Mid-Swoon on Mid-Memorial Day Weekend

Posted on May 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in doing not much of anything to make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I really do feel like swooning today.  My poor-pitiful-me meter is registering extra high.  What’s that all about?  Get a grip on yourself, me!  I drink a little water and calm down.  Things are not really that bad here in the Mohawk Valley, only I have not had any Mohawk Valley Adventures recently.  I must get out more, but it is difficult on a rainy holiday weekend.

To remind myself why it is a holiday weekend.

Just to make me feel ashamed of feeling sorry for myself, I call to mind those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  So I throw back my shoulders, lift my chins, and try to make my own contribution, whatever that may be.  At this time, I suppose, a blog post that may momentarily entertain those who read it.

Now, I am not one of those holiday shamers, who post memes of mourning army widows with snarky captions of,  “And you thought it was national barbecue weekend!”  I feel that one of the things soldiers fight for is the right to enjoy fun times with family and friends.  But I do not want to start an argument.  I am no good at arguments.  I usually try to get out of them by changing the subject with a line like, “So do you think the Yankees are going to go all the way?”

I am wandering from the point, but then I do not think I had a point. I apologize to my readers for making yet another placeholder post.  In my defense… never mind my defense.  It’s a long story and not very interesting.  In the meantime, I approach 300 words of nonsense.  Let me look for another picture to end on a positive note.

Will my deck ever look this good again?

This was my deck some years ago.  I aspire to reach such decorative heights again.  Will I attain them?  Or will I have yet another reason to swoon?

 

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What Sort of Saturday?

Posted on May 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is past noon on a Saturday and I have done not much.  My front lawn is looking better, after some help from a kind neighbor with a power mower.  I moved around the mess in my house a little.  I keep moving the mess around hoping it is like sand in a bucket at the beach.  Did you ever do that as a kid?  You dump the sand from one bucket into another and back, losing a little each time until there is no sand left.  I wrote four postcards to some of my regular postcard peeps.  Four is about how many I can write before it starts to feel like a chore.

Where was I going with this?  Quick, throw in a picture.

It looks like they are having fun.

Here are some people partying it up on a holiday weekend!  At least, I do not know if it is a holiday weekend, but let’s pretend it is.  I am hanging around my house this Memorial Day weekend, which is not unusual for me.  Sometimes I get together with family. Sometimes I go for a run past veteran memorials in town.  My current malaise makes that ineligible, but let me not whine about my aches and pains.

Let us always remember our veterans.

Here is one of the places I run by, when I am making long runs in honor of our vets (and because I like going on long runs).  What a scattered post this is turning out to be.  I blame it on my current lack of brain and ask my readers to forgive me.

Did somebody mention brain?

This is The Brain from the Planet Arous, if I have the name of the movie correctly (too lazy to look it up).  I saw the picture when I was looking for veteran memorials and could not resist including it.  I am going to bill this as a Scattered Saturday post and drive on.  I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

 

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A Pause for a Post!

Posted on May 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my gyrations to make a Lame Post Friday blog post.  I have been running around all day trying to be an Intrepid Girl Reporter (you know, like from a 1940’s Screwball Comedy or Cheesy Horror Movie).  I wrote my article about the Frankfort Town Board meeting.  I drove all around Frankfort looking for something to take a picture of that was talked about in the meeting. Then I had a dedication to go to, which I also had to write a story about.  I found where I had to go. Being me, this was not easy (that is some sort of dangling participle, I think).

I pause in the midst of that rather foolish paragraph to mention that I have one of my light-headed whatever it is I occasionally suffer from.  It does not feel fun.  Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up.

Could Gatorade solve my problems?

I wonder if I could just be dehydrated?  I do sometimes forget to drink water.  In the meantime, my article about the dedication is hanging over my head.  I mean, it is written.  These articles are not especially difficult:  I take notes, I write up my notes.  But I also have to look over them and second-guess myself.  Regular readers know that overthinking is kind of a hobby of mine.  Additionally, I took a picture of all the speakers and I have to remember which name goes with which dignitary.

