Tag Archives: health

Deadly Women on Tired Tuesday

I loves me some Deadly Women!

I open with this picture, because I am posting while watching Deadly Women on ID.  I don’t usually like re-enactmentfests, as I call them, but this one is fun.  I like Candace DeLong, who hosts.

For anybody who wonders if I am still feeling sick and whining about it, well, yes.  I’m  trying not to whine too much, with some small success.  Hot tea with lemon and honey helps.  So will going to bed early, especially if I can have that frisson of virtue from making my blog post.

Ah, but can I truly enjoy the frisson if my blog post is stupid?  Quick, Cindy, say something entertaining!

Sexy ladies, no?

Here are some deadly women of the theatrical variety.  At least, it is me and two friends in 1920’s garb for the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser.  Each of us has been the murderess for one or another of my murder mysteries, although no untimely deaths occured at the time this picture was taken.

She was pretty hot. I believe she still is.

Here is a theatrical version of a real life deadly woman (though some would say she was just a girl).   Ellen McQueeney went to school with my husband back in the day.  She is very beautiful and talented.  I recently saw a true crime show about Amy Fisher.  Although they talked about the media frenzy which ensued, they did not mention the musical.

So here is my Tired Tuesday blog post.  I hope I have entertained.

 

Who Wants to Read a Blog about How Sick I Am?

At the risk of trying my readers’ patience, I took another blogger’s sick day yesterday.  In my defense, I can’t so easily take a day or partial day off work so stuck it out for the full eight hours.  Something had to give.  It was the blog.  And the episodes of Dateline on OWN I went to bed rather than watch (and I LOVE Dateline!).  So now I am up at 4 a.m. (OK, I am usually up by 4, 4:30 at the latest), typing away.

And feeling rather ill-used about the sore throat (new symptom) and continued headache.  I would not be surprised if I picked up some virus in addition to my sinus infection and will feel terrible for the foreseeable future.  Or maybe it was a virus to begin with and I am building up my system’s tolerance for antibiotics to no purpose.

While at work, I alternated between thinking I would go home and straight to bed, and telling myself, “No! Don’t give in to it!  Go running!  Write your post cards and walk to the post office!”  Oh, how terrible do I feel about not writing my weekly post cards yet?  Quite terrible.  Anyways, it will come as no surprise that I did, in fact, give in to it.

I don’t now how much longer this illness will last, but it is making my blog damn boring, as well as making it difficult for me to accomplish any other writing.  Hands up, everybody who, when you are sick, want nothing better than to lounge around on bed or couch and wish you didn’t feel so rotten.  Oh, I suppose you probably don’t (you know who you are).

However, I see I am over 250 words.  Time to get ready to face the day.  My goal for today is not to spend any time resting my head in my hands and not to complain to any of my co-workers.  It’s good to set goals.

 

 

Sick Day With Very Little Brain

It’s only a sinus infection!

I have been glumphing along, acting like I have some hideous, mysterious, deadly disease — perhaps a new shot-resistant flu strain — I was inches away from hospitilization and a lingering, painful death.  Oh well, I knew it was nothing that serious, but that did not stop me from feeling and sharing complete misery.

Oh go ahead and play that miniature violin, and list all the people who have worse ills than me and no doubt complain much less.  I know I am being ridiculous; many people are ridiculous when they get a little sickypoo.  For one excuse, I don’t have a whole lot else to blog about, and very little brain to blog about what I do have.

What my head feels like.

I went to the doctor today and am currently waiting for the Medicine Shoppe in Ilion to deliver my prescription.  How awesome is that?  Home delivery!  Many people have to get their drugs in dark alleys or on street corners.

Hey, buddy, could you lend me a little of that brain?

I have been looking for this picture for days!  I always like to use it when I am feeling particularly brain dead (cue unkind remarks about my usual lack of brain).  It is The Brain from Planet Arous. The other picture is from The Brain That Wouldn’t Die.  As a sad side note, I saw on Facebook that the lady that played said Brain just died.

So it’s another Blogger’s Sick Day,  and a Wuss-out Wednesday as well.  I have great hopes for the prescription I await.

 

Apparently I Can Also Whine And Post

The run of Blogger’s Sick Days continues with a brief Tired Tuesday post.  I spent most of the day at work whining that I didn’t feel good and I wanted to go home. Fortunately I can work and whine at the same time (although in general I do not believe in multi-tasking), so I was not completely useless.  They frown upon complete uselessness at my place of employment.  However,  this is not a work blog, so enough about that topic.

