Tag Archives: husband Steven

I’m a Sucker for Vampires

Posted on January 21, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

It has been a while since I made a Monstrous Monday post.  Of course that happens when I go days and days without posting.  I am trying to be better about that.  I am trying to be better about other things but with indifferent success.  One must persevere (one being me).

He’s scary!

I throw in a monster, before I get bogged down in justifying my lack of success and begin to wonder how hard I am really trying.  A nice creepy silhouette of Nosferatu from the eponymous 1922 silent movie will take my mind off my shortcomings.  I mean, my problems.  There is a new Nosferatu in theatres now, and I have been thinking about making a trip to New Hartford, NY to see it.  I know, I know, it is cheaper to stream, but I don’t know how to do that.  Additionally, it is more of an event to go see a movie on the big screen.  And there are some great eateries around the cinema, so one could make a day of it.  If only I still had a husband to drag along.  Oh dear, that sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself, which perhaps I am.  Quick, throw in another monster!

It says NO SMOKING, but he is smoking hot, yes!

Here is a different vampire, Blackula.  I rather enjoyed that movie.  I once started to watch the sequel, Scream, Blackula, Scream.  I do not remember why I did not see all of it.  Perhaps it was a DVR malfunction.  Alas that it has never come my way again.  I really must learn to navigate Roku TV.  I would imagine there are any number of movies I would like to see available for free (I am a widow on a fixed income, you know) (yes, more whining; judge me if you are so inclined).

Somebody offer that vampire a napkin!  And some Visine!

I searched my Media Library for another vampire and found the incomparable Christopher Lee.  He looks as if he was interrupted mid-bite.

The man that set the standard.

I felt I should include Bela Lugosi, who many consider the quintessential Count Dracula.  My late husband, Steve, always found this movie a little slow.  I see what he means, but I enjoy it.  I guess I’m just a sucker for vampires (see what I did there?).  Ooh, that would make a good headline!

 

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Another Post Christmas Post

Posted on December 30, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, I am back to missing days of posting.  What was I doing yesterday instead of making a blog post?  Nothing very exciting, I fear, so I have not much to blog about today.  However, I finally took a picture of my skeleton Bonita in her holiday outfits.  Surely some of my readers will be interested (even if they are not named Shirley).

She’s ready for a party!

The background is a blanket my sister Cheryl gave me last Christmas, with pictures of me and my late husband Steve.  I could perhaps have found something a little less busy to photograph Bonita with, but one does not always think of these things ahead of time.

Another festive friend.

And here is Burt the Birt-day Gorilla, also dressed for the holiday.  The hat is one I put together one year when I did the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls.  I have not done that run in a few years now.  Perhaps in 2025.

Just a random St. Nick.

And this is a Santa Claus I snapped a picture of when I was out walking yesterday.  He was all by himself in the yard, but he looked cheery enough to me.

At the triumphant conclusion of the race.

And here I am wearing the hat that Burt currently sports.  As you see, I decorated myself for the run.  My dear friend Jim met me at the end of the race, where he sang the chorus of “We Are the Champions” while I walked around with my fists in the air, because I like to walk around with my fists in the air while somebody sings the chorus of “We Are the Champions.”  This was in 2018.

I see I am approaching 300 words.  I call that OK.  I shall hit Publish and continue trying to outpace my post-Christmas letdown.

 

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Post Christmas Lame-Down

Posted on December 28, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a classic Lame Post Friday post complete with random observations and half-baked philosophy.  I put a period instead of a question mark, because that is what I intend to do regardless.

Cluttered, like my mind.

I quickly throw in a picture to pep things up, since in fact I have neither random observations nor half-baked philosophy to share. This is a picture from a Christmas Past, when my (late) husband Steve and I put out most of our Christmas decorations every year.  I have not had a greatly decorated Christmas in years; in fact, even when Steve was still around we had kind of fallen off in the decorating department.  However, my purpose today is not to lament such shortfalls as will sometimes happen.

Another view.

This is from that same year.  We sure had a lot of little stuffed toys.

A few of our larger stuffed friends.

I had meant to bring down our collection of stuffed Santas this year but did not quite get around to it.  It hardly matters since nobody comes to visit my humble abode.  Perhaps that will change in 2025.  One can but hope.  And clean one’s house just in case.

I am afraid this has turned out to be a rather dull post, but  that happens sometimes.  I hope my readers can at least enjoy the pictures.  I hope your Christmas was grand, and your Post-Christmas Let-Down is not too bad.

 

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No Ghosts, But Christmas Past

Posted on December 5, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

The late blog posts continue as I attempt to make Wednesday’s post Thursday morning.  I thought I could do a Wayback Wednesday, maybe a combination Wayback Wednesday/Throwback Thursday.  Perhaps a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Proof that Santa Claus does so visit the naughty ones!

I am not sure where this particular Santa Claus is.  We got him from the Herkimer County Historical Society.  He had blown into their yard one blustery December day, and nobody claimed him.  Our friends at the society thought my husband, Steven and I would give him a good home.  It is in fact only the top half of a Santa, hence our idea to hide him behind the fireplace screen.

Sometimes I decorate myself.

I can’t resist showing this picture of me in a festive outfit.  I still have the shirt; I purchased it from the J.C. Penney catalogue back into he late ’80s (why in the world is catalogue underlined?  I am not looking it up, dammit!)

We’ve added a couple of Santas since.

In case you wondered about the Santas on the stairs in the last shot, here is a picture of them without me blocking the view.   I should clean up my steps and bring some Santas down to cheer myself up.  I have a few Christmas decorations out, amidst the mess I keep trying to clean.  Will things ever look better?  Will my house ever be ready to receive guests?  Will anybody deign to come over if I do get cleaned up?  For the answers to these and other questions of greater or lesser interest, stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl!

 

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Post Thanksgiving Tired

Posted on December 4, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

And now welcome to a late Tired Tuesday post, or perhaps it will be a Tiresome Tuesday post.  We shall see.  In a previous post I said that other people’s problems are tiresome. What I really meant was MY problems are tiresome, and I try not to burden others with them, with little notable success.  I don’t mind listening to other people’s problems, up to a point.  I even try to refrain from offering advice, again with little notable success.  Advice is even more tiresome to listen to than problems, but few of us can refrain from offering it.

All that said, I go on to tell you that my depression is kicking my butt.  Holidays are especially difficult.  On top of missing my husband with an ache that will never go away, there is the overwhelming feeling of, “It is a Holiday!  You MUST be happy!” Indeed, I was greatly looking forward to Thanksgiving and seeing my family.  And I did enjoy myself.  I rarely feel dreadfully down all day long, so I have that going for me.

My attempt at culinary artistry.

I thought I should throw in a picture to lighten things up.  Yes, I had fun at Thanksgiving.  I love my family.

I forgot where I was going with this post, but I see I am over 200 words.  We’ll just call it another placeholder post, and I will try for something other than a Wuss-out Wednesday post, on time or late.  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

 

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I Carry On on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on December 2, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  Never mind why I am ready to swoon, dramatically posted with the back of one wrist to my forehead, on a handy chaise lounge (alas that no such lounge is in fact handy).

Full disclosure:  I keep making typos.  Am I too tired?  Have I had a glass or two of wine?  Never mind why; explanations are tiresome.  Let me see what I can come up with for a blog post.

I can’t handle one more thing. I can’t even handle one thing!

Yes, I am watching Columbo.  I suppose I should expand my viewing, but that will not happen today.  I have to laugh about ‘One more thing.”  At two of my previous work places, I had a habit of going up to people and saying, “And another thing about that!” If they responded, I would admit that there was not another thing about that. If they really called me on it, I would have to admit that there was in fact no that.  I had a lot of silly things at work I would say, just to keep things lively.

The upcoming Monday is ever a problem.

I feel I should not be too worried about Monday.  I have, as it happens, other things to worry about. But I shall not expand on that; other people’s problems are tiresome.

Here’s to Sunday!

For my closing photo, I share my late, dearly missed husband Steven, toasting me on  Sunday some time ago at the Miner’s Table in Herkimer, NY.  I had spend some time conquering an overgrown pricker bush in our yard while he was at work.  When he came home, I suggested we go out and celebrate. He graciously agreed.  Yes, Sundays were better with a nice husband.  However, I must carry on as best I can. I hope I have done so with another blog post.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

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Memories of Coffee and Steve

Posted on November 15, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess I am back to late blog posts as I site here early Friday morning to make a Throwback Thursday post.  I am up early, having gotten up just prior to five o’clock.  I like to be up early; I just don’t like to get up early.  Right now I am not even sure I like to be up early, but at least I have got coffee.  Thank God for coffee!

No fan needed today, though.

Ah, I knew I had a picture of the mug I am currently using.  I wonder if I can get to Dyn’s Cider Mill before they close for the season.  Perhaps a drive there today would be in order (preview of coming attractions?)

I rarely look this perky and cute, no matter the time of day.

I noticed this picture before I found the Dyn’s mug and thought, why not do a coffee mug throwback?  My late, dearly missed husband Steve and I collected many mugs in our years together.  I keep thinking I need to get rid of a few, but getting rid of things is not my strong suit.  Additionally, I use all my coffee mugs.  Many people have one favorite they use all the time, but Steven and I liked to use them all in turn, often depending on season or mood.

A favorite line from a favorite movie.

This was a present from Steve.  He always got me the best presents.  Well now I am throwing back to the great romance of my life.  Perhaps I should close with a picture of Steve.  If I had one of him with a coffee mug, how nice that would be!

 

Steven with wine is almost as good.

Looking through my Media Library for pictures has reminded me about a lot of good memories I have made on Mohawk Valley adventures.  I should do more Throwback Thursday posts.  And have more Mohawk Valley adventures.  But first, more coffee.

 

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I Try to Run Away from Depression

Posted on November 6, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a run this morning and thought to do a Running Commentary Post.  Full disclosure:  I was trying to run away from the depression that threatens to overwhelm me. In the immortal words of Young Frankenstein:  It! Could! Work!  (If you do not get the reference, I encourage you to seek out Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein) (I would really like to insert a picture of Gene Wilder, which I know is somewhere in my Media Library, but I do not feel up to searching for it)

I set out before breakfast but after coffee.  My legs were almost immediately shrieking at me, “We didn’t sign up for this!”  I reminded them that they did too sign up for it (at least, I signed them up which is practically the same thing), that they had run for 30 minutes two days ago and walked for longer than that yesterday.  To no avail.  They impersonated overcooked macaroni for the entire run.  However, if nothing else, I know how to persevere.  To an extent.

I couldn’t blame him for taking a good look.

It was soon clear this was not going to be a 30 minute run.  However, I encouraged myself to at least make it a mile.  Maybe even 20 minutes.  All I wanted was to sit down.  I ran through Meyers Park, wondering if I shouldn’t just go home from there.  I have a picture of Meyers Park in my Media Library, I thought.  It will look good in the blog post.  Then I thought I could run past the post office and up to my beloved Herkimer Historical Four Corners.

Oh, my body did not want to! But through persuasion and stubbornness, I kept going.  I thought of cutting through parking lots in back of my four corners, to make a shorter run, but then I thought, No!  Run by the 1834 Jail and let Chester Gilette take a good look!  After some internal debate, Chester won.  I didn’t even cut a small corner and run over the memorial bricks which help finance jail restoration (note to self:  I must sponsor a brick in honor of my late husband, Steve).

So the run was just over 20 minutes, about a mile and a third.  Chester was the only picture I could readily find in my Media Library, so my blog post only has one illustration.  However, I see I am approaching 400 words.  It is much easier to type than to run, but then, I only have two legs but I have ten fingers.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Color Me Lame

Posted on October 26, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here I was, all set to make my Lame Post Friday Post ON Friday, and suddenly I have this weird, inexplicable headache.  What have I done to deserve a headache?  That was rhetorical; you are not expected to answer (don’t you just hate people who answer rhetorical questions?).

Fall color to brighten the day.

I threw in a quick picture to pep up the post.  This is from October 2022 on my street.  As you can see, there used to be two trees there.  I do not know why somebody felt the need to get rid of one.  I don’t think anybody is currently living in the house, but it is really none of my business.

With a blue sky!

I might as well throw in some more fall color, since I don’t have a whole lot to say.  The sky was about that same color yesterday.  Our stretch of beautiful weather continues, although the temperatures may have dropped a little.

Speaking of the sights of fall.

On a previous post, I remember looking for a picture of our mantle decorated by my late, wonderful husband Steve, but being unable to find one.  And here one is!  I think sometimes my Media Library plays tricks on me.  Now I am looking at this picture and saying, “Damn! where’s that?  And that?”  Oh well.  I can’t worry about these things on Lame Post Friday.  Isn’t there a wine tasting at a liquor store I should be going to?  Or Happy Hour somewhere?

In any case, I am over 250 words.  I hope you all have a delightful weekend.

 

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I Get a Little More Seasonal

Posted on October 18, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday (Thursday; yes, the late posts continue), I did a little more cleaning in my living room and, more importantly (for blogging purposes anyways), I did more Halloween decorating!

I think she feels pretty.

I mentioned how I may find some Halloween togs for my skeleton Bonita.  I found a shoulder cape and my Halloween gloves.  A little large on her, but they’ll do.  The black rose was there already, not sure where that came from, and the feathers I put in her head must have fallen out of one of my boas (well of course I have more than one boa!).

Not exactly a June bride.

Burt the Birt-day Gorilla wanted to be a bride. Actually it was my idea.  I found the veil, probably a First Communion accessory, at a recent rummage sale.  I mentioned as I paid for my purchases that I clearly did not NEED it.

“But you know someone who does,” said one of the volunteers in an approving tone of voice.

“Actually, I’m going to put it on my gorilla,” I confessed.  All the ladies there expressed their wish that they could see it.

I’ve had those skulls for a while.

This stool has been kind of a catch-all for a while, so I was pretty pleased with myself for cleaning it.  The light was a present from the late, lovely husband Steve.  It has different colors.

Too dark, but I guess that’s seasonal.

I tried to take a picture of the whole space, but I obviously did not adjust the light properly.  I’ll try again sometime when there is a lot of sunlight.  The ghost, by the way, stays out all year long, because he sheds a lot of light.  I don’t like too dark of a living room.

My ongoing quest for a clean house continues. I did not realize what a motivating factor decorating can be.  Yay, Halloween!

 

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