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It’s Monday Running Commentary!

Posted on May 15, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I ambitiously went running, thinking I could do a Monday Running Commentary for a change.  Then as I started cooking dinner, I thought maybe a cooking post.  Of course, a part of me always wants a Monstrous Monday, even when it isn’t Monday.  Then again, I have not been running in a while.  I think I’ll comment on it.

I have really fallen off the exercise wagon lately, much to my own detriment.  At my age, I need to stay active or I may stop moving entirely!  I did go for a nice walk on Saturday, so I have not been completely sedentary.  I took comfort in that and made my plans.  It was such  beautiful day, I preferred to do something outside than go to the YMCA.  I told myself, walk or run, but do SOMETHING!

As I got ready to go running, I realized I need to invest in some more sports bras (PLEASE do not tell me TMI!).  My supply is getting kind of old.  I found a couple to wear, though, as well as bicycle shorts, running socks and a loose-fitting t-shirt.  I remembered where my running shoes ended up.  This was going to be great!  I got together a load of laundry to throw in while I ran, just to be extra ambitious, especially for a Monday.

It was with a little frisson of virtue, therefore, that I started out.  Unfortunately, it was not long before my legs said, “Oh, crap.”  This was not going to be fun.  However, as I have often noted, if I have learned one thing, it is how to persevere.  After all, one must get through the crappy runs in order to get to the good ones.  I could at least enjoy the sunshine.

I could not enjoy the sunshine.  But I sternly warned myself against dwelling on my misery and kept going.  Seeing flowers and looking for shade distracted me somewhat. Some people were sitting out enjoying the day.  I even saw a sunbather, stretched out on a lounge chair, face down.  I was reminded of Hercule Poirot’s observation in Evil Under the Sun, about sunbathers looking remarkably alike.  Oh dear, he put it much better than that.   I don’t know where I put my copy of that book, and I really don’t want to take the time to look for it now.  Read the book yourself, if you like murder mysteries.

Anyways, I managed to run for 22 minutes (my favorite number!).  As is often the case, my cool-down walk was my favorite part.  I think my least favorite part is this blog post about it.  I’m sorry, folks, it’s Monday, and I have to finish cooking dinner.  I hope to see you all tomorrow, on Tired Tuesday.

 

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Scattered Sunday follows Scattered Saturday

Posted on May 14, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

My fun weekend continues and I hurry to make Sunday’s post before I reach the Wrist to Forehead portion of the day (you know, as Monday becomes more imminent) (and, please, don’t any of you point out that Monday has been imminent since last Tuesday, I have no interest in pursuing any pedantic arguments this morning).

Steven got up early for work, but I lazily stayed in bed another hour or so and got up feeling much more rested than I had expected.  Tracy slept in even later and got up after Steven had left for work.  We decided to go out for breakfast.  After some discussion of our options, we chose The Knight Spot in Frankfort, NY.  They were quite busy, but we had a yummy breakfast of an omelet (Tracy) and sausage on a hard roll (me).

I was driving, so we took a more circuitous route out of Frankfort.  That way I could point out various businesses and landmarks I thought Tracy would be interested in.  We also stopped by the S.S. Maria Addolorata Prayer Garden on Sheldon Avenue.  I have been to the prayer garden before and even written about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  With our late spring, however, I wondered what shape it was in right now.  It is lovely.  We walked through and admired it.  I must remember it as a spot to go and sit when I am feeling particularly stressed.

Back home, we stopped at a couple of nearby garage sales, enjoying a very nice chat with a couple of neighbors.  I purchased an old thermos.  I have another old thermos which I love, because it keeps coffee really hot for a very long time.  I feel certain the one I bought today is old enough to be equally efficient.

Now we are merely awaiting Steven’s return from work (it is a short day for him).  He may want to check out the garage sales, too.  We may also go for ice cream.  It’s a beautiful day, and we are having a great weekend.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

 

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I’ll Be Lame for the Concert!

Posted on May 12, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my gyrations of trying to get ready for An Evening with America to make a Flustered Friday post. If I have time.  I may start it now and finish it after the concert.  I am pausing not so much because I am dedicated to making my blog post right this minute (I AM dedicated to making my post, of course, just not necessarily right this minute), but for the sake of sitting in front of a fan and cooling off for a minute before I attack the wardrobe problem again.

As I have often observed, it is not easy being me.  My weight loss goals seem further away than ever — and I thought I was being so GOOD this week: no candy, no cookies, no ice cream! A lovely blouse I purchased recently, after trying it on to be sure it is not too tight in my upper arms, turns out to be, you guessed it, too tight in my upper arms.  As well as elsewhere.  I bought it recently, and according to the scale I have not gained weight since then, but….  Maybe my scale needs new batteries.

To make matters worse, I started hot flashing.  I can’t wear leggings!  I can’t wear a camisole under that white shirt!  I can’t wear that black top!  I can’t wear anything!  AAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!  Oh, OK, I did not scream.  I just came downstairs to, as I said, cool off.  Sitting still in front of a fan is quite effective for that.  I highly recommend it.

I see I am over 250 words.  That, by my convoluted rules for myself, is respectable, especially for a Lame Friday Post.  I hope your weekend is beginning more smoothly than mine.  I shall post further updates as events warrant.

 

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Facing the Music

Posted on May 11, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

A musical weekend awaits me.  Tomorrow, Steven and I will drive into Utica, NY (not a far drive) to the Stanley Theatre to see the band America (you don’t have to italicize band names, do you? I should know these things).  I have not been to the Stanley in over 20 years (yikes!  I just now figured that out).  It was beautiful then, and I believe they have made improvements since.

Just to give you an idea.

The event is a fundraiser for the Herkimer County Historical Society, one of my favorite organizations.

Saturday our friend Tracy is coming to visit, and we are going to see a folk group, Jam Crackers in Holland Patent.  We have seen them before; they are wonderful.  Tracy may get here earlier in the day, so we can get in a Mohawk Valley adventure or two as well.

Tracy’s visit is one reason I have been so distracted from my blogging duties this week:  we have been frantically cleaning the house.  Tracy nicely said that as long as she had a path to get through she was fine, but, well, we had to excavate the path anyways.  I utilized my old favorite cleaning protocol: the stuff-and-cram method.  We’ll worry about organization at a later date.

So this is my Non-Sequitur Thursday post for the week.  Or I guess we could call it a Preview of Coming Attractions.  Discuss among yourselves.

 

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Still Blogging, But I’m No Blob

Posted on May 10, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am approaching my seventh anniversary of writing this blog (I may use “blogging” as a verb, but I shall not use the word “blogiversary”) (except, perhaps, parenthetically), and I am beginning to wonder if I am just not coming to the end.  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  The fact is, I have been sitting here with the laptop on my lap for some time now, and I have no idea what to write a blog post about.  I just hate to have a Wuss-out Wednesday after a Bad Attituesday after a Monstrous Monday after a Wrist to Forehead Sunday after a, oh crap, what was Saturday?

“What do you mean another silly post?”

When in doubt, throw in a picture of a monster.  A natural monster this time, the great white shark from JAWS.  At least, I think this is the mechanical shark, Bruce, making it a depiction of a natural monster (I add in the interests of accuracy).

As usual, I meant to write a blog post while on breaks at work.  As usual, I did not.  My obsession with solving puzzles once again got the better of me.  I managed to write a little on a letter to my sister.  And I wrote entries in my food and headache journal (I’m documenting and looking for patterns) (no luck so far).  I do not know what is wrong with me.  However, as Scarlett O’Hara used to say, tomorrow is another day.  I’ll throw in a couple more monster pictures and call it a day.

It creeps, and leaps…

I would say this is me: a blob, but in fact it is not.  The Blob oozed around quite actively, causing all kinds of trouble.  All I want to do is sit on the couch and knit.

I forgot I had this one.

I thought I would close with a picture of my favorite, Nosferatu.  I love that guy.  Happy Wednesday, everybody.

 

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George Zucco on Monstrous Monday

Posted on May 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had vague hopes (not high hopes, as you see) of making a real post, perhaps writing it while on break at work.  I also had what I thought were firm plans to exercise after work.  I should have known better.  Now here I am, in a monstrous mood, typing off the top of my head and hoping for a Monstrous Monday post.  I do like monsters.

“Y’see, dock, it hurts right about here…”

Here is George Zucco and… a friend (I bet you thought I was going to say his mummy) (you know who you are).  I had seen a picture of George Zucco and a gorilla in one of my movie groups earlier and thought I might download it.  I went back to Facebook and searched “Geroge Zucco.”  There it was!  At the last minute I thought, what if it belongs to somebody and I was supposed to get permission?  So I changed my search to “George Zucco public photos.”  I kind of like the mummy better anyways.  It is more monstrous.

I was introduced to George Zucco (it just feels right to use his entire name every time) in our 50 Horror Classics DVD collection.  He is described as “marvelously theatrical.”  I’m sure I’ve written blog posts about some of his movies.  I really must start doing movie write-ups again.  They are such fun.  For me, at least.

Spoiler alert: they do more than just walk in this flick.

I think this is one of the movies I wrote about.   If I was better about tagging, I could probably find it and link back to it.  And here we come to the ugly truth about me.

I still don’t know why the monster was so mad.

I actually do not remember if I saw this one or not, but I thought it would be nice to include another picture with George Zucco.  My new ambition for the week:  to watch a movie featuring George Zucco and write about it.  It is good to make a big plan on a Monday.

 

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Introducing Stream of Consciousness Saturday

Posted on May 6, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have less than twenty minutes to make my blog post or I will have to drink and type.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I have sipped and typed many times. In fact, right now I am sipping an iced coffee QMF (that stands for Questionable Moral Fiber).  I had meant to drink it virgin, but it tasted kind of bland and sad, so, PURELY for flavoring purposes, I added just a small splash of DikinDurt Distillery’s Mohawk Valley Fire.  Yum.  Sometimes the naughtiness of having a little nip is all you really need.

So I am sitting here waiting for my friend, Kim, to pick me up to go to a Cinco de Mayo event at the Ilion Elks Lodge.  There I go again with my latest Freudian typo!  I keep wanting to put Cindy de Mayo.  A Facebook friend said she thought a Cindy de Mayo party sounded like a hoot.  I’ll have to keep that in mind.  It reminded Steven of a Freudian error he used to make when writing in the TV Journal.  He would refer to a certain HBO show as Sex and the Cindy.  Make what unflattering jokes you please, I think it sounds like a good show.

Either the coffee or the minute amount of alcohol is giving me a hot flash, just to give this post a little stream of consciousness flair.  Ooh, how’ s that for a new category?  Stream of Consciousness Saturday!  I love it!  And I am over 250 words, a perfectly respectable blog post by my own perhaps messed up rules (but they work for me).  And I still have 12 minutes before Kim gets here. Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

 

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Lame Headache, Monster Pictures

Posted on May 5, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

If this was not Lame Post Friday, I might be tempted to have another Blogger’s Sick Day.  I left work early with a migraine.  It’s better now, but I still have a naggy little headache.  So much for my health woes.  Let’s post some monster pictures.

“You think YOU have a headache!”

Earlier today, I observed that my hair has grown out to the point where I either have to cut it or spend more time growing it before I will like it again.  I also thought it made kind of a square shape on the top of my head.  So I thought I probably looked like Frankenstein, and that made me feel happier about it.  My work friend, Karen, said my hair has been looking nice lately and pointed out that hair does need to be cut on a regular basis.  I personally want to do another St. Baldrick’s event and be bald.  Maybe in 2019.

Maybe Dr. Frankenstein should have put this brain in his monster.

This is a shot from The Brain From Planet Arous (1957).  I seem to remember it is a very silly movie, but since my brain is kind of throbbing, I thought it was appropriate.

One more picture and I’ll sign off.  Hmmm…

Everybody needs a little help sometimes.

I think if somebody would have offered that monster a nice cup of tea, a good many rampages could have been avoided.  Perhaps I shall have a cup of tea myself, although I do not feel inclined to go on a rampage at this time. Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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Non-Sequitur Bomb Scare

Posted on May 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am taking a Blogger’s Sick Day.  I was going to say Blogger’s Mental Health Day, but for some reason that does not feel right to me.  I was over two hours late getting out of work, because we were locked down for a car bomb threat.  I was happy enough when they gave us the All Clear shortly after 5, because we were hearing we would be stuck there till 7:30 at the earliest.

For some reason, I can’t seem to hit Publish after less than a hundred words (my usual minimum for a respectable post is 200), but I am quite disinclined to say anything about this threat.  I’ll probably hear more about it on the news tomorrow.

Full disclosure:  I did not feel frightened or freaked out at the time. I am not sure how shaken I feel now, but I am not able to make a “totally fun” post, as advertised in my subtitle.  Now if one of my family or friends had endured a threat of some nature, that would have bothered me.  Discuss the psychological implications among yourselves.

 

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May Day Run?

Posted on May 2, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I unexpectedly ran today.  I had my work-out clothes in a bag in my vehicle, thinking to go to the YMCA in Mohawk for my usual arms and abs followed by elliptical.  Then I stepped out of work into the warm air and thought, “I can’t waste this!”  It was nice and cloudy too, just the way I like it.  I left the workout clothes in my vehicle for another day, got dressed in a running outfit — shorts and short sleeves, woohoo! — and set out.  Full disclosure:  the outfit in my bag would have been fine for running, but I figured this way I already have the bag packed for next time.

Oh, the bare sidewalks! Oh the breeze that did NOT torment my sinuses!  Well, yes, the warmer temperature does make my spring allergies immediately kick in (it’s either placebo effect or really, really fast pollens), but that is not the same as the pain brought on by a bitter wind.  I got set to enjoy myself.

Of course I did not.  I have not been running in weeks (too lazy to check my running journal and see exactly how long) (well, that fits: too lazy to run, too lazy to check).  I have taken walks and gone to the YMCA, but not as consistently as intended or recommended.  In fact, I haven’t done anything since Friday.  In my defense, oh never mind my defense, explanations are tiresome.  But my body was not happy with me right away.

I grimly told myself that this was the difference between a smooth elliptical machine and pounding on the pavement.   Just endure, I thought.  One must get through runs like this to get to the good ones.  I have not run up the hill to Herkimer College in a long, long time.  I want to get back there one day!  Today, obviously, was not that day.  I decided 15 minutes would be OK, although I would try for 20.  Twenty minutes seemed good for the first run in a long, long time.

I thought about how I have been going for long walks on some of the days I do not go to the YMCA.  Walking, I thought longingly.  How pleasant would that be?  I would go further and longer!  Why wasn’t I walking?  I had really missed a bet this time!  But I kept running, at least the middle-aged shuffle I call a run.  I reminded myself that this was the pace I can keep up for just about as long as I decide to.

By the end of the run, I was picturing a calendar and counting in my head if I ran 20 minutes, then added 10 percent every week, how soon would I be ready to run a 5K?  What if I ran 22 minutes?   I left out a week and got confused.  Then I wondered when I might find a 5K in the area that I wanted to run.  I also wondered if I would be able to get a blog post out of this run.  I could call it May Day Run.  Isn’t May Day what ships call when they are about to sink?  Appropriate for the way I was running!

I made it for 23 minutes.  Perhaps I could have gone further, but there was no point in killing myself (oh, YOU can probably see a point to it!) (you know who you are).  As it was I was damn tired.  My cool-down walk was more pleasant than the run, but I was ready to stop that by the end, too.  I stood on the deck to do my stretches and noticed some daffodils in my yard.  Yay, daffodils!  I had been hoping all day to see some May flowers.

 

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