Am I a Blogger or a Mouse?

Posted on October 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Looking through my phone in hopes of doing a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post, I realized I never used the pictures taken at the Elks Lodge the day a few of us wore our Minnie Mouse ears.  Bonnie, the friend who bestowed the ears upon us, had brought some snacks, and Jack made ice cream drinks.  A number of members showed up for the ice cream drinks without the ears, although Bonnie did bring an older pair of ears she happened to have, in case anybody wanted to wear them.

I thought I looked cute.

I had just purchased the polka-dot skirt at a thrift store that afternoon.  The shirt I had purchased for the second performance of A Revolutionary Murder, my most recent murder mystery.  The socks, shoes, pearls, and purse were already part of my wardrobe.  I guess it’s the theatre geek in me that loves to get dressed up at any excuse.

I think we all looked cute.

And here are me, Michele, and Bonnie, the three Minnies of the day.  We enjoyed the drinks and the company.

Even Minnie likes to put her feet up.

I told everybody I was going to be Maxie Mouse, Minnie’s more fabulous cousin for Halloween, but that means I have to find a really flashy outfit to go with my ears.  Oh, you think I probably already have some glitter in my closet?  It could be!

At any rate, this must do for my Wednesday blog post.  This morning I wrote my article about the informational meeting I attended in Herkimer last night, so I have performed some writerly chores today.  However, I must get back to work on the next murder mystery.  And there is that novel I told people I was going to write.  I’d better stop mousing around and have at it!

 

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Intrepidly Tripping Through Tuesday

Posted on September 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve had something of a stressful Tuesday, although that does not have the charm of alliteration.  That is my quite own fault; I am a victim of my own incompetence.  Never mind.  Let me make some semblance of a blog post.

I haven’t used this one in a while.

In fact, I was relieved this morning to wake up and remember that it was Tuesday instead of Monday.  Then I remembered I had yet to write my story about Monday’s Ilion Village Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  The meeting had been preceded by a Public Hearing on a proposed moratorium which is rather controversial.  A great number of Ilion residents attended, many of them voicing opinions.  It was a difficult story to write, but I managed it.

The controversy is over use of the former factory, but it is too complicated to cover here, in addition to not being totally fun.

I spent some time driving around Ilion getting pictures to go with the story about the regular board meeting, in which they talked about some abandoned properties they hope to refer to Herkimer County Landbank.  Back home, I attempted a little housework.  Eventually I took a walk.  It was a lovely day for a walk.  I made two stops along the way, to pay my school taxes and deposit a check in the bank (my payment for August stories for the Sentinel, by the way).

Right now I am trying to get my blog post done before I’m off to another meeting to cover for the paper.  This one is an informational meeting about a feasibility study for a road in East Herkimer.  I think it will not be controversial.

I don’t have many good Herkimer pictures in the Media Library.

I really feel like an intrepid girl reporter this week (older readers know what I am talking about: from a 1940s screwball comedy or cheesy horror movie).  I also have a budget hearing in Frankfort to cover on Thursday.  Will I have time for any Mohawk Valley Adventures amidst all this reporting?  Will I have time for more housework?  For the answers to these and other intriguing questions, stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl!

 

 

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Inspired to Type if not to Decorate

Posted on September 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I fear there is not much I can do today except for a Monstrous Monday blog post.  And I want to leave out all the letters I type with the index finger of my left hand, because the nail on that hand ripped off too low and it hurts like a sonofabitch.  That’s what I get for not keeping my fingernails nicely trimmed.

I sense a little commingling of the seasons.

Rather than showing movie monsters, I thought I would share a few ghouls of my own, in hopes of inspiring myself to get my house decorated for Halloween.  Regular readers may recognize my skeleton Bonita, who often changes her raiment for the season.  Right now she still has a Fourth of July scarf around her neck.  I have been sadly remiss.  In the picture above, you may notice the Christmas fireplace cover.  Oops.

Speaking of mixing up holidays…

Now this one I did on purpose.  My late, dearly loved husband, Steven, put rocks inside Santa Claus to make him more stable on our front porch.  This made me quite disinclined to move him around, so I just dressed him accordingly.  I put an angel costume on Witchypoo some years.

I believe Steve put together this ensemble.

And here is Bonita in another lovely Halloweeen costume.  You can see how much Bonaparte admires her.  This brings me over 200 words.  I do not know how inspired I am to decorate, but at least I have made a blog post including letters of the alphabet typed by all ten fingers.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Community Theatre on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I worked box office at Ilion Little Theatre for the last performance of Blithe Spirit, the first production of the 2026-27 season.  I thought I would run into difficulties, since many people are purchasing their tickets online and things are being done through a Tablet.  Yes, I have had a Tablet of my own for some years now, but I am not especially adept at it.

