Tag Archives: writing

Not Exactly a Running Start

Posted on May 4, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I intend to go back to running after this play (which shall here remain nameless) is over. Then we’ll have some Running Commentary on a Saturday, I hope. In the meantime, here’s a post about my morning thus far.

One advantage of overtime in my job is I have to get up at 3:30 a.m. While this in and of itself may not be seen as an advantage, I feel the benefits on my day off, when I get up at 5 a.m. feeling rested and refreshed and still have plenty of day ahead of me. And, boy, do I need it today!

I won’t list all the crap I am hoping to fit in today (we’ll save that for Wrist to Forehead Sunday), but I’m feeling the pressure time-wise. Nevertheless, as I skipped Curves a couple of times this week to feel less pressure, a phrase remembered from a time management book keeps running through my head: If you are too busy to exercise, you are too busy. Period. (And here’s a topic for a future post: We like to add “Period” after a sentence for emphasis, but then we go on talking about the subject for another six or eight sentences.)

So I went to Curves at seven, when they opened. I confess, if they would have opened at nine, I would have considered myself off the hook and not felt bad about it. As it happened, I did my work out, made a couple of silly remarks along the way, and left feeling that after-workout buzz that I don’t always get.

Oh dear, I just realized I’m almost three hundred words into the post and I haven’t even gotten to the walk that I had originally intended to write about. What’s that all about? I can just hear one of you saying in that condescending voice I hate, “This is why we edit, Cindy.” Oh be quiet, I don’t have time to edit! At least I exercised! Exercise is much more important than editing (yet another statement that some will find open to debate, but I don’t have time for that either).

Full disclosure: I edited a little. I originally included in the first paragraph the statement that this would be a Pedestrian Post. I changed it. Now the previous paragraph is less germane. Would this be a good reason NOT to edit? Discuss.

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Would That Be A Sequitur?

Posted on May 3, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Did I mention that I cannot plan anything? Oh, yes, I did, on Monday (you can arrow back to it if you’re interested; I’m too lazy to do one of those ping things). My plan this time was to write my Non-Sequitur Thursday and Lame Post Friday posts both on Thursday, to make my day easier on Friday. I began writing them on a break at work.

Can I FIND the notebook I was writing them in? NO! Am I a little STRESSED about it? YES! Do I NEED all these capital letters? APPARENTLY!

The funny thing is, what I had written for Thursday began with a lament about my current stress. And here I go adding to it by misplacing my notebook it was written in. That gives me a bit of a chuckle against myself, and laughter is a known stress reliever. You see how I go around in a circle. That must be why my friends say I’m dizzy (you know who you are) (oh yeah, like all my friends read every post).

So I’m feeling a bit better about the stress, but I realize it is scarcely a non sequitur. Really more of a logical progression. What’s that all about? I’m not a logical, organized, orderly person. I’m sitting here, typing off the cuff (as Truman Capote said, it’s not writing, it’s typing) (although in my case, I like to think it’s both). You would think I would be a little more non-sequitur-y about it.

I am going to feel a little bad about posting this, because I think it sounds kind of dumb. I don’t suppose I’ll feel bad enough to not post it, though. It can stand as a bad example and an encouragement to others: “Look at the tripe she publishes! I am obviously a MUCH better blogger than that!” (I see you use a lot of capital letters, too).

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This Is Why I Don’t Plan Anything!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Plans don’t work. You decide you’re going to do something, it’s a really good idea, it’s going to make your life easier, you are so smart to think of it, yes, YOU HAVE A PLAN!

And then it doesn’t work.

For example, today. You see, I have a bear of a week ahead of me, because our play, Dirty Work at the Crossroads at Ilion Little Theatre is bearing down on me like, well, like a locomotive with me tied to the tracks. No, I don’t get tied to the railroad tracks in this play, don’t get your hopes up for me being pulverized by the 6:15! But I have a lot to do, and a lot I would like to get done. I’m a little stressed.

