Category Archives: personal

Mohawk Valley Memories

Posted on December 15, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I posted yesterday morning but not this morning.  By the way, I said it had been ten days since I posted, but I was mistaken.  You see, I thought it was the 15th.  Imagine my amazement when I got to work and discovered it was only the 13th.  But I knew all along it was only Wednesday, so I did not suffer the chagrin on realizing it was not Friday.

An all-time favorite meme.

I said I was going to post about Mohawk Valley Adventures.  However, I am fighting fatigue as well as my recalcitrant Tablet (I don’t think I have ever used the word “recalcitrant ” in a sentence before).  Perhaps a Throwback Thursday Post would be OK.

A great place to go!

Here is an adventure from December 2017.  My late beloved husband Steve and our friend Margaret Rienzo, proprietress of the So Sweet Candy Shoppe in Utica, NY.  I was there more recently with my sisters Cheryl and Diane.

I loves me some nutcrackers!

Here are some Christmas decorations in Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  The picture is from 2021, but I saw the nutcrackers there again just the other night.

It’s the good stuff!

For my last photo, I switch it up with a Preview of Coming Attractions.  This was from a tasting of Dikin Dirt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  Now where did I put my tasting notes?

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I’m Still Here!

Posted on December 13, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, it has been ten days since I last posted.  How embarrassing.  I have a few (very few) good Mohawk Valley Adventures to write about, but I feel I should first make an apology if not an explanation of not being here for my lovely readers, which I hope I still have.

May be a doodle of 1 person and text that says 'Please do not accept friend equests from my husband. ...He's been hacked. Mrs. ROXALANA DRUSE,'

These crack me up.

I throw in a picture which has very little to do with anything, but I saw it on Facebook this morning (yes, I peeked at Facebook before logging on to WordPress, judge me if you want to be that way), and it made me smile.  My lawyer assured me he is still working on the appeal.  Longtime readers may remember that I had the honor to play Roxalana Druse in Roxy, the fact-based play about the local murder presented by Herkimer County Historical Society at Ilion Little Theatre.  I wrote several blog posts about it.  In addition to giving me a laugh, I guess it helps me to remember past triumphs.  I trust I shall not continue in the wallowy rut in which I have become mired (what an image!) (and autocorrect seems to think “wallowy” is not a word, but as usual in these cases, it is exactly what I mean).

Regarding the wallowy rut:  I try, I really do try to do things other than sit around and feel sad, try to sleep, or read books (reading books is great, but it doesn’t clean the house, do the dishes, or make blog posts).  At first the insidious voice in my head said, “I can’t!”  I could sometimes overcome it with a gentle, “Just try”  or “Just do one thing,”  occasionally even specifying an actual thing.  Then the voice switched to, “I don’t care!”  That is more difficult to overcome, but I have had some minor success with, “Do it anyways,” or striving to ignore the voice.

I throw in a Christmasy picture to liven things up (I was sure Christmasy was a word!).

What a dull, self-involved post.  I will play the widow card once again.  This is my first Christmas without my beloved Steve.  I remind myself that it is going to be hard, don’t be surprised by that, just try to do a few things to make the season merry for somebody at least.  I guess I have gone over these thoughts before, but I must repeat them constantly to myself so inevitably impose them upon others as well.

And I see I am over 400 words.  I hope to make a real Mohawk Valley Girl post later today or tomorrow.  I thank everybody who is still reading.

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

From a Swoon-like Position

Posted on December 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I once again try to make a blog post from my phone, as I did Thanksgiving weekend (perhaps you read that post). I am lounged on my couch after a singularly lazy Sunday. Then again, why not a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post? To a casual observer, I look like I might just have swooned, dramatically posed or otherwise.

I need to get a closer shot.

I took that picture when I walked to the post office yesterday. I usually go through Meyer’s Park in Herkimer, NY, where I live (I add for the benefit of any reader just tuning in). I meant to take a few more pictures and make a Pedestrian Post, but couldn’t make up my mind on any.

