Mohawk Valley Girl

My Two Duck Day

Posted on August 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title this morning, when I told a stranger it was a two duck day for me. But let me back up and lead with a very silly picture of me.

Enough bling even for me!

I met my Elk friends for breakfast this morning. Bonnie was returning from a trip to Disney, and she had brought presents! I was quite delighted with my sparkly Minnie Mouse ears, although I fear I will need a whole new outfit to really do them justice.

We met at the Friendlys on Burrstone Road in New Hartford, which has one of those claw machines with little ducks in it. I had gotten a little duck the last time we had breakfast there. My friend Michele said she was going to give me money to get her a duck today. Alas, the machine with the little ducks was out of order! I told her the next time I was in Ilion, I would stop by Colonial Laundromat, where they have a claw machine which is try till you win.

“Only they don’t just have ducks; they have other little animals,” I warned her. “So I might not get a duck.”

Spoiler Alert! I got a duck!

I impulsively drove through Ilion. It was hardly out of my way. It was a good thing that machine was try till you win, because it took me a while to get that duck! Still, it was the exact duck I wanted. I can’t wait to give it to Michele. A lady doing her laundry congratulated me on my win. Then I saw a vending machine with all ducks for 75 cents.

Who could resist a little squishy duck?

“It’s a two duck day for me,” I told the lady. And just like that, I had my blog post.

Just a Few Pictures

Posted on August 20, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I am doing it: my Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post ON Wednesday! Um, no promises about Thursday.

Concentrate on the cheerful grin, please!

You could probably notice a number of things from this picture of my back yard, but I would also draw your attention to the fact that the grass has been mowed. By me. I really wanted to take a picture of the silly pumpkin, which has seen better days. I tossed it off my deck and it just happened to land on that trash can. I thought it looked cute, so I left it there.

A little too dark and blurry, I fear.

I took this picture when I treated myself to lunch at the Paradise Eatery in Herkimer, NY last week. The picture did not turn out very well. I guess that means I must eat there again soon.

Play ball!

This is the picture I alluded to in the post I made this morning, about a picture I took at the Town of Herkimer Park. The Town recently put up dugouts at one of the softball fields. I think they are very nice. I will be at the Park on Saturday, for Community Day from noon to 5 p.m. There will be a lot going on: food trucks, vendors, music and more. Check it out if you can. If not, perhaps you will read my blog post about it.

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Still Tired, But It’s Not Tuesday

Posted on August 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suppose nobody is surprised to see me making my Tired Tuesday post on Wednesday morning. I was tired on Tuesday, but more to the point I inadvisedly opened a fiction book I had picked up earlier that day at one of those Little Free Libraries, Celebrity In Death by J.D. Robb. It is one of those murder thrillers, heavy on the procedure without skimping on the characters and with a large dose of Hollywood glamour. I think, “Why can’t I write shit like that?” while being completely caught up in the ride. This is why I must not read fiction very often. I cannot put it down.

There’s the culprit!

I happened to be at the Little Free Library at Town of Herkimer Park because I went to said Park to take a picture to go with my story about Monday’s Herkimer Town Board meeting. That picture is still in my phone, which is across the room charging. I may use it later today in a Waste Not Wednesday post (preview of coming attractions) (you see how optimistic I am about making Wednesday’s post ON Wednesday). I had a couple of books I did not plan on reading so thought to put them in the “library.”

After placing the books and getting the picture, I took advantage of the walking trail, putting in a half mile. I had stopped walking entirely while I suffered that bad cold or whatever it was I was whining about so annoyingly last week. I must build myself back up.

And now I am over 250 words. Woohoo! Almost caught back up in blogging! Now to drink tea and read fiction.

I Missed Monday!

Posted on August 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh no!! I am back to posting the morning after for the day before! It is a very bad habit to get into, and eventually I just acquiesce in losing a day (ooh, according to my Chromebook, I spelled “acquiesce” right on the first try! That is the first thing I have going for me this morning!) (obviously I will take every win).

I pause to turn the fan on. I am sipping hot tea, in deference to my bad stomach. I do not treat it well. I throw anything down there, with no thought as to quality or quantity. This is why my weight loss goals remain daydreams. Never mind that. My goal right now is to make some semblance of a blog post, then go on to writing my article about last night’s Herkimer Town Board meeting.

Obviously not a picture taken yesterday.

I looked in my Media Library for an appropriate illustration and found something that said, “Herkimer.” Perhaps I should have gone with the Herkimer College sign, but one is not always sure of the right thing to do in these situations (one being me).

