Brain Freeze

Posted on January 22, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is winter in the Mohawk Valley. We got another arctic blast today, with temperatures rising only into the single digits. It’s too cold for Mohawk Valley adventures, I tell you!

Oh, I know, some people manage to do whatever they have decided to do, whatever the obstacles. Or claim they do, or WOULD if they HAD decided to do (whatever it is I can’t do). What I can’t do today is write a decent blog post. Sorry, folks.

I’m blaming the weather, but I think it is actually the fault of my precarious health. I think I’m coming down with another cold or a virus or something. I’ve been lightheaded all day, and all I really want to do is lie flat on my back and stare at the ceiling. Or sit on the couch and stare at the television.

As symptoms go, I can’t really complain. This is not as bad as pain or nausea. Not as annoying as a stuffed nose or a scratchy throat. I almost feel as if I have no good excuse for taking another blogger’s sick day.

Except that these foolish paragraphs are really all I can manage, writing-wise. I do hope the weather is not to blame, since the cold is expected to last till the weekend. At least I hope to come up with something somewhat better for tomorrow. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

Leave a comment

Posted in blogging, humor, personal, writing and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Love those Lady Elks

Posted on January 21, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week I lamented missing the Lady Elks breakfast, which they serve on Sundays in January. This week I got myself a breakfast date, and we had a nice meal.

Breakfast was served from 8 to 11 a.m. My friend, Diane, and I arrived shortly after nine. We found a parking space in the lot of the Elks Lodge on Mary Street in Herkimer, NY, and walked in.

We paid our $8. I apologized for giving them a fifty.

“I told that maid I wanted small bills, but you can’t get good help these days,” I said. It is a joke I usually make when I pay with a large bill. I also got $5 worth of 50/50 tickets, which I took to the table to fill out. First we made our orders: eggs, toast (white or wheat), bacon (could have chosen sausage), homefries with onions. I also got baked beans. We both declined pancakes.

A gentleman poured us coffee right away. Soon a lady came around with a tray of cups of juice. We both chose orange.

“Everybody’s taking orange today,” she said.

“Oh, I’ll take tomato,” Diane said. “I don’t want you to end up with a lot of tomato juice left over.”

“They can use it to make Bloody Marys later,” I suggested, adding that I usually take the tomato, but it seemed more of an orange kind of day. The lady said we could take one of each if we wanted, so we did.

“So now we’re friends?” she said. Of course we were.

I had already put money in the tip basket, knowing we would get good service. How right I was.

I put Steven’s name on the 50/50 tickets. I thought that was fair since he wasn’t getting a yummy breakfast.

“Then he can spend the money on me,” I said when I put the tickets in the jar, much to the amusement of the ladies at the table. Alas, he did not win.

There is one more Lady Elks breakfast, on January 26. I probably won’t make it, but I was happy to at least make it to one.

Leave a comment

Posted in breakfast, Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Can’t Think of a Title, Either

Posted on January 20, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday. Again.

I had not meant to have a Wrist to Forehead Sunday, and by “had not meant,” of course I mean “thought in a vague sort of way.” Oh, well, I guess we all knew I was likely to have my wrist to my forehead by this time. These things happen. Especially to me.

I did have a Mohawk Valley adventure this morning, which I had meant to write about. I’m afraid that must be a preview of coming attractions, however, because I just don’t feel capable of writing about it today. Why is that? I DON’T KNOW!

In fact, I had a headache for most of the day. I had not meant to mention it, because people who complain all the time are tiresome. But that is why I did not feel inclined to write earlier. My head feels much better now (you see, I don’t complain ALL the time) but still not capable of writing.

The writing has been going very badly for a while now. However, one must not worry about these things. One must persevere and wait until things get better. Hmm… That is probably a good rule for many things in life. But that sounds more like some half-baked philosophy suitable for Lame Post Friday. Now there’s something to look forward to.

Leave a comment

Posted in blogging, humor, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday, writing and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Didn’t Run, Walked

Posted on January 19, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

I make bold to offer another Pedestrian Post so soon, and I lament the continued absence of Saturday Running commentary. When I walked with Tabby this morning I noticed the sidewalks didn’t seem too bad. I may have ventured a run, but it started to snow again shortly thereafter. The temperature had dropped, the wind picked up. I’ll try again another day.

I felt pretty pleased about going to the post office. For one thing, I had three postcards, a birthday card and a letter to mail. I had another letter started (never mind exactly when I started it, I don’t think that’s important), but one can only write so much at a time. I wanted to walk while my husband Steven was in the shower. Thus I maximize my husband time while still getting to the post office early.

As I started out, I realized that, as is often the case in winter, my upper half was much better covered that my lower half. After all, I had on a shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, hat, gloves, scarf on the upper half. On the lower half, I had pants, socks, sneakers. One measly layer. What was I thinking? But that is almost always the case. We don’t think to add long johns or pantyhose till it gets really frigid. I’m just saying.

It certainly felt good to walk. My legs just really enjoy it. Tabby stopped and sniffed the usual number of times. Sometimes it is really obvious what she’s interested in and other times I’m just stumped. I wonder if she feels that way about my television viewing.

In the post office, she got right in a lady’s way. The lady had just finished at the window and was turning to go.

“Oh, aren’t you adorable,” she said, petting Tabby. So I’m sure Tabby felt she had done the right thing.

We walked back by Basloe library, through the little park and the parking lot. No cars in the parking lot, because the library wasn’t open yet. I think Curves was, but we didn’t go in. I never renewed my membership, and I wasn’t dressed for a workout. Well, I’m sure they wouldn’t want a cute little doggy running around while I did the circuit anyways. I just always think Tabby would cheer up any setting.

She certainly cheered up my walk. Perhaps she will go on another one with me later, under the theory that two walks equals a run. If the temperature has gone down any further, I may add that extra layer on my lower half.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Pedestrain Post, personal and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Hmmmm… Who Do I Kill?

Posted on January 18, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s supposed to be easy to write a post on Lame Post Friday; that’s why I invented it. But we all know, sometimes, not so much. Oh, I know, as soon as I say “we all” or “everybody” or anything universal, SOMEBODY is sure to say, “I don’t know that” or “I don’t feel that way” or “Not necessarily.” Well, I don’t know exactly how to spell the raspberry sound, and truth be known, I almost never make that noise anyways, so, OK, if you want to say any of those things, I’ll let it slide. This time.

Where was I? Oh yes, nowhere. I did not write anything at work today. I don’t feel capable of writing anything now. It’s not Writer’s Blank, it’s not Writer’s Block, it’s not Writer’s Anything, because I don’t feel like I’m a writer any more.

Oh dear, I didn’t mean to say that. But since I did, I may as well share my current crisis, because, actually, I think it’s kind of funny. You see, I’m writing this murder mystery, and I don’t want to kill any of my characters. I like them all. And it’s not only that, I keep thinking how upset certain other characters will be if I kill off that one. Oh, or that one. I’ve even changed my mind about the murderer at least twice.

Writers who outline and stick to their outlines are now indulging in superior laughing, finger pointing and head shaking. Oh, like YOU never have problems! I’ve argued with these imaginary superior sorts before. Even when I win, I lose.

OK, I’m over 250 words. Lame, but done. I’m going to hit Publish and get on with my weekend. May your Friday be un-lame and your weekend be happy.

2 Comments

Posted in blogging, humor, Lame Post Friday, personal, writing and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Christmas Card Snow

Posted on January 17, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

For this week’s Non-Sequitur Thursday, I offer a post about a walk Tabby and I took yesterday, in which I mention last month’s holiday. I say that is non-sequitur enough.

I was a little nervous at the start of the expedition. It had warmed, rained, then cooled. I figured there was a good chance the sidewalks were icy. By the time we went the sun had set. I don’t like walking in the road at the best of times. In poor light, it seemed especially ineligible.

Still, dogs like to go for walks. I like my dog. We gave it a try.

It was snowing what I think of as Christmas card snow. Lots of gentle white flakes floated down. I kept looking up into the streetlights to watch it fall. That made me think of when I was a kid. I’d keep peeking out the front window to check out the rate of snowfall under a handily placed streetlight. I would get my hopes up for school closure, but it hardly ever happened in those days.

Most of the puddles on the sidewalk had not frozen yet, but I managed to avoid walking in too much wet. There were a couple of dicey spots. You know, mud can be slippery,too. And things were starting to freeze up again. However, I managed to stay upright, and we continued.

I was happy to see a few houses still had their Christmas lights on. It looked appropriate with the Christmas card snow falling. I especially liked a house with three small trees covered with different colored non-blinking lights. We can see those trees from our upstairs window. I enjoyed getting a closer view.

We only went around the block. Tabby didn’t seem to mind the short walk, and we were both happy to get home to Steven. Maybe he will walk with us one evening soon.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, Pedestrain Post, personal, walking and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Spree Enough for Me

Posted on January 16, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I wrote about our visit to Tractor Supply Co. It was only the first stop on our Sunday Shopping Spree in Herkimer, NY.

We also went to Rite Aid to pick up a prescription re-fill. Steven and Tabby waited in the car. A hardware store may welcome pets on a leash, but I felt sure a drug store would feel differently.

When I came back out, I handed Steven my prescription and walked over to T & J Fruits and Vegetables, which is handily located next door. I quickly found the green peppers and chose one. I glanced at the other produce but did not purchase anything else. I was tempted by some Roma tomatoes but was skeptical of my actually using them right away. I knew there was every chance I would throw them in the produce drawer saying, “I’ll make a salad this week,” and failing to follow through.

Our last stop was Vintage Spirits for a bottle of white wine for dinner. Also, I wanted to cook with wine (sometimes I even put it in the food) (I read that on a t-shirt somewhere). They don’t mind if Tabby comes into Vintage Spirits. We didn’t take too long anyways, because I knew just what I wanted.

