Mohawk Valley Girl

Q Goes to Eye Q

Posted on January 17, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

My favorite doctor has always been the eye doctor. I don’t have to take my clothes off, nobody sticks their hand in my mouth, I don’t even have to step on a scale. What’s not to like? I went to a familiar doctor at a new place today at Eye Q of CNY in New Hartford, NY.

Anyone who was disappointed when Sears in Sangertown Square closed, taking their optical with them, can rejoice. Dr. Carrock and Diane Engell, optician and manager, are now at Eye Q. Full disclosure: I used to work in the optical industry (although not at Sears). I worked with both Diane and Dr. Carrock at different times, and Diane is a personal friend. But Eye Q is a really great optical, and I am happy to give them a shout-out.

One of my favorite things about the business is the name. Since I am Cindy Q and they are Eye Q, I feel a certain kinship. Maybe I could even get a job there one day.

I did not enjoy the drive along Route 5S from Herkimer to New Hartford as much as I usually do, because it was too rainy and misty to enjoy any views. Still, I’ve driven on worse roads, and soon I was in New Hartford looking for the plaza. Eye Q is in the same plaza as 5 Guys Burgers and the Gold Mine Jewelers. It’s a busy little plaza, but I found a parking space with no problem.

Diane greeted me and gave me a tour. It’s a small but clean and professional place with a nice selection of frames. I have a hard time picking frames, but Diane is very helpful in that respect. I did not make my final selection till after my exam. I did not try every frame on the boards, as I confess I have been known to do, but I tried on a good many.

Dr. Carrock is an excellent doctor. I’ve never had a problem with my prescription. I was also happy with the price I paid for my glasses. I told Diane I’d tell all my family and friends about Eye Q of CNY. I guess I’ve told all my blog readers as well.

Eye Q of CNY is located at 4660 Commercial Dr., New Hartford NY, phone number 315-797-2020. For more information you can visit their website at www.eyeqofcny.com. You can also Like them on Facebook.

Choosing a W(h)ine

Posted on January 16, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

My dry January continues. I call it that for lack of a catchier title. In fact, it is 30 days which began December 27. That means it’s been 20 days.

I must say I was hoping for a bigger impact on my life. So far the only effect has been that I would really like a glass of wine, and that was pretty much the case when I started the project. I’m not sleeping any better, the headaches are about the same, I haven’t lost vast amounts of weight… what else is giving up booze supposed to do for you?

My main concern is when I start thinking, “Oh crap, X more days till I can have a glass of wine!” Then I think, “Am I obsessing over this? Maybe I DO have a problem!” Then I don’t want to write a blog post about it, because I worry all my friends and family will decide I must be an alcoholic and have one of those interventions. I wouldn’t care for that.

I confess to feeling a little sad today (Friday) as I drove home from work and realized I would not stop by a liquor store that might be having a wine tasting. Please note: I said “wouldn’t” not “couldn’t.” To not drink wine this month is a choice I make. And here’s the fun part: when I remind myself that it is a choice I made and that I choose to continue, suddenly the whole thing becomes not a problem.

It’s kind of like how I feel about running. When I think, “I SHOULD go running,” I want to whine and cry and NOT run. However, if I say, “It would be a good idea if I went running,” the next thing I know, I’m lacing up the sneakers and taking off.

Having talked myself right out of my little crisis, I’m going to call this a Lame Friday Post, hit Publish, and go back to sipping my wine glass of seltzer water and lemon. Happy Friday, everyone.

76% Remaining

Posted on January 15, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

The computer woes continue, and I sit here trying to think rapidly and type even faster to get this blog post done while the battery lasts. It’s a race against time! Actually, it’s a race against battery. What does that even mean, anyways, “race against time.” Isn’t any race where you’re being timed a race against time? And does time ever go any faster? Now, let’s not get all philosophical about that! Oh well, I guess you can if you want to.

Where was I? Ah yes, Non-Sequitur Thursday. I’m thinking this has been a rather lame week, and I’m pretty damn happy that tomorrow is Lame Post Friday. I tried to write a real post while on breaks at work today. I got over a page written about an old movie I watched last weekend. I don’t know that I would call it a cheesy movie exactly, but I thought I was saying some pretty good stuff (or do I flatter myself? Always a possibility). However, it is not finished yet and I do not have the mental wherewithal to finish it now. Sorry about that.

I have a couple of emails I have to send regarding theatre business. I tried writing them earlier too, in hopes of saving time later. Naturally I am second guessing what I wrote, wondering if I ought to edit further, and obsessing over who I ought to courtesy copy. There’s a social land mine, if you like. What if I cc the wrong people and they send me a nasty reply? What if I don’t cc somebody who thinks they ought to have been cc’d and they yell at me? I hate to be yelled at. What if I cc somebody who doesn’t give a rat’s ass and they roll their eyes at me? In the scheme of things, I suppose having eyes rolled at one is not the worst thing that could happen. Still, I find it unpleasant.

Now I see I am over 300 words of this nonsense. I hope I have at least been amusing. I’ll try to finish that movie write-up so I can post it in lieu of Lame Post Friday (I really like that expression “in lieu of”). Happy Thursday, everyone.

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Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, cc, computer woes, computers, email, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Woe and Wuss

Posted on January 14, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today is Wuss-out Wednesday due to computer woes. I must compose quickly and get off my device while I still have power.

My plan had been to write something BEFORE getting on the computer. Did I? Of course not! I had Blogger’s Blank. Ooh, nice alliteration there. Usually I have Writer’s Blank, but in fact I wrote a couple of pages on a letter, most of an article for Mohawk Valley Living, and a page and a half in the TV Journal. I can write fine! I just can’t seem to write a blog post.

Winter continues to pummel the Mohawk Valley, but unevenly. Some places got lots of snow, some a little, but everybody at least some. And it was COLD! I know, I know, it’s January. I wasn’t complaining about it, I was just reporting.

After work today I met with a lady who wants to do a dinner theatre as a fundraiser for her church. She reached out to Ilion Little Theatre for help, which I say was a very good choice. When the matter first came up at one of our dinner meetings, I said, “You know, you do have a member that used to write murder mystery dinner theatre and is dying to do another one!”

A few actors expressed an interest. I started writing. Today, as I said, I met with the lady from the church, and it looks as if this is going to happen. That will definitely be worth a blog post or two!

For today, however, this is all I got. At least it is over 250 words. I’m going to go back and write some more in the TV Journal. Happy Wednesday, everyone.

1 Comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged blog post, Bloggers Block, blogging, preview of coming attractions, Writers Blank, Writers Block, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Tired of My Hair

Posted on January 13, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I guess I’m going to be bald again. And in lieu of a whiny Tired Tuesday post, I thought I’d talk a little bit about it.

In 2013, I participated in a St. Baldrick’s Day Fundraiser. St. Baldrick’s Foundation raises money for research on childhood cancers. Basically, I’m going to ask people for money then get my head shaved. They say it’s like a walk-a-thon only without the blisters.

Please note: I am not donating my hair. I would be very happy to donate the stuff if anybody wanted it, but I don’t think anybody does. My baldness is more along the lines of a solidarity thing. Cancer patient often lose their hair. Well, I’ll be bald along with them.

I have to be honest: I don’t know if any cancer patient will actually derive much comfort from the thought or sight of my bald head. However, it may be good for a laugh.

My major malfunction right now is that I HATE asking people for money. I feel so stupid doing it, and I never know what to say. However, I did it three years ago and people generously gave me a total of $630. I had timidly set my goal at $100. This year I boldly set my goal at $500. I’m sure they’ll still shave my head if I fall short, but I will be one sheepish bald lady.

I have signed up for an event at Arthur’s in Dolgeville, NY on March 6. My participant page is https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/813330/2016. Anyone wishing to make a donation, feel free to log in. Anyone wishing to be bald with me, sign on up! We’ll be bald together!

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Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged bald, cancer, childhood cancer, fundraising, St Baldricks Day, St. Baldrick's Foundation. Bookmark the permalink.

Musings on Medium (or Medium Meanderings?)

Posted on January 12, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today is a real let myself off the hook day. I did not run, I have not done anything remotely useful around the house, and I did not write a blog post earlier today. It’s going to be a Monday Middle-age Musings or Monday Mental Meanderings (take your pick; I’m not even making myself choose one).

One thing I often notice in my writing is how what I’m writing on and writing with makes a difference. At least, I have not done a real study on if it makes a difference in the writing itself. But I definitely notice a difference in how I feel. I’m thinking this is because I love the physical act of writing so much. Putting words on paper (or screen, as the case may be) is fun.

I like writing by hand in a spiral notebook. My handwriting is messy, and I sometimes get writer’s cramp, but in general I love the movement and I love watching the squiggly lines appear. I write in pen these days. I prefer a thin ballpoint. I can live with a medium point, but anything over 1 mm is too bulky for me. I used to write almost exclusively in pencil. I liked the sound of the scratching. I must try that again one day soon.

When I first started this blog (May 23, 2011, in case you were wondering), I would write my post on paper, then type it into the computer. Sometimes I would write it the night before, sometimes just earlier in the day. Of course, being me, I could not keep up that level of preparedness and was soon composing at the keyboard, as I am today.

Today I am on my desktop, which has a full-size keyboard. For quite a while now I have been typing my posts on our Acer, which has a smaller keyboard. Not one of those bitty, baby things you see on some people’s devices, but small enough that it took some getting used to. Right now my hands are rather enjoying stretching out. They feel bad-ass.

Of course, if I really want my hands to feel bad-ass, I must haul out my old manual typewriters. I used to whale on a manual typewriter! I have a minor collection now. Sometimes I find them at garage sales or second-hand stores. My parents recently gave me a fabulous old Remington. I must clean it up and display it somewhere. Maybe I’ll first roll a piece of paper into it and see what comes out.

For now, though, I see I am over 400 words. That is more than respectable for a Monday! I’ll try for something other than a Tired Tuesday post tomorrow.

Breakfast with the Elks

Posted on January 11, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

This morning I was able to indulge in what has been an annual treat for me since we moved to the area: the Herkimer Elks Lodge Breakfast.

The Elks hold weekly breakfasts every January to fund their projects for the year. And every year, I go eat a yummy breakfast and write a blog post about it. Sometimes more than one (well, I get hungry again, and I always need a new blog post). Steven has been scheduled to work every Sunday, so I was without a date. Luckily, my friend Diane agreed to accompany me today.

For $9 we could get juice, coffee, eggs, white or wheat toast, pancakes, baked beans, home fries with or without onions, and bacon or sausage. I passed on the pancakes; Diane declined the beans. She chose cranberry juice while I had orange. We both chose scrambled eggs and bacon.

The Elks all seemed to be having a fun time being diner staff for the day. The customers were enjoying themselves as well. Friends often meet at these community events, especially in a small town like ours. The food was yummy, and Diane and I were able to catch up on each other’s lives.

The breakfasts continue January 17 and 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, Mary Street, Herkimer, NY. If you’re in the area and like a good breakfast, I encourage you to check it out.

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Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged breakfast, elks lodge, Herkimer Elks Lodge, Herkimer Elks Lodge Breakfast, herkimer ny. Bookmark the permalink.

20th Century Saturday

Posted on January 10, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s time for this week’s Scattered Saturday Post. I suppose some of you were hoping for a return of Saturday Running Commentary, as indeed I was myself, but, oh well, I guess I’ll tell you what I did instead.

Steven left for work shortly before nine, and I left shortly after that for a couple of errands on foot. Pedestrian activities, of course, are not as fun without a cute little dog, but one does what one must. I went to the post office and mailed some post cards and a letter. I felt rather quaint indulging in snail mail, but I just love that kind of correspondence and I know the recipients of my little missives enjoy them too.

After the post office, I went to the bank to deposit a check (I know, that, too, is fairly 20th century, but it’s a little less dated than snail mail). I took the long way home to get a little more exercise in. I didn’t really think I would go running later, and every little bit helps.

My adventuring took me to Middleville, NY, where a couple of wrong turns took me over some very enjoyable country roads. My destination, which I confess to driving right by twice, was Middleville Free Library. I shall write at greater length about it later.

Back home, I waited for Steven to come home for lunch before doing anything useful. After he went back to work, I had to find another excuse. I ended up doing one load of laundry and going grocery shopping (I probably forgot something but have not remembered what yet).

I am now cooking a fairly unimaginative dinner. I actually could write a cooking post about it; it’s not completely lame. Maybe on Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I hope you are all have a marvelous Saturday.

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Posted in humor, personal, Scattered Saturday and tagged blog post, Middleville NY, Mohawk Valley adventures, post office, snail mail. Bookmark the permalink.

Lame But Not Lush

Posted on January 9, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here it is Friday at the sweats on, bra off portion of the evening. Regular readers are saying, “Didn’t she leave something out? For example, wine drinking?” About that…

Christmas Day I had a rather dreadful headache. I did not think I really tied one on, but I had been indulging in the white wine Christmas Eve. My mother suggested I go a month without drinking, to see if it had any effects on the headaches. Naturally I do everything my mother tells me (she would probably offer a different opinion about that, but I believe she would be referring to some time in the previous century so we need not regard it).

Full disclosure: I had a glass of wine Christmas Day and maybe a glass or two the day after. But beginning December 27 until the present day (January 8, 2016), I have been dry. No, I don’t want a medal, I’m just SAYING!

We all know I love my wine (at least anybody who has been paying the least bit of attention) (not that I flatter myself that everybody pays attention to me). It is definitely an enjoyable part of my weekend, and sometimes a welcome treat on a week night. But I don’t think of myself as a lush or somebody with a problem.

Then again.

The fact that I’m talking about it AT ALL makes me paranoid. If it’s not a problem, then it shouldn’t be a problem, now, should it? It shouldn’t even make a blog post. Oh dear. And in fact, it is not a problem. I mean, I’m not sitting here WISHING I had a glass of Pinot. I did not have to grip the steering wheel as I drove home from work to keep from pulling in at the liquor store. I haven’t even been thinking about, for example, the cool, dry tang of an unoaked Chardonnay… Just kidding. I had to sit here and compose that Chardonnay line.

But if I’m not thinking about it, that insidious inner critic asks, then why am I writing about it?

Ah, I find the answer to that quite simply: it’s what I call the Doughnut Effect. As soon as you decide you can’t have something, what is the first thing you want? That’s right! And then what you do is try not to think about it. OK, right now, try not to think about doughnuts,because you can’t have any.

I bet some people stopped reading this blog and are halfway to Krispy Kreme as we speak. As for me, I have successfully taken my mind off the long-stemmed glass of fermented grape.

But I may be making a trip to the in-store bakery section of Hannaford. Happy Friday, everyone.

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged blog post, lame post, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Hill after Headache

Posted on January 8, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running today so that I could do a Running Commentary blog post. The other reasons were (1) it was warmer than it has been for the past two days and (2) I had almost no headache all day.

As I left work, I reminded myself not to go crazy. It was a little warmer. It was not a heat wave. I would still need to wear leggings, long sleeves and probably a hat. Still, the sun was shining. It was a lovely afternoon. Could it be over 40?

According to my thermostat, the outdoor temperature was 36 degrees. Although it was sunny, there were clouds in the sky. It is, after all, winter. I dressed accordingly and got going.

At least the sidewalks were fairly bare. I dodged some snow and ice as I ran toward German Street. I wanted to run up to Herkimer College. I thought it would make a better blog post. Could I make it up that hill? Maybe I should run up the back way. Longer but less steep. Maybe I should just run up the hill by Valley Health. After all, I worked all day, and I had a migraine yesterday.

I looked at all the traffic and thought maybe I would not be able to cross German Street at all. Well, I could just run around streets on this side of German. There was no rule I had to run up a hill. All I had to do was run and write a blog post about it. It didn’t matter where. There was a break in traffic. I sprinted! I made it! But would I run to the college? Maybe a run into Brookfield Park?

Oh, who was I kidding? I wanted to run up to the college the front way. It is the impressive way. It is the way that makes my friend Phyllis say I am her hero. I like to be somebody’s hero. As I turned up Lou Ambers Drive, I looked longingly at Salvatore’s. It would be nice to go out to dinner later. However, I am trying to lose weight. Additionally, Steven works till 6:30. I would be hungry before that.

Sometimes I have to spit when I run. I don’t always follow advice, but in general I heed the song that tells me to don’t spi-it in the wind. I also don’t pull the mask off the ol’ Lone Ranger and I don’t mess around with Slim, but those situations usually do not arise when I am running. Full disclosure: that bit occurs to me almost every time I run, and this is the first time I used it in a blog post.

Oh, it took a long time to get up the hill. As I’ve said before, there was no suspense. I knew I would make it to the top. The knowledge was no comfort. I reflected that the bright day would make the view from the top better than the misty view on New Year’s Day. There was more traffic than I expected. One car slowed down and moved over. When I gave a thank-you wave, the girl driving waved back. I like little connections like that.

The view was very nice. Everything around me looked nice. I always think that sunshine is nature’s cosmetic, because almost any scene looks better in the sunlight. Then again, maybe things just looked better to me because I was at the top of the hill and I could breathe almost normally again.

My run down was not too bad. My cool-down walk was maybe a little too cool. The temperature was dropping by then and the wind had picked up. By the time I finished I was cold and TIRED. Well, why not be tired at the end of the day? And aren’t you all happy that I’ve made a blog post of over 600 words where I did not once mention what I couldn’t write about? I certainly am.