Tag Archives: spring

Don’t Run, Walk!

There was little possibility of a Scattered Saturday post, as I spent much of the day fighting a headache and recruiting my energies for tonight’s performance for Morning’s at Seven at Ilion Little Theatre (just to continue my theme of All Morning’s at Seven All The Time).  When two naps did not resolve the problem, although 800 mg of ibuprofen took the edge off, I decided to try the effects of a little fresh air and exercise (am I the only on that every time I hear “fresh air,” a little voice in my head says, “Times Square!”?).  I took my Tablet along, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post.  Warning:  this post may be long and heavy on pictures.

I have not been running in too long a time, or I might have gone for a Running Commentary.  However, there are advantages in walking, one being that I could shower before and not after.  Also, the Tablet thing.  The only problem is, when I run and narrate in my head, I can choose not to use everything. When I take a picture, it just feels wrong not to use it.  No matter.  On with the post.

Yes, I still need to deal with last year’s leaves.

The first thing that struck my eyes was the beginnings of my peony bush, which magically appeared some years ago after Steven had successfully mowed down the wild day lilies enough times.  I said my stalker planted it, but I was just being silly.  Still, that is kind of a play on words:  plant, stalk.  Yes, I just have to be that way.  Anyways, I see I have to get out and pull up the day lilies AGAIN.  I’m not sure if the other greenery is violets or daisies, but I will let them live, because they don’t choke out the peonies.

Also in my front yard.

These are the same tulips I shared on my last Throwback Thursday post, two years later.  I hope to take another picture when they bloom.

Trinity Lutheran Church.

I walked up to German Street and turned right.  I hesitated to take pictures of people’s houses, because of privacy issues, but I thought a House of Worship would be all right.

You don’t know how anxiously I have waited to see green!

Further up the street, I got a shot of some white violets and dandelions.

This is an elegant place to stay, although I have never seen the inside.

I was certain a picture of the Bellinger Rose Bed and Breakfast would be good, because, you know, advertising.  I may save up for a night’s stay there, for the sake of another blog post as well as a romantic evening with my husband.

This is a relatively new sign, when they decided they no longer wanted to be called “H-Trip-C”

This is the sign at the bottom of the killer hill I run up when I am in good running shape (Preview of Coming Attractions, I hope!).

I didn’t realize I got my sneakers in this one.

I thought to include some purple violets along with the white ones.

I tried not to get the house in but loved the tulips.

 

I missed the buds in the tree. Rats!

These two were taken at the same house.  They also had tulips next to their front walk, but I did not get a picture.

I was afraid the colors would not come out quite right.

My favorite part of this time of year is the delicate green of the trees with brand new leaves. I’m afraid this picture did not adequately capture it, but it’s the best I could do.

These have actually spread to two places in my lawn.

When I got home, I went out back to get a picture of some perennials which came up.  I positively must get out there and clean things up so others can bloom.  After getting the picture, I went further back, to retrieve the cup I had seen this morning (and mentioned in my Late Lame Friday post).  It turned out to be a yogurt container, which no doubt blew out of somebody’s recyclable “one and done” container.  I picked it up and put in in ours.

Bunny and daffodils! Alas, not a good picture of either one.

I unfortunately startled a visitor to my lawn.  Yes, I know, these animals eat flowers and the vegetables I hope to plant, but I think they are cute.

The walk turned out to be just what I needed.  I am feeling much better, although it is almost time to start getting nervous for tonight’s performance.  Happy Saturday, all!

 

Spring Into Wuss-Out Wednesday

Let’s see if I can finish my Wuss-out Wednesday post before my ride to rehearsal gets here.  Rehearsal is for Spring Into Murder, the interactive murder mystery dinner theatre at Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY on Saturday, April 28.  I’ll try to get a number for tickets, in case any local readers are interested.  In the meantime, I thought I would write about spring.

WHAT SPRING????  you may well ask.  I ask it too.  My thermostat said it was 41 degrees out this afternoon.  I am in desperate need of exercise, so I went for a walk.  I love to walk and thought I might be able to write a decent Pedestrian Post about it, but I’m afraid it was a depressing walk.  Everything was brown and crappy-looking.  We are over half-way through April, for heavens’ sake.  Would a few flowers, maybe some green spouts, buds on the trees be too much to ask for?  Apparently so.  Additionally, I have some things on my mind which I will not bore you with (Freudian typo:  I started to put “now bore you with,” which tells me it is boring of me to mention them at all, so sorry).

