Tag Archives: running

I Should Have Made a Better Blog Post

Oh dear, I am up to my old tricks again, falling asleep before I make my blog post then frantically typing at 5 a.m. to make up for it.  I had meant to make a Saturday Running Commentary Post. I even took a picture of my new running shoes for an illustration.

I had to lean over my fat belly to see them.

I was wearing my Boilermaker t-shirt,  which was given to me by a friend.  She had purchased it for herself, for inspiration.  Since said inspiration was not forthcoming, she passed it on to me.  It fits me, so my bloated belly showed.  I did not take a picture of that.

It was actually a pretty good run.  I ran for a long time and went up a couple of minor hills.  My new sneakers were an utter delight.  I purchased them on sale at Melfi’s Shoes in Ilion, NY.  I should probably write a whole blog post about that, in order to give a shout-out to a local business.  We all know Mohawk Valley Girl loves local!

So I guess this is my blog post about what I should have written my blog post about.  I’ll call that OK for 5:30 on a Sunday morning.  I’ll try for a better blog post later, but no promises on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

Surprise! It’s Running Commentary!

How about a Running Commentary Post in lieu of my usual Wuss-out Wednesday.  I surprised myself by actually running.  Let’s see if I can further surprise myself by writing a decent blog post about it.

Full disclosure:  it was running only by the most generous definition of the act.  Of course this is always the case with me, but today was an especially egregious example.

I did not get out as soon as I got home.  First I talked myself out of it, which is what I did yesterday (Monday I counted mowing the lawn with the non-power mower as my exercise, so did not need an excuse).  I sat and checked my email, looked at Facebook, got hungry, wondered what to eat.  Then I changed into running clothes, put a load of laundry in the washer, and off I went.

Like the proverbial herd of turtles.

Oh, I thunked.  I clunked.  I huffed and puffed.  But I kept going.  I had a deal with myself that I only had to run for 20 minutes.  That, with my ten minute cool-down walk, would bring me home just about when the washer finished.  Surely I could rock 20 minutes (I’ll call you Shirley if I feel like it)!  I was running more up to 45 minutes on the weekend.  Come on, me!

I did not rock anything.  However, I kept going.  I looked at the grass, I looked at the trees.  I ran in or across the street when I saw other pedestrians, because, you know, social distance.  I called a greeting or waved to many of them.  I saw other people’s irises which had already bloomed (mine are still buds, as pictured in yesterday’s post).

I’m thinking this is a short, and I am afraid rather dull Running Commentary Post.  So I did not surprise myself twice.  I must say that does not surprise me.  Does that mean if I had surprised myself with a terrific blog post, I would have been surprised three times today?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

Aches and Pains, but Flowers!

I need all the help I can get!

I found a four leaf clover on the cool down walk after a recent run.  I open with it, because as I sat down to make my blog post, a voice in my head said, “Good luck with that!”

As I worked today, I thought that after work, I could go for a run, mow the lawn, or take a walk, and write a blog post about whichever I picked.  As I pondered my choices, I had to weigh which would wreak the least havoc on my back.  Hey, I’m middle-aged and overweight: I get back pain.  Returning to work after an extended break has caused some pain (YES, I am grateful I have a job!  We have been through this!  Sheesh!).

I apologize for complaining.  The fact is, most of us at work have been having more than the usual aches and pains.  I may philosophize about possible causes on Lame Post Friday (half bakedly of course) (ooh, here’s an autocorrect I’m glad I noticed: the computer put “nakedly” instead of “bakedly”).  For today, I decided a gentle walk would be my best choice.

I got about two houses down the street when my knees started in.  What the hell, me?  I turned around, thinking I could at least take some pictures at my own house.  First I crossed the street to take a picture of the lilac bush in front of a neighbor’s house.

How have I never noticed this before?

Returning to my house, I took some shots of the front yard.

And a few dandelions.

I am so into forget-me-nots this year, and it seems Mother Nature is as well.  I see them everywhere.

I did not get to the tulips at their peak.

We had two tulips, but I did not get any pictures when they were at their prettiest.

A wider view.

This is a kind of a preview of coming attractions,  because the peonies and daisies are not blooming yet.

I see I am over 300 words, so I think I will save my back yard shots for a future post. I will try not to spend so much time blathering about my aches and pains!

 

Not Running, Not Writing, I’m Tired

I did not think for one minute that today was Friday.

I did not work on a blog post before work today.  I started a letter to my sister, then I worked on an anacrostic puzzle.  I love anacrostic puzzles.  I thought, this will be fine.  I’ll go running and do a Running Commentary post.  I should have known better than to think that. So here we are in the middle of a Tired Tuesday post.

I don’t have a mug like this, but I wish I did.

As I type this (back to one letter at a time with the stylus), I am listening to Deadly Women on ID.  I love that Candice DeLong.  Oh dear, one of the women is perpetuating a rather horrific crime.  Sometimes I question my viewing preferences.

As I worked today, I tried to bestir my brain to work on a writing project (yes, computer, I meant “bestir” not “bestie”!  It is so a word, I just looked it up!).  No luck, but regarding that parenthetical comment, how is “bestie” more of a word than “bestir”?  I thought “bestie” was a slang term 9f fairly recent coinage.

There.  I just looked in my Webster’s College Dictionary, copyright 1991, and “bestie” is NOT there, but “bestir” is.  I feel vindicated.

I also feel this is rather a silly blog post, almost a Non-Sequitur Tuesday, but I like it.  I hope my readers will, too.

 

Svengoolie then Slack on Saturday

OK, here’s another late post, and I still can’t find a stylus,  so I’m fat fingered typing.  I thought I might try typing with two thumbs, like a real texter,  but of course my thumbs are even fatter then my fingers.  Now I am trying hunt and peck with my two index fingers.  So much for my Tablet troubles.

I went for a pretty good run yesterday and wrote four post cards.  That was the extent of my usefulness. Judge me if you are so inclined.  Steven and I were also able to enjoy a little porch sitting, although it was not as warm as Firday.

I think the highlight of the day was our viewing of a DVR’d episode of Svengoolie.  I mostly mention it so I can include a picture.  They really do pep a post up, or so I flatter myself?

My new favorite guy.

I really think I need a rubber chicken in my life.

I saved this poster a few years ago!

I had to search for this!  Dracula’s Daughter was the featured movie last night.  I must have used this poster on a some long ago Monstrous Monday.  How fortunate that I remembered I had it.

I see I am approaching 200 words, so I will call this a Slacker Saturday and drive on.

 

These Things Happen on Scattered Sunday

Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances.

I just now said this to my husband, Steven, never mind apropos what.  It is one of my favorite expressions, almost a philosophy of life.  It’s right up there with “Shit happens,” and “You’ll have that.”  But I digress.

I had a Saturday Cinema Post, so Sunday Cinema seems ineligible.   I do not feel it is a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  For one reason, I got wined.  I joined a wine group on Facebook.  I mean to write a whole blog post about it, when I wine a few ladies this week.

What a delightful surprise!

I went for a run this morning,  but it was not as good as Friday’s run.  Friday I ran up the hill to HCCC (that is, Herkimer College, but to locals it will always be “H trip-C”).

I don’t think this really shows the slope.

Later I went to the liquid store (see earlier paragraph about wining people) and to the grocery store.  I wore my mask, which my sweet friend Margaret sent me, and kept my distant as best as I could. It is still stressful, but I realize others have far more stress, so I count my blessings.

Back home I made a tossed salad, which should last us at least a week.  I also made some vegetable cream cheese, grating and chopping actual vegetables,  including chives from my garden (yesterday’s snow apparently did not harm them). I used said cream cheese to make some stuffed celery.   I suppose I could have done a food post on that.  As they say, Oh well.