On the brighter side, I am over 200 words.  A dithery post is better than no post at all, I say.  Back to work with my newspaper duties!  The rest of you can go back to whatever you were doing when you paused to read this!

 

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At Least I’m Not Pushing Up Daisies

Posted on May 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was just looking back over past “lawn order” postings since I thought to do one today.  It is that or a Throwback Thursday.  Personally I am leaning towards the Throwback Thursday, because a Lawn Order post (do I really have that as a category? Too lazy to check right now) can only make me look bad.  I have not taken any pictures, which will really make me look bad (cue unkind jokes about how most pictures of me are bad) (you know who you are).

I do not recall if I mentioned it in a blog post (and having already looked over past posts I do not want to check), but last fall my lawn mower pooped out on the last mow of the season.  It would start but not continue running.  I said to heck with it (only I didn’t say “heck”), put it in the garage, mowed with the non-power mower, and basically just forgot about it.  I am irresponsible like that.  Then when spring got here, I kept hearing No Mow May.  Who am I to argue?  Also, I had other things on my mind.

Back when I used to do a good job mowing my lawn.

I throw in a picture from May 2020, just to pep up the post. I got some advice from several sources, then consulted Collis Hardware, who suggested I bring the mower down there and let them fix it.  What a great idea!  I walked my mower on down. Unfortunately, I should have done it much earlier in the season, because it may be a couple of weeks before I hear from them.

In the meantime, it has been raining, and my grass has been growing.  One year, when Steven was still alive but sick, we had let the grass get quite out of hand.  At this time I was incapable of starting the power mower but managed with great effort to get the front lawn done with the non-power mower.  I got a neighbor to start the power mower to do the back.

Now, regular readers may recall that beginning at the end of April, I have this mysterious pain going on in my leg, rendering prolonged standing, walking, or running difficult.  This is one of the things on my mind that made No Mow May seem so attractive.  However, I believe there are village codes to consider, so yesterday and today, I have had at my front lawn with the non-power mower, clippers, and determination.  The results were… well, it looks as if I made an effort.

Please don’t eat the daisies.

This is actually a picture from June a couple years ago.  There will probably be as many daisies soon.  Right now there are copious forget-me-nots, which I will try to get a picture of soon.  Right now I am still resting my leg from my exertions and hope this rather lengthy (for me) blog post has not been too boring and whiny.

Maybe I give it a punchy headline and bill it as a Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

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Murals and Selfies, It’s Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Posted on May 20, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I planned last week to make a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post when I came out of New 2 You Consignments in Ilion, NY and saw the mural painted on a wall opposite.

So artistic!

I believe they have had community events in that space.  I will have to watch when they will have more.  It will make for a good blog post.  Having taken one good picture, I had to look out for more.  That was where I didn’t get so lucky.  Then I had an opportunity to wear one of the new earrings I got at The Mustard Seed in Little Falls. Perhaps you read my blog post about them.  As regular readers may recall, I like to wear three different earrings.  It is a thing with me.

I can’t pretend I take a good selfie, but I do my best with what nature gave me.

Yesterday was the vote for the school board budget.  It is one’s civic duty to vote.  We do not hear much about duty these days, but it used to be a big deal. In the Agatha Christie books I delight in reading, the characters can usually get each other to do things by telling them it is their duty.  So I told myself it was my duty and went to the Junior/Senior High School, where voting took place.  A nice police officer opened the door for me.  I laughed, because there was a Visitor’s Door and a Student’s Door both opening into the same hallway.

“The teachers want us to vote yes, right?”  I asked a teacher-looking person as I walked into a library.  He assured me they did, and I said I would do what the teachers wanted.

“Unlike what you did in elementary school,” he speculated.

On the other side, I was wearing the butterfly earring again.

I took a selfie with my I Voted sticker.  Steve and I used to take an ussie with our stickers, so I thought I would continue the tradition.  I also continued the tradition of putting the sticker in the TV Journal.  Of course the selfie isn’t as fun as the ussie, but one does what one can.

See? Much more fun with two!

This is from November 2018.  Steven and I did have fun.

 

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My Java Reward

Posted on May 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

When you get your biggest chore done by eight o’clock in the morning, it is a beautiful thing.  That is the observation I made to the staff at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY this morning after I made my order.

In fact I had more than just coffee.

I had written my article on the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, taken a picture to go with it, and got them both emailed out.  I drank a cup of tea while I  wrote, just in case I decided to treat myself to breakfast out (must watch my coffee intake).  Of course I decided to treat myself.  I ordered a breakfast sandwich with ham and provolone on a toasted roll, because I enjoyed the last one so much.  I got a regular hot coffee.

A writer’s breakfast.

As I breakfasted (broke fast?), I worked on a letter to my friend Kim in Colorado.  I SO miss going on Mohawk Valley Adventures with her!  Dylan, the young man who brought my sandwich to me, asked if I was writing another murder mystery.  I remember Dylan from when he worked at the End Zone.  He remembered me coming in with my friend who had since moved away.  I was pleased to tell him I was talking to that very friend.

That does remind me I need to start working on the next murder mystery.  At least a good breakfast should help!

 

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Mondays Are Murder

Posted on May 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I resort to a Monstrous Monday post, as I am short on Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Well, I did participate in A Revolutionary Murder Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, NY on Saturday, but I did not get any pictures.  I felt quite exhausted by the end of the evening, then I could not sleep, because I had drunk two cups of coffee to help me get through the evening.  Well, that is more than enough whining. On with the blog post.

Here’s a monster for you!

This is pretty much how I felt and feel, and yes, I am laughing at myself.  As I say, it’s not always easy being me, but it is usually entertaining.  This is me at the tail end of our performance of A Revolutionary Murder at Herkimer Elks Lodge in April to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I played the evil Amaretta VonSchnapps, who perished in an accident involving a cannon.  We thought it would be funny if I showed up at the end looking “cannonized.”

The picture was taken by an Elk friend who Facebook messaged it to me, and I was able to download it to my Chromebook.  I have not yet figured out how to steal pictures directly from Facebook for blogging purposes, so I cannot show you a “Before” picture of Amaretta, nor any any of my fellow cast members.  As regular readers know, technology eludes me. Perhaps I could move to another device (preview of coming attractions).

For right now, however, I see I am over 200 words.  I say that is good enough for a Monday.  I must strive to get some things done while yet recruiting enough energy to cover an important Herkimer Town Board meeting this evening (regular readers may remember my side hustle freelancing for Sentinel Media).  I hope you all have a delightful Monday.

 

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Maybe a Trip to Cooperstown…

Posted on May 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

People (even ones who are not named Shirley) must understand that Mohawk Valley Girl had to  attend a tasting of Cooperstown Distillery’s wares at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Friday.  Cooperstown, NY is a most delightful destination in easy driving distance from Herkimer (where I live), and the distillery is just one for the many attractions.  I do not drink a lot of booze, being more of an oenophile (that’s a fancy word for wino; regular readers know I like to be fancy), but I do love to taste it.

Cooperstown Select!

Sasha is one of the regular pourers at Valley, and she pretty much expects to see me.  Regular readers may remember that I left my adventure book at the liquor store on Thursday (I believe I mentioned it in my blog post).  Sasha was holding it up as I walked in.  Phew!  Someday I may want to compile my tasting notes into an irreverent wine and booze guide.

I started with the American Blend, which I declared nice.  I move on to the Straight Bourbon at 100 proof.  My note is “I like that!”  I must stay away from the really strong stuff.  Still, a little at a time is perfectly acceptable.  I can also purchase some to share.  The Straight Rye was very smooth.  Of course I had to bring up the song about “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie” (I can’t just say “American Pie,” because it might get mixed up with the vulgar movie).

When I tried the Single Malt Whiskey, I tried to explain single malt as referenced in Malice, a guilty pleasure movie of Steve’s and mine featuring Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, Bill Pullman (whose name escaped me at the time) and Ann Bancroft in a wonderful cameo.  I don’t think I explained it very well, but now I want to watch the movie again.

I enjoyed the tasting but do not plan to switch from wine to bourbon at the present time.  To find out about tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor, you can visit their website at shop valleywine.com.

 

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I Find it at New2You!

Posted on May 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tonight is the night!  We present A Revolutionary Murder with a new ending and a new Evelyn Ganache, the put-upon assistant to Reuben Maneuse, organizer of the evening’s festivities.  I play Evelyn, whereas when we presented the murder before I played the evil and short-lived Amaretta VonSchnapps.  Of course I needed a new costume.  I thought I had found a good dress at a rummage sale, but when I got it home and tried it on, YUCK!  It showed up all my figure flaws (and believe me, I have a seriously flawed figure!).

After a few failed thrift store visits, I remembered I had a pair of generic black pants.  A plain blue top, paired with a patriotic scarf I had worn with the more flamboyant Amaretta costume would do.  I made my way to New 2 You Consignments in Ilion, NY, where I had previously found many excellent additions to my wardrobe.

Lots of good stuff here.

“I need a costume, but NOT something fabulous,” I told Robbi, the owner, as I walked in.  It was not long before I found just the right thing.  Phew!

I’m the one sitting down.

Just to show you an example of one of my more fabulous finds.  I actually found this the day of the murder mystery, and I have worn it for at least one other murder mystery since.  I think I look rather fabulous in it, but perhaps I flatter myself.

I’m second from the right.

And here is another fabulous find.  This one I wear as part of my regular wardrobe, not just for murder mysteries.  I do like to dress to impress, even if the only one I impress is myself.

New 2 You Consignments is located at 10 Central Plaza, Ilion, NY.

 

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Another Taste, Please!

Posted on May 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I wasn’t going to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Spirits in Herkimer, NY yesterday, because when I get a free taste I like to make a purchase and I have enough wine and booze on hand for my next party which is not yet scheduled (I think that is a run-on sentence, but it is so seldom that I have one, I shall not apologize).  Where was I?  Oh yes, showing up to say hello to my friends of DikinDurt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Nice lady, nice booze!

I seem to have mislaid the adventure book where I took my tasting notes, but I remember what I tasted and think I remember what I thought about it.  I actually think I left the book at the liquor store, because now that I think about it, I seem to remember putting it on some boxes of canned drinks under the tasting counter when I went to take the picture.  I can only hope it is still there, or that one of the workers saw it and said, “This has to be Cindy’s.”  I am known for going to tastings and taking tasting notes.

The bottle Kayla is holding is the Bourbon, which I liked.  It is funny how one’s tastes change, because I used to not care for bourbon.  Now I like the really good ones.  Next I tasted the clear Moonshine, which I purchased the last time I tasted DikinDurt.  I thought it might be good to serve at a party or perhaps to donate to a Basket of Cheer.  It was pretty strong all by itself.  90 proof, I think she said.

“That’ll clear your sinuses!” I said.  I liked it, but these things can be dangerous if taken to excess.

Next I tried the Raspberry, just to try a sweet one, which I rarely do.  It was quite tasty, very fruity and sweet. I am not big on the sweet stuff, but I can see where others might like this, mixed with pink lemonade or ginger ale, or even over ice.

I greatly enjoyed my tastes and my conversation.  DikinDurt Distillery has a tasting room at 7447 Main St., Newport, NY, which is open Fridays by reservation, 315-868-1563.  Their products are available at Valley Wine and Wine and Liquor as well as many local bars and restaurants. You can follow them on Facebook.

 

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