Tag Archives: murder mystery

This Blog Post Is Nothing to Howl About

Posted on April 6, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have the dreaded Type It In Backspace It Out Disease (or should that be the type-it-in-backspace-it-out disease?  Discuss amongst yourselves) (and my computer seems to think “amongst” is not a word.  Go figure).  Where was I?  Ah yes, Lame Post Friday.  Once again it is actually Friday as I make my Lame Post Friday post.  If I can keep from backspacing it out and saying to hell with it.

Ah-ooooooh!

I personally have not howled on a Friday in a long time.  A quiet glass of wine is more my speed these days.  I am currently enjoying one, by the way.

Wine. It isn’t just for Fridays any more.

I looked in my Media Library for a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine and found this one.  It was from a Sunday last summer.  My friend Kim and I had gone to Brookwood Market in Herkimer, NY, where I purchased fingerless gloves from Herkimer Handknits and we both purchased bouquets from another vendor whose name escapes me. We adjourned to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, where we put our bouquets in water and had some wine and food.  I will be happy when Broodwood Market opens again this year (preview of coming attractions).

A different drink.

I share this picture to remind myself to get to work polishing the script for our next murder mystery, Deadly Night Life,  to be presented at Salisbury Grange April 27 (another preview of coming attractions).  This is a shot from Shooting at the Grange, which we presented last April.

So I have rattled on for over 250 words.  Regular readers know I consider that respectable. Will I get to work on that murder mystery? Will I have more wine?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my evening.

 

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Two Walks and a Library Visit

Posted on March 28, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl
Two Walks and a Library Visit

I did not make a blog post early this morning, because I went for a walk.  I brought my phone with me, in case I saw anything I could take a picture of, but, alas, no photo ops.  It was the first time I had walked since Saturday, though (today being Wednesday, although I wonder if this should count as my Tired Tuesday post), so I was glad I made a bit of an effort.  I took another walk this evening (afternoon?  Kind of a grey area) (the sky was grey, too).  This was a walk with a purpose, as I went to Basloe Library to print out my work-in-progress murder mystery, Deadly Night Life.

One of my favorite places.

As I walked down my street, I saw a male and female cardinal.  Steve and I had seen a cardinal couple a few times while sitting on our front porch.  I wondered if it was the same couple.  Steve always loved cardinals.  Whenever I would see one when I was out running, and I often did, I would tell him, and we would speculate about which departed loved one had paid us a visit.  Now I wonder if Steve is the one sending the cardinals to say hello.  It is a comforting thought, anyways.  Alas, I did not think to pull out my phone and get a picture.

The picture of the Basloe sign, by the way, is from my Media Library.  I do like to have some sort of illustration.  It was a pleasant visit to the library.  The kind ladies there helped me get my script printed out.  We chatted about the need to see physical pages for some editing chores.  I did not take the time to look for a book, unfortunately.  Then again, now I have a reason to return to the library soon.

 

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Once Again, I Return to the Blogosphere

Posted on March 5, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week was a bad blogging week.  I actually have a couple of pretty good things to write blog posts about but not much brain with which to do so.  However, I wanted to make some semblance of a post so my readers would not feel I had completely deserted them.  My last post was a Monstrous one, I think (if I go back and read it now, I may lose my momentum and never finish this post) (which some would feel was no tragedy, but I can’t worry about them).

Random photo to liven things up.

I found this picture in March 2017 of my Media Library.  It is our sweet pooch Spunky.  Speaking of dearly missed loved ones, Sunday was my late husband Steven’s birthday.  That  could explain the funk I have been in.  Grief is a weird, unpredictable kind of chronic pain.  Of course, I am a kind of a pain myself, so make of that what you will.

Steve in his natural habitat, surrounded by murder suspects.

Here is a picture of Steve doing something he loved: acting.  He is the handsome dude in the suit.  It is the cast of A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, an interactive murder mystery we did to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  It was a really fun show.  I am, of course, grateful for all the wonderful memories I have.

We really were the perfect couple.

One more memory:  Fabulous and Fatal, another murder mystery for the Historical Society.  We were drag queens, or thought we were.