I see I am over 250 words, so I guess I will call this a Scattered Sunday Post and drive on.  I have not gotten called back to work yet,  so Monday is a blank page.  I hope to fill it well, and of course I hope you will stay tuned.

 

Walking Where I Run

Determined to make a better blog post today, I put my Tablet into a shoulder bag and set put on a walk.  I had an idea to finally photograph a couple of the hills I sometimes run up.  Accordingly,  I turned left onto German Street and headed towards Herkimer College (previously known as HCCC).

Would it have helped to get closer to the slope?

Out Maple Grove is what I call a minor hill.  It is a bit of an effort.  I turned up the street that Y’s off Maple (alas, I cannot remember its name), where there is a steeper hill I sometimes run.  On the way, I tried to get a better shot of Maple.

Rats! You can’t see the slope any better!

This is steeper than it looks, when you are actually on it.

I walked up the steeper way, getting a little out of breath, and headed towards Lou Ambers Drive, for a shot of a really good hill.

Around that curve, and up a little more, is Herkimer College.

I did not walk up the hill but went down toward German Street,  pausing to take a picture of some green that caught my eye.

It does my tired heart good to see green.

A little further down is the spring I take a drink from when the weather is not too cold.

This is a godsend on long runs.

On the corner of Lou Ambers and German is Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, one of our favorite places.

We’ve been getting delivery from them lately.

I continued home, pausing only once more to take a picture of some daffodils.

They were in front of Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

It was a pleasant walk.  I shall have to run those hills again soon.

 

 

In My Defense, Here’s a Blog Post

What is it with me and missed blog posts these days?  It is most embarrassing. I’m on furlough, for heaven’s sake; what else do I have to do but write blog posts?  In my defense, we are all on quarantine, rendering many Mohawk Valley Adventures impossible. In my prosecution (I truly cannot think of a good opposite for “in my defense” and would welcome suggestions), do I not have a vivid imagination?  Should I not be able to think of things?

That inner dialogue could go on all day.

I am afraid I am not making good use of my time at home.  There, I have admitted it.  It is a source of some mortification to me.  Additionally,  I am afraid I have written about that in this space before.  Can I think of anything new to say?  Maybe I could just add a picture to pep things up.

Full disclosure: I did not step on each of those colored spots.

Here is a sight I see a lot these days.  It is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  I have been running and walking most days.  That is one thing I can feel pleased with myself about, although one could argue that I am not running as far nor as fast as might be expected.  I think I will not indulge in another self argument.

Preview of Coming Attractions

To further cheer myself up, I will remind myself of things I will be able to do again someday.  Meeples Mug House in Little Falls, NY, a board game cafe, was one of the first businesses to responsibly close for the pandemic.  It is one of the first places I want to go when quarantine is lifted.

So we have an apology, a self argument, a couple of pictures, and a plug for a local business. I’ll call that good enough for a late Tired Tuesday post.

 

Svengoolie on Slacker Saturday

I am going to call this a Slacker Saturday, because, quite frankly, I have slacked.  You may judge me if you are so inclined.  I maintain that no life is wasted, because I can always stand as a bad example.

I went for a pretty good run this morning.  I thought of making a Running Commentary post, but, alas, the moment has passed.  I finished the letter I had started yesterday at the laundromat and walked to the post office with it.  That got in my exercise for the morning.

Steven and I spent a good amount of time this afternoon just sitting on the front porch.  How delightful to savor the day.  We waved to passing cars and observed neighbors working on their homes.  At least, I think we observed people working on roofs and yards.  Whether they were residents or hirees, I could not say.

Back inside, we are on our third DVR’d episode of Svengoolie.   Yes, we have been drinking wine while doing so.  Is this another occasion on which to judge me?  No doubt it is.  I do not feel I should worry too much about who is judging me.  My only thought right now is that I should find some illustrations to enhance my post about watching Svengoolie. I’ll call that a Preview of Coming Attractions.  Happy Saturday,  everyone.