Tag Archives: Ilion NY

Post Parade Lame Post

This IS a Lame Friday Post, and a Very Late Lame Post.  Yes, I participated in the Doodah Parade. It was a lot of fun.  After it was over, a few of us went to the Asteroga Ale House for drinks and food.  Now I am home and I must confess, not the least bit inclined to make a blog post. How appropriate for Lame Post Friday, is it not?

I had not thought I would be able to make the Doodah Parade.  For one reason, I had a doctor’s appointment I thought might last too late.  As I drove to the appointment, I noticed how people had already set out chairs to watch the parade.  They had left those chair unattended. How small town is that?  They left those chairs believing nobody would bother them before the parade!  Later on, somebody told me it must be just for the parade, because any other time, people would just say, “Ooh, look, free chairs!”

So I was delighted when my doctor appointment was over in time for me to get home, shower, and get into costume.  I wore my wizard dress with my witch hat.  Somebody took a picture of me, but I don’t know if it came out. I took a few pictures myself.  If I sufficiently bestir myself, perhaps I will share them tomorrow.  Once again, no promises.  I’m just happy I typed in a few words while it was still Friday.  As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

Can Hercule Poirot Solve My Doodah Dilemma?

It is Wednesday, isn’t it?  It’s that day when you want to be happy that there is only one more day between you and Friday (if you are fortunate enough to have weekends off, which I do and I am grateful for) (don’t hate me if you don’t), only you’re not, because you just realized you ARE going to do a theatre thing on Friday that you thought you were not going to do, so you only have one day to get a costume together.

Yes, it’s always drama with me.  It’s not even a real theatre-y thing I have to do: merely, Ilion Little Theatre is marching in the Doodah Parade as part of Ilion Days on Friday, July 20.  I don’t even have to march: my friend Kim said I could ride in the truck.  I don’t even have to wear a costume.  I could wear my t-shirt from Roxy, a play I was in a few years ago (perhaps you read some of my blog posts about it).  However, I am the sort of person that when I CAN wear a costume, I DO.

What to wear, what to wear, what to wear?  Something bold enough to show up as a costume from the truck, but something light enough to not kill me in 88-degree weather.  Maybe a hat.  Maybe an umbrella.  I’d like to wear my tiara, but I don’t have a fancy dress.  I have one day to get to a thrift store!  How do I get myself into these things!

In the meantime, I just spent some two hours sitting crocheting and watching Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with my husband, Steven.  I can’t even begin to tell you how delighted I was that I could work on an afghan in comfort, in between hot flashes, even if I had to have the fan on me to do it.  At least I can pep up my Wuss-out Wednesday post with a picture.

Hercule Poirot tells them what’s what.

This was the first star-studded Agatha Christie romp Steven and I enjoyed together, back in the 1990’s.  He had seen it in the theatre when it came out in 1974.  We need to see the newer Kenneth Branagh version.  Perhaps I’ll write a blog post about it when we do, although I usually write about older movies, preferably the cheesy sort.

In the meantime, I see I am close to 400 words.  That’s respectable for a blog post, especially on Wuss-out Wednesday.  Anyways, now that the movie is over, I have to get back to having my panic attack over what I’m going to wear to the Doodah Parade.

 

Smooth Coffee before Groceries

In lieu of my usual Tired Tuesday post (anyways, I was pretty tired yesterday), I give a brief shout-out to a local business I have talked about before: Moose River Coffee in Ilion, NY.  Steven and I wanted to do some shopping at our local Aldi’s, so I suggested breakfast out.  Do we not deserve a treat before braving a crowded grocery store?

Moose River Coffee has got to be my favorite cuppa in the Mohawk Valley, and probably anywhere else as well.  It is just SO SMOOTH!  Additionally, I have been dying for a bagel, and I knew they usually have some in the morning.  They had Everything Bagels!  My favorite!  I ordered one with cream cheese while Steven got cinnamon raisin with butter.  We both got a regular coffee.

As we munched and sipped, we looked around at the cozy setting. I love the wooden tables and the cozy couch.  We sat at a tall table this time, but we have enjoyed the couch on another visit.  Silly me to not bring my Tablet and take a few pictures. Ooh, good excuse to go there again soon!

Moose River Coffee is located at 70 Otsego St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-0490.  Their website is http://mooserivercoffee.com/.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

Tasting and Typing on Lame Post Friday

I was all set to make my Friday Lame Post when Steven said, “Write about our tastings!”  So I will.

Earlier today, I thought we were into the relaxing portion of the day (full disclosure: we have been pretty relaxed all week since I’ve been off work).  I knew there was a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, but I don’t have to go to every possible wine tasting.  Then I saw on Facebook that Beer Belly Bob was having a beer tasting.  I don’t have to go to every possible beer tasting either, but all of a sudden, going to two tastings sounded like a fun thing to do!  I put my jewelry (and my bra) (please do NOT tell me TMI!) back on and off we went.

The wine tasting only featured two wines:  Harken Chardonnay and Exitus, a red blend.  The lady pouring (I stupidly did not ask her name) said the Chardonnay was buttery but not too oaky.  I’m not nuts about buttery Chardonnays, but I gave it a try.  I felt it was distinctive, not too buttery, but I wasn’t nuts about it.  The Exitus, though, was yummy.  It was Bourbon barrel aged so had a higher alcohol content, 16 percent.  Yikes!  Well, just a small taste was fine.  We purchased a bottle, which we will save for a special occasion.

On to Route 51 Beer Belly Bob’s Discount Beverage Center in Ilion!  I mention as an aside: this was our second trip to Ilion for booze.  Earlier we went to Ilion Wine and Spirits for a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir, one of my favorites.  One reason we like Ilion Wine and Spirits is that they are big supporters of Ilion Little Theatre.  All kinds of local shout-outs today!

Adirondack Brewery was offering samples today.  A few people were already enjoying tastes.  I right away grabbed a cracker and some Original Herkimer Cheese Spicy Tomato Chutter, which was on the bar.  I loves me some Original Herkimer Cheese!

Stacy (I remembered to ask her name) poured us some Hefeweizer.  She was very good at keeping track of who had tasted what, pouring for several people at once as she was.  We liked the Hefeweizer as well as the Bobcat Pilsner we tried next.  Those were our favorites, although we also tried and liked Bear Naked Amber, Tangerine Dream Dirty Pale Ale, Wildest Dreams, and Bear Wizz Root Beer.  I took detailed notes about each of these.  At least, I took notes.  But I guess it is still Lame Post Friday, because I’m not going to go on about them.

We purchased a mixed 12-pack, because that was the only way our two favorites were available.  I considered purchasing some of the root beer, because I thought it would make a great float with chocolate ice cream, but regular beer won.  I’ll keep the Bear Wizz in mind for future purchases.

We are now back home. I fixed a quick dinner, and we are definitely back to the relaxing portion of the evening.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

Several Shout-outs on a Scattered Saturday

Once again I pause in my gyrations to make a Scattered Saturday post.  Steven and I are waiting for some people to come over tonight.  It is a Thanks for the Mayhem party for people who participated in our murder mysteries in the past couple of years.  Oh dear, I hope I did not neglect to invite somebody who reads my blog.  I do not have the most reliable memory, and I have done quite a few murder mysteries.  Anyways, I have to have another party, because a lot of people can’t make it tonight.

I began my morning earlier than expected on a Saturday, but that was OK, because I had gone to bed earlier with a stomach ache on Friday (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  My stomach felt better, so I had some coffee and listened to the rain fall.  I do not usually go running in the rain.  And right after the rain, there a lot of puddles I do not necessarily enjoy running through.  However, when the rain stopped, I ran anyways and just did not worry about the puddles.  I wore an older pair of running shoes.

Back home, I wrote a few post cards.  I was delighted to have some new ones to send.  My Mom and Dad went on a bus trip with their church and picked me up a bunch.  I rarely travel myself, but I am fortunate to have family and friends that do.  By now it was raining again, making a walk to the post office ineligible.  That was all right, though, because Steven and I had several errands to run.

After a stop by the post office, we went to Cash for Cans on South Washington Street in Herkimer, NY (where we live, in case you didn’t know) and redeemed a LOT of cans and bottles.  Then we went to AmeriCU Credit Union to deposit a check (we like credit unions), then to Hannaford for groceries and party munchies.  Back home, we cleaned industriously, although my coffee table is still quite the mess.  Steven nicely said we would call it a Work in Progress and it could be a topic of conversation. I do like to entertain my guests.

Around 11:30 we went to Route 51 Beer Belly Bob’s Discount Beverage Center in Ilion, to taste and purchase beer.  Brown’s Brewing Company of Troy, NY was there.  We had a great time and bought some yummy beer.  I want to do a whole blog post about it. I also plan to return to Beer Belly Bob’s when Brown’s is back sometime.  Oh, as well as returning when I run out of the beer I bought.  Beer Belly Bob’s is where I get my beer!

Since we also drink wine, we made a quick stop at Ilion Wine and Spirits for a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir.  I had a craving for some Barefoot Pinot Noir.  I will be delighted to open it in a few hours (oh, do I have to wait a few hours?  Maybe I can start sipping a little early).

Wow, I did a lot.  I haven’t even talked about the fixing, mixing, and chopping I have done so far.  I will just mention that I enjoyed a cup of iced coffee flavored with just a touch of Mohawk Valley Fire Moonshine from DikinDurt Distillery of Herkimer.  Just to give another shout-out.