I will try to follow this with posts about my Mohawk Valley Adventures, of which I have had a few recently.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Brains Aren’t Everything

Posted on February 8, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

So… I missed making my Tuesday blog post Wednesday morning. I overslept as the introduction to a very weird day. And then I did not make my Wednesday blog post on Wednesday, and it is Thursday morning, and I thought I should post something.  I do not know what I will end up billing it as, but I confess at the outset, that I do not have much in the line of brain power.  If only I could handily find the picture from The Brain from Planet Arous, I could properly illustrate this post.

This group didn’t have their act together either.

I veer into Throwback Thursday territory (Wayback Wednesday?) with a picture from Much Ado About Nothing, presented by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company in, I believe, 2016 (no, I can’t go back and look it up, go ahead and roll your eyes at me) (you know who you are).  I had a lot of fun playing the Watch, or whatever we were called.  We played it really dumb.  I always say, go with your strengths (that was directed at me; I was not casting aspersions on the brainpower of my fellow thespians).

Ah yes, more theatre in the offing.

I add a picture of Salisbury Grange in hopes of inspiring myself to complete the as yet untitled script for the murder mystery we are doing there in April (preview of coming attractions).  What is with me that I have not finished it yet?  Get to work, Cindy!

“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

Yes, that is the caption I usually use with this picture.  It is how I feel:  half buried and unable to do anything but wave my arms and wiggle my toes!  I remind myself that how I feel is not necessarily reality.  I may be buried, but excavation is possible.  So is writing that damn script.  Look, I managed over 300 words of a blog post.  I think I will call it a Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

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Wrist to Forehead Sunday is Not a Crime

Posted on January 29, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is the time of day on a Sunday where I need to either start getting ready for my Monday or make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.  I pick the blog post.  I purchased one of them there Roku doodahs today so I am kind of sort of looking at In Ice Cold Blood as I type (with ten fingers on my Chromebook, lounged on the couch, just to give you the picture).  True Crime, one of my loves!

My friend Kim and I took a trip to a store which needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl, and that was just about as much as I bestirred myself today.  Well, I did do the dishes, and I took a shower (not at the same time, although I did splash around a lot of water while doing the dishes).  I composed an email which I sent to the actors for our upcoming murder mystery at Salisbury Grange.  I outlined the situation and listed the characters.  I hope they do not email me back and say stuff like, “Well, that’s pretty lame” or “I don’t want to play THAT character!”  I just do not imagine they will.

He did it! No, she did it!

This is a shot from a rehearsal of the murder mystery we did last spring at Salisbury Grange, Shooting at the Grange.  A few of the same actors will be in this one.  I thought an illustration would look well just then.

I must get to work writing the new mystery, which is as yet untitled.  That would certainly be under the heading of Useful Things Accomplished.  And it is a little more interesting than, for example, making tomorrow’s lunch.  At any rate, I am over 250 words for my Sunday blog post, so I will sign off with a wish that your had a lovely weekend.  I hope to see you all again on Monday, Monstrous or whatever it turns out to be.

 

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Monsters, Mugs and Murder at Mid-Week

Posted on January 25, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess it is a week of late blog posts, but you’ll have that, especially with this blog.  I think I will have the Mid-Week Monster post I mentioned on an earlier post this week.  For one reason, I like monsters.

Well, this is frustrating.  I found a picture I wanted to share on Facebook but cannot figure out how to do it on the Chromebook.  It is probably Operator Error as usual.  My entire life is plagued by Operator Error!  But we weren’t talking about me for once.  I shall resort to my Media Library, also as usual.

Must have my coffee.

This is not a self-portrait.  Yes, I drink coffee, but I will probably never be that skinny.  Still, one can dream.

In fact I am a kind of a witch, spelled with a b, of course.

A coffee-themed monster post?  I used my flaming pumpkin mug yesterday.  I am not sure if I can find another appropriate illustration.

Why do I not have these in my collection?

The things you find when you are scrolling down!  I had forgotten all about these gems.  Is it too early to start planning this year’s Halloween festivities?  I think not.

One of my favorite shows.

How about some murder mugs to go with the monsters?  Murder is a monstrous crime, although I like to make light of it in my murder mysteries.  I used to have one more.  I wonder if I can find it…

I like to think I am one of these, or do I flatter myself?

Found it!  Another show I miss since I gave up cable.  I think they stopped making new episodes, though, so I had to get lucky and catch it on re-runs or On Demand.  Still, there is no point in repining.  One can find other sources of entertainment, after all.

