Category Archives: humor

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.

 

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No Monsters, But Monday Mosey

Posted on August 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

My well-wishers will be pleased to know I started walking again.  Today I took my cellphone with me so I could do a Pedestrian Post with Pictures in lieu of my usual Monstrous Monday (no promises about Tuesday).  I had neglected to charge my Garmin so paused for a cup of tea before I headed out.  I was still well ahead of the heat of the day.  I strolled down German Street, feeling pleased that I could.  I must say it is so wild to me to feel perfectly capable of walking down the street when two months ago I couldn’t make it to the bathroom without lying down halfway and taking a break (for those of you who thought I was done whining about my aches and pains, I do not know why you got your hopes up).

Trees are so cool!

I had noticed the branches of this tree on a previous walk and thought it would make a good picture.  I’m nobody’s photographer, but for purposes of this blog, I will have to do.

Alas, that you probably cannot read the sign.

Just to give a plug to a local business, Raindrops on Roses Bed and Breakfast.  They also have a wine tasting room with a garden (perhaps you read my blog posts about it).  They sometimes have music in the summer.  I know this, because they recently had to cancel one due to weather.  I must watch for another.  For one reason, it would make a good blog post.  For another, wine.

I do like to see running water.

I paused to take a picture while going over the bridge which was recently replaced there.  Very nice.  It wasn’t such an inconvenience going around while they were working on it, but it is always nice when these projects are finished.

Still known as HCCC or H-trip-C to locals.

I also took a picture of the college sign.  I took other pictures as I continued to walk, but I see I am over 300 words now.  I thought as I was going that more than three would be too many but also thought I could always use them in a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.  It is nice to have plans for the rest of the week.

 

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Post-Lobster Post

Posted on August 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suppose some people are waiting for a Post-Lobster Post, to follow yesterday’s Pre-Lobster post.  I traveled with some of my Elks friends to Cobleskill Elks Lodge where they were having their annual Lobsterfest.  The others had been there before, but this was my first fest and indeed my first full lobster. Yikes!  I heard they were hard to get into.

Yes, wine was involved.

I did not remember to take a picture of my two lobsters and all the fixings.  Instead I had at the first one right away, working with a nutcracker and determination.  I did not even begin the second one but had brought a couple gallon storage bags to take leftovers home in.  I brought home the corn on the cob, cole slaw, and watermelon, too, although I did eat the salt potatoes.

I put in for several items on the basket raffle too, but did not get lucky this time.  I also got in on the 50/50 and a wooden rocking chair raffle, so I feel I supported the Cobleskill Elks Lodge.

Only part of our fun bunch!

On the way home, we stopped at the Esperance Elks Lodge, just to say hello.  That’s the fun part about being an Elk, lots of lodges to check out.

I did not go up these stairs.

We also stopped for ice cream.  I got a root beer float with chocolate ice cream.  Yum!  It was quite the fun day, and I have a whole lobster in my refrigerator, waiting for me to crack it open and enjoy.

 

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Pre-Lobster Post

Posted on August 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am posting in haste (posthaste, a rarely used word these days) (and I do not know why my Chromebook capitalized haste.  Is that the name of a city somewhere? No, I’m not going to Google it, or even DuckDuckGo it!).  Where was I?  Ah yes, I think I am ready to leave for the Cobleskill Elks Lodge Lobsterfest.  For $45 I get two lobsters and all the fixings, which I believe include corn on the cob, cole slaw (capitalized cole, but I know that’s a name), and salt potatoes.  I only hope I can crack open the lobster.

Maybe I should go to a fish fry instead.

As usual, I throw in a picture to pep things up.  This is from Herkimer Elks Lodge (to which I belong)’s Lenten Fish Fry. I do love a good fish fry, although I often opt for the broiled or baked.  It isn’t just the calories; my stomach has gotten oh so finicky in its old age.

Isn’t she pretty?

This is one of my Elks friends I am going to the fest with, Michele.  That’s my tiara she is wearing.  When I wore it for Four Old Broads on the High Seas with Players of Utica last July (fun times), sometimes I wore it to the Lodge before or after rehearsals. I love that tiara.  However, I shall not wear it to Lobster Fest (I wonder if that’s one word).

I see I am over 200 words.  Score!  Now to make sure I am truly ready to go.  All three earrings in, etc.

 

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Better to Have Lamed…

Posted on August 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another Lame Post Friday blog post.  It is, I am afraid, the best I can do today.  I am feeling down, but you’ll have that.  It is really no reason for concern.  I have not been out and about today, except to do some little bit of yard work (nothing work taking pictures and writing a blog post about, unfortunately).   But it is Lame Post Friday, the day when I indulge in random observations and half-baked philosophy.  What can I come up with today?