So I think this has been a pretty good Scattered Saturday post (or do I flatter myself?).  Now I’ve got to get back to finishing my fixings. I do love to entertain.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

Scattered or Slacker, It’s Saturday

I’ve never been so popular the whole town would chase me.

I pause in our viewing of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) to make my Scattered Saturday post.  I had been going to do a Saturday Running Commentary, and we took a nice walk, making a Pedestrian Post perfectly eligible.  But I thought waiting till later in the day and posting during a movie would be fun, too.

My run was actually very good, even though I woke up with a headache.  I had coffee, Gatorade, and water before the run.  The headache did not slow me down but neither did it go away during the run.  You’ll have that sometimes.  After writing a few post cards, Steven graciously agreed to go for a walk with me.  We first walked to First Source Federal Credit Union to deposit a check, going by way of some construction at the end of our street, so we could check the progress.  I think it’s going to be a while.

We cut through Meyers Park to get to the post office.  Before I mailed my cards, I noted on the bulletin board a program at the Herkimer County Historical Society to be given by Sue Perkins, society director, on Wednesday, June 20 (preview of coming attractions).  I told Steven I would like to go.

“What’s it about?”  he asked.

“I don’t remember, but Sue Perkins, Historical Society, that’s all I need to know.”  I later noted in the paper it is about how Herkimer used to look vs. how it looks now. I am quite interested.

After the post office, we stopped at Basloe Library, then went home.  A short time later we left again to pick up a prescription of mine at The Medicine Shoppe in Illion, with Steven making a quick foray into Ilion Wine and Liquor.  My headache still had not gone away, so I laid down for a while when we got home again.

I guess we did not do such a lot to make this a really good Scattered Saturday post. Maybe more of a Slacker Saturday?  No matter. There are movies to be watched and wine to be enjoyed.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

May Pizza!

Steven and I celebrated today’s extremely warm weather with a short walk and dinner out.  I had meant to make a Pedestrian Post and took my Tablet on the walk in hopes of finding some of them there May flowers to take pictures of.  That did not work out so well.  I tried to take a picture of two trees starting to get leaves, but all I could see on the Tablet was the reflection of my own stupid face. No, I did not have it in “selfie” mode;  it was the result of the bright sun on the black screen.  I think.  I did not continue to look at it, because the angle was really showing up my middle-age turkey neck.  I don’t mind getting old, but there is no reason to stare at some things.

The sun was bright and hot; shade and breeze were not plentiful, but what we encountered was appreciated.  No, I am NOT complaining.  I would have enjoyed authentic spring weather, but I’ll take summer.  I said we should sit out on the deck with a couple of beers, but we were hungry and going out to eat sounded really, really good.  I suggested Franco’s Pizza in Ilion.  I had been there for the first time on a recent Scattered Saturday, but Steven had never been.

The restaurant was not crowded, but a few people were ahead of us ordering at the counter.  That was OK, since we needed time to peruse the boards and decide what to get.  We were still debating when it was our turn, so the counter person was able to help the person behind us who was picking up an order.  We saw a few people picking up orders they had called in.  Maybe we’ll do that next time.

At last we decided on a small, thin crust garlic pizza with sausage and mushrooms with ten butter-garlic wings.  We split a bottle of Dasani.  We sat at a tall table and enjoyed the retro ’50’s decor as well as the sunshine coming through the large windows.   The food was delicious, and we brought home leftovers.  Pizza for breakfast, my favorite!

Franco’s Pizza is located at 6 Central Plaza, Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-5580.  For more information, you can visit their website at www.francosilion.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.  I did.

 

What Weight-Loss Goals?

In lieu of my usual Wuss-out Wednesday nonsense, I shall give a brief shout-out to one of my stops on Scattered Saturday:  Franco’s Pizza in Ilion, NY.

Kim and I were having great luck finding fashion at New 2 You Consignments, but we were getting hungry.  We were discussing where to go and mentioned that Franco’s was right next door.  Robbi, the proprietor or New 2 You, highly recommended the place, so we went right over.

I was immediately charmed with the retro 1950’s decor.  We looked at entrees and desserts in the case and pondered our options.  Finally I settled on a small antipasto salad, and Kim got a roast beef sub.  We also had a couple of garlic knots. Yum!  We both took leftovers home.

Naturally I am making plans to bring Steven to Franco’s at the earliest opportunity.  I still have to try their pizza and their pasta and their subs and, oh yes, their desserts!  Also, I will want their antipasto and garlic knots again.  No wonder I have such trouble meeting my weight-loss goals.

Franco’s Pizza is located at 6 Central Plaza, Ilion, phone number 315-894-5580.  They are open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.  For more information, visit their website at www.francosilion.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.  I did.

