I Don’t Have Any Best Lame Plans

Posted on November 14, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know that saying, “The best laid plans…”  I don’t even know the rest of the quote, because people usually say that much and just let it drift off.  I have more than once made a play on words with it for Lame Post Friday.  I totally planned on making my Lame Post Friday yesterday, when it actually was Friday (to me anyways; I am aware my WordPress timestamp is different from my own clock).  It is Saturday morning and I am once again posting Late and Lame.

Shall I make a Minnie blog post?

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  This is me at Herkimer Elks Lodge wearing Minnie Mouse regalia about to drink ice cream cocktails. It is appropriate, because I may be headed to the Lodge (I feel like Fred Flintstone whenever I talk about “The Lodge.”  Sometimes I mention the Grand Poobah) later today for Designer Bag Bingo (I have been calling it “Designer Purse Bingo” all week).  I kind of do not want to go.  I am intimidated, because I hear the caller goes fast, and some people don’t like it when you talk, and I like to talk.  Also, I am not a Designer Bag kind of a girl (you may have noticed).  Still, my friends are going, which makes almost anything fun, and I do like to support the Lodge (Fred Flintstone).

But then, Ilion Elks Lodge is also having an event (it took me a minute to find it on Facebook): the Jan Burling Memorial Culinary Cook-off.  You get to try samples of chili, soup, appetizers, and dessert, then vote for your favorites!  Yum!  At least, I must assume it will be yummy.  Surely it will be yummy (and I reserve the right to call people Shirley).  I love to eat!  And there will be no pressure, unless the chefs put pressure on me to vote for their entries, but I can handle that.

So I have choices.  It is nice to have options, they say, but whichever I pick, I will feel bad for not picking the other.  Then again, whichever I pick I will no doubt have fun at, so I will concentrate on that, shall I?  My only question is: Should I wear the Minnie Mouse ears?

Designer Bag Bingo is at the Herkimer Elks Lodge,  124 Mary St. Herkimer, NY, $40 per person, doors open at noon, games start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

The Jan Burling Memorial Culinary Cook-off is at Ilion Elks Lodge, 8 West St., Ilion, NY, from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, $5 admission.

 

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The Mayor Rocks Out!

Posted on November 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Remember when I used to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY almost every Wednesday to hear music and eat food?  Well, I used to but I don’t so often any more.  However, at the Frankfort Village Board meeting last Monday, Mayor Justin Smithson told me he would be playing that Wednesday.  He knows I am a fan.  Who could resist a personal invitation from the mayor?  For those who do not know, yes, Frankfort has a Rock-n-Roll Mayor, and he is a really great guy.

Great music!

The first time I heard Justin Smithson, I dissolved into tears when he played a James Taylor song (perhaps you read my blog post about it).   He played that same song again, and I cried again.  It is not a bad thing to cry because you miss a very nice husband.  I enjoyed all the songs, of course.  When I went to the ladies’ room I danced my way there and back, to the amusement of other diners.

I enjoyed a vegetable calzone, which was huge.  I’m still eating leftovers, which is one of my favorite things about eating out.  I danced my way out.  Now I am following Justin Smithson on Facebook, so I hope to go hear him again soon.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 Main St., Frankfort, NY.

 

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For Those Who Serve

Posted on November 12, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I went to the Village of Ilion Veterans Day Ceremony in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Ilion Municipal Building.  Full disclosure: I went to cover it for the Daily Sentinel, and my story for them was more detailed.  In this space, I will just briefly mention it and use a couple of pictures I did not send to the newspaper.

JROTC practicing before the ceremony.

OK, this one I sent to the paper, because it was the only good one I got of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) from Central Valley Academy (CVA).  They were very solemn as the presented the colors.  Then the CVA choir sang the National Anthem, and I got chills.  They should get high school choirs to sing the anthem at ball games instead of rock stars, in my not so humble opinion.

A fine soldier.

They had two spaces set up in the back where a professional photographer was taking pictures of the veterans.  This is my friend, Bob Fletcher, who was also one of the speakers.  He gave an excellent, well-researched speech.  Bob is a military historian as well as a veteran.

Soldiers with family members posed here.

Here is Bob with his wife, Mary.  They are both Elks friends of mine.

As part of the ceremony, they gave pins and coins to any veterans present.  They allowed me to get them, even though I do not live in Ilion.  I felt honored.  I tried to take a picture of the coin and pin but was unsuccessful.

The ceremony featured another speaker who shared his military experiences.  Then they read the names of veterans to be added to the walls of the auditorium.  The walls have many names of Ilion residents who served, grouped by the conflicts in which they served.  Ilion has sent a lot of people to serve our country.

