Tag Archives: writing

If Only I Had a Flair for Blog Posts!

Posted on December 4, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my Sunday activities for a Wrist to Forehead blog post.   I am a little down, I confess it.  One feels one ought to be in high spirits at all times during the Christmas season, but that is not realistic.  So I’ll just ride out the downslope until I feel up again.  In the meantime, I do like to make a blog post every day (downslope is not a word?  I’ll be damned!).

Steven and I did some decorating on the interior of our house today.  It would be nice if I took some pictures, but I am currently unaware of the whereabouts of my tablet, and I never did learn how to use that digital camera.  Steven did most of the decorating.  He has a flare for it.  Or do I mean a flair? I don’t know where my dictionary is either.  Ooh, I just laid eyes on it when I typed that; it is right in front of me. Wait a minute. I mean flair.  I’m glad we got that cleared up.

Where was I? Ah yes, having Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  I am trying to recruit my energies, because we want to attend the 4th Annual Christmas in Meyers Park this evening.  It is easy walking distance from our house.  I’m hoping to leave a little early and take the long way down, so we can admire lights on people’s houses around the neighborhood.  I have been making mental notes of where they are when I go on my runs.

So I owe my readers a blog post about Rome Historical Society, one with pictures of our Christmas decorations, and perhaps one about Christmas in Meyers Park.  All these possibilities and here I sit typing my usual nonsense. If that isn’t a reason to swoon onto the chaise with my wrist to my forehead,  I don’t know what is!

 

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Late and Lame, but Here’s a Lizard

Posted on December 2, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title while I was logging into WordPress.  I figured I couldn’t just call it  “Late and Lame,” because I’ve used that title before.  Then I remembered I have some Godzilla pictures in my Media Library. Godzilla on a Friday, there could be no possible objection.

“Hello there, blog readers!”

Steven and I just got back from Ilion Little Theatre’s production of The Christmas Spirit.  I must write a whole blog post about it, but I am far too tired to do that now.   Anyways, I have to figure out what I want to say.  Godzilla is no help to me there.

“What do you mean no help? I’m a real helpful guy, give me a chance!”

I tried to write a real blog post earlier.  It did not go well.  Then again, it is Lame Post Friday.  How can I do a real post then?  I like to do silly things on Friday.  Random observations and half-baked philosophy.  I think saying that Godzilla is no help is one or the other.

When in doubt, throw in another picture.

In case I don’t write a real post about the play, it is The Christmas Spirit at Ilion Little Theatre, Dec 3, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec, 4 and 10 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

 

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Muddled Monday with Murder

Posted on November 28, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Just for the record, I have not reached my breaking point yet.

I decided to continue with the theme of murder largely for the sake of alliteration.  As regular readers know, I adore alliteration.  I am typing this post while giving the occasional glance at an episode of Snapped that I believe I have seen before, although I do not remember much of it.

So this is Day One of my New Leaf.  Did I mention the new leaf in yesterday’s post?  Ah yes, I said I was going to write more and make better blog posts.  This morning, as I put a new notebook and pen into the bag I carry to work, I felt I should actually renovate my entire life:  clean house, lose weight, get organized, learn things, do things, make things, be a whole new person!  I can just hear my readers asking in varying tones of sarcasm, depending on who it is, “How’s that working out for you?”  For heavens’ sake, it’s only the first day!

I started writing a letter to a friend (I thought I would keep the rule of “any writing counts”).  I made an appointment to have a mammogram, something I have not done in at least seven years.  I started a list of Things to Get Done This Week.  When I got home, I called the neurologist about the headaches I have been having.  One reason for that was that I had one.  Oh dear, was I coming down with a cold?  I checked my Facebook and email and thought about how I usually let myself off the hook on Mondays.

Then I bestirred myself and spent some time getting a few things done.  I cleaned the house a little.  I folded the laundry and hand-washed one of my better pair of leggings.  I got a start on the onerous task of organizing my yarn and craft supplies.  I’m hoping to make a few Christmas presents.  I have a hot glue gun and I’m not afraid to use it!  I took a shower and said to myself, “See?  You CAN get stuff done when you have a headache!”

Hey, I know I did not get a lot of stuff done.  The fact is, I can’t just be a whole new person.  I have to start with the person I am and try to make improvements.  So far my improvements today have not extended to my blog posts, as you see.  I’m wondering if I should leave the Snapped logo at the top and “murder” in the headline.  Oh what the heck.  It’s Muddled Monday.  I’ll go with it.

 

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I Need a Little Murder

Posted on November 27, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to say Halloween, but I think an episode or two of Snapped or even Dateline would fill the proverbial bill (you can get away with an overly used expression if you add the word “proverbial”).  Steven and I have been watching Christmas movies all day, and I just don’t feel like crying again.  I fully understand why people often become more depressed at Christmas time.  My intention was not to whine about my own melancholy.  Then again, it is Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  Like a Facebook meme says, I’ll get over it; I just need to be dramatic first.

Anyways, I do need a little murder, as my headline says.  The Herkimer County Historical Society has contacted me about putting together another interactive murder mystery for them.  Well, you know I will do almost anything for my friends at the historical society.  And I will write a murder mystery at almost any excuse.  Naturally, I find my mind at first completely blank.  What a good thing they asked me about this months before they want it!  Lots of time to dither and whither, then write the damn thing and get to rehearsing it.

In the meantime, I need a blog post for today.  I mean to stop that nonsense I have employed about missing a day and posting two the next.  I will write more!  I will write better!  Today, however, I think I’ll just post a couple of pictures and have done with.  Let’s see, murder or Christmas, or a judicious mixture of both?

Who doesn’t love the Muppets?

 

Oh swell, I have to wait till nine o’clock for my fix!

 

“Did she say murder? I’m outta here!”

 

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Not a Story But Maybe a Blog Post

Posted on November 25, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

On the post I made earlier today (which, I KNOW should have been published yesterday; I already apologized for that, stop giving me a hard time already!) (you know who you are), I forgot a few of our dear little scarecrows.  I append a picture of them now, and will share their story, which I made up out of my head.

Steve won the middle guy out of a claw machine. I don’t remember where we got the other two.

The two bigger scarecrows are boyfriend and girlfriend.  The little one is the younger brother of the boy scarecrow.  The girl scarecrow thinks the little brother is adorable and is always happy to see him.  Her boyfriend is less pleased, because he wants to be alone so he can kiss her.

I guess that is not a very long story.  In fact, it is not a story at all but merely the situation.  I suppose I could come up with a story about how the boyfriend sends his little brother away, and the little brother runs into trouble, and they all have a big adventure getting him out of it.  I’m afraid I’m not much of one for short fiction, though.  Don’t care to read it, not good at writing it.  To each his own, as the old lady said when she kissed the cow.

I guess that makes this not much of a blog post.  On the other hand, this is Lame Post Friday of a holiday weekend.  I’m going to call it good enough and see what kind of trouble I can get into.  I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.

 

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Lee is Undead and I am Brain Dead

Posted on November 21, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s that dreadful moment when you want to make your blog post and you realize you have not a thing to write about.  I’m not even sure I can do a Monday Mental Meanderings, because my mental capacity is running low.  I have not done much today.  I went to Basloe Library and printed out the registration form for the Reindeer Run 5K.  I guess I’m going to run it.  I think I’m going to run it.  Maybe I’m going to run it.  We’ll see.

Count Dracula don’t need no stinkin’ napkins!

As I type this (as Truman Capote once said, “That’s not writing, that’s typing”), Dracula is Risen from the Grave is playing on my DVR.  I wrote a blog post about it the last time I watched it.  It stars Christoper Lee, who was purportedly sick of playing Dracula by the time.  I stopped paying attention to it when I watched it that time, too, although I think my write-up on it was pretty fun (or do I flatter myself?).  The other Christopher Lee Dracula movie I have seen and written about was Dracula, Prince of Darkness.  I paid better attention to that one, but with me that isn’t saying much.

This shows how frustrated Lee was to still be playing the Count.

When TCM shows this movie again next October and I DVR it, I think I will try to pay attention to the whole thing.  No promises.  For one reason, am I likely to remember this brain dead moment a year from now?

He looks like he’s worried I might write another blog post about him.

Ah, I did have one more picture of Lee in my Media Library.  I do like to include three pictures.  Tomorrow I will try to include a more coherent blog post.  Happy Monday, everyone.

 

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The Blog DOES Go On!

Posted on November 15, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Oh shame! Oh degradation!”

My lovely husband Steven found this picture of me with my wrist actually on my forehead.   Remember, like I was talking about on Sunday?  Perhaps you missed that post.  If so, you did not miss much.  Then again, why should I put myself down?  Habit, I suppose.  Be that as it may (a favorite expression of mine), I thought this would be a good picture to lead with as I am having something of a wrist to forehead evening.

The day as a whole was not too bad.  Steven and I had a nice breakfast at Farm House Restaurant in Ilion, which I could write a nice little post about.  We also took an enjoyable walk, rendering a Pedestrian Post perfectly eligible.  Yet here I sit, laptop on lap, fingers on keyboard, wondering, should I continue to write this blog?

Hmm… that is not strictly accurate.   It was while I was doing dishes a little while ago that I experienced the existential angst of, “Must the blog go on?” Once I found that photo to share and actually began typing, I don’t mind being a silly blogger at all.  Only I can’t go on making these foolish posts about me making foolish posts.  It’s like a snake eating its tail, or some such cliche metaphor (yes, yes, I know, a metaphor does not use the word “like,” stop being so didactic!).

At least I can complete the shout-out I started in the second paragraph:  Farm House Restaurant is located at 9 Central Ave., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-3276.  It is a teeny place with country decor and very good food.  We had breakfast there.  It was yummy.

Regarding the walk we took earlier, the sky was gloomy and gray, which is my favorite kind of sky.  I admired some bare trees, especially one with a stark dead branch in the middle of several live ones ending in myriad twigs.  Some trees still had leaves of green, red, orange, yellow and brown.  A few porches still had pumpkins in varying stages of decay.

I’m going to declare this post OK for a Tired Tuesday.  We shall see if my existential angst returns tomorrow  (“existential angst” is such a dramatic expression, I have to laugh at myself for using it).  In the meantime, I will see if I can find an appropriate picture to close with.

I’m thinking he does not read my blog.

I guess Nosferatu does not really have anything to do with this post, but I always say, when in doubt, go for the monster!  Hmm… that may be the title of a future post.

 

 

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Inspired to Run

Posted on November 10, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I was at work, I realized I was looking forward to running later.  That felt good; usually I must psyche myself into it and hope to enjoy it once I’ve started. Full disclosure:  the run did not feel as good as the anticipation, but you’ll have that.  I confess, now I am more in the mood to write a silly post with monster movie pictures than a Running Commentary.  Then I thought, it’s Non-Sequitur Thursday.  Maybe I can combine the two.

A dramatic conclusion to a scary movie.

This is a scene from Horror Hotel, which I was reminded of on a recent run.  I was coming out of Brookfield Park and saw a t-bar in a neighboring back yard, possibly part of a clothesline or a holder for a bird feeder.  To me it looked like a cross, and if it was only crooked, it would look like the cross wielded by a character in the movie as he uses it to break up a satanic ritual.

After I downloaded that photo this evening, I wondered what other pictures I could find that had to do with running. Some people say they only run if something is chasing them, so I looked for one of the villagers chasing Frankenstein’s monster.  The only ones I saw showed the villagers moseying along, carrying torches.  That is actually a pace I might be able to outrun.  Unfortunately, my computer would not let me download any of those photos.  I am so unadept at these things!

“Now you have everything…”

OK, this lady does not run.  She foolishly backs away, screaming loudly, like a typical useless movie female of that era.  But I just couldn’t resist using a photo from House on Haunted Hill, the original William Castle production starring Vincent Price, OF COURSE.  It is one of our favorites.

He is bad, yes.

I close with a picture that could certainly inspire one to run and run fast.  I imagine I would.  This, of course, is the great Christopher Lee, a definitive Dracula to many.  I confess Bela Lugosi is the real Dracula to me, but there is room in my heart for many vampires.  I admire that Lee’s interpretation is so different from Lugosi’s.  There is probably a great scholarly article to be written comparing the two Counts, relating the characterizations to the respective decades in which the movies were made.  I’m not saying I intend to write it.  I write a silly blog.  Happy Thursday, everyone.

 

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Less Headache, Still Not Writing

Posted on November 9, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I got 11 Likes on “In My Defense, It’s a Bad Headache.”  For me, that is HUGE!  I rarely get double digit Likes on my blog.  When I do, I am pumped, as well as apprehensive. Now I have set myself a standard to maintain.  Not to worry, though, I can only type what come out of my fingers and fevered (or feeble) brain, hit Publish, and hope for the best.

I thought today on Wuss-out Wednesday, I would share my current angst on my worst current wuss-out.  As regular readers may guess, I am dropping the ball on a lot of fronts.  A partial list includes fitness activities, dieting, house cleaning, general organization, yard work, and WRITING.  I put it in caps, because it is the one I feel worst about.   I used to write every day at work, during lunch and breaks.  Only occasionally would I work on puzzles and very rarely would I bring in something to read.  I’m still pretty good about not bring in stuff to read (largely because that is the hardest to tear myself away from and get back to work), but I am incessantly working on puzzles.  What is my problem?

To make matters worse, I have some days off coming up.  Days off!  Wonderful!  I can spend HOURS writing!  Well, any writer can tell you, and may non-writers can guess, that to not write, not write, not write, and then think you can WRITE is the height of folly.  The operative thing to do is to at least write a little on the days when you don’t have much time.  Take some notes, have a project well in hand, then and only then, can one hope to meet with success when one attempts to utilize an unprecedented length of free time.

So I have been trying to begin a new novel, make some notes and get an outline written before my expected days off, then I can hit the ground running.  Is that not a fantastic plan?  Why am I not doing it?  Oh, I am trying.  I have written some notes.  I think about it while I am working, sometimes dashing off a few notes while my machine cycles (no, it does not slow down my productivity, there is no reason to share this with my boss!).  Some breaks I have managed to write some things down.

However, as my free time approaches, I feel I am nowhere near where I thought I would be.  Come to think of it, I don’t know why I even thought I would be.  When have I ever had my act together?  When have I ever given the least appearance of having the various parts of my act in the basic vicinity of each other?  What the hell, me?

I think on my bad blog days (like this one), I may be better off sharing pictures of monsters than my writing woes.  After all, writing woes can get tiresome, but who doesn’t like monsters?  So I will end with a picture of one of my favorites, and get back to work on that novel.  Or maybe I should clean the living room…

Even the vampire thinks I should get back to work!

 

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In My Defense, It’s a Bad Headache

Posted on November 8, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a run earlier today, thinking I could make a Running Commentary post.  It beats a Tired Tuesday post, so I thought.  Well, I’m not too tired to write a post, but I have another blankety-blank headache!  What’s that all about? I haven’t done anything to give myself a headache!  It’s no fair.

So here I am whining about my tiresome ills instead of entertaining my readers.

That was when I paused and went to Facebook (my usual dodge during these blogging woes), where I posted that my head hurt and I couldn’t write.  A Facebook friend encouraged me to continue writing my blog post about having a headache.  To be sure, I have had worse headaches.  For one thing, I am sitting upright typing.  The headache has not made my nauseous (I just tried about twelve spellings of “nauseous” before happening on the right one; where’s my damn dictionary, anyways?).

Continuing to count my blessings, I see it is almost time for Steven to get home from work.  We need to go vote.  After my shower, I put on a cute outfit (although perhaps I flatter myself).

Ooh, I hear him now.

I stopped typing and went to vote.  It is one’s democratic duty.  And it did not take long.  No lines, no waiting.  I love small town living.  Once we got home I warmed up and ate some sausage soup, so I am feeling better about everything.  So this is my Tired Tuesday post.  Run, headache, vote.  Oh, and I did a load of laundry.  I’ll get my act together yet!  I hope to see you all on Wuss-out Wednesday, when Mohawk Valley Girl will be surprised and pleased to have made it half-way through the week.

 

 

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