Tag Archives: blogging

Enjoying What’s Left of Vacation

Oh Kitty, you’re just making your Monday worse!

Time to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I am at the end of two weeks off.  Truth be known, I would not have chosen the first two weeks of July for my vacation. Still, time off work is time off work.  I managed to enjoy myself.

It is not heinous to return to work.  For one reason, I enjoy the possibility that getting back into a routine will help me accomplish a few things.  Yes, this is how I am:  when I am at work, I think, “Oh, if only I had time!”  When I have time, I think, “Oh, how I need routine!”  Will I ever get anything done?  We’ll see.

“One more thing!”

Earlier we were watching Colombo.  We have Season 1 on DVD.  We must get more!

Haven’t we all at one time or another?

Before Columbo, we enjoyed a few episodes of Snapped.  I am always happy when I can catch an episode I have not already seen.

How have I never found this photo before?

We are now watching The Big Chill, a mellow movie with a great soundtrack.  I call it a Sunday Night Movie, because to me it feels right to watch it on a Sunday night.  I can’t tell you why.

In any case, I am over 200 words, which regular readers know I call respectable.  I shall now get back to enjoying the movie and what is left of my Sunday.  I hope to see you all on Monstrous Monday.

 

Not Scattered, Shout-Out!

I cannot make a Scattered Saturday Post,  because I have not scattered enough.  I took a long run this morning then pretty much sat around and wished it was not so hot and humid.  YES, I am a wimpy whiner, one must put up with these uncomfortable weather situations, blah blah, woof woof.  Hey, at least I managed a long run up a major hill before wimping out.  I suppose that does not count with some of you ( you know who you are).  Hmph!

Where was I?  Ah yes, trying to make a blog post when I have not indulged in many blogable activities.  My friend Kim picked me up in the afternoon, and we went to the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer for a couple of drinks.  It was a lot of fun, as it usually when Kim and I get together.

No, I did not fall off my barstool to take this picture.

I was just scrolling through my Media Library looking for pictures of the End Zone, and I found this shot of the ceiling, complete with a Herkimer jersey.  Some of these older buildings have the best ceilings!

Always stuff to look at!

I enjoy looking at the sports and beer memorabilia on the wall.  There are also several television screens, usually with different games going on.

So I guess my Scattered Saturday Post has turned into a shout out for a local business.  Regular readers may recall that I have given shout-outs to this business in the recent past.  So sorry to repeat myself.  I also apologize for making my Saturday Post early Sunday morning (by my clock, anyways).  I can only hope to do better on Wrist to Forehead Sunday!

 

No Sweat: It’s Lame Post Friday!

And yet, I am gaining weight. Go figure.

I will try not to spend this entire post whining about the heat and humidity, but no promises.  Sharing the above picture reminded me of a high school friend who used to quote Shakespeare referring to her midsection: “Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself to dew.”  Is there a problem with spending an entire post lamenting my weight gain worries?

The beauty part is that today is Lame Post Friday,  so I am going to call whatever I come up with OK, as long as it runs to 200 words.  Maybe another picture would pep things up.

I think they are pretty.

I have been watering my Johnny Jump-ups and my container garden almost every day.  The forecast keeps promising rain and even thunder storms, but they seem to bypass me.  I keep thinking I should take an updated picture but have not done it yet.  And no, I can’t run out and do it now, because it is dark out.

Speaking of dark, I will be glad when we start to get a little more of it.  I’m sure that is an unpopular opinion, but I usually am out of step with the rest of the world (you may have noticed).  Mostly I am looking forward to a later sunrise.  That way, when I go running in the morning, I can begin my run in the dark and end it in the light.  I love that.

Ooh, look, I am over 250 words.  I think I will just close with a picture.  Happy Friday, everyone!

A shot of my neighborhood being rained on, because I hear it starting to rain as I type this.

 

Non Sequitur Movies and Post

I was going to call this a Throwback Thursday Post to when I decided to watch old movies on my day off.  The only question is whether I will have sufficient pictures to make it interesting.

She is SO fabulous!

The first picture I see is of our second feature, Being Julia starring the wonderful Annette Bening.

Here is a revolting development:  I cannot find illustrations for Rear Window,  which we watched before, or Gosford Park, which we are watching now.

Point that portable keyhole!

I’ve loved Rear Window for years and often remember the first time I saw it, on a small black and white television in a crappy apartment in Potsdam, NY.  Yes, the good old days, when we were neither good nor old nor were they days, they were nights.

Love the 1920’s styles!

That took me a long time, to find appropriate  illustrations. The above is from Gosford Park, a rather delightful murder mystery set in the 1920’s,  one of my favorite eras.  I have written a couple of murder mysteries that take place in the 1920’s.  I do not rule out writing a few more.  People love the 1920’s.  Is it the beads?  Is it the booze?  Is it the fringey dresses?  Or is it the jazz music?   So much to love!

It is also very enjoyable to write a blog post about watching movies on a hot and sticky night.  Some people love summer.  I do not.  To each his own, as the old lady said when she kissed the cow.

 

Maybe Not Balanced, But a Good Lunch

Steven and I just had a delightful lunch with our friends, Phyllis and Jim.  Was wine involved?  Could be!

A truly delightful couple.

We met at Applebee’s in Herkimer, NY.  In general, Mohawk Valley Girl prefers to stick to locally owned businesses.  On the other hand, local people work at Applebee’s.  Why should I not support them?  Oh well, right or wrong thing to do, we met at Applebee’s.

Jim in a mask.

Naturally we wore masks on our way to the table.  I was intrigued by Phyllis and Jim’s masks.  They told me they  were their granddaughters’  artwork and had come from a website called artsonia.com.  I do not put it in as a link, because I have not yet checked it out myself.  That may have something to do with the second or third glass of Cabernet Sauvopignon, but let us not worry about such things now.

Applebee’ s was concerned with social distancing, with some booths blocked off.  This is always good to see.

We did not sit there,.

We talked about the problems of businesses reopening.  Were our facemasks enough to stop the spread of COVID-19?  We can only so the best we can do.  Phyllis observed that if we cannot have time with the people we love, we do not have anything.  I had to agree.

Other bloggers can make these mirror selfies work! Me, not so much.

When we got back home it was still pretty warm.  I put on a shirt Jim had given me.  I felt the snowman motif was appropriate for our current situation.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable lunch.  I agree with Phyllis: we need time with those we love most!  Let us strive to maintain a balance from our own mental health and the physical health of all!

 

 

Still Supporting Local

These days I am torn between the desire to stay home, stay safe and keep my germs to myself, and the desire to be out and about, get material for blog posts and support local businesses. Lately I have erred on the side of Support Local.  Isn’t that what one would expect of Mohawk Valley Girl?

Today I went to my beloved Herkimer County Historical Society on Main Street in Herkimer.  For one reason, when I was there before, I missed some post cards.  For another, I wanted to grab a couple more masks.  The masks were donated to the society specifically to be sold to raise funds.  And they have some lovely designs.

Post cards and masks; I’m all set!

Next I went to Renewed and Rescued further down Main Street.  They have expanded!  It’s awesome!  I must make a blog post telling more.

And there is plenty of room for even more merchandise!

I had come in specifically to look for clothes, but first I had to walk all around at the new space and stuff.  Finally I stopped browsing and found myself a dress, a pair of shoes, and a present for Steven (I did not go in looking for the last item, but what’s wrong with an impulse buy?).

Some of the clothes were on sale!

I counted my trip as successful, although I can’t help wondering if the blog post is up to par.  No matter.  We’ll just call it a Tired Tuesday and drive on.

 

Ah, the Holiday Weekend!

I have been on vacation (or shut down as we call it in the factory game) for the whole week, yet, as usual, I will take advantage of Lame Post Friday.  For one reason, it is a holiday weekend and I have had a few libations.  Judge me if you are so inclined.

I am ashamed to admit he has better teeth than I do!

Since it is 4th of July weekend, I suggested we begin the movie watching portion of our day with JAWS.  Even if JAWS was not so admirable as a movie, which it totally is, it would be  noteworthy as the first of the real summer blockbusters.  If I am mistaken about this (Hell, I’m no film scholar;  I just like to watch movies), please let me know about previously released summer blockbusters, because I would love to check them out.

OK, I just spent a goodly amount of time looking for a photo I thought I had of Fatal Attraction.  I had no luck.  Such is my lack of skill on the Tablet.  I suppose I will just have to mention that we saw it without benefit of illustration.

I had batter luck with our next feature, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.  It is playing as I type this (one letter at a time with the stylus, of course).  This is really a depressing movie when I think about it. Spoiler alert:  We’re all doomed.

A dramatic moment!

I don’t know what movie we will watch next, so I will close with an appropriate image I came across in my searches.

To us all!

Alas, I only have one Christopher Lee movie in my collection, and it does not include vampires.

Happy Friday and Happy Holiday Weekend!  And if you are obligated to work the weekend, don’t hate, please.  I’ve been there and may be there again.

 

Just a Little Local

I saw on Facebook that Monday was Shop Small Day or the whole week was Shop Small Week or some such.  You know I never pay attention to these things.  In any case, for Mohawk Valley Girl, EVERY day is Shop Small Day.  Unfortunately,  I cannot shop every day, and I cannot always go small for what I need.  Well, we none of us can live up to our ideal (and if you are sitting there smirking because YOU always do, all I can say is that you probably need some better ideals) (you know who you are).

Where was I?  Ah yes, attempting to shop small.  One of the pages I follow encouraged us to share on Facebook pictures of our purchases.  I went to T&J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer earlier this week, but those vegetables are already cut up and in a salad.  Maybe I have one tomato left.

I’ll probably put it in an omelet or sammich tomorrow.

I also went to Valley Wine and Liquor,  also in Herkimer.  I am sipping a little wine as I type this.

Of course I use my Halloween glass year round! What did you expect?

To add a little more local, I got that awesome glass from Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit.

Today I drove to Little Falls, NY.  I had seen there was to be a new gift shop opening near The Cafe at Stone Mill.  I went to the Cafe first for a cup of coffee.  I cannot convey how much I have longed to sit in a cafe, sip coffee, and write.  I worked on a letter to my sister.

It is yummy coffee!

I thought about getting ice cream instead, since it was so hot out, but the lower calorie count won.  To tell myself it was not really ice cream but frozen yogurt would be mere quibbling.  Additionally, this is coffee by local roaster Joseph Putrello, and it is excellent coffee.

I already have one of those coffee mugs.

I did not purchase anything in the gift shop but intend to return.  After checking it out, I drove to Burke Park for the weekly Fresh Market.

It’s already on my calendar for next Thursday.

I spent more time at the market, and took more pictures. I hope to write more about it later.  In the meantime, I see I am approaching 400 words.  That seems good to me.  I hope to do more local shopping and buy more stuff soon.  And write blog posts about it.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Late Post, Good Run

I begin my Thursday with  Running Commentary Post.  For one reason, I never posted on Wednesday, and this way there is an off chance I will make two blog posts today.  Additionally, I got back from my run less than an hour ago.  IT! COULD! WORK! (That was a quote of Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein)

I was ready to get up shortly after five.  Steven was still blissfully asleep, so it was a good day to start with a run.  When I looked out the window at the fog, my mind was made up.  I got ready quietly and off I went.

I have been running for several days in a row.  I really must go back to keeping a Running Journal so I can keep track of these things.  Yesterday I went for a long run up the hill to Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC), so I thought a shorter, easier run would be acceptable.

For most runs, I turn left out of my driveway and head toward German Street.  Today for something different, I turned right, going the way I go when I walk to the post office.  I went through Meyers Park, another familiar route for me.  When we first moved here and I started running again (after several sedentary years and gaining over 30 pounds), I made it a habit to always run through the park.  I went on really short runs in those days, but you have to start somewhere.

After the park, I headed toward Main Street.  I decided to keep going in roughly that direction till I had run for ten minutes then head home.  It would probably take me more than ten minutes to get home, what with following a different route, so that would be a good plan.

The plan worked fine.  I went on a couple of streets I don’t often go on (the village is too small for there to be many I’ve NEVER seen).  I admired several flower beds and envied a few screened porches.  I ran by my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  I ran for 23 minutes.  To put that in perspective,  I ran 40 minutes yesterday,  33 the day before.

I still don’t have a plan for running my Virtual Boilermaker 15K,  but my training seems to be going  well.  I’m feeling pretty good about it.  Now to work on my writing!

 

No Brain, Mummers, Mummy… How Monstrous!

I normally do not call it Mid-week till Wednesday,  but I really want to make a Monstrous Post.  Then again, who knows what will catch my eye when I go to my Media Library?  Maybe I should just go for a Tired Tuesday.  How fun to begin a blog post with no idea of where it is going!  I shall try to plan better for tomorrow,  just for a compare/contrast.

How would you like to fit this guy with glasses?

How appropriate for me to find the monster from The Brain That Wouldn’t Die on a day when my brain has definitely died. Oh how I love a cheesy horror movie!

HOW I miss my theatre friends!

I found the first picture in June 2018.  The above is from June 2019.  They are Mummers Along the Mohawk, a group that performed at The Great American Irish Festival.  Only the headgear makes them monstrous.  In the performance they are merely boisterous players, and in real life utterly delightful people.

You could not toss and turn. Just saying.

I put in this sleeping (for now) mummy, because I was feeling a little tired myself (you know, Tired Tuesday).  Personally, I have trouble sleeping on very warm nights, in addition to suffering from insomnia in general.  I can only imagine how difficult it must be for the undead in the dessert.

My favorite side eye.

I close with a more familiar shot from The Brain That Wouldn’t Die.  It is perhaps my favorite cheesy movie.  Then again, I have not seen them all.  So many things gs to add to my To Do List!  No wonder I am tired.