Hmmm… there does not seem to be much else to say.  I feel sick, here’s my blog post.  Rather a dull post.  Perhaps I could pep things up with something from my Media Library.

Reflective of my mood?

Here is a shot of storm clouds moving into my neighborhood.  I observed some good dark clouds on my drive home from work, but I did not have anything to photograph them with.

Oh, just shoot me.

I guess this makes it Non-Sequitur Tuesday.   It is Bette Davis in The Letter, a movie I do not have on DVD but catch when I can on TCM.

I would love to have this mug in my collection.

Now we’re back to sequiturs,  because Davis was certainly a deadly woman in that movie.

And now I am over 200 words.  Deadly or not, this has been my Tired Tuesday post.

 

Running Commentary Interrupted

I made a doctor’s appointment, so maybe I can stop having Blogger’s Sick Days.  In the meantime,  I will try to make some semblance of a post.

Yesterday I did not mention it, but I had intended to make a Running Commentary post.  I started the day feeling better than I had on Saturday, and I am still hoping to participate in the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls next month. I donned leggings and a long sleeved running shirt, added a hat and gloves, and off I went.

And it was a pretty good run.  My legs felt OK, my breathing was good, I was pleasantly surprised.  Another thing I forgot to mention was that I had not gone running since last Saturday (judge me if you are so inclined).  This was all right!

So there I was, calculating how long I felt I could continue,  then adding 10 percent per week, picturing the calendar… the usual mental mathematics in which I often indulge while on a run. Then it happened.

I don’t know what I tripped on, but down I went!  One knee, then the other, then both hands at once.  Ow!

I stood back up, saying, “Ow, ow, ow,”  briefly considered started to run again, realized this was not going to happen, started limping towards home, puncturing each step with a pathetic “Ow.”  I looked around, hoping for a passing car or pedestrian.  If the latter, I would have asked them to call my husband to come get me.  If the former, I may have asked for a ride home.

Of course, no such helpful bystanders were available at that time on a Sunday morning.  It’s just as well, because my knee stopped being so painful after a block or two.  I guess walking it off is really a thing.

One knee was just a little skinned, but the one I came down on first had a big bloody spot.  However, it was not dripping blood, so I counted my blessings.  I had a bandage big enough to cover it, so the blessings continued.

I posted my mishap on Facebook, nobly refraining from taking a picture (I never like looking at other people’s bloody pictures), in what I admitted was a pathetic bid for sympathy.  I got some.  People are nice.

My knee still hurts today, and partway through the day I realized my arms and shoulders were aching.  This is what happens when middle-aged ladies wipe out on the sidewalk!  I’ll try to be less of a klutz in the future.

In the meantime,  I see I have a blog post of over 400 words.  Let that encourage me for future posts.  Happy Monday, everyone!

 

The Pictures Are Not Sick

Yesterday was an actual Blogger’s Sick Day. I came home from work early, went straight to bed and pretty much stayed there.  I got up at one point, thinking I would not be able to sleep for more than 12 hours anyways, but no luck.  I couldn’t even read much (OF COURSE I read, who do you think you’re talking to?). I won’t go into gory details except to say that even without sleeping, the best place for me seemed to be in bed lying still.  I hope I’m better now.

But I have not much to write a blog post about and very little brain with which to do it.  I know what: I’ll throw in a couple of pictures and call it a post.

I send myself flowers.

The Susans, Black-eyed and Brown-eyed, are just about over now, but here is a shot I took earlier in the season.  Pretty!  And the Brown-eyed magically appeared with no planting on our part.

Who doesn’t love a big, weird tree?

In continuation with the yard theme and in keeping with the Halloween season, here is Frankentree, so dubbed by our friend Eva.

Who could be uncheered by a smiling vampire?

Since I segued to Halloween with Frankentree, I end with a picture of one of my favorite Halloween decorations.  My dear friend Marsha sent me the pot.  I added the orange (it’s a t-shirt) and vampire.

Ooh, look, over 200 words, and I only whined for the first paragraph.  Score!

 

 

A Run Worthy of a Post

Rather than my usual Tired Tuesday post,  I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary.   For one reason, I ran up the hill to Herkimer College, an accomplishment which deserves a blog post, I think.

As usual these days, I woke up NOT wanting to run at all.  I always have all kinds of good reasons: I ran yesterday, I should recruit my energies for something else, I don’t NEED to run the Falling Leaves 14K in September… etc., etc.  I usually change my mind after a cup of coffee.  Let’s hear it for caffeine!   Also in favor of running was the weather: it was not raining,  which it is supposed to do soon and for the next several days.

