Old Mystery, New Mystery

Posted on May 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to have a Way Back Wednesday post but cannot decide if I want to go back to murder mysteries or gardening glories.  OK, my previous gardening endeavors have not been particularly glorious; I was merely going for the alliteration, since one is built in for murder mysteries.  Since I shared flowers yesterday and am concerned with Saturday’s performance of A Revolutionary Murder, I think I will go with the first one.

They are more suspicious than they look.

These are two of the suspects from A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, which we presented in October 2017 to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I was thinking about it last night, because my friend, Chuck, who is in A Revolutionary Murder, said that was one of his favorite characters, an endearingly gung ho ghost hunter (why in the world is my computer underlining “gung”?  I even looked it up!).  Saturday he plays a wheeler-dealer in charge of the evening.

Here’s the whole murderous crew!

Here is the entire cast of A G.R.A.V.E. Murder.  The second from the right is in A Revolutionary Murder as well.  He played a snotty, snobby fellow in the first but plays a gung ho musical theatre aficionado in the second.

Look at the crowd!

One more shot of G.R.A.V.E.  It was one of our best attended performances, which led to some problems being heard.  I hope we will get good attendance on Saturday and help Morning Star make some money.

A Revolutionary Murder will be presented at Morning Star United Methodist Church, 36 Second St., Ilion, NY, on Saturday, May 16, doors open at 5 p.m., roast pork dinner at 5:30.  It is a good idea to get there at 5 p.m. For tickets or more information call Barb at 315-894-4520.

 

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I Probably Won’t Eat Pancakes

Posted on May 12, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is too early in the day to make a Tired Tuesday post.  How can I be tired already?  I haven’t really done anything!  Well, I have written and emailed out my story on last night’s Ilion Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Always good to get that out of the way.  Now I am hungry and want breakfast. I sometimes go driving around looking for an appropriate picture for the story then go out for breakfast.  Good times.  But I had a picture already, because they swore in a new trustee.  I could still go out for breakfast, I suppose, after I make my blog post, and title this, Pre-Pancake Post.  That has kind of a ring to it.  My readers would never know whether or not I actually ate the pancakes.

Will my deck see any of these this year?

Could somebody please explain to me why autocorrect capitalized M in “my” when I typed in that caption (and why it always underlines “autocorrect”?)?  Never mind.  This is a picture from a few years ago, when I used to have a nice container garden on my deck.  My deck is a disaster area these days, as is the inside of my house.  I must and will do something about it.  I felt inspired when I was purchasing the hanging basket for my mother at T&J’s Fruits and Vegetables.  They had all kinds of plants I could get for my containers.

This is what I aim for!

I searched for another picture to further inspire myself.  The first picture was the plants just brought home from the greenhouse.  This was after I had done a little work with them.  I will do some work!  It will make a good blog post!  Wish me luck.  And a little more ambition.

 

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Hanging Out With Mom

Posted on May 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Buying presents for my parents is tricky.  They are in their 80s; they have acquired many things in their years on the planet. Whatever I get them, they must find space for.  However spring time solves the dilemma handily: hanging baskets for my Mom for Mother’s Day.  I was delighted to see that T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer, NY had some lovely ones.

Yay!

They had some beautiful ones out front, but I walked back to the greenhouse to view the entire selection. I think picked the prettiest one.  I loved all the different colors.  Mom loved it too.  I hung it right up on the corner of the garage.  I soon took a picture for a blog post.  Sitting here at their kitchen table making said blog post just now, I notice the basket is no longer there and remember:  Dad moved it when the wind picked up later in the day.  He replaced it with the wind chimes my sister Cheryl brought Mom.  Excuse me a moment.

It makes a lovely sound.

I went out to get a picture of the wind chimes, as you see.  Dad put the flowers at the other end of the garage, where it is a little more sheltered, and the wind chimes could take advantage of the wind.  The air is calmer this morning, making for a better picture.

My sister Diane also brought my Mom a hanging basket, but it is not hanging as of yet.  As I say, great minds run around in the same circles.

 

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It Isn’t Really So Early, Is It?

Posted on May 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am making a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post at eight o’clock on a Sunday morning.  Too early to swoon, you say?  Nonsense!  The early bird get the worm, or the chaise lounge, as the case may be.  I once said, “The early bird gets the worm, but the late bird gets spaghetti,” with a waggish intonation.  I forgot I said it and when reminded, I said, “I said that?  I’m witty,” arguably a more quotable line, unless you are inordinately fond of spaghetti, which I am.

When I first started typing the preceding paragraph, a little bubble appeared on my Chromebook reading, “help me write.”  I was highly offended. Help me write?  I need no help to write!  I am an excellent writer! And I do not care if I flatter myself.

Mmmm… wine…

I threw in a picture, to distract from the fact that I was flattering myself.  This is Montezuma Winery’s tasting room in Old Forge, NY, which I visited with my sister Cheryl last fall.  I was mentioning their tasting room in Cooperstown just yesterday.  I like to visit tasting rooms.

My situation this morning, by the way, is that I must take my shower and pack, because I am going to Rome to spend Mother’s Day with my lovely mother and equally wonderful father.  I intend to spend the night.  I do not know why I become so flustered over what should in fact be a fairly routine matter, but so it is.  However, I have managed a blog post of over 200 words, so my daily blogging habit continues.  Once again, I thank you all for tuning in.

 

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Just a Taste!

Posted on May 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This week Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer NY is doing three days of New York State tastings.  You know Mohawk Valley Girls plans to be there all three days!  So far I have attended two and can I just say YUM!

He had a lot of spirit!

Thursday was Old Home Distillers out of Lebanon, NY.  I met Aaron who, with his brother Adam and his parents run the show.  He poured me itty bitty tastes, so I could try all the different flavors. They distill small batch hand-crafted spirits using locally grown ingredients.  Regular readers know I am more into wine than liquor.  I believe this is because liquor is, as they say, quicker, and I need to take things slowly at my age.  But this stuff was good.  I think I could sip the Field Days Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bourbon slowly.

The rye from the Electric Mayhem straight rye whiskey comes from Richfield Springs.  I liked the homage to the band from the Muppet Show.  It was also a reference to the mayhem that  inevitably ensues when one begins to distill rye, Aaron said.  The one I purchased, though was the Peppershine.  When I tasted it, I said, “Ow!  I would have to have this one in a mixed drink.”  Aaron suggested a Bloody Mary or a highball.  He had me a Bloody Mary.  He gave me a flier of cocktail recipes which included one for a Bloody Mary.

I also picked up a flier for the distillery.  I wonder if I could persuade anybody to take a road trip with me.  I would love to go take a tour.

 

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I Lame Myself

Posted on May 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think I have whined a couple of times about my mysterious leg pains.  I keep putting off calling the VA to make another appointment in hopes that it mysteriously resolves itself as pains sometimes do.  In the meantime, it has been causing some problems, because I rely on my nearly daily walks and runs to supplement my anti-depressant medications.  I gradually become more open in talking about my depression in hopes of doing my little part to remove the stigma still attached to mental health.  Was that virtue signalling?  Oh dear. All I really set out to do was make a Running Commentary blog post.  Quick, throw in a picture to distract from my word salad.

Decidedly not where I ran today.

I did run up this hill recently.  Incidentally, it is more intimidating when you are on it than it looks in this picture.  Getting back to today.  My legs and back usually feel pretty good when I first get up, so I thought I would try at least a short run.  I am registered for the Boilermaker 15K, and I would really hate to miss it.  Additionally, I am putting on weight.  And I LIKE to run!  With everything in my favor, I got my gear on and set out.

And it felt pretty good.  I did not attempt any hills and I set a rather slow pace.  I considered trying for two miles, figuring in my head how many weeks I have till the big race and how fast I ought to try to improve.  Doing math in my head is a good way to pass the time while I run.  A drill sergeant told me many years ago that running was just a matter of distracting yourself from how much it sucks to run.

I had looped around and was heading towards my house when my left calf started to ache just a little.  I was about 20 minutes into the run.  I had been going to make a turn and run another block or two, but then I thought, don’t be stupid. Twenty minutes is fine after more than a week off.  I went home.  I think it was a good thing I did, because when I stopped running and stood still, my leg started hurting like a sonofabitch!  I couldn’t do my cool-down walk!  I couldn’t do my stretches!  I made it into the house, sat down on the couch, and put my feet up.  And made this blog post.

That brings us up to date.  I see I have babbled on for over 400 words, and I just remembered something:  This is Lame Post Friday.  I find that strangely appropriate.

 

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No Pictures, But a Great Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I made my silly blog post yesterday I neglected to mention that I did so have a Mohawk Valley Adventure on Tuesday:  I attended the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the Ilion Elks Lodge.  Unfortunately, I took no pictures, so it won’t be such a great blog post.  It’s a funny thing.  I went five years without putting a picture in a blog post.  Now, if I don’t have a picture to add, I feel paralyzed.  What’s that all about, me?

I do not often find ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but I have identified with the holiday ever since I made the possibly Freudian typo Cindy de Mayo.  But I love Mexican food and occasionally a good Margarita, and I had to be in Ilion on Tuesday anyways, so…

The Elks offered $2 mini Margaritas and $3 tacos.  You got to build your own taco, which was pretty sweet.  I chose soft shell.  I also opted for a full size margarita, because I loved the glass.  I got Patron tequila.  For one reason, another person at the bar told me it was delicious.  For another, my maiden name is Vetrone, and it rhymes. I find that unassailable logic.  It was, in fact, a delicious margarita. There were some good desserts too. I enjoyed a Margarita Bar, which was kind of like a lemon square, only lime.

Alas, I could not linger.  I had to move on to a rehearsal for A Revolutionary Murder. (preview of coming attractions)  We are giving another performance on May 16 at Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, at a Roast Pork dinner.  I have written a different ending, so anybody who attended the first performance will still be surprised.

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First Rule: Make a Blog Post

Posted on May 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have somehow made it halfway through the week and, oh dear, not a whole lot done.  Then again, what is the rule for how much a crazy old lady is supposed to get done, and who sets these rules anyways?  There are always my rules for me, such as Any Writing Counts, but I do not remember setting a rule for How Much Should Get Done.  Note to self:  Set rule about how much should get done.  Or don’t.

Where was I?

Ain’t nobody here but us chickens!

I threw in a picture to distract from the fact that I have not much to say (I bet you thought I was going to say “to pep things up”) (you know who you are).  As I chose the chicken (yes, CHOSE the chicken, kindly do not get vulgar, this is a family blog!) (again, you know who you are), I thought to myself that it is too early for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  Then again, that is another Cindy-made rule.  There are no penalties for transgressions.

He loves me, he loves me not…

I found this picture in May 2023 of my Media Library.  I was thinking of mowing down or trying to move my wild daisies this year.  They get a little out of control and completely overshadow the forget-me-nots and lilies of the valley.  They are not very far along so far, but I guess it is early days yet.  I have not bestirred myself to do much outside yet.  The first thing I need to do is to get my lawnmower looked at. I seem to remember indulging in No Mow May last year.  They say it is good for the environment, but for me it was a handy excuse to be lazy (judge me if you are so inclined).

I see I have babbled on for over 300 words.  I shall bill this as a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.  I shall be out and about today and try for some Mohawk Valley Adventures.  I hope you are all having a lovely week.

 

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I Love Good Food

Posted on May 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The first Monday of every month, Herkimer Elks does a dinner.  I am almost always busy on Mondays, covering a town or village board meeting for the Daily Sentinel (regular readers may remember I am an intrepid girl reporter) ( you know, from a 1940’s horror movie or screwball comedy).  However, the first Monday of the month is usually Herkimer Town Board at 6 p.m.  Dinner starts at 5.  I can get my dinner at 5, bring it home, eat some of it, and still make it to the meeting on time.  Score!

I was especially anxious to try yesterday’s meal: Lemon Parmesan Chicken.  It sounded wonderful!  I got to the Lodge around 4:30 to enjoy a glass of Chardonnay and some company while I waited for my to-go meal.  I really do need a little bit of sociableness, living alone as I do.

It looked and tasted awesome!

I make bold to show my messy coffee table as well as my delicious meal.  As you see, I am re-reading another Agatha Christie book.  It is my comfort these days.  However, I have read every Agatha Christie book within reach within the last month or so, including the three I brought home from my sister Diane’s house last week, so I must resign myself to a comfortless period.  But never mind me.

I cannot describe how delicious that chicken was. I could barely restrain myself from eating it all.  Now, of course, I am happy I have some left over.  I wonder what delicious treat the Elks will have for me next month.

 

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Trying to Cook Up a Blog Post

Posted on May 4, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I haven’t done a cooking post in a long time but I thought I might do one since I did not do much of note since my fabulous hat of Saturday.  Of course my recent cooking has not been wonderful since I have not been shopping.  In my defense, I realized I did not want to be in the middle of walking up and down the aisles of Hannaford and suddenly want to sit down because my leg hurt unbearably.  That is where I was at Sunday.  It happened while I was doing the dishes then again in the shower.  Sorry to moan about my physical ailments.

At times like these, we look into the cupboard and freezer and see what we have.  I had some onions and a jar of pre-chopped garlic in the refrigerator (don’t judge me), so I chopped an onion and set it to cook in olive oil, added a good dollop of the garlic, and opened a bottle of Merlot, because I like to cook with wine.

Not the wine I was actually cooking with, but I wanted to throw in a picture to pep things up.

I added only one small can of tomato sauce, because I didn’t want to make too much, since this was not going to be much of a sauce, as you can guess by the meager ingredients.  I had some pierogies in the freezer.  They were the potato and cheese kind.  I wasn’t really sure about putting potato with tomato sauce, but I didn’t have anything else to make a sauce with, so I hoped for the best.  I put a few spices in the sauce, added salt and pepper and grated cheese when it was done.

It didn’t turn out too badly.  My legs don’t feel so achy today.  If I don’t feel up to supermarket walking (although I do love strolling the aisles and finding stuff I didn’t know I needed), I can always do the Hannaford-To-G0 thing. Although that would necessitate getting the bottles and cans out of the trunk of my car.  Oh dear.  How one things leads to another.

In any case, I have made some semblance of a blog post.  I must try for some semblance of a Mohawk Valley Adventure so I can find something more better to write about.  But as always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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