I Want My Mummy! And Some Dateline

Posted on October 9, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a cheesy headline for a Monstrous Monday.  I’ve just been trolling Facebook for monster pictures I have not used, and I came across a movie poster from a Mummy movie I have not seen.

Cecil Kellaway and George Zucco, what’s not to like?

They may have shown this recently on TCM.  I know there were a few mummy movie on Sunday night I had meant to DVR.  Oh well, I have other things on my DVR I have yet to watch.  So many movies (and Dateline episodes), so little time.

Who would disturb his rest?

Now there’s a mummy, if you like.  I did not notice what movie it was from, but I believe it is Lon Chaney, Jr.   I like the black-and-white, spooky atmospheric quality.

In searching for more mummy pictures, I found about 3,568 of Tom Cruise.  I had the opposite of desire to see that remake.  Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz for me!

He is fine, yes, and so is she!

I like The Mummy Returns (2001) even better.  It is rare that I like a sequel at all, but this one was thoroughly delightful.  I shall close with a scene from it.

I could not wear such an outfit, nor would I try.

Rachel Weisz gets to kick butt in the sequel.  I gotta love a gorgeous woman kicking butt.  Maybe I should go kick a few myself.  But first, I’m going to watch a little Dateline.  Monday is the day OWN shows multiple episodes. I love Dateline.

 

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Fun in Rutger Park

Posted on October 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

First the good news:  I found my red feather boa.  Now the bad news (although some may consider this good news):  I don’t have any pictures of me wearing it.  I did take a few pictures last night, though, and the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser for the Landmarks of Greater Utica.  I thought I would share them in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  In case you missed my previous blog posts on the topic, I participated as a volunteer with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.

It is a fine ride, yes.

This car was parked right outside of the mansion where the fundraiser took place.  Last year, us LiFTers spent a lot of time around it, greeting people as the approached and giving them the password.  This year we spent more time inside.  However, we took a few shots outside first.

My husband, Steven, and our friends, Kim and Wayne.

 

Of course, we couldn’t really drive the car, but we didn’t let that bother us: we’re actors!

 

See? Acting!

 

This was the scene right inside the door.

I spent a lot of time walking around talking in a fake flapper’s voice, telling people they looked fabulous and extolling what a great speakeasy this was.  Many people really did look fabulous.

I didn’t get their names, but don’t they look great?

I asked these folks if I could take their picture for my blog post and they graciously agreed.  It might have been nice to get a few more pictures of the different outfits, but things got a little crowded.  Also, I could not see very well closer than arm’s length, because I was wearing my new distance-only contact lenses.

It’s Kim and Tucker, but I keep thinking of them as Mavis and Jimmy the Shiv.

A few people there remembered Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which was flattering.  I think the Rutger’s mansion would be a wonderful setting for a murder mystery.

I loved, Loved, LOVED the band!

The band was wonderful, playing tunes from the 1920’s and beyond.  Steven and I danced to an ’80’s tune.  I did not recognize what they were playing when we left, so it may have been from anywhere between the late ’90’s to now.

It was a fun time, which everybody seemed to enjoy.  I hope they made a lot of money, and I hope when they do it next year, they ask LiFT to participate again!

 

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The Mystery of the Missing Boa

Posted on October 7, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Who loses a red feather boa?  I just now posted that as my Facebook status after repeating it in my head 7,348 times (approximately) while looking in all the likely spots and several unlikely spots not once but several times.  I found two padfolios (isn’t that a word?), several headbands, countless dust bunnies (don’t judge me, but you may judge my housekeeping) and, most usefully for tonight, my yellow beaded bag.  But no red feather boa. I HATE it when that happens!

We felt fine, yes.

It was in 2017 when I last wore the thing.  This is me and my friend, Kim, at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  Fun times.  The ironic thing (as if I don’t get enough irony in my diet!) is that I spent all day wishing I had some other color of boa than red.  Now I would be SO thankful to find the red one!  There’s a lesson here somewhere, but one is generally not receptive to lessons when one has been stomping around the entire house looking for an elusive costume piece.

So I guess this is a Wrist to Forehead Saturday post.  I have paused in my searching to drink some water (one can withstand most things, even frustration and self-loathing, if one remains hydrated) and make my blog post.  Eventually I must begin getting ready for Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park.  I think I have an outfit I can stand wearing.  I can even bear to go without the boa.  I didn’t wear a boa when I dressed as Ruby in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s.  At least I know where my long holder and fake cigarette are.  And one must not discount the self-confidence-enhancing benefits of a yellow beaded bag.

 

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Tie It With a Clara Bow

Posted on October 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

The title is, in case you did not notice, and I feel sure you did, a reference to yesterday’s title.  Clara Bow was a personality in the 1920’s, wasn’t she?  I suppose I should Google it, but it is Friday, Lame Post Friday to be exact, and I only want to type in 200 or so words and get back to Friday evening activities.  I pride myself that I am posting on actual Friday and not early Saturday morning. Who does that?  Never mind.

We just got back from the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY (where we live).  We were hoping to meet some friends there but apparently misunderstood the plan (if there was one).  I had originally thought I was going to rush home from work, shower, change, go.  That did not happen.  Instead I was able to take some time with a costume piece I thought would work for my 1920’s event tomorrow, which I talked about in yesterday’s post.  Yesterday I said the velvet gown I had found in Ilion Little Theatre’s costume collection would work. I woke up at two this morning with the realization that it would not.

I have in my possession a filmy almost dress I think I could put over a sheath dress to look kind of sort of 1920-ish.  However, it is very wrinkly and has a few stains.  I didn’t even know if it would fit.  I tried it on. Then I tried to iron it.  It was so filmy, I was worried it was too thin to iron, so I used a press cloth, by which I mean a handkerchief.  Only at first I could not find a clean handkerchief.  When I finally found one, I found what I have found every time I have attempted to use a press cloth:  it doesn’t work!  No doubt I do it wrong.  However, I managed to iron the thing without mishap.

I put it on over my black sheath dress (which no longer fits so good since I have put on weight), and showed Steven, saying, “I guess this isn’t going to work.”

He said, “I was about to say, ‘Add some beads and accessories, and that’s good.  But you have to get rid of those stains.”

Long story short (too late!), I have it soaking but am not hopeful.  I still have tomorrow morning and afternoon to make this work or find something else!

In the meantime, it is Lame Post Friday, and I find this post (as well as my costume for tomorrow) lame.  Happy Start to Your Weekend, everyone.

And I am over 400 words.  Go figure.

 

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What Would Clara Bow Have Done?

Posted on October 5, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to title this one Post Rehearsal Post, but then I thought it might be a Non-Sequitur Thursday, in which case, the title ought not directly reflect the content of the post.  Oh the conundrums of the daily blogger!

I just returned from the first rehearsal for A Trivial Murder, the murder mystery we are putting on to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  It will be Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5), at the Ilion Moose Lodge.   The cost is $25.00/person. To purchase tickets, stop by the Society, Monday-Friday, 10-4, or send a check in the mail and they’ll send your tickets to you – HCHS, 400 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY 13350. For more information, call 315-866-6413.

I brought my Tablet to take a couple of pictures, but neglected to actually take any.  Instead, I offer a picture of a previous murder mystery for the Historical Society.

That was a fun cast, yes, but this one will be great, too!

Before rehearsal, my friend Kim and I went up to the costume rooms at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) looking for a 1920’s costume for me for the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser on Saturday.  We and a other members of LiFT (Little Falls Theatre Company) are volunteering and must look the part.  I did not want to wear the dress I wore last year (also borrowed from ILT) (and returned); I wanted to wear the dress worn by another character in Rubbed Out at Ruby’s (a murder mystery presented by LiFT last year).

This is what I wore last year; some people thought I looked pretty fine.

 

I was looking for the black dress on the girl sitting next to me who is NOT strangling me.

However, after looking for a while, I just wanted to find ANYTHING that worked.  Eventually I found a black velvet gown that will do. Alas, it does not look like a flapper dress.  Maybe I’m a little too old to be a flapper.  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  After rehearsal (which went pretty well), I went home and sought out accessories to make the gown 1920’s ready.

So this is my Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  At least I plugged two upcoming local events, and included a couple of pictures.  I call that respectable.  Happy Thursday, everybody.

Oh crap, I still have to think of a title.

 

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Well, What Do You Do with Bread?

Posted on October 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Under the heading, Things That Go Through My Head While I’m Running:  I read a quote a long time ago, not attributed to anybody, “If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy violets for your soul.” I pondered that thought, liked it, and considered posting it as a Facebook status when I got home.  Immediately I thought, if I did that, somebody would not doubt comment, “If you have two loaves of bread, give one to the poor.”  Somebody always has to be that way.

In fact, when I have two loaves of bread (and I often do), I selfishly put one in the freezer for later.  Then again, how many violets can I realistically expect to buy for what I usually pay for a loaf of bread, much less what I might sell a loaf of bread for.  Who’s going to buy a loaf of bread from me, anyways?  Anyways, I don’t eat a lot of bread.

As I type this, I remember there is a non-perishable food drive for veterans at my place of employment.  I’d better grab a few cans to bring in.  But no bread, that’s perishable.

So this is my Wuss-out Wednesday post.  I had intended to make a running commentary; I really did go running and think the first paragraph.  However, before making my bog post, I had to do the final edit and polish of my murder mystery script and get it emailed out to my cast.  I still have to print out hard copies for myself and a couple others, but I can do that before rehearsal tomorrow.

In the meantime, I ponder my conundrum:  violets for my soul or bread for the poor? Discuss amongst your selves.

 

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Was it a Killer First Draft?

Posted on October 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Words to live by!

Of course, the first draft I just finished should have been done a week ago, but we cannot always live up to the ideals we set for ourselves.  The important thing is, I wrote it, I typed it into the laptop, I printed it out, I will edit and polish it, I will email it to the cast.  Then it’s on to rehearsals and performance, but right now I’m writing about writing.

Well, maybe a little about rehearsal and performing.  The draft I finished was for A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre we are presenting as a fundraiser for Herkimer County Historical Society.  The performance will be Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. at the Ilion Moose Lodge.  For further information, you can reference the Facebook event.

I feel a little self-conscious admitting in public like this that I am just finishing the script.  We are a month away from performance!  Well, murder mysteries don’t take as much rehearsal as a full-blown play.  Up north, where we had a company called Murder For Hire, we used to put them together in three rehearsals:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and go on Saturday!  I was younger and more energetic in those days.  Now I feel more secure with a little more time.

However, I am feeling increasingly good about this show.  After a few glitches, I got a really wonderful cast.  I think everybody will fit their part fine and fill it out with little touches I didn’t even think of when I wrote the lines.  That is why writing scripts is more exciting than writing novels.

Writing a novel, incidentally, is my next project.  Why don’t I have a novel published yet?  I am almost 55.  I was about to say, time to get off my butt, but in fact it is time to sit on my butt in front of a notebook or keyboard and get going.  I’ll write a few blog posts about it along the way.

 

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In the Mood for Monsters

Posted on October 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Ya wanna see my bug collection?”

I need a little Tucker to cheer me up.  This is my friend Tucker in our recent murder mystery, Donate to Murder.  He was very funny.  I hit “New Post” wanting to make this a Monday Moan post, but it’s just a mood and there is no reason to inflict it on my readers (although I know I do sometimes).  So I thought a Monstrous Monday was in order.  When I went to my Media Library (you say “Media Library” in a pretentious tone of voice), this little gem caught my eye. I do feel a little cheerier.  I wonder what other monsters I can find to pep up my post.

Mmmmm… garlic.

I thought I’d throw in a little garlic first, in case I include any vampires.  This is from the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls, NY, last September.  Good times, good garlic.

“Curses! I forgot my sunscreen!”

It is ironic that the sign says “NO SMOKING” when Blackula is smoking hot.  I may have made that observation before, but even the best of us repeat themselves sometimes.

Christopher Lee is the favorite Dracula of many.

I do love a Hammer horror film.

Oh, he is a fine, scary dude!

You knew I was going to include Nosferatu, didn’t you?  I hope nobody minds a vampire-heavy Monstrous Monday.  After I put in the garlic, I felt kind of obligated. This has been, I admit, another foolish post. In my defense, I am working hard on the next mystery, A Trivial Murder.  More information on that will be forthcoming!  Happy Monday, everyone.

 

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Martians, Vampires, Prank Phone Calls, It’s Sunday Cinema!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a Cinema Sunday post?  I have not watched that many movies today, but I have not done a whole lot else either.  I went running, I went shopping (grocery and other), I made a salad and other stuff for this week’s lunches, I cooked a nice dinner for Steven and me.  Perhaps this will be a rambling post, more of a Scattered Sunday.

While I was chopping and mixing, Steven put in Signs (2002).  Back when I used to like M Night Shyamalan movies.  But let’s not get into that right now.  I have not seen any of his recent stuff.

I just flashed on the Roger Miller “Hat” song, “Hey, Kid, where’d you get the Lid?”

After Signs, Steven let me pick, and I chose Dracula (1931).  It is more atmospheric than plot-driven, but I gotta love me some Bela Lugosi and Dwight Frye.

Ooh, those eyes!

I have to say, though, the movie does not chug right along, the way I like a movie too.  What can I say?  It’s just my taste in theatre.  After a highly respected classic, I wanted to watch a William Castle movie, which one might argue is a classic of a different sort (although I am no hand at argument).  We decided on I Saw What You Did.  It’s silly fun.  Of course, these days it is not so easy to make prank phone calls.  I never could make them successfully; people always recognize my voice.  But at least Joan Crawford never yelled at me!

I’d sure as hell go!

Now we are looking at Snapped while I make this blog post, but I’m not loving the episode on now.  I wonder if I could talk Steven into House on Haunted Hill.

When I was done screaming, I’d ask him for a few diet tips.

 

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Saturday Supper, In Progress

Posted on September 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am making a Saturday Supper post while I am actually cooking said supper.  I have not done a cooking post in a while, and I am making this dish up as I go along, so I thought it would be a good one.  If I am mistaken, I would point out that these things happen and we must make the best of them.

First I chopped up an onion and put it in some oil in my cast iron frying pan. I confess, I thought sadly that I do not enjoy washing that pan, but it is one of my favorite things to cook in.  I put in a little more oil than I had intended, but I just went with it.  While it fried, I peeled and crushed some garlic and set the timer for 15 minutes (to let the garlic breathe, so it could reach its full cancer-fighting capacity) (I guess).  I knitted and looked at Forensic Files while I waited.  Steven is a big fan of Forensic Files.  I like it too.

After putting the garlic in the pan and stirring, I added burger.  Steven had taken the burger out of the freezer a couple of days ago, but one cannot always be ambitious enough to cook supper the day the meat is thawed.  I broke it up somewhat, knowing I could break it up further as it cooked.

Eventually I did break it up more, and I thought all of the pink was gone.  Then I thought of adding Worcestershire Sauce, which I could have done while it was pink, but whatever, I put some in.  Looking in our cupboard, I saw we did not have tomato sauce, as I had thought.  Luckily I found some diced tomatoes as well as some canned mushrooms and tomato paste.  I put the diced tomatoes and mushrooms in.  The I threw in a few spices:  Salt Free All-Purpose from the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica (a great place, by the way), basil, garlic powder (can’t have too much garlic, after all), cumin, parsley… I think that’s it.

There! I just went out and stirred the sauce, which was boiling away.  I put in the tomato paste. After I finish this post and hit Publish, I will put on water to boil for pasta.  Will it be ruffles or elbows?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my Saturday.

 

 

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