Tag Archives: running

A Place in Scattered Saturday

Posted on November 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

“No, I don’t know what she should write a blog post about, do you?”

 

We are currently watching A Place in the Sun after our Scattered Saturday gyrations, and it is high time I made my blog post.  Why, oh why, did I not post earlier?  Well, I’ve been busy.  I got up early enough, just prior to 6 a.m.  After some coffee, I went for a run. What a great run! I could have made an awesome Saturday Running Commentary, but that ship sailed away fast.  What can I say?

Later in the morning, we drove to New Hartford, NY, where we ordered new glasses at Eye Q of CNY.  We had gotten out eyes examined a few weeks ago, but I had too bad of a headache that day to decide on glasses.  I was happy we waited, though, because I chose a rather fabulous pair of frames.  Perhaps I will post a picture of the finished product.

Later on we went to an early dinner at Salvatore’s in Herkimer, NY, with some of the folks who were supposed to be part of A Trivial Murder, the interactive murder mystery that was  to have been tonight.  It has been rescheduled to March 23.  I will have more information on that as the date approaches.

So I guess we have not scattered ourselves as widely as on other Saturdays.  No matter.  We are watching a movie.  I have made a blog post. I hope you are all having as pleasant a Saturday evening.

 

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Pre-Haunting Post

Posted on October 28, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve posted before rehearsals and performances.  I guess tonight’s event is in the nature of a performance for me, but to be seasonal, I chose the above title for this week’s Scattered Saturday post.  I must soon begin fixing my unruly hair for the Haunted Historic Four Corners Tour.  I will get home late and will no doubt be tired.  I will be happy I already did my blog post.

I got up just prior to six, and it was still dark out when I went for a run.  I was happy to wear the reflective vest (“road guard vest” is what we army folk call it) my sister Cheryl gave me some time ago. It had been raining and was just beginning to sprinkle again as I walked my cool-down.  Full disclosure:  I meant to do a Saturday Running Commentary post but got distracted with, well, Saturday.

I don’t know if I mentioned that Steven is feeling poorly, but of course I won’t say much, because, you know, HIPAA.  But I had to pick up a prescription for him so headed to the Medicine Shoppe in Ilion.   After getting that, I stopped in to the handily located Ilion Wine and Spirits.  Barefoot Pinot Noir, yes, please.  I felt fortunate to be able to take a left out of that parking lot and headed a short way down the road to Moose River Coffee and Beer Belly Bob’s.

I went into the coffee shop first and got a 12 oz cup of the smoothest coffee ever and a raspberry-filled cookie.  While I nibble and sipped, I worked on my latest attempt at finishing a novel.  I am still at the note-writing stage.  I know who’s going to die and how, but not sure who the killer is.  Perhaps a character I have yet to invent.  But already I’ve said too much.  It is a mistake to talk to much about stories while you are writing them; you can talk yourself out of writing them.

After savoring the last drop of coffee, I went into Beer Belly Bob’s for some beer.  I told them I was disappointed about yesterday’s tasting being postponed.  They were sorry about it as well.  I got some stuff I know I like the taste of.  In fact, I am enjoying a can now (don’t judge me).

The only other thing of note I have done thus far is accompany my friend, Kim, to Ilion Little Theatre, where we borrowed accessories for our costumes tonight.  We are impersonating a couple of murderesses from the 1800’s.  She is a new one (to us), whose name escapes me, while I am reprising my iconic role of Roxy.  I hope to talk more about the haunted tour tomorrow.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Scattered Anniversary Post

Posted on October 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

One might form the impression we like each other.

I thought I would open today’s post with a picture of my husband and me, since today is our anniversary.  It is, in fact, a mere Scattered Saturday post.  In the past, I may have made a remark or two about what a swell fellow he is, so I’ll just pass that by today.  For one reason, I want to get this posted and return to the movie watching portion of the day.

After sleeping in till a leisurely almost 6 a.m., I had a cup of coffee and went running.  I had not run since Sunday (judge me if you are so inclined), but this one felt really good.  I will try not to have such a long layoff this time.  I had, of course, meant to do a Running Commentary post, but after stretching, showering, finding something to wear, eating breakfast, etc., etc., I was more into writing my post cards and walking to the post office with them.

