Tag Archives: Halloween

Early Morning Monsters

As I embark on my second cup of coffee early Monday morning, I faced a decision:  take a walk or make a blog post.  Sitting the couch ten-finger typing and continuing to sip coffee won.

Aaaahh, coffee!

This is the mug I am using.  I was using it yesterday, too, and wanted to put it in the blog post.  I find it appropriate for the time of year (aficionados know the Halloween season begins the day after Labor Day) and for a Monstrous Monday post.

Scary? Or just old?

This picture was in my Media Library near the picture of the mug.  I use it to keep the post local, since I took the picture on one of my walks around the neighborhood.  It is, perhaps, a little in advance of the current season, but I like it.  It isn’t as scary as other rotting pumpkins I’ve seen; some of them mildew inside and the mouth becomes a rotting black hole.  Nice!

I think she’s pretty!

For another local photo, here is my skeleton Bonita, wearing a pet mask I picked up at a rummage sale and holding black tulips a fell0w cast member gifted me after making them for a prop in a murder mystery.  I never put her in her summer outfit this year; it was a kind of a bad summer, but that’s a long story, not very interesting.  I have yet to dress her for Halloween (yes, she is naturally dressed for Halloween, but since she is a year-round skeleton, I like to give her a little something extra).  In fact, she is sitting on a chair almost buried in some costumes I need to return to another fellow murder mystery actor.

Now I am over 250 words and have three pictures.  Score!  And my Monday blog post is done!  Could this be the start of another streak?  I can only hope!  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

 

Monsters from my Media Library

How about a Mid-Week Monsters post?  For one reason, I can get a little more practice in navigating my Media Library on this new computer.  For another reason, well, I like monsters.

“You want to do WHAT?”

This was the first monster I came to, a nice wolfman (I don’t know why my computer is underlining it; isn’t that how you spell “wolfman”?).  He looks a little surprised.  I’m a little surprised myself, posting three days in a row not early in the morning. Has it been three days?  Of course I am too lazy to go back and check.

Accused by his wife of being “the only ghoul here.”

Here is my guy Vincent Price in House on Haunted Hill.  I just watched that again the other night.  Sweet!  I loves me some William Castle.

“A little more claw here!”

And here is the great Castle himself, directing one of his cast.  Actually I am not sure if this is actually a picture of him directing or a publicity shot, but I like it.

I think he is nice!

And here is a little cuteness to round out the post.  The awesome pot was sent to me by my good friend Marsha.  The vampire was given to me by my late, dearly missed husband, Steve.  The orange is a t-shirt I didn’t really like anyways (it was advertising for a place I used to work; I folded it so no logo showed).

Some of my Facebook groups are already counting down the days to Halloween.  I have other deadlines to worry about.  In the meantime, I see I am over 250 words. Score!  I must try for some more Mohawk Valley Adventures to blog about, if only the weather will cooperate.  As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

Still Lame After All These Years

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.

 

Walking Back to the Blog

I have not posted in two weeks (I did the math: 14 days, then I looked at a calendar).  It just got easier and easier NOT to post!  And here is a philosophical question (whose answer will be half-baked, no doubt) suitable for a future Lame Post Friday post (if I can manage to keep posting that long):  why are good habits so hard to get back to and bad habits so easy?  I can go a week or two without eating chocolate (I can’t tell you the last time I actually did that, but I’m sure I can), then one little bite and I’m all, “YUM!  Why did I ever stop this?”

Full disclosure:  right now as I ten-finger type on my dining-room-table-top, I am a bit,  “This is awesome!  Why did I ever stop this?”  Yet I cannot guarantee I will be here tomorrow morning at this time doing the same thing.  But, as I said, these questions are for Lame Post Friday.

The current state of my blog.

As I often do at these times,  I throw in a picture to pep things up.  On Sunday (today is Tuesday, but the way; I mention it because my WordPress timestamp does not always jive) I took a walk with my camera, taking a few pictures, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post.  These rotting pumpkins caught my eye. I thought it was a brave smile, such as I feel myself giving these days (my teeth are in about as good shape).  At least this one has not started molding on the inside.  I once saw a really scary one with its mouth wide open to a black interior.  Alas that I had no phone or tablet with me at the time.

A nice place. I should join.

My walk continued and eventually I went past the Herkimer Elks Lodge, the site of my recent theatrical triumph (I feel I do not flatter myself as I give most of the credit to my fellow actors), Lights, Camera, Murder!  Imagine my chagrin when I discovered there were several other murder mysteries with the same title.  These things happen, I suppose, and I have heard you cannot copyright a title.

Why isn’t he in his cell? Is it a jail break?

Because I am still (let’s face it: almost always) in Halloween mode, I took a shot of the ghost of Chester Gillette peeking out of the 1824 Jail.  I guess it is not technically a ghost, but I think it has a nicely creepy air to it.

I see I am over 400 words.  That is long for one of my posts!  I hope I can get back into daily blogging. I may even waste a post detailing why I was away for so long, but as I often note, explanations are tiresome.  I sincerely thank you for tuning in.

 

Late for Throwback Thursday or Wayback Wednesday

Wednesday was a real Blogger’s Sick Day.  I had one of those migraines where the only thing I could do was lie around and have a headache.  For Thursday I have no excuse, unless it was my ongoing struggles with depression.  You would think I would be used to it by  now, and being a fairly high-functioning depressant (or do I flatter myself?) still be able to get things done.  At least more things.  I did do a couple of things but hesitate to list them because (1) there weren’t that many and (2) they were late.

Never mind all that, it is early Friday morning, and I need coffee.

A little blurry, but cool mug, yes?

I paused before getting coffee to take a picture of the mug I am using.  It was Steven’s mug (my late dearly missed husband, I add for anybody just tuning in), so I celebrate a memory as I sip.  I am, of course, using Halloween mugs this month.  I have too many coffee mugs in general, but NOT too many Halloween mugs!

They were a delightful couple.

I share the picture of Bridezilla and her consort, because I dreamed about her last night.  In my dream, I was telling somebody about the costume, and, as happens sometimes in dreams, we were watching it as I was telling it.  Only then she looked all different and was in a different costume, as also happens in dreams.  Don’t tell Dr. Freud on me!

He was looking good!

Bridezilla and the above picture were at a Halloween party at the Herkimer VFW in 2021.  We had a great time.  Another attendee told us me and Steve were the best couple.  How sweet!

She was the Woman of Many Hats.

Our friend Tracy was visiting at the time.  She dressed as herself:  a Woman Who Wears Many Hats, because she does, if you see what I mean.  Nobody took a picture of me.  I was just a common or garden ghoul.

One more scary picture couldn’t hurt, might help.

So I guess this is a Wayback Wednesday or a Throwback Thursday post.  We’ll see if I can be on time for Lame Post Friday, but no promises.

 

October Memories

I guess it’s another Late Post Week (when you put it in caps it looks like more of a thing) as I sit here Friday morning making a Throwback Thursday Post.

I love it!

I go back to 2016 and one of the first pictures I ever shared in this blog.  It is from Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, so I can give a shout-out to one of my favorite local businesses.  I don’t think they had this particular display when I was there last year, but there was still plenty to look at and enjoy.

Isn’t he handsome?

Here is my late, dearly missed husband Steve that same year.  We used to have all kinds of Mohawk Valley Adventures together.

I’ve shared this suspicious bunch before.

Another kind of October adventure was our presentation of A G.R.A.V.E. Murder to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I must do some more work on Lights, Camera, Murder! the next murder mystery, coming up Nov. 11 (preview of coming attractions).

Must work on my front porch!

And here is  my front porch, with past Halloween decorations.  So far this year, I don’t even have lights.  I hang my head in shame.

To complete the post, and the shout-out of the first two pictures, I will add that Pumpkin Junction is located at 2188 Roberts Rd., Sauquoit. They are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m, daily through Oct. 31.  Check it out!

 

When Was This Walk?

Instead of my usual Monstrous Monday Post, I thought I would share a few pictures I took on one of my Sunday walks.  I had meant to make a Pedestrian Post with Pictures that day, but, you know, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and all that.

Great new event!

I wanted to give a shout-out to Brookwood Market in Brookwood Park.  Oct. 15 will be the last day for this year.  I understand they are going to have some Halloween-y things going on.  You can check out their Facebook page for more information.

Nice place!

While I was giving shout-outs, I turned around and took a picture of Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast across the street.  They have a wine tasting room.

It’s beautiful on the inside!

Wanting to give equal time, I walked down to the other bed and breakfast on German Street, The Grand Colonial.  They have a gift shop which is occasionally open to the public.

This is taking my walk out of order.  I took some pictures in between the two B&Bs but will save them for another day.

