Tag Archives: Little Falls NY

Just a Few Theatre Pictures

One of the all-time best casts I have ever worked with.

I was looking through my Media Library (I will never get over my delight in using that term) for the logo of 20/20 on OWN, because that is what I am looking at (in rather a desultory fashion) (another term I delight in using) while I attempt some semblance of a blog post.  Then I thought, maybe a Throw Back Thursday would be nice.  I have a lot of fun pictures I can revisit.  Above is the cast of Leading Ladies, which I directed at Ilion Little Theatre (ILT) in 2016.  I would like to direct again sometime.

We were a huge hit.

I would also like to act again, and get my husband, Steven acting again.  This is us on stage together in Splitting Issues, at ILT in 2016.

But this was our really big scene together!

Steven and I also shared the stage in Harvey at ILT in 2012.  He played Dr. Chumley, I was Veda.  That was another wonderful theatre experience.

Another cast I loved!

Regular readers know ILT is not the only community theatre group I work with.  This is LiFT Theatre Company of Little Falls, presenting Much Ado About Nothing in 2016.  Wow, I was busy in 2016.  I don’t know what excuse I have for being so tired now!  I think it is time for me to be in another play, so I can put more pictures in my Media Library.

In the meantime, here is my blog post for today.  Happy Thursday, everyone!

 

Monsters and Shout-outs, What Day Is It?

What a way to start the new year!  Yesterday’s blog post was dumb and today I can’t even think of anything to write about!  Is 2019 the year I stop being a daily blogger?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Then again, it is Wuss-out Wednesday.

Well, that was a lousy lead.  Where can I go from here?  I went back to work today and worked ten hours on my feet.  Um, I did not work on my feet, I stood on my feet while I worked at my job.  The first way sounds like I spent 10 hours giving myself a pedicure.  Imagine the toenails I could get that way!  But I digress.  The fact is, I am tired and somewhat brain dead.  I resorted to monsters yesterday and I am going to be bold enough to do it again today.  We can call it Mid-Week Monsters.  More Monsters at Mid-Week?  Titles are hard.

“Wasn’t I just here yesterday?”

Following yesterday’s dictum, I open with a vampire, Nosferatu to be exact.  I love that guy.

I should follow this guy’s example and have some coffee.   And go on a diet.

I took this fellow’s picture at the Old Barn Marketplace, on Route 5 in Little Falls, NY (you see I can multi-task: show monsters and give shout-outs to local businesses) .  Alas, they are closed for the season, but they will re-open in the spring.  I’ll be sure to visit them when they do, and write a blog post about it.

This is BEFORE he ate all of Margaret’s great treats!

Here’s a business that local readers can visit right away, the So Sweet Candy Cafe.  I don’t imagine the skeleton will be there before October, but you can find lots of yummy treats!  They are located on Varick Street in Utica, NY.

Well, this has not been a completely useless post after all.  I gave shout-outs to two local businesses and shared another picture of Nosferatu.  I wonder if I can find a peppy picture to close with and think of an appropriate title.

Sometimes even a monster has to relax.

This now seems more like a Non-Sequitur Thursday than a Wuss-out Wednesday post.  Well, it is one of those weeks where I can’t remember what day it is.

 

Yes, I’m Just Starting Christmas Shopping

I did not have to go to work today (don’t hate), so Steven and I headed to Little Falls for some local shopping at a few fun, distinctive places.  I know I said I was not going to talk about where I shopped and what I bought who, but, well, I took a few pictures and I need a blog post today.  Anyways, maybe I didn’t buy anything.  Oh, OK, I bought a few things, but they might have all been for me.  I call myself Cindy Claus this time of year, but I am always the Evil Woman CinCin.  No matter.  On with the blog post.

I saw on Facebook (a veritable font of information if you have Liked the right pages) that there was a Cookie Crumb Trail at Canal Place, one of the main shopping destinations in Little Falls (the other one is Main Street).  Participating merchants were offering cookies, so one was encouraged to go from store to store.  We started at Rochette, which now shares its space with Huckleberry Letterpress Co.  Lots of great gift ideas!

