Tag Archives: writing

Pre-Rehearsal Mental Meanderings

Posted on March 25, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I begin again as a daily blogger.  Today will be a Monday Mental Meanderings. For one reason, I am too old to do Middle-aged Musings.  It’s funny how fast you move from middle-aged to old.  Oh well, as my sister Diane says, Time is relative, not our relative.

It seems he has been there for some time.

I thought I should put a time-related picture just then but could not find any clocks in my Media Library.

AAAaaand then I just sat here with nothing to say.

That is as far as I got this morning.  It is now almost four in the afternoon and I have to start thinking about getting to a dress rehearsal for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre.  Friday is opening night.  I think I need to study my lines some more.

I think this is my new favorite picture of myself.

That picture was to denote the passage of time while I heated up leftover coffee from this morning.  I read my lines out loud while it heated and then while I drank it.  I have not had as easy a time learning my lines as I usually do.  Do you suppose my brain is getting too old?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!!

Now I have blathered on for over 200 words and must deem that all right for a Monday Mental Meanderings post.  I’m afraid for the next week this blog will be All Prescription: Murder All The Time.  Oh dear.  I’d better check again to see that I have all my stuff together (no, not my act!  Regular readers know I NEVER have my act together!).

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Monday Mental Meanderings, personal, pre rehearsal post and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Can’t Be Tired! I Have Rehearsal!

Posted on March 19, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh it is a Tired Tuesday post.  It is SUCH a Tired Tuesday post.  What, I must ask, the hell is the matter with me?  I did not follow my new habit of posting early in the morning.  In my defense, I was working on an article about a Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Sentinel Media Company (I think I have mentioned my side hustle covering valley meetings for them).  Then I did some other stuff including a run (it was a pretty good run).  Now I guess I’m just being a big fat baby brat (that is an old expression of my late husband’s, invented before he even met me).

Where was I?

Not so random picture.

I have rehearsal tonight for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre (perhaps you read some of my other blog posts about it).  I have gone over my lines a few times, saying them out loud.  I was unable to do that for a while, due to the cold I was suffering from.  I need to get that mouth muscle memory going on.

A rehearsal for my big scene.

Earlier today I had some breakfast at the Java Shop in Herkimer, just to give a shout-out to a local business.

Must get a better picture of the sign.

Looking back at the day, I do not see why I should feel so tired.  In fact, I feel a little better now that I have completed my blog post, which I feared I would not do since I missed doing it this morning.  I guess it hasn’t been much of a blog post, but there is every chance I can do better tomorrow.  In the meantime, I think I have time to go over my lines again.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

When In Doubt, Add Coffee

Posted on March 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

And now my headache is back.  I begin my Lame Post Friday Post with a whine.  It is too early yet for wine, which might help my headache but could also cause a worse one tomorrow.  Ah, the trials and tribulations.

Random picture to denote passage of time while I go put on coffee.

I had tea instead of coffee earlier this morning, which is usually fine.  I had a headache, which got worse after I ate breakfast and took some Migraine Relief (with the magic ingredient caffeine, as a boss of mine used to say).  After lying down for a while, my head felt better, so I went for a run.  I did not run yesterday due to a back ache (YES all I do at my age is feel pain in various parts of my body.  Either you know what I am talking about or you eventually will).

Where was I going with this?    What a dull, boring post!

 

The inspirational bumble bee.

I looked for a more exciting picture to pep up the post and found this from The Mustard Seed in Little Falls, NY, thus adding a shout-out to a local business.  The bumble bee is part of their logo, because of the story that aerodynamically speaking, the bumble bee should not be able to fly, but somehow does.  Thus, the owner of the Mustard Seed never lets anybody tell her what she can and can’t do but somehow does what she does.  I have not been to the Mustard Seed in a while, but it is a very fun place to shop.  There are several fine places to shop in Little Falls.  I must take a drive there soon.

Don’t I look like a little devil?

I close with the wine I mentioned in the first paragraph.  I was wearing that shirt and drinking white wine yesterday, but my hair does not look like that these days.  I started to grow it out when I knew I was going to audition for the play I’m in (perhaps you have read my blog posts about that).  It will probably not stay long.

However, this blog post has gotten a little long for a Lame Post Friday post, approaching 400 words.  And I think the coffee I put on earlier is done.  Can headache relief be far?  In any case, I thank you one again for tuning in and hope I have managed to be at least mildly entertaining.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Recipe for a Blog Post Anyways!

Posted on March 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sunday I went to the Herkimer County Historical Society where they were celebrating the launch of their new cookbook, Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours!  They had several of the recipes represented, and encouraged me to sample whatever I wanted.  Yum!

I just love the cover!

Alas, I did not take any pictures other than of the cookbook itself, but I sampled carrot cake, rhubarb cake, and chicken wing dip.  I can’t wait to try those and other recipes in the book.

While there, I chatted with Cassie Castle about this spring’s murder mystery, which I am supposed to be writing to benefit the society.  Naturally I am having trouble with it.  However, Sunday morning when I noticed the cookbook launch and decided to attend, something clicked in my brain.  As I washed the dishes and did a few other chores, in my head a voice was saying, “Cookbook… cookbook.”  And the next thing I knew I was making notes and starting a script with the tentative title, Recipe for Murder.

Of course there are still several hurdles to get over before I am once again murdering for fun and non-profit.  For one thing, I need to field a cast.  Oh yeah, and finish the script.  Maybe if I make one of the recipes in my new cookbook, I can get even more inspired.

If you are interested in purchasing Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours! you can contact the Herkimer County Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

 

3 Comments

Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Post Post-Rehearsal Post

Posted on March 5, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I neglected to make a blog post yesterday, in the morning or in the evening.  I don’t know why I feel so obligated to call attention to my shortcoming, but so it is.  Yesterday I was writing in the morning, just not on the blog (my side hustle, covering local board meetings for the Sentinel).  In the evening, I had rehearsal for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre.

Me and my husband, till death do us part.

This picture is actually from last Tuesday’s rehearsal.  The director took a few pics of my big scene and texted them to me.

I don’t know what he’s looking so upset about.

I purposely bought the nail file for this scene.  It’s a fancy glass one.  I like to take a little trouble with my props.  I am having a lot of fun at rehearsals, and people seem to think I am doing very well with the character.  I need to do a little better with the lines, but I am working on that.

And that’s the end of me.

I did mention that I am the murder victim, didn’t I?  I guess I’ll end up spending most of the play backstage crocheting.  I feel fortunate I do not have to spend too much time lying dead on the stage trying not to sneeze.  It was my murderer’s idea to kill me so my body lies behind the couch, so the audience will not be focused on watching to see if I move.

Prescription: Murder will be presented March 29 through 30 and April 4 through 6, 7:30 p.m. on the Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on the Sundays, at Ilion Little Theatre, Remington Avenue, Ilion, NY.  For more information you can go to their website http://www.ilionlittletheatre.org or visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ilionlittletheatre.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, post rehearsal post and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Best Lame Plans for Blogs and Gardens

Posted on March 1, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I did Wednesday’s post on Thursday then neglected to make Thursday’s post on Thursday or Friday, and here I am Saturday morning thinking I might just make a Lame Post Friday post.  Full disclosure:  I am feeling a bit lightheaded (cue jokes about how I am always somewhat dizzy).  This could be from the last remnants of my cold or it could be from the decongestant I took earlier (it was the kind with the D on the box, that you have to ask the pharmacist for) or it could be a kind of a migraine.  My head does not lack variety, I’ll say that for it.

What my head feels like sometimes.

I throw in a picture to pep up the post.  I do not remember where I saw this skull, but I like it.  Studying the picture, it appears to be on my stairs.  Is this skull somewhere in my house?  Maybe if I continue my efforts at cleaning, I will find it.  Just a little motivation to brighten up my day.

THIS is what I need!

I go a different way with my next picture, showing the rhododendron in my back yard one of the years it was especially beautiful.  I am SO looking forward to spring and hoping to plant many more flowers in my yard.  And maybe a few vegetables.  There are some flowers that may show up again on their own:  the above pictured rhododendron and forget-me-nots, some black- and brown-eyed susans, a few daisies…

From a more ambitious year.

I also hope to have a container garden on my deck.  Flowers, herbs, definitely some basil!  Then I’ll have some people over and we’ll sit amongst the plants and have some iced tea or wine or something.  Won’t that be nice?

 

8 Comments

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Heard PKs Was a Good Place to Eat

Posted on February 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have forgotten to mention a great place to go for breakfast in Herkimer:  PK’s Pub.  Steve and I used to love going to PK’s for dinner — always saving room for dessert! — so I was sure breakfast there would be good.

No, I don’t have booze for breakfast. Usually.

The first couple of times I went I enjoyed my favorite breakfast sandwich, once with just egg and cheese, once with ham egg and cheese.  Then I tried the special of French toast with strawberries and cream cheese.  YUM!  The other day I stopped in hoping that was on the special board and it was. Yay!  I ordered it as soon as I sat down.  I took out my notebook and started a letter to a friend while I waited.

The people at the table next to me were having a lively discussion.  When I became annoyed by the bright sun beaming through the window into my eye (I know, so wrong to complain about the sun!), I moved one seat over, which brought me closer to the discussion.

“I’m not trying to get closer to eavesdrop, ” I felt I needed to reassure them.  “I just want to get in the shade.”

“Anyways, you’re writing,” one of the ladies pointed out.  Then they noticed I was writing in cursive and the discussion switched to how kids aren’t taught that any more and can’t read it.

“So we can write in code,”  I said.  “Anyways, with my handwriting, even some people who can read cursive can’t read it.”

One of the ladies said her handwriting was terrible too, and we all had a laugh about writing in code.  When I left, they said to let them know when my book was published.  I admitted I was only writing a letter (why am I not writing a book?).  They suggested a book comprised of conversations overheard, and I said they may have something there.  At least it would give me a good excuse to go out for meals or drinks more often!

PK’s Pub is located at 221 King St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-3494.

 

3 Comments

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Blow it at Blogging and Shoveling

Posted on February 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I went the weekend without making any blog posts.  Alas!  I did some writing of post cards and letters both Saturday and Sunday.  I sometimes wonder if that is not my real writing mission, because people seem to enjoy hearing from me, despite my often atrocious handwriting.  I feel any small comfort or pleasure we can give another person is worth the effort.

Different neighbor, same favor, greatly appreciated!

Speaking of giving to others, I have the best neighbors.  Yesterday I woke up to more snow than I have seen at once this winter.  I have been pushing off the top fluffy layer as it falls, so out I went, feeling I would be up to the task.  I may have been, but a fellow across the street was snowblowing his mother’s driveway, and he came over and did mine!  The above picture is from last year, when a different neighbor came to my rescue, because I did not take a picture yesterday.  People are wonderful!

My Chromebook is underlining “snowblowing,” which I find odd, because what else would you call it?  However, it reminds me of a question I had when I went to post on Facebook about my good fortune.  Should I say he snowblew?  Snowblowed?  Both are underlined.  I believe my Mom usually says, “Dad got out and snowblowed.”  A Facebook friend who is a college English professor posited, “Snowblought.”  Another completely sidestepped the issue with, “Provided snow removal.”  These are the things that occupy my mind.

I say there are worse things to dwell upon.  Earlier today I got to thinking about a character in a book who I suddenly felt so sorry for.  There are days when I just feel bad over every sad thing that ever happened.  It is not very productive.  So I will continue my snowblowing meditations (please tell me why my computer does not consider “snowblowing” a word, when “snowblow” is certainly a verb) (oh dear, my Chromebook just underlined “snowblow”).

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Will Making a Blog Post Help?

Posted on January 28, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am just going to admit it:  my depression is reaching epic proportions, and I must try to do more to combat it.  I took a walk of a full mile yesterday.  Exercise is a potent and often under-used anti-depressant.  I try to walk every day and have been managing to take at least short walks.  One can find other things to help (one being me, as usual).  I have read that doing virtually anything can relieve depression, and I have found that sometimes that works.  Not always, but often.

Tuesday has been a problematic day for me this month.

This by means of introduction to another Tired Tuesday post.  Writing has often worked as an anti-depressant for me.  Yesterday I finished a letter to a friend and walked with it to the post office (part of my mile).  By the end of the walk, I was feeling not too bad.  Oh dear, as I type this I begin fear today’s post qualifies for Truman Capote’s snide remark, “That’s not writing, that’s typing.”  Then again, I can’t worry about dead critics.

Random picture to make the post more interesting.

Once again I throw in a picture to pep up the post.  It is Vincent Price in House of Wax, rather a fun old horror movie.  I wonder if there is a stage version of it.  Or at least a play about a wax museum where the figures come alive and terrorize the other actors and the audience.  Perhaps I should write one.  That  would have to be more than mere typing.

In any case, I am over 250 words.  After missing two days (why do I feel the need to call attention to my failings?), I say OK.  I am off to do more to combat my depression!

 

Leave a comment

Posted in blogger's sad day, humor, Mid-Week Monsters, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Blogger’s Snow Day?

Posted on January 6, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Why am I so tired so early in the evening?  That is a rhetorical question; I do not really need any speculation or suggestions.  What I need is to make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post, since once again I have gone a few days blogless.  What the hell, me?

I have not walked up this hill lately.

This is a random picture of snow from my Media Library.  The Mohawk Valley has been experiencing a Snow Event since Friday.  I have not taken any pictures of said snow, but it looks remarkably similar to other times it has snowed around here.  Herkimer has not been as hard hit as other places, but we have gotten plenty, and I have done my share of shoveling.  I have also taken some effortful walks, plowing through marginally plowed spaces and being careful of underlying ice.  Perhaps that is why I am so tired.  It is winter, and my body feels it should be hibernating.

My car has looked like this three days in a row.

Here is a shot from last January, but it shows about what I have been dealing with.  However, I have been shoveling busily and not letting the snow pile up.  For one reason, warmer weather is not predicted.  If I wanted to wait it out, I would have a while.

The winding road ahead.

This is another picture from last year, included for the symbolism. I do not see a straight path ahead of me, perhaps because my current goals are too ambiguous.  I suppose January is a good time to work on that.  Then again, any time is a good time to set goals and make a plan.

In the meantime, I have blathered on for over 250 words.  I guess this is under the heading of At Least I Made A Blog Post.  As always, I shall try for something better tomorrow, and I thank you for tuning in.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →