Tag Archives: not writing

At Least I Made It On Monday

Hello and welcome to yet another Monstrous Monday post.  I have been staring at the blank screen, hopping over to Facebook as a delaying tactic, and indulging in the type-it-in-back-space-it-out disease (can you indulge in a disease?  I am really groping for words today).   I prefer to make my blog posts on time, not prior to five in the morning the next day.  For one reason, I have to do other things I put off till morning, like make my lunch (make lunch, not war!).

It isn’t only Monday, truth be told.

I was actually looking for the Brain from Planet Arous, my usual illustration for my brain-dead condition, but I thought “No Like Monday!” would also apply.  I don’t know why I get so set on having a Monday through Friday work schedule if it is only going to make me hate Monday so much.  Do I really want to feel miserable for five days and happy for two?  That’s silly!  Anyways, it isn’t true.  I manage to find some happiness in every day, or at least a good laugh  Life is not bad when you can have a good laugh once in a while.

Relaxing with a cup of tea is nice, too.

I thought I would show the Monster in a more relaxed mode as well.  Right now I am relaxing with a glass of wine.

A gift from my late, dearly missed husband.

I was over 200 words but wanted one more picture.  I thought this one was appropriate, because I mentioned earlier that I preferred not to be making my blog posts early in the morning.  In fact, I do not mind making the post with or before my coffee.  It is the pressure of making a late post that bothers me.  Maybe I will try making my Tired Tuesday post tomorrow morning.  But will I make my lunch tonight?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my Monday.

 

Too Tired for a Pre-Rehearsal Post?

How about a Pre-Rehearsal Post on this Tired Tuesday (full disclosure:  I am tired most days).  I ought to be looking over my lines again, but regular readers know how seldom I do what I ought.

The rehearsal is for Deadly Night Life, the murder mystery we are putting on at Salisbury Grange this Saturday.  I have not blogged much about it, because it sold out quickly.  I did not want my local readers to get all interested then be disappointed.  However, as I have very little to blog about right now and (again, as regular readers know) very little brain to blog with, I thought I could talk a little bit about it.

Only there will be all tables on the floor.

Here is a picture I took of the Grange last April, when we presented Shooting at the Grange.  I did not act in that one, which I regretted on the day of the performance.  Oh well, I had my reasons for not taking a role, and we cannot always predict how we will feel about these things.

Here’s a shot with tables.

The above is a picture taken at one of last year’s rehearsals.  I have not taken any pictures of this year’s rehearsals, but perhaps tonight I will have a photo op.

It seems I have rattled on for over 200 words without saying much about the murder mystery, the Grange, or tonight’s rehearsal.  How typical of me.  No matter.  It is Tired Tuesday, and I always feel that a blah blog post is better than no blog post at all.  Do you agree or disagree?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

I Run a Gamut on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Hello and welcome to another Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, the day when I swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead.  Alas that I have no chaise lounge to swoon upon.  One must make do.  It is only a metaphorical swoon anyways.

Peter Falk and coffee, what more could I ask?

I am once again watching Columbo on DVD.  I do enjoy Columbo on a Sunday afternoon or evening.  I am not, however, drinking coffee.  I enjoyed that this morning.

My view earlier today.

This morning I went running for the first time since March.  One of the places I ran was the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  The fun painted things are getting a little faded.  I hope whoever is responsible freshens them up soon.  I would like to take my great nephew and niece, Sheppy and Evie, for a walk there on one of the nice days we occasionally get.

Crawling, slimy things? Bring it!

I share the picture of The Brain Eaters because I feel as if something has eaten away my brain.  I guess not having a brain is becoming a chronic condition with me (cue jokes about how I never had much brain to begin with).   I haven’t seen a cheesy horror movie in a while.  I wonder when I will get a chance to see one.  Maybe after the current episode of Columbo.

Is this cheerful enough?

As it was becoming increasingly clear I have not much of substance to say, I looked for a cheerful picture to close with.  This was the first to catch my eye.  It is a publicity photo for a version of Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte that was never completed.  Joan Crawford was to have starred opposite Bette Davis but was replaced with Olivia de Havilland.  I am currently re-reading The Divine Feud: Bette and Joan, which tells all about it.