Today I do not have to be at rehearsal. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday I do. Rehearsals are earlier this week. I still have to exercise, after, you know, working all day (still on ten hour days). And I like to post in my blog every day. I almost put “have to,” but my honesty asserts itself: I don’t have to. I choose to. And since I have chosen to every day for almost two years now, I want to continue to make that choice. So.

I thought, I can write two posts today, then only have to hit “Publish” on Tuesday. I could even get fancy and set it to publish on Tuesday without my further input. All I had to do was write two posts! I even had a topic for one: a shout-out to Symeon’s restaurant. As for the other: it’s Monday! I can do a Middle-aged Musings and have done with! So I dashed off the Symeon’s write up, making myself hungry in the process (love that Greek food).

And stared at a blank page in my notebook during all subsequent break time at work.

I got home, did a few things, ate supper, typed in the Tuesday post, all the while searching my brain for something, anything to muse about for a blog post’s worth. Nothing came to mind. I read a couple other blogs, looked at Facebook, and pondered my fate. Should I just publish the other post and worry about Tuesday on Tuesday? Bad idea. I won’t have time to type in squat if I exercise. Skip exercise, since I worked out today? Bad idea, because I may have to also skip Wednesday. Wrist to Forehead Monday? Well, I guess it is, but, you know, I just had a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

So now I have written over 400 words about how I am completely unable to write a post for today. The irony is not lost on me. In fact, I feel strangely proud of myself. On to prepare myself for the rest of the week!

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Musings on Lack of a Muse

Posted on April 18, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s no use: I have to hide behind a Mid-Week Middle-Aged Musings. Unfortunately I have very little to muse about.

I had thought I could spend the week happily writing about my Finger Lakes wine tasting adventures. It turns out they are not as easy to write about as the tastings at Vintage Spirits and Ilion Wine & Spirits. I suppose I could spend the post musing on why this is so, yet I feel strangely disinclined to do so.

I like to say I have Writer’s Blank rather than Writer’s Block, although sometimes I have Write It Then Cross It Out Syndrome. Today, however, it really feel like Block. There are words in my head, and my pen simply refuses to write them.

I know there are people out there who have no patience with this sort of crisis. I don’t say writers, because a lot of these people have never written a word in their lives, yet they feel certain that they know exactly what my problem is. As for the people that have written a word in their lives and claim never to have a problem of this nature, well, every writer is different (oh, how tactful of me to refrain from saying they are full of beans) (oops).

I think writing is an obstacle course (I did not say “like an obstacle course” because I prefer metaphor to simile). Sometimes you have to bull your way through the obstacle by main force. Sometimes you can climb or even jump over it. Sometimes you must carefully take it apart one piece at a time. And sometimes the best thing to do is to go around it and find a different way.

How’s that for something new to say about Why I Can’t Write a Post Today?

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Prior to Six in the Morning

Posted on April 17, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here’s one good side effect of writing my blog: I open my notebook and flip through pages and pages of writing. I must be a writer! Look how much I write!

That said, I’m experiencing a little resistance lately and not a little Writer’s Blank. Oh, sure, I’ve got pages of notes from Finger Lakes wineries (we visited a few last Saturday). Yet I am not moved to write about them. Now, let’s not get into that discussion about Never Mind Mood and Motivation Follows Action. It’s boring.

Instead, I offer another Pedestrian Post. This one has something a little different, because I walked Tabby (our schnoodle, for anyone who didn’t know) prior to six this morning.

When we first got Tabby I would roll out of bed, into sweats and take her out on a leash for her first business meeting of the day. At first around the backyard, then down the sidewalk. Eventually, Steven tried just letting her out the back door. She is a good dog who stays where she should, and first thing in the morning she generally wants to do her business quickly and get back inside to hang out. Funny how dogs can’t wait to get up in the morning but very shortly after that are napping on the couch.

This morning we got up a little earlier than we have been, because Steven pulled a rare early shift. Hate getting out of bed, love the extra time. Soon it occurred to me to use a little of the extra time to take Tabby on a short perambulation (like many dog owners, we avoid using the actual word “walk”).

I’ve read in dog books that it is a good idea to take your dogs for a walk before you leave them. They might get a little tired and just nap while you are gone. In any case, it is always good to spend quality time with your pet. I try to take Tabby for many walks (and not just when I need a blog post), especially if I am going to take off for parts unknown (at least to her, sometimes to me). After my delightful walk this morning, I shall make even more of an effort to do so prior to the work day.

Part of the reason the walk was so delightful is that it has AT LAST gotten warm out. Fifty-two degrees, according to my thermostat. It felt like heaven. The sun was not completely up, so the world had that half light I so enjoy at dusk but rarely see at down (oh, I’m usually up at dawn, but it’s more a matter of noticing it’s gotten light out than watching it get that way).

I like seeing the tree branches outlined against the grey sky, although I am really looking forward to buds and leaves. I saw some daffodils in one yard. I planted some daffodil bulbs, but they haven’t done much so far. Now I can’t remember where I put them.

Prior to six is a nice quiet time to walk. I heard an empty can blow down the road, then the softer tinkle of wind chines. A sign for some law offices swayed in the breeze but didn’t creak. In the far distance we could hear some traffic but did not see any.

We only went around two blocks, because I didn’t have a whole lot of time, but it was very pleasant. We were headed back towards home when Tabby did her business. Tuesday is trash day, and I thought about how some people do not scruple to put their dogs’ poo in other people’s trash. I decided against such an action. It was not that much further to my own trash can in any case.

So I finished our excursion thinking that walking in the early morning is the Way to Go. I hope to have my act together enough to do it again soon.

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Walk after Wine

Posted on April 15, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I hope nobody thought I was going to have anything more strenuous than a Wrist to Forehead Sunday after a day of wine tasting in the Finger Lakes with some rather rowdy members of my family. If anyone did, I can only say, Why in the world would you think that? However, I did manage to take a nice walk with my schnoodle, Tabby, and I don’t despair of typing a few words about that.

Um, I put typing because I am composing at the keyboard as opposed to hand-writing it on paper first, as I often do. I suppose one could think it has something to do with the snide Truman Capote quote about another writer, “That’s not writing, that’s typing.” Well, anybody can feel free to quote Truman Capote at me. At least it’s a change of pace from pointing and laughing.

It was afternoon before I found my running shoes and got myself ready to get out the door. As usual, Tabby guessed my purpose and started running at the door, jumping and barking long before I was ready to actually fasten on the leash and go. I knew it was not as warm as one might hope, but thought I could get away with my crazy old lady hat rather than knitted toque. I also put on the large windbreaker with the huge pockets. Put two poop bags in the pockets (she very rarely poops twice in one walk, but one likes to be prepared). Found my sunglasses, because I thought the sun had come out.

I didn’t need the sunglasses after all, but that was where the large pockets came in handy. I only had to listen to them ka-thunk in the case and against my thigh for the whole walk. Well, one makes these sacrifices in order to be prepared. We started down Bellinger Street in Herkimer, NY (for the benefit for anybody just tuning in).

It was really not a bad temperature out at all. I understand it had snowed some places around here, but I saw no evidence of it where I was. Nice dry, bare sidewalks. A little muddy in the yards, but you’ll have that.

We saw two boys walking two beautiful setter-looking dogs up the opposite side of the street (it would really be nice if I learned to reliably recognize breeds). The dogs were pulling quite energetically on the leashes, but they did not seem interested in Tabby. I told Tabby to never mind about them, and no barks were exchanged.

Tabby pooped before we walked through Meyers Park, which was nice. That way I can throw the poop into a trash can as we walk by (see, that’s why I like to have two poop bags). Nobody was in the park. There was even very little traffic as we crossed Prospect Street and headed towards the downtown area.

The tribute to Ape was still up in front of Basloe Library, across from the former Glory Days. Ape was the police dog who lost his life helping take down that guy who shot people in Mohawk and Herkimer recently. I looked sadly at the plywood where windows used to be in the old Glory Days building. Perhaps somebody will buy that building and put in something cheerful.

On up Main Street, past the Historic Four Corners. I admired some of the large old buildings. I think most of them are cut up into apartments now. I saw a lovely patch of crocuses in front of a house further down the street. I really must put more crocus bulbs in my own yard this fall.

It was a pleasant walk, though I see now a little uneventful. I must say it exactly suited my mood, after my strenuous weekend. Now I’m off to watch a cheesy horror movie or two, and I shall hope for more energy later in the week so I can write about them.

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Sorry, Readers

Posted on March 25, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s another Wrist to Forehead Sunday. I don’t have a post written. I don’t have any ideas of what to write a post about. I don’t even have any humorous remarks about Why I Can’t Write a Post Today.

I almost had Wrist to Forehead Saturday. I took out an old spiral notebook and wrote a sentence. And crossed it out. I wrote another couple of sentences and crossed them out. I frowned. Started another sentence. Forced myself to write… each… word… Then when I was folding laundry I came up with the St. Baldrick’s Day idea. Saved!

I walked with my schnoodle Tabby to the post office to mail postcards yesterday morning, thinking that would be worth a post. My husband Steven joined us for another walk this afternoon. The highlight of today’s walk was the memorial for Ape, the police dog who gave his life protecting his human partner from the killer. At least, I don’t know if highlight is the right word. But I don’t feel I can write a blog post about that, or indeed, say anything else about the tragedy today.

Yesterday I had a couple of opportunities for Mohawk Valley adventures, in addition to our post office jaunt, but alas, nothing blogworthy ensued. I didn’t even watch a cheesy horror movie, although a couple good-sounding choices await on my DVR.

So boo hoo for me. And boo hoo for you the reader, as I blather on about these things. Oh well, I guess the blogosphere can survive one more stupid post from yours truly. Ah, here’s something apropos. In the old notebook I was writing in yesterday, I found a crumpled piece of paper with the following quote:

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometime courage is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

I guess what I do doesn’t take a plethora of courage, but, yes, I will try again tomorrow. Hope to see you then.

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About My “About”

Posted on March 11, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Wrist to Forehead Sunday and I’m not apologizing. Oh, that’s an oxymoron that I love: I’m sorry but I’m not apologizing.

I just wrote my “About.” You know, when somebody goes to your homepage, they can click on “About” and read a little blurb about what your blog’s all about. I started this blog in May of 2011 and never wrote one. From then till now, it just said, “You can put stuff here about your blog.”

I actually wrote my “About” a couple of weeks ago, after I had written that day’s post (handwritten in a spiral notebook while on break at work) and still had a little oomph left. I never got it typed into the computer. Then I mislaid the notebook (I thought I had left it at Brian’s Roast Beef Deli, but they can’t find it). Let that be a lesson to me. So today I finally sat down and composed an “About” at the keyboard (much like I’m composing this post), thinking, “Well, maybe I can write today’s post about how I wrote my “About.”

How’s it working out for me?

Now that I’ve actually written the “About,” I’m thinking of a few other things I could have mentioned, like my husband and my dog, both of whom figure prominently in many posts. Oh well, I can always go back and edit it in another 22 months.

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Lame Computers, Anyways!

Posted on March 2, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I began my post with a lament about what a lousy blogging week it has been. Little did I know, it was about to get worse.

Um, I mean, I began the post I was handwriting in my notebook while on a break at work. I don’t remember how I began the post that got published and, quite frankly, I do not want to go back and look. The computer told me I have 55 minutes of time and I may need all of it to move forward.

So yesterday, blog post that never saw the ether of the internet (as opposed to the light of day) in my spiral notebook (to differentiate it from a computer called a notebook, which I do not have), I called my husband Steven during the nine o’clock break, and he informed me that the computer was down. It is not a new computer. It was graciously given us by my sister whose daughter had no use for it. It has served us well (thanks, Vicki!) (oh, and thanks, Diane, the sister who gave us our previous computer; not good to go online with, but excellent for word processing purposes).

Lately our monitor has been going black for no apparent reason. This is NOT due to a mis-set sleep mode. It goes black when you are in the middle of doing something. If you turn the monitor off then on, it comes back on for periods lasting from one second to the rest of the session. Usually one second. If you re-start or turn off the computer then turn it back on later (an excercise in patience using bursts of one-second screen time) (but I don’t repine over that; I need to build up my capacity for patience), sometimes it is fine.

Until Thursday.

When I got home Thursday (Steven was at work by that time) (and don’t you just hate the way that works out sometimes!), I expermimentally turned on the comptuer. One second screen time, utilizing the off/on method. It was showing a message, however, which was difficult to read in one-second spurts. Something about a corrupt file in disc drive C, I think.

Well, I have a disc in that computer that I have never taken out. I save everything on it that I want saved. I thought, I’ll take that disc out and see what happens. Do you think that disc drive would open. No!!!

At one point, I realized it was almost 4:30, and I remembered the library closes at five on Thursdays. I sprang into action. I showered, threw on clothes (not neglecting earrings) and got to the library by twenty to five. I can make a blog post in twenty minutes! I’ve done it before!

There was a computer free. Yes! Unfortunately, library computers (quite sensibly, I admit) close down before the library. When I logged on, the computer told me I had seven minutes. It could still work!

I wrote a foolish sentence or two. Wanted to write more, as is often the case with me once I get going. Refrained. I even managed to log onto my email. Didn’t look at everything, but saw what was there (nothing earth-shattering, as they say) (that’s one of those hyperbolic expressions many poepl love to use; there’s a good topic for a future Lame Post Friday). I even had a few minutes of the seven left, because when I hit “exit,” the computer asked me was I sure I wanted to end my session early.

I went home, feeling a little inclined to burst into tears, although I know that as disasters go, this one was minor. I turned the computer back on and finally got the disc drive to open. There was nothing there. WHAT? What have I been saving to all this time?

I was by now out of ideas.

And now I have written a lengthy piece telling the whole sordid sotry, and I’m betting that when I get to the library after work, I will not have time to type it all in. Only, as you see, I did. HA! But what about tomorrow? Could be a problem.

Well, what does my blog do, really, but entertain a few people, most notably myself. The world will keep turning if I miss a few days. Literature and the blogosphere will survive. I suppose I will, too.

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Wish I Had Written That Spare Post

Posted on February 22, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think I was really onto something with the idea of “In Case of Emergency Hit Publish” (or else I was on something, I think the saying goes). However, the sad truth is, I have not written any other spare posts. Could be a problem.

This morning instead of writing my post, I started writing another play. I haven’t quite finished the last play I was working on, but it has gotten to the point where I need to type in the first draft, print it out and ponder my options.

There I was, scribbling notes on a Christmas play. I wasn’t really nuts about it so far, but I persevered. And I had my reward, because in the midst of my note making, I came up with something I liked. Ha ha ha (satisfied chuckle). I hope nobody feels frustrated that I can’t share it with you, but I think I’ve mentioned how it is a mistake to talk about a piece of writing before it is finished. In fact, I’ve said too much already.

Still, I thought, Non-Sequitur Thursday. How hard can it be? Moreover, it can’t be too long of a post, because I have a dinner meeting of Ilion Little Theatre tonight.

Here’s a grammatical note, just to veer into Stream of Consciousness Thursday instead: I think the proper construction is “too long a post,” but I seem to like better the sound of “too long of a post” when I say it in my head. I always say things in my head when I write them. Sometimes after I write them I call Steven upstairs and say them out loud.

To continue with my Thursday story, as the day wore on, I developed a rather severe headache. I think it has something to do with the weather, but I’m not a doctor, so what do I really know? I was in pain. I did not write further on subsequent breaks.

Now I am at home and the headache has subsided. The result of the Equate Migraine Relief? The blue Gator Ade? Being home with my husband and dog? The coffee Steven made for me? No matter. I’m good to type, if only I had written something to type in.

And just like that, I have over 300 words. Oh, I love this blogging hobby. Tomorrow I will attempt to forgo Lame Post Friday and come up with something real to write about, but I can make no promises. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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