Tag Archives: Halloween

Witch to Forehead Sunday

Posted on October 10, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Nobody should be surprised that this is Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  We are back home from our Vermont adventures, and I am tired.  Could I be getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  Well, of course it is so.  You get old or you die young.  Those are the choices.  Anyways, I got tired when I was younger, too.  The best thing to do is to relax myself today and have some more adventures tomorrow.

I find that some excellent things to do on a gloomy, tired Wrist to Forehead Sunday are read cheap fiction, watch true crime shows and watch movies.  I am indulging in all three. I purchased several Agatha Christie novels at a used book sale in Arlington, VT on Friday.  I read one on Saturday.  I am reading another one today.  While I read and Steven Facebooked (one of my favorite verbs), we looked at a few episodes of Snapped.  Now while I blog (another silly verb), we are watching The Curse of the Blair Witch, the cable documentary that was made to promote The Blair Witch Project, which movie we shall probably watch next.

I particularly wanted to watch these features this weekend, because it is Columbus Day weekend, which I believe is when the movie takes place.  It is definitely October, because there are Halloween decorations up in some of the places they film.  It must be a long weekend, because of the number of nights they camp before they get lost and are staying extra, unintended nights.  Perhaps the dates are actually stated in the movie, and I am quite foolish for feelings so pleased with myself for my deductions (I read a lot of Agatha Christie, but I’m no Miss Marple) (if you do not get that reference, I am sorry for your lack of reading some very enjoyable books) (then again, to each his own, as the old lady aid when she kissed the cow).

Where was I?  Ah yes, that movie about the movie about the Blair Witch.  I know it is not respected by some, but it is one of my favorite Halloween movies.  I enjoy the alternate narrative technique, although it has since been copycatted quite a bit (I’ll be damned, my computer thinks “copycatted” is a word; I thought I just now verbed the noun) (but apparently “verbed” is not a word).  It suits my mood today to watch a foolish movie I have seen many times before.  Maybe tomorrow I can watch something really cheesy to write about.

In the meantime, Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

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Halloween Bonafides on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 26, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I let another movie run while I make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  We usually watch True Crime television on Sunday, notably episode after episode of Snapped, but it is autumn, and that means it is time for Halloween movies!  Of course, I like horror movies all year long, particularly the cheesy variety, but there is an especial feeling of comfort in watching them as the weather begins to turn cool, as it did today.

We began our movie watching with Return of the Body Snatchers, which is not cheesy but something of a classic.  Mostly I like the classic cars.  It is a selling point to me in an old movie when the characters do a lot of driving.  I like to have a connection between the movies I watch, so we are now looking at House of Wax.  The connection is that both movies feature Carolyn Jones, most famous for portraying Morticia Adams.

Our other potential choice was The Birds, because of bit parts in both movies played by that guy that was on The Dick Van Dyke Show.  Steven had to look up his name for this blog post:  Richard Deacon.  I never would have remembered that, if I ever knew it to begin with (I am not at all sure I did).  I felt Wax was a better movie to go with, because an actor famous for Morticia clearly has better Halloween bonafides than one who played some random guy opposite Dick Van Dyke (YES, I love Dick Van Dyke, no he is not a Halloween guy, shut up).

I would really like to write some more posts about cheesy horror movies.  We have watched a couple, but I just can’t seem to put pen to paper about them.  I’ll have to work on that.  In the meantime, I sit here, poised with one wrist to my forehead, watching what we’re watching and lamenting my lack of a better blog post. You would think I would be used to it by now.  Never mind.  The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.  That gives me plenty of space to maneuver.

 

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Treats Before Tricks

Posted on November 1, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

So, here it is, Halloween.  And it is Saturday, the day I usually dub Scattered Saturday, give you a brief summary of my gyrations for the day and hit Publish.  Sounds like a plan.

As I noted yesterday, I worked, from 5 to 11 a.m., not a heinous shift nor even a heinous job, although I would have liked to have slept in.  Oh well, you can’t have everything.  At least I went to bed early last night (after whining, anticipating, watching television and writing a blog post about it) (perhaps you read it).

After work, I really worked, getting our deck and backyard cleaned.  I dismantled my container garden then raked, raked, raked our back yard.  The back yard was carpeted with leaves.  I like having trees.  I like trees, I like shade. But what a lot of leaves!  However, there is no sense in repining at this point (ooh, there’s a thought: PINE trees!  No leaves!).   I see why people like those obnoxiously noisy leaf blowers.  I comforted myself with the thought that raking burns calories and applied myself with vigor.

I filled every leaf container we have.  That is four trash cans (one extra large) and one kitchen-sized waste basket.  I started to drag them out to the curb, since yard waste gets picked up Monday, then thought better of it.  After all, Halloween, pranksters… it could be a problem.

After my exertions I had a beer, as my dear old dad often does at the end of a good day’s work.  Full disclosure:  it was not the end of the day, it was about half past twelve.  But that beer tasted good.

When Steven got home, I got into the shower, informing him that we were going out for a late lunch.  He was quite agreeable.  We went to Sorrento’s in Ilion.  I had a Chicken Francaise sandwich while he had the special: a turkey slider with tomatoes, spinach and a balsamic fig sauce, mashed potatoes on the side.  Our waitress was quite adorably dressed as a clown in a tutu.

After lunch we went to Picker’s Dynasty, a re-sale shop I have been intrigued by but never gotten to.  We were just in time for their moving sale.  They will now concentrate on their space at the Mohawk Antiques Mall, another of my favorite stops.  I bought a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald.  Steven considered an album of “Music to Make Your Husband Happy,” but I guess he decided he was happy enough without it.

We are now home waiting till it is time to greet the trick or treaters, one of the highlights of my year.  I am enjoying a cup of coffee but do not rule out indulging in a little wine later.  I hope you are all having a marvelous Halloween, and I hope to see you on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

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Whiny Babies Need Love, Too

Posted on October 31, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I never feel quite right having a Lame Post Friday when I have to work on Saturday.  As a co-worker sensibly pointed out to me, it is still Friday; they can’t take that away from us.  But I think most Monday through Friday workers can understand how I feel.  People with different schedules are perhaps rolling their eyes and thinking I am a whiny baby.  Well, what if I am?  Whiny babies need love too, you know!

But I must not spend my entire post whining.  How tiresome, even for me.  Anyways, tomorrow is Halloween.  I LOVE Halloween!!!  Steven and I will stand on our front porch to greet the trick or treaters.  After that we shall watch scary movies.  Maybe even something I can write a blog post about (I love writing blog posts about cheesy horror movies).  Work-schmurk!  Tomorrow is going to be a fun day!

Tonight is also not without reward.  I am currently watching my beloved Snapped.  Snapped, for the uninitiated, is a documentary-style show about female murderers.  I do love a true crime documentary. Snapped is not one of your classier shows, like 20/20 or Dateline, but it’s not a re-enactment-fest like Deadly Women or Lethal Kin, although those re-enactment-fests can be kind of fun too.

So I guess this is my lame blog post for the day.  I whine, I anticipate, I watch television.  This is Friday night at my house.  Hope you’ll tune in again on Saturday.

 

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For Pumpkin Junkies

Posted on October 16, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

We interrupt this series of posts about last Saturday’s adventures to bring you a post about a seasonal business closer to home (my home, that is), Pumpkin Junction at 2188 Graffenberg Rd.,  Sauquoit, NY.

I heard about Pumpkin Junction by seeing a flier on a bulletin board at my place of employment.  I was strolling the halls during my lunch break, talking to Steven on my cell phone.

“Hey, we should totally go to Pumpkin Junction,” I said.  “It’s on Graffenberg Road.”  I have become familiar with Graffenberg Road since my niece Dana purchased a house in Sauquoit.  I drive out it when I go to her house or join her and her family for church in Chadwicks (I had quite an adventure there once; perhaps your read my blog post about it).

Steven had the computer on and found Pumpkin Junction on Facebook.  Being great Halloween aficionados, we made plans to check it out.  It was a few nights later we made the drive. It was early evening on one of the last beautiful days we’ve had.  What a lovely drive out Higby Road to Graffenberg.  I love the views across farmland to the mountains. Steven nicely drove so I could look around and enjoy the fall colors.

The business is located at a family farm.  We drove up the driveway, parked near a cornfield, and walked over to check out pumpkins, gourds and squashes.  I’m not one to eat squash, but I kind of wished I was, looking at the variety available.  We were particularly fascinated by some that were shaped like snakes and some a beautiful two-toned green.

In the barn we found hundreds of Halloween decorations and accessories.  They ranged from the cute to the spooky to the downright gruesome.  I soon found a garland of rough twine and skeletons, then a bag of skulls.  I looked with envy at the full-size, posable skeleton but resisted the temptation.  For now.  Later on Steven found a Halloween mug he liked.  We have a few Halloween mugs, but I thought we could use at least one more.

We left with plans to return, because I’m sure we did not see everything.  Also, I would like to buy some gourds and miniature pumpkins for my Thanksgiving decorations.  And I’m sure there are friends and family members who would like to go with me.

Pumpkin Junction is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.  for more information, you can visit their website at www.pumpkin-junction.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

 

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Multiple M Monday

Posted on October 6, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

“The weather is going to stick around.”  –Bill Kardas, WKTV Weather.

I think he meant that the GOOD weather is going to stick around, but Steven and I were amused by the way that disembodied quote looks. And the word “disembodied”  to me has a distinctly Halloweenish sound to it.  It brings to mind disembodied heads and hands.  Nice.

If it was not already obvious, I am having a Mental Meanderings Monday.  It was either that or a long Monday Moan, and who wants to hear more of my belly-aching?  Not me!

Soon I must run to rehearsal for Lunch Hour, the first show of the Ilion Little Theatre 2015-16 season (yes, yes, I have mentioned it before; it bears repeating).  First Steven and I have to help with a little project for the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I’ll just be a little mysterious about that for now (Mysterious Monday?  I like that, too).

As the month progresses, I shall also be preoccupied with Steven’s and my Halloweddinganniversaweenary Party.  I thought it would be fun to mention the name.  I made it up myself. Oh dear, I do hope all of my followers weren’t hoping for an invitation.  That would make it a larger party than I have resources for.  Not as large a party as SOME bloggers would have.  I say it with jealousy but also with respect.

And now I’m getting silly (Malarkey Monday?),  but I am over 200 words, so I can sign off now with a relatively clear conscience.  Hope to see you all on Tired Tuesday.

 

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Christmas for Mohawk Valley Girl

Posted on December 26, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hmmm…. after staring at an empty space under “Add New Post” it seems my brain’s Christmas present to me is a big fat case of Writer’s Blank.

It’s not as if I’m asking myself to come up with something brilliant. I’ve been saying all day that my blog post is going to be merely a wish of cheer and goodwill to my readers. How hard could that be? Apparently too. But one thing I have learned: if I put my fingers on the keyboard, words will eventually appear. And if I can keep myself from erasing what appears, eventually I can hit Publish.

It is a grey, gloomy day in Rome, NY, where I am celebrating Christmas with my husband and dog at my parents’ house. It’s almost as if Halloween came for Christmas. How cool is that? I love Halloween! I have taken two short walks with my dog, which have been quite enjoyable. We all opened presents and had a nice Christmas dinner. My mother and I mimosed (sorry if that makes you jealous, but I believe champagne and orange juice are readily available in many areas). I am now enjoying a glass of champagne without orange juice. It is New York Champagne, by the way. Great Western Extra Dry, my favorite.

In short, it has been and is being a wonderful Christmas. I shall now hit Publish and get back to enjoying it. I wish peace and goodwill to all.

By the way, tomorrow will still be Lame Post Friday.

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Post Halloween Run

Posted on November 2, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Let fanfare right and banner fly! Saturday Running Commentary is BACK! For today, anyways.

We got up at 3:30 this morning, because Steven had to work at 6:30. I had said I would have a cup of coffee then go running. I heard you burn more calories if you consume caffeine before your workout. I knew there was a danger that while I drank the coffee I might talk myself out of running, but it was a chance I was willing to take.

I was hungry right away, so I ate a banana with peanut butter a little after four and got ready to run by five. I was really looking forward to it by then. I have missed running. I wanted to run after work several days in the past few weeks, but Tabby would look so happy to see me and would so clearly want to go for a walk, that I just couldn’t disappoint her. It seems I am not capable of walking my dog and then going for a run. Perhaps I could work on that.

The temperature was in the low 40s, so I wore leggings and long sleeves. They were the leggings and mock turtleneck I had worn under my Halloween costume last night, so I felt all reduce-reuse-recycle. I was happy I found my reflective vest, because the clothes were black (Halloween costume, you know). I put a headband over my ears, found running socks and shoes, and I was on my way.

My hands got cold, but the rest of me felt pretty OK. My legs did not complain AT ALL for at least the first half of the run. My breathing wasn’t too bad, either. The cold air bothered my throat a little. I tried the “in through your nose, out through your mouth” thing, but as usual it did not work for me. My nose will just not let in enough air.

I ran down German Street towards the high school. I could see the sign blinking messages. I saw that the Herkimer Footlighters were going to present something, but a tree got in the way before I saw what. I’m sure it will be in the newspaper or I’ll see a poster somewhere.

I rounded the corner and ran down Church Street to Main Street. I was looking for Halloween decorations, figuring it would be one of my last chances to. It could be the streets I’ve been on lately, but I seem to see fewer Halloween decorations this year. I hope a lot of people will decorate for Christmas. I like decorations.

Main Street was quiet and deserted. No lights greeted me, no cars went by. As I passed Basloe Library I remembered that Guitar Group is starting up again. This is an open jam session held every Saturday in a room in the library. Anybody is invited to come play and sing. I sing quietly, so nobody need be put off by my possible participation.

As I ran by the post office, I reminded myself to write a few postcards to mail. I did not write any last week, which I feel was remiss of me. Through Myers Park and up Bellinger Street. This had not been a bad run at all.

I ended up doing 25 minutes, which I thought was good considering it has been at least a month since I’ve run. I didn’t even feel too tired. As Tabby walked my cool-down with me, I felt pretty good about myself. And I saw a few Halloween decorations to admire. I probably would have seen more if I had been running all through October. Let that be a lesson to me.

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Less Wine, More Time

Posted on November 1, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I mean wine not whine, although it is true that one can waste an inordinate amount of time whining (don’t point your finger at me; you do it too) (you know who you are).

It is Halloween afternoon and I am on my lunch break at work pondering the rest of the day. I have just written a lengthy post about a Mohawk Valley adventure Steven and I had yesterday. However, I will be in a time crunch from the moment I leave work till our earlyish bedtime (we rise at 3:30 tomorrow morning). It may be too many words to type in. Plus, I must look up a couple of things and edit, oh, and I might include some links. These “real” posts take time.

What I often end up doing in these situations is to snatch a few minutes to compose something really fast at the keyboard. It works for Lame Post Friday (which, of course, is today). However, I think it would save even more time if I only had to type something in and not have to think of it first.

I will also save time (here we come to the headline) if I forgo the wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor, which I could stop at on my way home after carefully running an errand to take up the time till four, when the wine tasting starts.

Hmmm, I just realized if I continue to dither about this now, as I feel inclined to do, there will be even more words to type in later. What’s a blogger to do? I could use a drink.

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Did You Scream?

Posted on November 6, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

During our Halloween movie viewing, Steven and I enjoyed what is perhaps the quintessential William Castle movie, The Tingler (1959).

We had seen The Tingler once before, but that was in Georgia over ten years ago (yikes!). I did not remember much about it, except for the tingler itself, which was pretty funny. I mean scary. OK, both. I have to confess, while we were watching it this time, I was fixing supper, so I missed a few parts entirely. Hey, if you don’t think it’s important to feed your spouse and eat well yourself, well, that’s where we differ.

William Castle was a producer and director who was quite the showman. He didn’t just make a movie, he gave his audience an experience. I’ve talked about him before. He did things like put a nurse in the lobby in case any audience member keeled over from fright. During House on Haunted Hill, a skeleton on a wire flew out over the audience at a dramatic moment. His gimmick for The Tingler involved wiring certain seats in the audience to deliver a startling sensation to unsuspecting movie viewers.

I’ve been thinking somebody ought to release a boxed set of William Castle movies with props. They could include a nurse’s hat so one of your friends could pretend to be on hand in case of fright emergencies (I forget which movie that went with), a skeleton to wave over the audience during House on Haunted Hill, and some sort of joy buzzer for The Tingler. But I digress.

In The Tingler, Vincent Price is a mad scientist whose area of study is fear. Of course he does not consider himself mad (I know, they never do), and his aim is not world domination or even untold wealth, as it is for any number of other mad scientists. He believes he has the good of mankind at heart. His handsome young assistant and the assistant’s beautiful girlfriend agree.

The tingler, Price finds, is an actual thing that attaches itself to your spine when you are frightened. It can kill you, but you can stymie its fell intent by screaming loudly. There does come a point when the audience is encouraged to scream, but Steven and I did not. The windows were closed, but we might still have startled the neighbors. My scream is piercing.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot (the parts I remember around cooking dinner, anyways), because this is one of those movies best enjoyed by letting it unfold before you. I thought it was very fun. I recommend catching it if you get the chance, and if it frightens you… SCREAM!

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