An excellent musician.

Here is another picture I took but had not used in the blog yet. It is local musician Tom Maneen, who I enjoyed seeing at Frattello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort last Wednesday.

My phone does not seem to tell me how many words I am up to. No doubt I have just not clicked in the right place. Regular readers know that most of my problems can be explained with the words Operator Error.

I say no matter. This makes three days in a row that I have posted at least something. I will let that content me. Now then, how to add categories and tags…

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Uncategorized, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Still Lame After All These Years

Posted on December 2, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Full disclosure:  I am making my blog post now only because I want my breakfast to settle in my stomach before I take a walk.  Otherwise, I might have done a Pedestrian Post with Pictures.  Perhaps another day.  The point is, I have nothing in particular to say or even to make a blog post about. Yes, I am still posting lame (and that gave me an idea for a title, at least).

Must up my decorating game.

A picture always make a post a little brighter.  This is from December 2021, before my life started to fall apart.  Oh, who am I kidding?  My life has always been a shambles, but we used to do a better job of decorating for Christmas.  I am particularly fond of the ghost with the Santa hat.  He has a practical function, which is to add light to the living room.  Right now he is sporting on of my rhinestone tiaras.

I love my Elliott Ghoul.

Here is another Halloween/Christmas mash-up.  The ghoul still stands in my window, keeping my company when I turn off the dining room lights or make a loud noise.  I especially like the reflection of Santa in this picture.  I brought that Santa inside Halloween night and mean to return him to the porch when I take down the pumpkin lights and put up some multi-colored ones I found (preview of coming attractions).

It looks a little like the ghost of Santa, no?

Here is Santa from the front.  I purchased Santa Claus the first year we lived in this house, from a nearby big box store which needs no plug from Mohawk Valley Girl.  I remember walking home with him tucked under one arm, feeling inordinately pleased with myself.

As I gear up to celebrate the first Christmas without my Steve in over 30 years, I remind myself to find joy, and to try to bring joy to others.  Perhaps my silly blog brings, not joy exactly (I shall not flatter myself), but a little smile.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Start Lame and Go From There

Posted on December 1, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Perhaps posting every other day will be a thing for a while.  No promises.  However, I managed to find my way to the dining-room-table-top and, well, here I am.

I just paused to get some coffee.  Surely that will help (after all, somebody’s name might be Shirley).

Not the cup I am using, but I wanted to add an illustration.

In my favor today:  it is Lame Post Friday.  Although I have made a habit lately of making my Lame Post Friday post early Saturday morning and my Throwback Thursday post early Friday morning, I feel fairly certain today’s will be somewhat of a lame post.  Then again, a couple of Throwback pictures might pep things up.

A favorite scene.

From spring of 2019, a scene from Morning’s at Seven at Ilion Little Theatre, with my dear friend Jim.  That play is a great theatre memory.

Oh yeah, Christmas is coming.

I was casting about, looking for other theatre memories but found this shot of my late, dearly missed husband, Steve, and a newscaster from WKTV whose name escapes me, stuffing the bus with toys for poor kids for Christmas 2019.  I must purchase something with which to stuff the bus this year.  Or perhaps I could win something at 4Pet’s Sake Food Pantry’s basket raffle on Saturday (preview of coming attractions).  I donated an afghan to the event.

May be an image of text that says 'BASKET RAFFLE 4PetSake Mohawk Legion 43W.MainSt, 43 W. Main Mohawk Food Pantry Inc. Benefits 4PetSake Food Pantry Saturday December, 2nd from 12-4 PM'

I plan to be there!

So now we have veered into Non-Sequitur territory, and I am over 200 words.  I adjourn for more coffee and wish you all a pleasant Friday.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, Non Sequitur Thursday, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Monsters (and Bloggers) Need Love

Posted on November 29, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

One might just as well admit that it is easier not to make a blog post than to make one (one being me).  I could go on at length about how my depression makes it difficult to do
ANYTHING, beginning with getting out of bed in the morning, and how blogging is a form of communicating and I am in a decidedly non-communicative state, but these are half-baked philosophies (I deal in no other kind) better suited for Lame Post Friday.  How about some Mid-Week Monsters instead, and apologies for not posting on Tired Tuesday (I was in fact very tired, but explanations are even more tiresome; let us get on with the blog).