While on my run, I had noticed that Herkimer Reformed Church (on the Historic Four Corners, which I love to run by) was having a rummage sale.  Perfect!  Steven and I walked to the post office, then up Main Street to the rummage sale.  I had also noticed that the Episcopal Church in Ilion was having a rummage sale, so we also got into the car and headed to that.  We did not find much at either sale, but I did pick up video tapes of Day of the Triffids and The Bride, two Halloween movies I have never seen all the way through.  It’s so retro and kitschy to buy videotapes!

Later on, we went to the Taste of the Valley fundraiser at the St. Francis DiPaola Society in Frankfort.  Yum!  I could (and might) write a whole blog post about that.  Then it was back home and on to the bra off, sweats on, movie watching portion of the evening.  I could go on to make this a Saturday Cinema post and share pictures of the movies we’ve watched thus far (we’re on flick #3 now), but I think I will wait for the future and write about all we watch (I do hope we get to flick 4 and 5).

In the meantime, Happy Anniversary to my beloved husband, and Happy Saturday to my beloved readers.  I hope to see you all on Sunday, which I daresay will not be particularly Wrist to Forehead.

I like to think we are still this cute.

 

 

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I Like My Husband on Lame Post Friday

Posted on October 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have observed many weeks that how ever many lame posts I have had all week, I cling to my beloved Lame Post Friday.  In fact, I had hoped to make a “real” post today, perhaps a Friday Running Commentary.  Well, I didn’t run.  We went out and had a few bonafide (for heavens’ sake, that IS the way you spell it; I checked! Yet my computer underlines it)  Mohawk Valley adventures.  Can I write about them? NO!  I want to sit here, watch TV, and knit. I even think my husband has gone off to bed, so what does that tell you?  It tells me we’re old and Friday night does not last as long as it used to.

Be all that as it may, I have to make a blog post (NOTE:  Steven has come back downstairs, so the evening is not over yet).  The lightheadedness I was bitching about yesterday is still with me.  Apparently I must learn to live with this problem, because nothing I have tried has done much.  These things happen when one is over 50, I suppose.

I will just mention that it is the beginning of Steven’s and my Anniversary Weekend.  As of Saturday, Oct. 20, we will be married 28 years.  Isn’t that odd?  I have now been married longer than I was single.  That is especially striking to one who so rarely had a boyfriend when she was single.  That’s OK, though.  I like my husband.   I like being married.

And that is not a bad conclusion to a Friday Lame Post.  Happy Friday, all, and hope to see you again on Saturday.

 

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To Trot or Not to Trot

Posted on October 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Spoiler alert:  I’m probably not going to trot, but I thought of that title while I was running this morning and I like it.  I wondered if I would ever do another Saturday Running Commentary, and it looks like I am about to.

I had actually thought about not running today.  I had an excellent run yesterday (I believe I mentioned it in yesterday’s post) and can certainly run tomorrow.  Additionally, I have been getting brutal headaches on Saturdays (regardless of whether or not I tie one on Friday night) (um, I mean, I never tie one on), and I fear running in cold air makes them worse.  It is cooler this weekend, real fall weather.  I love it, but my sinuses are less than thrilled.  However, I do not allow my sinuses to run my life.  Try not to anyways.

So I decided to run.  My thermostat said it was 47 degrees, two degrees above my usual cut off for shorts and short sleeves.  However, since I am not in really good running shape, I put on leggings and long sleeves.  I was glad I did.  For one reason, as I started out, I realized it was raining.  What was that all about?  I didn’t hear any rain on the tin roof outside my bathroom window!  I felt quite ill-used, but once I’m out there, I usually keep going.  Yesterday when I started out, I realized I had left on my reading glasses instead of switching to my running glasses.  I kept going for a blurry run. I remembered the running glasses today, but once they got rained on, the run was no clearer than yesterday’s.  No matter.  I could see well enough.

I debated running up a hill.  Regular readers may recall that hills are in short supply in Herkimer, NY (where I live).  I was inclined to stay off the incline (just to make a play on words).  But one must run hills to train properly, especially if one wants to run a 5K in Little Falls (which I do).  I was headed towards Main Street.  I could go up a hill there, if only I crossed German at the four-way stop.  I made a bargain with myself: if there were no cars at the intersection, I would cross.  If not, I would immediately turn down Main Street.  For one reason, my glasses were by now spotty enough that I could not reliably see if a driver was waving me across.  There were cars.  I was off the hook (don’t judge me) (oh, go ahead and judge me; I don’t run for anybody but myself).

It was not as enjoyable a run as yesterday, but it wasn’t too bad.  It got better as I went along.  I started out thinking if I only did 20 minutes it would be OK.  My longest run lately has been 28 minutes, and I have been plateaued there for two weeks.  My main goal is to do the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  I did it last year and it was great fun.  There is a Turkey Trot 5K in Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day.  I could be in 5K shape by then.  Well, not if I stayed plateaued at 28 minutes or, worse yet, went backwards (ooh, running backwards is a good way to get in shape, but I’m not talking about that).

Another reason I probably cannot participate in the Turkey Trot is that I plan to go to Rome to my Mom and Dad’s house for Thanksgiving.  I had planned to go the night before, in case they need help getting the turkey stuffed and in the oven at 6 a.m. or whenever they need to do it.  I can also peel potatoes, something I never do for myself but know how to nevertheless.  Still, I have always wanted to do a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.  Additionally, this Thanksgiving is my birthday.  I can run 5K on the day I turn 55.  How cool is that?  But would I even be in 5K shape if I only ran 20 to 25 minutes today?  And so I debated as I ran, and that is when I came up with today’s title.

I was on my street, figuring I would at least get to 25 minutes, when I heard a voice behind me:  “I thought I was the only crazy one!”  It was a lady I had encountered on another run.

“I didn’t know it was raining till I set out,” I told her,  “and I said, ‘Oh well, I’ve got the sports bras on!'”

“It’s raining and we’re training!” she said.

Well, that kind of inspired me, and I went around the block and ended up running for 31 minutes, an increase (at least the way I did the math) of the recommended 10 percent.  I felt pretty darn pleased with myself.  If I don’t make it to Little Falls on Thanksgiving Day, I will just have to trot by myself in Rome.

 

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Cooking with Wine Tasting

Posted on October 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday Food does not have the same appeal as Saturday or Sunday Supper.  Yet, I feel I would like to make a cooking post today.  I had meant to do a Running Commentary, because I had an excellent run this morning (I posted a Facebook status of “THAT is how a run is SUPPOSED to feel!”), but, you know, things happen.

I was supposed to be away this weekend, but those plans were derailed by a stomach bug my husband, Steven, is currently suffering.  He has not wanted to eat much, so I thought a pot of homemade chicken soup would help.  Accordingly, I took some chicken out of the freezer. It was two thigh sections, which is a good dinner for two people when baked and served with a vegetable.  I have also found that it will also make a good pot of soup

I put the chicken on to boil about 3 p.m., when I was doing laundry and waiting till it was time for a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY (where I live).  After it had boiled a while, I used a slotted spoon to scoop some of the brown crud off the top.  I don’t think the brown stuff seriously degrades the taste of the soup, but I skim off what I can.  I was waiting for my friend Kim to pick me up for the wine tasting.  Eventually I got tired of waiting and had a small glass of white wine we had on hand (don’t judge me; I wasn’t driving).  I also thought I should progress further on the soup so peeled and crushed some garlic.  I turned off the burner under the chicken; I figured it was cooked through, and I did not want it on when I left for the wine tasting.

It was after right after this that Kim texted me that she was ready to go to the wine tasting, so I did not bother setting the timer for 15 minutes (to let the garlic breathe, remember? I’ve talked about that before).  I figured we’d be gone at least that long.   And we were.  I came home with two boxes of wine, one red, one white.  Yum!  I may do a blog post about the tasting (I have been seriously remiss in not making more posts about the wine tastings I attend).  I poured myself a glass of red and continued to cook.

