Tag Archives: walking

Nice Walk, But Little Spring in my Step

Posted on March 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monstrous Monday post on Tuesday, Tired Tuesday post on Wednesday, I’ve done it before and I will no doubt do it again. I took a walk yesterday after work, thinking to do a Pedestrian Post with Pictures. I took two but passed a few places I have pics of in my Media Library. Let us see what I can come up with.

It was cold. With Mother Nature’s macabre sense of humor, she gave us spring-like weather last week and winter weather on the first day of spring. I dressed accordingly, wearing a lovely red cape/coat I picked up at a rummage sale but have rarely worn. Searching for a hat worthy of it, I found one that had been crocheted for me by my dear friend Heather (I had sent her baby afghans for her beautiful newly-adopted twins) (oh, I also sent her a scarf I knitted; maybe the hat was in thanks for that) (and here I am bragging about stuff I send other people. What an ego! What have I done for anyone lately?) (that last was a rhetoric question).

Where was I? Ah yes, taking a walk.

Two venerable buildings.

I walked from my house to German Street, eventually turning down Main Street, where I passed my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners. I continued down Main past the former Christ Episcopal Church, which I used to attend. It is no longer a church, and the For Sale sign is gone. I wonder what the future will bring for that lovely building. The other building in the in the picture is the Herkimer County Courthouse.

There was a bank on the side of the road I was on. I noted a Do Not Enter sign on the drive-thru. Regular readers know that I just love to enter when they say not to. No cars were currently using the drive-thru, so I walked through it the wrong way. I took a picture to commemorate the event.

I maintain my rebel cred.

The wind picked up as I continued my walk, so I cut things short. I went through the park by Basloe Library (must make a trip there in the near future), went by a No Not Enter sign onto Bellinger Avenue and thence home.

I KNOW they mean cars, not old ladies walking; let me enjoy my little rebellions!

I took a selfie when I got home, thinking to post it on Facebook, so Heather would know I am still wearing her lovely hat. I take terrible selfies. They remind me that I am not nearly as cute as I like to think I am. Then again, we are none of us the best judges of our own looks. And I tell myself, “For heavens’ sake, how cute does a sixty-year-old lady have to be?”

Don’t look at me; look at the hat!

My walk ended up being 20 minutes, just under one mile. I was and am glad I took a walk. Exercise is a potent anti-depressant, and I need all the help I can get!

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Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged Basloe Library, blog post, blogging, Christ Episcopal Church, cold weather, Do Not Enter, Herkimer County Courthouse, Herkimer Historic Four Corners, herkimer ny, Historic Four Corners, selfies, walking, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Blame it on the Rain

Posted on March 7, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

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

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

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

Me, pondering my fate.

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

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

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Posted in humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, herkimer ny, Mohawk Valley Living, Mohawk Valley Living magazine, not writing, Sheppy and Evie, sister Cheryl, Truman Capote, walking, weather, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Not a Particularly Monstrous Walk

Posted on January 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

How monstrous of me to be late making my Monday blog post. I am semi-lounged on my couch, ten-finger typing on my Chromebook and sipping coffee. Coffee is a wonderful thing to those of us who enjoy it. I took a walk yesterday, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post instead of a Monstrous one, but took few pictures. I was just disinclined to take any. I eventually took two and just now tried to upload them to WordPress from my phone. When I went to log off WP on my phone, it told me changes had not uploaded yet. I looked at my Media Library and said, “But there they are.” The app had no reply, not surprisingly.

Love the one, don’t know the other.

I found my first photo op as I cut through the parking lot behind Basloe Library. I love libraries and mean to start going to them more often. Exiled Games is a business I have never been to, but I feel as Mohawk Valley Girl, I ought to check them out and write a blog post about them. I mainly took the picture to remind myself to do so but thought it would also be good to put in the blog post.

I like whoever shoveled this.

I came across this wiggly path towards the end of my walk. How fun is that? I never wiggle when shoveling my own sidewalk but may have to consider doing so in the future.

So here is my Monday blog post, brought to you Tuesday morning (although my WordPress timestamp may disagree). For anybody who is disappointed that it was not a Monstrous Monday, cheer up, there’s always Mid-Week Monsters. In the meantime, I will close with a monster, if I can find one in my Media Library.

I think it is a little scary.

OK, it’s not exactly a monster, but I think it is a little monstrous. I took it on a walk last November. Mother Nature provides us with some gruesome delights, if we will only notice them.

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Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged Basloe Library, blog post, blogging, late post, libraries, local business, Media Library, MidWeek Monsters, monsters, Monstrous Monday, preview of coming attractions, shoveling snow, snow, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Ah, Winter!

Posted on January 10, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I mentioned that winter had come to the Mohawk Valley (too lazy to go back and see what I actually said, but I am quite certain I mentioned it). I had an adventurous drive home this evening. It could have been worse, of course, and I do not mean to complain. It was snowing but not yet blowing. According to this morning’s weather report, the snow will change to rain, and damaging winds are possible. However, the report said winds would start around 1 p.m., and that did not happen at least where I was. I personally am hoping the rain clears away some of the snow so I do not have to shovel my driveway in the morning.

Sunday I shoveled my driveway for the first time this winter. Of course I counted my blessings that January marked my first snow shovel. I can’t say that made it fun, but one does what one can.

You see, it could have been MUCH deeper.

I remembered to take a “before” picture. Full disclosure: I only shoveled behind the car, not the whole driveway. I can only do so much. I also cleared the sidewalk in front of the house about a shovel’s-width. I figure that meets the Reasonable Man Standard, which an insurance man once told me about.

I don’t think it really shows how hard I worked.

I did not take an “after” picture of the sidewalk. Why do I feel that I shoveled a whole lot more than the pictures show? At any rate, it took me almost 40 minutes, which I think is a pretty good work-out. I would prefer not to have many of such work-outs this season, but obviously I have no control over that.

I ponder my experience.

I took a selfie before I went inside, thinking to use it in the blog. In addition to the work-out of shoveling, I took a walk. The snow is certainly pretty, and walking in it takes more effort than walking on bare sidewalk, so no doubt it burns a few more calories. Look at me, looking at the bright side.

Instead of another snow picture.

As I have typed this post, I have been listening to the wind pick up. I hope nobody comes along and drops a house on me. That happened to a sister of mine once, and then the person who did it stole her shoes! I loved those red shoes! But that’s another story.

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Posted in humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, herkimer ny, shoveling snow, snow, walking, weather, winter weather. Bookmark the permalink.

I Say More Wuss-Out Than Wayback

Posted on January 4, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here we go again with me going days in a row without making a blog post. I do not even know if I will finish this one today. I have plans to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort NY with a friend for food and music. I can’t even say that is a preview of coming attractions, because how often have I said I was going to make a blog post about something then did not. I did not make that a question, because I do not expect that anybody will go back and check, least of all me, and I do not welcome guesses.

There is not much snow there currently.

I wanted to put in a picture, to break things up a little. I accidentally clicked on this one from last January as I was fumbling around in my Media Library (still figuring out this new computer), and said, why not? It is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal in Herkimer, a favorite place for me to run or walk. I have not been walking enough lately and not running at all, but I hope to change that soon. Not right this minute, of course. Right this minute I am blogging.

I do not intend to wear these to walk or run.

To mix things up a little more, I include this shot from 2015, when I was in Busybody at Ilion Little Theatre. That was a fun show. That makes this a kind of a Wayback Wednesday, although I had intended more of a Wuss-Out Wednesday. Oh well, call it what you like. I am over 250 words, and at least I have made a blog post. As always, thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, personal, Way Back Wednesday, Wuss Out Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, Busybody, Frankfort NY, Fratello's Pizzeria, herkimer ny, Ilion Little Theatre, Ilion NY, not writing, preview of coming attractions, running, some semblance of a blog post, theatre, walking, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Tired, But Typing!

Posted on December 27, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Make your blog post now, I said to myself. Use the dining-room-table-top, I said. You can ten-finger type, it’ll be quick and easy, I said. I was full of beans (only I don’t necessarily say beans). My dining-room-table-top is SLOW, and my brain is at no time what you might call a speedy instrument. Never mind all that, let me attempt some semblance of a post in lieu of the Tired Tuesday Post I was just too tired to make on Tuesday.

I used to be pretty fast on this sort of thing.

I throw in a picture, as usual, in hopes of pepping up the post, only to find my computer is fairly slow about those too. I would not be having these problems if I had not been too lazy to make my lunch last night. Here’s a point to ponder: why do I feel I was too tired to blog but too lazy to pack? Sounds like some half-baked philosophy more suited to Lame Post Friday. Ah, Friday, one day closer since yesterday! But one must not pin all one’s happiness on the weekend, as I have said before. Let me look for some joy in today!

A common sight on my walks.

One point of some relief, if not joy: we have not had much snow yet. I put off shoveling the driveway a little longer! The warmer weather also makes walks more pleasant. I had a nice walk yesterday morning. This morning it was raining, but perhaps this afternoon I will take a meander, even if the rain continues. I don’t care to go to work drenched from the rain, but just to return home for my evening is another matter.

Now I see I am approaching 300 words. Score! Will I make a Wednesday blog post tonight and stay caught up? A little suspense adds interest to my day.

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Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged blog post, blogging, half-baked philosophy, lame post, late post, not writing, some semblance of a blog post, tired, walking, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Walking Back to the Blog

Posted on November 21, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not posted in two weeks (I did the math: 14 days, then I looked at a calendar). It just got easier and easier NOT to post! And here is a philosophical question (whose answer will be half-baked, no doubt) suitable for a future Lame Post Friday post (if I can manage to keep posting that long): why are good habits so hard to get back to and bad habits so easy? I can go a week or two without eating chocolate (I can’t tell you the last time I actually did that, but I’m sure I can), then one little bite and I’m all, “YUM! Why did I ever stop this?”

Full disclosure: right now as I ten-finger type on my dining-room-table-top, I am a bit, “This is awesome! Why did I ever stop this?” Yet I cannot guarantee I will be here tomorrow morning at this time doing the same thing. But, as I said, these questions are for Lame Post Friday.

The current state of my blog.

As I often do at these times, I throw in a picture to pep things up. On Sunday (today is Tuesday, but the way; I mention it because my WordPress timestamp does not always jive) I took a walk with my camera, taking a few pictures, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post. These rotting pumpkins caught my eye. I thought it was a brave smile, such as I feel myself giving these days (my teeth are in about as good shape). At least this one has not started molding on the inside. I once saw a really scary one with its mouth wide open to a black interior. Alas that I had no phone or tablet with me at the time.

A nice place. I should join.

My walk continued and eventually I went past the Herkimer Elks Lodge, the site of my recent theatrical triumph (I feel I do not flatter myself as I give most of the credit to my fellow actors), Lights, Camera, Murder! Imagine my chagrin when I discovered there were several other murder mysteries with the same title. These things happen, I suppose, and I have heard you cannot copyright a title.

Why isn’t he in his cell? Is it a jail break?

Because I am still (let’s face it: almost always) in Halloween mode, I took a shot of the ghost of Chester Gillette peeking out of the 1824 Jail. I guess it is not technically a ghost, but I think it has a nicely creepy air to it.

I see I am over 400 words. That is long for one of my posts! I hope I can get back into daily blogging. I may even waste a post detailing why I was away for so long, but as I often note, explanations are tiresome. I sincerely thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged 1834 Jail, bad habits, blog post, blogging, Chester Gillette, daily blogger, good habits, half-baked philosophy, Halloween, herkimer ny, lame post, Lame Post Friday, late post, not writing, pedestrian post, pumpkins, ten fingered typing, walking, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

All Lights, Camera, Murder! All The Time?

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure: I would not have made a blog post this morning, but my attempt to walk was foiled by rain. Yes, I know, some people like to walk in the rain. I personally do not mind it but did not want to either change my clothes or show up for work in a sodden state, although in a general sense I am not especially fastidious (I just wanted to use the word “fastidious” in a sentence. How often to you get to do that?).

Where was I? Ah yes, making a blog post. I think I will begin with a plug of our latest murder mystery, Lights, Camera, Murder! to be presented Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Herkimer Elks Lodge for the benefit for the Herkimer County Historical Society.

May be an image of text that says 'HERKIMER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND CYNTHIA QUACKENBUSH PRESENTS LIGHTS.... CAMERA... MURDER!! CAN YOU SOLVE THE MURDER BEFORE MURDERER IS REVEALED? SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11th Elks Club 112 Mary St. Herkimer, NY Doors Open at 5:30pm Dinner at 6pm Basket Raffles & 50/50 Raffle Dinner catered by PK Pubs Tickets $40.00 per person Tickets are available at The Herkimer County Historical Society 406 North Main St, Herkimer 315-866-6413'

Wow, that turned out big!

I am a little embarrassed they put my name up there in big letters. I think I should give my little murder group a name like “Q Mysteries” or “Murder for Non-Profit” for such situations. We have rehearsal tonight. Perhaps I can get a few pictures for blogging purposes. In the meantime, why don’t I finish out this post as a Throwback Thursday (or late Way-Back Wednesday) and share a few shots from previous mysteries.

She is always fabulous.

Here is my friend Kim in Fabulous and Fatal in 2019. She is in the new one, and I expect she will be equally as fabulous. It is always good to have a tall, gorgeous blonde in the cast.

He is fine, too. I need to get the other one in a murder mystery sometime!

This is not from a murder mystery but from Love’s Labour’s Lost presented by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company in 2022. That is local author C.T. Avis, who is cast as Jarod, the screenwriter of the movie in Lights, Camera, Murder! He asked if he was being typecast as a writer. I said that actually I gave him the role on the strength of his portrayal of the lovelorn Don Armado (he was in love with Jacquenetta, played by me, I add modestly. It was so flattering!)

I will try to show a couple more cast members after tonight’s rehearsal. I don’t promise any hints about the plot, though. I want any local readers who decide to attend to be surprised.

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Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday, Way Back Wednesday and tagged blog post, blogging, Fabulous and Fatal, herkimer county historical society, Herkimer Elks Lodge, late post, Lights Camera Murder, Loves Labours Lost, murder mystery, rehearsal, theatre, walking, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Wrist, Walk

Posted on October 9, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, so, yesterday’s nonsense was a late Saturday blog post, and now I am trying for a late Sunday post. For anybody who is keeping track. At least I will not make it a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post. I do not have much time for swooning around in the morning.

The screen read a different temperature yesterday.

I took a walk yesterday so thought to share a previously taken picture of something I walked by. I was actually on the same side of the street as this church yesterday. I even had my phone with me but was not inspired to use it. That is OK, I think; my Media Library is pretty crowded anyways. I wonder if I could find any other pictures of anything I walked by. Hmmm…. where DID I walk yesterday? I am so forgetful at my age.

I am fascinated by the old gravestones.

Ah yes, once again I walked by my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners. I was on the same side of the street as this church, and as usual, admired the old stones in the graveyard.

Another of my favorite places.

I was across the street from the 1834 Jail, a place near and dear to my heart. I add the picture, because this post is a little short on substance, so I will make it long on pictures.

You can just about see all four buildings in this shot.

I did not walk this far down Main Street but felt it fair to include a picture of all four corners.

My dear Elliott Ghoul.

I guess this is not a very good picture, but back home I was greeted by Elliott Ghoul, who permanently resides in my dining room window. Only us older folks get the play on words of his name. I also have a Harold Ghoul, but do not have a picture. I must share one sometime (preview of coming attractions).

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Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged 1834 Jail, blog post, blogging, Elliott Ghoul, Harold Ghoul, Herkimer Historic Four Corners, herkimer ny, lame post, late post, pictures, preview of coming attractions, walking, wrist to forehead, Wrist To Forehead Sunday. Bookmark the permalink.

When Was This Walk?

Posted on October 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Instead of my usual Monstrous Monday Post, I thought I would share a few pictures I took on one of my Sunday walks. I had meant to make a Pedestrian Post with Pictures that day, but, you know, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and all that.

Great new event!

I wanted to give a shout-out to Brookwood Market in Brookwood Park. Oct. 15 will be the last day for this year. I understand they are going to have some Halloween-y things going on. You can check out their Facebook page for more information.

Nice place!

While I was giving shout-outs, I turned around and took a picture of Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast across the street. They have a wine tasting room.

It’s beautiful on the inside!

Wanting to give equal time, I walked down to the other bed and breakfast on German Street, The Grand Colonial. They have a gift shop which is occasionally open to the public.

This is taking my walk out of order. I took some pictures in between the two B&Bs but will save them for another day.

Full disclosure: I am finishing this post Tuesday morning. I started it on Monday night but just did not want to continue. I don’t know what my problem is, but it seems I have one. As usual, I ask your indulgence and thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, Brookfield Market, Brookfield Park, Brookfield Summer Market, Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast, Halloween, herkimer ny, late post, Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast, The Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

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