 

Fast Post on a Sunday

Every Sunday it is the same thing.  I start the day thinking I’ll get all sorts of stuff done. Sometimes I even do a thing or two.  But at some point, I remember, because my body reminds me:  there is no point in trying to get anything done on a Sunday.  I had rehearsal for Spring Into Murder (MUST write an entire blog post about that!).  Steven and I have a dinner date later.  Having gotten a couple of things done but feeling inclined to accomplish nothing further, I thought, “I’ll do my blog post.  Easy, fun, and useful.”  Of course the usefulness can be debated, but you may discuss that among yourselves if you are so inclined.

To make a long story longer (I bet you thought I was going to say, “make a long story short,” and you were taking a breath to say, “Too late!”  Gotcha!), I could not do a blog post earlier. I just sat there scrolling up and down Facebook and watching the clock till it was time to go to rehearsal.

Rehearsal went pretty good, by the way.  We discussed costumes.  I had brought what I intend to wear:  loud purple pants and a louder jacket.  Actually I had two colorful jackets to choose between, and one cast member insisted I must wear the louder one.  I agreed.  Kim had brought every glamorous black dress in her wardrobe for our inspection.  Oh come on, like none of you has more than one glamorous black dress?  I personally have none, but I’m weird. We all know that.  I am unusual among women in that I do not long for the elusive little black dress.  Be that as it may, Kim has some wonderful frocks, and we all enjoyed voicing our opinions.

More importantly, we ran the scripted part of the show a couple of times.  I think it is coming together nicely.  We discussed the black tulips, which are so important to the plot. We discussed the next rehearsal.

The murder mystery, Spring Into Murder, will be presented next Saturday, April 28, at Morning Star Methodist Church, 36 Second St., Ilion, NY, at 5 p.m.  $20 tickets include a roast pork dinner and must be purchased in advance by calling the church at 315-864-4093.

Now I must get changed for our dinner date.  Perhaps I will wear black, but not a little black dress.

 

I Scatter It Good!

It is the moment of my Saturday when I pause in my gyrations for a Scattered Saturday post before returning to the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking, TV-watching, husband hanging out with portion of my evening.  And I have scattered it pretty good today!

I did not leave the house till shortly after 10 a.m., when Steven headed out to work. I went to a rummage sale at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Ilion, NY.  It was $1 for three bags day.  Woo-hoo!  I only got two bags worth of stuff but felt I had gotten way more than $1 worth of goods.  Back home, I wrote one more post card (I had written four earlier) and walked to the post office.  I took the long way home, making for a half hour walk.  Remember, if you are too busy to exercise, you are too busy!

After contacting my friend, Kim, via Facebook, and making plans for her to come over, I spent almost a half hour frantically cleaning my living room and bathroom.  There is nothing like somebody coming over to motivate one for housework.  Did I make much progress?  Well, let’s just say that, luckily, Kim is not one to judge.  It was about 12:30 when she came over, which we deemed a good time for a mimosa.  For one reason, I had a bottle of Prosecco which I purchased yesterday when we went to the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Our first stop was at an estate sale I had noticed while on my walk.  The main thing I like about estate sales is walking through somebody’s house.  This was a really nice house!  Other than that, I find a lot of the stuff is priced higher than I want to spend and some of it is downright depressing.  For example, family photos.  Didn’t these people leave behind any family or friends who would want these pictures?  Perhaps I am over sensitive about these things.

Next we headed to Ilion to search for costumes for Spring Into Murder (you know, the murder mystery we are doing next Saturday at Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion?  Perhaps I will write a blog post about it tomorrow).  First Kim pointed out a shirt she said would be perfect for me for any time.  After trying it on, I had to agree.  She found a gown we liked for her character for the mystery, then I found a shirt I liked for mine (I already have the purple pants).  Then it was on to New 2 Your Consignments, where we almost always have good luck.  And there were the perfect shoes for my character!  I also found a black tux shirt with rhinestones that I totally fell in love with.  Kim found  bunch of stuff as well.

By now we had worked up quite an appetite so went next door to Franco’s Pizza.  I had never been there before.  What a cool place!  Good food and retro ’50’s decor!  I’ll have to write a full blog post about it.  I even took some leftovers home which will be great for my lunch on Monday. Back home, we had another mimosa before Kim headed out.  What a great day!  I even had time for a nap before I had to start supper for Steven.

I have some great plans for tomorrow, too, including rehearsal for Spring Into Murder and Adventures in Housecleaning.  No, the second one is not another play, it is me cleaning my house. I thought if I put it in all caps I could generate a little enthusiasm in myself. I’ll report if it worked when I make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I hope your  weekend is turning out as fun as mine.