Oh! It’s a bird house!

When I looked at this picture all small in my Media Library, I had no idea what it was.  Silly me!  The picture was taken in 2020, when we were all hunkered down trying to avoid COVID.  I was putting up decorations here and there, trying to cheer the place up.  Perhaps I should make some efforts in that direction again.  First I have to clean.  Damn.

Sure looks different now!

Fast forward about a year from when the last picture was taken to August 2021, and look at all the Brown-Eyed Susans I had.  It was amazing!  This is actually the area of the deck I was working on this morning, once again battling the wild grapevines (if only I could  make wild wine, we could come to some sort of an agreement).  It does not look like this.  Not a single Brown-Eyed Susan do I have, alas.

I do not know if any of those count as random observations or half-baked philosophy, and I am thinking probably not.  However, I observe (not so randomly, unfortunately) that I am over 250 words.  I think that counts as good for a Friday blog post, Lame or otherwise (I guess all my posts are somewhat lame).  I philosophize that a lame post is better than no post at all.  Have I used that as a title already? I fear so.

 

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I Am Up-LiFTed by ThrowBack Thursday

Posted on August 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Throwback Thursday follows Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, and that is the way it is sometimes.  I did mean to have some Mohawk Valley Adventures, and I kind of did.  But now I have a headache.  I got it in the middle of last night, and every time I think something I do has helped, the relief is short-lived.  But do not allow me to piss and moan about my aches and pains, let me make with the memories, and if you have heard them before, bear with me, I beg you.

Look how colorful!

I go back to August of 2017, and one of my favorite theatre memories, The Tempest with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  Here we are performing at the Utica Zoo.  I am the one in the yellow tights.  This is one of my favorite roles as well as one of my favorite costumes.  The hat, cape, collar, and sword were loaned to me by Matt Powers, the director, but the rest was all me and thrift stores.  The shirt was purchased in Georgia years ago, for my late, dearly missed husband Steve to wear as a pirate.  The vest, shorts, and pantyhose were purchased locally.  I threaded elastic through the hem of the shorts to make them pumpkin pants.  The shoes were given to me.  Perhaps I am overly proud of myself, but I have to take my self-esteem where I find it.

She was and still is lovely!

Sticking with August and LiFT, this is 2018, when we participated in the parade associated with Canal Days.  I  believe Canal Days are going on even as I blog, but I have a few other things on my plate currently.

We were an eclectic bunch.

I think one more shot from that parade will be acceptable.  Since I got so wordy about my costume, I am now over 300 words.  I think that’s dandy for a Throwback Thursday. I hope to have some more Mohawk Valley Adventures, so I have something new to throw back to in the future.

 

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Breakfasts and Beverage on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Posted on August 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post today.  A quick check of my phone showed I had a few pictures I had not used, so let us see what I can find to say about them.

The road not taken.

I impulsively took this picture outside of Bridge Street Diner in St. Johnsville, NY after breakfast with my Elks Friends one Thursday.  I wish I had zoomed in closer to the hill and bridge. The road is another way I could have taken to go home.  I decided not to that day, because I wanted to make a stop in Dolgeville, which was the other way.  Of course I first turned the wrong direction at the end of the street and went the total wrong way to get to either destination, but I soon righted myself.  This is how I see new sights.

Speaking of breakfast…

Sometimes I fix myself an cheese omelet for breakfast.  The shape of this one struck me as so unusual, I took a picture.  I suppose I only could have cleaned off the coffee table for a better picture, but then the omelet would have gotten cold.  The coffee table is still a disaster, but I am working on it.  Slowly.

I was drinking wine at the time.

When I was at the Herkimer Elks Club after the car show on Saturday, a fellow at the bar ordered what sounded to me like “rum and coke.”  No, no, it was this whiskey, Roe and Co.  The bartender gave me a little taste.  I liked it but not enough to get a serving like the one shown here.  I made a note in my notebook (I never leave the house without at least one notebook) about it, as well as taking this picture.

This puts me over 300 words.  I say, Yes!  I leave the house soon for further Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Or at least a walk to the post office, to mail a letter to a friend.

 

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Another Stop at the Java Shop

Posted on August 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I treated myself to a late but excellent breakfast at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY.  At least, it was late for me.  I had been up since 5:30 (not an unusual time of rising for me), finished my article about the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, and driven out to East Herkimer to take an appropriate picture.  This brought me to almost 9 a.m.  I decided to treat myself, put a little money into the local economy, and give myself something to blog about later.  This is how I multi-task.

I did not take this picture till I left.

I ordered the Drink of the Week, which was Raspberry Cheesecake.  I opted to have it as an iced coffee and, alas, forget what the other options were.  Fine reporter I am!  I had had two cups of regular coffee earlier, as I worked on my article but hoped the ice and extras would fool my stomach into thinking I had not had that much coffee after all.  Dylan, the young man getting my drink, opined that you cannot have too much coffee.  My brain and my soul agree, my stomach not so much.  I also got an Everything Bagel with cream cheese.

As I sat I worked on a letter to a friend, trying to remember if it was The Java Shop or Shoppe.  I always set the scene when I write a letter.  I checked the sign as I left, also taking the picture, which I have neglected to do the last few times I have been at the Java Shop.  My previous picture had some glare on it. I also noticed some outside seating.  Nice!

A place to sit another day.

The Java Shop is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p. m.

 

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A Flustered Monday Post

Posted on August 4, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, look at the time.  This is what I get for not making my blog post first thing in the morning.  In my defense, I did not have much to blog about and I had an appointment to get to.  Now I still do not have much to blog about and very little brain to blog with.  Additionally, I have probably waited too late in the day to make the post, and WordPress will not give me that encouraging little notification about how long of a streak I am on.  There is a lesson there in requiring outside validation when I know damn well I have been making blog posts every day for the past week.  Do I ever learn my lesson?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

They’re just hanging out.

I delved into my Media Library for a picture of monsters in hopes of making this a Monstrous Monday post, and came up with this one from Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit, taken in 2016.

As a side note:  as I typed the previous sentence I heard a neighbor rolling a trash or recycling container out to the curb (it makes a lovely thunder-like rumble) and remembered I have not yet put out this week’s trash.  Yes, yes, I have plenty of time.  However, I also have to get to the Herkimer Town Board meeting by six.  This is what I do.  I spend all day telling myself I have plenty of time, then do everything at the last minute.

I CAN’T CHOOSE!!!!!

Indecisiveness also plagues me at times like these.  I could not decide on another monster picture to round out the post with, then this one asking me to choose a favorite struck me as apropos.  Although as regular readers may recall, I often refer to Nosferatu (lower right) as my favorite guy.  Well never mind, it is just to make a point.

This has become kind of a flustered blog post, but you’ll have that on occasion, especially with me.  At least I am posting something, and by My Rules For Me, that is a good thing.  Is it a good thing for my readers?  Feel free to comment with your opinion.

 

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I Blog and I Brag

Posted on August 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before I succumbed to my propensity to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead (and I can’t believe I spelled “succumbed” right on the first try), I did a couple of useful things.  I did the dishes, no small feat, but more importantly, I fought the lawn.  The amazing thing was, I started the power mower by myself on the first try. Please do not belittle my accomplishment (you know who you are); this is a big deal.

First I had a go at cutting down the last of the tall growth on my front lawn.  Alas that I did not take a “before” picture, but the “after picture” would not have been so beautiful anyways.  Lots of bending and straightening, ugh!  And all I can think of is the old lady we used to drive by in Rome sometimes when I was a little girl.  She would be outside in her nightgown and robe, bent over, pulling up weeds, and my Dad would whistle at her.  We referred to her as “Dad’s girlfriend.”  I feel certain there is a young family which drives by me and derives similar amusement from the sight of my posterior.  Then again, if I can have any small part in spreading joy, that is not a bad thing.

Lots of blooms!

I put in the picture there to break up the prose, but I took it after I had finished everything.  Since I am putting things out of order, I guess that makes this a Non-Sequitur Sunday as well.  Anyways, after I had clipped and pulled as much as I had a mind to, I got out the lawn mower, topped off the gas, checked the oil, and brought it out front, completely willing to flag down a passer-by and play the old lady widow card.  I primed the engine five times instead of the recommended three.  Imagine my delight when the first pull yielded the desired result.

I did the front lawn, even making an attempt at the side of the house.  The back was not looking so bad, but I had at it anyways.  After mowing, I took the clippers to the invasive wild grapevines.  There I met with less success.  For one reason, I was awfully tired by then.  Still, I was proud of myself for my efforts.  I posed a couple of times, both fists in the air, looking triumphant.  Alas, there were no neighbors or passers-by to see.  So I brag to my blog readers.

I feel certain other people have overcome greater obstacles and accomplished larger triumphs.  I applaud you, of course.  In the meantime, I have over 400 words of a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I think I am doing OK.

 

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