Tag Archives: weather

I Hope Nobody Comes Along and Drops a House on Me

Posted on August 9, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Our area is under a severe thunderstorm warning.  Naturally Steven and I went out to sit on the deck till it got here.  We each took a glass of wine, and I brought my Tablet, to take a picture or two for blogging purposes.

I’m not sure the Tablet captures the color and light.

This is the view over our back fence.  One of my favorite skies is a dark one hit by sunshine.  This was not as dramatic as some I have seen, but I believe in appreciating what I see.  We sat down, sipped our wine and chatted.  Eventually I took another picture.

What do you see in the clouds?

This is to my left.  I think some of the clouds may be the same as in the other shot, but it is hard to say.  I decided to walk put front and see what the clouds looked like there.

“It’s probably not as dark,” I predicted.  I was correct.  However, as I got ready to take a picture of the blue sky and white clouds, I saw that darker ones were moving in.  I tried to capture both.

Pretty ominous!

When I showed that one to Steven, he said I should send it to Jill Reale.  For non-local readers (and local readers who don’t happen to know), Jill Reale is the meteorologist on WKTV morning news.  She shares weather photos that readers send to her via social media.  How proud I would be to be featured!  So I posted it on her Facebook page.

I sat back down.  Soon we picked up our wine glasses, because the wind had picked up.

“I should make a video of this,” I said, watching tree branches whip back and forth.  I don’t know that I am technologically advanced enough for video.

In any case, it soon started to rain, so we came inside, and I made this blog post.  I wonder if I can come up with a headline striking enough to constitute a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.

 

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Picture-filled Pedestrian Post

Posted on August 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I finished a letter to my sister, Diane, and thought I would take a walk to the post office with it.  For one reason, I neither ran nor walked this morning and I need the exercise.  For another reason, I could take my Tablet with me and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post.

I actually started out with some trepidation.   After all, I have walked this way many, many times, at least a few with my Tablet.   Could I find anything new to take a picture of?  I decided to trust my luck and set out.

The plant that ate Bellinger Street?

I have been noticing these prickly bushes taking over what used to be a nice front yard garden.  I’m not sure if anybody currently lives in the house, but if anyone moves in, I hope they have clippers!

I think a professional company does the flowers.

I decided to take a picture of Saint Francis, in front of the church of that name.  He is a little backlit, but we can just pretend that’s his halo.  I continued on through Meyer’s Park.

You can’t see the school seals, but you can read the poem.

As I walked across the park to take a picture of the 9/11 Memorial Garden, I noticed this bench I had never seen, donated by Herkimer High School Class of 1959.

Another shot that didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.

And here is the Memorial Garden.  You can’t read it, but the bench says what it is.

I don’t think I have shared a picture of this before, but no promises.

After mailing my letter, I decided to get a shot of the Methodist Church across the street. Then I thought I would stroll over to Washington Street and take a picture of the old Lorraine Billings School. I found a couple other photo ops first.

I hope to write more about this place eventually.

This was the Baptist Church but is now the future home of the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer.

Pretty flowers.

Next I turned around and took a picture of some Queen Anne’s Lace I had noticed.  I have some of that in my lawn, but not as many blooms.  When I was a kid we used to pick it and put it in water with food coloring.

When it was for sale, they advertised it as a “Brick Bonanza.”

I’ve always been rather fascinated with this building.  I do not know who currently owns it or what might eventually happen to it.

Good subs, among other tjings.

Just to throw in a plug for a local business,  I took a shot of Carney’s Corners.  We often get take-out or delivery from them (but for beer, I go to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion).

I’ve been here many times.

I decided to turn down Mary Street and take a picture of the Elks Lodge.  I have performed there with LiFT, the Little Falls Theatre Company,  in Shakespeare plays and murder mysteries.  I wonder if they’ll have us back soon.

The DMV is here.

Continuing up the street, I got a picture of the county office building.  Next was Christ Episcopal Church.   I know I have taken pictures of that, so I took one of the sign and surrounding flowers.