I told the lady behind the counter that we were following the Cookie Crumb Trail and I hoped to take a picture at each stop for my blog post.  She nicely offered us a cookie and hoped to see the blog post (oh dear, I will share this to Rochette’s Facebook page, but maybe the post isn’t very good. I always worry about these things).  I decided to take my picture of a pair of ice skates covered with glitter hanging behind the counter.  I saw a number of old ice skates for sale in the various antiques vendors’ spaces, so that is an idea I can steal (plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery).

She said they leave behind a trail of glitter but it is worth it.

Next we went to Ole Sal’s Cafe and Creamery and through the different vendors in that area.  I took my picture of some local art on the wall.

I don’t know how well you can see it, but my favorite is the mirror with the Overlook Mansion painted on it.

When we went to the building next door, I could not get a picture, because my Tablet went into Selfie mode and I could not get it back.  When we got to PrimaDonna’s Boutique, the nice lady there helped me.  I happily took a picture of some pillows I liked, although there is a LOT in that boutique I admired.

A soft pillow can bring one a lot of joy.

After that we drove to Main Street, the other shopping destination in Little Falls, to Paca Gardens.  I love walking around that place and touching the merchandise.  So soft!  Of course I had to take a picture of some cuddly alpacas.

Aren’t they sweet?

There are other places to stop in Little Falls, as well as a few places in Ilion and Hekimer I had thought to hit for Christmas shopping.  I guess I’d better charge up my Tablet and head out again tomorrow!

 

Not a Substantial Scattered Saturday Post

OK, once again, it is time for a fast Scattered Saturday post, so I can get back to the sitting on my couch, crocheting and watching TV portion of the evening.  But I have had a WONDERFUL day!

I got up early (for others; for me it was kind of sleeping in) for the Reindeer Run 5K.  Alas, my dear husband, Steven, was not feeling well, so he went back to bed (at my urging) and I got ready and went.

The run was awesome, although it was quite cold.  A friend did show up to cheer me on at the end and take a picture, which he posted on Facebook, at my request.

I looked silly AND I jingled!

I went home after the run to see how Steven was doing.  He was feeling better enough that I went out again later with my friend Kim.  We went to a double tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer then to lunch at Lombardo’s in Ilion.  We had so much fun!

I could write entire blog posts about the run, the tastings, and the lunch.  Perhaps I will, although past posts may call that prediction into question.  I’m sorry.  When I wait till too late in the day, I am not inclined to make a substantial post.   Perhaps I should work on posting earlier in the day.  In the meantime, Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

Pre-Reindeer Lame

Oh, is this ever Lame Post Friday!  I got nuthin’ in spades!  I’ve been hurrying around trying to get ready for the Reindeer Run 5K tomorrow.  I have to worry about my running outfit AND my outfit for after the race, when we are enjoying Christmas in Little Falls.  I should have made a list. Do other people suffer this anguish for a simple 5K?  It doesn’t matter if they do or not.  I do, and, as the saying goes, I gotta be me.

Right now, me is somebody who is not capable of making a decent blog post.  This is terrible!  This is the worst it’s ever been!  What shall I do?  Quick, post a picture and say something about that.

A jolly and silly elf.

This is me dressed for last year’s Reindeer Run.  I plan on wearing the same shirt, leggings, and shoes, but different accessories.  I hope to post a picture tomorrow.

Looking very happy pre-race.

And this is me, another runner, and the fabulous Moose on the Loose.  The Moose ran with me for the last bit of the race, when I began to whine that I started my sprint too soon and I wasn’t going to make it.  She assured me I would too make it, and I did.

