Tag Archives: blogging

I Do Love Music

Posted on February 22, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

On a recent Wednesday I made my way to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, to meet my niece Kimi and her boyfriend, Matt, and to hear one of my favorite local musicians, Phil Arcuri.  It was a bittersweet but lovely evening.

Previously shared picture.

Regular readers know that my late husband, Steven, and I had a Wednesday thing of going to Fratello’s on Wednesday nights for food and music (not necessarily in that order).  More recently, I went alone as Steven did not feel up to it, but I always hoped he would be joining me again soon.  I like to think he was with me in spirit.

Right away Phil gave me a hug and said he was sorry about Steve.  Later on in the evening, he said he missed Steve’s smile.  Steve always was a big fan of Phil’s.  Some Wednesdays when he was disinclined to go out at all, I could tempt him by saying Phil was playing.

Phil opened, as he often does, with “Margaritaville.”  Traditionally, when he gets to the line, “It’s all my fault,”  I say it is Steve’s fault.  This night, I admitted it was my fault.  On the next chorus, I blamed Kimi and Matt.

Also a previously shared picture.

I was glad I got out of the house, and I am glad I finally wrote about the evening.  Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158. E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They are open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.  You can follow them on Facebook to find out when local musicians are featured.

 

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It Is Monday. I Muse.

Posted on February 21, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monday has traditionally been a day I let myself off the hook.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I let myself off the hook all the time!  There’s Tired Tuesday,  Wuss-out Wednesday,  and who could forget Lame Post Friday? That said, I let myself off the hook today.

For one reason,  I returned to work, at a previous place of employment.  This is not a work blog, so I will not elaborate except to say that it was not a bad day at all.  My former co-workers welcomed me back, which felt very nice indeed.  Still, work is work, and I am not a young woman.  I returned home tired and mentally revising the to-do list I had compiled this morning.

See, this is how hard I worked today.

I was afraid the post was a bit dull, so I threw in a picture.  Joan Crawford with an ax, there could be no possible objection.

Four things I felt must be done on my list:  take out trash and recyclables, fix tomorrow’s lunch, put on coffee, and make my blog post.  I have done (am doing) them in that order.

It was not on my list, but I did watch Dateline.

I am navigating my life as a widow with varying degrees of success.  I believe that is to be expected.  I look at other people who have greater tragedies to deal with and fewer supports to help them, and I count my blessings.  This does not necessarily alleviate my feelings, but I try to let it inform my behavior.  I don’t know if that makes any sense.  Do you suppose sense is overrated?

I see I am over 250 words.  Score!  I am going to bill this as a Middle-aged Musings Monday, although a friend recently pointed out that if I am middle-aged now, I must live to be well over 100.  Don’t you just hate those didactic types?

 

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Perhaps I Should Have Left It Blank

Posted on February 20, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am sitting here staring at a blank space and feeling that my mind is equally blank.

Well, I thought that if I typed in something, anything (pecking it out one letter at a time with the stylus, of course), I could go on from there.   Sometimes these little tricks work.  Sometimes not so much.  However,  I want to make a blog post.  I will attempt to make a blog post.

The famous white bathing suit.

I throw in a picture to pep things up. Earlier I watched Creature from the Black Lagoon on a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie.  I loves me some Svengoolie.

I know how she feels.

This is also not the picture I was looking for.  However, sometimes I like to jump on the I Hate Monday bandwagon.  I personally will not be pouring myself such a measure of booze.  I had a little wine earlier, but not enough to render Monday even more hideous than it is forced to be by nature.

Cheers, my love.

Speaking of wine, here is a picture of my sadly missed husband, Steve, enjoying a libation at the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY.  My friend Kim and I had a couple drinks at the Waterfront yesterday.  Did I mention that in my Scattered Saturday Post?   It is far too much trouble to go back and look.

I guess I can bill this as a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post, because I must sound like I am about to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead.  I will try for a little less drama tomorrow.

 

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Still Scattered, Still Saturday!

Posted on February 19, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to make a fast Scattered Saturday Post and get back to enjoying my evening.  Maybe with another glass of wine.

I went for a run earlier this morning and eventually made my Lame Post Friday post.  More importantly, I wrote out a few post cards to send.  Regular readers know I like to send out a few postcards every week to folks who might need a pick-me-up.  I have not sent any for the past two weeks, so I felt happy to do so again.

I throw in a picture of the post office, just to add an illustration.

When I went to mail the post cards, I went on to Little Falls, NY, because I had to drop off a couple of catalogues I had borrowed from Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremation.  Since this brought me past the turn-off to Dolgeville, I decided to visit Dolgville on my way back.

In Dolgeville I stopped at Stella’s Styles, a delightful consignment store I have been at before.  Alas, once there I felt disinclined to purchase anything, although I did see a  couple of fancy evevening bags I coveted.

Shortly after returning home, I joined my friend Kim for a tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  Three Brothers Winery in the Finger Lakes, yes!  After the tasting, we stopped at the Waterfront Grille for a full glass of wine.

Back home, I made some popcorn and watched as episode of Svengoolie on DVR.

It was Godzilla on Svengoolie.

I must decide what to watch next, but for right now I feel perhaps disproportionately pleased with myself for making my Saturday blog post on Saturday.   Hey, I gotta take my  wins where I can.

 

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I Indulge in More Memories

Posted on February 17, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I want to do a Throwback Thursday Post.  I know I have been heavy on the memories lately, but once again, I crave my readers’ indulgence.

I personally have never worn that hat.

Yes, I am sharing more memories of my husband, Steve.  Here he is wearing one of my rummage sale finds on Kentucky Derby day.  I think he is cute.

With a friend.

Here is Steve at the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY with our friend Tracy.  We were having a delightful time, as I recall.

Cheers, my love!

This was at the Ommengang Brewery in Cooperstown.  We always meant to go back but were rarely in the mood to drive that far.

With some fish.

This was at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  Hmmm… that broiled haddock looks good.  My sister Cheryl and her girls were thinking of going to a fish fry tomorrow.  Perhaps I should join them (preview of coming attractions).

I fear I have not gotten to 200 words (my rule for me about the respectable length of a blog post).  Well, sometimes we all fall short of the ideal (yes, even you) (you know who you are).  At least this post is on time, and I can always try for a better blog post tomorrow.

Ha ha, that got me over 200 words!

 

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Late Post, Lots of Stuff

Posted on February 16, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, yesterday was a Wuss-out Wednesday as I did not post at all.  I think I jinxed myself by declaring on Monday that I was going to start posting every day again.  But late posts have been a thing with me for a while, so I press on.  I had quite a busy day yesterday, doing at least three blogs-worth of activities.  Right now, however, I want to post quickly, because I really would like to go for a run.

I ran yesterday, a little faster than the day before, although I studiously do not worry about that.  I really try not to put too much pressure on myself, as I am feeling quite fragile these days.  I puttered around the house a little but was mostly killing time till I was to join my sister, Cheryl, for adventure.

I met Cheryl at her house in Marcy, and she drove us to Syracuse, where her car was going to get worked on.  Our sister, Diane, who lives in Liverpool, picked us up at the car place, and we went to take a walk along Lake Onondaga to look for eagles.

It is a great place for a walk.

After our walk, we went to Destiny, USA for lunch at World of Beer.  I got home shortly after four, with time enough to type in, polish, and email my article for Mohawk Valley Living magazine (I hope they like it).

I think he is fun.

After all these exertions, I relaxed with a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie. It was not until I was headed for bed that I remembered I had not made my blog post.  I thought, would a late post be so bad?  I trust not.  But now I really have to go for a run.

 

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Running Away From Depression?

Posted on February 15, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I got on the Tablet thinking I was going to make a whiny Tired Tuesday Post but thought I might try instead for a little Running Commentary.  I took a couple of walks yesterday and decided today to just go ahead and run.  I thought, I don’t have to run far, I don’t have to run fast, but I am registered for the Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY this summer.  I need to train for that.  Additionally,  exercise is a well-known and seldom used anti-depressant.  It might help.

I went first thing in the morning.  Well, second thing.  I had coffee first.  It was not too cold for February.  I put on leggings, long sleeves, a warm headband, and gloves.  This would be fine.

And it wasn’t too bad.  I told myself 20 minutes would be great but 15 would be enough.  I further told myself not to worry if I did a 15-minute mile.  Or even slower.  The important thing was just to go.

I find graveyards fascinating.

As I often do when I think I might make a Running Commentary Post, I ran by places I know I have pictures of in my Media Library.  Of course I love to walk and run by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners regardless.  I am especially fond of the old gravestones surrounding Herkimer Reformed Church.  I crossed Main Street and continued on my way.

