a little, little girl, I thought he was funny enough to be a comedian on TV, because when we were watching Underdog and they would sing,  “Unnnderdog!” my Dad would sing, “Unnderwear!”  As the years went on, I had no reason to revise my opinion.   My father is funny as all get out.  My whole family has a lot of laughs when we get together.

My father is also highly skilled at many things.  His hobby is restoring classic cars.  Come to think of it, I need to bring my Tablet to his house, take some pictures and do a blog post about some of his projects.  Dad is also a craftsman when it comes to painting and hanging paper, among other household improvements. He has offered to help me with my poor house, although first I have to clean, and let us not contemplate that revolting necessity.

I will also mention that I seek advice from my father in many situations.   Remember when you were a teenager and you thought you knew everything and your parents were woefully ignorant?  Boy were we wrong!  Actually,  I think I always knew my Dad knew more than me, at least about some things.   Now I know, it’s A LOT OF THINGS!

I guess I can’t be as profound as my Dad deserves,  but I can say, I love you,  Dad.  Thank you for being you.

 

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Let’s Hear It For Perseverance!

Posted on June 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I woke up this morning saying, “I don’t want to run.  I’m not going to run.”  I am happy to report that I ran anyways. Now I shall attempt a Saturday Running Commentary post.

One good reason to run was that it was not raining.  Yesterday I thought I was getting out between showers, but it did not work out for me, either when I ran or later when I walked to the post office and Historical Society. Also, today was not windy and cold, altogether a much better day.

Unfortunately,  to begin with, it was not a better run.  My legs felt tired, my whole body felt tired.  I figured I would feel better as I went on, so I,  you know, went on.  I felt I should run a hill so decided to go out Main Street.  There are two chances to turn right and go back down the hill before you have to run all the way out Highland Boulevard (I may have that street name wrong; I haven’t run it yet this year).  I took the second right last time I ran it and thought to do the same today.

As I started up the hill, I did not feel happy.  I almost took the first turn but persevered to the second.  For one reason, my plan was to run for 36 minutes, my last longest time, then up it by the recommended ten percent on Sunday.  I made a long diagonal on the turn.  That was a little steeper but less time running uphill. Ugh.  Am I getting any better at running,  I wondered.

I reminded myself that sometimes my runs did not start to feel good before I had been at it for at least 20 minutes.  I looked at my watch.  Damn.

Fortunately, perseverance sometimes pays off.  My first reward was to pause VERY briefly and smell some peonies.  I had a few chances to do that.  Toward the end of the run, I got to pet a nice dog. And as I neared the 20 minute mark, I did start to feel better.

By the end of the run, I felt perfectly happy about going for 36 minutes.  It was no problem at all to keep going!  I could rock this!  I decided that long runs are the Way to Go (yes, yes, 36 minutes is a short jog for some of you; let me enjoy my little triumph in peace).

I felt glorious walking my cool-down.  Yes “glorious” was the exact word that repeated itself in my head.  I love running.  I hope it doesn’t rain too hard for me to run again tomorrow.

 

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The Happy Birthday Tasting

Posted on June 11, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday  I attended Valley Wine and Liquor’ s 5th Birthday Tasting.  It was fun!  And it has taken me three days to write a post about it.  But here it is:.

Everybody got into the spirit of the day!

The statue is of Jack Daniels.   I could not back up far enough to include the base.  My husband Steven, friend Kim and I walked around the store,  enjoying 10 tasting stations.

Full disclosure: first station, last picture.

We started with Adirondack Winery, which we have tasted before.  Lisa, the lady pouring,  said she’d wondered if she’d see us. Kim and I are kind of known for going to tastings.

“Of course we were going to be here!”  I said. I said I would only try the dry wines but changed my mind and also tried the Sangria. I loved the Baco Noir and the Pinot Gris.  I left my friend Kim tasting the sweet stuff and went on.

Fisher’s Island Lemonade is a cocktail in a can.  It comes from a family owned business off Long Island Sound.  They own a bar, which originally mixed the drink from scratch for their customers.  Then the daughter got the idea of canning and selling it.  It is yummy!  I’m afraid it would do me dirt, however, because it tastes like just good lemonade.

I backtracked to the Knob Creek booth and tried the Smoked Maple bourbon.  They were doing free engraving if you bought a bottle, which a lady was doing just before I tasted.  What a great present,  if you’re buying for someone who likes bourbon.

At hhe Barcadi and Patron station, I tasted Paloma and Barcadi Lime.  Both were nice.  Then it was on to Cupcake wines, which I know are tasty and moderately priced.  I tried Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Red Velvet, and Chardonnay .  The Rose was a little sweet for me, but the others were tasty.

Next I sampled The Crusher, a California vineyard I had not encountered before.  I was quite taken with the Pinot Noir and the Merlot. I tried both Chardonnays, soaked and unoaked.  I liked both, which surprised me,  because in general I prefer my chardonnay aged in stainless (doesn’t that make me sound like a real connesiour?   It is one of the few bits of wine knowledge I possess).

When I saw 19 Crimes, I exclaimed, “My favorite!”  Kristina, the woman pouring asked did I mean her or the wine.  I said both, of course.

Nice pourer and nice wines.

I tried the Hard Chard, the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Banished, and liked them all.  Full disclosure:  I already knew I liked them. The next booth was the 1800 Tequila,  poured by Mallory.  I took two pictures.

She was very friendly, as were all the pourers.

I tried the Ultimate Margarita with jalapeno and lime, which was yummy!   I also liked the Mango Margarita, but it lacked the bite of the jalapeno version.  I got a free pen, and Kim got a necklace.

Two lovely ladies.

Next was DikinDurt Distillery, based right here in Herkimer, NY. I loves me some DikinDurt moonshine!  I tasted Mohawk Valley Fire and Toasted Maple, although I already knew I liked both.  I purchased the Mohawk Valley Fire, then went back and got wines from The Crusher and Thousand Islands Winery.   I could have bought a lot more, based on all the times I wrote “yummy” in my tasting notes.

Kim at the distillery.

I close with a picture of DikinDurt Distillery.   This was taken some time ago, when Kim and I visited the source.  Another trip there might be in our future!   In the meantime,  I think I have finally finished my blog post about the Birthday Tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.

 

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Tired, Lazy, and Still One Post Behind

Posted on May 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear.  I do not want to be two posts behind again (when, oh when will I make up that post? ), but, once AGAIN,  I got nuthin’.  At least I can liven up my Tired Tuesday post with a few pictures,  since I did not have Monstrous Monday.

Skinny guys don’t scare me that much.

I’m on my Tablet, so I can’t get any new pictures (surely regular readers are used to my technical ineptitude) (and my habit of calling them Shirley).  I tried to at least find some I have not used recently or very often.  The above may not have been the best choice, I mean as far as being different.  Since House on Haunted Hill is one of my all-time favorites,  it seems I would have used this picture a lot.  But, you guessed it, I’m too lazy to go back and check.

“Well, you see, boss, it was like this…”

Here’s one I know I haven’t overused:  George Zucco and an unknown friend.  At least I hope it’s George Zucco.  You know how you say a name and suddenly it doesn’t sound right?   It’s not just that I’m too lazy; it’s not as easy to open a new tab and check these things on the Tablet.   Oh, OK, I’m too lazy.

I’d like an outfit like that.

I know I haven’t overused this one.  I don’t even remember what movie it is from, although I ought to.  Maybe one of my readers knows and will tell me in a comment.  Was that a broad hint that I like it when people comment?  Could be.

 

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