Tag Archives: blogging

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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Late, Lame, What a Shame

Posted on September 29, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is that moment on a Friday, when I want to just not worry about being a blogger and go to sleep.

I typed that last night, then I went to sleep.  Full disclosure:  Steven and I got together with our friend Kim.  We went to Happy Hour at Asteroga Ale House then to the VFW for another drink.  We’re not members of the VFW, but Kim knows some folks there.  I told them I was V but not FW.  We found out we could join the auxiliary, so we may do that.

The point is, wine makes me sleepy.  Still, it was a fun Friday night.  We used to go out every Friday night.  When we lived in Potsdam, NY, it was Happy Hour at Alger’s.  When we moved to Norwood, NY, we went to Jeremiah’s. Good times.  Actually, it is the epitome of the expression, the good old days — we weren’t good, we weren’t old, and they weren’t days, they were nights.

So here I am at five in the morning, typing in something, anything, so I can still feel I am a daily blogger.  Well, why not?  We make up rules for ourselves and can bend them to our will.  I call myself a daily blogger.  If I miss a day and make two the next, I say that counts. If one is pure foolishness, I say it still counts!  And if I want to call it Lame Post Friday early on a Saturday morning, I will.  I hope your weekend is beginning splendidly.

 

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I Can Run, But I Can’t Blog

Posted on September 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I went running this afternoon, specifically so I could make a Running Commentary post.  Well, I guess that was not the only reason.  I also want to get back into shape (that is, a shape other than round and puffy), lose weight, be able to run a 5K and better.  And I thought some exercise would help my mood.  I sure could use some of them there endorphins.

Obviously I did not get any.  I suppose I did not run long enough.  You’ll have that, especially when you are trying to get back into it.  I have to remember that in middle age, one falls out of shape a whole lot quicker than when one was younger.  Also, it is harder and takes longer to get back into shape.  I hope I do not appear to be whining about these things; I merely mean to make the observations.

Not actual footage of me after my run, but close.

I thought I’d better pep things up with a picture.  This lady’s face looks like how I feel.  It is Candace Hilligoss in Carnival of Souls (1964).  I got the pic from the Facebook page of that movie.

This is where I must admit, I am too tired and brain dead to make a decent blog post.  Was it the run that tired me out?  Or just the usual Monday Malaise?  No matter.  I’ll throw in a couple more pictures and hope to think of amusing captions.

I could be the old-fashioned slow-poke kind of zombie.

Actually, I walked my cool-down alone.

As I feel like a zombie, I find two zombie pictures.  Now I am done running and blogging for the night.  Happy Monday, everybody.

 

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And What Will Monday Bring?

Posted on September 24, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

What she said.

Yes, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I have had many; I will have more.  At least one more, being today.  I must admit, the above picture is a good way to ensure a really bad Monday.  I am not doing that.  Still, it is an amusing picture which I am sure many can identify with (I can so end a sentence with a preposition) (or a parenthetical comment; I’m flexible that way).

As you may guess, this is not going to be a blog post of much substance.  I do not care at all.  I have had a very pleasant Sunday, after not so great of a Saturday.  Oh, I don’t mean to complain (what a lie; of course I do), but spending most of Saturday with a headache is not going to make this one of my favorite weekends.  I have not had a headache today, but what will tomorrow bring?  Sometimes a little suspense adds interest to my day; at other times, not so much.

I loves me some Snapped!

I was watching Snapped but now it is over and something called Dying to Belong is on.  I am still deciding if I like this one.  I’m afraid all of these shows are getting a little too heavy on the re-enactments for me.  But I am increasingly aware that what I like is not what I am likely to see on television.  As I have often observed, it is not easy being me.

Be that as it may, I see I am over 250 words and by my own rules for my own blog, that is good enough.  I will just end with another picture, just for good measure.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

Oh, that’s right! I was planning to go on a diet tomorrow!

 

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