Flower Walk Part Two

In lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday,  I shall share the pictures from the second part of yesterday’s walk.  I had walked to the post office, donning a mask to go in and purchase stamps (flags for bill paying, flowers for personal).  I took a long way home.  It seemed to take a while to find another photo op.

I just can’t get enough flowering trees.

This is on the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal,  a favorite spot for me to walk or run, as regular readers know.  Further up the path, I saw some chalk art.

This was one I had no idea what it looked like when I took it.

That caption is an awkwardly constructed sentence.  Never mind. The sentiment expressed in the chalk art is a good one.  I continued onto German Street.  Since there is less traffic these days, I had no problem crossing the street for the next photo op.

Yay, seniors!

I see these signs all over, sometimes accompanied by one with a picture of the graduate.  I think it’s a great way to make things a little special for the kids who had their senior year cut short.

 

Rats, you can’t hardly read the sign.

Further down German, I saw the opportunity to plug a local business.  I wonder if I could persuade Steven to spend a night in a B&B not too far from home, just for something different.  I went back across the street to get a shot of the house.

I could have gotten a better shot from the middle of the street, but traffic was not that sparse.

Back home, I took a picture of some of my yard work, where I had cleared some space where the peonies are growing.

I hope for more pictures as spring progresses.

I also took one of some forget-me-nots.  These previously grew out back under the rhododendron but are now inexplicably out front.  I guess I do not properly understand flowers.

Pretty!

I like doing these pedestrian posts with pictures.  I hope for more walking weather next week.

 

More Flowers, While I Can Get Them

Determined to have something to write a blog post about, I took my Tablet with me on my walk to the post office, and I took the long way there and back.  For another reason, snow is possible this weekend, and I wanted to get more pictures of flowers while I could.

I guess you can’t see things too well.

It was one of those bright, sunny days where I couldn’t really see the picture when I was taking it. The above was taken near my house.  I especially liked the blue chair with a plant on it.  I also liked the artwork in the windows.  I appreciate people’s efforts to decorate.

Determined flowers peeking through!

Regular readers may remember this as the house that previously hosted the Plant That Ate Bellinger Street.  A couple weeks ago I took a picture of a brave daffodil brightening the area.  Today I saw a few more daffodils and a couple tulips.  I was delighted.

I think this is my favorite tulip color.

I turned away from the post office, because I knew had seen some purple tulips on one of my morning runs.  I was going to continue along Church Street for some red tulips, but I saw a couple of kids on bicycles and did not want to get in their way so turned down Henry Street.

I was tickled pink!

I was glad I had gone that way when I saw a pink flowering tree.  I love flowering trees and have only seen white ones so far.

I like the green ones too.

One of my favorite things about spring is the delicate green of trees just beginning to grow their leaves.

Oh, OK, one more pink one.

After I took a picture of the green, I tried another of the pink.  Like I said, I can never tell which ones are going to look good.

Look at all the yellow!

As I walked down Park Avenue (ooh!) toward Meyers Park, I saw a burst of yellow in a flower bed I have photographed before.  It turned out to be dandelions, but they looked so pretty, I took a picture anyways.  These are my favorite dandelions of the year, before they turn into puff balls.  I think the bright yellow looks so cheerful.

This was the first half of my walk.  I took more pictures on my way home from the post office, but I think I will save them for tomorrow’s post.  It will save my from having Lame Post Friday.

 

Am I Write?

I am wondering if today’s post will be Mid-week Middle-aged Musings or Wuss-out Wednesday.   I guess I’ll start typing and see what happens (and by “typing,” of course I mean tapping one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet).

Who me? A monster? I suppose it could be.

This is not the illustration I was looking for, but I think it is fitting for a post about not writing.  Today was a particularly dreadful day in that respect.  I could not convince myself to write any post cards or letters (I am running out of post cards in any case).  I did not even make any notes in the TV Journal.  That novel?  I couldn’t even think about it!

Some would say that this is the moment to take myself firmly in hand and Just Write.  What am I stalling for, these people will ask.  Stop being so lazy, they will exhort.  Put pen to paper and get on with it!

My sister Cheryl gave me this, and many agree to its appropriateness.

I think “Oh, stop dilly dallying” is  kinder exhortation than “Stop being so lazy!”  The question is how I will respond to any exhortations.

OK.  I just typed in about five sentences after the word “exhortations” and backspaced them out.  I guess trying to make a blog post has not cured my malaise.  No matter.  I am over 200 words.  Perhaps after I hit Publish I will take up a pen and try again.

THIS is the illustration I was looking for!

 

Party Socks and Donuts!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I wore my party socks.  I had no plans to actually, you know, party, but they matched my ensemble (pronounced “ahn-sahm”).  I always say, I have to take my happiness where I can find it.

I wore different sneakers when I went out.

Steven fancied some donuts, so I drove to the Friendly Bake Shop in Frankfort, NY.  I admit to feeling a little excited to drive as far as Frankfort.  I tried not to feel too melancholy thinking about other Frankfort destinations such as Heelpath Brewing, Fratello’s Pizzeria,  and Frankfort Free Library.

The little table wasn’t there today.

I made sure I had my mask on and obeyed their dictum of no more than two customers in the shop at a time.  I got a dozen donuts and a loaf of Italian bread.

YES, I ate a donut after I got home.  I KNOW it is not helpful for meeting my weight loss goals, but what do you want from me in these uncertain times?  Anyways, isn’t it mentally healthier to love ourselves as we are?  I can’t get into these philosophical questions on a Tuesday.

In any case, here is my shout out to Friendly Bake Shop,  122 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, 13340.  Phone number 315-894-8861.  They have more than just donuts and bread!

 

William Castle, Can You Help Me Now?

Hello and welcome to another Monstrous Monday Post.  Once again I intend to pull monster pictures from my Media Library and hope to find something new to say about them. We shall see how successful I can be.

Who will win?

Full disclosure: I have never seen this movie.  I can’t help wondering if they are running out of ideas when they have to combine monsters.  Then again, I can’t judge, as I am suffering from a dearth of ideas myself.

A director who truly loved his work.

Here is a fellow who never seemed to run out of ideas, William Castle on the set of House on Haunted Hill.  Perhaps I can find some inspiration from a man who lived to entertain.

Scream! Scream for your lives!

In my search for inspiration,  I find a shot of Vincent Price in The Tingler, another Castle masterpiece.

Mine is not this big.

Not a Castle film, but one of my favorite pictures to share when I am feeling brain dead: The Brain From Planet Arous.

Great side eye, and totally deserved.

For my final picture,  I show the opposite of brain dead: The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, one of my all time favorite cheesy movies.

Yes, this is what I do when I feel unable to write: share pictures and spew nonsense.  Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to write something better, even without a brain or inspiration.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

Sunday Stroll

Today was so beautiful I wanted to twirl around, arms outstretched, like Julie Andrews in that movie I don’t like but everybody else seems to.  What a clumsy sentence, just because I can’t mention a movie without injecting my petty opinion.  Never mind.  I took a lot of pictures that I would like to share.  On with the post!

There are actually two bushes like this.

I first wanted to go to a house on my street that seems to be unoccupied.  Perhaps the residents are merely elusive.  In any case, I took a picture of a bush on their front lawn and made bold to go up their driveway for a picture of some tulips I had noticed earlier.

I spy some hyacinth, too.

I continued down Bellinger Street in search of a magnolia tree I had not checked on lately.  I noticed a magnolia tree in full bloom on German Street during my run this morning so felt sure the other one would be photo ready.

I took two pictures and continued down Bellinger to St. Francis Church, where I had seen the Saint himself following Covid Protocol.

I appreciate those who set an example.

I also got a shot of the tulips in front of Francis.

I positively must plant more tulips in my own yard.

I continued on through Meyers Park to take a picture of the statue of General Herkimer.

This is a true patriot.

I walked down Prospect to Albany Street, where I saw a flowering tree.

I LOVE flowering trees!

I saw a person ahead so, with social distancing in mind, I ducked into the alley behind the stores.  This was delightful to me, because it is not a route I have taken in recent memory.  Imagine my surprise to see a Christmas decoration!

I often say we must take our joy where we can find it!

I continued on up Main Street and through the park by Basloe Library.  At the beginning of quarantine,  it was only when libraries closed that I said, “Shit just got real.”  However, I was able to enjoy some perennials in the flower beds.

Tulips next to daffodils: nice!

I leaned in to get a shot of some grape hyacinths in the same bed.

 

These tulips were a little further in.

I got home without further photo ops, then proceeded to my back yard, where there are some different flowers under my rhododendron. Previously there have been forget me notes, but I do not know what these are.

At least they are pretty!

I close with a shot of my one hyacinth, taken previously and inexplicably not used in a blog post yet.

SO delighted it came up again!

I understand the weather is not expected to be as delightful in the coming week.  However, I feel I can rejoice that I sufficiently appreciated today.  Happy Sunday, all!

 

Cinema Followed Scattered

I shall attempt a Saturday Cinema post.  We are in fact in the midst of the movie-watching portion of the day.  I am even missing one of my favorite scenes in The Bad Seed as I type this.

Crazy eyes!

Before The Bad Seed, we saw a flick with several killer kids with even crazier eyes: Village of the Damned, screened by Svengoolie.  We DVR all the Svengoolie episodes we can.

I need more rubber chickens in my life.

Before Svengoolie,  we watched one of our all time favorites,  Deathtrap.

Christopher Reeve and Michael Caine, up to no good?