I surely would have used this had I posted yesterday, and I might call you Shirley.

I had the delightful experience this morning of thinking it was Tuesday but realizing it was Wednesday, so I feel free to use this picture.  I could feel a little sad it is not Friday, but what is wrong with Wednesday? All days need a little love.

“You need room-darkening shades, by the way.”

Monsters need a little love, too.  That is all Nosferatu is looking for here.  Love, and a little nutrition.  Even vampires need to eat!

Only my hairdo is not as good.

This is my current profile picture on Facebook.  It is a pretty good description of me, by the way.

I’m sure he meant it as a compliment.

Speaking of looking for love in all the wrong places…  I’m sure Drs. Frankenstein and Praetorious (don’t know if that’s spelled right; too lazy to look it up) thought these two were ideally suited.  That is what makes me suspicious of dating services.  How do they know who is and is not compatible?

I see I am approaching 300 words.  I call that respectable, as regular readers (if I still have any) know.  Yes, my little blog is looking for love, just like these monsters.  They say you have to give it to get it, and I do love my readers.  Happy Wednesday, everybody.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, Mid-Week Monsters, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Bought the Book!

Posted on November 27, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I made my way to Ilion Little Theatre, where local author Dave Dellecese was having a Story Time and Signing for his new book, Lucy and the Ghost Take the Stage.  Two of my favorite things: theatre and ghosts!  And a book I think my grandniece, Evie, might like for a Christmas present (I feel free to put it here, because I am fairly certain she does not read my blog).

The author with his book.

Dave Dellecese has been a good friend ever since I joined Ilion Little Theatre. He is an excellent actor and director as well as a talented writer. I am so impressed with his prolific output!  I really must up my writing game.

I had to take the above picture twice, since in the first shot I inadvertently got Char, president of the club, in the background.  When I said I had gotten her blurry in the background, another lady said, “That’s the ghost!”

I did not stay to hear the reading or even eat a cookie, because I was not feeling well.  Nothing contagious; I just have not been eating in the most healthy fashion, especially on Sunday. In my defense… OK, I have no defense.

You can follow Dave Dellecese on Facebook or at https://davedellecese.com/.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Did You Ever See a Fat Vampire?

Posted on November 22, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a wild thought yesterday that I was going to make another blog post in the evening, but that did not happen.  This morning I have reason to be grateful to my slow dining-room-table-table-top, because while I waited for things to load, my coffee maker had time to brew this morning’s cups.  I was going to put “this morning’s pot” but did not want to confuse things.  It’s legal in New York State (where I am) by the way.

As you may guess, this post is just going to be me babbling on for 200 words or so.  Regular readers (if I still have any) may recall that I reserve the right to make these foolish posts, especially if I am posting every day, which I hope to continue to do.  Additionally, it has been a long time (too lazy to go back and be exact) since I have done a Monstrous Post, and I miss my monsters!  For another reason, the pictures will pep the post up.

See? She’s happy the blog is back.

Here is a nice vampire to brighten our morning, of the Hammer Horror variety.  I’m not sure which film this picture is from, or even if it is a still or a publicity shot.  It appears her pinky ring is a little big for her.  I hope she doesn’t lose it.  I lost a pinky ring once after losing a considerable amount of weight.  I would just imagine the liquid diet of the vampires would have a similar slimming effect.  Think about it, did you ever see a fat vampire?  I just now thought about it.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with weighing whatever you happen to weigh.  I do not believe in fat shaming, and any remarks about fat vampires are not in any way meant to do so.

What’s he looking so annoyed about?

This, of course, is who many believe is the quintessential vampire, Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula.  Lugosi had many other delicious horror roles.  I loves me some Bela.