I expect I will make it this year too.  I probably won’t be very fast, and I don’t promise not to whine. Ooh, there was a Freudian typo:  I first put “wine” instead of “whine.”  In fact, I have not had any wine all week, in preparation for the race.  I promised myself a nice glass of dry red later.  Aaaahhhh.  Suddenly I am feeling better about the whole thing.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

Reindeer Running Commentary

My choices today are another attempt at a Running Commentary or to write about socks.  I don’t see why I should not make the blog All Reindeer Run All The Time.  For one thing, there is not that much more time before the run. It is Saturday, the day after tomorrow.  I can save my sock tirade for another day (but if I make it on a Thursday I can still call it “Non-Sequitur Socks,” which is the title I thought of at work today).

What a surprise, I did not want to run by the end of the day.  My body is still not used to getting up at 3 a.m. and working for 10 hours.  Additionally, I was on my feet all day (except for breaks, of course; we are not barbarians around here, we get breaks).  Of course I had all kinds of good excuses:  I could rest up, I fully intended to run tomorrow, it’s only a 5K after all.  What finally decided me to run was that as I drove home I noticed the sidewalks were bare.  I had to take advantage of that.

Once again, I threw a load of laundry into the washer before I set out.  For one reason, I wanted my silver long-sleeved running shirt for Saturday.  I have a whole outfit planned.  I’ll have to get Steven or someone to take my picture.  I finally got myself out the door and set out.  I felt really good about myself that I had decided to run.

Brr, cold, but it’s been worse.  There wasn’t too much wind, so that was a good thing.  I headed down German Street in the opposite direction of the one I took Tuesday.  I thought briefly of crossing the street at Main and running up the pretty good hill that is there.  Nope, too much traffic at the four-way stop.  I turned towards downtown.  Hey, this run didn’t feel too bad.  Maybe I could go for a long run.

I went by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners.  There was a Christmas tree in the window of Suiter House, home of the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I have to get over to their gift shop and do some Christmas shopping.  I went down Main till I got to Park Avenue, then I ran by the post office and on to Meyer Park.  I made a mental note to take a walk or drive by the park at night, to see the pavilion and tree all lit up.

By this time, I was getting tired.  Hey, body, what’s going on?  I thought we liked running!  Maybe I could catch a second wind.  As I kept running, it soon became evident that I would not.  Oh no!  I had run less than 20 minutes so far.  I can’t run a 5K in 20 minutes!  What was I going to do?  Then I said to myself, “You will not have just worked a 10 hour day.  You will have gotten a good night’s rest and had a light, healthy breakfast.”  I am also planning a nice pasta dinner Friday night, so I will be all carbed up, as the saying goes (I’m not sure exactly what the saying is, but I believe it includes the phrase, “carbed up”).

I ended up running for 25 minutes and walked my usual 10 minute cool-down.  I confess to feeling better about myself before I ran that after, but you’ll have that.  Full disclosure:  I’ve felt better about blog posts than I feel about this one.  Once again, you’ll have that.

 

Warming Up for the Reindeer Run

Could I be getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  In fact, I can now rub two nickels together (meaning I am 55, if that was too obscure), but that is hardly the point.  The point is, it seems that when I go running after work with the intention of making a Running Commentary post, I become too tired to actually write said post.  Then again, yesterday I was too tired to make a decent post without benefit of running.  Now I am getting bogged down when my intention was merely to write an introductory paragraph.  I did mention I am tired, did I not?

My plan is to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY, this Saturday (Dec. 8).  I have been working up to running a greater distance than 5K’s, with some measure of success.  Sunday I ran for 50 minutes, and the longest I’ve taken to run a 5K has been, I think, 38 and change.  Mind you, I believe I can pretty much run a 5K at any time, regardless of what I have been doing, through sheer stubbornness, with which I am well supplied.  It’s a question of how slow I go, how stupid I look, and how terrible I feel afterwards.  OK, I will probably go slow and look stupid in any case, but one can only do so much with what nature has provided.  The point is, I want to enjoy Christmas in Little Falls after the run.  I think I will be good to do that on Saturday.

Sunday, when I ran so long, was an unseasonably warm day.  This Saturday is supposed to be cold: mid-20’s, I believe.  Today was about that, so I thought it would be a good idea to run.  For another reason, I wanted to do some laundry and it is just so handy to throw a load in before I start the run.  During even a 20-minute run, after my cool-down walk, the wash is usually done.  This is pretty much the extent of my ability to multi-task.

I had on leggings and a winter running top.  I added a hat and my reflective vest.  I wanted the reflective vest mostly because it is another layer and has  a handy pocket for a couple of tissues.  However, I knew it would also be a good idea if I decided to run in the road at all.  As it turned out I mostly stayed on the sidewalks, but it is best to be prepared.

Ooh, it felt cold.  I wondered if I should have added a sweatshirt to the ensemble.  No matter.  I would no doubt warm up as I went.  I did, to a point.  The other advantage of my age is that I can pretty much count on getting a hot flash sooner or later.  Usually the hot flash makes me too hot, but at least it is a change in my discomfort.  Additionally, I can laugh at myself for always having something to complain about.

I ran for 25 minutes, which I considered OK.  I felt the important thing was to run at all.  Of course, the other important thing (to me, anyways) is to make a good blog post.  I’m afraid I have not said a whole lot about this run.  I like making the kind of Running Commentary post where I give almost a blow by blow of where I ran and what I saw.  Unfortunately, today’s run was quite uneventful.  Or perhaps I was too cold to notice anything.

As a matter of fact, I still have not warmed up, after a hot shower and a warm dinner.  No matter.  I ran.  I blogged.  I made it through Tuesday.  On with the rest of the week!

 

Ready to Relax after Scattered Saturday

Even after my tipsy night last night, I managed to have a fairly active Scattered Saturday.  As I am anxious to get on with the sitting on my couch, crocheting and watching television portion of the day (I have already reached the sweats on, bra off stage) (do NOT say TMI!) (you know who you are), I am going to make a fast post and hope to cover a few of the activities in greater detail in future posts (preview of coming attractions).

We slept in till almost 6 a.m., and I confess I had a bit of a headache.  I comforted myself with the thought that I have had worse headaches on less wine and got on with the day.  After a cup of coffee and some Gatorade, I felt ready for my run.  I think I have made up my mind to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls next Saturday, and I had not run since Wednesday, so I knew it was a good idea to go.  It was a pretty good run, and I petted two cute dogs along the way.

The rest of the morning was spent in a leisurely fashion, but eventually we bestirred ourselves and got out the door and into Mohawk, NY.  For non-local readers, that is a village right next to Herkimer (where I live).  Regular readers may recall that we went to Mohawk Village Market on Shop Small Saturday.  While there, we entered a drawing for a $25 gift certificate.  Steven won!  We spent the whole amount and then some, and I picked up a Donald Westlake book I have never read in their little library.  Score!

Next we drove to Ilion, which is right next to Mohawk, and went to the Medicine Shoppe to pick up a prescription.  More I cannot tell you, because, you know, HIPAA, but the Ilion Medicine Shoppe is a good place to fill your prescriptions.

After going home to put away our groceries, we got back in the car and drove to Little Falls, about six miles away, in case you didn’t know.  Our goal was the Open House of Joyfuls Vintage Designs, which had moved to a new location, 616 E. Main Street.  I had never been to nor in fact ever heard about this place.  What an awesome little business!  They refurbish and re-purpose vintage items and furniture.  The results are beautiful and show such imagination and creativity.  I will definitely write more about them and include pictures.

We decided to take a stroll down the rest of Main Street.  We admired several businesses along the way but did not stop anywhere till we got to Ed and Bud’s.  There we saw a sign advertising Tom and Jerry’s.  This is, of course, a traditional Christmas drink.  We made a special trip to Ed and Bud’s to have one last December.  We succumbed to the temptation.  Yum!