So I guess I can’t really call it a shopping spree: dog food and trash can (see yesterday’s post), prescription, green pepper, white wine. Oh well, I don’t usually do that much shopping anyways. I’ll call this a spree. If anybody wants to argue semantics with me, feel free to make a comment. I’ll nod and smile.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal, shopping and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Tabby Likes to Shop

Posted on January 15, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t usually plug chains. I don’t think they need any help from Mohawk Valley Girl, and in general they lack the local flavor I enjoy. However, one shops where one can.

Our local Aubuchon abruptly closed recently. I have written posts about them, because they are so helpful and nice there. I guess I should say “were.” Now where were we to go? We decided to try Tractor Supply Co., which recently opened in Herkimer, NY. We brought our dog, Tabby. They used to let dogs go into Aubuchon, so we had hopes it would be the same. Imagine our delight, when we approached the store, to see a sign saying pets on leashes were always welcome.

We found the dog food Steven had bought at Aubuchon fairly easily. Then we looked for a new trash can to put our recyclables in. I asked the cashier. She pointed. We walked right by them (as we subsequently found out). Then we got separated. I backtracked and found the trash cans. Now all I needed was Steve. I kept walking.

“I lose more husbands this way,” I said to a clerk.

“That happens a lot in here,” she said. I guess it could easily happen, losing one’s husband in a hardware store. That is, if one and one’s husband indulge in the traditional gender roles. In fact, I use the losing husband line in any store where I lose track of Steven. I find it amusing.

I tried yelling, “Marco!” but he didn’t call, “Polo!” Full disclosure: that’s not my joke; I heard it from my brother. I tried calling Tabby, figuring dogs have better hearing. Then I saw Steven had found a clerk who was bringing him to the trash cans. He even showed us which one was on sale, so, bonus.

I noticed Tractor Supply also has the kind of potting soil I like for my container garden, so I feel hooked up for spring. Everyone we spoke to was very nice. A very pleasant shopping experience. Tabby gives it an enthusiastic tail wag.

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I’m Not a Basket Case

Posted on January 14, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

For this week’s Middle-aged Musings Monday, I would like to dissect a ditty I learned in elementary school. I still sing it on occasion, because it has kind of a catchy tune. Luckily for you, dear reader, this is not an audio blog. Without my awful singing voice, then, here is the first part:

There was an old woman tossed up in a basket,
Fifteen times as high as the moon.
And where she was going, I couldn’t but ask it,
For in her hand she carried a broom.

Excuse me, what? Of course, I’m no expert on astronomy, but considering how small the moon looks from here, how in the world is this guy seeing this old woman, never mind the basket and the broom (I say “this guy,” because there was a picture of a guy next to this song in my fourth grade music book) (although it might not have been fourth grade; I just thought the sentence would sound better if I was specific) (but I digress).

Who tossed her, the Incredible Hulk?

OK, let’s assume the guy has the Hubble Space Telescope, how does he manage to carry on a conversation with her, which he does, because the song continues:

“Old Woman, Old Woman, Old Woman,” quoth I,
“Oh whither, or whither so high?”
“To swee-eep the co-obwebs out of the sky-y-y!”

I guess that was how people talked back then, “quoth I.” In my younger days, it would have been, “So I sez to her…” These days, it might be, “So I’m like, ‘What up, Lady?’ and she’s all, ‘Sweeping the cobwebs, dude.'”

Do people still call other people “dude”? It was “man” in the ’60s and ’70s, “dude” in the ’80s and ’90s, and then I completely lost touch. I did mention that these were middle-aged musings, didn’t I?

Come to think of it, these days, he could have texted her. This probably would include “lol” and “fml,” but I really don’t know a lot about texting.

It just goes to show, though, how I took everything at face value when I was a little kid. You taught me a song about a lady in a basket, and I sang it. It isn’t till YEARS later that I finally say, “Waaait a minute!”

On further reflection, that basket may have been sixteen times as high as the moon.

Leave a comment

Posted in commentary, humor, Middle-aged Musings, personal and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Now I’m Hungry

Posted on January 13, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

One thing that has helped ease my post-Christmas letdown since I moved back here is that the Herkimer Lady Elks serve breakfast on Sundays in January.

They serve from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge at 124 Mary St. in Herkimer, NY. Cost is $8, $4 for children under 12. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, home fries, baked beans, toast, and coffee or tea. Yum.

I love these community meals. It’s always good food and a good time. The servers usually make silly jokes with the patrons and each other. You often see people you know. You can buy a 50/50 ticket, so there is also a chance to make a profit. It’s relaxed; it’s fun.

And this year, Steven is scheduled to work every Sunday this month. I can’t go to a Lady Elks breakfast without my main squeeze! At least, perhaps I can, but I would certainly prefer not to.

However, the purpose of this post is not to bemoan my fate, but to give a shout-out to the Lady Elks. Local readers, you have two more chances to enjoy this event: January 19 and 26. I highly recommend it. If I can find another date, maybe I’ll see you there.

2 Comments

Posted in breakfast, Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →