Category Archives: personal

Me and the History Mystery

Posted on August 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a great time today at one of my favorite places,  Herkimer County Historical Society.   I was there with my husband Steven,  sister Cheryl, niece Kimi, great nephew Sheppie and great niece Evie.  We were helping Sheppie solve the History Mystery.

Sheppie was given a pencil (he picked a green one, my favorite color!), clipboard and paper.  He had to look at various displays and answer questions.  We helped him write the answers, either by spelling the word while he wrote it or writing it in for him.  It took a while, because we were having fun looking at all the displays, not just the ones that held the answers.

Cheryl, Evie and Sheppie admire a Remington typewriter.

We explained to Sheppie what a typewriter was.  I’ll have to haul one of my collection out for him to play with one day.

Cheryl helping Sheppie spell an answer.

I had to get a shot with a smile!

Evie and her Aunt Kim.

The mystery took us upstairs.   I always stop and admire the woodwork, but Sheppie was more interested in getting up those stairs and finding more answers.

Sheppie trucked up those stairs!

Evie peeked through the banister at me.

We admired the displays in the hall before spending some time in the dollhouse room.

We were all impressed with the big wheeled bike.

Uncle Steve and Kim.

We all loved the dollhouse room.

I was delighted to introduce Sheppie, Evie and Kim to the historic society.  Cheryl and of course Steven have been there with me before.  What a wonderful source of education and entertainment!  If you have never delved into local history,  I highly recommend you make a visit to your nearest historical society.

Herkimer County Historical Society is located at 400 and 406 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-6413.  They are open 10 a.m. to  4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

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Market, Motors and Memory

Posted on August 2, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went to the Clinton Farmer’s Market today.  What a crowd scene!  I brought my Tablet to take some pictures, but the only real photo op was a display of some vintage cars. The cars reminded me of a previous experience,  so this may turn into a Throw Back Thursday post.

My companions at the market included my sister Cheryl and great-nephew Sheppie.  We were the three who walked across the street to see the cars.  I love classic cars.

I would love to tool down the road in this!

A fellow there showed us the engines of a couple of the cars and explained some of the mechanics involved.  These were Franklin cars, which were apparently the best made at the time.

Cheryl and Sheppie.

The cars reminded me of a time I dressed in 1920’s garb and posed near an old automobile.

This is not exactly like the car in my memory.

I was unable to show my pictures of the other car at the time, but I can show them to my readers now.

Hmmm… not really like it at all.

Here is the car I remembered.   It was parked in front of one of the Rutger Mansions in Utica, NY, for a fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica.  But that isn’t the picture I really wanted to show.

I rarely ignore a chance to flash a little leg.

Yes, this is me, impersonating a society lush from the 1920’s.

My husband Steven and friends Kim and Wayne.

This picture was actually taken a year later than the previous one, but it us the same car.

I guess this also can count as a Non-Sequitur Thursday post,  since I veered from farmers market to memories.  Who says I can’t multitask?

 

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Picture-filled Pedestrian Post

Posted on August 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I finished a letter to my sister, Diane, and thought I would take a walk to the post office with it.  For one reason, I neither ran nor walked this morning and I need the exercise.  For another reason, I could take my Tablet with me and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post.

I actually started out with some trepidation.   After all, I have walked this way many, many times, at least a few with my Tablet.   Could I find anything new to take a picture of?  I decided to trust my luck and set out.

The plant that ate Bellinger Street?

I have been noticing these prickly bushes taking over what used to be a nice front yard garden.  I’m not sure if anybody currently lives in the house, but if anyone moves in, I hope they have clippers!

I think a professional company does the flowers.

I decided to take a picture of Saint Francis, in front of the church of that name.  He is a little backlit, but we can just pretend that’s his halo.  I continued on through Meyer’s Park.

You can’t see the school seals, but you can read the poem.

As I walked across the park to take a picture of the 9/11 Memorial Garden, I noticed this bench I had never seen, donated by Herkimer High School Class of 1959.

Another shot that didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.

And here is the Memorial Garden.  You can’t read it, but the bench says what it is.

I don’t think I have shared a picture of this before, but no promises.

After mailing my letter, I decided to get a shot of the Methodist Church across the street. Then I thought I would stroll over to Washington Street and take a picture of the old Lorraine Billings School. I found a couple other photo ops first.

I hope to write more about this place eventually.

This was the Baptist Church but is now the future home of the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer.

Pretty flowers.

Next I turned around and took a picture of some Queen Anne’s Lace I had noticed.  I have some of that in my lawn, but not as many blooms.  When I was a kid we used to pick it and put it in water with food coloring.

When it was for sale, they advertised it as a “Brick Bonanza.”

I’ve always been rather fascinated with this building.  I do not know who currently owns it or what might eventually happen to it.

Good subs, among other tjings.

Just to throw in a plug for a local business,  I took a shot of Carney’s Corners.  We often get take-out or delivery from them (but for beer, I go to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion).

I’ve been here many times.

I decided to turn down Mary Street and take a picture of the Elks Lodge.  I have performed there with LiFT, the Little Falls Theatre Company,  in Shakespeare plays and murder mysteries.  I wonder if they’ll have us back soon.

The DMV is here.

Continuing up the street, I got a picture of the county office building.  Next was Christ Episcopal Church.   I know I have taken pictures of that, so I took one of the sign and surrounding flowers.

The Episcopal church is very welcoming.

Turning up Main Street, I soon found myself at my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  Rather than photographing the buildings, which I know I have done, I took a picture of the historic marker in front of the 1834 Jail, again including some flowers.

Again, you probably can’t read it, but I’ve written about the jail and will no doubt do so again.

After that, I headed for home, ignoring any further photo ops.  I was afraid my post would be too long, and I see it is beyond my usual length.  Thank you to whoever has stayed with me till the end!

 

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Copper Moose is Cool!

Posted on July 31, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was so hot and sticky today, all I wanted to do was to go someplace air conditioned for a while.  Luckily, my husband Steven agreed to dine out with me.  I suggested Copper Moose Ale House in Little Falls,  since I had noticed some yummy-sounding specials on Facebook.

I called to see if we needed a reservation, but was told they were quiet enough that we could just walk in.  Sure enough, there were several tables available.   However, after the waitress seated us at one, I asked if we could sit at a tall table in the bar area.  I do so love to sit at a tall table.

Isn’t he handsome?

They gave us a beer list; an impressive array of craft beer is available.  I asked if we would lose all cred by drinking wine and was reassured.  We both drank Chardonnay.  We also ordered the same thing: a cup of creamy mushroom soup and a chicken taco.

That soup was amazing!  Three kinds of mushrooms with croutons and parmesan cheese.  Yum!  The tacos were delicious as well.  We could have eaten more but decided to stop before we were stuffed.  I asked to take a picture of our bartender Henry, who had been taking such  good care of us.

Great bartender, great time.

Henry offered to take a picture of us and suggested we pose by the titular Copper Moose.

We love that Copper Moose!

It was a lovely evening.  I hope to return to the Copper Moose Ale House soon!

Copper Moose is located at 5518 E. Main St., Little Falls NY,  phone number 315-508-5156. They are open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday,  4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

 

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Running Behind

Posted on July 30, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I didn’t make a Monday post.  I will attempt to make two today, beginning with a Running Commentary on the run I took this morning.

I did not run Sunday or Monday with the result that I certainly did not feel like running today.  I resolutely ignored the feeling, although I did have some coffee and water before I actually got out the door.  As soon as I had running clothes on, I felt better about the whole idea.

My plan was to run up the hill by Valley Health.  I have not been running as long or as many hills as I would ideally like to.  Still, I did not want to jump right into a super long run up the hill to Herkimer College.  I had not made up my mind how long to run; my current minimum is 25 minutes, but I did not rule out going further if it felt good.

As I started, it didn’t feel bad.  I headed up German Street with optimism.  I was on the side of the street that has more of an upgrade.  All the better, I thought, more effort, more improvement, more calories burned.  Then I got a little tired.  No matter, I told myself.  Persevere!

I could not continue as I had planned, because the sidewalk was closed for construction.  Accordingly, I turned up Maple Grove.  I ran into a lady I know from the library and from a meeting about Herkimer Diamond Days (perhaps you read my blog post about it).  We said good morning, and she reminded me there is another meeting tonight.  I hesitated,  running in place.

” I may not be able to help after all,” I said, adding that I would contact the lady in charge.

We went our separate ways.  I must remember to message that lady.  Or perhaps I could go to the meeting and at least make a blog post about it.  These thoughts entertained me as I ran, taking my mind off the hill I was on.  It was not much of a hill to begin with, but my body really feels these things lately.

I ended up running two hills, entering against one Do Not Enter sign, and continuing for a total of 25 minutes.  My cool down walk was slightly longer than usual, because I put the trash containers away then walked back out front to retrieve the newspaper.

As usual, I felt happy I had run, at least for a short time.  Now I am feeling awfully tired, but we’ll blame that on the hot and humid weather.  Which sounds better than my own laziness.  I certainly hope I will not be too lazy to make another blog post later.  I do not want to be another post behind.

 

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Post Mummers Post

Posted on July 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew early on today that it was going to be Wrist to Forehead Sunday.   I felt it in my tired body and dull head.  But I had to revive myself somehow, at least temporarily,  because I had one more performance with Mummers Along the Mohawk.

By the way, we were awesome.  I do not feel egotistical saying it, because I speak as part of a group.  Anyways, as I often observe, there are worse things than having an ego the size of Manhattan (not that I have ever actually measured an ego, mine or otherwise).  But I digress. I hope to make a real post about the Great American Irish Festival and about the Mummers, but now is not the time.

Now is the time to make a fast post, so I do not fall further behind; then I can return to the wine drinking, movie watching portion of the evening.

Oh no! It’s Wrist to Forehead Sunday!

 

The movie we are currently viewing is The Birds, a good Sunday night flick.  Before that we saw Creature from the Haunted Sea, but I do not have any pictures of that in my Media Library and it is not so easy to get pictures when I am on my Tablet.  At least for me.  I suppose others can do it with ease, and there is another reason for me to pose dramatically with the back of one wrist on my forehead.

No, I am not telling you to get out of here! Sheesh!

I wanted to include another picture, so here is one from I Saw What You Did, our selection from two days ago.  I loves me some William Castle!

So I hope this is a sufficient blog post.  My theatrical commitments are done for the time being.  Perhaps I can manage to make some better blog posts.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Slacking on a Semblance of a Post

Posted on July 28, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to have a Scattered Slacker Saturday post.  I have done a few things this weekend so far and thought I could write some semblance of a post merely listing them. However, as I sit here typing one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet I must confess, this is not so. I do not want to make a blog post at all!!!

I can only hope it has been a while since I have done a post about “I Can’t Make a Blog Post Today,” because that is just about all I am up to today.  How utterly dreadful of me. But why should I worry?  It has happened before and will happen again.  As usual, we must make the best of things.

Today has been a day of highs and lows for me.  We had a great couple of performances as Mummers Along the Mohawk.  Additionally, I enjoyed some musical performances at the Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort,  NY.  Why should I not write a blog post about one of those things?

For one reason, I am tired.  I went running this morning and did a load of laundry which I hung out on the line.  It has been a hot and humid day.  I continued to have Mohawk Valley Adventures after the aforementioned performance. And I am not feeling in the happiest mood for reasons too tiresome to mention.

Well, never mind my unhappy mood.  These things change with the passage of time.  I have made, as I hoped, some semblance of a blog post.  I will attempt a better blog post tomorrow.   As always,  I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Once Again, About to Break a Lame

Posted on July 27, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

The Mummers, minus me.

Hello and welcome to Lame Post Friday.   I have to get ready soon for our Mummers performance at the Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort NY.  I am, as usual before a performance, eager and nervous.  It is a combination not good for my stomach, but I just love it.  Drama is my life!