In conclusion, I thank all soldiers and sailors past and present for their service.  I am proud to be counted among them.  Sometimes I feel I did not contribute a lot, as I was never deployed, but Bob pointed out that everyone made their contribution.  I guess that is true for me, even if I was only the comic relief.  Then too, a soldier can use a good laugh once in a while.

 

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Too Soon? Too Cute!!!

Posted on November 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Everybody who thinks Christmas should start after Thanksgiving, I feel you, I really do. I love Thanksgiving and I have no problem waiting to start really gearing up for the Santa Claus Extravaganza.  However, I received a Christmas decoration yesterday that I just have to share.

I love it!

My Aunt Stefi is very creative.  She makes note cards, which I am always happy to receive a note on (regular readers know, I love to indulge in snail mail).  Yesterday I got a package from her and found she has expanded her artwork to button pictures.  Isn’t it beautiful? She said in the accompanying note that I am her professional tester.  In that capacity, I pronounce this wonderful!

It inspires me to take up some crafts of my own.  I have time to make some stuff before Christmas.  I had planned to give everybody compliments, but wrapping something up might be better.

I have not achieved 200 words in this post, but I wanted to share the picture.  For those of you who think it is too early for a Christmas tree, well, you probably haven’t read this far; you probably saw the picture and passed it by.  For the rest of us, how about a chorus of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (the Brenda Lee version, of course).

PS. That last paragraph got me over 200 words.

 

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I’ve a Feeling It’s Not Sunday Anymore

Posted on November 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I really meant to make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post yesterday, but once again, I was a failure.

This is a Wrist to Forehead pose.

Yes, I am in distress about failing to make a blog post about being in distress.  Additionally, it is Monday morning.  Everybody hates Mondays.  Well, I guess that is kind of a sweeping generalization.  Or maybe a truism.  I imagine there are some people who like Mondays.  These people I imagine say, “Ah, another week!  Another fresh start!”  Or maybe Monday is their day off.  I merely speculate.

Full disclosure: This is not where I walked.

I took a nice walk, clocking just over a mile and a half.  Only my ears were cold, because of the breeze.  I guess it is hat season again.  I intend to go swimming at the Y in Little Falls, NY this morning.  That will be healthy and sociable.  I do love my swimming friends.

Where I swim and keep meaning to check out the weight room.

I guess this is not the most attractive (pronounced a-TRAHK-tiv) building I could show, but it is better than the sight of me in a bathing suit.

I approach 200 words and have managed not to whine too much (or do I flatter myself?).  Will I have a Mohawk Valley Adventure today?  If I do will I blog about it?  These are the questions that intrigue me as I finish my Sunday blog post on Monday morning.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Good Breakfast, But No Duck!

Posted on November 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t usually plug chain restaurants in this space, but there are so few Friendly’s around these days, I thought it couldn’t hurt to give them a shout-out.  Also, I had a very good breakfast there with my Elks friends last Thursday.

It is a friendly place!

Once again I refrained from getting a sundae for breakfast.  I did suggest we meet there some afternoon for Jim Dandies.  I haven’t had one of those in years. In fact, now that I think about it, decades. I need to up my ice cream intake!  Thursday, however, I contented myself with a Breakfast Quesadilla, which was quite tasty.

All those toys, and I couldn’t get one!

Full disclosure:  I really wanted to go to Friendly’s because they have this claw machine where after you try for a big toy and fail, you get to try for a duck and usually succeed.  Well, guess what?  I failed!  My friend Michele gave me two dollars, and I used two dollars of my own, and NOTHING!  I was humiliated.  At least I enjoyed my breakfast and took leftovers home, which I enjoyed later that day.

My consolation prize.

On my way home, I stopped at Colonial Laundromat in Ilion.  They have a machine where you get to try till you get a toy.  Alas, I still could not get a duck.  In fact, it took me an embarrassing number of tries to get the owl (isn’t he cute, though?).  Then I put 75 cents into a vending machine and got the little sticky, squishy duck.  I gave it to Michele.  In the meantime, I wait for my duck luck to change.

Friendly’s is located at 1700 Burrstone Rd., New Hartford, NY.

 

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A Stroll Down Memory Lame to Start the Weekend

Posted on November 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is another Late Lame Post Friday blog post.  I offer neither excuse nor apology and only hope I can come up with a silly headline before I finish making the post.  Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up!

“Oh dear, I can’t think of anything to make a blog post about!”

This is a picture from Dirty Work at the Crossroads, a melodrama directed by my late, dearly missed husband Steven in 2012 at Ilion Little Theatre.  I am the one looking distressed in the blue gown.  The silver bag and fur are from my own costume collection.  I have an extensive collection of fancy evening bags, which is constantly growing.  Every so often I get a chance to carry one.  Sometimes I make the chance, by dressing fancy for no reason at all.

The actress and director in another context.

