Tag Archives: Tabby

Not a Lame Run After All

Posted on May 23, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a long run this afternoon, so I thought I would do a Running Commentary instead of my usual Friday Lame Post. However, it is Friday and I am feeling a little, well, lame. I will begin typing and see what comes out.

It was cooler today than it has been but the sun was bright. Good running weather, I told myself. I had gone two days without running, instead of the three which I made a note to myself not to do again. I feel I must make another note to don’t wait two days either.

As soon as I started running my body started complaining. Oh come on, I thought. It’s only been two days! And we took a walk yesterday! Maybe I would warm up as I went. My plan was to do a long, challenging run. Then I could do a lesser run tomorrow, when I have plans for later in the day. Up the hill to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) would be good, I thought. Back way or front way would do.

Before I had gone two blocks I was thinking I would cut myself a break. A short run, any run, just run. Traffic was heavy enough that I thought I might not be able to cross German Street. Then I would be off the hook. I found a time to cross.

I decided to go up to HCCC the front way. It’s steeper than the back way but shorter. This run was really sucking. I reminded myself that once I started up a hill there was no question that I would make it, the only question was how much it would suck. Will going up this hill ever stop sucking? I usually walk up the stairs at work. That never seems to get easier either.

I tried to comfort myself by thinking how bad-ass I would be running the Boilermaker 15K. If somebody asked me if I was running the 5K, I could say, “Huh. I could run a 5K backwards.” Then I wondered if that was true. Maybe if I made that (admittedly obnoxious) boast, somebody would make a bet with me. I’d say, “Fine, you run the 5K with me frontwards and make sure I don’t bang into anything.” When I ran the DARE 5K last year, which goes up the very hill I was on, a lady told me it was easier to go uphill backwards. I tried it.

Then I remembered some running advice another soldier gave me. When you feel you can’t run any more, run silly. I swung one leg in front of the other, swinging my arms wildly to keep my balance. Then I turned sideways and did the grapevine. I would keep that trick in mind for future use. Perhaps I could share it with other runners during the Boilermaker.

When I got to the top of the hill I did not continue up onto the campus but headed right to the back way to go down. I was feeling better about the run, but this was cut myself a break day after all. I hesitated again at Reservoir Road but downhill won. I was about 20 minutes into the run. Would I make it for 48 (the length of my longest run so far)? I would see.

As I headed toward the traffic light on German Street, I realized I had reached the coveted I Can Rock This stage of the run. I don’t think I had endorphins, but I was not feeling too bad. My leg muscles were warm and supple. I could run for 48 minutes. This was going to be all right.

The feeling did not last. I had headed away from my street. Now I headed back toward the street. I didn’t care if it was 48 minutes. As I got closer to home, I felt a little better. I was perhaps not rocking it as well as the first time I reached the I Can Rock This Stage, but I found that I could keep going after all.

By going past my house and around the block next to mine, I made it to 48 minutes. My schnoodle, Tabby, graciously walked around our block with me to cool down. I felt pretty happy that I ran. I’ll run again tomorrow. No more two days off!

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Posted in humor, personal, running, running commentary and tagged Boilermaker, Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College, herkimer ny, Lame Post Friday, running, Tabby. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Too Nefarious

Posted on May 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven, Tabby and I took a lovely walk earlier. Full disclosure: we walked with a nefarious purpose. I wanted a glass of wine, so we walked to Ramar’s Liquor Store on Caroline Street in Herkimer, NY.

The sun was bright, and the temperature was warm but not too warm. I always notice how bright sunshine makes everything look better. I asked Steven if it had the same effect on me. Naturally he gave the right answer.

Our schnoodle, Tabby, had different ideas of where we should walk to, but we convinced her to walk our way. She had her own ideas about how often she should stop and sniff things as well. We tried to accommodate her while not taking eight years to walk five blocks.