In the meantime,  blog posts must be made, at least my blog posts by me.  Other bloggers of course must follow their own rules.  Lucky for me it is, as I mentioned earlier,  Lame Post Friday.

I think blog posts are better with monsters.

I thought I would throw in a monster or two.  This fight is symbolic of the fight in my stomach between nerves and anticipation.  You can decide which is which.

 

Me and some theatrical friends.

I thought I would also include a picture of me being theatrical.  This is from a murder mystery we did a few years ago.  Of course a murder mystery is a different kind of performance from a Mummer’s play.  I like all kinds of theatrical endeavors.

And another monstrous picture to round things out.

I thought I would end with Peter Lorre and Vincent Price reminding me not to lose my head.  Good advice.  Now I’m off to get my costume together.  Then I’ll break a leg!

 

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Another Yummy Interlude

Posted on July 26, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

We needed to get my husband Steven a ticket for the Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort, so we headed to the Price Chopper in Little Falls.  Of course I cannot go to Little Falls for just one thing, so we also got a mid afternoon snack at Ruggiero’s Trattorio.

One of my favorite places for drinks and food.

We have eaten there before.  Our favorite place to sit is the bar, which is where we sat today.  We had some Chardonnay.  I got a bowl of French Onion Soup while Steven had a slice of pizza.  I had a bite or two of his pizza.  It had sausage, peppers and mushrooms. Yum!  I adored my soup. It felt so good on my stomach!

Steven enjoying a sip or two.

A fellow sat two seats down from us at the bar and gave the bartender a bottle of blueberry beer.

“I have to love a guy who pulls a bottle of beer out of his pocket.” I told him.

He told us how he likes to try different kinds of beer, but you often have to purchase a six- or twelve-pack at a time, so he sometimes gives some away to people he thinks will like them.  I referred him to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion, because he has a rack where you can mix and match a six-pack of craft beers.

We had a fun time there. I also got a picture of our bartender Carly.

A good bartender with one of my favorite names.

Ruggiero’s Trattorio is located at 546 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-1414.  They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m.

 

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Pedestrian Post for Wuss-out Wednesday

Posted on July 25, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Have I used that title before?  I don’t care if I did.  Without going into tiresome details, I am in a mood to wuss out.   Come to think about it, I have pretty much been wussing out since June.  Judge me if you would like to.  It is immaterial to me.

Anyways, my husband Steven and I took a short walk earlier.  I took my trusty Tablet in hopes of getting enough pictures for a blog post.  First I tried to get a shot of the Lutheran Church on the corner of German and Henry.  The bright sunlight hindered me.

I run by this church almost every day.

Hmm.  Not well centered but at least it’s not backlit.  I did not have any more photo-ops on the walk so tried to pad things out with some shots of the lawn.  If only I had done more yard work (refer to earlier remark about wussing out all summer) (and no, computer, I do NOT mean “sussing”!).

The best bloom so far.

Our Black-Eyed Susans have had a lot of greenery but few blooms so far.  I am seeing a lot of buds, though, so things may improve.  That patch also has chives, some of which I put in a macaroni salad earlier (ooh, I could have done a cooking post!), and an unidentified plant which I just noticed today.

If they bloom I’ll take another picture.

 

Next I got a shot of our Rose of Sharon, also not blooming.

At least it’s too big to get mowed accidentally.

We planted another plant when we did the Rose of Sharon, but I do not know what it is called.

It turns red in the fall.

Then I noticed some purple flowers I had not seen before, amongst the sadly overgrown stuff near the fence.

Can you see the fence starting to fall? I’ve been meaning to fix that.

Also never planted by us are some Brown-Eyed Susans.  They first showed up a few years ago and there seem to be a lot of them now.

Also not blooming yet.

Now I see that title really does not fit the post.  And yet I cannot think of anything better.  Oh well, sometimes I have elements of Non-Sequitur Thursday on Wuss-out Wednesday.   It happens.  I prefer to look on the bright side: I’m closing in on 400 words, after not feeling able to frame a sentence earlier.  Can better blog posts be far behind?   I hope you’ll stay tuned to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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