When I got home, I thought I saw a tiny flash of yellow in my back yard.  Was it… could it be… it WAS!  A crocus!  I rejoiced. Then I got my Tablet and took a picture:

Note the brown grass. Tsk, tsk.

Then I took a better picture:

It does my heart good.

I went out front, to see if there were any more crocuses.  There were not, but I saw some green stuff that might eventually be tulips and lilies of the valley.

I think this is the tulip.

I think these are lilies of the valley.

As you can also see, I have some yard work to do.  There are lots of last year’s leaves still to be raked, and some garbage to be picked up.  It isn’t my garbage; it blew there in one of the recent wind storms.  At least nobody came along and dropped a house on me.

While I was out front, I took a picture of what the sidewalk plow did to us, and to almost everybody else in the village.  I had wanted a “before” picture of that, so when I fix it I can see what a good job I did (or not, let’s be honest).

You know, I think those are new cracks in the sidewalk as well. Damn!

Look at me, I’m over 400 words!  I think that’s fine for a Wuss-out Wednesday!  Now I’d better get ready for rehearsal.  There is nothing like a little murder to perk things up midway through the week.

 

Almost Springtime Saturday

I pause in my Saturday gyrations to make my blog post.  I’m afraid it will be a short one.  Then again, if it’s dull, short is better, no? Discuss amongst yourselves.

My husband Steven and I got up early, because he had to be to work early.  I suppose I could have stayed in bed, but what the hell, I was awake and I like coffee with my husband in the morning.

I was determined to go for a walk at least.  I have not been exercising properly this week, and I think it is doing me dirt in the tension headache department.  I took a 35-minute walk after work yesterday, and it felt pretty good.  Yesterday the weather actually reached 50 degrees.  Woo hoo, almost seasonal!  Oh, that brings up another point.  Yesterday I heard a meteorologist say that mid-50’s was seasonal for April, and I realized:  I’m in my mid-50’s.  I’m not old:  I’m seasonal for April.  I’m in the springtime of my life!

Today was cooler but still felt vaguely spring-like.  I put on a scarf that you can twist around your head and your face (it’s pretty nice; my sister Vicki made it).  If it got windy, I hoped to avoid the sinus headache the wind seems to give me.

It was an enjoyable walk, and I saw some crocuses.  Woo hoo again!  I reminded myself to definitely put down more crocuses this fall.  I put some in the fall after we moved in, and we usually get a few blooms.  My intention was to put more down every year and eventually have a yard full.  I have forgotten each year.  So I reminded myself again.  Who knows, maybe 2018 will be the year!

If I had sat down right after the walk, perhaps I could have come up with a decent Pedestrian Post.  Instead I felt light-headed (spring allergies?), so laid down with my face thing on.  My mother got me this face mask that you heat up in the microwave and lay down with.  It’s awesome. Now I am up and sipping hot tea, which is definitely soothing to the sinuses, and the disposition.

I guess I can’t really call this a Scattered Saturday post either, since I didn’t do a whole lot of different things.  And I don’t know how far away I am from going back to Saturday Running Commentary!  Never mind, this is my post and it will have to do.  I hope to see you all on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  Happy Saturday and Happy Spring!

 

Good Walk, Dull Post

Today I decided I would do what I should have done yesterday: put on my flood boots and walk instead of run.  Then I thought I could write a Pedestrian Post.  For one reason, I realized after I hit Publish that I did not even mention the weather yesterday and it was WONDERFUL!  I should have waxed rhapsodic on nature’s Preview of Coming Attractions.  OK, I have never waxed rhapsodic in my life, but I have always wanted to use that phrase in a sentence.

I second-guessed myself a I left work, because the walk to the parking lot was so dry and bare.  If the sidewalks of Herkimer were similar to that, I would feel bad for not running.  Then I thought there would probably be plenty of ice and puddles to walk through.  I was right.

The weather was even a little warmer than yesterday’s mid-40s.  Oh, it felt good.  I really, truly believed that spring is coming and will get here, and that is something that is often hard to believe in the middle of February.  I had on a raincoat and my crazy old lady hat.  I put a knitted headband in my pocked in case my ears got cold.  On the other hand (in fact, in the other pocket), I also carried my prescription sunglasses, in case it got too sunny.  Neither was needed, but I like to be prepared.

Right in front of my house was one of the iciest, puddliest patches.  That happens sometimes when you shovel a narrow path between snow banks, but what else can I do?  We are supposed to keep our sidewalks reasonably clear.  I try to at least do a shovel-width.  I walked slowly and carefully and was happy to get to a snowier patch further on.  I like walking in the snow.  I used to hate it, when I was always walking to get somewhere, sliding back a little for each step forward.  Now I appreciate the extra effort, because it may burn a few more calories.

I did not look around a whole lot at the scenery while I walked, because I had to be careful where I stepped.  I did not bring the Tablet to take pictures, because I felt there was too great a chance of me dropping it in a puddle.  I am quite clumsy.  So I guess that makes this a kind of a boring Pedestrian Post.  Sorry about that.

I walked for 35 minutes and feel pretty good about exercising two days in a row.  I’m going to go for three, and try to make it a daily habit.  I think it is good for me.  Eventually I hope to have more energy, so I can have more Mohawk Valley adventures, and write better blog posts.  I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

Walking on Sunshine

It was a drop-dead gorgeous day in the Mohawk Valley today.  Steven and I felt the right thing to do was to take a long walk, so we did.  First I wrote a few post cards.  I normally do that on Saturday, but, well, I guess it’s been kind of a lost weekend for me.  Don’t judge. Oh, OK, judge if you want, but don’t nag. I won’t listen.  Where was I?  Ah yes, about to write a Pedestrian Post instead of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

It was so bright and sunny I put on a hat with a brim and carried my purse, which contains my prescription sunglasses.  I put the sunglasses on before we reached the end of the driveway.  Before leaving, though, we walked into the backyard and shook our heads over the amount of yard work that needs to be done.  The delightful part was that we have some crocuses.  I was afraid with the early warm days and late snow we wouldn’t get any.  I noticed a few irises coming up as well.  Yay!

We walked down the sidewalk positively glorying in the warmth.  As we went through Meyers Park, I pointed out buds on some of the trees.  How wonderful it will be so see some green finally!  It was a comfortable temperature for walking, but I almost felt as if I won’t mind it too much when it does get super hot.  Oh well, I suppose I will be true to form and complain about it when it happens, but right now, I feel as if I won’t mind.  Does that make any sense to anybody?

After mailing the post cards, we headed toward Main Street then up Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners, one of my favorite spots.  We continued up Main then over to the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  We ended up walking down three stretches of the path, then up Washington and down Court Street to the Historic Four Corners again.  We met many people out taking a stroll or hanging out on their porches.  We exchanged greetings with all.

I was quite hungry when we got home so started cooking dinner. We opened front and back doors, because I ran the oven.  How lovely to air out the house!  I only wish I had brought our tablet on the walk so I could have taken some pictures to share.  Maybe I’ll look into getting one of them there smart phones; that ought to help pep things up.  Then I’ll have a Pepped Up Pedestrian Post.  You know how I love alliteration.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

Maybe I Could Just Sit on the Porch

I was going to make this Monday Mental Meanderings post on my front porch.  I poured myself a glass of seltzer and lemon (in a plastic goblet, because, you know, safety first) (and it really was just seltzer; I was not violating open container), I brought out a chair and the little wooden footstool my father made me, got the laptop and sat down.  Ah, spring at last!

But the sun is so bright, I couldn’t see the computer screen, except for a reflection of my face from a very unflattering angle.  I turned the computer this way and that, and soon realized I was giving myself a headache.  I had on my progressive eyeglasses (you know, the bifocals that don’t have a line, but don’t call them no-line bifocals or the eye doctor will yell at you) (seriously, I worked with a doctor that would come screaming out of the exam room if he heard anyone call them bifocals) (but I digress).  One must place one’s screen carefully with this sort of lens.  Also, my shoes were uncomfortable.  Ballet flats are supposed to be the relief after heels (which I did not wear today, but that’s neither here nor there).  This pair pinches mercilessly.  I must give them away.

So here I sit now, in my more reasonably lit living room (for computer purposes, I don’t mean to disparage sunshine), slippers on my feet, reading glasses on my nose.  I am much more comfortable, but I do wish I had written a real blog post earlier.  In my defense, I was writing something else while on break at work.  Sometimes when I write something, I really like it and think, “Hey, I’m a pretty good writer.”  Then I wonder if I am flattering myself.  Then I come home and type in nonsense like this for a blog post and wonder about myself.

However, between nonsense and a blow-by-blow of the last few minutes (ooh, here’s a Freudian slip: I just typed “blog” instead of “blow”), I am over 300 words.  I think that’s is enough of this stuff for one day.  I hope to do better on Tired Tuesday.