The Episcopal church is very welcoming.

Turning up Main Street, I soon found myself at my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  Rather than photographing the buildings, which I know I have done, I took a picture of the historic marker in front of the 1834 Jail, again including some flowers.

Again, you probably can’t read it, but I’ve written about the jail and will no doubt do so again.

After that, I headed for home, ignoring any further photo ops.  I was afraid my post would be too long, and I see it is beyond my usual length.  Thank you to whoever has stayed with me till the end!

 

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Running Behind

Posted on July 30, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I didn’t make a Monday post.  I will attempt to make two today, beginning with a Running Commentary on the run I took this morning.

I did not run Sunday or Monday with the result that I certainly did not feel like running today.  I resolutely ignored the feeling, although I did have some coffee and water before I actually got out the door.  As soon as I had running clothes on, I felt better about the whole idea.

My plan was to run up the hill by Valley Health.  I have not been running as long or as many hills as I would ideally like to.  Still, I did not want to jump right into a super long run up the hill to Herkimer College.  I had not made up my mind how long to run; my current minimum is 25 minutes, but I did not rule out going further if it felt good.

As I started, it didn’t feel bad.  I headed up German Street with optimism.  I was on the side of the street that has more of an upgrade.  All the better, I thought, more effort, more improvement, more calories burned.  Then I got a little tired.  No matter, I told myself.  Persevere!

I could not continue as I had planned, because the sidewalk was closed for construction.  Accordingly, I turned up Maple Grove.  I ran into a lady I know from the library and from a meeting about Herkimer Diamond Days (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  We said good morning, and she reminded me there is another meeting tonight.  I hesitated,  running in place.

” I may not be able to help after all,” I said, adding that I would contact the lady in charge.

We went our separate ways.  I must remember to message that lady.  Or perhaps I could go to the meeting and at least make a blog post about it.  These thoughts entertained me as I ran, taking my mind off the hill I was on.  It was not much of a hill to begin with, but my body really feels these things lately.

I ended up running two hills, entering against one Do Not Enter sign, and continuing for a total of 25 minutes.  My cool down walk was slightly longer than usual, because I put the trash containers away then walked back out front to retrieve the newspaper.

As usual, I felt happy I had run, at least for a short time.  Now I am feeling awfully tired, but we’ll blame that on the hot and humid weather.  Which sounds better than my own laziness.  I certainly hope I will not be too lazy to make another blog post later.  I do not want to be another post behind.

 

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Pre Parade Post

Posted on July 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I decided to do the Doodah.  Somebody pointed out to me the 5Ks are plentiful, but Doodah Parades are few and far between.

I am sitting on my couch, thankful for fans, trying not to sweat too much.  I have a rather foolish costume on, one I made up at the last minute.  My main criteria was that it be light colored and light weight.  It is a stinking hot humid day.  Seriously,  the meteorologist and anchor on this morning’s news agreed the word for today’s weather is “gross.”

No matter, I will enjoy the parade, and I hope the parade viewers will enjoy me.  I intend to ride on the float, in shade if possible, and give the beauty queen wave to all.

I suppose you are all wondering what my costume looks like.   Well, I am terrible at doing selfies.  Maybe I can get somebody at the parade to get a shot that I can include in a post parade post.  Oh well, maybe I could try.  Let me get my tiara back on.

My arms aren’t long enough to get the whole outfit.

You can’t see all the fringe.  If anybody asks what I’m supposed to be, I’m going to say I’m a member of the Lunatic Fringe.  Oh, I also still have on my reading glasses, not my fabulous pair.

Anyways, I see I am over 200 words.  And it is Lame Post Friday.   On to the Doodah!

 

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A Run Worthy of a Post

Posted on July 16, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Rather than my usual Tired Tuesday post,  I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary.   For one reason, I ran up the hill to Herkimer College, an accomplishment which deserves a blog post, I think.

As usual these days, I woke up NOT wanting to run at all.  I always have all kinds of good reasons: I ran yesterday, I should recruit my energies for something else, I don’t NEED to run the Falling Leaves 14K in September… etc., etc.  I usually change my mind after a cup of coffee.  Let’s hear it for caffeine!   Also in favor of running was the weather: it was not raining,  which it is supposed to do soon and for the next several days.

I set off with high hopes.  I have been thinking that longer runs were in order, and a run up a challenging hill would be an excellent idea.  Additionally,  I could post to Facebook that I had run up to HCCC, and my Facebook friends would feel impressed.  Accordingly,  I crossed to the far sidewalk on German Street and turned left.

A young man was walking a block, maybe a block and a half ahead of me.  I wondered how long it would take me to catch up to him.  It seemed to take a while.  It was actually about three blocks.  Is that a lot?  I suppose some of you could have done it in one. I am all admiration, I assure you.  The young man heard me huffing and puffing behind him as I approached.

“Good morning,” I said.  He returned the greeting as he moved over to give me room.  “You know how long it took me to catch up with you?” I added as I ran past him. “That’s how slow I run!”

” Have a good day,”  he said, turning up the next street.

“You too!” I called, running on.

The run had felt pretty good up till then.  The temperature was nice, my body was not complaining.  Then I started up the hill.  It wasn’t long before I started to feel like I Could… Not… Make… It…  I knew this was not the case.  I knew I could and would make it.  But I only knew this intellectually and logically.   I sure wasn’t feeling it!

I reminded myself of the first time I had run the hill.  I had thought I would run up till I had been running for 15 minutes (starting from when I left my house), then I would turn around and go down.  I had the idea that eventually I would make it all the way up.  Well, by the time I got to 15 minutes,  I was too close to the top to quit. So there, keep going,  I told myself

At one point I tried the trick of looking back at how far I had come.  This works best if you do it after you are halfway up, which I knew I was.  Yes, I had come far, but looking back down gave me a little vertigo.  Yikes!  At last I was all the way up and ready to go back down.

As I ran toward the back road down, I realized I had run by a Do Not Enter sign, where there was one of those triangles at a wide T intersection.   I ran back and ran by it, entering where it said not to.  It added a little more distance to my run and solidified my rebel cred.  Yes, yes, I know, by the rule Left Side Facing Traffic I should have been running there. It amuses me to enter where the sign says not to and pretend I’m a rebel.  I have to get my laughs where I can.

After running down the hill, I backtracked to Lou Ambers Drive and got a quick drink at the spring.  Then I continued on home for a 42 minute run.  I did not immediately go on my cool-down walk but opened the garage and hauled out the non-power mower.  I spent a good 20 minutes huffing and puffing behind that, once again taking advantage of the time before the rain.

Eventually I got to my cool-down walk.  Phew!  I felt that I had gotten a work out.  I think I’ll be up for the Falling Leaves run in September!

 

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Sweat Gets In Your Eyes

Posted on July 9, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know, like that blues song, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”?  I often think of that when I run so decided to use it as a title for today’s Running Commentary post.

I ran five days in a row then took yesterday off. I was disinclined to run this morning but knew it would be a good idea.  For one reason,  my depression has been kicking my butt lately.  I just feel so sad and down!  Of course, there are many reasons for sadness, in the world and in my life, but sometimes what I feel is is out of proportion.  But one must not give way to despair.  Exercise is a potent antidepressant.  I got myself ready and went.

One way I got myself out the door was to plan a short, easy run.  Not very far, not very fast, I thought.  This would be great.

And it wasn’t bad.  My legs are getting into pretty good shape; they pump right along with few or no complaints.   I stuck to my plan for a 25 minute run, although I actually ran for 26.  Bonus points!  My mood was at its best when I paused to pet a nice dog.

As I walked my cool-down,  a lady came up behind me, walking at a brisk pace, obviously for exercise.  I got out of the way.

“You’re faster than me,” I said.  “I ran, this is my cool-down.”

When she said she didn’t run, I remarked that she was obviously doing something right, because she looked terrific.  She returned the compliment but went on to say she didn’t believe in running.