So we had a pretty fun Saturday. Lots of Mohawk Valley adventures!  We may sit quietly at home on Sunday.  Then again, there is Christmas in Meyer’s Park on Herkimer and the tree lighting in Weller Park in Mohawk.  Scattered Sunday, anyone?

 

Running Commentary, One Letter at a Time

Well, this is just swell.  I can’t get on WordPress on my laptop .  What’s that all about?  So here I sit on my Tablet  typing one letter at a time with the stylus,  occasionally benefiting from the anticipatory thingy.I really do not like posting this way.  Then again,  I meant to make a Running  Commentary post.  For once I am typing as slow as I run.  It! Could! Work!

Once again I did not want to run today.  I also felt that I did NOT want to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls Dec 8.  The run is part of the Christmas in Little Falls festivities,  which I similarly felt not in the mood for.  What’s that all about, me?  Finally I said to myself, “Just try.”

I put plastic bags over my socks inside my sneakers,  because it was quite wet and slushy.  As it turned out, I did not run through much wet.  I stayed in the road (left side, facing traffic, which is the right way to do it), which is not my favorite way to run.

Once I got started, my body didn’t feel too bad about moving.  I had promised myself I wouldn’t have to run more than 20 minutes.  Just a short run to keep my feet in (You know, like keeping one’s hand in, only it’s feet, because I’m running), in case I decide to run the Reindeer Run 5K after all.

As you may have guessed,  I am now leaning SLIGHTLY in the direction of running.  I’ll let you know.  And I’ll make a longer blog post, after I get my real keyboard back.  In the meantime , we’ll call this a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.

 

Tuesday Trot

I remember mentioning in an earlier post that I am opting not to run the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day in Little Falls, NY.  I’m thinking I will not run at all on Thanksgiving Day, because the temperature is not supposed to get out of the teens.  I do not rule out going for a walk with some family members and a dog (alas, not mine; I still don’t have a pooch to brighten my days), but that is obviously not the same thing.  I probably will also not run tomorrow, since Steven and I are headed to Rome, NY when I get out of work.  However, I am still thinking I will run the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 8.  Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to run today.

I spent my short drive home from work alternately thinking I would go running and I could not possibly run.  Full disclosure:  I spent a good part of my day at work thinking, “I’ll go running after work,” and “I don’t want to run the Reindeer Run!  I don’t ever want to run again!”  I arrived home feeling tired and ill (dammit, I got a flu shot! I’m not supposed to get sick!).  I decided to check Facebook and try to talk myself into it.  I thought I might.

One reason I thought would help the persuasion is that I thought I might get some response to a post I made on the Reindeer Run event page.  It was a song I had written in honor of the occasion.  I think you can guess the tune:

Dashing through the snow, at the Reindeer Run 5K

Through Little Falls we go, laughing all the way (ha, ha, ha)

Bells on Cindy ring, she is running slow,

But she wears a Santa hat, so she says, “Ho, ho, ho!”

OH!

Reindeer Run, Reindeer Run, Reindeer Run 5K

Oh what fun it is to run and make jokes on the way-ay!

Reindeer Run, Reindeer Run, Reindeer Run 5K

Oh what fun it is to be in Little Falls today!

My fifth grade music teacher told us, “There’s no OH!”  in that “Everybody knows that” voice teachers use to put kids in their place.  Well, forget you, Mr. Perry, I left in the “Oh!”  Ahem, be that as it may, that is my Reindeer Run song.  And, sure enough, the Christmas in Little Falls Facebook page liked the song, shared it, and said they hoped to see me running the Reindeer Run.  How can I disappoint?  I just imagine I would be disappointed myself if I missed it.

So I went for a short run.  It was not bad.  I even had fun for part of it.  I do like to run, and I certainly need the exercise.  I guess this is more a Tired Tuesday post than a Running Commentary, but these things happen.  It’s almost Thanksgiving!  I’m going to my parents’ house tomorrow!  I have things to do besides this blog post, so this will have to do.  Happy Tuesday, everyone.