Tag Archives: writing

In My Defense, Here’s a Blog Post

What is it with me and missed blog posts these days?  It is most embarrassing. I’m on furlough, for heaven’s sake; what else do I have to do but write blog posts?  In my defense, we are all on quarantine, rendering many Mohawk Valley Adventures impossible. In my prosecution (I truly cannot think of a good opposite for “in my defense” and would welcome suggestions), do I not have a vivid imagination?  Should I not be able to think of things?

That inner dialogue could go on all day.

I am afraid I am not making good use of my time at home.  There, I have admitted it.  It is a source of some mortification to me.  Additionally,  I am afraid I have written about that in this space before.  Can I think of anything new to say?  Maybe I could just add a picture to pep things up.

Full disclosure: I did not step on each of those colored spots.

Here is a sight I see a lot these days.  It is the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal.  I have been running and walking most days.  That is one thing I can feel pleased with myself about, although one could argue that I am not running as far nor as fast as might be expected.  I think I will not indulge in another self argument.

Preview of Coming Attractions

To further cheer myself up, I will remind myself of things I will be able to do again someday.  Meeples Mug House in Little Falls, NY, a board game cafe, was one of the first businesses to responsibly close for the pandemic.  It is one of the first places I want to go when quarantine is lifted.

So we have an apology, a self argument, a couple of pictures, and a plug for a local business. I’ll call that good enough for a late Tired Tuesday post.

 

Perhaps a Disappointing Post

Oh crap!  I waited too long in the day to make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, and I got nuthin’.

I could have done  Sunday Running Commentary,  although my run was neither long nor noteworthy.  I could perhaps do a Sunday Cinema post, but I have not illustrations for the movies seen, and I lack the ambition to find them.

I worked on our back yard for a while.  I did not take any pictures,  because, quite frankly, the yard is still not looking very good.

So we are left with yet another post lamenting my ability to make a decent blog post.  Can I at least share a silly picture for your amusement?

Am I pretty? Don’t answer that question.

I got myself a new headband at the dollar store while purchasing more essential supplies.  It broke today.  That was rather a disappointing development.

It has not on the whole been a disappointing day, however.  After working in the yard, my husband Steven and I sat on the front porch for a while. I have been wanting to do some porch sitting, but the weather has not cooperated.  I relished our outdoor time today.

So this how my days go: some disappointment,  something to relish, not a whole lot to blog about. What can I say?  We do what we can. Happy Sunday, folks.

 

Attempt at a Pedestrian Post

I saw a couple of things on my run this morning I wanted to take pictures of.  Since people tend to like my Pedestrian Posts with pictures,  I set out this afternoon with my Tablet.  I wore my crazy old lady hat, which has a wide brim, and my prescription sunglasses.  It was one of those walks where the bright sun made it hard to tell if pictures were any good.  Luckily, I think I have enough for a good post.

I hope you can see the buds.

The first thing I saw was a magnolia tree with buds that looked close to blooming.  I do love a magnolia tree.

The picture doesn’t do them justice.

Next I saw some daffodils.  My own daffodils have yet to make an appearance, but once I got my crocuses, I feel hopeful for everything.

These were right near the daffodils.

I continued down German Street towards Valley Health, where some miniature daffodils had caught my eye.

Aren’t they pretty?

What fascinated me about these blooms was that they were surrounded by dried crap from last fall.  Nobody had bothered to cultivate them, so it seemed, yet they were determined to spread beauty and happiness.  Or do I credit flowers with more thought processes than they actually posses?  I don’t really know about these things.

A longer view.

I tried to get a shot of the tiered beds that held the daffodils, but I don’t know how successful I was.  But you can see all the brown competing with them.

And now a note about writing:  a common piece of advice is do not worry about mood; start writing and the mood will follow.  It is not always true.  As I write this, each word is getting just a little bit harder.  I feel I should not share that, because, well why bother you with my petty problems?  And yet, other writers may find it comforting.

Or not.  In any case, I am over 300 words, and I still have enough pictures for tomorrow’s post.  I’m going to call this a Tired Tuesday post and drive on.

 

A Change from Counting Sheep

Here is a new thing for me.  I am out of bed at 1:38 on Monday morning making Sunday’s post.  I guess this doesn’t seem a whole lot different from when I am up at four doing same, but when I’m up at four I am usually up for the day.  Incidentally,  that old saw about “Early to bed, early to rise” is full of beans.

Where was I?  Ah yes, a late Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  As happened one other day last week, a few times I got out my Tablet, logged into WordPress, and drew a complete blank. I am not exactly un-blank now, but I see I am managing to pick out a few words.

I have probably mentioned that I have suffered from insomnia from when I was quite a small child.  I have never been the sort to get out of bed, wander around the house, get a snack, do something useful, etc.  The most I’ve done is read, sometimes with a flashlight so as not to disturb Steven (that’s if I have the flashlight, otherwise he takes his chances, I’m not a perfect wife, after all).

Today, as I lay in bed, wide awake, I remembered my blog post was not done and thought, “Let’s try this.”  Hmmm… I cannot say it has been entirely successful, but I am over 200 words.  And still wide awake.  Oh well, I’ll try for a nap and a better blog post later.

 

Just Another Day of Quarantine

After logging onto WordPress at least three times, I found that no blog post was forthcoming.  I know, I know, blog posts don’t just happen; you have to WRITE them.  Well, here I am, early Wednesday morning, trying to do just that.

My sister Diane approved Monday Punday and further suggested Tuesday Cruise Day. I could take a walk, run or ride, and blog about that.  That would have the charm of rhyme over my usual features of Running Commentary and Pedestrian Post.  Accordingly,  I went for both a run and a walk.

My walk was to the post office, because I had written a few more post cards.  I took a long walk before arriving home.  I put my Tablet in a bag.  It was a lovely shoulder bag purchased at Paca Gardens in Little Falls, NY, just to throw in a plug for a local business. Alas, it was snowing and I got no pictures.

Returning home, I read a book, looked at Facebook, watched some movies.  I called Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer for dinner.  Yum!  Later I heard it was National Take-out Day.  We got delivery, so perhaps it did not count.  Perhaps we should do real take-out tonight, just to be sure.

I see I am over 200 words, so I guess I’ll call it a Tired Tuesday post and hit Publish.  We’ll see if I can do better than a Wuss-Out Wednesday post later today.

 

Sorry, But I’m Not Apologizing

I guess we all knew this was going to be a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I went running this morning yet did not feel a Running Commentary post welling up within me. Likewise, no amount of movie watching has made me inclined for a Sunday Cinema post.  These things happen, I suppose.

The fact is, I feel not the slightest obligation to apologize for a foolish post during this stressful time.  Clearly, to run around having Mohawk Valley adventures would be irresponsible.   I am more than willing to risk my own health.   Alas, as is so often the case,  it is not only about me.

So shall I spend the next week or two hiding behind the Corona Virus (or as I prefer to call it, Covid 19) and posting only the lamest material?  That could happen.  I maintain it is the right thing to do, because some people are entertained by my nonsense, and entertainment is a definite service in times of quarantine.

Of course I will attempt to publish the most amusing posts possible.  I fear not much is possible today,  hence my Wrist to Forehead status.  On the other hand,  I am having a fairly enjoyable Sunday.  One cannot have everything.  Even if I have a dreadful day, I will strive to have a better blog post tomorrow.

 

A Saturday at Home

I have allowed it to become rather late in the day to make my Saturday blog post.  I know, I should have made a Saturday Running Commentary post earlier.  Then I walked to the post office with my weekly post cards, making a Pedestrian Post completely eligible.  Later yet, my husband, Steven, and I watched a few movies.  Saturday Cinema is not usually a thing, but it could be.

What today really was was Day One of the Quackenbush Quarantine,  as Steven dubbed it on Facebook yesterday.  I know, almost everyone is under quarantine,  but how many of us can be alliterative about it?  Yet another blessing for me to count.

Really, as things go, I have very little to complain about (not that THAT ever stops me!).  I am grateful for all my blessings and concerned for those that lack same.  I ask myself, what can I do to help?  One thing I did was to write more than my usual number of post cards.  I figure as we’re all stuck inside, not visiting anybody or gathering at the usual places,  a little personal mail would be welcome.

Next I hope to use my at home time to get my house together and to do more writing.  I am thinking about a new novel to start, one I may actually finish.  Then maybe I can dig out and finish the plays I have almost completed.

Oh, such ambitious plans!  Who knows but what I will do is go on more runs and watch more movies?  At least I will write a blog post about whatever I do.  Happy Corona Saturday, everyone.

 

On Second Thought, It Is More Like Wuss-out Wednesday

I promised myself a Mid-week Monsters post.  Unfortunately, right now I feel too tired to do any kind of a post at all. No, no!  I must not go back to writing posts about Why I Can’t Write A Post Today!

“Oh no! I have to do a blog post!”

Here is our skeleton Bonita, having a wrist to forehead moment.  I have been having a number of those moments lately.  But I try to carry on as best as I can.  Rehearsal last night went very well, by the way.  I have a great cast!

Not a monster.

I just love this picture of my friend Tucker as Renwick Spaulding, the bug loving murder suspect in Donate to Murder, which we rehearsed last night.  Thus I stray from my Mid-week Monsters theme but at least I am talking about something.  Does that make this Non-Sequitur Wednesday?

I don’t t like the way he’s looking at me.

I return to monsters with this handsome fellow. Love the neck bolts.

I have long had the rule to make my blog posts at least 200 words long.  I don’t know where I got that number, but I’m thinking I may not make it today.  Oops, I just did by wondering if I would.  Does that count?  I don’t care if it does or not; I’m going to bed.

My bed is a little bigger than this.

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

 

I Gotta Be Lame

Oh my God, what I feared would happen is true!  I feared that if I stopped requiring myself to post every day (I admit, a standard I did not always meet), I would stop posting entirely!  I have not quite done that — regular readers may have noticed I posted this morning for Thursday — but I have not only made fewer posts, I am finding it dangerously easy to make no post at all.

That was not the best written paragraph I have ever done.  No matter.  It is Lame Post Friday.  Before I pecked out the above (one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet, which is the way I usually post these days only I do not always mention it), I almost said “To hell with it,” and put the Tablet away. Then I took stern hold of myself and started typing (by the method mentioned in the previous parenthetical comment).

I guess it’s an All Or Nuthin’ situation.  If I wait to post till I have a decent post to publish, I will publish sadly few posts.  I guess some people would not find fewer posts of mine to be at all sad (you know who you are).  I cannot worry about such people.

Of course I can and will strive to have more substantive posts.  However, for today, I am going to go with Yet Another Foolish Post and a warning that foolish posts will not entirely stop.  What more could we ask on a Lame Post Friday?

 

Who Doesn’t Love a Tired Tuesday Post?

OK.  First I had the Stare Blank-minded At A Blank Screen disease.  Then I had the Type It In Backspace It Out disease.  I am, in fact, struggling mightily with myself not to backspace out those two sentences.  I’ve had worse Tired Tuesday posts.  I think.

Now there’s a character!

I thought I would pep things up with a picture.  This is our good friend Tucker,  in a truly brilliant performance in Donate to Murder, the mystery we are reviving for a fundraiser for the Herkimer County Historical Society next month.  Earlier today I was going over the script and making a few changes. I love writing.  I can never understand why I don’t do more of it.  What the hell, me?

Another dramatic moment.

I certainly hope I can find that hat with all the feathers.  Finishing the re-polish of Donate is not the only writerly chore I have to  concern myself with. However, I do not care to write about everything I Am Going To Write.  Then again, it would make a change from writing about How I Can’t Write Anything.  Oh dear.

Bennie the Bootlegger was not actually shaped like that.

Well, maybe one more preview of coming attractions.  LiFT is reviving Rubbed Out At Ruby’s for a fundraiser for RCIL in April.  Who doesn’t love a 1920’s murder mystery?