Tired from Trolls, But Waste Not Want Not!

Posted on October 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here I am, making my Wuss-out Wednesday post on Thursday morning, and I feel as if it is still Tired Tuesday, because, damn.  In my defense, I went with my sister Cheryl yesterday to see the Trolls in Tupper Lake, NY. It was quite a long drive and we walked and walked through the nature trail looking for those trolls.  I foolishly did not wear my Garmin, so I do not know how many miles we walked, but there were a lot of hills.

The sleeping troll shows how I feel, and a little bit how I look.

I will do a longer post about the trolls and the Wild Center, where they are displayed till the end of the month.  Right now I am too tired and only waiting till I meet my friends for breakfast in a couple of hours to have some of that magic elixir, coffee (I know, the magic does not work for all, please let the rest of us enjoy it).

Somebody playing a sad song, to be sarcastically sorry for me for being so tired?

I actually would not be surprised if the tune was a bit from Wicked or its sequel, whose name escapes me (I never saw either, nor read the book).  This is, of course, another Herkimer High School Senior parking space.  Perhaps that makes this a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday.

Mel Brooks, what a genius.

I was pleased to see one of the younger generation looking forward to Spaceballs: The New One, due sometime in 2027.  I admire Mel Brooks tremendously.  If you don’t know what I am talking about, I encourage you to look it up.  And watch the first Spaceballs, as well as Young Frankenstein and any other Mel Brooks movies you can find.

Well now I have babbled on for some 300 words and am marginally closer to breakfast.  I do not know why I feel I must drag myself out of bed so early when breakfast is not till eight, but so it is.  I guess I mostly wanted to make this blog post.  Therefore, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Love That Parking Lot Art!

Posted on October 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The late blog posts continue as I share more Herkimer High School senior artwork in a Tired Tuesday post. Why am I so tired?  Operator Error as usual.  It is discouraging to feel I have only myself to blame, yet it is also empowering, because in that case I must also hold the means to correct my ills.  But this is half-baked philosophy more suited to Lame Post Friday.  Let us get on with today’s, uh, I mean yesterday’s blog post.

Hearts and stripes forever!

Now a patriotic tune is playing in my head.  You know, “hearts and stripes,” like “stars and stripes”?  I need more tea.  Maybe a cup of coffee.  My coffee supply is low, but perhaps I have enough for a cup.

Picture to denote passage of time while I put on coffee.

I scavenged and scraped (how’s that for alliteration?) the last of my coffee from the can and had enough for four (two) cups.  I do not think I mentioned that I have a new coffee maker.  I was tired of waiting a half hour or more for my morning or afternoon Java. I got a five-cup instead of a twelve-, and it is the cutest thing!  It will be less handy when I have people over, but how often does that happen?

And I just this minute realized I used a picture that features  “Dunkin'”, arguably better known for their coffee than donuts these days.  Don’t you just love it when Fate takes a hand for the better?

More stripes, and I’ve seen that blog before!

The space on the right looks busy, but intriguingly so.  I must get back and take individual pictures.  If I keep to my usual rule of three pics per post, this could last me till the snow flies!

 

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Another Late Post, More Artwork

Posted on October 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to start this post, “I jumped out of bed all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” which would not have been entirely inappropriate since I also write fiction.  I pondered whether I had dragged, heaved, coaxed, or wallowed myself out of bed, eventually concluding that this was not really the point.  The point is: it is Tuesday morning and I am doing Monday’s blog post.  My late posting habit continues.  Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up!

I try a different perspective

I remembered after I took this one that I do not know how to turn a picture 90 degrees.  I lead with this one because I feel it is symbolic of how my life sometimes feels like it is turning sideways.  Does anybody remember the independent films Sideways with Paul Giamotti and Thomas Haden Church?  It was hilarious, and wine was prominently featured.  I should watch it again  to see if it could teach me any life lessons.

The classics hold up.

I segue from my messed up life back to the Herkimer High School seniors’ artwork.  I was a little surprised to see Snoopy, but I guess Peanuts has never really gone away.  Batman, of course, is continually being reinvented.

Peace, among other things.

It is very nice to see the Peace sign still prominently featured.  And I guess that is a good note to end on.  The real reason I dragged myself out of bed (picked a verb!) was to finish my article on the Herkimer Town Board for the Daily Sentinel.  Then I hope to meet friends for a late breakfast or early lunch (I was not clear on which) Pellettieri Joe’s in Utica (yes, I know, I could call it Brunch, but I feel that is something you have on a Sunday. I don’t really know about these things).  I guess I can call this a writing warm-up.  Thank you for participating.

 

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The Seniors Are At It Again

Posted on October 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well I am back to my old bad habits of posting early(ish) the next morning for the previous day’s post.  I had such good intentions yesterday (Sunday).  I sat down to make a poopy Wrist to Forehead Sunday post when I thought of taking a walk to pep myself up and make a Pedestrian Post.  Then I remembered the Herkimer High School senior had once again painted their parking spaces.  I could take pictures of that!  I set out in high spirits.

Maybe I’ll come back and take better pictures., especially of that one-eyed blob.

It felt so good to walk. This was a great idea!  Then I thought I should walk for two miles.  For one reason, my sister Cheryl wants to go see some trolls in Tupper Lake (cue jokes about dating prospects in Tupper Lake), and it is about a two mile walk.  I should be sure I can walk two miles.

A little better view of these two.

I went to the high school first, which my Garmin told me was about a third of a mile.  I tried to get pictures of all the painted spaces, but there was a car parked in one.  Also, as I tried to get more than one space in a shot, I don’t think I did justice to them.

Well, one does what one can after all.

My two mile goal had not sounded so bad, but my hip started hurting after one.  Oh dear.  It was such a difference from when I started out and it felt so good!  I decided to just go home.  But that little voice in my head kept nagging at me to go two miles.  As I got closer to home, I kept looking at my Garmin and pondering.  I went around an extra block.  And then I walked past my house.  I made it for two miles!  Yay me!

And then I felt too tired to make a blog post about it.  So I read a book, fooled around on Facebook, did a couple of puzzles in a puzzle book… And put off my blog post till just now.  On the brighter side, I am over 350 words and the post is more than just me whining about not making a post.  Additionally, I have several more pictures to share.  Will I make my Monday blog post on Monday?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my day.

 

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Scatterbrained Saturday Pre-Golf Post

Posted on October 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Good Saturday morning!  I am sitting on my couch, not lounged for once, because I am wearing outdoor sneakers (just to give you an accurate picture; I don’t know why I feel so moved to include these details, but so it is), one eye on the clock at the bottom of my Chromebook, because a friend is picking me up at 8:30.  We are volunteering at the Herkimer Elks Falling Leaves Golf Tournament.  I’ve never volunteered for a golf tournament before, nor yet played real golf (only the miniature kind, which I am pretty bad at).  The nice Elks will tell me what to do.

Some of the nice Elks I may encounter today.

I thought I should put in a picture to pep things up. This picture is from when a bunch of us went to Lobster Fest at Cobleskill Elks Lodge.  I had to pause to look up which Elks Lodge it was.  I knew it was a hard C, but all I could think of was Constableville and Canajoharie.  Just to continue to demonstrate what an airhead I am this morning.

If only ducks were involved, I would have no worries!

I close with a duck I won in a claw machine at Boulevard Diner in Whitesboro (to sneak in a shout-out to a local business).  I believe I subsequently presented this to another Elk for her birthday, but perhaps that was a different duck.  Regular readers may remember that I like ducks, although mine are seldom in a row (and at least one is a frog).

And on that note, I will duck out (see what I did there?) and make sure I am ready for my golf tournament volunteer adventure!  Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

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Nice Necklace on Lame Post Friday

Posted on October 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s Lame Post Friday, the day when I let myself off the hook and post random observations and half-baked philosophy.  I know, what is my excuse the other days? It’s not easy being a daily blogger, but it is a fun hobby.  Similarly, it’s not easy being me, but it is usually entertaining.

Look at the necklace, not the face.  Wait, strike that!

My skill at taking selfies does not seem to increase with time.  I was about to say then again, the subject matter is not the most attractive, but then I remembered that words have power and we should not denigrate ourselves, even in jest (here’s some of that half-baked philosophy I warned you about).  Additionally, we are not the best judges of our own looks.  How many people have you thought looked lovely or at least perfectly nice, only to hear them bemoan how awful they look?  But the point of this selfie is my new necklace.

It is from One Of A Kind Designs Handcrafted Jewelry by Debora Bruce.  I’ve known Debbie since elementary school, and she makes some wonderful jewelry, which she sells on Facebook (I tried to make a link to the page, but regular readers know how technology eludes me).  I wonder if I can find a picture of the bracelet I got from her a while ago.

Wait, this is a different one!

I forgot I got this pink one more recently.  I was thinking of a purple one.  Hmmm….

Here it is!

I suppose I have plenty of pictures of me reaching for a glass of wine or toasting or otherwise enjoying a libation.  Then again, it is Friday.  Many people enjoy a drink on a Friday.  Hey, what am I doing sitting here typing into my computer?  Happy Hour awaits!

 

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I Haven’t Had Any Chardonnay

Posted on October 2, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh I cannot think of anything to make my Thursday blog post about. I had breakfast at the Java Shop, just to give  a shout-out to a local business.  It seems I went to another local business recently, but of course I cannot remember it at this point.

Always a good idea to start with a good breakfast!

I walked to breakfast, walking a little longer than needed to stop by the ATM, and took an even longer walk back, just because it felt so good.  One might say I appreciate walking more after spending most of June on my couch, and that is true, but I have always enjoyed walking.

Something I might have seen while walking.

I quite frankly do not know why I took this picture.  I found it in my Media Library while looking for a picture of something I saw on my walk.  I’m pretty sure this is my street, so I saw it this morning and again this afternoon when I was walking.

Just a little color.

I close with a picture of fall colors, because I have been noticing some of those on my walks and drives (alas no runs yet!).  I do love fall.

I guess this will have to do for my blog post for today.  If only I can think of a punchy headline, I can get away with calling this a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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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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