I admired many people’s flowers. We have to get started on our own yard and deck. We had both noticed that on Saturday there will be a Plant Sale at Mohawk Antiques Mall to benefit Herkimer County Humane Society. We intend to go. I’ll probably write a blog post about it (preview of coming attractions).

I’m afraid my blog has suffered during Finish That Novel May. Just to update you on that, the body was still in the tarp as of this morning. It was not in a tent nor yet being a busy body, as two comments suggested yesterday. I’ll tell you what, it is way easier to start novels than to finish them. No matter. I’ve finished this blog post; I will finish my novel. Hope to see you on Lame Post Friday.

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Posted in humor, Pedestrain Post, personal and tagged blog post, novel, sunshine, Tabby, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Power Lame Mower

Posted on May 16, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is another Lame Post Friday, my day of random observations and half-baked philosophy. I seem to remember earlier this week threatening to philosophize (half-bakedly, of course) about how many of us hate to be reminded about things we ought to be doing (especially if we ought to be doing them without being reminded). Well, I don’t feel like it. If you would like to remind me that I ought to do what I say I am going to do, feel free.

I went for another run this afternoon after work. I did not run as far. I certainly did not run fast (I didn’t run fast yesterday either, but I believe I ran less slowly). I composed a Running Commentary blog post in my head as I ran. I’m not going to write it up now. How many Running Commentaries do my readers want to read? No, seriously, I’m asking, how many Running Commentary blog posts do you think are good?

After my short run, I attempted to mow the lawn. I can’t get the power mower started so I used the non-power one I purchased for precisely that reason. It does not work as well, but I did what I could with it. Then I did some stuff with a garden implement purchased by my husband. It consists of a short double blade on a handle. You can swing it back and forth and cut things down. I attempted to do this with the tall dandelions which had eluded the mower.

I felt like I was doing battle. The enemy was much smaller than me, but I was way outnumbered. Swish, swipe, try that again. Wait, there are some more. Look behind me. I’m surrounded! At last many of them lay dead or wounded. Oh dear, that is a terrible image. I had no idea I was so blood-thirsty. Oh, OK, I really did.

My beloved schnoodle, Tabby, is once again not feeling well. I throw that in as a blatant bid for some sympathy. Steven and I are worried about our sweet dog. I hate to end on a down note, but that is really all I have today. Hope you are having a non-lame Friday.

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, dandelions, half-baked philosophy, lawn mower, random observations, running, running commentary, Tabby. Bookmark the permalink.

Not the Least Bit Like a Gazelle

Posted on May 13, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

There was a moment at work today when I WANTED to run. My legs just asked to start moving. Walking would not do. Stretching would not help. I wanted to run. I had no doubt that if I could have gone out the door and started moving, I would have loped along like a gazelle. Of course I was at work and able to do no such thing, so my theory remained untested.

I knew, even at the time, that I would not feel like running by the time I got home. For one reason, my husband would be home and I like to spend time with my husband. Well, maybe it would be raining. Then I could run on the mini-tramp and chat with him while I did. It stopped raining. I called and left a message on the answering machine, asking that coffee be available when I arrived. Maybe that would help.

As I left work, the cooler temperature and breeze seemed good running weather. I felt it would be wicked to waste it. Steven had a fresh pot of coffee waiting. A cup of coffee before running is often helpful. I’ve read that the caffeine helps you burn more calories. I talked myself back into running as I sipped.

One thing was in my favor, if I really wanted to wimp out. It looked as if it was going to rain again. I could run till it started to rain too hard or until I heard thunder. Some hard-ass might expect me to run in the pouring rain (and be disappointed), but nobody reasonable thinks you should run in lightning.

When I got started, I found that my pace was a good deal less gazelle-like than it had been in my head at work. It was slower and a lot more jouncy (well, will you look at that? My computer seems to think jouncy is a word). Well, I did not need to run for a long time and I certainly did not need to run any faster. I just needed to keep going… for a while.

I decided it would be OK to not run any hills. I intend to run at least two more times this week. One or both of those runs could feature hills. The purpose of this run was just to not have three days in a row of not running (as I wrote in a note to myself as part of an earlier blog post).

Up German Street I went. I say “up” because there is a small upgrade. It is more pronounced on the other side of the street, but I did not see an opportunity amidst late afternoon Herkimer traffic to cross the street. I got all the way to the end of German and hooked around to go back Church Street. I did not want to get too far from home, in case of rain. The clouds did not look particularly threatening at that time, but as Fats Waller said, one never knows, do one?

I encountered a few cars at 4-way stops who nicely waved me on. I yelled, “Thank you,” which I hope they heard through their open windows. How far should I go? To Main Street? There were often people on Main Street. I was feeling self-conscious. Maybe cross Main Street? At Prospect, I decided if I saw cars I would not cross but turn and run south. That would bring me near Meyers Park, one of my favorite places to run through. There was traffic. I like it when fate decides my runs.

Before reaching Park Avenue, which of course leads to the park, I came to the last block of Bellinger Avenue, which is a one way street. I like to enter at the “Do Not Enter” sign. I’m that way. I decided to run down Bellinger Avenue, then around the perimeter of the park, then maybe through the park, back to Park Avenue and all the way to the other end of that.

I should perhaps mention that this whole time my body felt SO TIRED! My feet hurt. My knees hurt. My lungs simply did not feel like breathing (obviously they did breathe, since I am not dead). Oh, whatever would I do? What I really wanted to do was run to the park then home by the quickest route. Maybe not even as far as the park. I made the longer plan because I really thought it would be a good idea if I ran further.

As I ran in the park, I noticed the clouds moving away and blue sky above. As I left the park the sun was out, dark clouds to the side but moving away. I always like the bright sunlight against the dark clouds. I started down Park Avenue.

I ended up running 34 minutes. As usual I felt terrific as I walked my cool-down with Tabby. It may, perhaps, have been better for my Boilermaker ambitions if I had run further and included hills. For my weight-loss goals, I think this was pretty good. For blog post purposes, I shall let you, my dear reader, decide.

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Posted in humor, personal, running, running commentary and tagged blog post, Boilermaker, herkimer ny, running, Tabby, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

My Train of Thought Jumped the Tracks

Posted on May 8, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Over a week ago I asked myself how I could de-funkify (I suppose that’s not a word, but I like it). It seems I have not yet found the answer, as I sit here on Non-Sequitur Thursday with not a post in sight nor many thoughts in my head. Another question I have asked before: What’s a blogger to do?

I did not go running (what a surprise). I took a short walk with my schnoodle Tabby, but nothing blogworthy. I had thought to fix something interesting for supper and do a cooking post, but felt in too much of a funk to do so. I finally forced myself to make a tossed salad. The therapeutic benefits of chopping vegetables are not to be denied. Unfortunately, today they only lasted as long as the vegetables did.

I managed to maintain enough oomph to make some Italian salad dressing (the kind in the envelope where you add oil and vinegar). Then I made another envelope’s worth and put some stew beef in it to marinade for crock pot purposes tomorrow. So apparently my funk is not completely incapacitating.

Finish That Novel May is progressing. Not progressing nicely, but I am putting words on paper. I’ve written a few more scenes. Actually, they kind of flow one into the other, so it’s more like one long scene. I was just getting to the exciting part when my break ended. I hurriedly wrote two more sentences then went back to work. My boss was near my work area but did not say anything to me. It’s kind of too bad, because I was all set to say, “I was just getting to the poison!”

Oh dear, have I given away a major plot point? I always say too much! Oh, OK, not really. I’m just being dramatic again. In fact, I think I have said enough for this to count as a blog post. Perhaps my funk will clear of its own accord in time for Lame Post Friday.