 

 

Sunshine Sunday

Spring has returned to the Mohawk Valley.  It’s been here already once or twice in 2016.  Then cold weather and snow returned.  Then we had some gloomy, rainy days, which, truth be known, I kind of like.  However, yesterday and today the sun returned in full force, and I am loving it.

Yesterday I enjoyed a walk and some running around (it was Scattered Saturday, you may recall), but Steven was sick with a cold and could not join in my enjoyment.  Today he is feeling a little bit better.  We just took a lovely walk, so in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday or even All Leading Ladies All The Time, I offer a humble Pedestrian Post.

I wore my crazy old lady hat and sunglasses but no jacket.  I found a white cotton long-sleeved shirt to put over my t-shirt, because I didn’t quite want bare arms.  Steven, since he is still convalescent, wore a hooded sweatshirt (our generation does not call them “hoodies.” I’m not even sure if a hoodie is the exact same thing or if there is some extra quality attached). Fashion choices settled, we set out.

We headed towards downtown Herkimer, past my beloved Historic Four Corners.  I pointed to the 1834 Jail and said, “That’s where I got hung.”  That, of course, was a reference to the play Roxy, in which I played the title role.  I’m sure it is one of those parts I will carry around with me forever, and that’s not really a bad thing.

As we walked down Main Street, we were sorry to see all the empty businesses.  I wish the area was more thriving.  At least there are a few bright spots.  Valley Exchange is open Sundays now; that’s always a fun place to look around.  Roma’s Pizza now occupies the space that was formerly Brian’s Roast Beef Deli.  I’m fond of Linda’s Consignment Shop, and The End Zone is a nice place to stop in for a beer unless Pete’s Tavern is more your speed.  Collis TruValue Hardware still seems to be going strong.

Turning down Albany Street, we saw that Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner was, as usual, doing a booming business.  Hummel’s Office Plus had some clearance items out on the sidewalk.  We did not stop into any of these businesses.  In fact, I’m sure I missed mentioning a few.  Sorry.  What do you want from me, I’m an amateur blogger not a downtown-boosting advertising agency.

We continued down Albany Street to Caroline, enjoying the sunshine.  I think sunshine is nature’s cosmetic, because almost any scene looks better in the sun.  As we walked we discussed our plans for the afternoon.   I want to sit out on our deck or front porch, perhaps with a beverage.  Steven wants to study his lines from Leading Ladies (I guess I have to mention the play at least once).

One last sunshine-related note:  I washed our sheets and hung them out on our clothesline.  I am SO looking forward to the sweet smell when I go to bed tonight.  I feel certain it will make Monday a little more pleasant.  Hope to see you then.

 

Sunday Stroll in the Sun

In lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday, I offer a Pedestrian Post with a heartfelt sigh of happiness about the weather.

My husband Steven had today off, so it promised to be a good day from the get-go.  We went out to breakfast at Crazy Otto’s before a quick stop at the grocery store.  It was already warmish when we left the house, but when I stepped out of Crazy Otto’s it was WONDERFUL!  I walked down the sidewalk taking deep breaths of spring air.  This was a good day for a walk.

When we got back from Hannaford, I wrote a few postcards, as I usually do on Saturday but had not gotten to this week.  Then I picked up my script for Leading Ladies.  Many of you will remember that is the play I am directing for Ilion Little Theatre.  Auditions are tomorrow. I wanted to photocopy scenes for them.  Hummel’s Office Plus is a short walk from the post office. They have a photocopier.

I wore my crazy old lady hat and my prescription sunglasses.  I was grateful for both.  How wonderful to walk along in a mere sweatshirt (um, and the rest of my clothes, don’t get any weird ideas about me) with no bitter wind hurting my face.  The sidewalks were mostly bare, and the lawns not too squishy when we had to walk around mud or ice.

After mailing the postcards and making the copies, we walked up Main Street so Steven could purchase cigarettes at Smoker’s Choice.  We observed that Valley Exchange was open but contented ourselves with looking at the window.  That is a fun store.  Linda’s Consignment Shop, across the street, was not open, but I must get down there again soon. Also on the other side of the street we saw people working in The End Zone, a pub and grill to be opening soon.

We walked all the way up to German Street, then past our own street to take an extra turn around our block, because we were so enjoying the weather.  Snow is in the forecast in the upcoming week, but I can’t worry about that today.  I hope you are all having a lovely Sunday as well.