I shared this picture on Facebook the other day, because I never took a selfie after I voted this year.  This was from 2018, and the picture was taken at Steven’s behest.  As you can see, I was not at all averse (and what a cheese-eating grin I have!) (only I didn’t say “cheese”)

Ah, the ’80s.

Since this is turning into another Stroll Down Memory Lame (I know I have used that title before), here is a picture from the late 1980s, when Steven and I were merely dating.  Check out the hair!  I mean, the amount on Steve’s head and the curly perm on mine.  I thought I was so cute.  Luckily, Steven agreed.

OK, that’s over 250 words.  I will try for a better blog post, perhaps even later today.  In the meantime, thank you for indulging me in my memories.  Have a delightful weekend, everyone.

 

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Hey, Pumpkin! Do Ya Feel Like a Turkey?

Posted on November 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I did it again: missed a day of posting. So here I am Friday morning wondering if I should make a Non-Sequitur or Throwback Thursday post or drive on to Lame Post Friday.  I suppose it matters not. I will rattle on for 200 or so words, hit Publish, and hope for the best.

Did somebody say Thanksgiving?

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  I guess this is a Throwback Thursday, because this is from Thanksgiving 2024 when I got creative with my veggies and dip.  I especially like the turkey’s face.  Green olives make goo-goo-googly eyes.

Nope, nope, not done with spooky season yet!

This picture was in my Media Library that same month.  I saw this decoration on Facebook and was delighted to note that a neighbor had done it.  I should do that next year.  I have more laundry baskets than I need, although they are white.  Oh well I have a good ten months to ponder the dilemma (or dilenima, as some people like to pronounce it).

Not aging gracefully, are we?

I saw some rotting pumpkins on my walk yesterday and wanted to take a picture but was too intent on the exercise (for the mental health benefits).  I like when they mildew and get all black inside.  Perhaps I will get a shot of a good one today.

And now I am over 200 words (why did I almost type “feet”?) (must have been thinking about taking a walk).  If I can think of a punchy headline, I can bill this as a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  There is always a chance I will make my Lame Post Friday post before the end of the day.  We shall see, and as always I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Who’s Not Ready for November?

Posted on November 4, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was too tired on Tuesday even for a Tired Tuesday post.  I judge myself guilty.  However, here is a Waste Not Wednesday to brighten our day (is it really Wednesday?  I thought it was still Monday.  Shows how much I pay attention).

Me waiting around till I figure out how to get my act together.

I use up a couple more Halloween pictures.  This is from the Haunted Library at Ilion Free Public Library, which I never did get to see with full lights out, sound, and movement.  I’ll try harder next year.

A little more library fun.

Yes, sometimes I feel like that witch, crashing into things when I ought to be flying along wickedly.  In general, however, my crashes are not this perfectly head-on, so there’s that.

Color persists!

This is a tree on my street and a picture taken only a couple of days ago.  I am still enjoying bright flashes of color as I walk and drive around.  I was even still listening to Halloween music on the CD player in my car (old school, you say?  I am old enough to remember when CDs were the latest thing!).  I think I will change it out for some jazz this morning when I drive to Little Falls, NY, to swim at the Y, as I like to do at least a few times a week.

Regarding my headline, in fact I am ready for November.  I even had a moment Saturday Oct. 24, as I drove to Liverpool and passed a field covered in frost, when I suddenly felt done with fall and ready to move on to Christmas.  It was a momentary sensation, and of course I embraced the last week of spooky season.  Now, however, I am completely looking forward to Thanksgiving.  Family and food, let’s go!

 

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They Say I Get Around

Posted on November 2, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I felt certain I could make at least a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post yesterday, but it was not to be.  Now I am sitting, not as early on a Monday as I had envisioned (judge me if you are so inclined) wondering if I can make some sort of a post.  I have been a few places recently, so perhaps a couple of shout-outs are in order.  Media Library, don’t fail me now!

I’ll get the carrot cake next time!

Last Thursday some of  my Elks friends and I went to Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY for breakfast.  After arguing with myself that carrot cake is a perfectly respectable breakfast, I ordered an everything bagel with garden toppings: cream cheese, tomato, cucumbers, and capers.  YUM!

Yes, I have been at the pub. Judge me if you are so inclined.

I stopped in for a glass of wine and some conversation at The End Zone in Herkimer, NY.  There are a number of regulars there I enjoy talking to, and it is easy walking distance from my house.  Additionally, it is near the post office, so if I go to drop off a letter or post card, it feels sociable to drop in.

A little Monstrous Monday creeps in!

This is a shot from Ilion Free Public Library, where I stopped last Tuesday for a picture for my story for the Daily Sentinel.  This is their book return.  I need to return to the library today, at least some library and print out a few things.  I do enjoy a library!

I see I am over 250 words.  I call that good for a Late Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I will continue to get around, as the saying goes, and hope for good blog posts as the week wears on.

 

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