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Posted in blogging, humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal, writing and tagged blog post, funk, novel, Tabby, walking, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Back on Track?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Note to self: Do NOT take three days in a row off from running. In my defense, each day it seemed to be the right decision. Then again, one can almost always find a reason. More important is to come up with a reason TO run. Today my reason was: I’ve already told many people I am going to run the Boilermaker 15K. I cannot gracefully excuse myself.

It was a warm and sunny day (still is as I type this, although I have showered and eaten since the run). I prefer to run in cooler weather, but it is unlikely to be 50 degrees in July (on Boilermaker Sunday), so I knew it would be a good idea to begin to get acclimated. I used my usual trick of telling myself I did not have to run very far or up any hills. Just a short, easy run would be OK.

Of course I wanted to go for a longish run. For one reason, I knew my wonderful husband, Steven, was fixing hot dogs with toasted buns for dinner. Yum! But not exactly diet food. A good run would help keep me on the weight-loss track.

I headed towards Herkimer College (formerly Herkimer County Community College or HCCC). I would not run up the front way — the steeper run — but perhaps the back way, longer but a more gradual slope. The back way had the added advantage of being woodsy. There might be more shade. If I really didn’t feel could make it, perhaps I could continue on German Street and go up the hill by Valley Health.

Oh, it was not fun to run. This was my comeuppance for taking three days off. I knew I must continue. I would go up to HCCC the back way (oh, it’s just quicker to type than Herkimer College). It seemed to take a long time, but I encouraged myself. Just get to the curve. Now the next curve. More than halfway there. Almost there. Oh dear.

I ran down the front way. It is a little steep for downhill, but I leaned back and took it slow. The advantage of going this way was that I would go by the spring and could stop for a quick drink. This was the first day it’s been warm enough that I didn’t mind sticking my hands in the cold water. It was a fast stop. I kept going.

As I ran, I waited for it to get easier. It did not. That was OK. I told myself I was building up my ability to keep going when it really sucks. Still, maybe I would catch a second wind if I kept going. I did not, and I think I kept going long enough to give it a fair shot. I ran as long as my longest run so far, 40 minutes.

My cool-down walk around the block with my schnoodle, Tabby, was better. Sitting down when I got back home was better yet. I did my stretches from a sitting position. I had to stand up to take my shower, but that was worth it. Oh how nice my husband was to fix dinner!

So new rule for me: no more three days off. I hope I can stick to it. I have just over two months to the Boilermaker. It is a little too soon for this blog to become All Boilermaker All The Time, but if I run again tomorrow, I just might write about it.

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Posted in humor, personal, running, running commentary and tagged Boilermaker, Herkimer College, Herkimer County Community College, herkimer ny, running, Tabby, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Tabby Goes to the Doctor

Posted on April 30, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I mentioned that Tabby, our adorable schnoodle, was feeling under the weather but appears to be on the mend. I thought I would give a brief shout-out to Mohawk Valley Veterinary Service.

Tabby had started ailing Friday evening. We immediately cancelled our plans so we could stay home with her. We hoped it was just something she ate or a 24-hour bugaboo (dogs get that too, don’t they?). When we woke up Saturday morning, we saw that this was not the case.

Being an early riser can be a curse. It took forever for it to be 8 a.m. when we thought the vet opened (we had a rather old piece of paper with their number and hours). No answer at first. Oh no! I was on the computer trying to look up emergency veterinary care when Steven tried again and got an answer. Phew!

The doctor would be in at nine. I even had time to make my blog post before I left. Steven had already gone to work, although he would have liked to call in (employers are less generous than blog readers about doggy sick days). Tabby perked up a little when she saw the leash, but she was obviously having trouble moving. I had to help her into the vehicle.

As we walked into the vet, a very cute cockapoo greeted us (I asked his person what breed). He would have liked to be all over Tabby, but his person restrained him. I petted him and said how cute and sweet he was.

