Tag Archives: herkimer ny

Time Warp, Two Miles, and Tired, It’s Tuesday

My usual Tired Tuesday pic.

I have been in a timewarp all day.  I kept thinking it was later in the week but earlier in the day.  I was delighted to realize it was almost lunch time, not close to the 9:30 break.  I was saddened to remember it was only Tuesday.  Wait a minute, what did I say about finding joy in every day and not living just for the weekend?  Oh yeah.

I realize I was supposed to tell the rest of my Monday activities, but they really do not amount to much.  Basically I grocery shopped, which I did not think I would have the oomph to do.  I was in fact planning in my head what I could bring for lunch in the event that I did not shop.

Still, I felt I did quite a bit for a Monday and did not feel inclined to repeat the effort on Tuesday.  Yet, I managed to put in some effort.  I ran for two miles, even including a couple of hills.  I surprised myself.

It feels steeper when you are actually on it.

This is one of the hills in a picture taken April of 2020.  Why does it look so gentle in the picture?  I feel quite ill-used.

In addition to the run and walking for a half hour this morning, I walked to the VFW in Herkimer, NY (where I live) to vote for mayor.  Before walking home, I stopped in the bar for a glass of Chardonnay.  It was a most pleasant interlude.

On the whole, it was not a bad Tuesday.  Still, I feel tired enough to categorize this blog post as such.  I wonder if I will Wuss Out on Wednesday.  A little suspense adds interest to my week.

 

Thirty Minute Thursday

I had originally thought to follow Two-Mile Tuesday with Three-Mile Thursday, but I was skeptical of my ability to pull it off.  True, I ran four miles last weekend, but that was first thing in the morning not last thing after an eight hour day at work.  Then I thought, Thirty-Minute Thursday.  It sounds even better, it is still longer than what I ran Tuesday, and I could totally do it.  At least, I could probably do it.

I usually let myself off the hook on these week-day runs.  I feel they are really just to keep my hand in (feet, really).  Weekends are the time for improvement.  However, I feel I will improve moreso on the weekends if I do a little better during the week.  That Boilermaker 15K is getting closer!

After a little puttering around the house, I got into running clothes and set out.  It was warm and sunny.  Maybe I should run some hills.  But I also had to worry about traffic.  German Street in Herkimer, NY is pretty busy in the late afternoon.  I ran down the sidewalk looking for a place to cross the street.  I thought maybe the hill by Valley Health Services would be a good goal.

The three-way stop at Caroline Street provided my opportunity to cross the street.  I soon decided to run into Brookwood Park.  For one reason, there would be plenty of shade.  I could run along the path through the woods that comes out on the back way to Herkimer College.  I assured myself that I was in no way obligated to run the rest of the way uphill to the college.

As I ran, I tried to keep myself from looking at my Garmin too often.  When I did, I would do the math and figure out what fraction of 30 minutes I had done.  Six minutes was one fifth.  How much was a quarter? A third?  Thus I keep my mind occupied so I don’t think too much about how I would really rather stop running.

The path through the woods was nice.  I like looking at the trees, and the ground is somewhat soft under my feet.  I just have to be careful of uneven surfaces and things I could trip over.  I am pretty clumsy.

The uphill portions almost defeated me, but I persevered.  Eventually I was running on pavement again, and running down hill.  Phew!  It was an effort to get to 30 minutes, but I made the effort and was glad I did.

I don’t know if my effort at a blog post is equally successful, but I can hope at least some readers found it reasonably entertaining.  In another couple of weeks, this blog may become All Boilermaker All The Time.  I fear I am already making myself a little tiresome at work by talking about it.  Oh well, at my age, I need all the encouragement I can get.

 

While I Was Running…

In lieu of a Scattered Saturday Post or a true Running Commentary Post, I wanted to share a couple of fun encounters I had during last Saturday morning’s run.

I was running in the residential area behind Valley Health Services.  I call it The Suburbs in my mind, but I know that description is not strictly accurate.  I particularly like to run down Walnut Street to the exit of the Valley Health parking lot.

A different time of year, but this is the sign.

As I was entering, a guy was walking in the opposite direction.   He said hello.

“I like to enter where it says not to,”  I said. “I feel like such a rebel.”  He laughed.  Later, I encountered him on another street in the area.

“You must have had a Get Out of Jail Free Card,” he said.

I laughed.  “Good one!” I said.

Continuing my run, I eventually ran down Caroline Street. When I saw a couple of walkers, I went out on the road to give them space.  A resident had put out a couple of signs that said, “Slow Down!  This is a neighborhood not a race track!”

As I approached the pedestrians, I said, “That sign said to slow down, but I’m not going to.” They laughed.

This is why I like to run outdoors.

 

My Scattered Sunday, Still in Progress

I had a Scattered Sunday today.  I did a few blogworthy things but am too tired to actually compose the posts.  So we will have a Preview of Coming Attractions.

I went for a run this morning, about which I may or may not make a Running Commentary Post. I mention it merely to add to my list of Things I Did.

Later in the morning I checked out the Brookwood Flea Market in Brookwood Park (previously known as the unknown park in this space) in Herkimer, NY.  It is a new thing and one I hope becomes very successful.  I chatted with a few of the vendors, along with Herkimer Mayor Dana Sherry, who organized the event.

Just one of the pleasant people I chatted with.

The mayor and I also talked about the Herkimer Downtown Chow Down, which takes place Mondays in Meyers Park.  I mention this to add another Preview of Coming Attractions.

From my Media Library.

In the afternoon I drove into Utica to auditions for Fun House, the premiere production of Brick 2 Theatre Company.  I hope to write a lot more about that.

The one sitting down played the music while the one standing sang.

On the way home I stopped at Aldi’s for snacks and Valley Wine and Liquor for a bottle.  I thought my friend Kim was stopping by for some porch sitting.  She is in a play at Ilion Little Theatre (just to plug more local drama).  Now I am wondering if she isn’t feeling well.  I think there is a summer bugaboo going around.

And that is the story of my Sunday.  I would say I made up for slacking yesterday, but there are still a number of chores still undone.  In fact, crap!  I just remembered I still have laundry in the washer!

Laundry is in the drier, and I just got a text:  Kim is on her way!

 

 

I Walk, I Blog, It’s Sunday

I took a walk earlier in hopes of making a Pedestrian Post with Pictures in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I do not know how well it went.

Gotta get me some of these.

I paused to take a picture of a snowball bush shortly after I left my house.  It was a bit of a challenge to do, since the sun was shining brightly on my Tablet and I could not see to unlock it and get to Camera.  At last I managed it by peeking underneath my prescription sunglasses.

 

Don’t know what it is; must find out.

I paused to take another picture, this time of a plant I might like to get for my yard.  I had realized by this time that it was warmer than I liked for a walk.  However, I persevered, for exercising and blogging purposes.

 

I am still hoping somebody does something with this building.

Having walked down Bellinger Street to Meyers Park, I decided to walk up Prospect Street to home.  I paused to take a picture of the former Quackenbush building, now taken over by Herkimer 9.  I must find out what the current status is.

I gotta love daisies.

I walked all the way up Prospect Street to German then back to my house.  I walked past the house and back then up and down the driveway to make it a full mile.  I took a picture of the daisies in my front yard then picked a few of the lilies of the valley which the daisies obscure.

A nice display, or do I flatter myself?

I put the lilies of the valley in a champagne flute which I put next to my husband Steve’s ashes.  One does like to put flowers near one’s loved ones.

I guess it makes an OK Pedestrian Post. Or, once again, do I flatter myself?

 

A Little Seltzer and Lame?

I feel a definite desire to make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday, that is, today.  As I lounge on my couch, pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet, a neighbor is doing something loud with some sort of machinery.  I find the noise very annoying.

I came upstairs to my bedroom in hopes it would be a little further from the noise.  This necessitated turning off the movie I had just started, The Screaming Skull, one of my favorites.

Sometimes I feel like screaming too, Skull.

I did not feel too bad about stopping the movie, because I was not paying much attention to it anyways.  I feel worse about not having anything good to make a blog post about.

I guess I do too.

I do feel kind of good that it is Friday.  Unfortunately I let the week get away from me without getting done everything I had intended to.  So I am feeling a little pressure to get at least some essentials done (Oh CRAP! I just remembered another one!).  Yes, I KNOW it is my own fault.  This knowledge brings me no comfort nor any insight on how to improve matters.

Cheers!

Friday is a good day for a libation, if one is so inclined, so I will close with a picture of my late dearly missed husband, Steve, at the Waterfront Grille in Herkimer, NY.  I was just there last Saturday.  Full disclosure:  I only toasted this Friday with seltzer and lemon.  It worked perfectly well.

No promises about Saturday.

 

Wednesday Walk

I walked a mile, but not in somebody else’s shoes.

I have been wanting to say that to someone, but the opportunity has not arisen.  I thought I would use it as an introduction to a Pedestrian Post.  I have been walking most mornings before work but have not made many (or any? Too lazy to go back and check as usual) blog posts about them.

