Tag Archives: weather

Monday Mail Meanderings

This is not a Monday Mental Meanderings but a Pedestrian Post.  I walked to the Post Office to mail the post cards I usually send out on Saturday.  I took my Tablet along to take a few pictures, thinking to make a change from my usual Monday Monsters (don’t worry, monster lovers; no doubt I will resort to my frightening friends later in the week).  I thought of this alliterative title as I walked home.

I put the Tablet into a soft bag I got at Paca Gardens in Little Falls (just for a little more local color).  I did not trust myself to carry it the whole way, especially not in its case.  I was only a little worried I would not be able to see the screen properly, because it was quite sunny.  I put my prescription sunglasses in the bag, thinking I might need them.  Not neglecting to also put in the post cards, I set out.

Right away I saw what I considered a cool-looking tree.  I love the look of bare branches against the sky. I got the Tablet out of the bag and tried to log in without the stylus.  That didn’t work, because I was wearing gloves.  So I got out the stylus and promptly dropped in in the snow.  It is a combination pen/stylus given to me by Herkimer County Historical Society after Shattered Angel, the play they put on at Ilion Little Theatre last fall.  It says “Shattered Angel/Ilion Little Theatre” on it (see? more local color!).  It is a very cool thing.  I brushed it off as best as I could, logged into the Tablet, and could not get the picture. I include the story of me trying, because it is just so typical me.  I walked on.

As I approached St. Francis de Sales Church, I thought I would get a shot of the statue of St. Francis wearing a red scarf, as he does this time of year.  I worried it would be back-lit, but it did not turn out too bad.

He looks saintly, does he not?

After I crossed the street, I tried to get a shot of the whole church.  That one turned out too shadowy, so I do not include it here.  I walked on into Meyers Park, where I knew I could take a picture of the statue of General Herkimer.  First, however, I saw the stone bench I have often admired but never sat on.

I was hoping the inscription would be legible.

Beyond the bench is a statue, only I do not know who it is. However, according to the inscription, he was instrumental in having women work for the government. I’m all about good jobs for women!  I was worried I had cut his head off, but I see now that I did not.

It seems they engraved his signature but did not print out the name.

I also got a shot of the pavilion, which is always a pivotal location when the park hosts community events.

It may not look like such a much now, but the potential is there.

I think my picture of General Herkimer is just a little back-lit, but in a blog about a walk in Herkimer, I feel I should include the General.  Here he is, in the iconic pose, directing the battle though morally wounded.

I see he has a similar scarf to St. Francis’.

On the other side of the park, I walked by the Methodist Church and decided to get a shot of that.  It turned out better that the one of St. Francis, so I include it.

Perhaps I should learn how to photoshop out power lines.

I was happy to get a shot of the post office.  I think I had a post card of it but already sent it to someone.  I do love sending local post cards.  In fact, I am not sure if the post card was of this post office or Little Falls’.  They are similar buildings.

My weekly destination. I do love post offices.

I had meant to talk more about the actual walk, over the ice and through the snow.  However, I see I am approaching 700 words.   Do my readers want to read over 700 words on a Monday? I hate to try people’s patience.  Additionally, Dateline is on OWN as I type.  So I say Happy Monday, and stay tuned for monsters later in the week.

 

Wuss-Out Run

I did not promise that today would not be a Wuss-out Wednesday post, did I?  I’m too tired to go back and check, but I think I said I would TRY for something better.  Indeed, I thought about a better post;  I just did not think up a better post, if you see what I mean.

I would have liked to do a Running Commentary post, but running outside just seemed like a bad idea today (I know, some dedicated individuals no doubt did, and here we come to the ugly truth about me).  It was freezing rain onto icy roads.  We all walked from work to our cars slowly and carefully, then spent some good time scraping ice off our vehicles.  My sense of humor came to my rescue as it often does in these cases, and I found myself laughing as I chopped away.  My car’s defrost was even more helpful, and I was soon on my way.

My earlier plan had been to go to the Mohawk YMCA.  I even had my work-out clothes in my car.  However, I did not want to scrape my car off again, so I went home.  Additionally, I wanted to do a load of laundry, to be sure I have clean handkerchiefs.  I did not feel like doing any sort of exercise but talked myself into running in place on the mini-tramp.  Steven was watching Judge Judy.  I said I did not mind watching the rest of that, but he would have to help me find something else to run to when it was over.

As soon as I started running in place, my body was not happy.  Then one toe started to feel like it had a blister on the bottom.  Ouch!  I had said to begin with I was not going to worry about running as long as I had on the weekend.  Twenty minutes would be plenty.  Then I thought maybe 15.  Didn’t I read somewhere that exercise could be done in bouts of 10 minutes?

Judge Judy was almost over when I started.  Steven was out of the room when I finished.  I stepped off the mini-tramp and marched energetically over to the love seat where the remote was.  Climbing back on the tramp, I went back to running in place while I looked for a good show to run to.  It is not easy to click a remote accurately while running in place on the mini-tramp.  Luckily, I was motivated to persevere.

I had my reward when I discovered:  World’s Dumbest!!!  I love World’s Dumbest!  That silly show helped me keep moving for 21 minutes.  I know, it was not the greatest of workouts, but, hey, it is Wuss-out Wednesday.

 

An Abominable Monday

I don’t want to make a blog post now!  It’s Dateline day on OWN!  Oh well, nobody is forcing me to be a daily blogger; it is my own dumb idea.  So I will try for a Monstrous Monday.

I would like to be this relaxed about now.

I was looking for a picture of the Abominable Snowman but could not find one, so I insert one of my slippers.  I have completely worn out those slippers.  Steven got me new ones for Christmas, but not monstrous ones, so a picture of them will have to wait.

Getting back to the post at hand, it has been kind of a monstrous day.  Yes, that is usual for a Monday, but I was treated to a different kind of monstrousness today (my computer seems to think that “monstrousness” is not a word, but it is exactly what I mean to say).   It was beyond cold, below zero plus wind chill.  My husband Steven nicely went out to brush off my car  while I was still getting ready for work.  I joined him already in progress and moved a couple shovels-full of snow from the end of the driveway.  My hands quickly got icy and I decided to take my chances.  About this time, Steven said he was going back in the house while his hands could still function to turn the doorknob.  The car was pretty much clear by then anyways.  It only needed a couple of swipes across the windshield with the scraper.

I felt triumph when my little car got out of the driveway without too much problem.  It is the smallest car I have driven in years.  But this is supposed to be a Monstrous Monday, not an account of my day.

I found him! I found him!

After taking a break to eat some supper, I took another look for pictures of Bumbles, and I found one!

I see I am over 300 words.  Regular readers know I consider that respectable.  When I make these nonsensical posts, I feel it is best to keep them short.  Well, maybe one more monster picture.  Happy Monday, everyone.

You just know I was going to pick Nosferatu, didn’t you?

 

 

Now I Am Out of Oomph

Here I sit, on my couch, looking at a Snapped On Demand and hoping to make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post before I completely run out of oomph. It might be touch and go.

Even a small graphic might help pep things up.

I began today fired with ambition. After some coffee, a look at Facebook, and a few games of solitaire (with a deck of cards, as God intended), I ran in place on the mini-tramp for 33 minutes.  I watched another Snapped On Demand while I ran.  Then what could I do?  Laundry?  Go to the grocery store?  Have a Mohawk Valley adventure suitable for an article in Mohawk Valley Living magazine?  The possibilities seemed endless.

Eventually Steven and I went to a late breakfast at The Knight Spot in Frankfort, NY, which I may write about.  I took a few pictures just in case.  Either way it was an excellent breakfast.  After that we stopped at Valley Wine and Liquor, because we both enjoy a glass of wine on a Sunday (and other days, don’t judge).  Back home, I put in a load of laundry and we settled down to watch a movie.

As Ben Manckiewicz observed in his pre-movie commentary, things starts with a bang.

We watched Bette Davis in The Letter, which I recently recorded on DVR.  That is a really good movie.  After that I wanted a shorter flick so suggested Bride of Frankenstein.

Any girl could be a little nervous on her wedding day.

And that brings us to the present moment.  I’m kind of wishing I had paused my episode of Snapped while I typed this, but one can’t always think of everything.  The important thing is that I am approaching 300 words, and I call that more than respectable for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.   I hope you are all having a lovely end of your weekend.

 

Second Guessing my First Run of 2019

It is important to me that Saturday Running Commentary be a thing again, even if I neglect to make my post shortly after my run, which I feel is the best way to do it (that’s not a run-on sentence) (although I suppose a run-on sentence may be appropriate for a Running Commentary  post).  Anyways, I ran this morning and I am going to try to comment about it even hours after the fact.

It is my first run of 2019. I felt too tired after my New Year’s Eve celebrations (although they were tame by many standards) (then again, why should I worry about anybody else’s standards?) on Jan. 1.  Jan. 2, 3 and 4 I was working ten-hour days and TIRED, and I believe my blog posts reflect that.  I almost did not run today.  I considered going to the Mohawk YMCA and doing 30 minutes on the elliptical, I thought about taking a long walk and saying, “good enough.”  Then I said what the hell, got into running clothes and went.

It was in the low 30’s.  Weather on the One’s on Spectrum News said some freezing was still going on, so I was a bit nervous, but I thought it was not precipitating.  True, the roads looked wet… sometimes it is best not to think too long about these things but just to get out and start running.  So I did.

I did not head toward German Street, as is my usual practice, because it was close to eight and I saw a number of cars going by and I intended to the run in the road.  A mere glance at the sidewalk confirmed me in my intention.  As I ran down Bellinger Street, I saw a runner coming towards me running on the sidewalk and felt silly.  Then I thought I was ridiculous.  Normally I run on the sidewalk and feel self-conscious seeing other runners on the road.  Do I really think these other runners are judging me?  And why should I care if they do?  I choose to run on the sidewalk.  Or, like today, on the road. Similarly, other runners can make their choices.  Oh well, at least these thoughts keep me occupied while running.

The roads were not awful, but I did not completely trust them.  I felt there could be ice, and sometimes I knew there was ice.  A couple of times I dared to go up on the sidewalk, but I did not stay there, because I definitely encountered ice eventually.  But I kept running.  I was happy to see some people’s Christmas decorations still up.  Traditionally, decorations are supposed to stay up till Jan. 6, Twelfth Night.  I always have a hard time letting go of the holiday.

My intention was not to run too long, since I had taken four days off and only gone for a long walk the day before that (go ahead and judge me, remember I am not supposed to care who does).  As I ran back towards my house, keeping an eye on my watch and wondering how long over 20 minutes I could or should do, my legs were saying, “We cool. We got this.”  I was surprised.  Are these the same legs, I asked myself, that for three days at week were whining, “We’re tired!  We’re stiff!  We ache! Sit down!”  What the hell, legs?  But there is no point in trying to figure these things out; I am not clever enough to understand them.

I reasoned that if I ran 20 minutes, with my 10 minute cool-down walk it would be 30 minutes, the length of time I would have spent on the elliptical at the Y.  I ended up running for 23 minutes, so  I thought that was pretty good.  I was delighted with myself for running at all.  Would 2019 be the year I did not stop running in the winter but kept up running full time till next spring and summer?  Would I never again have to write “Begin again” in my running journal?  Then I thought, it is Jan. 5 and this is my first run of 2019, is that bad?  And here I am second-guessing myself again.  What the hell, me?

Next I am going to start second-guessing this blog post.  Is it really a Running Commentary?  Is it any good as a blog post?  As I have observed before, if dithering burned calories, I would have no problem meeting my weight-loss goals.

 

Running Out of 2018

Exercise is a potent but woefully underused anti-depressant.  It has an excellent effect on a post-Christmas letdown as well.  Today I try for a return of Saturday Running Commentary, even though my run was some hours ago.  I think I can remember parts of it.

I have been running at least somewhat since the Reindeer Run 5K.  Then the week before Christmas, I returned to the YMCA in Mohawk, NY.  I don’t know if I mentioned when I was going there before (OF COURSE I am too lazy to go back and check), but last winter I was going a few times a week, doing a little weight training and spending some time on the elliptical.  I have only been a few times recently and have only done the elliptical so far.  I hope to get to the weights and machines in January.  Anyways, my real love is to run outdoors.

It was raining in the night and although it got unseasonably warm yesterday, I knew it had cooled off overnight.  That could mean ice.  Still, it was above freezing by 7:30.  I decided to take a chance.

It felt warm!  Relatively speaking.  I ran in the road, noting copious icy patches on the sidewalk.  A runner in a bright orange jacket turned off German onto my street.  I was ready to say, “Good morning,” but he beat me to it.  I happily returned the greeting.  As I reached German, a lady was turning onto Bellinger.  It was my friend, whom I have seen several times running on weekend mornings.  We wished each other a Happy New Year.

“Look at us! Running in December!” she added.

“It’s awesome! I love it!” I called after her.

I headed toward the hill by Valley Health, since I have not been doing as much outdoor running as earlier in the year.  Still, I have been doing 30 minutes on the elliptical.  I thought I could run 30 minutes.  But even if I only did 20 minutes, my 10-minute cool-down walk would give me 30 minutes of exercise.  This would be great.

And it was pretty great.  I ran around in the residential area behind Valley Health.  I only saw one dog and his person, far ahead of me.  I did not think I could catch them so did not try.  For one reason, they were going up a big hill and I was not pushing myself too hard.  I did keep going for 30 minutes, though, so I’ll call it a win.

I got to pet one nice dog on my cool-down walk.  I was walking down Prospect when a young man and a lovely white dog were walking across Church Street.

“Good morning!” I called.  “That’s a beautiful dog!”  The dog immediately changed direction to walk toward me.  “Can I pet him, her?”

The young man graciously gave me permission.  “I’ve had her a year and a half,” he said.  “Every time she hears ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty,’ she heads right over.”

“She says, ‘I know you’re talking about me,’ ” I said.  I wished him a pleasant day and we went our separate ways.

As usual when I get to the end of my blog post, I remember at least four or five things I noticed on my run that might have been fun to mention.  Then again, I am over 500 words.  Perhaps you have better things to do than to read my blog post.  So I say thank you for tuning in, and I hope to see you again on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

Reindeer Running Commentary

My choices today are another attempt at a Running Commentary or to write about socks.  I don’t see why I should not make the blog All Reindeer Run All The Time.  For one thing, there is not that much more time before the run. It is Saturday, the day after tomorrow.  I can save my sock tirade for another day (but if I make it on a Thursday I can still call it “Non-Sequitur Socks,” which is the title I thought of at work today).

What a surprise, I did not want to run by the end of the day.  My body is still not used to getting up at 3 a.m. and working for 10 hours.  Additionally, I was on my feet all day (except for breaks, of course; we are not barbarians around here, we get breaks).  Of course I had all kinds of good excuses:  I could rest up, I fully intended to run tomorrow, it’s only a 5K after all.  What finally decided me to run was that as I drove home I noticed the sidewalks were bare.  I had to take advantage of that.

Once again, I threw a load of laundry into the washer before I set out.  For one reason, I wanted my silver long-sleeved running shirt for Saturday.  I have a whole outfit planned.  I’ll have to get Steven or someone to take my picture.  I finally got myself out the door and set out.  I felt really good about myself that I had decided to run.

Brr, cold, but it’s been worse.  There wasn’t too much wind, so that was a good thing.  I headed down German Street in the opposite direction of the one I took Tuesday.  I thought briefly of crossing the street at Main and running up the pretty good hill that is there.  Nope, too much traffic at the four-way stop.  I turned towards downtown.  Hey, this run didn’t feel too bad.  Maybe I could go for a long run.

I went by Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners.  There was a Christmas tree in the window of Suiter House, home of the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I have to get over to their gift shop and do some Christmas shopping.  I went down Main till I got to Park Avenue, then I ran by the post office and on to Meyer Park.  I made a mental note to take a walk or drive by the park at night, to see the pavilion and tree all lit up.

By this time, I was getting tired.  Hey, body, what’s going on?  I thought we liked running!  Maybe I could catch a second wind.  As I kept running, it soon became evident that I would not.  Oh no!  I had run less than 20 minutes so far.  I can’t run a 5K in 20 minutes!  What was I going to do?  Then I said to myself, “You will not have just worked a 10 hour day.  You will have gotten a good night’s rest and had a light, healthy breakfast.”  I am also planning a nice pasta dinner Friday night, so I will be all carbed up, as the saying goes (I’m not sure exactly what the saying is, but I believe it includes the phrase, “carbed up”).

I ended up running for 25 minutes and walked my usual 10 minute cool-down.  I confess to feeling better about myself before I ran that after, but you’ll have that.  Full disclosure:  I’ve felt better about blog posts than I feel about this one.  Once again, you’ll have that.

 

Warming Up for the Reindeer Run

Could I be getting old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  In fact, I can now rub two nickels together (meaning I am 55, if that was too obscure), but that is hardly the point.  The point is, it seems that when I go running after work with the intention of making a Running Commentary post, I become too tired to actually write said post.  Then again, yesterday I was too tired to make a decent post without benefit of running.  Now I am getting bogged down when my intention was merely to write an introductory paragraph.  I did mention I am tired, did I not?

My plan is to run the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls, NY, this Saturday (Dec. 8).  I have been working up to running a greater distance than 5K’s, with some measure of success.  Sunday I ran for 50 minutes, and the longest I’ve taken to run a 5K has been, I think, 38 and change.  Mind you, I believe I can pretty much run a 5K at any time, regardless of what I have been doing, through sheer stubbornness, with which I am well supplied.  It’s a question of how slow I go, how stupid I look, and how terrible I feel afterwards.  OK, I will probably go slow and look stupid in any case, but one can only do so much with what nature has provided.  The point is, I want to enjoy Christmas in Little Falls after the run.  I think I will be good to do that on Saturday.

Sunday, when I ran so long, was an unseasonably warm day.  This Saturday is supposed to be cold: mid-20’s, I believe.  Today was about that, so I thought it would be a good idea to run.  For another reason, I wanted to do some laundry and it is just so handy to throw a load in before I start the run.  During even a 20-minute run, after my cool-down walk, the wash is usually done.  This is pretty much the extent of my ability to multi-task.

I had on leggings and a winter running top.  I added a hat and my reflective vest.  I wanted the reflective vest mostly because it is another layer and has  a handy pocket for a couple of tissues.  However, I knew it would also be a good idea if I decided to run in the road at all.  As it turned out I mostly stayed on the sidewalks, but it is best to be prepared.

Ooh, it felt cold.  I wondered if I should have added a sweatshirt to the ensemble.  No matter.  I would no doubt warm up as I went.  I did, to a point.  The other advantage of my age is that I can pretty much count on getting a hot flash sooner or later.  Usually the hot flash makes me too hot, but at least it is a change in my discomfort.  Additionally, I can laugh at myself for always having something to complain about.

I ran for 25 minutes, which I considered OK.  I felt the important thing was to run at all.  Of course, the other important thing (to me, anyways) is to make a good blog post.  I’m afraid I have not said a whole lot about this run.  I like making the kind of Running Commentary post where I give almost a blow by blow of where I ran and what I saw.  Unfortunately, today’s run was quite uneventful.  Or perhaps I was too cold to notice anything.

As a matter of fact, I still have not warmed up, after a hot shower and a warm dinner.  No matter.  I ran.  I blogged.  I made it through Tuesday.  On with the rest of the week!

 

Antiques, Coffee, and a Nice Weekend So Far

It is getting to the sad, frustrating part of The Blair Witch Project, our Saturday night viewing choice, and I get on the laptop to make this week’s Scattered Saturday post.  But first, I just have to say, why didn’t they follow the stream? They SAY they are going to follow the stream!  When you are lost in the woods, follow the damn stream!

There, got that out of my system.  On to the blog post.

I had a headache when I woke up, which seems to be a Saturday routine these days. Never mind.  I went for a run anyways.  I have my eye on the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  I think I’ll be fine.  It was colder today than it has been, but it was not too uncomfortable, except for when the wind blew. I must start running with a scarf I can use to cover my face.

Soon I was ready to embark on our Mohawk Valley adventures for the day.  Earlier this week, I had suggested that when Steven was reading Mohawk Valley Living magazine, he peruse the ads for something I might write about for next month’s issue.  He suggested Fort Plain Antiques and Salvage.  It sounded perfect!  I love antique places.  Additionally, I had never been to Fort Plain.  This would be great!

Yesterday the weather was frightful, but today was bright and sunny.  I did not mind the cooler temperatures.  It was a lovely drive along 5S to Fort Plain, and we soon found the antique place.  While we were there, we mentioned we might look for a good place for lunch.  The lady there suggested Highwheeler Coffee and directed our attention to a display of fliers for area attractions.  I picked up the one for Highwheeler Coffee as well as a few other places I may explore in the future.

We enjoyed a nice snack at Highwheeler, and noticed a couple of other places we’d like to explore on future trips to Fort Plain.  I’ll write more about Fort Plain Antiques and Salvage and Highwheeler Coffee soon.  In the meantime, it is Saturday night, and I have movie watching and knitting to do.  I hope you are all having a lovely weekend so far.

 

 

Not a Bad Run, Not a Great Post

I’ve been running again, perhaps not as often as I’d like to, but I try not to judge myself.  I went running today and thought I would make a Wednesday Running Commentary post.  Unfortunately, I finished my run a good two hours ago and I don’t remember a damn thing about it.

Oh, that’s not true.  I’m sure I remember something, even on Wuss-out Wednesday.  I ran both Saturday and Sunday, then skipped Monday and Tuesday, so I knew it would be a really, really good idea to run today.  Additionally, I had to do laundry, and it is just so handy to put a load in the washer, run, then put it in the drier before I get in the shower.  I only hoped I would not talk myself out of it.

And I did not.  I arrived home in a dreadful mood, however.  Steven asked me how I was, and I said, “I’ve been better.”  Maybe a run would improve my disposition.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, even warm enough for shorts and short sleeves.  I put a sweatshirt next to my water bottle for my cool-down walk and set out.

Right away I was not too happy about it.  My work situation has changed recently and I am spending much more of the day on my feet.  My legs get tired!  However, I reminded myself that running can help me lose weight and the less weight I have to hold up, the better my body will feel.  I comforted myself with the thought that the run did not have to be a long one.  I turned so the bright sun was behind me and ran on.

It really was not too bad of a run.  I didn’t feel great, but I didn’t hate every step, either.  The breeze picked up, making the air colder, but I did not regret my ensemble.  I managed to make it for 25 minutes, which I thought was pretty good.  All I require of myself on these weekday runs is 20 minutes.  I am over a half hour on my weekend runs, so things look good for the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls in December.  I’ll write more about that as it gets closer.

I was happy to put the sweatshirt on for my cool-down walk.  I was pretty damn tired and hungry when I got back home, and I felt so ill-used when I remembered I had to put the laundry in the drier before I took my shower.  However, I did it, so I have clean socks and handkerchiefs for tomorrow.  Score!