When I told the receptionist about Tabby’s symptoms, she said it sounded like Lyme Disease. I was surprised, because Tabby had not been in the woods (we do sometimes take her to the Nature Trail at Herkimer College) (previously referred to here as HCCC) or near deep grass (I don’t think there is any yet this year). Apparently ticks are extremely prevalent this year and are turning up everywhere. No dog is immune, and the tick medicine (which we do give Tabby) can only do so much.

Once we got in to see the doctor, a blood test quickly confirmed that it was Lyme Disease. The doctor gave Tabby two shots — which of course she did NOT like — and some medicine.

I was very grateful to the clinic, for getting Tabby right in and helping her so quickly. Despite the worry, it was a fun experience, seeing a few dogs and a cat, and chatting with their people. I heard but did not see the duck. Yes, they have a resident duck, as two “duck crossing” signs warn.

Mohawk Veterinary Service is located at 5624 State Rt. 5, Herkimer, NY 13350. For more information call 315-866-3417.

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Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged cat, dogs, duck, herkimer ny, Lyme Disease, Mohawk Valley Veterinary Service, Tabby, veterinary care. Bookmark the permalink.

Bogged Down in the Blog

Posted on April 28, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Still can’t do it. Yesterday I started writing a post about getting out of the funk I was in. I got all bogged down and ended up writing some silliness suitable for Wrist to Forehead Sunday. Today I tried to edit what I had written, feeling it would make a dandy Middle-aged Musings Monday. Got bogged down a again.

What, I ask you, is a blogger to do? (This may or may not be a rhetorical question; reader’s choice.)

I did take a lovely walk with my nice husband, Steven, and our beloved schnoodle, Tabby. I could write a Pedestrian Post and have done with it. It was an enjoyable walk. The temperatures have warmed up. I was fine in a regular sweatshirt, although I did put the hood up when my ears got cold. We saw some daffodils, a few crocuses and some little purple flowers which I could not identify (must ask my Mom; she knows all that stuff).

Tabby, by the way, seems to be recovering nicely from her Lyme Disease. She ran around barking when she knew a walk was imminent. She is not completely herself yet. When I got her a treat after the walk, she did not jump up on her hind legs to get it but waited for me to bring it down to her level. However, she is definitely on the mend, for which Steven and I are quite grateful.

As for me, the walk did not exactly cure my funk, but I think it helped. Fresh air, good company, exercise, what’s not to like? Could it be that my funk, like Tabby’s Lyme Disease, is not something I can just snap out of? Perhaps I could gradually emerge from it, feeling a little better each day, till I am busily writing, completing tasks as I hope to.

In any case, this is my Middle-aged Musings Monday post. Ooh, I just remembered something. A few weeks ago I changed it to Monday Mental Meanderings. Did I mention I am in a funk?

Another Doggy Sick Day, Please?

Posted on April 27, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure: I don’t really need another doggy sick day. My dog is on the mend. She is not her happy, jumpy self yet, but she drank water, ate food and took her medicine. Phew! Thank you Mohawk Valley Veterinary Services. But, alas, I do not seem to be able to write a really good blog post today.

It happened again. There I was, in the midst of writing a blog post and I started not to like it. I was even editing it, rearranging sentences, adding, subtracting. I always feel like a real writer when I do that.

Oh dear, I can hear the critics now, “You can’t write and edit at the same time! Write first! Get it down! THEN you can look at it and edit!” This is one of those pieces of writing advice given so often that everybody just accepts as true for every writer. Is it true for me? Could be, because I just brought that post to a grinding halt.

The fact is. it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday for me, as it often is. I am in a funk, and I have been in a funk. However, I do not despair. After all, I have my new plan of Finish That Novel May (yes, yes, it wasn’t my idea originally, but it is my plan now). I still have four more days to gear up for that. Four days is certainly enough time to find a way out of my funk.

In the meantime, I tell my critics that I will edit when and where I feel like it. I will pet my dog and take her for a walk as soon as she feels like it. I will write what I can when I can. And hope that I still have readers. Happy Sunday, everybody.

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Posted in blogging, humor, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged blog post, dogs, not writing, sick day, Tabby, Why I Can't Write a Post, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

I Am Much Woman

Posted on April 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tabby continues sick today. I shall be taking her to the vet, willingly forgoing the Mohawk Valley adventures I had planned for the day. One thing I did not want to forgo, however, was my run. Accordingly, I set out early, when Steven was still home with the poocher. Therefore, I am able to offer Saturday Running Commentary two weeks in a row.

It was prior to 6 a.m.; the sun was up but the light was still grey and dull. The temperature was cold (31, according to my thermostat). I wore leggings and my long-sleeved ARMY t-shirt. I also put on my toque and some gloves. As I ran, it seemed my hands and ears were the only warm parts of me, but one must persevere.

I decided to run up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC, although I think it goes by a different name now). For the uninitiated, that is a rather impressive hill. When I’m in shape I run it at least once a week. For one reason, it makes me feel bad ass. Today I thought, “Do it for Tabby!” In fiction, that would become a big deal in the character’s head: “If I do this, she’ll get better!” I knew it was no such thing. In the first place, I am doing it for my own fitness, weight loss and Boilermaker goals. Oh, and to post it on Facebook so my friends will Like it. Taking Tabby to the vet is far more to the point regarding her health. So much for symbolism.

I wondered if I was really up to the big hill yet, but I realized it did not matter. I tend to accomplish things simply because I make up my mind to do them. For example, the novel I will complete during Finish That Novel May. I’ll just make up my mind to do it. I made up my mind to run the hill.

Up a minor upgrade, then a little downgrade, the UP. Hmm…. that hill did not look as steep as it had in my head. Did it look longer? Well, it was long enough, anyways. Here we go. At least I shouldn’t have much traffic at this hour on a Saturday. Then I heard a car behind me. A total of three cars passed me going up. The last yahoo was really gunning his engine. What, I thought, won’t your car make it up the hill otherwise? I wished I could gun my body, but I know from experience it is better to shuffle up the hill than to sprint.

I speculated on where those people were going. Perhaps to the gym to work out. Ha! I was already getting my workout. Perhaps they were returning to the dorms from a rough night of partying. Good for them, not driving home drunk last night. Or maybe it was a hot one-night stand. You know, college students.

At last I made it to the top! I would post that on Facebook for sure. My sister Vicki has a saying when she does something bad-ass that she is “much woman.” Should I say I was much woman? No, I decided. I would say “Yeah, I’m bad,” my usual saying in these cases. Then if Vicki commented that I was much woman, I could comment, “I was hoping you would say that.” Well, if I’m not going adventuring today, I’ve got to have some plans.

My legs felt warm and supple as the road leveled out. This was awesome. I was getting in shape! Bring it, Boilermaker! I turned to run down the back way, a more gradual slope with woodsy surroundings. As I started down, my legs were all, “Yeah, we got this.” And gravity was like, “Yeah, YOU got this.” Oh, but it is nice to keep running after you finished your terrible hill of the day.

I turned left where a sign said “No Left Turn,” just to be that way. I saw my wonderful paper deliverers’ van. They have a wide territory. I love my paper deliverers. SO reliable! We waved at each other.

Tabby did not walk my cool-down with me, so I did not go around the block as per usual. That may have been silly of me, because after all, I started the around the block cool-down before I got Tabby. Today I walked up and down the backyard while Tabby sat on the deck. I hoped she could feel she was participating that way. Dogs like to participate.

I felt delighted that I had run, and that I had done that big hill. It was the first time in 2015. I’ll do it again soon. And I hope Tabby will be walking my cool-down with me soon. Incidentally, I did post on Facebook that I ran it. So far I’ve gotten six Likes but no comments. Still, I think I am much woman.