Full disclosure:  I am finishing this post Tuesday morning.  I started it on Monday night but just did not want to continue.  I don’t know what my problem is, but it seems I have one.  As usual, I ask your indulgence and thank you for tuning in.

 

I Slack, I Scatter, It Is No Longer Saturday

It is almost 10:30 on a Saturday night.   I almost never stay up this late any more.  What the hell am I thinking?  The usual answer to that is: I am not thinking.  Which at least makes a change from over thinking.  Sometimes I like to shake things up.

I always kill house plants personally.

Earlier this evening I watched Little Shop of Horrors, the original non-musical directed by Roger Corman.  It is one of my favorites.

Aaand that was as far as I got last night.  I got too sleepy searching my Media Library for a picture of the movie Tormented which I thought I had but could not find so hit Save Draft and left it for this morning.  I slept in till after seven, what a bum!  I haven’t even had coffee yet.

Words of wisdom indeed.

This showed up in my Facebook Memories. I just don’t imagine I made anybody but myself unhappy by not making my Saturday blog post on Saturday.  Then again, I am part of Everybody.

Before I typed in the preceding paragraph, I hit Save Draft again and got myself my first cup of the day.  I put it in a Halloween mug, because as all true Halloween aficionados know, spooky season starts the day after Labor Day.   Then there are those like me, who try to keep the spirit alive all year, hence my viewing of horror movies most of the time.

I see I am approaching 250 words, and I have no idea what to bill this as.  Slacker Saturday because I am making it on Sunday?  Scattered Saturday because the subject matter kind of wandered?  Oh the trials and tribulations!   But as always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Monsters for my Blogiversary!

Happy Blogiversary to me.  At least, WordPress said Happy Anniversary, but I like my word better.  I have been writing this silly blog for a dozen years now.  How the time flies.  What better way to celebrate than with another Monstrous Monday Post?

Isn’t she sweet?

Although I have been blogging since 2011, I only started including pictures in 2016.  I was always slow to catch up with technology.  We got the witch at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, a great place to go for Halloween stuff.  Witchy, as I like to call her, stays on our front porch all year.  I dress her as an angel at Christmas time.

“What do you mean you’ve been blogging for a dozen years?”

I had to include my favorite guy, Nosferatu, of the eponymous 1922 silent movie.  I always think he looks startled in this shot, as if we have interrupted him.

I love the side-eye.

THERE’S The Brain That Wouldn’t Die !  I was looking for a picture of her for yesterday’s blog post and couldn’t find one.  I’ll be a ding dong daddy, as my grandmother used to say.  I keep thinking I will take the time to make an index of my Media Library but I never do.

Isn’t she pretty?

Back to my own decorations with my skeleton Bonita wearing a mask I think was made for a dog.  I picked it up at a rummage sale somewhere.  I don’t know if you can tell, but Bonita is holding black tulips.  They were made by my friend Jerry for a murder mystery.  He graciously presented them to me afterwards.

I thank any readers who have been reading me since 2011 (if any), I thank anybody just tuning in, and everybody in between!  I hope I have entertained!

 

Is It Really Wednesday?

OK, all I really have right now is that title.  I guess that makes this either a Wordless or a Wuss-out Wednesday when what I really feel like making is a Mid-week Monsters Post.

Of course, she does have a pretty face.

This is the movie I wanted to watch on Severed Head Sunday.  Unfortunately, I only have it on a DVD collection, not a DVD all by itself.  And with my current DVD situation, I can only put the disc in and hit Play; I can’t arrow over or down to play the second movie on the disc.  No Special Features either, although I rarely got into watching those.  Not that I mean to harp on my first world problems.

“First world problems are still problems!”

Here is my skeleton Bonita having a Wrist to Forehead moment.  I have been feeling a little apt to swoon these days, in my more dramatic moments (of course I have many dramatic moments; I am a theatre person, after all). I guess I don’t have a theme for today’s post.  It is being made out of a desire to post every day, and not to make this post late.

Is that Pinot Noir?

Sometimes the best thing to do is just pour yourself a glass of wine and hope for a better post tomorrow.  I purchased that glass at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, NY, just to mention a local business.  I stupidly broke it last Halloween. Perhaps I can get another one this fall.

In the meantime,  I am over 250 words.  Not bad for a silly post.  I am going to take my own advice: sip a little wine and hope for a better post tomorrow.  As always I hope you’ll stay tuned.