 

Come on, Spring!

Technically, Saturday Running Commentary could come back today, but I don’t feel like writing about that run. I ran in place on the mini-tramp, because it was raining and snowing. I watched the rest of that silent movie The Monster that I was watching before (took me three runs to see the whole thing) (and I’m still not clear on who the titular monster was). It continued to precipitate on and off for the rest of the morning, with the wind whistling in an alarming fashion (I always worry somebody will come along and drop a house on me) (it happened to a sister of mine once; long story), so I drove to the post office instead of taking my usual walk with Tabby. This afternoon, however, the sun came out and I thought I would give it a try and perhaps write a Pedestrian Post.

I hid upstairs while I changed sneakers, so Tabby would not get too excited too soon. Of course that merely delayed the inevitable. She was jumping and barking long before I was done puttering around looking for hat, gloves and poop bags. At last we were on our way.

The sidewalks were almost completely bare and dry. I reminded myself to appreciate that and not repine over the dropping temperature. For heavens’ sake, it was in the 60s yesterday. Did it have to drop all the way into the 30s? I kept telling myself it was above freezing, resolutely refusing to speculate on what temperature the windchill was inducing. Tabby did not seem to notice anything but trotted along happily, stopping many times to sniff.

We headed down Bellinger Street toward Meyers Park, Tabby leading the way. I looked around, testing my theory that sunshine makes anything look better. I suppose it does, but I am tired of seeing brown grass and bare trees. Courage, I told myself. Things will grow eventually. At least a lot of the snow is melting. Of course, one effect of that is a lot of old dog poo is appearing. I tried to keep Tabby from sniffing it. “You know what poo smells like,” I tell her. Oh, I know, she probably smells a lot more variation that I do.

Every once in a while the wind would completely die out and I would feel warm sunshine. It never lasted long, but it gave me hope. However, soon the wind started whipping more coldly and my sinuses were not happy. I persevered, because Tabby was so obviously enjoying herself. Also, I must admit, the walk felt good on my legs. I do love to walk. I tried to concentrate on that and ignore the wind. It helps that I have a sweet, cute dog. I look at her trotting along and I feel better about everything.

As we approached home I saw some shoots coming out of the dirt at a neighbor’s house. Yes! Something growing! That makes three houses where I have observed signs of life. It was really not a bad walk, but I sure did appreciate a cup of hot tea when I got home.

Pokey Pedestrian Post

It is not really Friday for me, because I work tomorrow, so I don’t feel right offering one of my traditional Friday Lame Posts. However, I am feeling, well, lame. Therefore, I offer a Pedestrian Post, having taken a nice stroll with my very nice pooch, Tabby.

I had been going to run. I’m registered for the Boilermaker, you know (more about that in future posts). As I drove home it began snowing again. It had been snowing and raining earlier. I thought I would run in place on the mini-tramp in front of the television. For one reason, I’m partway through a silent horror movie and haven’t gotten to the monster yet.

Then I got home and my dog was so happy to see me, so excited to do something, so obviously wanting to go for a walk. What could I do? I know, walk the dog then run on the mini-tramp. Sorry, I only have so much oomph.

It had stopped snowing again by the time we set out. Tabby eagerly pulled me down the sidewalk toward Meyers Park. The sidewalks were mostly bare and dry by now. We had to skirt a few puddles, walking on mud or snow to do so. Nothing too detrimental to my sneakers. Then again, who cares? It’s an old pair (must get a new pair for the Boilermaker).

Tabby nicely did her business before we got to the park, so I could throw her poo away in the park’s trash can. I’m not fond of carrying smelly dog poo around. However, I do pick up her poo and I would just like to say I am completely disgusted by the amount of dog poo that is left lying around on the sidewalks and lawns of this village. Come on, people!

As we walked, I reflected that I could have run outdoors. Still, I was glad I was spending quality time with my dog. We’ve missed taking a walk twice this week: once because of my headache, once due to pouring rain. Tabby doesn’t like to walk in the rain.

After walking through the park we walked towards Main Street then down around Albany Street, up Prospect and back home. The wind picked up some, which wasn’t pleasant for my sinuses. Tabby did not seem to mind. She trotted along happily, stopping many times to sniff.

It is the grey skies, dirty snow time of spring. I haven’t seen a crocus or daffodil poking up. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time, though. For now, Tabby and I were happy with our walk. I hope we take another one tomorrow.