I confess I did not have a very good day yesterday. I was not feeling very well physically or mentally. However, I managed to make it to physical therapy and to the meeting I had to cover. I logged into WordPress but was attacked with a terrible case of I Just Can’t Even. I feel sure there are other writers who are shaking their heads or their fingers in scorn, saying THEY never allow such considerations to keep them from their assigned writing duties (you know who you are). I say shake what you like, including your booty or your groove thing (which makes for an amusing mental image). I myself am approaching 300 words. Score! See ya on Tired Tuesday! Oh crap, that’s today!

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Posted in humor, Monday Mental Meanderings, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, herkimer ny, late post, Media Library, not writing, some semblance of a blog post, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Much Brain, But Kind of a Blog

Posted on August 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Can I make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post? I am completely inclined to swoon, dramatically posted with the back of one wrist to my forehead, on a handy chaise lounge. I do not have such a lounge handy, as regular readers may recall. In general my regular couch or my bed will have to do. I suppose I ought to have a picture of one of them, with me so swooning on it, to illustrate this post. Alas that I do not.

I do not know if I have any illustration that will help this post. I also have very little brain to make a post, which should come as no surprise to anyone.

No brain, from the Planet Arous or otherwise.

I feel a little happy that I find the picture of The Brain from the Planet Arous to illustrate my own lack of brain. I never have made an index of my Media Library for just such occasions. I keep thinking I am going to, but I never seem to.

Big poop, little poop.

I did not know where to go with my post from there, so I share a picture of fake poo. I am afraid my posts are a little bit of excrement. I can only hope my readers will forgive me.

On the brighter side, I have made some semblance of a post, so I can say I am still a daily blogger. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

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I Finally Make It to the Farmer’s Market!

Posted on August 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This morning I went to Frankfort Farmer’s Market at the Frankfort Marina. Yay! I had a great time, sipped some iced espresso, bought some produce, chatted up nice people, and did not take nearly enough pictures.

They were so cool!

These were Noodles and Cotton Candy the clowns. They were not my first stop, but I wanted to lead with the most colorful picture. They were painting faces and making balloon animals, but I did not indulge in either one. My first stop was Sugar and Milk, to get a Salted Caramel Cookie Butter Iced Espresso. Yum! And I needed the pick-me-up.

Eventually I may try everything!

I walked around chatting with a number of vendors and informational tables. I admired some 3D printing, took a few freebies from the Catholic Charities table, and talked to the table highlighting the roadways and Erie Canal trails. My Mom suggested I get my bicycle back in shape and take up cycling in lieu of running. It is not a bad idea, and there is a cycle shop right in Herkimer (where I live).

Please ignore the messy background.

I was happy I had taken a free bag from Catholic Charities when I purchased the produce. I got grape tomatoes, a cucumber, and kale. I got the more bitter kind.

“Bitter is better,” the guy suggested.

“I’m a bitter bitch,” I told him. I do love alliteration. It was quite a large bunch of kale. In fact, I think I have eaten kale only once in my life, but I remember liking it. Also, I understand it is quite healthy, and I recently got quite the lecture from one of my doctors about making my health a priority. I will see what I can do about consuming all that kale.

My only regret was that Heelpath Brewing was not yet open. I would have enjoyed topping off my shopping adventure with a glass of wine or a beer. Oh well, we can’t have everything. I did enjoy the farmer’s market. It was my first one this summer. Considering I started the summer on crutches, I cannot scold myself too much over it. I am just happy I finally made it to one.

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Posted in farmer's market, humor, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, clowns, espresso, Frankfort Farmers Market, Frankfort Marina, Frankfort NY, kale, produce, shopping, Sugar and Milk. Bookmark the permalink.

A Few Blooms, Very Little Order

Posted on August 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

As I was struggling behind my power mower (but so very grateful it started on the second try), I thought I might do a Lawn Order blog post in lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday post (oh, I do love that expression “in lieu of”). I even started narrating it in my head. I do that when I am running too (oh, I hope I will run again!) for Running Commentary posts. For one reason, I had already taken a picture of my Rose of Sharon, which finally bloomed.

Not as many blossoms as other years, but pretty!

During another bout with the lawn, I had battled the wild grape vines which were threatening to overrun the poor bush. I guess I met with some success, but I must get out and continue the fight.

Lots of Black-Eyed Susans!

While I was out there, I got a wider shot of the Black-Eyed Susans. They certainly have spread and are thriving. Before I started mowing this morning I noticed a very few Brown-Eyed Susans up by the deck. In past years, we have enjoyed many of those, but this year not so much. For one reason, I left a bunch of leaves from last fall lying around, soggily discouraging things. On the brighter side, they also discouraged a lot of grass growing, which made my mowing easier. Of course it is not the most attractive of sights, but I will do what I can to improve it, especially if I ever invite people over.

I mowed around them.

Speaking of people coming over, I think I had better try to get the inside of my house in better shape as well. But that’s a whole other blog post.

Is There Such A Thing?

Posted on August 14, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not know what is wrong with me lately, but when I try to write, I am blank. That is why I say I suffer from Writer’s Blank rather than Writer’s Block. I do not feel there are stories inside of me unable to get out. I feel there is a vast wasteland where my brain ought to be. All this by way of introduction to yet another Throwback Thursday, because at least I hope I can manage some semblance of a blog post.

See the papers in those people’s hands? That’s all me!

To prove to myself that I did so write something sometime, I flash back to the last murder mystery I wrote, A Revolutionary Murder, which was very well received both times it was performed. In fact, I wrote two different endings to it, in case we had an overlap of audience. Now that I think about it, it was during rehearsals and the second performance for this one that the pain in my leg started getting really bad. I have not written much since. Oh dear.

You may have seen this bunch before.

I search further in the past for more inspiration, October 2017 and A G.R.A.V.E. Murder. That was a fun one, and it featured my late, dearly missed husband Steve (he is the handsome man on the right).

I have been writing a few things here and there, entries in various journals (regular readers may recall I have several), blog posts, a very few letters. I must strive to do better. In the meantime, I am over 250 words. A writer friend assured me, writing about not writing is still writing. True? Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Posted in humor, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged A GRAVE Murder, A Revolutionary Murder, blog post, blogging, murder mystery, not writing, some semblance of a blog post, Writers Blank, Writers Block, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Waste Not, Want Not, If Only I Could Whine Not!

Posted on August 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew I would be happy to do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post this week. My cold still plagues me with a terrific headache and a nasty throat. Yes, I am still whining and crying about it. I always say, go with your strengths. I had two cups of hot tea with lemon and honey this morning and ate the lemon slices. I read that somewhere: you eat the lemon skin and all after it soaks in the tea. The skin is soft and you get all that vitamin C. I guess it hasn’t kicked in yet. Never mind that; on with the blog post.

That’s me: all falling apart.

I took a picture of one of these broken trees from another angle some months ago but doubt I can find it in my Media Library, at least without an intensive search. I have long thought of going through my Media Library month by month and making an index, a task which becomes more daunting as each month passes.

School’s Out! But not for long!

I noticed when I drove by the school the other day that the seniors’ parking spaces had all been painted over white. I look forward to see what next years’ seniors will paint. That made a nice few blog posts.

They grow up so fast.

I took this picture just because I was so fascinated by how the sidewalk was being encroached upon, but now I find it emblematic of my life. My path forward is constantly blocked by obstacles. In April I was walking or running daily, looking forward to the Boilermaker 15K and trying to get other stuff done. Then my body betrayed me and I spent time on the couch, on crutches, etc. (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it). I get on some medication, finally start physical therapy, things are looking up! Then I get this nasty cold with a killer headache!

AAAAaaaand I am back to whining and crying. You see how I am. But at least I have made a Wednesday blog post. As always, I thank you for tuning in.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday and tagged blog post, bloggers sick day, blogging, headache, health, Herkimer Junior Senior High School, herkimer ny, Media Library, walking. Bookmark the permalink.

Temporary Aches and Pains

Posted on August 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am taking a Blogger’s Sick Day today. At least it is something a little different to whine and cry about. Yesterday I had that sick headache which you get with the flu or a cold, and my throat was sore. It could have been allergies, but I felt like crap. However, I made it to Physical Therapy and the Ilion Village Board meeting, and even got the trash and recyclables taken out in between. Oh and I took a walk and made a blog post about it (perhaps you read it).

Today I managed to write my article for the Daily Sentinel but did not drive around getting a good picture to go with it. However, I had foresightedly (what, Chromebook, foresightedly is not a word? It should be) taken a couple of shots at the meeting, which went along far too long for my head to be happy about, but that was no surprise.

Part of the Veterans Memorial.

The meeting took place in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium of the Village Municipal Building, to accommodate the members of the public who wanted to attend. It is nice seeing people becoming informed and participating.

Now I am feeling more sore of throat, more headachey, and more tired. At least I have made some semblance of a blog post. I shall try the effects of a cup of hot tea with lemon and honey.