I pulled the pieces of chicken out of the broth and put in the garlic.  I sliced a yellow onion, put it in the broth and turned the burner back on.   I took the chicken off the bones and put it in the broth too.  After a while I will add some frozen vegetables.  Probably some spinach (Steven only likes it in soup, dip or sauce), maybe some broccoli or corn; I’ll see what’s in the freezer.  And I will cook some pasta, probably ditalini.  Yum!

For you wine snobs out there, I will no doubt switch to white with my chicken soup.  I do not want to injure anybody’s sensibilities unnecessarily.  Anyways, this is my Lame Post Friday post for the week.  I hope you are all having a good supper and enjoying the beverage of your choice.

 

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Well, What Do You Do with Bread?

Posted on October 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Under the heading, Things That Go Through My Head While I’m Running:  I read a quote a long time ago, not attributed to anybody, “If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy violets for your soul.” I pondered that thought, liked it, and considered posting it as a Facebook status when I got home.  Immediately I thought, if I did that, somebody would not doubt comment, “If you have two loaves of bread, give one to the poor.”  Somebody always has to be that way.

In fact, when I have two loaves of bread (and I often do), I selfishly put one in the freezer for later.  Then again, how many violets can I realistically expect to buy for what I usually pay for a loaf of bread, much less what I might sell a loaf of bread for.  Who’s going to buy a loaf of bread from me, anyways?  Anyways, I don’t eat a lot of bread.

As I type this, I remember there is a non-perishable food drive for veterans at my place of employment.  I’d better grab a few cans to bring in.  But no bread, that’s perishable.

So this is my Wuss-out Wednesday post.  I had intended to make a running commentary; I really did go running and think the first paragraph.  However, before making my bog post, I had to do the final edit and polish of my murder mystery script and get it emailed out to my cast.  I still have to print out hard copies for myself and a couple others, but I can do that before rehearsal tomorrow.

In the meantime, I ponder my conundrum:  violets for my soul or bread for the poor? Discuss amongst your selves.

 

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I Can Run, But I Can’t Blog

Posted on September 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I went running this afternoon, specifically so I could make a Running Commentary post.  Well, I guess that was not the only reason.  I also want to get back into shape (that is, a shape other than round and puffy), lose weight, be able to run a 5K and better.  And I thought some exercise would help my mood.  I sure could use some of them there endorphins.

Obviously I did not get any.  I suppose I did not run long enough.  You’ll have that, especially when you are trying to get back into it.  I have to remember that in middle age, one falls out of shape a whole lot quicker than when one was younger.  Also, it is harder and takes longer to get back into shape.  I hope I do not appear to be whining about these things; I merely mean to make the observations.

Not actual footage of me after my run, but close.

I thought I’d better pep things up with a picture.  This lady’s face looks like how I feel.  It is Candace Hilligoss in Carnival of Souls (1964).  I got the pic from the Facebook page of that movie.

This is where I must admit, I am too tired and brain dead to make a decent blog post.  Was it the run that tired me out?  Or just the usual Monday Malaise?  No matter.  I’ll throw in a couple more pictures and hope to think of amusing captions.

I could be the old-fashioned slow-poke kind of zombie.

Actually, I walked my cool-down alone.

As I feel like a zombie, I find two zombie pictures.  Now I am done running and blogging for the night.  Happy Monday, everybody.

 

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Alas and Yay on Scattered Saturday

Posted on September 23, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is that moment of a Saturday when I want to make my Scattered Saturday Post and get on with my evening.  This will be fast if not furious.  Here goes…

I slept in till after 6 a.m.  Yay, weekend!  And I woke up with a terrible headache, which made me feel distinctly ill-used, because I did NOT tie one on Friday night.  Next Friday I may drink my head off, because if I am going to have the headache anyways, I may as well have a good reason for it.  Be that as it may, I tried not to let the pain completely ruin my day.

I went running, which makes three days in a row.  Alas, three was not the charm, because the run was not fun and did not feel wonderful.  Still, I did it, so I could feel good about that, at least.  A shower felt good, and Steven and I pondered our options for the day.  Tentative plans changed after a phone call to my Mom.  She said my sister had been going to call me to ask that I pick up rolls for a family gathering on Sunday (baptism of my adorable great-niece, Evie.  Yay!).  Suddenly a trip to Heidelberg Bakery was on the agenda.

Just to make things perfect, I saw in the Utica OD that a church in Middleville was having a rummage sale.  We love rummage sales!  Our plan was set:  breakfast at Heidelberg, then on to Middleville for the rummage sale.  That was fun, but, alas, my headache did not go away.

Back home, I laid down with my face thing on (I have this thing my Mom got me; it has herbs or something in it, you heat it up in the microwave and lay down with it on your face), and took a nap.  That helped.

After the nap and a cup of hot tea (yay cooler weather!), I went with my friend Kim to a Lambrusco tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  I knew Kim would like Lambrusco, because it is sweet.  She is all the time going to tastings with me where nothing but dry is available, so I was happy to go to a tasting she would like.  Then we walked all over the store looking for a bottle wine that would be appropriate to bring to the cast party of Shattered Angel.  Could we find anything with an angel on the label?  NO, of course not!  We finally settled on a bottle of Dr. Frank Konstantin Riesling, because the accused in the play was examined by DOCTORS.  Also it was a nod to our dear friend, Julianne Allen, recently deceased, who was supposed to be in the play and who loved Riesling.

Next we went to Asteroga Ale House for a drink.  Steven joined us, so that was an enjoyable interlude.  Now I am at home, looking at Forensic Files in a desultory fashion and soon to begin the movie watching portion of the evening.  I hope all my readers are also having an enjoyable Saturday.

 

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Running to Halloween?

Posted on September 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was determined to go running today, and to write a Running Commentary post.  First task completed!  On the the second part…

When I got home from work today, I did not pause and change my mind.  I went upstairs, gathered a load of laundry and put on running clothes. You see, I intended to multi-task by putting clothes in the washer while I ran (and felt pretty virtuous about it, since I am not out of clean underwear, nor is Steven out of clean socks).  I got the washer going, then got going myself.

I started out in the opposite direction of what I usually take, heading towards State Street instead of German.  The reason was that I had noticed a house down the street with Halloween decorations in the front yard.  I need a little Halloween!  I saw another house with a couple of scarecrows by the porch, so that was nice.

It was fine running weather:  not hot, not too sunny.  Of course, I was NOT in fine running shape.  I’m not even sure when I last ran, but I believe it was more than a week ago.  In my defense… OK, I have no defense.  It was stupid of me not to run, or at least get some form of exercise.  What can I say?  We do not always do what is best for ourselves (Oh, I suppose YOU do?).  However, I was happy I was out there moving, and I can continue to get out there on a regular basis.  I hope.

The house did not have as many decorations as some (not as many as MY house is going to have), but it did look nice.  I love Halloween.  I ran past it and turned right onto West Albany Street.  Hmm… which street should I run up?  Not Henry, that was too close. Maybe Caroline and make a BIG rectangle.  Instead I went up Margaret, because I did not feel like running around some cars I saw parked across the sidewalk.  I should perhaps mention that my body was not best pleased with me.  I wondered how long I could keep up even my slow middle-aged shuffle.

Twenty minutes.  I could go 20 minutes.  Oh dear, I wasn’t even at ten.  Never mind.  Just keep going.  I looked at different houses, envied a few screened in porches, admired some late blooming flowers, and calculated how long it was going to take me to get back into 5K shape.  There is a 5K at Cullen’s Pumpkin Farm in October, but that may be too soon.  There are usually a couple of Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving, but I might be busy that day.  Of course I intend to participate in the Reindeer Run in December (perhaps you read my blog post about last year’s event).

As I ran and figured, I started to feel a little better about moving.  Not better enough to go a whole lot more than 20 minutes, but I managed 25.  Then I felt pretty darn tired.  But that hardly matters.  The only other thing I have to do today is make my blog post (what, fold the laundry?  Surely you jest!) (and I will call you Shirley if I want to).  And here I am over 500 words.  Yay me!  Now if only I can make it LESS than a week before I run again.

 

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