“It’s bad for your feet, your knees and your back.”

“I know,” I said, “but I love it.”

She said she didn’t understand that at all but told me to keep up the good work.

“You too,” I said, as she handily out-paced me.  I continued my cool-down walk,  blinking against the sweat in my eyes.

The run did improve my mood, as does getting a blog post published this early in the day.  Will I publish again and be one less post behind?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

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Late Run, Lame Post

Posted on June 22, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I confess, the days are running into each other such that I have to make an effort to remember where I am in the week.  Nevertheless, I know today is Friday and I shall take the liberty of making a Friday Lame Post (I just love that expression “take the liberty of”).

It was pouring rain this morning, so I thought I was off the hook for running.  However, it stopped eventually, and I felt guilty for not running,  so off I went.  It hadn’t gotten sunny and hot yet.  This would be great.

Unfortunately, when I thought I would not run, I ate something. Then  I did not wait long enough before running. Oh dear!  I felt dreadfully sick to my stomach. I made it a short run, but I sure didn’t feel good about it.

Two highlights on my run.  Early on, a group of men was walking toward me.  They went single file so we could share the sidewalk.

“Training for the Boilermaker?” one asked.

“Not this year,” I confessed.  Another man told me I was doing great, and we went our separate ways.

Toward the end of my run, I went by a neighbor who was having a garage sale and called a greeting.

“I shouldn’t buy any of your stuff, ” I said as I passed, “I have too much stuff already — ooh, movies!”

However, I did not return and buy anything.  No promises for tomorrow,  though.

So for a Friday Lame Post,  I guess this is a kind of a Running Commentary.  Some days I can’t get anything right!

 

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An Unexpectedly Good Run

Posted on June 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a long run this morning and am determined to make a Running Commentary post.  First,  as often happens, I decided I wasn’t going to run.  It was humid, it was going to rain, etc, etc.  Then I went.

I turned right at the end of my driveway instead of going towards German Street as I usually do, just for something different.   I did not intend to run for long; I often have problems breathing when it’s humid.  Besides, it was probably going to rain.

Right away it felt pretty good to run.  Maybe I could rock this after all.  Maybe run a hill, only that meant changing directions, because there aren’t many hills in Herkimer.  Should I or should I not make a detour through Meyer’s Park?   The sight of two dogs decided me.

“Can I pet your dogs?”  I always ask first, although one dog was already approaching me.

“One’s friendly,  one’s not,”  their person said.  I remembered those dogs; I petted the friendly one once before.

Feeling happy, because I love to pet a nice dog, I continued into the park, taking the V back to Park Avenue and heading towards Caroline Street.  I had decided to run up the hill by Valley Health. It took me a while to get there (YES, I run slow, I thought you knew that about me), and I began to wonder how long my run would end up being.  Could I even go for 40 minutes, which was my last longest time?  Extravagant thought!   Just keep running.

The hill wasn’t much fun but I made it to the top and kept going on into the residential area up there.  I kept talking myself into going a little further.   After all, it wasn’t raining yet.  I even went up a minor upgrade, although I avoided a couple more challenging hills.

I stopped at the spring for a quick drink, after some arguments with myself as to whether or not I deserved it.  Who am I to judge these things anyways?  Soon I was back on German Street ,  headed for home.  As I reached Caroline, I saw two friendly dogs I have encountered before, and they were headed in my direction!

“Good morning!” I said. “I’ve petted these dogs before!”

“Yes, we’ve met before, ” the nice young man said, as the dogs jumped at me as if they remembered too.

I made it to 40 minutes by virtue of going around the block of Henry and Bellinger streets.  On Church Street, I saw Chico and Bear, two neighborhood pooches, with their person.  I happily crossed the street to pet them and exchange a few words with their Mom.

As I ran up Bellinger I greeted a man standing in front of his house.

“That’ll make you healthy,” he said.

“Either that or it’ll kill me, ” I answered.

Obviously it didn’t kill me.  Not yet, anyways, and I felt pretty darn good walking my cool-down.  As I make this blog post, the rain is pouring down, so I guess I timed it right.  Time to get on with the rest of my day!

 

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Wednesday Walk

Posted on June 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went running this morning in hopes of making a Running Commentary post. Also for the physical and mental benefits, of course, which is good, because my brain did not want to cooperate on the blog post.  Adhering to my rule of Any Writing Counts,  I finished a letter to my sister Diane (YES, we write snail mail letters to each other; it’s fun, you should try it).  After finally talking myself into walking to the post office with it,  I decided to take my Tablet and get a few pictures.  So here is your Mid-week Pedestrian Post.

It was not as warm out as I had feared, because clouds covered the sky.  A few raindrops were falling, but I hoped for the best. So far so good when I saw some daisies I thought I’d take a shot of.  They looked almost as good as my daisies.

Hmm… not as good a picture as I took of mine either.

I had hoped to get a shot of some peonies in Meyer’s Park, but they were past peak.  I petted an adorable little dog but did not ask if I could take a picture,  because raindrops were falling again (did anybody else just flash on “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”?) and I figured her person wanted to get home.   Then I thought to take a picture of the sign that makes me flash on the climactic scene in Poltergeist.

“You son of a bitch, you moved the gravestones but YOU DIDN’T MOVE THE BODIES!!!”

At the post office I paused as usual to look at the fliers of local events.

Preview of Comings Attractions

On my way home I paused at three large rocks.  I would love to have a few such boulders for my own meager attempts at landscaping.

Cue jokes about how the rocks in my head are probably as big.

I also got a shot of a front yard garden I particularly admire.

It would be even better if I had a shot of how overgrown this yard used to be.

The raindrops had been starting and stopping,  but I got home before the downpour began in earnest.  I paused to take a picture of our dinosaur-looking tree.  I wanted to document its progress.

It’s so unusual.

The rain is pouring down now, and it is the movie-watching portion of the day.  Happy Wednesday,  everyone.

 

 

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Let’s Hear It For Perseverance!

Posted on June 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I woke up this morning saying, “I don’t want to run.  I’m not going to run.”  I am happy to report that I ran anyways. Now I shall attempt a Saturday Running Commentary post.

One good reason to run was that it was not raining.  Yesterday I thought I was getting out between showers, but it did not work out for me, either when I ran or later when I walked to the post office and Historical Society. Also, today was not windy and cold, altogether a much better day.

Unfortunately,  to begin with, it was not a better run.  My legs felt tired, my whole body felt tired.  I figured I would feel better as I went on, so I,  you know, went on.  I felt I should run a hill so decided to go out Main Street.  There are two chances to turn right and go back down the hill before you have to run all the way out Highland Boulevard (I may have that street name wrong; I haven’t run it yet this year).  I took the second right last time I ran it and thought to do the same today.

As I started up the hill, I did not feel happy.  I almost took the first turn but persevered to the second.  For one reason, my plan was to run for 36 minutes, my last longest time, then up it by the recommended ten percent on Sunday.  I made a long diagonal on the turn.  That was a little steeper but less time running uphill. Ugh.  Am I getting any better at running,  I wondered.

I reminded myself that sometimes my runs did not start to feel good before I had been at it for at least 20 minutes.  I looked at my watch.  Damn.

Fortunately, perseverance sometimes pays off.  My first reward was to pause VERY briefly and smell some peonies.  I had a few chances to do that.  Toward the end of the run, I got to pet a nice dog. And as I neared the 20 minute mark, I did start to feel better.

By the end of the run, I felt perfectly happy about going for 36 minutes.  It was no problem at all to keep going!  I could rock this!  I decided that long runs are the Way to Go (yes, yes, 36 minutes is a short jog for some of you; let me enjoy my little triumph in peace).

I felt glorious walking my cool-down.  Yes “glorious” was the exact word that repeated itself in my head.  I love running.  I hope it doesn’t rain too hard for me to run again tomorrow.

 

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