We have not been watching movies all day.  This morning I wrote a few post cards and walked with them to the post office.  I took a long way home, because it was such a beautiful day.  Before leaving for the post office, I put a load of laundry in the washer.  I’m afraid that is the extent of my multi-tasking.  I was happy to be able to hang the laundry on the clothesline.

While the laundry flapped in the breeze, I wrestled the garage door up and hauled out my non-power mower.  Pushing that sucker up and down the lawn is some good exercise.  I figured that would make up for my not running this morning.

I rewarded myself for the yard work with a cold beer, purchased at Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion (just to sneak in a plug for a local business).  Steven sat with me on the porch while I enjoyed my beverage.  We were both delighted that it was warm enough to do so.

So I guess my blog post has been both Cinema and Scattered Saturday.  Perhaps I should celebrate with another beer.

 

Crazy Old Lame

I was about to make my Friday Lame Post when I decided to mix things up a little with a few pictures.  Accordingly, I put on some better footwear and ventured outside. A couple of neighborhood kids were riding their scooters up and down the street. I stayed out of their way. However, looking at my reflection in my Tablet before I got to camera mode, I realized I was in full Crazy Old Lady regalia. I start, therefore, with the last picture I took, just to give us all a laugh.

This doesn’t even show my sweatpants and sandals!

Yes, I have quarantine hair. Regular readers may remember I was supposed to get shaved for a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser,  only it got cancelled when all the schools were closed.  I shall patiently wait for my favorite stylist at Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer.

But I digress.  The main thing I wanted was a picture of a tree on my street which is just starting to get leaves.  I love the delicate green color.

I’m afraid you can’t see the color very well.  I will have to try again when the light is different.  In the meantime, I got a few more pictures that are worth sharing.

Preview of Coming Attractions.

This will be a tulip, if it does not get eaten before it blooms.  I also took a picture of some peonies that are just sprouting.

I think all the green stuff is daisies.

Going out back in search of more photo ops, I tried to get a shot of the sky plus a couple more trees.

I like it.

Next to our garage are some pink flowers that are coming up nicely.

We originally purchased the plant at a garden show at the Herkimer House in Little Falls, NY

These flowers have inexplicably migrated across the lawn, so I took a picture of them too.

Even prettier close up, if you’ll pardon the dead leaves.

So this is my Friday post.  I feel a little pleased with myself and can only hope the neighbors do not judge my crazy old lady appearance too harshly.

 

Looking Back at and Forward to Mohawk Valley Adventures

How about a nice Throwback Thursday post?  I only hope I do not repeat something I have recently thrown back to.  As usual, no promises.

Hubba, hubba! Or do I flatter myself?

This is from April 2017.  These are my friend Kim and I at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I have some better 1920’s clothes and accessories now.  I hope for a chance to wear them sometime.

Same place, different hotties.

And here are my friend Phyllis and I at the same place a few months later.  It was a delightful interlude each time.

So Sweet! And not just the people.

Here are my husband Steven and our friend Margaret, at Margaret’s business, the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica.  You can get lots of yummy sweets and treats there!

Another shot of favorite people at a favorite spot!

Here are Steven, our friend Thom, and Kim at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  I have mentioned this place many times and will no doubt plug them again soon.

I may be biased, but I think we’re a handsome couple.

Once in a while I get a selfie to turn out right.  This was taken one evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort,  where we had gone to eat good food and enjoy good music from local musician Phil Arcuri.

I can’t wait to go hear this guy again!

I feel happy now, looking forward to enjoying more good times at local businesses.  Of course I will stay home and safe — and keep others safe! — for as long as it takes.  But how happy I will be when I can go Mohawk Valley Adventuring again!

 

Walking Where I Run

Determined to make a better blog post today, I put my Tablet into a shoulder bag and set put on a walk.  I had an idea to finally photograph a couple of the hills I sometimes run up.  Accordingly,  I turned left onto German Street and headed towards Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC).

Would it have helped to get closer to the slope?

Out Maple Grove is what I call a minor hill.  It is a bit of an effort.  I turned up the street that Y’s off Maple (alas, I cannot remember its name), where there is a steeper hill I sometimes run.  On the way, I tried to get a better shot of Maple.

Rats! You can’t see the slope any better!

This is steeper than it looks, when you are actually on it.

I walked up the steeper way, getting a little out of breath, and headed towards Lou Ambers Drive, for a shot of a really good hill.

Around that curve, and up a little more, is Herkimer College.

I did not walk up the hill but went down toward German Street,  pausing to take a picture of some green that caught my eye.

It does my tired heart good to see green.

A little further down is the spring I take a drink from when the weather is not too cold.

This is a godsend on long runs.

On the corner of Lou Ambers and German is Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, one of our favorite places.

We’ve been getting delivery from them lately.

I continued home, pausing only once more to take a picture of some daffodils.

They were in front of Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

It was a pleasant walk.  I shall have to run those hills again soon.