Speaking of entertainment, I hope this blog has managed to be that.  I will try for some Mohawk Valley Adventures in the near future.  In the meantime, thank you for tuning in.

 

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Some Semblance of a Tired Tuesday Post

Posted on January 24, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Probably no one is surprised, least of all me, that I was too tired to make my Tired Tuesday post on Tuesday.  I am having difficulty doing any kind of writing lately (and even typing; kept making typos on those last two sentences), but I did not come here to whine.  I cam here to drink coffee and, I hope, make some semblance of a blog post.

I like my coffee hot!

This is not the mug I am currently using, but I thought a Halloween mug would be nice since I did not make a Monstrous Monday post yesterday.  I do love all things Halloween.  Well, most things Halloween.  Not the really nasty stuff, like the dead baby decorations or most of the ’70’s slasher flicks.  I know that makes me lose cred in some horror circles.  So be it.

I’m afraid I do not have any plans for Mohawk Valley Adventures in the near future.  However, I may start running soon, making Running Commentary Posts a thing again.  I must decide by Feb. 4 if I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K in Utica in July, in order to get the best pricing for registration.  I had rather a traumatic time of it last year and would like to better my record.  Not that I think I can ever make a really good time; I would just like to finish without being helped to the first aid tent.  But enough of my running woes.

Additionally, I am writing (and having trouble with; see first paragraph) a murder mystery for April at Salisbury Grange.  That will necessitate a few blog posts, I hope.

A suspicious lot, to be sure.

Here is a picture from a rehearsal of last year’s mystery, Shooting at the Grange.  I see I am approaching 300 words.  Score!  I adjourn for more coffee, and once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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We’ll Pretend It’s Still Friday

Posted on December 30, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, so I did not make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday.  Judge me if you are so inclined.  In the interests of sharing good news, I am ten-finger typing on my new Chromebook, which seems suspiciously like a laptop to me, lounged on my couch (the computer kind of jiggles as I type, but I cannot say it is precariously balanced on one leg) and drinking coffee. Oh thank God for coffee!  I won the Chromebook at the Basket Raffle at Lights, Camera, Murder, the murder mystery we put on to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  It was in a basket donated by Herkimer College, which had some other really great stuff in it:  a couple of notebooks (the spiral-bound paper kind, which I love), two t-shirts, a travel mug and two water bottles, plus a few more goodies.  So thank you, Herkimer College and Herkimer County Historical Society.

So already this is a pretty cheerful post.  Let me continue the cheeriness if I can by sharing a picture or two.  I turn to my Media Library.

We all know I am on the Naughty list.

I accidentally clicked on this picture but thought, oh well, it is seasonal.  It was also taken at a fun community event sponsored by Herkimer BPA. They plan many other events in the coming year, which I hope Mohawk Valley Girl will be able to attend (preview of coming attractions).

I love these cheesy flicks!

This was the first picture that caught my eye, but the other had already been clicked on.  I will probably have a quiet New Year’s Eve at home, watching movies, possibly of the cheesy horror variety, which regular readers know I love.  I have written about a few of them in this space, but those posts do not tend to get a lot of blogger love.  Still, they are fun to write and I do not rule out writing more of them.

Oh, this is swell!  I was all happy about this new Chromebook, but now I cannot get it to scroll down to where I Save Draft or even where I can see my word count! I know, first world problems.  Then again, I live in the so-called first world, what other problems am I supposed to have?

Ah!  I got it to scroll!  Regular readers know what a triumph and relief that is for me, who is so technologically inept.  And I am over 400 words.  Wow!  And this computer underlined “am over” and suggested “have over.”  Well, I guess I am what I write.  And there is some half-baked philosophy for you.  This is a Lame Post Friday post after all.

 

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All Lights, Camera, Murder! All The Time?

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure:  I would not have made a blog post this morning, but my attempt to walk was foiled by rain.  Yes, I know, some people like to walk in the rain.  I personally do not mind it but did not want to either change my clothes or show up for work in a sodden state, although in a general sense I am not especially fastidious (I just wanted to use the word “fastidious” in a sentence. How often to you get to do that?).

Where was I?  Ah yes, making a blog post.  I think I will begin with a plug of our latest murder mystery, Lights, Camera, Murder! to be presented Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Herkimer Elks Lodge for the benefit for the Herkimer County Historical Society.

May be an image of text that says 'HERKIMER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND CYNTHIA QUACKENBUSH PRESENTS LIGHTS.... CAMERA... MURDER!! CAN YOU SOLVE THE MURDER BEFORE MURDERER IS REVEALED? SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11th Elks Club 112 Mary St. Herkimer, NY Doors Open at 5:30pm Dinner at 6pm Basket Raffles & 50/50 Raffle Dinner catered by PK Pubs Tickets $40.00 per person Tickets are available at The Herkimer County Historical Society 406 North Main St, Herkimer 315-866-6413'

Wow, that turned out big!

I am a little embarrassed they put my name up there in big letters.  I think I should give my little murder group a name like “Q Mysteries” or “Murder for Non-Profit” for such situations.  We have rehearsal tonight.  Perhaps I can get a few pictures for blogging purposes.  In the meantime, why don’t I finish out this post as a Throwback Thursday (or late Way-Back Wednesday) and share a few shots from previous mysteries.

She is always fabulous.

Here is my friend Kim in Fabulous and Fatal in 2019.  She is in the new one, and I expect she will be equally as fabulous.  It is always good to have a tall, gorgeous blonde in the cast.

He is fine, too.   I need to get the other one in a murder mystery sometime!

This is not from a murder mystery but from Love’s Labour’s Lost presented by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company in 2022.  That is local author C.T. Avis, who is cast as Jarod, the screenwriter of the movie in Lights, Camera, Murder!  He asked if he was being typecast as a writer.  I said that actually I gave him the role on the strength of his portrayal of the lovelorn Don Armado (he was in love with Jacquenetta, played by me, I add modestly.  It was so flattering!)

I will try to show a couple more cast members after tonight’s rehearsal.  I don’t promise any hints about the plot, though.  I want any local readers who decide to attend to be surprised.

 

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A Long(ish) Post for a Blogger’s Sick Day

Posted on October 25, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So it has been a couple more Blogger’s Sick Days for me. Today will likely be another one,  because I am on my Tablet, which continues to play funky computer games with me, like not letting me add a title.  Could it be, once again, that bane of my existence, operator error?  Sometimes I am my own worst enemy, which is good news for anybody who wants to do me dirt but is too lazy: I got you covered.

Well, that was a longish paragraph of nonsense.  I wonder if I can throw in a picture to pep things up.

Apparently not.

I usually enter, as readers of my Running Commentary posts know.

My Tablet allowed me to put in a picture, but when I tried to add a caption, the picture disappeared to be replaced by a link!  I do not want my dear readers to have to click on a link to see my pictures.  That is way too much trouble.  Anyways, I am sitting up now at my dining-room-table-top, on my second cup of coffee, and determined to finish this blog post.  Or at least hopeful of that end.

That is not the picture I tried to add last night, but I feel it is symbolic of my Tablet’s efforts to stop me from blogging.  It lets me enter, but not title or illustrate.  However, there are few road signs that read “Do Not Title” or “Do Not Illustrate,” as you probably know or at least suspect.

Aaaahhh! Coffee!

This happens to be the cup I am using.  I really ought to get a clearer picture of it.

Last night we had another rehearsal for Lights, Camera, Murder!  the murder mystery we are presenting for the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I was feeling discouraged as two of my actresses were down will illness (Actor’s Sick Day).  We have limited days when everybody is free to rehearse.  However, I felt better as soon as I walked into Herkimer Elks Lodge.  A members said, “It’s one of the actors!” Of course I told them a few things about the mystery, hoping they will decide to attend.

I was further encouraged by the actors who were able to attend.  They are doing very well with their parts.  Additionally, they complimented me on my script.  One actor, who has worked with me several times before, said that my scripts were always good.  Maybe he was just buttering me up, but I always enjoy a compliment.  Then again, why should I insult his intentions by saying he had an ulterior motive for giving me a compliment? I was about to speculate that he may have been just being nice, but why am I looking so deeply into these thigs?  Just take the compliment, Cindy!

Well, that veers into half-baked philosophy, the prerogative of Lame Post Friday.  With that minor faux pas, I sign off, perhaps just adding one more picture for good measure.

I remember taking this picture in 2020.

I am enjoying the fall colors!

 

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