I set off with high hopes.  I have been thinking that longer runs were in order, and a run up a challenging hill would be an excellent idea.  Additionally,  I could post to Facebook that I had run up to HCCC, and my Facebook friends would feel impressed.  Accordingly,  I crossed to the far sidewalk on German Street and turned left.

A young man was walking a block, maybe a block and a half ahead of me.  I wondered how long it would take me to catch up to him.  It seemed to take a while.  It was actually about three blocks.  Is that a lot?  I suppose some of you could have done it in one. I am all admiration, I assure you.  The young man heard me huffing and puffing behind him as I approached.

“Good morning,” I said.  He returned the greeting as he moved over to give me room.  “You know how long it took me to catch up with you?” I added as I ran past him. “That’s how slow I run!”

” Have a good day,”  he said, turning up the next street.

“You too!” I called, running on.

The run had felt pretty good up till then.  The temperature was nice, my body was not complaining.  Then I started up the hill.  It wasn’t long before I started to feel like I Could… Not… Make… It…  I knew this was not the case.  I knew I could and would make it.  But I only knew this intellectually and logically.   I sure wasn’t feeling it!

I reminded myself of the first time I had run the hill.  I had thought I would run up till I had been running for 15 minutes (starting from when I left my house), then I would turn around and go down.  I had the idea that eventually I would make it all the way up.  Well, by the time I got to 15 minutes,  I was too close to the top to quit. So there, keep going,  I told myself

At one point I tried the trick of looking back at how far I had come.  This works best if you do it after you are halfway up, which I knew I was.  Yes, I had come far, but looking back down gave me a little vertigo.  Yikes!  At last I was all the way up and ready to go back down.

As I ran toward the back road down, I realized I had run by a Do Not Enter sign, where there was one of those triangles at a wide T intersection.   I ran back and ran by it, entering where it said not to.  It added a little more distance to my run and solidified my rebel cred.  Yes, yes, I know, by the rule Left Side Facing Traffic I should have been running there. It amuses me to enter where the sign says not to and pretend I’m a rebel.  I have to get my laughs where I can.

After running down the hill, I backtracked to Lou Ambers Drive and got a quick drink at the spring.  Then I continued on home for a 42 minute run.  I did not immediately go on my cool-down walk but opened the garage and hauled out the non-power mower.  I spent a good 20 minutes huffing and puffing behind that, once again taking advantage of the time before the rain.

Eventually I got to my cool-down walk.  Phew!  I felt that I had gotten a work out.  I think I’ll be up for the Falling Leaves run in September!

 

Sweat Gets In Your Eyes

You know, like that blues song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”?  I often think of that when I run so decided to use it as a title for today’s Running Commentary post.

I ran five days in a row then took yesterday off. I was disinclined to run this morning but knew it would be a good idea.  For one reason,  my depression has been kicking my butt lately.  I just feel so sad and down!  Of course, there are many reasons for sadness, in the world and in my life, but sometimes what I feel is is out of proportion.  But one must not give way to despair.  Exercise is a potent antidepressant.  I got myself ready and went.

One way I got myself out the door was to plan a short, easy run.  Not very far, not very fast, I thought.  This would be great.

And it wasn’t bad.  My legs are getting into pretty good shape; they pump right along with few or no complaints.   I stuck to my plan for a 25 minute run, although I actually ran for 26.  Bonus points!  My mood was at its best when I paused to pet a nice dog.

As I walked my cool-down,  a lady came up behind me, walking at a brisk pace, obviously for exercise.  I got out of the way.

“You’re faster than me,” I said.  “I ran, this is my cool-down.”

When she said she didn’t run, I remarked that she was obviously doing something right, because she looked terrific.  She returned the compliment but went on to say she didn’t believe in running.

“It’s bad for your feet, your knees and your back.”

“I know,” I said, “but I love it.”

She said she didn’t understand that at all but told me to keep up the good work.

“You too,” I said, as she handily out-paced me.  I continued my cool-down walk,  blinking against the sweat in my eyes.

The run did improve my mood, as does getting a blog post published this early in the day.  Will I publish again and be one less post behind?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

I Feel Like a Winner

I haven’t done a Saturday Running Commentary post in a while (yes, I’m too lazy to go back and check; that run wore me out!).  Additionally,  today’s was a run I don’t mind revisiting, at least briefly (yes yes, my Running Commentary posts often run long, but they don’t always) (did you see what I did there? “run long”? Well, I liked it).

Yesterday’s run equalled my last longest time, so I thought I might do a shorter run today, then increase by the recommended ten percent tomorrow.  I could decide as I went.  I carried a bottle of water with me, reminding myself not to drink too much too fast.  Then I reflected that the run ought to be a long one, since I was bringing water.  You see how I talk myself into these things.

I decided to run up the hill by Valley Health then on into the residential area I call the Suburbs.  There are some pretty good hills in that area, and I can easily go by the spring to refill my water bottle on my way back home.

Tiny sips, I reminded myself, and not too often.  This would be fine.  Soon I had made it up the hill by Valley Health. That did not feel so fine.  I called a greeting to two ladies going to work (I surmised by their scrubs).  They waved and one said, “Get that work-out done!” in an encouraging tone of voice.

I ran further into the Suburbs than I have on my shorter runs.  Here was a hill!  As I recalled, it was a long hill.  Just keep going, I told myself. I resisted the urge to turn left and not go all the way up the hill.  Then I saw that I was no nearly as close to the top as I thought I was. Oh no!

There was the right-hand turn which was where I would come out if I kept going straight.  The road goes down then up.  So  I could turn right and go down, then up, then down,  or I could go straight and go up, then down, then up.  I turned right.  I felt I HAD to go downhill at least for a bit.

Bad move, I realized.  This made for a lot longer distance going up.  The snarky voice in my head suggested I take a life lesson about choosing short-term gratification and ending up with longer-term effort.  Then I told the snarky voice to shut up.  It is a win/win situation, I decided.  Either I enjoy an easier run or I enjoy the benefits of a more difficult run.  Additionally,  I intend to run in this area all summer.  I have plenty of chances to run the other way.

Keeping an eye on the time, I ran toward the spring.  I finished the bottle just as I got to it.  By virtue of going a little ways past my house, I increased my run time by 10 percent.  Now THAT is a win/win situation.  Or do I only win once?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

An Unexpectedly Good Run

I went for a long run this morning and am determined to make a Running Commentary post.  First,  as often happens, I decided I wasn’t going to run.  It was humid, it was going to rain, etc, etc.  Then I went.

I turned right at the end of my driveway instead of going towards German Street as I usually do, just for something different.   I did not intend to run for long; I often have problems breathing when it’s humid.  Besides, it was probably going to rain.

Right away it felt pretty good to run.  Maybe I could rock this after all.  Maybe run a hill, only that meant changing directions, because there aren’t many hills in Herkimer.  Should I or should I not make a detour through Meyer’s Park?   The sight of two dogs decided me.

“Can I pet your dogs?”  I always ask first, although one dog was already approaching me.

“One’s friendly,  one’s not,”  their person said.  I remembered those dogs; I petted the friendly one once before.

Feeling happy, because I love to pet a nice dog, I continued into the park, taking the V back to Park Avenue and heading towards Caroline Street.  I had decided to run up the hill by Valley Health. It took me a while to get there (YES, I run slow, I thought you knew that about me), and I began to wonder how long my run would end up being.  Could I even go for 40 minutes, which was my last longest time?  Extravagant thought!   Just keep running.

The hill wasn’t much fun but I made it to the top and kept going on into the residential area up there.  I kept talking myself into going a little further.   After all, it wasn’t raining yet.  I even went up a minor upgrade, although I avoided a couple more challenging hills.

I stopped at the spring for a quick drink, after some arguments with myself as to whether or not I deserved it.  Who am I to judge these things anyways?  Soon I was back on German Street ,  headed for home.  As I reached Caroline, I saw two friendly dogs I have encountered before, and they were headed in my direction!

“Good morning!” I said. “I’ve petted these dogs before!”

“Yes, we’ve met before, ” the nice young man said, as the dogs jumped at me as if they remembered too.

I made it to 40 minutes by virtue of going around the block of Henry and Bellinger streets.  On Church Street, I saw Chico and Bear, two neighborhood pooches, with their person.  I happily crossed the street to pet them and exchange a few words with their Mom.

As I ran up Bellinger I greeted a man standing in front of his house.

“That’ll make you healthy,” he said.

“Either that or it’ll kill me, ” I answered.

Obviously it didn’t kill me.  Not yet, anyways, and I felt pretty darn good walking my cool-down.  As I make this blog post, the rain is pouring down, so I guess I timed it right.  Time to get on with the rest of my day!