This morning I actually walked with a purpose, because I wanted to return a couple of overdue library books.  You are welcome to judge me for not returning them on time.  I have no excuse.

I headed towards Prospect Street, where I could walk through the library parking lot.  It was a little after 5 a.m. and practically light out.  I am more used to walking in the dark, but this was OK.  The thermostat in my house said it was 60 degrees out, so it was warmer than it has been.  I enjoyed that.

From my Media Library.

This is a picture I took earlier this month.  The library sign is back now, freshly painted, so I have to go get a picture of that soon.

Also a stock photo.

I walked down Main Street to Park Avenue and by the Post Office.  I was enjoying my walk.  My legs felt good, and my mind was not dwelling on stupid stuff.  Sometimes I am my own worse enemy in that respect.

My walk was 22 minutes, my favorite number, and a little over a mile.  It was a good way to start the day.

 

Not Too Tired for Columbo

Time for another Tired Tuesday Post.  Only I am having trouble concentrating on it, because I am playing an episode of Columbo which I have never seen.  Hmm… wasn’t that the case on another recent post?  Oh dear.

I meant to go running today so could have done a Running Commentary Post, but it was deadline for Mohawk Valley Living magazine, and as usual I did not have my act together with an early submission.  Perhaps next month.

I’m just happy it isn’t Monday!

Earlier today I remembered that tomorrow is Wednesday and felt happy.  I don’t know why it matters to me.  Weekdays aren’t really so bad.  My worst moment is when I have to get out of bed just when I feel I can get some good sleep.  I am sure many people suffer from that phenomenon.  Weekends bring their own problems, but there is no point in complaining.  It is mostly first world problems or else operator error.

Just to throw in a little real life murder.

Just to let you know I am not watching only Columbo (All Columbo All The Time?), the other day I popped in A North Woods Elegy:  Incident at Big Moose Lake, a documentary about the murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gilette. It is a very famous case around here, since the trial took place in Herkimer.

During the trial Gilette was incarcerated at the 1834 Jail. 

I enjoyed the documentary, because it was like the true crime shows I used to watch all the time on cable.  I miss those shows!

“One more thing!”

I thought I should also include a picture of Columbo, since he is mentioned in the headline.

 

Make Lunch, Not War!

I just got back from Rome, NY, where my family was celebrating my mother’s birthday.  I believe she is 29, same age as my older sister.  OK, I do not really believe that, but I don’t see that it is my business to go blabbing other people’s ages across the internet.  I am just really, really grateful that both my parents are around and in reasonably good health.

After driving to Rome from Ilion (where I work),  having a lovely time with family,  then driving back to Herkimer (where I live), I am tired.  However, I was hoping to make my blog post before I sleep.  I figured I could manage a Non-Sequitur Thursday Post.  Hence, the headline which does not appear to have much to do with the post.

To explain:  I said it to myself this morning.  The coffee had not kicked in yet,  and I was trying to get all my stuff done.  “Make your lunch,” I told myself.  Then I thought of “Make lunch, not war.”  I felt it was so clever, I put off making my lunch long enough to post it as a Facebook status.  I daresay I flatter myself.  Driving home from Mom and Dad’s house, I thought it might be a suitable title for a Non-Sequitur Thursday Post.

Agree?  Disagree?  Please feel free to comment, and as always, thank you for tuning in.

 

A Little Slice of my Saturday

I left Mohawk Valley Community Market in Herkimer, NY, yesterday and walked up Main Street toward Basloe Library.  I had meant to stop at Basloe and pick up a book I had placed on hold, but I had previously decided I did not want to read that book after all.  Me and my indecisiveness!

One of my favorite places in Herkimer.

I took a picture of the building for future use in the blog, you know, when I mention that I ran by there in a Running Commentary Post.  Previously I have used a picture of the sign that was in front of the building, but that sign has been gone for a while now.  No, I did not notice when it disappeared.  It is embarrassing to admit how unobservant I can be.

Libraries usually have great signs.

I also took a picture of the sign near the door.  I posted it on Facebook with the comment, “Personally, I shall always be clueless, and every month is mystery month!”  I thought it was witty, but perhaps I flatter myself.

When I was taking the pictures, I thought I could use them with the pictures from Mohawk Valley Community Market, making one long post.  Then I thought my post was getting long enough, so I thought, “Oh, I’ll just get two blog posts out of it.”  Just a little glimpse into my blogging mentality.  Thank you once again for joining me.