I always think he looks startled here.

I can’t close without including my favorite, Nosferatu, from the 1922 silent movie of the same name.  He is fine, yes.

I see I am over 350 words.  I say very respectable for a foolish post.  Now I have two in a row. Let’s see if I can keep this good habit up!

 

5 Comments

Posted in humor, MidWeek Monsters, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Walking Back to the Blog

Posted on November 21, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not posted in two weeks (I did the math: 14 days, then I looked at a calendar).  It just got easier and easier NOT to post!  And here is a philosophical question (whose answer will be half-baked, no doubt) suitable for a future Lame Post Friday post (if I can manage to keep posting that long):  why are good habits so hard to get back to and bad habits so easy?  I can go a week or two without eating chocolate (I can’t tell you the last time I actually did that, but I’m sure I can), then one little bite and I’m all, “YUM!  Why did I ever stop this?”

Full disclosure:  right now as I ten-finger type on my dining-room-table-top, I am a bit,  “This is awesome!  Why did I ever stop this?”  Yet I cannot guarantee I will be here tomorrow morning at this time doing the same thing.  But, as I said, these questions are for Lame Post Friday.

The current state of my blog.

As I often do at these times,  I throw in a picture to pep things up.  On Sunday (today is Tuesday, but the way; I mention it because my WordPress timestamp does not always jive) I took a walk with my camera, taking a few pictures, thinking to make a Pedestrian Post.  These rotting pumpkins caught my eye. I thought it was a brave smile, such as I feel myself giving these days (my teeth are in about as good shape).  At least this one has not started molding on the inside.  I once saw a really scary one with its mouth wide open to a black interior.  Alas that I had no phone or tablet with me at the time.

A nice place. I should join.

My walk continued and eventually I went past the Herkimer Elks Lodge, the site of my recent theatrical triumph (I feel I do not flatter myself as I give most of the credit to my fellow actors), Lights, Camera, Murder!  Imagine my chagrin when I discovered there were several other murder mysteries with the same title.  These things happen, I suppose, and I have heard you cannot copyright a title.

Why isn’t he in his cell? Is it a jail break?

Because I am still (let’s face it: almost always) in Halloween mode, I took a shot of the ghost of Chester Gillette peeking out of the 1824 Jail.  I guess it is not technically a ghost, but I think it has a nicely creepy air to it.

I see I am over 400 words.  That is long for one of my posts!  I hope I can get back into daily blogging. I may even waste a post detailing why I was away for so long, but as I often note, explanations are tiresome.  I sincerely thank you for tuning in.

 

4 Comments

Posted in humor, Pedestrian Post with Pictures, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Congratulations, Renewed and Rescued!

Posted on November 7, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday marked the fifth anniversary for Renewed and Rescued, one of my favorite Herkimer businesses.  Naturally I went down to celebrate with them.

Renewed and Rescued is the anchor store and the founder of Mohawk Community Market, a wonderful vendor market in the old Munger’s Department Store on North Main Street in Herkimer.   They feature a wide variety of items ranging from repurposed vintage furniture to local artisan products and even including some food!

Getting ideas for Christmas!

I wrote my congratulations on a poster board they had set up, following my name with “aka Mohawk Valley Girl” but foolishly did not take a picture.  After looking through the room with clothes (I could use a new fabulous outfit), I went on to the food samples.

Good stuff!

I sampled some cheeses and a delicious pumpkin butter while chatting with some of the people who worked there.  They were very friendly and kind.  I was especially fascinated by some flavorings you can add to water.  Personally I drink plain water all day every day and love it, but I was just talking to a co-worker who can’t stand it plain. I will have to recommend these to her.

You could also add them to coffee and other beverages.

I wandered around looking at the other vendors’ wares and on into the basement, which now includes Mungers 1918 Luncheonette.  I mean to go there for lunch one day soon.  That will make for a delicious blog post!

Renewed and Rescued and Mohawk Community Market are located at 124 North Main St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →