Tag Archives: blogging

Sunday Christmas Fun

Posted on December 18, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have just had the most fun evening! I am filled with the Christmas spirit! I went to the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer’s 10th Annual Christmas in Meyers Park. I saw on Facebook that the event had been moved to Herkimer Elks Lodge due to weather. Well, that was an even easier walk for me, so I set out very shortly after 4 o’clock.

” ‘Twas the night before Christmas…”

I arrived at the Elks while the story was going on. He went on to sing a couple of Christmas carols. When he did “Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer,” I added the stuff in between the lines: Rudolf the red nosed reindeer (reindeer!)… You know what I mean.

I sneaked further into the room and grabbed a couple cookies till Santa showed up.

So cute!

After that, I confess I went into the bar and had a glass of Chardonnay. I had a lovely time chatting up a few Elks I knew. Eventually Santa came in to wish us all a Merry Christmas. I roguishly asked to sit on his lap. He graciously invited me back into the room to do so.

” Santa, baby, slip a sable under the tree for me… “

I asked someone to take a picture of us, mentioning it was for my blog. Some others encouraged me to take a picture of the fire department members who were there to offer cookies and cocoa.

Aren’t they handsome?

I told them how I loved fire departments especially after they pumped out my basement after the flood of ’13. They did not just help me, they were happy to help me! These fellows agreed that fire departments are always happy to help. I must find other ways to support the fire department, since I fear I am to old and decrepit to actually fight fires.

I went back and bid a fond farewell to my friends at the bar. It was a delightful interlude. Now I must prepare myself for Monstrous Monday. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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My Decorations Are Late, Too

Posted on December 17, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess 7:30 on a Sunday morning is early for some people, so I will count this as my Saturday post, although WordPress will not credit me for a four day streak.  How the mighty have fallen!  I used to never miss days.  I think I was in my 40s or 50s back then (wow, I have been blogging for a long time!).

Only I’m not that skinny.

I decided to throw in a picture to pep things up, as I often do, and that was when my Tablet started behaving badly. Now I am on my dining-room-table-top ten-finger typing.  Now I still have not much to say but can say it faster.

Yesterday (Saturday) was a lovely day.  I got my Christmas lights hung.  By that I mean that I switched out a string of pumpkins for a string of multi-colored lights and Witchy for Santa Claus.  Traditionally I leave Santa and Witchy out all year, dressing them for the holidays with which they are not usually associated.  This past Halloween, however, as I was putting up lights on the actual day, I took Santa off the porch and put him in my living room.  Look at me, going all conventional in my old age.  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  I had a little trouble with the colored lights:  they had worked in my house when I tested them a few weeks ago, but they declined to light up after I had gotten them hung.  Luckily I had another string of colored lights.  Now I have no colored lights on my mantle, but these things happen and we must deal with them.  Anyway, I will try to get some pictures of my porch later today for a future blog post (preview of coming attractions).

He looks a little ghostly, no?

Here is my porch on another year, when I was a little closer to having my act together, and my husband was able to participate in the light-hanging.

I see I am over 300 words, not bad for a late, insubstantial post.  As always, I will strive to do better, but I feel that almost any post is better than no post at all.  Do you agree?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

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What Lame on Yonder Window Breaks?

Posted on December 16, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Surely I can make a Lame Post Friday post, despite the various problems,  petty and otherwise, which have been impeding me (I reserve the right to call anybody Shirley).  For one reason, it is actually Friday.  For another reason, my brain is feeling, well, fairly lame.

He’s looking to see if I can really make a post.

Illustrations always liven up a post, even when they do not exactly illustrate the point at hand.  Especially when there is not much of a point at hand. Anyways, this is either the ghost or a cardboard cutout of Chester Gillette at the 1834 Jail in Herkimer.

I hope to have a few Mohawk Valley Adventures tomorrow, getting my Christmas shopping done along the way.  Christmas sort of snuck up on me this year.  I knew it was coming, of course.  For heaven’s sake,  it is the same day every year!

A Christmas I was more prepared for.

I add a Christmasy picture, a little blurry but festive nonetheless. My house is sadly undecorated this year.  I’m afraid most of the Christmas things out have been out for at least a year.

Actually there are a few more there now.

I’m not sure how long Steve’s nutcracker collection has been on our buffet, but it has been a while.

So now I have rattled on for over 200 words.  I think I am up to three days in a row.  Will I continue?  A little suspense adds interest to my weekend.

 

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Mohawk Valley Memories

Posted on December 15, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I posted yesterday morning but not this morning.  By the way, I said it had been ten days since I posted, but I was mistaken.  You see, I thought it was the 15th.  Imagine my amazement when I got to work and discovered it was only the 13th.  But I knew all along it was only Wednesday, so I did not suffer the chagrin on realizing it was not Friday.

An all-time favorite meme.

I said I was going to post about Mohawk Valley Adventures.  However, I am fighting fatigue as well as my recalcitrant Tablet (I don’t think I have ever used the word “recalcitrant ” in a sentence before).  Perhaps a Throwback Thursday Post would be OK.

A great place to go!

Here is an adventure from December 2017.  My late beloved husband Steve and our friend Margaret Rienzo, proprietress of the So Sweet Candy Shoppe in Utica, NY.  I was there more recently with my sisters Cheryl and Diane.

I loves me some nutcrackers!

Here are some Christmas decorations in Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  The picture is from 2021, but I saw the nutcrackers there again just the other night.

It’s the good stuff!

For my last photo, I switch it up with a Preview of Coming Attractions.  This was from a tasting of Dikin Dirt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  Now where did I put my tasting notes?

 

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I’m Still Here!

Posted on December 13, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, it has been ten days since I last posted.  How embarrassing.  I have a few (very few) good Mohawk Valley Adventures to write about, but I feel I should first make an apology if not an explanation of not being here for my lovely readers, which I hope I still have.

May be a doodle of 1 person and text that says 'Please do not accept friend equests from my husband. ...He's been hacked. Mrs. ROXALANA DRUSE,'

These crack me up.

I throw in a picture which has very little to do with anything, but I saw it on Facebook this morning (yes, I peeked at Facebook before logging on to WordPress, judge me if you want to be that way), and it made me smile.  My lawyer assured me he is still working on the appeal.  Longtime readers may remember that I had the honor to play Roxalana Druse in Roxy, the fact-based play about the local murder presented by Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre.  I wrote several blog posts about it.  In addition to giving me a laugh, I guess it helps me to remember past triumphs.  I trust I shall not continue in the wallowy rut in which I have become mired (what an image!) (and autocorrect seems to think “wallowy” is not a word, but as usual in these cases, it is exactly what I mean).

Regarding the wallowy rut:  I try, I really do try to do things other than sit around and feel sad, try to sleep, or read books (reading books is great, but it doesn’t clean the house, do the dishes, or make blog posts).  At first the insidious voice in my head said, “I can’t!”  I could sometimes overcome it with a gentle, “Just try”  or “Just do one thing,”  occasionally even specifying an actual thing.  Then the voice switched to, “I don’t care!”  That is more difficult to overcome, but I have had some minor success with, “Do it anyways,” or striving to ignore the voice.

I throw in a Christmasy picture to liven things up (I was sure Christmasy was a word!).

What a dull, self-involved post.  I will play the widow card once again.  This is my first Christmas without my beloved Steve.  I remind myself that it is going to be hard, don’t be surprised by that, just try to do a few things to make the season merry for somebody at least.  I guess I have gone over these thoughts before, but I must repeat them constantly to myself so inevitably impose them upon others as well.

And I see I am over 400 words.  I hope to make a real Mohawk Valley Girl post later today or tomorrow.  I thank everybody who is still reading.

 

 

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From a Swoon-like Position

Posted on December 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I once again try to make a blog post from my phone, as I did Thanksgiving weekend (perhaps you read that post). I am lounged on my couch after a singularly lazy Sunday. Then again, why not a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post? To a casual observer, I look like I might just have swooned, dramatically posed or otherwise.

I need to get a closer shot.

I took that picture when I walked to the post office yesterday. I usually go through Meyer’s Park in Herkimer, NY, where I live (I add for the benefit of any reader just tuning in). I meant to take a few more pictures and make a Pedestrian Post, but couldn’t make up my mind on any.

An excellent musician.

Here is another picture I took but had not used in the blog yet. It is local musician Tom Maneen, who I enjoyed seeing at Frattello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort last Wednesday.

My phone does not seem to tell me how many words I am up to. No doubt I have just not clicked in the right place. Regular readers know that most of my problems can be explained with the words Operator Error.

I say no matter. This makes three days in a row that I have posted at least something. I will let that content me. Now then, how to add categories and tags…

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Still Lame After All These Years

Posted on December 2, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure:  I am making my blog post now only because I want my breakfast to settle in my stomach before I take a walk.  Otherwise, I might have done a Pedestrian Post with Pictures.  Perhaps another day.  The point is, I have nothing in particular to say or even to make a blog post about. Yes, I am still posting lame (and that gave me an idea for a title, at least).

Must up my decorating game.

A picture always make a post a little brighter.  This is from December 2021, before my life started to fall apart.  Oh, who am I kidding?  My life has always been a shambles, but we used to do a better job of decorating for Christmas.  I am particularly fond of the ghost with the Santa hat.  He has a practical function, which is to add light to the living room.  Right now he is sporting on of my rhinestone tiaras.

I love my Elliott Ghoul.

Here is another Halloween/Christmas mash-up.  The ghoul still stands in my window, keeping my company when I turn off the dining room lights or make a loud noise.  I especially like the reflection of Santa in this picture.  I brought that Santa inside Halloween night and mean to return him to the porch when I take down the pumpkin lights and put up some multi-colored ones I found (preview of coming attractions).

It looks a little like the ghost of Santa, no?

Here is Santa from the front.  I purchased Santa Claus the first year we lived in this house, from a nearby big box store which needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl.  I remember walking home with him tucked under one arm, feeling inordinately pleased with myself.

As I gear up to celebrate the first Christmas without my Steve in over 30 years, I remind myself to find joy, and to try to bring joy to others.  Perhaps my silly blog brings, not joy exactly (I shall not flatter myself), but a little smile.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

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I Start Lame and Go From There

Posted on December 1, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Perhaps posting every other day will be a thing for a while.  No promises.  However, I managed to find my way to the dining-room-table-top and, well, here I am.

I just paused to get some coffee.  Surely that will help (after all, somebody’s name might be Shirley).

Not the cup I am using, but I wanted to add an illustration.

In my favor today:  it is Lame Post Friday.  Although I have made a habit lately of making my Lame Post Friday post early Saturday morning and my Throwback Thursday post early Friday morning, I feel fairly certain today’s will be somewhat of a lame post.  Then again, a couple of Throwback pictures might pep things up.

A favorite scene.

From spring of 2019, a scene from Morning’s at Seven at Ilion Little Theatre, with my dear friend Jim.  That play is a great theatre memory.

Oh yeah, Christmas is coming.

I was casting about, looking for other theatre memories but found this shot of my late, dearly missed husband, Steve, and a newscaster from WKTV whose name escapes me, stuffing the bus with toys for poor kids for Christmas 2019.  I must purchase something with which to stuff the bus this year.  Or perhaps I could win something at 4Pet’s Sake Food Pantry’s basket raffle on Saturday (preview of coming attractions).  I donated an afghan to the event.

May be an image of text that says 'BASKET RAFFLE 4PetSake Mohawk Legion 43W.MainSt, 43 W. Main Mohawk Food Pantry Inc. Benefits 4PetSake Food Pantry Saturday December, 2nd from 12-4 PM'

I plan to be there!

So now we have veered into Non-Sequitur territory, and I am over 200 words.  I adjourn for more coffee and wish you all a pleasant Friday.

 

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Monsters (and Bloggers) Need Love

Posted on November 29, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

One might just as well admit that it is easier not to make a blog post than to make one (one being me).  I could go on at length about how my depression makes it difficult to do
ANYTHING, beginning with getting out of bed in the morning, and how blogging is a form of communicating and I am in a decidedly non-communicative state, but these are half-baked philosophies (I deal in no other kind) better suited for Lame Post Friday.  How about some Mid-Week Monsters instead, and apologies for not posting on Tired Tuesday (I was in fact very tired, but explanations are even more tiresome; let us get on with the blog).

I surely would have used this had I posted yesterday, and I might call you Shirley.

I had the delightful experience this morning of thinking it was Tuesday but realizing it was Wednesday, so I feel free to use this picture.  I could feel a little sad it is not Friday, but what is wrong with Wednesday? All days need a little love.

“You need room-darkening shades, by the way.”

Monsters need a little love, too.  That is all Nosferatu is looking for here.  Love, and a little nutrition.  Even vampires need to eat!

Only my hairdo is not as good.

This is my current profile picture on Facebook.  It is a pretty good description of me, by the way.

I’m sure he meant it as a compliment.

Speaking of looking for love in all the wrong places…  I’m sure Drs. Frankenstein and Praetorious (don’t know if that’s spelled right; too lazy to look it up) thought these two were ideally suited.  That is what makes me suspicious of dating services.  How do they know who is and is not compatible?

I see I am approaching 300 words.  I call that respectable, as regular readers (if I still have any) know.  Yes, my little blog is looking for love, just like these monsters.  They say you have to give it to get it, and I do love my readers.  Happy Wednesday, everybody.

 

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I Bought the Book!

Posted on November 27, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I made my way to Ilion Little Theatre, where local author Dave Dellecese was having a Story Time and Signing for his new book, Lucy and the Ghost Take the Stage.  Two of my favorite things: theatre and ghosts!  And a book I think my grandniece, Evie, might like for a Christmas present (I feel free to put it here, because I am fairly certain she does not read my blog).

The author with his book.

Dave Dellecese has been a good friend ever since I joined Ilion Little Theatre. He is an excellent actor and director as well as a talented writer. I am so impressed with his prolific output!  I really must up my writing game.

I had to take the above picture twice, since in the first shot I inadvertently got Char, president of the club, in the background.  When I said I had gotten her blurry in the background, another lady said, “That’s the ghost!”

I did not stay to hear the reading or even eat a cookie, because I was not feeling well.  Nothing contagious; I just have not been eating in the most healthy fashion, especially on Sunday. In my defense… OK, I have no defense.

You can follow Dave Dellecese on Facebook or at https://davedellecese.com/.

 

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