I was at first inclined to say, “I can’t learn it! I won’t learn it! Give me something else to do!”  But then I got over myself and agreed to try, and realized we could help each other. It did not seem as complicated as I had feared.  Then I ended up selling concessions, because I was more able to stand up for longer periods of time than at least one of the other volunteers.  Isn’t that awesome for me?  I did not audition for the play, because I was on crutches at the time and did not know how soon I would be off them.  By the time of the play, I could stand up for unspecified lengths of time.

This is how I should feel.: Yay!

I did not get any pictures of today’s play, but here is a picture from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the play I was in with Players of Utica in 2025.  The woman in the foreground had the part I would have liked had I auditioned for Blithe Spirit.  In fact, I feel pretty sure the director would not have given to part to me over her.  But if she had NOT auditioned, and I HAD…  well, we can What If all day long.

Another appropriate photo.

The fellow in the middle was in the play today too, playing quite a different part from what he played in the Four Old Broads production.

One more picture!

And here is the little chippy my husband killed me for in Prescription: Murder.  She was also in Blithe Spirit.  That is one of the things that is so fun about community theatre: you see the same actors in different parts, and they are your friends, so you get to hug them after curtain call.

 

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It’s Fine at 5S Diner!

Posted on September 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The other day I drove to Fort Plain to have lunch with my swimming friends at the 5S Diner.  I had no idea where it was, but they assured me I would find it if I just drove out Route 5S.  They spend a while explaining it to me, because I am not very bright, and I get lost easily.  Part of the confusion is that you can get to Fort Plain (and several destinations in that direction) on State Route 5.

“I guess you guys do want me to join you for lunch,” I said, “or you would have just said, ‘Oh, never mind, stay home and have a bologna sandwich!'”

I know, some people will tell me to just use my phone.  I save that as a last resort in most cases.  In this case I feared it would not even be available for that, because I tried to call my parents before setting out from Little Falls (where the pool is), and it wouldn’t let me make the call.  The Automated Assistant kept saying the problem was solved, but he was a big fat liar.  I said to heck with it and drove out Route 5S, which I have used to reach Fort Plain on other occasions (I mean “heck” not “check,” computer!  This is what I get for trying to be a little less vulgar!).

I don’t know anything about the junction to Rt. 80.

It was a pretty drive through rural scenes, and the diner was quite easy to find.  I was the first one there, so I sat down and ordered coffee.  And noticed a great cow picture.

“Is that by a local artist?” I asked.  “That is the best cow ever!  It has such an expression!”

I did not mind this cow looking at me while I ate.

My friends soon joined me, and we had a very good meal.  I had a cheeseburger with homemade chips.  I have been craving a cheeseburger!  I enjoyed the drive home, too.

By the way, my phone is fine.  No idea what the problem was.

 

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It’s All About Lame Old Me!

Posted on September 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh crap, I have not made my Lame Post Friday blog post yet and it is almost one in the afternoon.  What is wrong with me?  I guess I have been a little busy.  I kind of alternate between running around doing things and sitting in my house in a huge funk, saying, “I Can’t Even.”  And I tend to spend more time doing the latter.  We must do something about that.  I speak with the Royal We, because I suppose in this case, I must help myself.

Who could be un-helped by blingy Minnie Mouse ears?

Here is a picture of me, all ready to help myself.  Is this not the picture of a woman who, in fact, Can Even?  I think so.  I only wish my mind were not so blank of something to blog about.

Hold on to your hat!

 

How about we make this post all about me?  I am taking care of myself today by getting my yearly mammogram.  Full disclosure:  before I got a mammogram last year it had been some years before I had had one.  However, it has been a year and a day since my last one.  I was amused to note I am getting my boobs squished on Dolly Parton Day (9/25, or nine two five), although Dolly would rather be known for books than looks.  I think that makes this post also a PSA:  hey, ladies, get your yearly mammograms!

And later on, I may strut my stuff!

After my mammogram, I will look for something fun to do.  The picture above is a rehearsal for a play I was in last year, which was of course fun, but such activities are not available to me today.  I include the picture, because I think I look cute (or do I flatter myself?).

Cheers to ME!

Yes, this is what I am likely to do later, lush that I am.  A glass of Chardonnay with friends.  If I cannot find any friends to hang out with, my knitting needles and an episode of Dateline or Columbo will have to do.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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I Do Love Halloween

Posted on September 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know what my problem is, but it seems I have one.  I was about to forget to make my Thursday blog post.  I think I can manage a Throwback Thursday.  Then I must, I really must at least attempt to do something useful.  I keep telling myself that no life is wasted, because one can always stand as a bad example to others, but that really leave a whole lot of unfilled time in an existence.

This would be a profitable use of my afternoon!

I thowback to October 2016 and a nicely decorated front porch.  Frankentree was not yet out of control.  I am not yet decorated for Halloween, but as it is still September, I shall not beat myself up over that.

I love that scarecrow lady peeking out!

I leap ahead to 2020, which is still a few years ago, and another good decorating year for me.  Will these pictures inspire me to get my Halloween house together?  I can only hope.

I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!

And yet I fear my own lack of oomph.  I am like the half-buried skeleton and the dried up plant in the background.  I never did my container garden this year so do not have any dead plants to decorate with now.  You see how I fail to plan ahead.  However, one cannot change the past; we can only go on from here.  At least I have made a blog post of over 200 words. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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What’s a Ghoul to Do?

Posted on September 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post.  I was hoping to make this post when I was driving away from Ann Street Deli on Sunday and had occasion to wonder if I am not too obsessed with all things Halloween.  Specifically, do I see decorations where none are intended?  Looking at the picture, I think I could be excused for thinking this is some sort of ghoul.

Is he scary or just unhappy?

If I ever fix my outdoor spigot and get a hose, I am going to look for this sort of doodah to wrap it around.  I wish I could have a whole blog post of things that unintendedly look like spooks, but alas, this was the only one I found.

While taking a walk yesterday, I found only one thing worthy of stopping and taking a picture of, and it is not all that great of a picture.  I saw they had planted grass where they recently tore down a building next to Pete’s Tavern.

I peeked my phone through the chain link fence for the shot.

It is always nice to have more green space in the village.  I made myself take the walk, because I was feeling rather down yesterday.  I think I have mentioned that my depression is really kicking my butt these days.  However, one must persevere (one being me in this case, but I encourage perseverance in others as well).  With that in mind, I shall take myself off to swim this morning: exercise and sociability.  Stand up against that, depression!

In the meantime, I shall keep an eye out for more Halloween-like pictures.

 

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Caffeine Can’t Help Me Now

Posted on September 22, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here it is, a post without any pictures. I forgot to take any, and Richfield Springs is too far to drive this morning to rectify the omission.  I mean, I could find other things to do in Richfield Springs and make another trip there, but I have to go to Rome for a VA appointment at 10 and wanted to make my blog post before then, blah blah, woof woof, oh, just get on with the post, Cindy.

Have some more coffee, me!

I put in a picture anyways.  In fact, I have had a couple cups of coffee, but I used up all the oomph in that caffeine writing my story about last night’s Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  Full disclosure:  I broke the mug pictured the other day by not paying attention when I thought I was setting it safely on the counter.  It was one of Steve’s favorites!  Only the handle broke, though, so I will glue it back together and display it on a shelf.

That was a distraction.  I was going to write about breakfast/lunch at Cassidy’s Diner at Richfield Springs, NY with my swimming group yesterday.  Some of us had breakfast, some had lunch.  It was quite delicious.  I think the best thing for me to do is to return to Cassidy’s, have another delicious meal, take pictures, and write a blog post exclusively about Cassidy’s.  I shall bill this as a Tired Tuesday post and scurry off to my VA appointment.  I wonder if I can get some advice on how to make the effects of caffeine last longer.

 

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Pre-Swim Post

Posted on September 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have shared various parts of my fitness journey here, my walks and runs, and years ago when I went to the Mohawk YMCA I seem to recall making a couple of elliptical remarks (a play on words when I was on the elliptical machine).  I thought my well-wishers would like to know I had gotten a year’s membership at the Y which allows me use the facilities in Little Falls and Mohawk, NY (I feel I should specify the state for the benefit of anybody just now tuning in).  So far I have only been swimming in Little Falls, but I have enjoyed that quite a bit.

I finally remembered to take a picture of the building.

What, you didn’t think I was going to take a selfie of me in a bathing suit, did you?  Well, it may come to that eventually.  I had been tempted to join for quite some time now.  One of my Elks friends swims almost every morning, and it is not only good exercise, apparently it is also a very sociable thing to do.  Some of them meet for lunch sometimes, and even for dinner at Christmas.  Regular readers know how I live to be sociable.

It turned out to be quite affordable (at least I could afford it) to purchase a year’s membership, and I can also take advantage of weight rooms, exercise machines, and various classes.  So far all I have done is swim.  We are not supposed to swim laps, unfortunately, so I mostly walk back and forth, swish around, and do some of the exercise I learned in Physical Therapy.  And chat with my fellow swimmers.  I was delighted to find that I was already acquainted with a number of them.  And I have made new friends.  Of course I swim without my glasses on, so it is not guaranteed that I will recognize my new friends when I see them outside the pool, but hopefully they will recognize me and help me out.  It is amazing to me how often you do not recognize people when you see them in a different setting anyways, or is that just me?

Anyways, this is my Monday blog post, a shout-out to the local Y.  I encourage everybody to get what exercise they can, according to their abilities and the facilities available.  We’ll call this my Public Service Announcement for the day.

 

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