So this post has run the gamut from Columbo to running to Bette and Joan, with a detour into Brain Eaters.  That seems like a lot for one weekend.  I look forward to what Monday brings.

 

I Can Only Do So Much on Tired Tuesday

Did I mention this would probably be a Tired Tuesday Post? I think I did.

Always a favorite meme.

I drove to work thinking that Tuesdays, like Mondays, must be endured.  I remembered a saying I had back in the ’80’s:  “Today is a bad day.  Yesterday was a bad day.  Tomorrow will be a bad day.”  It was my angst-ridden pose, I suppose.  I told my work friend Zach about my saying, and he said, “Now you sound like Eeyore.”  I replied that I have always identified with Eeyore.  Oh, quit playing those miniature violins.  I’m not in a gloomy, angst-ridden mood now, and I am certainly not feeling sorry for myself.  I am merely tired.  Hence, the Tired Tuesday Post.

Earlier this evening, I finished and emailed my submission to Mohawk Valley Living magazine for May.  I hope they like it.  I always say writing begets more writing, but sometimes I am only good for so much per day.  Perhaps if I began to lead a healthier lifestyle, I would not feel so tired in the evenings and I could write more. I must research healthy lifestyles. I am afraid vegetables will be involved.  Cue jokes about how I am already a vegetable.

There’s something healthy

I thought I would throw in a cheerier picture to end with.  I see I am over 200 words, which regular readers know I consider respectable, especially for these nothing posts.  As usual, I will try for something better tomorrow, and hope you will all stay tuned.

 

Just Another Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Well I had a fine start to my weekend (according to the title of my last post) and not bad weekend, and today is Wrist to Forehead Sunday, the day when I swoon, dramatically posed with the back on one wrist to my forehead, in anticipation on the upcoming Monstrous Monday.  My aim is to begin blogging daily again, as I once did.  So here I am.

It isn’t an unhappy Sunday.

I am watching an episode of Columbo as I type this. Patrick McGoohan is the murderer, one of my favorites.  For anybody unfamiliar with Columbo, this needed no  spoiler alert.  In Columbo, the viewer sees the murderer commit the “perfect” crime then watches Lt. Columbo cleverly solve it.

Earlier tonight I watched a 1973 TV movie of Double Indemnity.  It was included with our DVD of the original 1944 film.  Alas, I do not know how to find a picture of it on my Chromebook.  I might have a picture of the original in my Media Library, but can I find it?

Steamy!

I have been knitting while I look at the television, a very relaxing way to spend a Sunday.  Earlier today I got a few things done, did the dishes, went grocery shopping, made a salad for my week’s lunches, progressed a little more on various cleaning projects, took a walk… I listed each little thing in the TV Journal, just to encourage myself.  I wrote a few other things in the TV Journal plus worked on a letter to a friend, just to have done a little more writing.

And now I see I am over 250 words on this blog post.  So I have posted for two days in a row.  I suppose that is not such a much, but I like to celebrate every small win.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

A slightly blurry photo from another weekend.

I just wanted to add another picture.  I am enjoying a glass of wine, by the way.

 

This Blog Post Is Nothing to Howl About

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.

 

Look, Crocuses!

So no late but daily posts this week.  Once again I have no defense.  Today I am not sure I even have time to make a decent post.  However, I have a few pictures I took the other day of crocuses in my yard and I want to share them.  Perhaps I could just share the pictures and bill it as a Wordless Wednesday.  It is Wednesday, isn’t it?

Yay!

I had gotten a couple of blooms earlier in March, before that big snowstorm that made me eat my words about not shoveling again.  These are in a different spot and more crocuses in the same place than I have seen yet in my yard.  I put the bulbs down the first fall after we moved in in 2005.  My plan was to add bulbs every year and eventually have the yard covered.  Instead, I have only the original bulbs and what they have reproduced on their own recognizance.

Second verse, same as the first!

I took two shots, trying to get a different angle, but I am afraid they look remarkably similar.  Then I noticed a lone bloom elsewhere in the yard.

A brave bloom to give us hope.

Then I went out front to see if any had bloomed out there.  I was rewarded with another crocus.

Isn’t it beautiful?

The weather has gone cold again this week, although the nasty weather predicted for today seems to have passed at least Herkimer by.  Phew!  Can warm spring weather be far?  I hope not!  In any case, I am over 200 words and still have time to get ready for work.  Woohoo!  I’m a blogger again!  Perhaps not a daily blogger, but you can’t have everything.  At least I have crocuses!

 

Some Blog Post, Any Blog Post?

I have been writing the following in my head for a number of days now:

I look at my pile of dirty dishes and think, “This is what depression looks like.”  I look at the unwashed laundry and think, “This is what depression looks like.”  I lie down, unable to sleep yet do not get back up and do something and think, “This is what depression looks like.”

And when I think about typing that into a blog post, I think of readers who will say, “Oh, stop feeling sorry for yourself!”  Sometimes I say it to myself.  More often I just force myself to do something, anything.  Wash a few dishes.  Do one load of laundry.  At least move some dirty clothes from the floor into a laundry basket.

Make a blog post.

That last is what I have emphatically NOT been able to do lately.  What the hell, me?

Sign of spring, sight of hope?

I thought I should throw in a picture before I got too bogged down in discouragement.  I found these crocuses in my back yard the other day and took a picture with my phone.  I was happy to see them.  Since I never raked up any leaves last fall, I wondered if any crocuses would be able to bloom.

Ooh, a deep metaphor just occurred to me:  The un-raked leaves are my depression, and the crocuses are the little baby steps I take to try to help myself.  Oh well, maybe it is not a deep metaphor, or even a particularly accurate one.  My excuse for not raking the leaves is that I read somewhere that it is environmentally better:  bugs, birds, etc. use leaves for shelter or something like that.  I read it in a Facebook meme.  No, I do not believe everything I read on the internet.  Only when it provides a handy excuse for my own laziness, I suppose.

Funny thing: I am feeling a little more cheery now.  The magic of writing something, anything?  The act of using my brain to delineate a metaphor?  Or just laughing at myself for getting so profound over my failure to rake a few leaves?  As I have observed many times:  It is not easy being me, but it is at least mildly entertaining.  But once again, I thank you for tuning in to my little blog, and I will try for more regular and entertaining posts in the future.

 

Blame it on the Rain

Sporadic posting.  It’s a thing now, at least with me.  As a matter of fact, I would not be posting right now, except that it is raining, and I do not want to walk in the rain.  I have walked a mile (but not in somebody else’s shoes) Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week before breakfast (today being Thursday, despite what my WordPress timestamp may say).  I believe it has made a positive difference in my mental if not physical health, although I am sure it has not hurt me physically, either.  So my usual morning blogging time has at least been positively spent.

In the meantime, I allow precious time to escape when I would like to be writing. Whatever happened to me writing after work?  For that matter, whatever happened to me writing on breaks at work?  These days I obsessively work on pencil puzzles such as crosswords and cryptograms.  I struggle to finish a letter to a friend, and I totally owe my last two sisters in law letters

So here I am in the middle of a blog post about not making blog posts, and about not writing in general.  A fellow writer once pointed out that writing about not writing is still writing.  Truman Capote once pointed out, that’s not writing, that’s typing, not about me, of course, but I think it may apply here.  Then again, ten finger typing is fun (I am on my Chromebook, in case you were wondering).

Me, pondering my fate.

I threw in a picture to pep things up.  This is from a visit to the Arc Park in Herkimer, NY, with my sister Cheryl and her grandkids, Sheppy and Evie.  I wrote an article about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Evie made the cover.  I need to work on my article for next month.

The thing about writing, as with many things in life, is you just have to do it.  I observe this and have mentioned it about my MVL articles:  I can’t write the article, I can’t write the article, I can’t write the article, I sit down and I write the article.  I just have to figure out how to get to the last clause sooner.  Likewise with my blog posts.  Thank you for tuning in while I blather on for,wow, over 350 words.  Let’s hear it for the rain!

 

Once Again, I Return to the Blogosphere

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.