A handsome building.

Eventually I made my way by the former Baptist Church and future home of Herkimer Business and Professional Association.

I have not sent any post cards recently.

Soon I was going by the post office.

I actually passed this structure on the other side.

When I first started running in the village, I made it a rule to always run through Meyers Park.  Sometimes I run around it, as I did today.

I ended up running for 22 minutes, making a mile in under 14 minutes, so I felt fairly pleased with myself.  Alas, the anti-depressant effect was short-lived.  Perhaps if I continue to run on a regular basis and for longer periods of time it would help.  In the meantime, I guess I will just feel that way until I do not feel that way any more.

 

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Monsters or Memories?

Posted on February 14, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a difficult time getting myself to do anything.  However, I persevere in trying.  I paid a few bills today, worked on organizing papers, took a couple walks, and drove to Cherry Valley, NY, in search of something to write about for Mohawk Valley Living magazine (preview of coming attractions).  But it doesn’t feel like I got a whole lot accomplished, and I spent a good deal of time feeling unmoored. Never mind that last sentence, let me get on with attempting some semblance of a blog post.

“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

This is how I feel, only not so skinny.  I have put on a few pounds recently.  I have not been running or walking.  In addition to having a nagging cold, I fell down my front steps and hurt my back.  The back is feeling a little better, though, so I may ignore my cough and try a run tomorrow.

This was a great evening.

I move from monsters and moaning to memories with a shot of my recently dedeparted husband, Steve, on Richfield Springs Scenic Railway.  I would like to go on that again.

Isn’t he cute?

Here is a monstrous memory:  Steven in costume at the Halloween Party at Herkimer VFW in October 2021.

So this is my Monday blog post: a couple monsters, a couple memories, and a little moaning about my ills. As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

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More Memories

Posted on February 10, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said posts were going to be sporadic, but I did mean to make a few.  This morning I noticed that a Facebook friend had commented (I almost always share my posts to Facebook) that she enjoyed seeing the memories and would like to see more.  For anyone just tuning in, I lost my husband, Steve, recently.  I draw great comfort from my memories.

Which one is the silliest?

One of Steve’s great legacies is his humor.  My best memories are of the laughs we shared.  The above was taken at the HALO Hoedown, a fundraiser for the cat rescue operation based in Little Falls, NY.

Cheers!

Steve was also a great partner in my Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Here we are at Woodland Farm Brewery in Marcy.

A fun bunch, indeed.

There he is, in the back with me.  This is a pre-show ussie from Leading Ladies, the show I directed at Ilion Little Theatre.  Steve was such a good actor.  He was a pleasure to work with.

Handsome men!

One more memory:  a memorable lunch at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, with our dear friends Phyllis and Jim.  Phyllis left us in 2021 and I will never be done missing her.

Here’s all four of us.

I know there will be more good times with friends and family.  Right now I just have to feel sad until I start to feel a different way.  Thank you for letting me share.

 

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It’s the Best I Can Do on Tired Tuesday

Posted on February 8, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

It occurred to me that it might be interesting to some readers if I share my journey through grief.  It might help me to write about it.  Or this might be nothing more than a rationalization to continue blogging.  Then again, for me, anything that will keep me writing, I will use.

This by means of an introduction to a Tired Tuesday Post.  I did not sleep so well last night.  Regular readers know I suffer from chronic insomnia, but last night I had the added problem of an intense cough.  It was quite distressing.  I did get a little sleep, though, so don’t mind me.

I thought it might be good to get out of the house.  I have, in fact, left the house almost every day.  I went to the funeral home, Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations in Little Falls.  On my way home from there, I stopped by Ann Street Liquors for some brandy for a hot toddy (a beautiful thing for a cold).  I went grocery shopping, to the bank, and to the drug store.  And I went running twice.  This was all over the course of Saturday through Tuesday.

Most recently I met my friend Kim for lunch at Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer.  We both had calzones and a glass of wine.  Yum!  And we took home leftovers.  Next we stopped at a big box store which needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl.  We had a fun time shopping for various needs and wants.

Hmm… This is kind of a dull post.  However, I am going to hit Publish and, as usual, hope for the post.  I crave my readers’ indulgence on Tired Tuesday.

And a Tired one at that!

 

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