Fun at The Flower Barn

Posted on May 28, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

After work today, I drove out Barringer Road in Ilion, NY, to the Flower Barn.  I have yet to out together my container garden, but I think this weekend it could happen!  I have been meaning to get out there before this, but with one thing and another… well, these things happen.

And they are awesome!

Full disclosure:  the above picture is one I took last year, when I was writing about The Flower Barn for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Today I went straight from work and did not have my Tablet with me.  I did, however, have my mask.  I was pleased to note most other people were masked as well.

I had made up my mind not to go overboard, as I have a tendency to do.  However, once I had two plants in my hand, I realized the efficacy of using a cart.  I saw a flat wagon that seemed to be free.

“Is that your wagon?” I asked a nearby lady.

“No, not mine.”

“Mine now!” I declared.  She laughed.  I picked up a few more plants.  I had not seen any marigolds, which I usually get.  Another lady had some and told me they were in two different places.

When nobody was nearby, I pulled my mask down for a little air.  Today was hot and humid, by the way.  Then I saw a worker watering plants, wearing a bandana (I have also done the Old West Bad Guy mask on occasion).

“Sorry!” I said, pulling the mask back up.

“You’re OK,”  he said.  “I have to wear it, you don’t.”

“But I do,” I said.  “I don’t know what germs I have.  My mask keeps me from spreading them to you and others.”

“Thank you!”

I paid for my plants, while dancing to some David Bowie that was playing near the cash register.

I don’t think this is too many, do you? I can always buy more.

I put the plants on my back deck, where the rain can water them.  If it does not rain after all, I will water them tomorrow morning.

Before I went inside, I took a couple of pictures of our daisies, which started to bloom today.  I love daisies.

I did not plant these; they just grew.

 

And here are some with the peonies in the background. Come on, peonies!

He loves me, he loves me not…

The Flower Barn is located at 1480 Barringer Rd., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-4313.  They are open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

 

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There’s No Balcony Scene In Hamlet

Posted on May 27, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

What she said!

After sitting here with a blank mind for a while, I looked in my Media Library for some inspiration.  I found this chalk art on a walking path near my house.  I love sidewalk art.  I hope I get a chance to photograph more of it.

This isn’t chalk.

Here is a more permanent decoration on the walking path.  I find it a cheery addition to the area.

As you may have guessed, this is a Tired Tuesday Post. I was going to blame the heat, but I find I am often tired these days.  Perhaps I am ingesting insufficient vitamins or fiber or something.

Aaaaaand now I have the type it in, backspace it out disease.  Do suppose that should be capitalized (Type It In, Backspace It Out Disease) or hyphenated (type-it-in-backspace-it-out disease)?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

“Backspace me out, willya?”

I had a sudden urge to include a picture of Nosferatu.  He can always brighten up a dull post.  I am now veering into Non-Sequitur territory.  I feel that Non-Sequitur Thursday has a better ring than Non-Sequitur Tuesday,  but what are you going to do (as in “whatta  ya gonna do?”).   I have a completely unrelated headline I have been dying to use.  I guess Today is the day!

 

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Remembering Their Sacrifices

Posted on May 26, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

In honor of Memorial Day, I offer a few pictures of memorials in Herkimer, NY.

As it says, freedom is not free.

In past Memorial Days, I have run up the hill to Herkimer College to this little area.  It is located right outside Wehrun Stadium.

Then I backed up and took a shot of the rock and tree.

A view of the park from the road.

I like that they list the names.

Another view, to give as idea of the size.

I appreciate seeing all the names.  Each soldier has a story of why he was there, of loved ones left behind, and of all the years unlived.  To me, it is all about people.

One more shot as I left.

As I was driving through town to the other memorial I knew of, I saw one I had never noticed before.  At least,  I remember seeing all the flags, but had not really thought about why they were there.  I quickly found a parking spot and went for a closer look.

Right on Mohawk Street, a nice little spot.

And a little closer view.

And here is the stone.

I sat on the bench and took one more picture.

Next I went to a memorial I drive by many days after work, as well as on days off when I am out adventuring (when I could go out adventuring).  It is where Herkimer meets Mohawk.  I pulled into Moves Ambulance Services.

Yes, we will remember.

A full view.

Other villages have memorial parks, too.  I must visit them for future blog posts.  In the meantime, to all our fallen soldiers and their loved ones, I offer a slow salute.

 

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Lawn Order

Posted on May 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I fought the lawn and the lawn won.

I would say we fought to a standstill, but of course the lawn is always growing.  Kind of like my stomach, but let us not dwell on THAT depressing subject.  I was actually pleased with my yard efforts today, and I have a few pictures to share.

Regular readers may remember that I use a non-power mower for my grass cutting needs.  The advantages are that it is quieter, easier to start, and does not run low on gas and oil.  Additionally, I get that frisson of virtue for being more environmentally friendly.  Oh, and it is excellent exercise.

The main downside is that I need to mow more often than I am usually inclined to do.  In this case, I had not mown since last Sunday.  Note to self: don’t wait that long again.

I got the front done first.  It is easier and and arguably more important, because people see it.  NO, I do not care what people think!  Well, maybe a little.  Why would I not want to give the world a pleasant view? I had been working on the back for a while before it occurred to me to take a “before” picture.

It looked more intimidating in real life.

When I looked at this, I could clearly see what I had done and how overgrown the rest of it looked.  This view seems less clear, but I hope it gives an idea.  Photo taken, I had at it again and ended up feeling fairly pleased with myself.  Later on, I took a few “after” shots to round out the blog post.

Did the lawn win? Or did I?

The shadows show that time had passed.  I took a shower, worked on my novel, and watched a little Snapped (what’s a Sunday without an episode or two of Snapped?

Our Rose of Sharon

The Rose of Sharon took a while to start getting green.  At least it is definitely too big to be accidentally mown over (although it was Steven who did that, not I).

The Red Thing from Diana’s house.

This is a better shot of the above plant than I got before, and it has even more green.

Can’t have too many forget-me-nots!

I did not mow over my forget-me-nots!  After taking these pictures, I went out front.

Peonies!

Our peonies were eaten or plucked away by something or someone last year.  I hope they survive this year!

Alligator from Knoeble’s in Pennsylvania.

I put our alligator out front this year.  I would like to get some more lawn ornaments.

I hope to get more lawn and garden work done in the coming weeks.  I have never gotten as much done as I would like.  With so many things cancelled or on hold, this just might be the year!

 

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Fat Finger on Slacker Saturday

Posted on May 24, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a bad bout of vertigo today and did not get much done.  I am feeling a little better now and want to make my blog post.  Unfortunately I am too lazy to sit up at the laptop and ten-finger type, and I cannot find a stylus.  Hence, my headline.

And halfway through typing that paragraph, my darling husband Steven found a pen with a stylus on his coffee table.  This is still typing not writing, as Truman Capote once said, but at least I might have fewer typos.

Regular readers will understand that I want to make a post every day, even when I do not have much of substance to say.  I started to say “feel compelled to” instead of “want to” but decided to for once be less dramatic.

I guess I am still feeling a bit lightheaded, but at least I feel better than I did earlier.  The one good thing was, I went running as soon as I got out of bed.  My first run in almost a week, and it went pretty well.  I wrote two note cards (I am just about out of post cards), which I put put on the mail box. Steven and I had a pleasant interlude sitting on the front porch, and I watched a DVR’d episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 which had me laughing out loud.

And that was my day.  Ah, one thing I did not mention was that I worked for a while on my new novel, which is still in the organizational stages.  I kind of hate to mention it, because I am afraid of jinxing myself. But I thought some people might like to know.

As usual, I apologize for the dull post.  Also as usual, I will try to do better tomorrow.  I am hoping the room will stop spinning.

 

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Lame but Happy on Friday

Posted on May 23, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Almost my sentiments.

Today is my first earned Friday in a long time.  I worked 40 hours.  Yes, yes, many folks worked more than 40 hours and I am sure many worked harder.  I bow to their superior dedication and motivation, and yet I feel that I have earned the glass of wine I am currently enjoying.

The picture above shows a picture our friend Tracy gave Steven for his birthday one year.  At the time, we all lived in the same town and went out almost every Friday night.  Steven and Tracy’s husband, Ron, worked at the same place, which had payday every other Friday.  Sometimes, they would come up with variations on TGIF.  Their favorite turned out to be Thank God It’s Friday And Pay Day.

I just now took that picture of the plaque.  Then I backed up and took a picture of the wall it is on, just because we have a lot of things on our wall.

I may need to take close-ups of some of these.

Steven and I spent some of our Friday sitting on our front porch.  It is lovely to be home with my beloved husband.  And yet, I will be delighted when it is safe again to go out and sit at a bar, enjoying my friends as well.

Like this!

Here are Tracy and I at the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY.  Here’s hoping she can return one day soon for a repeat performance!

On the same visit.

And here is a picture of Tracy and Steven, taken the same day.

So this is my Lame Post Friday.  Happy memories of Friday’s past, hopes for happy Friday’s in the future.  That is a common theme these days.  However, I would like to say that today is a happy Friday, too.  I hope it also is for you.

 

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I’m Back with Backyard Flowers!

Posted on May 22, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

My back was feeling much better today.  I suppose I will look like quite the kvetch if I mention that I had a perfectly dreadful headache, but I will just mention it.  I do appreciate the way my body parts tag team.  Back yesterday, head today;  I guess I really internalized the lesson about taking turns in kindergarten.

But never mind that.  I promised some back yard flowers!

A close up view.

I mentioned yesterday how much I am loving forget-me-nots this year.  When I went to photo my backyard patch, I was delighted to see white ones in with the blue.  I didn’t know they came in white.  I am not very botanically knowledgeable.

This is where I thought they were not going to grow this year.

Here is the view under the rhododendron.  Earlier this spring a different flower was blooming there.  I am happy to welcome the forget-me-nots back.  As you probably noticed, I am letting the dandelions live.  I understand bees like them.  Also, it is a losing battle to try to get rid of them, so I figure I may as well embrace the yellow.

I did not choose the best angle.

The last time I looked at this, I thought it was all dead shoots from last year.  Yesterday, however,  I saw little leaves sprouting out.  Yay!  I’m afraid the picture did not turn out as clear as I had hoped, but I will have more photo ops as we go on.  You may also be disappointed that I cannot tell you exactly what it is.  We got the shoots from my sister Diane a few years ago.  We just refer to it as “that red thing from Diane.”

I hope to plant more things as the spring progresses.  Maybe I can blog more about plants and less about pain.

 

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Aches and Pains, but Flowers!

Posted on May 21, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I need all the help I can get!

I found a four leaf clover on the cool down walk after a recent run.  I open with it, because as I sat down to make my blog post, a voice in my head said, “Good luck with that!”

As I worked today, I thought that after work, I could go for a run, mow the lawn, or take a walk, and write a blog post about whichever I picked.  As I pondered my choices, I had to weigh which would wreak the least havoc on my back.  Hey, I’m middle-aged and overweight: I get back pain.  Returning to work after an extended break has caused some pain (YES, I am grateful I have a job!  We have been through this!  Sheesh!).

I apologize for complaining.  The fact is, most of us at work have been having more than the usual aches and pains.  I may philosophize about possible causes on Lame Post Friday (half bakedly of course) (ooh, here’s an autocorrect I’m glad I noticed: the computer put “nakedly” instead of “bakedly”).  For today, I decided a gentle walk would be my best choice.

I got about two houses down the street when my knees started in.  What the hell, me?  I turned around, thinking I could at least take some pictures at my own house.  First I crossed the street to take a picture of the lilac bush in front of a neighbor’s house.

How have I never noticed this before?

Returning to my house, I took some shots of the front yard.

And a few dandelions.

I am so into forget-me-nots this year, and it seems Mother Nature is as well.  I see them everywhere.

I did not get to the tulips at their peak.

We had two tulips, but I did not get any pictures when they were at their prettiest.

A wider view.

This is a kind of a preview of coming attractions,  because the peonies and daisies are not blooming yet.

I see I am over 300 words, so I think I will save my back yard shots for a future post. I will try not to spend so much time blathering about my aches and pains!

 

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Not Running, Not Writing, I’m Tired

Posted on May 20, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did not think for one minute that today was Friday.

I did not work on a blog post before work today.  I started a letter to my sister, then I worked on an anacrostic puzzle.  I love anacrostic puzzles.  I thought, this will be fine.  I’ll go running and do a Running Commentary post.  I should have known better than to think that. So here we are in the middle of a Tired Tuesday post.

I don’t have a mug like this, but I wish I did.

As I type this (back to one letter at a time with the stylus), I am listening to Deadly Women on ID.  I love that Candice DeLong.  Oh dear, one of the women is perpetuating a rather horrific crime.  Sometimes I question my viewing preferences.

As I worked today, I tried to bestir my brain to work on a writing project (yes, computer, I meant “bestir” not “bestie”!  It is so a word, I just looked it up!).  No luck, but regarding that parenthetical comment, how is “bestie” more of a word than “bestir”?  I thought “bestie” was a slang term 9f fairly recent coinage.

There.  I just looked in my Webster’s College Dictionary, copyright 1991, and “bestie” is NOT there, but “bestir” is.  I feel vindicated.

I also feel this is rather a silly blog post, almost a Non-Sequitur Tuesday, but I like it.  I hope my readers will, too.

 

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Merely Monday

Posted on May 19, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!  It’s off to work we go!

That song started playing in my head this morning, and I thought, “Don’t call me a ho!”  Then I thought I would open my blog post with that little exchange.

Yes, I am once again working for a living, wearing a mask and keeping a 6 ft. distance from my co-workers.   Actually,  the mask will reside around my neck for most of the day, since my co-workers are at least that distant most of the time.  Phew!  I feel so sorry for folks that have to keep their masks on constantly.

Really, when you look at all my advantages, I ought to have no complaints about returning to the beastly grind.  In fact, when I got the call to come back, I experienced a good half hour of pure happiness.  I had not realized how worried I was that furlough would turn into lay off.

You may have guessed by now that today’s post will be a Middle-aged Musings Monday.  Hmmm… considering how incoherently I have rambled so far, perhaps a Monday Mental Meanderings or even a Muddled Monday would be more appropriate.  So much alliteration.  So little substance to the blog post.

The important thing here is that I sat at work before my shift and WROTE.   It felt pretty good.  I think I’ll try it again tomorrow.  Maybe I can come up with something better than  Tired Tuesday Post.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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